REGULAR MEETING
ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, September 8, 2009
A regular meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 in the Thompsonville Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Michael Dynia called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Dynia, Chairman
Natalie George
Karen LaPlante
Tim McGuire
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Kathleen Vose
Richard Szewczak(7:12 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Joanne Kneiss, Alternate Member
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Staff Liaison
Susan Berube, Recording Secretary
Attorney Amy Blaymore Paterson
Brian Peruta, IWWA Member
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dynia at 7:10 p.m.
Public Input: None
Approval of Meeting Minutes – July 14, 2009: Commissioner LaPlante made a motion, seconded by Commissioner George to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 14, 2009 with the following amendment: page 4, last sentence, change the words “Agent” to “Commissioner”. Vote was 6-0-1(McGuire).
Discussions
Ms. Patterson thanked the Commission for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Trust for Public Land. She explained that she is a project manager for the Trust, a national non-profit organization.
The Trust assists government agencies, municipalities and private land trusts identify areas of priority and procure funding. They help with the preparation and bond work and facilitate land deals. The Trust assists with the title search, appraisal, and Phase I environmental assessment. It also makes grant applications to assist with purchases.
Commissioner McGuire left the meeting at 7:26 p.m. and returned at 7:31 p.m.
As an example of the work done by the Trust, Ms. Paterson referred to a recent purchase of CT Water Company property by the town of Windsor Locks. The Trust negotiated with the water company to purchase the land, starting as an easement but the Town will take title at some point in the future.
Commission members discussed properties along the Scantic River in Enfield and their desire to obtain property also currently owned by CT Water Company. The parcel is 100+ acres. The Commissioners discussed their preferences and indicated that they would like to at the least, have a conservation easement placed along the flood plain.
Ms. Paterson stated that it is hoped that some grants will be made available in 2010 and she offered to speak with representatives of the CT Water Company.
Mr. Alsbaugh brought up the importance of the historic aspect of the area because of the powder companies that used to be located there.
He also mentioned that the state representatives for the Town, Karen Jarmoc and John Kissel know the importance of access to recreation for local residents.
At Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall’s request, Ms. Paterson briefly explained the difference between a conservation easement and conservation covenant.
She stated that a covenant is usually listed in the property deed and enforcement is unclear.
An easement gives the grantee the right to the easement and the ability to enforce that the grantor upholds the restrictions. It all depends on what the document states.
Commission members discussed the possibility of the Trust getting involved with the acquisition of several properties along the Scantic River. Ms. Paterson stated that she would need a formal agreement with the Town to proceed.
While the open space fund has approximately $800,000, she noted that bonding could be used to fund the purchase of future parcels.
She added that the Trust, for a fee, can also conduct poling and research to gage the residents’ feelings on bonding for open space purchases.
Mr. Alsbaugh wondered if this could be tied in with the upcoming Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).
Chairman Dynia noted that the POCD is behind in schedule and the next meeting will be later this month. It is hoped that the document is completed by the end of 2009.
Commissioner George stated that she hopes that the POCD reflects the interest of the townspeople in preservation of land and recreational areas. She spoke of the need to keep projects active and in the forefront of the POCD.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall noted the proposed project of a recreation area along the Connecticut River and the possibility of having the Trust negotiate with the landowners.
Mr. Alsbaugh and the Commissioners explained the potential loss of access to the river in the Thompsonville area. The past two POCDs had earmarked them as recreational areas but they are now being eyed for potential development.
Ms. Paterson encouraged the members to keep pursuing properties along the Scantic River and expressed a willingness to speak with the ECC again at a later date about conducting a survey of the townspeople on conservation bonding and goals.
Ms. Paterson, before leaving the meeting at 8:27 p.m., left several brochures relating to land conservation.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall left the meeting at 8:28 p.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m.
Members discussed the proposed “multi-modal center” which is to include a bus station and train station.
The area has always been intended as access to the river for residents and as a destination point.
Members held discussion of the preliminary future concept of this area in the POCD currently being developed.
It was brought up that a bus station in Thompsonville would be inappropriate for reasons such as the narrow roads, lack of parking, and others. The plan was always only for a train station, with a bus station to be located on the east side of Route 91.
Currently, bus traffic is primarily to take workers out of town, not bringing traffic to Enfield as a destination.
Commercial development of Thompsonville has never been part of a POCD.
Commissioner George expressed concern over adding additional impervious surface. It would be detrimental to the quality of the Connecticut River.
She suggested that a letter be drafted stating the commission’s concerns, including the fact that several properties along the river are Brownfield.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall added that every survey done, shows that the residents want more access to the Connecticut River.
Commissioners George and LaPlante will draft the letter. A motion was made by Commissioner LaPlante and seconded by Commissioner George that the Commission submit comments regarding the inter-modal project. Vote was 7-0-0.
Correspondence/All Commissioners/Staff Liaison:
A recent Enfield Press article reported on a REACT meeting which promotes the importance of gaining access to the Connecticut River for fishing.
Commissioner LaPlante reported that a college student recently created a bicycle master plan. It is available on CD for members to review.
Commissioner LaPlante attended a PZC meeting and spoke of the Commission’s concerns regarding escarpment slopes.
Commissioner Szewczak left the meeting at 9:05 and returned at 9:06 p.m.
Commissioner LaPlante reported that she spoke with instructors at the D.E.P. about sponsoring a safe boating class geared toward kayaks and canoes. She stated that it could possibly be held as an adult education class or perhaps could be held at Town Hall through ETV. This would allow it to be taped and available for later review at the library.
A decision on this will be made at the Commission’s next meeting.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported that he submitted the Commission’s comments to PZC for the Villages subdivision.
He also provided a June 12, 2008 document regarding Conservation easements verses Covenants, a farmland information fact sheet and an article on national easement programs.
Executive Session: Real Estate Matters: NONE.
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Alsbaugh suggested that the Commissioners form a subcommittee to pursue obtaining additional parcels of land along the Scantic River.
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Archeological Protection: Commissioner LaPlante reported that the Villages applicant reported to the PZC that an expert found nothing of archeological value on the site. Members question these findings, wondering if the entire property was reviewed. Mr. Alsbaugh stated that he would call the expert.
Commissioners reviewed the proposed message board to be placed at the boat launch site. Connecticut Light & Power may provide a grant up to $1,000. The larger board available would cost $772.50 without posts. The posts would be purchased locally plus pertinent information such as the CT River Guide, all at a cost of approximately $50. The grant application must be submitted by September 15, 2009.
Liaison Report - Enfield POCD/Steering Committee: Chairman Dynia reported that the draft is due soon. A public hearing will follow. He is unsure of the exact dates of these meetings.
Liaison Report – Northern CT Land Trust: The annual meeting will be held soon.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association (SRWA): Chairman Dynia reported that the SRWA received a $5,000 grant for recreational trails program. The funds will be used to buy signs and equipment for trail maintenance.
The stream walk will be held soon.
The Full Moon Paddle was held on 09/03/09. Over 200 boaters and boats participated. The winner of the kayak raffle was a Wilbraham, MA resident.
The SRWA turtle mascot has been named - Sir Wally Awesome.
The SRWA is co-sponsoring a hike with the Town of Enfield on September 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Organizational Meeting
Election of Officers: Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall nominate Commissioner LaPlante as Chair. Seconded by Commissioner George. Vote was 7-0-0.
Commissioner George nominated Commissioner Dynia as Vice Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall. Vote was 7-0-0.
Commissioner Szewczak nominated Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall as Secretary. Seconded by Commissioner LaPlante. Vote was 7-0-0.
Review if by-laws: Commissioners discussed Article VIII.I. Under discussion was the 3rd sentence, regarding notice of special meeting. It was the consensus to remove the last part of the sentence: “which shall be noticed as a special meeting.” A motion was made by Commissioner George and seconded by Commissioner LaPlante to further discuss and vote on the change at the Commission’s next meeting.
Also discussed was Article XII.2 regarding commissioners not approaching or having discussions with a landowner regarding any real estate matter under consideration by the Commission. After discussion of the paragraph, it was the consensus of the members that no changes be made on this article.
Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and seconded by Commissioner LaPlante to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m. Vote was 7-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary
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