ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was called to order by Chairman LaPlante in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Commissioners Natalie George, Joanne Kneiss, Karen LaPlante, Timothy McGuire, Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Richard Szewczak and Kathleen Vose. Commissioner Michael Dynia was absent. Alternate Joanne Kneiss was empowered to vote at this meeting. Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Planner, entered the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner George, seconded by Commissioner Kneiss to accept the minutes of the April 13, 2010 Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission.
Referring to Page 3 and the paragraph regarding the ERT change, Chairman LaPlante noted the word “send” should be “seen” in the tenth line of that paragraph. Also, on Page 4, sixth paragraph, the word “form” should be changed to “from”.
The minutes were accepted by a 5-0-2 vote, with Commissioners Szewczak and Vose abstaining.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner Kneiss to go into Executive Session to discuss real estate matters.
The vote was unanimous, and the Regular Meeting stood recessed at 7:15 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Conservation Commission was called to order by Chairman LaPlante at 7:16 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Commissioners Natalie George, Joanne Kneiss, Karen LaPlante, Timothy McGuire, Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Richard Szewczak and Kathleen Vose.
Real Estate Matters were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman LaPlante adjourned the Executive session at 7:33 p.m. She reconvened the Regular Meeting at 7:34 p.m. and stated during Executive Session, Real Estate Matters were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Enfield Plan of Conservation & Development – Review of November2009 Final Draft-Comments and Revisions
Chairman LaPlante stated her belief Mr. Alsbaugh was concerned historic or archaeological things do not get addressed, or are not part of the planning process.
Commissioner Szewczak stated his impression Enfield doesn’t have enough planning. He noted they will take a small piece of a large parcel so a small buyer can be satisfied, rather than saving a large parcel for a large development. He noted the planning department needs to start planning rather than streamlining. He stated his belief the Planning Department is reacting rather than anticipating.
Discussion followed about the importance of complete and final plans coming before commissions, and the importance of commissioners caring or knowing enough to do a proper review of those plans.
Commissioner George stated staff is supposed to be sufficiently attuned to the commissions they’re serving.
Commissioner Szewczak stated his belief Policy 1.6 seems to put a negative spin on town staff and the town’s review process.
Commissioner Kneiss stated her belief quality developments should be Enfield’s foundation. She noted although the permit process should be simplified, it should be complete.
It was agreed that Policy 1.6 should read as follows:
“The Town of Enfield should simplify and streamline the permit approval process. There should be a clear outline of the permits required for each kind of project, the departments, boards or commissions that review and/or approve each permit and the order in which each board or commission is required to issue a decision. The historic preservation review process should be integrated into the process.”
Commissioner George stated her belief that somewhere in their comments they need to include the concept raised by Commissioner Szewczak in that there needs to be proactive planning for development as opposed to checklists and reaction to individual proposals.
She went on to state her belief the Planning Department should develop a land development plan which identifies large, consolidated parcels, as well as smaller parcels that will accommodate various size development proposals.
Commissioner Szewczak stated the Town needs someone who is a planner and can actually look at this, and someone who isn’t an economic developer so that they can make some sense out of the town.
Commissioner George stated the long-range planning concept needs to be included. She stated her belief the development map is adequate for planning purposes. She noted the Planning Department should be leading the way with the Economic Development Department as to where the most appropriate place would be for a development.
Everyone agreed with Policy 1.8.
Upon further review, it was discovered that the POCD before the Commission is not the latest version. Chairman LaPlante stated she will re-do comments according to the latest, revised POCD.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he will forward to the Commission the latest, revised copy of the POCD.
Referring to the Future Land Use Map Issues, Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated her belief Chairman LaPlante’s comments were very good, especially as concerns agricultural preservation.
Commissioner Kneiss stated the map shows Enfield has important agricultural areas that should be preserved. She stated it appears it’s not in conjunction with what the state is looking at.
Commissioner McGuire stated there are good soils that are zoned industrial.
Chairman LaPlante stated it’s confusing that different terminology is being used to reference the same parcel.
Commissioner George stated her belief aquifer areas should be included. Mr. Alsbaugh pointed out there’s a whole set of local and state regulations that exist, therefore, it doesn’t have to be in this Plan of Conservation and Development. He noted the fact that it shows the boundaries of the aquifer limits is sufficient for this document. Chairman LaPlante stated her belief it does mention something about the aquifer protection areas and that there are regulations.
OSWA 2008
Chairman LaPlante stated the open space grant was returned to the state because they weren’t able to come up with an agreement with the landowner.
Farms & Farmland Preservation
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated she sent everyone an e-mail informing them Easy Pickins will be offering shares. Chairman LaPlante stated the share cost is $525, and payment must be received by June 1st. She stated they’ll have fruits, vegetables and herbs from June through October.
Commissioner George stated people should look at what kind of produce is being offered.
Continuing Discussion of Goals for2010 and beyond
To be discussed at next meeting
Correspondence/All Commissioners
Chairman LaPlante stated there is a 20th Century Land Conservation presentation by Jim Little tomorrow at the library at 7:30 p.m. She noted he will discuss the stories of people acting the New England way – recognizing a need, taking on a responsibility without being asked and applying the Yankee attitude in order to bring about tangible conservation gains.
Chairman LaPlante stated PACE in East Windsor is doing an LED Premium Home Tour on Saturday, May 15th. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased by May 14th.
She stated there will be a hike day at Powder Hollow on June 5th.
Chairman LaPlante stated on June 13th, “Connecticut Water Trails Day”, there will be a boat trip down to East Windsor.
She noted the Scantic River Full Moon Paddle will be in August – details to be announced.
The Commission agreed to hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 18th at 7:00 p.m. to review POCD comments.
Unfinished Business
Chairman LaPlante stated the South Road project is at Planning & Zoning at this time.
South Maple Street Bridge
Mr. Alsbaugh stated the Commission requested a draft, and he provided a memo with two attachments.
Chairman LaPlante stated she noticed that some of the things she noticed in the State Plan of Conservation and Development discusses things such as aquifer protection areas and how there should be grassy swales for storm water and for the protection of rivers. She pointed out these were suggestions made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, and these suggestions were ignored.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated Wetlands and Planning and Zoning dealt with this. He noted they’re really dealing with an “after the fact” set of comments to the Council that may or may not color their decision. He went on to note Public Works did not get any agreements with the abutters, and one of those abutters is CL&P.
Chairman LaPlante stated things were ignored when this was passed through Wetlands. She noted if these things are pointed out to the Town Council, perhaps they will acknowledge they’re not doing what the state says they’re suppose to be doing in an aquifer protection area.
Chairman LaPlante suggested there be further discussion about the South Maple Street Bridge at the Commission’s May 18th Special Meeting.
Liaison Report – Enfield Plan of Conservation & Development/Steering Committee
Chairman LaPlante stated her belief this committee has not met.
Liaison Report – Northern CT Land Trust
No report.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association
Chairman LaPlante stated she previously read event dates under Correspondence.
Next Meeting Date
The next Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 8, 2010.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner George made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall to adjourn.
The vote was unanimous, and the meeting stood adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary (Acting Secretary signature)
(Please print Acting Secretary name) |