ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

October 11, 2005

Town Hall - Enfield Room

820 Enfield Street

Enfield CT 06082

CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:24 P.M. in the Enfield Room.

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

Michael Dynia                                                 Richard Szewczak                               

Natalie George                                                 Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall   

Gail Miller, staff liaison                                     

Absent:             Hal Leon Bernstein, Joanne Kneiss, Christine Wunch, David LaPierre  

PUBLIC INPUT: Attorney Russo and Margaret Pappas attended to present their application for Open Space Referral    Attorney Russo described the parcel as 2.18 acres at the back of lots 9, 10, 11of the proposed plan. It abuts the recreation field.  There are no trees.  The Inland Wetlands Commission has approved the plans.  Comm. George believes that this is a small parcel of open space that does not connect to any greenway.  She thinks the parcel will be a liability and may be an invitation for questionable activities by people looking for a place to party.  Comm. Szewczak commented that it might act as a buffer between the homes and the school fields.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall stated that the parcel was about 150 feet from the track and the fields. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:    Chairman Dynia asked for comments regarding the minutes of September 13, 2005.  A recommendation was made to change Comm. Szewczak to Comm. Wunch as making the motion to adjourn.  Motion made by Comm. George to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.  Commissioner Szewczak Abstained.

CORRESPONDENCE:  None

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Comm. Szewczak to table Executive Session to later in the meeting, Seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Moved.  

OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION:  Discussion continued regarding the Pappas Open Space Referral.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall noted issues with a previous application and expressed concern that the new property owners would have the same concerns regarding access to the property.  Comm. George is concerned that the public would have access to the recreational fields without paying the admission fee.  Comm. Szewczak agreed that the possible illegal use of the land by people wanting to party may be a concern to the new neighborhood; however he would like to consider the positive aspects of the property.  Comm. George questioned whether the Town would want another emergency access to the fields.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall stated that the land sloped and would not be suitable for emergencies.   Comm. Pfeifer-Hall believes that 10% of the pre-developed value of the land would be more beneficial to the Town. It could be used to buy another piece of open space at another time.  Comm. George agreed, as this piece does not tie into any other parcels of open space. Comm. Pfeifer-Hall stated that the land could be reconfigured into the proposed private lots.  Comm. George agreed, saying it would increase the value of the lots and the owners would be better arbiters of their property than the Town.  She recommends taking the fee in lieu of the land.  Comm. Szewczak believes, after the discussion, that the piece could be a possible liability so he is in favor of the fee also.  Comm. Dynia would like to see it as open space.  Comm. Pfeifer-Hall stated that past history shows that neighbors will not like a pathway through their property so she is in favor of the fee.  Chairman Dynia reviewed all the points.  Motion by Comm. George to take a fee in lieu of open space for this referral, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall and So Voted.

FARMLAND PRESERVATION:  No report

AQUIFER PROTECTION:  No report

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROTECTION:  No report

SPECIAL PROJECTS:  Comm. Dynia reported on the CT River Clean-up on October 1.  There was a smaller turnout, but they still collected 3.5 tons of debris.  Commissioners would like to see the clean up of Kings Island as a summer project.  There was a film crew from the VT Dairy Cooperative there.  Chairman Dynia will see if he can get a copy of the video.  The Wadeable Stream project will take place on October 29 if the Scantic River is lower.

Comm. Pfeifer-Hall would like to see the Town's web site connect to SWRA and the CT River Clean-up.  Comm. Szewczak will check with his son.

 REAL ESTATE:   Staff liaison reported that she checked with Engineering on the possibility of making the Scantic River Greenway map smaller so it could fit in with our letter to land owners.  Engineering recommends just folding the smaller map. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Comm. George, seconded by Comm. Pfeifer-Hall to go into Executive Session.  No decisions were made and no votes were taken.

STAFF LIAISON REPORT:    Staff liaison will bring maps of the Scantic to the next meeting.

Liaison Report - Northern CT Land Trust:   No report

Liaison Report - SRWA   Chairman Dynia reported that the annual meeting will be October 16 at 6:30.

New Business:  Staff liaison will send a letter to the Planning Board outlining the reasons for not accepting the Open Space referral.  They are: size of the parcel, possible pathway for the new neighbors, it does not tie into any other open space, it may lead to unwanted access to school grounds and possible problems and the fee would benefit the Town more than the land.

NEXT MEETING DATE:  Chairman Dynia noted that the next meeting date will be on November 8, 2005.

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion by Comm. Szewczak to adjourn the meeting at 9:54, seconded by Comm. George and So Voted.

Respectfully submitted:

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Secretary