REGULAR MEETING
ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, June 9, 2009
A regular meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in the Enfield Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Michael Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Dynia, Chairman
Natalie George
Joanne Kneiss, Alternate Member, seated
Karen LaPlante,
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Tim McGuire
Kathleen Vose (7:12 p.m.)
Richard Szewczak
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lisa Strom, Alternate Member
Roger Alsbaugh, Staff Liaison
ALSO PRESENT: Susan Berube, Recording Secretary
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dynia at 7:06 p.m. Alternate member Joanne Kneiss was seated as a full voting member for this meeting.
Public Input:
No members of the public were present.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 12, 2009
A motion was made by Commissioner LaPlante and seconded by Commissioner George to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 14, 2009 with the following amendment: page 5, 3rd paragraph, 1st bullet point – delete “Thompson”; insert “Thomaston”. Vote was 7-0-1(McGuire).
Correspondence:
Commissioner LaPlante noted a recent newspaper article from New Hampshire regarding the research being done on the possibility that the disease ALS is caused by certain bacteria found in lakes. The bacterium is called Cyanobacteria and is caused by pollutants from development.
She also provided a copy of Barco’s Outdoor Products catalog for members to review for signs for the boat launch area.
Commissioners LaPlante and Pfeifer-Hall reported on their attendance at the recent Farmland Preservation seminar. They noted that $15 million is available in Connecticut from the NRCS for farmland preservation.
They also noted that the speaker, Attorney Amy Blaymore Patterson expressed a willingness to meet with the ECC regarding contract negotiations for open space acquisition and obtaining grants for farmland preservation.
Commissioner Kneiss reported that the Enfield Garden Club recently had a speaker who spoke about the invasion of the Asian Longhorn Beetle. The speaker is looking for people to observe trees in our area.
Commissioners George and Kneiss suggested that a presentation on the beetle be made at either the Fourth of July celebration or Family Day.
Discussions:
· CL&P Greater Springfield Reliability Project – ECC input to town position Letter
Commissioner George explained that the proposed project by the Connecticut Siting Council is to increase the available amount of electricity.
The plan involving Enfield is an alternative plan.
She explained that the overhead existing 3 line system will remain. The new lines will be 5 lines, at 90’ high. The same right-of-way will be utilized but additional clearing may be necessary.
Commissioner George stated that she sees no significant reason to object except for the fact that the Siting Council has provided no information on magnetic fields related to this increase from 115 to 345 kilovolts. She questioned what kind of electro-magnetic fields will come off of the lines. Some of the lines come close to residential areas and could have an effect on property values in those areas.
Commissioner George also noted that the underground alternative route is not beneficial. The transition area requires approximately 4 1/2 acres to go from overhead lines to underground lines.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that the proposed transition area is in the area of Stonegate Condominium project. This is within a conservation area and is highly sensitive.
Commissioner George added that digging up existing roads to install underground lines is a bad idea because it could potentially disturb many mature trees along the way. The right of way for that project would be 40’ wide. It would also disturb traffic flow along Brainard Road.
Commissioner Szewczak suggested that the ECC recommend the overhead alternative as long as the electro-magnetic fields do not exceed recommended amounts.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted that the alternative proposal utilizing Enfield is not the first choice of the Siting Council.
Members held lengthy discussion on the proposed project and its’ effects on the town.
Commissioners Kneiss and Pfeifer-Hall felt that the plans be rejected altogether based on environmental impacts. Other towns have rejected the proposal; there is no reason why Enfield cannot do the same.
Commissioner LaPlante added that the underground route proposal goes through the aquifer protection area.
Also, there are concerns over historic archeological sites that could be disturbed through the underground alternative, as well as a detrimental affect to ground water quality.
It was the consensus of the members that the underground alternative is unacceptable.
Commissioner Szewczak suggested that the ECC’s statement should say that the proposed alternative route has been reviewed and the Commission is strongly opposed to the underground route and opposed to the overhead route because of negative effects – more clearing of the right-of-way, health issues, visual, wetlands disturbance, etc.
He noted that other area towns in both Connecticut and Massachusetts have to approve the plan as well.
The negative effects of the underground route would include impact on the aquifer protection area, groundwater contamination, trees within 40’ right-of-way along Brainard Road, and as noted in N.3.1.7, historic and archeological loss.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted the ERT study on the Stonegate project at the location of the proposed Eastern transition station site.
Members also brought out that the overhead route also traverses productive agricultural land, disturbing both topsoil and subsoils.
There would also be disturbance of 27 wetlands and 3 vernal pools along a 5.4 mile overhead route.
The overhead route traverses several residential areas as well as daycare centers and schools.
The widening of the right-of-way would allow additional erosion damage caused by ATV vehicles.
Chairman Dynia left the meeting at 8:22 p.m. and returned at 8:25 p.m.
Commissioner Kneiss stated that she would like to see on what basis that other towns have rejected this proposal.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner George to direct Mr. Alsbaugh to draft a letter to the Siting Council from the ECC, opposing both proposed alternative plans based on the reasons just outlined. Vote was 8-0-0.
· Enfield Plan of Conservation and Development/Steering Committee:
Chairman Dynia reported that he attended a meeting of the POCD steering committee on June 8, 2009.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall left the meeting at 8:28 p.m. and returned at 8:29 p.m.
Chairman Dynia stated that concerns over the economic development draft brought many comments at the meeting.
The Committee will meet again on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 and a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Because of the lack of new information available, however, the public hearing may not take place.
· Other
Commissioner George offered to review the Hazardville Water Company’s permit application and will email Mr. Alsbaugh her findings. He can then forward the email to Commission members to determine if an official Commission response is necessary.
Executive Session: Real Estate Matters:
There was no information to discuss in executive session.
Unfinished Business:
Open Space Acquisition:
Commissioner LaPlante noted that no decision has been made yet to sell the land town owned land off Town Farm Road. She referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes of May 21, 2009 which recommend against the sale of the property.
It was noted that the Nature Conservancy is conducting a study along the Connecticut River. It includes soil analysis, groundwater testing and an inventory of flora and fauna at no cost to the Town.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kneiss and seconded by Commissioner Szewczak to direct Mr. Alsbaugh to draft a letter from the Commission to the Town Council and Mr. Coppler, Mr. Giner, and the researcher, Brett Boisjolie that the ECC is in support of this project. Vote was 8-0-0.
Special Projects:
A motion was made by Commissioner LaPlante and seconded by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall to apply for a grant in October for environmental education to cover the cost of the proposed message board to be located the Barnes Boat Launch. Vote was 8-0-0.
The Magnolia tree was planted to commemorate Arbor Day. It was planted at the “pocket park” at the northeast intersection of Elm Street, North Road and Hazard Avenue.
Liaison Report – Northern CT Land Trust:
A hike was held on Saturday, June 6, 2009 in observance of National Trails Day.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association:
Upwards of 60 people attended a hike on June 6, 2009.
There will be an 8-10 mile canoe ride on Saturday, June 13, 2009.
There will be a “full moon paddle” held in August or September. The exact date will be announced.
The Association is holding a raffle for a kayak. Proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund.
The Association has received Greenway Designation from the Mill Pond to the East Windsor line.
Chairman Dynia also reported that he met with Ms. Blaymore and hiked the area in Stafford where the headwaters of the Scantic River are located. Ms. Blaymore and others are working on a conservation easement for that area.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Kneiss that a letter of support be written for Commissioners George, Szewczak and Strom for their reappointment to the ECC. Vote was 8-0-0.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner Kneiss to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
_______________________________
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary
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