THESE MINUTES ARE PRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT
BEEN FORMALLY APPROVED BY THE ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION. OFFICIAL COPIES OF MINUTES, WHEN APPROVED, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TOWN CLERK OR PLANNING OFFICE.
ENFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 13, 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, July 13, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Commissioners Michael Dynia, Natalie George, Karen LaPlante, Timothy McGuire, Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall and Kathleen Vose. Richard Szewczak entered at 8:15 p.m. Joanne Kneiss was absent.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner Vose to accept the minutes of the June 8, 2010 Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission.
Referring to Page 3, Chairman LaPlante stated the footnote reading, “Page 4 of 5” in the middle of the page should be removed.
The vote to accept the minutes, as amended, was 4-0-2, with Commissioners George and McGuire abstaining.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman LaPlante stated her belief they do not have any real reason to go into Executive Session, except she does not believe a file was forwarded before the Assistant Town Planner left.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall recommended calling the landowner to inform him they are working on this matter. Chairman LaPlante indicated she’d make that call.
ENFIELD PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT-UPDATE ON APPROVAL STATUS
The Commission reviewed the July 6, 2010 Town Council minutes and comments made about the recent Planning & Zoning Public Hearing on the proposed 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development.
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Chairman LaPlante stated her belief the Conservation Commission should counter some of the comments made at the Town Council meeting. Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall agreed, noting there’s some misinformation. She stated Councilman Nelson’s comment about multi-story buildings preserving more of the riverfront makes no sense because there’s very little river frontage to be had since the railroad tracks are on about 75% of Enfield’s river frontage.
Chairman LaPlante suggested they develop an additional set of comments to be submitted to Planning & Zoning and distributed to everyone as soon as possible. She went on to note Mr. Coppler had stated it was his understanding the Public Hearing will be closed on July 22nd, however, it was her impression they were to continue the Public Hearing to September.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dynia, seconded by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall that the Conservation Commission submit amended comments, as well as additional comments to rebut remarks made by Town Council members at the July 6th Council meeting.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated it needs to be made clear that the entire Conservation Commission stands behind these comments.
Chairman LaPlante stated Councilman Nelson claims they heard from the Conservation Commission repeatedly. She noted it needs to be made clear that the only time the Conservation Commission had input to the proposed POCD plan was at the informational session. She added there didn’t appear to be any real minutes being taken at that informational session, and she’s not sure things were documented properly.
Chairman LaPlante stated they need to learn why the previous POCD’s were ignored and changed180 degrees.
The vote on the motion was unanimous.
FARMS & FARMLAND PRESERVATION
Chairman LaPlante stated the parcel of farmland on the corner of North Maple Street and Moody Road is for sale as industrial land and consists of around 55 acres. She stated her concern this farmland will be lost unless the Conservation Commission can convince the seller or buyer to keep it as farmland. She noted she put together a list of contacts for the seller as well as a document entitled, “Conservation Options for Connecticut Farmland”, and this document contains a lot of the state and federal programs for farmland preservation.
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Commissioner McGuire stated he spoke with someone from the State, and they indicated perhaps the Town could change the zoning, and for this to come together, the Town, bank and seller would have to be on board. He noted it’s possible to have an industrial/agricultural zone.
Commissioner George raised the possibility of re-zoning to a business zone. She went on to note the Town does provide tax breaks for businesses, and she questioned whether the town could come up with a loan to keep an active farming operation going. She pointed out farming is a business.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall referred to a Hartford Courant article about exotic or ethnic farm produce. She noted there are different ethnic groups in Enfield, which could be a market for this type of produce. Commissioner McGuire stated his belief there is more of this type of farming going on.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall referred to the Kelleher farm and questioned how he’s doing with selling shares. Commissioner McGuire stated Mr. Kelleher is having a very good experience with his share program, and he’s considering continuing with this practice.
CONTINUING DISCUSSION OF GOALS FOR 2010 AND BEYOND
There was no discussion on this item.
NEW REFERRALS – IWWA AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSIONS
Chairman LaPlante listed those applications to be received by Planning & Zoning as follows:
· Public Hearings – Resubdivision of 9.3 acres of Town owned land off Freshwater Boulevard for the purpose of transfer to adjacent parcel of land located at 175 Freshwater Boulevard
· Special Use Permit for a 3,200 s.f. addition to an existing shopping center with related site work at Enfield Commons, 25 Hazard Avenue
· Special Use Permit to allow the renting of rooms to two guests in a single-family house located at 21 David Street
· Site Plans – Request to add telecommunications antennae and equipment to the former Polish National Home Building located at 4 Alden Avenue
· Site Plan Review for proposed 138,000 s.f. building addition with associated parking and drainage improvements at and adjacent to 175 Freshwater Boulevard
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· Other - Permit for conducting activities within the 100-year flood limit related to the proposed 3,200 s.f. addition to an existing shopping center with related site work at Enfield Commons, 25 Hazard Avenue
Chairman LaPlante stated Commissioner George attended the Inland/Wetlands meeting regarding the Eppendorf matter, and she will update the Commission about that meeting.
Commissioner George explained the original development is ringed with a drainage channel, which goes into drainage along Freshwater Boulevard. She noted there’s a parcel on the south side of Eppendorf that contains a sediment basin. She explained Eppendorf wants to swop that parcel with a Town parcel on the north side. She noted there’s a very small piece of wetlands on the north side. She pointed out they want to put in an addition on the front of the north side. She stated a Public Hearing is scheduled at the next meeting of the Inland/Wetlands Commission.
Commissioner George stated the Conservation Commission can still make a comment to the Planning Board as to whether or not they object to this swop of land.
It was noted that the Conservation Commission did not receive full-sized copies of this plan for their review.
It was the consensus of the Conservation Commission that there’s no opposition to this land swop.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner Szewczak to submit a comment from the Conservation Commission which is favorable to this land swop.
The vote was unanimous.
Commissioner George offered to draft this letter to Planning & Zoning with a copy to the Town Council. She noted she will e-mail this letter to the Conservation Commission members to get their approval on the letter.
Chairman LaPlante stated Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall came across a memo that was sent to Jose Giner from the Conservation Commission in October, 2004. She noted this memo was from Neal Angus, and it talked about creating the document for the open space referral. She stated her impression this document was completed. She suggested this document be recreated and submitted to Mr. Giner as a reminder that this was put in place in 2004, and the Conservation Commission would like it continued. She noted this form was supposed to be made part of the packet that the developer fills out. She stated she will draft a letter regarding this and firm it up at the next meeting.
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APPOINTMENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Chairman LaPlante stated she was looking in the Town Charter because she was told the Town could not have a contract for more than two years. She noted the Clean Energy Committee is trying to get some solar panels put in, and there are companies who wish to lease municipal land and make agreements with towns to purchase the solar power that is being produced on those lands. She pointed out West Hartford just did this with Sun Edison. She noted someone from Public Works said the Town is paying Trans Canada over 11 cents a kilowatt. She pointed out that’s CL&P’s rate. She noted it was their thinking that they should break the contract with Trans Canada and make a new contract with a company with some clean energy, i.e. Sun Edison.
Chairman LaPlante stated as she was reading through the Town Charter, she came across Article II concerning the Economic Development Commission. She noted Section 26-35 reads as follows:
“The Economic Development Commission shall consist of nine members who shall reside or conduct business in the Town. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Town Manager. In addition, the Town Council, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and the Conservation Commission shall each appoint one liaison from their number to serve as ex-officio members.”
Chairman LaPlante stated as long as she has been on the Conservation Commission, it wasn’t her understanding that the Conservation Commission ever had any member on the Economic Development Commission. She noted the Economic Development Commission is required to meet once per quarter. She stated it appears they meet the second Friday morning of the third month of the quarter. She noted she couldn’t find those meeting minutes on the website, and was informed by Ray Warren’s secretary that there are minutes, but she did not yet know how to put them onto the website, however, she would e-mail those minutes in draft form.
Chairman LaPlante stated she mentioned to Ray Warren’s secretary that she learned through the Town Charter that the Conservation Commission is supposed to have a member appointed to the Economic Development Commission, and she stated her impression that was done. Chairman LaPlante noted if the Conservation Commission had a member on that Committee, they would have learned about the transit center and riverfront development. She pointed out an ex-officio member is a full-voting member according to Robert’s Rules. She went on to state the most recent minutes were from June 11th.
Chairman LaPlante recommended appointing a Conservation Commission member to the Economic Development Commission.
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Commissioner Szewczak volunteered to serve as a member.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dynia, seconded by Commissioner George to appoint Commissioner Szewczak as an ex-officio member to the Economic Development Commission.
The vote was unanimous.
Chairman LaPlante stated she will send an e-mail to the Town Council, Ray Warren, Town Manager, and Chairman of the Economic Development Commission to notify them of this appointment.
CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall referred to an article about the planting of elm trees in Vermont. She noted 30 elm trees are being planted in a river flood plain.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Liaison Report – Northern CT Land Trust
Commissioner Dynia stated the Northern Connecticut Land Trust had a hike in June.
Chairman LaPlante questioned the status on a land swop that was supposed to take place in Stafford or Somers. Commissioner Dynia stated that’s still pending.
Liaison Report – Scantic River Watershed Association
Commissioner Dynia stated the canoe trip was cancelled due to potential rain. He went on to note their meeting was cancelled last night due to lack of attendees. He noted they have to decide when they’ll have their full moon paddle. He added it will probably take place in August as well as September.
Commissioner Dynia stated they’ll soon be getting their meter for the Scantic River. He noted they’re getting a lot of complaints about clear cutting going on in Somers. He noted they spoke with the Inland/Wetlands Commission in Somers, and they’re supposed to meet with them.
Chairman LaPlante requested Commissioner Dynia share meter results when readings become available.
Commissioner Vose questioned why all the pines were clear cut on the corner of Abbe and Town Farm Roads. She was informed Planning & Zoning was approached by the
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State because the State wanted to improve the site line in that area.
She invited Commission members to attend the upcoming Public Hearing on July 22nd at which time their comments will be presented.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner Dynia to adjourn.
The vote was unanimous, and the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall
Secretary
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