REGULAR MEETING
ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, March 10, 2009
A meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 in the Enfield Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Mike Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Dynia, Chairman
Natalie George
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Kathleen Vose (Alternate Member, seated)
Richard Szewczak
MEMBERS ABSENT: Joanne Kneiss, (Alternate Member)
Karen LaPlante
Tim McGuire
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
Susan Berube, Recording Secretary
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael Dynia at 7:09 p.m. Commissioner Vose was seated as a full voting member for this meeting by Chairman Dynia.
Public Input:
No members of the public were present.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: February 10 and February 23, 2009 (Special Meeting)
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Vose to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 10, 2009 as presented. Vote was 4-0-1(Szewczak).
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner George to approve the minutes of the special meeting of February 23, 2009 as amended. Vote was 3-0-2(Szewczak & Vose).
Correspondence/All Commissioners:
Chairman Dynia mentioned an article recently published in the Hartford Courant on suburban sprawl. The article explained how the Partnership for Strong Communities is calling for cluster housing, built close to mass transit.
Commissioner George noted a recent article in the Enfield Press regarding preservation of barns. It brought out that while grants are available, it is the barn owners’ responsibility to apply for these grants.
Enfield Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD):
Chairman Dynia noted that the POCD Steering Committee hasn’t met since the last ECC meeting but he did receive a draft of the proposed survey.
Chairman Dynia also stated that he will be unable to attend the next POCD meeting but will ask Commissioner LaPlante to attend in his absence.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported that he is working on comments for historic and open space issues for the POCD.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Szewczak to enter executive session at 7:24 p.m. to discuss real estate matters. Vote was 5-0-0.
Executive session ended at 7:38 p.m. with no votes taken and no decisions made.
Unfinished Business:
Village at Scantic
Chairman Dynia reported that this IWWA application and public hearing has been extended to March 31, 2009. At the IWWA meeting of 03/03/09, the applicant announced plans to use directional boring to install sewer line through the escarpment slopes, under the water channel, and up the opposite side to the existing pump station. The applicant had also stated that if required by the IWWA, the original plans of a pump station on site would be utilized instead.
Chairman Dynia went on to say that the IWWA members expressed preference of the directional drilling, but requested additional information on the process. They also stated that they would prefer that no trees be removed in the process. The Department of Public Works had requested that the trees be cut, but the stumps will not need to be removed.
Chairman Dynia expressed his preference that the original plan for an on site pump station be utilized instead.
Also, based on recommendations by expert consultants contracted by the Town, test borings will be done and monitoring wells will be installed shortly; building setbacks can be determined once the tests are complete.
The drainage pipe from the 3rd detention pond will now drain east into the wetlands and pond #2 will be eliminated if possible.
Conservation covenants and signage will be used instead of conservation easements or open space along the escarpment slopes.
No recommendations were made during the IWWA on elimination of some lots along the escarpment slopes; Agency members are waiting for the monitoring well results.
Commissioner George left the meeting for the evening at 7:47 p.m.
Commissioner Szewczak noted that directional drilling is usually limited to sideway drilling. Each directional point change will likely need some excavation. The sewer pipes are not flexible.
Commissioners discussed the types and locations of equipment that will be necessary. A pit may have to be dug at the bottom of the escarpment, leaving commissioners wondering how the equipment will get down to the channel level.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall reviewed the reports provided by the experts but noted that they did not give definitive statements, but raised many questions regarding the stability of the escarpments. Both reports agreed that the slopes must not be disturbed, if at all possible.
Commissioners requested additional information on directional drilling, the need for pits, timetable on the borings and test wells, and how the consultants are being paid.
It was the consensus of the Commission members to refrain from further comments until after the well monitoring reports are received.
Farmland Preservation:
Mr. Alsbaugh reported that he was told that this should be voted on during the month of March. At the request of the Commission, he will send an email to the Town Manager regarding the ECC’s interest in moving this document forward.
Archaeological Protection:
Commissioners reviewed a memo written by Mr. Alsbaugh to the Town Manager regarding the Enfield Grange Hall. The memo recommends that the Hall be transferred to the Town, with the Scantic River Watershed Association becoming primary caretaker, sharing the building with the Northern CT Land Trust and the Enfield Grange.
Special Projects:
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Commissioner George had earlier indicated to Mr. Alsbaugh that she will contact Tarnow Nursery regarding a tree. The site for the tree is still being determined. The Historic District Commission has indicated a willingness to work with the ECC regarding this and future tree plantings.
Staff Liaison Report:
Mr. Alsbaugh reported that funds will be transferred from the Miscellaneous account to Salaries, to cover expenses to the end of the fiscal year. To date, the ECC has used 42% of its annual budget, leaving a balance of $2,530.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association (SRWA):
The Spring Splash canoe race will be held on March 28, 2009.
Chairman Dynia, along with some members of the Scantic River Watershed Association met recently with representatives of the D.E.P. at the Shenipsit Forest ranger station to receive a Memo of Understanding regarding the upgrades and marking of paths for the Scantic River Greenway. He also noted that the Boy Scouts have indicated an interest in assisting on trail work.
Chairman Dynia and Mr. Jaffrey also recently met with Amy Blaymore Patterson, a representative of the Trust For Public Land. Ms. Patterson expressed an interest in the Scantic River Watershed area and a possible alliance between the SRWA and the Trust, to preserve the headwaters of the Scantic River.
NEXT MEETING DATE: April 14, 2009
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Vose to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Vote was 4-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary |