Agendas/ Minutes > Conservation Commission > Conservation Commission Minutes > 2009 > 05/12/09 ECC Minutes Share |

REGULAR MEETING

ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

TUESDAY, May 12, 2009

 

A regular meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 in the Enfield Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut.  Vice Chair Karen LaPlante called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Mike Dynia, Chairman (8:23 p.m.)       

                                    Natalie George

Joanne Kneiss, (Alternate Member, 8:17 p.m.)

Karen LaPlante, Acting Chair

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall

Lisa Strom (Alternate Member, seated)

Kathleen Vose  

                                                Richard Szewczak (7:46 p.m.)

 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Tim McGuire

                                               

ALSO PRESENT:                 Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner

                                                Susan Berube, Recording Secretary

 

 

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair LaPlante at 7:09 p.m.  Commissioner Strom was seated as a full voting member for this meeting by Acting Chair LaPlante.

 

Public Input:  

No members of the public were present.

 

Approval of Meeting Minutes          April 14, 2009:

A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Vose to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 14, 2009 with the following amendments:  3rd page, 3rd paragraph –delete entire sentence.  Vote was 3-0-2(Commissioners George and Strom).

 

Correspondence / All Commissioners:

Acting Chair LaPlante noted that Commissioner Vose has been appointed as a regular member of the Commission.  Commissioner Strom has been appointed as an alternate member to replace Everett Gamble.

 

A Siting Council hearing will take place in Suffield on June 11, 2009 at the Suffield High School.  Further information can be found on the DPUC or Siting Council websites.

 

Commissioner George expressed concern over the electro-magnetic fields becoming wider, requiring removal of additional vegetation.

 

It was the consensus of the Commission to request that Ms. Bednaz, Wetlands Agent, share her comments to and from the Siting Council with the ECC.

 

A letter dated April 22, 2009 from the Trust for Public Land was received.  It included an invitation to an upcoming workshop “Strategies for Funding Farmland Preservation” to take place on May 21, 2009 at the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon, CT.

 

If any Commissioners plan to attend, please let Mr. Alsbaugh know so that he can register the member.

 

It was also noted that an email regarding green roofs was sent to Commissioners.

 

Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted a recent article in the Hartford Courant regarding future uses of the now closed Hartford, CT landfill.  It is estimated that the methane being released from the 64 acre site is enough to generate electricity for 1,700 homes.

 

Discussions

·                    Enfield Plan of Conservation & Development / Steering Committee

Commissioner LaPlante reported that she attended the most recent POCD meeting and received draft documents.  The next meeting will take place in mid June, possibly the 16th or 17th.  The first meeting will be for the public and the second meeting will be a working meeting.

 

Among the topics brought up at the meeting was the tradition of dealing with different parts of town such as Hazardville, Thompsonville, etc as discrete areas for consideration and planning. It was thought that such positions generated conflict and competition among neighborhoods and villages, and perhaps it would be more productive to only refer to sections of town as “Enfield” in general. The concept was not positively received.

 

Surveys have been mailed out but there are not any results yet.

 

A suggestion was made to use the large tract of land between Hazard Avenue, Elm Street and Moody Road as a huge park. ????

 

The consultant for the POCD also suggested moving Asnuntuck Community College to the Thompsonville section of town, to help revitalize the area.  Conservation Commission members did not feel that this was an appropriate use of the land in that area, in fact, there is a lack of land for such a large campus.

 

·                    Other, as requested:  A motion was made by Commissioner George and seconded by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall to add the following to the agenda:  “Town Farm Property”.  Vote was 5-0-0.

 

  • Town Farm Property

Commissioners discussed Chairman Dynia’s 04/18/09 letter to Town Manager Matthew Coppler regarding the proposed sale of (20 acres of the total 95.7 - RA) town owned property on Town Farm Road.

 

The letter expressed the concern of the ECC that the property should not be sold, as well as the fact that the ECC should have been notified  of the proposal to sell the property, in order to be able to provide comment.

 

At this time, Commissioner Szewczak joined the meeting.

 

Commissioners reviewed the 1979 proposed site plans of the Mancuso property.  The proposal included horseshoe pits, soccer and little league fields, handball and tennis courts, badminton, and many other recreational activities.

 

The high bidder for the property was Mr. Chmura at $50,800.

 

Raffia farms offered 2 bids.  The monetary bid was for $48,000.  The alternate bid was to trade two of Mr. Raffia’s properties, equaling 40+/- acres, in exchange for the Town’s 20 acre parcel.

 

Commissioners held lengthy discussion on the ramifications if any of the bids were accepted. 

 

Commissioners were agreeable to the concept of leasing the 20 acre parcel for agricultural use in order to keep the land from becoming overgrown.

 

Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that the Raffia land being offered in trade is either within the flood plain or is escarpment.  Also, overhead power lines run through one of the parcels.

 

At this time, Acting Chair LaPlante recused herself from further discussion due to a potential conflict of interest.  Commissioner Kneiss, who had just entered the room, also recused herself for the same reason.

 

Mr. Alsbaugh explained that the piece possibly being sold is part of the overall plan that has been worked on for over 30 years.  The entire site is supposed to be a state park along the Scantic River.

 

Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that part of the 20 acre parcel is wooded.  If it was sold and only agricultural activities could take place on it, she wondered if the wooded portion would be clear-cut.

 

Commissioner George felt that the parcels owned by Raffia would be good additions to the Scantic River Greenway and suggested that the Commission approach him regarding purchasing the parcels with Open Space funds.

 

Commissioner Szewczak agreed, noting that the parcels are not developable.  The Commission would be interested in the land, but not as part of a “swap”.

 

Chairman Dynia joined the meeting at this time, but did not assume his position as chairman.

 

A motion was made Commissioner George and seconded by Commissioner Vose that the ECC recommend that the 20 acre parcel not be sold.

 

During discussion, Commissioner George stated that this site has already been before the public for recreational use.  It has not been formally appraised, but was put out to bid at a value less than the value of keeping it for recreational use.

 

Commissioner Strom stated that she is strongly in agreement with Chairman Dynia’s letter and does not feel that the property should be sold.

 

Commissioner Szewczak stated that the sale of the land will have no effect on the Town’s budget will have long term ramifications by selling, leaving less open space and recreation.

 

Commissioner Vose felt that the addition of open space recreational areas such as the original proposal for this parcel would be a boon to the town and felt that the Town should not sell any portion of it.

 

Mr. Alsbaugh suggested pursuing Raffia’s 2 parcels as open space purchases while recommending that the land not be sold and eventually developed as a recreation area.

 

Commissioner George suggested offering Mr. Raffia a 10-year lease of the Town’s 20 acre parcel in exchange for the deeds to the 2 parcels he is willing to trade.

 

Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that the ECC letter of recommendation needs to be addressed to the P&Z Commission but the purchase of the properties needs to go to the Town Council.

 

She also noted key points that should be included in the letter:

  • Comm. Szewczak’s and Vose’s comments regarding long term planning
  • Process to sell was reversed
  • Third party having access through the parcel – the 20 acre parcel is landlocked.  If sold, would require an easement, creating difficulty in developing a cohesive parcel for recreation.

Vote was 6-0-0.

 

Commissioner Kneiss and Acting Chair LaPlante returned to the meeting at 9:02 p.m.

 

Executive Session: Application process status   NONE.

 

Unfinished Business:

Subdivision / Development Referrals from Planning & Zoning Commission

·                    Village at Scantic: 

Commissioners briefly reviewed the 28 conditions of approval from the IWWA.  Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall thanked Commissioners and others who attended the public hearings.

 

·                    Arbor day tree planting update 

Commissioner Kneiss noted that the tree has been planted on the corner of North & Elm Streets and Hazard Ave.  She expressed appreciation for the Building & Grounds Department for their assistance in planting and watering the tree.  Mr. Alsbaugh will provide a press release.

 

Liaison Report - Northern CT Land Trust

Chairman Dynia reported that the Shenipsit Striders race is this weekend.  They are still looking for volunteers.

 

Liaison Report - Scantic River Watershed Association: 

Chairman Dynia reported that a recreation day will be held this Saturday at the Enfield Senior Center.

Commissioner LaPlante explained about the Watershed’s new mascot, a turtle.

 

  • A ceremony will be held on June 5, 2009 in Thomaston, CT to announce another greenway designation
  • A historic hike will be held on June 6, 2009, starting from the barn, going along the Scantic
  • On June 13, 2009, there will be a canoe/kayak trip on the Connecticut River.  It will run from the lower boat launch to Windsor.
  • The Full Moon Paddle will take place in August.
  • The Association is holding a raffle for a new kayak.  Proceeds will go to the Enfield Food Shelf.  Winner to be chosen in August, 2009.
  •  Work has started to clear the river from Town Farm Road to the red barn.
  • The state is attempting to get stimulus money to work on the Springborn dam.  If successful, work will hopefully start this summer.

 

Next Meeting Date:   June 9, 2009

 

Adjournment:

A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Vose to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 p.m.  Vote was 7-0-0.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

_________________________________

Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary