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, JANUARY 10, 2012
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Conservation Commission was called to order by Chairman LaPlante in the Thompsonville Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Commissioners Natalie George, Karen LaPlante, Timothy McGuire and Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall. Commissioners, Michael Dynia, Joanne Kneiss, Richard Szewczak and Kathleen Vose were absent.
PUBLIC INPUT
There were no comments from the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner McGuire to approve the November 8, 2011 minutes.
The vote was 3-0-1, with Commissioner George abstaining.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner McGuire to approve the December 13, 2011 minutes.
The vote was 3-0-1, with Commissioner George abstaining.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated she called the IT Department about getting some help to navigate within the new GIS and was told it’s easy to use. She noted she suggested to IT they have some kind of class, and they told her they’d take her suggestion under consideration. Chairman LaPlante stated perhaps E-TV could be used to provide guidance in navigating within the GIS.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated she learned the Town Council members received I-Pads from the Town. She raised the possibility of the Conservation Commission also getting I-Pads for their commission work.
DISCUSSIONS
Open Space Inventory and Referrals
Chairman LaPlante stated she will assign open space sections in the near future.
Farms & Farmland Preservation
Commissioner George suggested putting an article in the Enfield Press informing people money is still available. She noted she spoke to Lori Longhi, who feels the farm assessments were not done properly and that farmers should get their farms appraised.
Chairman LaPlante stated Lori Longhi indicated she’s willing to give any farmer who comes to her a reasonable appraisal fee.
Commissioner McGuire stated he went onto the website to get information on what criteria was used in assessing farms, however, the data was not available.
Chairman LaPlante raised the idea of having a farmers’ meeting in February to discuss available grant money. She suggested perhaps Mr. Dippel could be present at that meeting. Commissioner McGuire noted they could either mail out a questionnaire, or hold a meeting.
Chairman LaPlante voiced her concern about farmers being unaware of opportunities. She suggested perhaps a Farm Bureau representatives could speak about Public Act 490 and CSA’s.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated Easy Pickens was looking for people to sign a petition concerning Coventry Farmers’ Market losing its space at the Nathan Hale Homestead. Commissioner McGuire stated the winter market is held at Coventry High School.
Chairman LaPlante stated a place in Manchester sells local farm goods. She went on to suggested perhaps Ginny could talk to the farmers about what could be done for the Enfield Farmers’ Market. Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall stated her recollection they had an earlier discussion about producing a map to direct people to local farms.
Chairman LaPlante stated farmland leasing through the Farmland Connections Outreach Service is another topic that could be shared with the farmers.
It was agreed that perhaps they could do a combination of a presentation and questionnaire.
Commissioner McGuire stated he received a lot of good feedback after the last farmers’ meeting. It was agreed that perhaps they’d be able to put together such a meeting for the end of February. Chairman LaPlante requested Commissioner McGuire speak with Jay and Ms. Nichols.
Commissioner McGuire stated the local prison is very interested in starting up their farm again and growing food for the prison.
New Applications – IWWA and Planning & Zoning Commissions
Chairman LaPlante stated an Eppendorf subdivision application went before P&Z because something changed. She explained this was more or less a technicality, and she believes P&Z passed this item.
Chairman LaPlante stated solar regulations are going to a public hearing the first meeting in February.
Aquifer Protection
Chairman LaPlante stated she hasn’t heard anything further from Mr. Giner concerning this item.
Archaeological Protection
There was no discussion on this item.
Special Projects & New Ideas
a) Discussion on street tree removal policy
Chairman LaPlante stated her belief this might not be the right time to address this item in consideration of the tree damage from the October storm.
Commissioner George stated she spoke with officials, tree wardens and a few other people involved in construction, and the original idea that a contractor was going to reimburse the town for anyone who wanted a tree planted isn’t really manageable because usually the design of the project occurs about five or six years before they go to bonding for the project. She noted it’s generally agreed the best way to handle this is to set up a tree fund, which could either be a tree trust privately funded, or it can be a town tree fund. She explained if it’s a town tree fund, they can write into the contract that the contractor must donate to that tree fund a certain amount of dollars per number of trees that are going to be removed. She noted if a homeowner wishes to plant a tree in their own yard to compensate for a removed tree, they can apply to the town fund, and the tree officer then has some control over the size and kind of tree that’s appropriate for planting.
Chairman LaPlante questioned whether this would be a town ordinance. Commissioner George indicated she’d check into ordinances, how other towns have done this, and how this can be done legally.
b) Invasive Species Project Update
Chairman LaPlante stated they did meet with Charlotte Pyle at the Senior Center. Ms. Pyle, Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall and Commissioner Kneiss walked an area in search of invasive species. Ms. Pyle suggested they locate some additional areas that contain more invasive species.
Chairman LaPlante stated Ms. Pyle suggested they make up a little pamphlet so that people could go and see what these invasive species look like. She noted Mark Gahr is interested in having his employees learn more about invasive species. She suggested perhaps they could get someone in to provide information for those employees.
c) Escarpment Soils Project Update
Chairman LaPlante stated she sent an email to Kip Kolesinskas, and he’s still interested in helping the Commission concerning this topic.
CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman LaPlante stated she has correspondence from CL&P, which contains the schedule for maintenance activities for 2012.
Chairman LaPlante stated the CFL News publication has come in.
Commissioner George questioned if there’s anything new concerning the invasive bug problem, and Chairman LaPlante stated she hasn’t heard anything new.
Chairman LaPlante stated they received the latest issue of “Lands & People” magazine, which is put out by The Trust for Public Land.
Chairman LaPlante distributed the completed Town of Enfield Plan of Conservation & Development, which was adopted April 7, 2011. She noted it has been requested that this publication be returned to the Town if a commission member resigns.
LIAISON REPORT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
There was no report this evening.
LIAISON REPORT – SCANTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
There was no report this evening.
Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall suggested they start thinking about a tree planting. She stated her belief the Hazardville Cemetery has a good spot with no overhead wires. She noted there were once three trees in this area, but they’re all gone.
Commissioner George offered to get pricing for a couple different trees.
NEXT MEETING DATE
Chairman LaPlante stated the next meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2012.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Pfeifer-Hall, seconded by Commissioner McGuire to adjourn. The vote was 4-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Secretary |