REGULAR MEETING
ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, April 14, 2009
A meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 14, 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
Karen LaPlante
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Richard Szewczak
Tim McGuire
Kathleen Vose (Alternate Member, seated)
Joanne Kneiss, (Alternate Member)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Natalie George
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael Dynia at 7:15 p.m. Commissioners Vose & Kneiss were seated as full voting members for this meeting by Chairman Dynia.
Public Input:
No members of the public were present.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 10, 2009
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 4-0-2 (McGuire & Vose).
Correspondence/All Commissioners:
Chairman Dynia mentioned several articles involving the purchase of open space by other towns.
Commissioner Szewczak noted an additional article about Suffield. They are purchasing 165 acres with $1.4 million from the Department of Agriculture program with the town contributing $600 thousand.
The discussion continued with the question whether Enfield was near depleting its open space acquisition account. It was noted the account still has over $700,000 available for acquisitions. The observation was made that the ECC should be making recommendations to spend down by acquiring more open space, while at the same time searching for additional aide and grants.
Mr. Alsbaugh noted the per acre sale price in Suffield will be $12,000. Commissioner Vose noted that Salem was spending $2 million on 600 acres in watershed development rights, which comes to $3,300 per acre. The commission also discussed the history of acquisitions along the 8 Mile River.
Chairman Dynia presented a JI article detailing Somers updating their open space subdivision regulations to allow reduced frontage requirements while permitting clustered development. The amended regulations will also require a minimum of 40% open space dedication (the state requires a minimum dedication of 30% for open space subdivisions and 10 to 20% for regular subdivisions. A brief discussion on the benefits of cluster development was held, IE shorter roads.
Chairman Dynia also read a Courant article from 4/13/09 that spoke of Glastonbury’s leadership in land preservation. They have a procedure approved by the residents that is very effective. More than $21 million have been raised and used on open space acquisition. The bonding procedure used by Glastonbury keeps a larger reserve while shortening the acquisition process since the town doesn’t have to keep going to referendum every time an appropriate parcel becomes available.
Commissioner LaPlante discussed a JI article that told about several parcels of land being sold for back taxes. Some were going to Norcross, a wild life sanctuary in MA. The commission proposed collating the sales records of open space in Connecticut and coordinating information on properties in Enfield that might also come up for sale for back taxes. Policy recommendations could then be forwarded to the POCD Steering Committee and the Town Council to incorporate into the POCD.
Enfield Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD):
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.
The Chairman observed that the POCD survey was sent out by the Town. Mr. Dynia suggested a question asking if residents would be willing to spend for open space. This would be to set up a reserve fund and consider the use of bonding as does Glastonbury. It was noted the surveys are due back by April 28th.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported that he is working on comments for historic and open space issues for the POCD. As soon as they are finished they will be sent out to the commissioners for their review.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Vose to enter executive session at 7:45 p.m. to discuss real estate matters. Vote was 7-0-0.
Executive session ended at 8:08 p.m. with no votes taken and no decisions made.
Unfinished Business:
Village at Scantic
The commission discussed the boring that was conducted and what the implications would be for recommendations for future development near escarpment soils.
It was noted that the hearing would close tonight (3/10) but it was unlikely a vote would occur.
Farmland Preservation:
The commission requested contact with the Town Manager to ask the Council to move forward on accepting the OSFP study document to formalize the processes already in use.
Archaeological Protection:
Commissioners advised Mr. Alsbaugh that the porch roof of the Shaker building on prison property (Hired Men House, currently part of Shaker Needs Assessment Proposal Project begun in February 2008) has collapsed. Mr. Alsbaugh will check the HDC budget to see if there is any money available to help with a salvage project. Mr. Dynia has two contacts that may be able to help with a salvage operation.
The Grange (Scitico School) project was discussed and is still waiting action by the Council.
The town’s GIS person is working with Mr. Alsbaugh to get historic and cultural layers developed. They are beginning with the Local District on Enfield Street and will progress to the other National Register Districts. The CLG needs assessment projects will coordinate with additional GHIS layer projects for Powder Hollow and Shaker resources.
Special Projects:
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Commissioner Kneiss informed the commission that a magnolia tree had been chosen and tagged at Tarnow’s. It will be planted in the triangle at Elm Street and Hazard Avenue where an Elm and Pin Oaks have already been planted. Dave Tuttle from Parks and Grounds has agreed to plant and care for the tree, reducing the cost for the project. They will water two times a week, or three times if there is a drought.
Mrs. Kneiss and Mr. Alsbaugh photographed the site and determined the best planting location that will not interfere with any overhead power lines. The purchase order is being processed. A press release will be issued after the planting.
Staff Liaison Report:
Issues to report are included elsewhere in the minutes.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association (SRWA):
The association is working with the Land Trust to organize work parties for watershed maintenance along the Scantic. People may contact Mr. Dynia if they are interested in participating.
The Spring Splash was the most successful to date with 130 boats participating. Donations and funds raised will go to the Enfield Food Shelf and the Scantic River Watershed Association.
Chairman Dynia discussed an invitation he received from the Trust for Public Land to walk the headwaters of the Scantic River.
The Chairman also gave an update on the state’s work on creation of a grant for demolition of the Springborn Dam next to STR. He noted the project will include removal of contaminated soils from behind the dam.
Chairman Dynia mentioned there is erosion occurring at the storm drain outlet from the Abbe Wood residential development. He asked that photographs be taken and passed along to Katie Bednaz.
Mr. Dynia discussed a Boy Scout who is doing his Eagle Scout project. His project will consist of construction of a riverside kiosk in Scitico (past Katie Lane) to display maps of current greenway trails along the Scantic River.
The Chairman announced that the town is partnering with the Watershed Association for a walk in Powder Hollow on June 6 or 7. There will be additional senior walks every month. The exact date will be provided later. He also noted that the Watershed Association was having their membership CT River paddle on June 14th.
NEXT MEETING DATE: May 12, 2009
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Kneiss to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Vote was 7-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary |