Simsbury, CT - Conservation Commission

Chairman Howard Beach, Jr. called the Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to order at 7:31 P. M. in the Main Meeting Room at Simsbury Town Hall. The following members were present: Thomas Sharpless, Margery Winters and John Yocom. Commissioner Jennifer Simone arrived at 7:45. Also present were Lisa Arakelian, Commission Secretary, and other interested parties.

III. PRESENTATION BY MRS. KRISTEN BRIGHENTI’S LATIMER LANE 6^TH GRADE CLASS ON THEIR PROJECT ON THE PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE PROBLEM IN WETLAND AREAS, AND A POTENTIAL SOLUTION

Kristen Brighenti and her students explained that they have harvested purple loosestrife plants and are using them to breed Galerucella beetles to, hopefully, eventually control the purple loosestrife invasion in Connecticut. They intend to release their homegrown beetles into the wild in mid- to late-July, and they asked the commission for recommended release sites for the beetles. Chairman Beach replied that he will provide a list of recommended release sites to Mrs. Brighenti.

A. Application of William and Melanie Cranshaw, Owners, and Thomas and Pamela Doran, Applicants, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to remove/regrade soil in back yard for construction of an in-ground swimming pool within the regulated area on property located at 10 Wyngate Lane.

Pam Doran explained that she is seeking a permit to construct an 18’ x 36’ in-ground pool, approximately 70 feet from a wetland. She further stated that, at staff’s suggestion, they are willing to utilize a low-chlorine filtration system, and to have the pool drained only by a pumping company.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless that this is a regulated activity by reason of construction proposed to take place in the buffer zone to a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless that this is a significant activity because it has a potential to cause siltation to a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless to not hold a public hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless to grant the permit for the proposed activity, with the conditions that: 1) any excavated material be protected to prevent runoff, 2) a low-chlorine filtration system be utilized, and 3) the water be pumped from the pool and transported off-site, not discharged into the wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

B. Application of Robert Blomberg, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a family room/garage addition within the regulated area on property located at 21 Neal Drive.

Robert Blomberg explained that he is requesting a permit to add a third bay onto an existing two-car garage. He further stated that a large wetland borders the site on two sides, and the area where the addition will be constructed is nearly flat, with a gentle slope toward the wetland, approximately 100 feet away.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom that this is a regulated activity by reason of excavation and re-distribution of soil to take place in the upland review area of a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Simone, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom that this is a significant activity because of its close proximity to, and potential to cause siltation into, a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom to not hold a public hearing, as there appears to be very little public interest. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom to grant a permit, with the conditions that silt fencing or hay bales be used to prevent erosion into the wetland, and that the disturbed area be re-planted and stabilized as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters to amend the agenda to consider another application that requires emergency consideration. Te motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless, and unanimously carried.

C. Application of Mark F. Madura, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a retaining wall within the regulated area on property located at 30 Oxford Court.

Mark Madura explained that it is necessary for him to construct a 60-foot retaining wall, approximately 69 feet from a wetland, in order to prevent continued erosion in the direction of Owens Brook, and eventual structural damage to his home.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters that this is a regulated activity due to disturbance in close proximity to a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters that this is a significant activity as it involves a significant amount of excavation, and has the potential to cause erosion into the wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters to not hold a public hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters to grant the permit for the proposed activity with the conditions that sediment and erosion controls be utilized, and the site be re-planted as soon as possible and monitored afterward for invasive species. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless to approve the minutes of the May 18, 2004 meeting, as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and unanimously carried.