ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 September 12, 2006

Town Hall - Shaker Room

820 Enfield Street

Enfield CT 06082

CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. in the Enfield Room.

ROLL CALL:  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall performed the roll call.  The following commissioners were in attendance:

Michael Dynia                         Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall   

Natalie George                        

Joanne Kneiss,                                     Richard Szewczak,

Gail Miller, staff liaison  

Absent: Christine Wunch

PUBLIC INPUT: Chairman Dynia noted that there were no persons present to give public input.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:    Chairman Dynia asked for comments regarding the minutes of June 13, 2006.   Motion made by Comm. George to approve the minutes, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.  Comm. Szewczak and Kneiss abstained.

CORRESPONDENCE:  Staff liaison handed out the brochure for the Listen to the River Initiative sponsored by the CT TPL River Program.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall would like to give them a list of properties to consider.  Comm. George cited several properties listed in the Plan of Conservation and Development.  Comm. Szewczak volunteered to go to the Meeting on September 30.  It is the same day as the Source to the Sea clean up so several commissioners are unavailable.  Staff liaison will register Comm. Szewczak.  Members agreed on a wish list of properties to present that day.

Comm. Kneiss cited the articles in The Habitat titled: Protection of Sensitive Drinking Water Source Areas.  She believes it would be important to publicize this information.  Comm. George is concerned about the potential of a Haz Mat contamination on the site of old wells.  Comm. Kneiss suggested that the map be superimposed on the potential site map to further emphasize the desirability of the preservation of Open Space.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was agreed that Executive Session was not needed.

OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION: Discussed previously

FARMLAND PRESERVATION:  Staff liaison presented a list of properties that met the 490 farmland designation.

AQUIFER PROTECTION:  Discussed previously

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION:  No report

SPECIAL PROJECTS:   Comm. Pfeifer-Hall presented a draft of a letter to Northeast Utilities to include the memo from the Town Attorney along with her photos.  She will assist staff liaison who will put it on letter head and mail it.

The Wadeable Streams project will take place on October 14, 2006.

Motion by Comm. George and seconded by Comm. Kneiss to allow $100.00 for the River Clean- up project and So Voted.

REAL ESTATE:  No report

STAFF LIAISON REPORT:    Staff liaison will follow up the on John St. properties.

Liaison Report - Northern CT Land Trust:   Comm. Pfeifer-Hall reported that there was sufficient funds to obtain the Whitaker property.

Liaison Report - SRWA:  Motion by Comm. George for the Conservation Commission to back the full removal of the Springborn damn as opposed to removing just the upper portion.  This will allow the river to return to its free flowing state.  Comm. Dynia stated that the State owns the damn and it would be cheaper to remove it.  He has sent letters to local representatives to support the removal of the damn.  Motioned seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.

The Annual Meeting will be held on October 15 at the Somers Senior Center

New Business:  Review of the Plan for Conservation and Development. Motion by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Comm. George to table discussion of the Maps and pages 41 - 45 until the next meeting due to time constraints.  Motion was passed unanimously.

NEXT MEETING DATE:  Chairman Dynia noted that the next meeting date will be on October 10, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to adjourn the meeting at 8:50, seconded by Comm. Kneiss and So Voted.

Respectfully submitted:

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Secretary