REGULAR MEETING
ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, January 13, 2009
A meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 in the Enfield Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairperson Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Dynia, Chairman
Natalie George
Joanne Kneiss, (Alternate Member, seated)
Karen LaPlante
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Richard Szewczak
Kathleen Vose (Alternate Member, seated)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tim McGuire
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
Susan Berube, Recording Secretary
Rex Joffray, President, Scantic River Watershed Association
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael Dynia at 7:16 p.m.
Roll Call:
Present were: Chairman Dynia and members George, Kneiss, LaPlante, Pfeifer-Hall, Szewczak, and Vose. Alternate member Kneiss and Vose were seated as full voting members for the evening.
Approval of Meeting Minutes – December 9, 2008:
A motion was made by Commissioner George and seconded by Commissioner LaPlante to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2008 as presented. Vote was 7-0-0.
Public Input:
No one in the audience came forward to speak at this time.
A motion was made by Commissioner Vose and seconded by Commissioner LaPlante to take up the Agenda Item: Unfinished Business:
Subdivision / Development Referrals from Planning & Zoning Commission, ERT, Village at Scantic – comment letter to IWWA & PZC (IWWAPH1/6/09). Vote was 7-0-0.
Unfinished Business:
Subdivision / Development Referrals from Planning & Zoning Commission
· ERT, Village at Scantic – comment letter to IWWA & PZC (IWWAPH1/6/09)
Mr. Alsbaugh presented the following documents for Commissioners to review:
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Excerpt from What’s Legally Required regarding IWWA requirements for permit approval
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IWWA regulations relating to considerations for decision
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“No Feasible & Prudent Alternative Test”
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Spring, 2008 issue of “The Habitat” regarding making Conservation Commission recommendations
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Packet dated 08/22/06 regarding information for landowners with escarpment slopes
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Terrace Escarpment Slope Stabilization & Repair Projects costs
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IWWA application for Villages, LLC, received 11/17/08
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Emails from WPCA regarding proposed gravity sewer system
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Emails from John Cabibbo, Assistant Town Engineer
The commissioners reviewed the plans provided by the applicant.
Three possible home sites encroach on the upland review area.
Commissioner Szewczak noted that retention basins eventually develop into wetlands, thereby affecting 3 additional homes. Encroachment on the upland review area could potentially affect wetlands.
The lots affected are #27, 28, 30, 32, 38, and 37.
Commissioners also reviewed the crest line of the escarpment. The building limit line is located, in some areas, on the slope setback.
Another concern raised is the fact that the proposed wetland crossing does not include any plans for compensation.
Commissioner George noted that there is potential for erosion at the crossing because water will still likely find its’ way there.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated that the site is generally good for infiltration but it is important, according to the ERT report, to keep heavy infiltration as far away as possible from the slopes.
He added that the developer has stated that the wetland at the site of the proposed crossing is of low quality. No on-site determination of this has been made. The ERT recommends finding out the quality and function of this wetland. Mr. Askew’s review was based on preliminary plans dated 08/08.
Commissioner George expressed deep concerns over the fact that at least 60% of the tree cover on lots 6 to 26 will be removed and stumped.
When the total site is graded some cuts will be 6’ deep on some lots. The total amount of sandy soil will not be as deep as previously stated.
Commissioner Szewczak explained about escarpment soils. They are very fine in nature. Any increase in water flow dissolves the particles. The gullies are not accustomed to large volumes of water being introduced at any one time. The outlets of the drainage pipes to be armored but the rest of the stream will not be protected, creating a potential for accelerated erosion.
It is recommended by both the ERT and the Town Engineer that the areas affected by the detention basin runoff be armored at least to, or beyond the center of the stream.
Commissioner Szewczak stated that the stream should be protected to the point where additional flow has no effect on the watercourse.
Commissioner Szewczak also expressed concern over the pipe that runs from the end of the cul de sac to Basin #3. He is concerned that it may create a path for water to infiltrate from the wetlands, drying them out. Also, because of the pitch required, it will have no cover at the outlet.
He noted that the pond could potentially be moved, possibly by deleting a building lot.
Commissioner Szewczak also is concerned over the proposed sewer crossing. Excavation to 12 or 14’ will be required for manhole #11. Deep excavation can create weakness in the soil.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall reviewed Dr. Welti’s letter dated 12/10/08. She stated that the applicant has not really addressed the issue of the pipe installation.
Commissioner LaPlante pointed out that flows to the stream may increase, making it a year-round flow. This would make sewer installation under the stream more difficult, unless the project were done in several phases. Upon further review of the plans, it was noted that only the first few houses will be on the Simon Road sewer system. Any homes built after that would be on the gravity feed system. This would require that the sewer system be installed almost immediately upon start of the project.
Commissioner Szewczak stated that he feels that the proposed pumping of the stream for the pipe installation is not adequate. He is very concerned over potential erosion problems. It also has the same potential as the pipe drainage to basin #3, where water could infiltrate and follow the pipe to the escarpment slope, possibly leading to slope failure.
By unanimous consent, a brief recess was called at 8:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:42 p.m.
Commissioners reviewed the proposed Open Space. It was noted that much of the proposed open space area is the escarpment slope. This will not be useful for trails or passive recreation since it cannot and should not be traveled on.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall felt strongly that the rear property lines should more closely follow the slope.
Commissioner LaPlante noted that in the area of the wetland in the eastern section there is a 4” clay pipe. Maps do not show how far this goes up the slope. This was part of a farmed field and the water table is at zero to 12”. She asked if the developer is taking this into account for the purpose of planning for sump pumps.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall suggested that Basin #1 be moved and lot #28 be eliminated. She also feels that lot #30 is too close to the escarpments.
She suggested that basin #2 be rotated and lot #32 eliminated. This would allow for recharge instead of using proposed drainage pipes.
Members also felt that lot #37 is too close to the maximum slope line and lots #34 through 36 could be reconfigured, absorbing lot #37. They noted that there are alternatives to the plans presented but the Commission cannot design it for them. The commissioners would like to see the encroachment issues addressed.
Commissioner Szewczak recommended having the Commission’s thoughts and recommendations in writing and have Conservation Commission representatives attend the IWWA’s next meeting.
Commissioners reviewed major points to be relayed and the need to reference appropriate documents such as the ERT report or examples of other areas in town where escarpment slopes are a problem.
Commissioner George expressed disappointment that the discussions that the Conservation Commission held with the applicant four or more times prior to the application being submitted to the IWWA did not result in better engineered plans. During those meetings, the applicant indicated his intent to convey surface water into ground structures, such as draining roof drains into subsurface leaching structures or surface rain barrels. These are not on the current plans.
Also, a boulevard divider area was specified to have cuts in the curbing so that road drainage could enter for recharge into the soil. This is not shown on the current plans, either. These points were also made in the ERT Report.
Commissioner Kneiss asked if the Conservation Commission could request that the IWWA keep the public hearing open until the Commission has an opportunity to fully review the plans and ERT Report, and until the plans are truly complete.
Commissioner George stated her concerns about the proposed conservation easement document, stating that the wording does not allow the Town to do any work on the property. If the Town were to decide it needed to go in and perform forest or slope maintenance, with the current wording, it could not legally do so. The document should have the words, to perform forest and slope maintenance” in the section indicating inspection of the slopes.
The Sub-Committee will make this recommendation to the IWWA.
Commissioner George also noted that there is not sufficient clearance - at least 25’ clearance - behind the proposed placement of structures, as generally required by the Fire Department.
Several commissioners expressed concerns over the potential problems that could be caused by the installation of pools and sheds near the escarpment slopes, such as draining of the pools by hoses over the slopes.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that 3 wells were found on the property during a site walk and these are not shown on the plans. There could also be possible contamination of the ground water due to garbage being put in the wells. These need to be located on the map and properly capped.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the members that Commissioners Pfeifer-Hall, Szewczak, LaPlante and Chairman Dynia would be members of the sub-committee.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that oil hood separators are not being offered for the catch basins and she believes that the catch basins should include these.
She also recommended use of a non asphaltic tackefier for seeding and asked about bonding for plantings, basins, and other items normally bonded.
She also noted the importance that invasive species such as Norway Maples not be used.
Commissioner George requested that her name and the list of plants be removed from the plans regarding plantings for the boulevard. The list of suggested plants was intended to replace the spreading junipers which the applicant stated was the choice of the Department of Public Works. It was expected that the applicant would have a streetscape by a professional landscape architect as part of his boulevard proposal.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated that she does agree with the applicant with their request from PZC that sidewalks not be required.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated that he will prepare an initial list of points and email them to members, in preparation for the IWWA meeting on 01/20/09.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall encouraged as many members as possible to attend the IWWA meeting.
Chairman Dynia introduced Mr. Joffray of the Scantic River Watershed Association who stated that his organization acts as stewards of the river and wants to protect the greenway. He plans to attend the IWWA meeting, along with other members of the Scantic River Watershed Association.
He asked where people will park, to get to the open space area that is proposed.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that parking will be on the street, which will be a town street. The area of the entrance to the open space is already wooded and the developer will be taking out trees in order to plant two rows of arborvitae, and, she added, that this is located within the wetlands.
It was also noted that mussels have been found in the Scantic River, below Powder Hollow.
Mr. Joffray expressed concern that an archaeological study has not been done. The area was very important to early American native Indians. The Indians located their dwellings at the tops of the slopes along the river
Commissioners held a discussion about how the archeological concerns could be tied in with open space concerns.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall also noted the potential for the Ghost Dune Tiger Beetle in the sandy area, known as lot #5.
Executive Session: Application Process Status
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner George to enter executive session to discuss real estate matter. Vote was 7-0-0.
Members came out of executive session at 10:16 p.m. No votes were taken and no decisions were made.
Unfinished Business:
Chairman Dynia noted that this will be on the Town Council’s next agenda.
There will be a public hearing on this in February, 2009
Regarding the Thompsonville intermodal transportation proposal, Mr. Alsbaugh reported that with regards to a concern by Commissioner George, there has not been flooding on the west side of the railroad tracks, near the river, within the past 100 years. This information was provided by the Town’s DPW. The underpasses of the tracks have not been closed by flooding either.
Next Meeting Date: February 10, 2009
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner LaPlante and seconded by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 p.m. Vote was 7-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary
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