ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

April 12, 2005

Town Hall - Enfield Room

820 Enfield Street

Enfield CT 06082

CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M. in the Enfield Room.

ROLL CALL:  Comm. LaPierre performed the roll call.  The following commissioners were in attendance:

Michael Dynia                                                  David LaPierre

Christine Wunch                                                           Joanne Kneiss             

Richard Szewczak                                                        Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall   

Gail Miller, staff liaison                                     

Absent:  Natalie George                                                Hal Leon Bernstein      

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 February 8, 2005.  Motion made by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to approve the minutes, seconded by Comm. Wunch and So Voted.  Commissioners Kneiss, Dynia and Szewczak Abstained.

CORRESPONDENCE:  Staff liaison Gail Miller read an appeal from IPANE (Invasive Plants) and the Wildflower Society looking for volunteers to identify species in the State.  Commissioners decided against becoming members of the Trust for Public Land.

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

OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION:  Commissioners approved the letter drafted by Chairman Mike Dynia to the property owners along the Scantic.  Staff liaison will send it to the Town Manager.

FARMLAND PRESERVATION:  No report

AQUIFER PROTECTION:  Comm. Kneiss reviewed a PBS program about the potential for a lack of water in the world.  Water, unlike oil that can be replenished, is not a substance that has a substitute for its use.  She recommended that commissioners watch it if they have a chance.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION:  No report

SPECIAL PROJECTS:  Arbor Day: April 30 - Comm. George contacted Tarnow's Nursery and got a price of $259 for a Princeton Elm tree. The Commission would like to plant it on Elm Street at the intersection with South Rd and Hazard Ave.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall will contact Rockville Bank to see if they have a source for water.  Commissioners will be responsible for watering the tree for this first season.  Staff liaison will contact DPW to inquire about planting the tree.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall made a motion to purchase the tree for planting pending approval from DPW, seconded by Comm. LaPierre and So Voted.

Website:  Comm. Szewczak discussed the ECC website that his son has been developing.  Commissioners agreed that only e-mail addresses would appear on the site, not telephone numbers and addresses.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall would like to eliminate Archeological Protection on the site.  Comm. Szewczak would like to add a folder for pictures of nature walks.  Commissioners discussed the best way to add this site to the Town Web site.  Staff liaison will contact the IT Webmaster to facilitate this task.    Commissioners inquired about the need for a Mission and/or Goal Statement that would appear on the site.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall will work on a statement.

Scenic Road:  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall has not had a response from NU to her recent letter.  She will follow up on it with them.

Electronic Recycling:  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall met with Deputy Public Works Director Geoff McAlmond.  He has proposed $4,000 for a program.  He wondered what role the Conservation Commission would take in the process as he has concerns for union issues.  Staff liaison will follow up to see if these funds remained in the final budget proposal.

Family Matters Day:  Comm. Kneiss will find out the date and she suggested working with the Enfield Garden Club on a joint project, perhaps involving Smokey the Bear.

REAL ESTATE:   No report

STAFF LIAISON REPORT:   Staff liaison reviewed the WHIP grant written by Assistant Planner Neil Angus and described the walk along Freshwater Brook with the engineering firm hired by the State to review grant sites. 

There are a variety of workshops that are available for Commissioners to attend.

Liaison Report - Northern CT Land Trust:  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall pointed out the hiking schedule in the NCLT newsletter.

Liaison Report - SRWA  The Spring Canoe Splash was a success again this year.  Ninety five canoes and 138 people participated. SWRA is working on a brochure detailing the land along the Scantic. In conjunction with the US Dept of Agriculture there will be training on June 9 for volunteers who will walk/canoe/kayak the Scantic and fill out the appropriate forms to detail the characteristics of the River.  Teams of two will work together along the 38 miles of the River.  There is an informational meeting for volunteers on May 18.

New Business: No report

NEXT MEETING DATE:  Chairman Dynia noted that the next meeting date will be on May 10, 2005.

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion by Comm. Kneiss to adjourn the meeting at 8:37, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.

Respectfully submitted:

David LaPierre

Secretary