ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

November 14, 2006

Town Hall – Enfield Room

820 Enfield Street

Enfield, CT 06082

CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. in the Enfield Room.

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

Michael Dynia

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Christine Wunch

Timothy McGuire

Kathleen Vose, Alternate

Absent: Richard Szewczak, Natalie George, Joanne Kneiss, Alternate, Gail Miller Staff Liaison

Chairman Dynia appointed Commissioner Vose as a full voting member. Chairman Dynia reviewed the meeting schedule for the benefit of the new members.

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 September 12, 2006. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall noted the Liaison for the Northern CT Land Trust should be listed as M. Dynia. Motion to approve the minutes as amended made by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Comm. Wunch. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and Chairman Dynia voted in favor. Comm. Wunch, McGuire and Vose Abstained. Motion was approved.

CORRESPONDENCE: Chairman Dynia reviewed article in newspaper about Culver Modisette and the new Scantic River Guide published by the Scantic River Watershed Association. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall discussed the CACIWC Annual Convention she attended on November 4, 2006 at which Neil Angus, the former Assistant Town Planner and Wetland Agent was awarded the Staff/Agent of the Year award.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Comm. Wunch to go into executive session to discuss real estate matters, seconded by Comm. McGuire and So Voted.

Chairman Dynia stated that no votes were taken and no decisions made during executive session.

OPEN SPACE:  No Report

FARMLAND PRESERVATION: No Report

AQUIFER PROTECTION: No Report

SPECIAL PROJECTS: Chairman Dynia discussed various projects the commission has done in the past for the benefit of the new members such as the Source to Sea CT River Cleanup, the Wadeable Stream project on the Scantic River and its tributaries, Family Day, planting a tree on Arbor Day. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall mentioned the Scenic Road designation for Old River Road and Old Depot Hill Road. She has made a call to the contact at CL&P to find out the status of the last letter sent with the Town attorney’s review of the scenic road designation. Chairman Dynia to look into getting a banner with the Enfield Conservation Commission name on it for use in a future projects

REAL ESTATE:  Discussed open space behind the new Walgreen’s building at the intersection of Elm and Shaker Roads. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall noted she was of the understanding the Town Council was moving forward with developing plans for soccer fields on this parcel. The commission noted there was no response to a letter sent to the council with its recommendations.

STAFF LIAISON: Chairman Dynia reviewed the email from the Assistant Town Manager, Dan Vindigni.

Liaison Report- Northern CT Land Trust: No Report. Chairman Dynia discussed the possibility of a new member becoming a liaison and attending meetings.

Liaison Report - Scantic River Watershed Association: Chairman Dynia said the Annual meeting held on October 15, 2006 was not as well attended as in the past. Culver Modisette did a very interesting presentation on his trip to Alaska. The next monthly meeting is November 13, 2006. They have published a River Guide which is for sale at $5.00 each. The Watershed Association has an informational website. The commission discussed the information gathering for the making of the River Guide by volunteers. Chairman Dynia discussed the potential removal of the Springborn Dam. The Watershed Association is in favor of its removal. Letters have been sent to Congressman Simmons, John Kissel, Kathy Tallarita, and Steve Jarmoc asking for support of the dam removal. The dam is owned by the State of CT. The Watershed Association has received a copy of a letter sent to DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy from State Senator John Kissel in favor of the removal. The pros and cons of the dam removal were discussed. The Watershed Association is working with the Rivers Alliance on this issue. They have probed the soil behind the dam and taken core soil samples to analyze them. Preliminary results indicate they are not too bad. It is expected to take approximately 5 years for a final decision to be made. Some of the timber cribbing was dislodged during the October 2005 flood. The Annual Canoe race has been scheduled for March 31, 2007. The Watershed Association is the official sponsor of the Scantic River Splash Canoe Race. The Department of Corrections has been asked to help cut trees that have fallen across the river. They have started on Stokers Pond area and will then work on other locations.

NEW BUSINESS: Review of the Plan of Conservation and Development. No discussion because the new members do not have copies. Chairman Dynia will request copies be given to Comm. McGuire and Vose.

NEXT MEETING DATE:  Chairman Dynia noted the next meeting date will be on December 12, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Comm. Wunch to adjourn the meeting at (? Maybe 9:00 PM), seconded by Comm. Vose and So Voted.

Respectfully submitted:

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Secretary