CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS
AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - TUESDAY, October 19, 2004
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES - 7:30 P.M. - MAIN MEETING ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Howard Beach, Jr. called the Meeting of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room at Simsbury Town Hall. The following members were present: Margery Winters, Christopher Ursini, Andrew Bucknam.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Commissioner Bucknam was appointed to serve for Commissioner Nowak.
III. PRESENTATION(s), DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
Application of Reverend Richard R. Russell, Pastor, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church- Owner, for An Inland Wetlands Permit to construct portion of a building, fill around building, install septic tank and pipe and use of the existing storm water pipe and discharge within the regulated area on property located at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road.
Mr. Paul Benkson, LADA, PC, Mr. Don Lyons, Co-Chair, St. Catherine’s of Siena Building Committee, and Mr. Ed Pawlak, Registered Soil Scientist were present to address the board.
Mr. Benkson stated that they wish to erect a 7,000 square foot addition to the existing parish building, relocate the existing shed, and dig a utility trench. He said that there will be no direct impact to the wetland. There is no additional parking with the project; the existing parking is sufficient, and additional greenery will be added to the parking area. He noted that the existing woodland along the site would not be disturbed; all of the disturbance will take place in the area that was previously disturbed when the church was first built and has been maintained as open land. The utility trench will go towards a new septic system, which is outside of the 100 -foot wetland review area.
Commissioner asked about the flared pipe shown on the plans. Mr. Benkson stated that the pipe is the existing discharge pipe that runs from the roof leaders and parking. He stated that the pipe will be tied into all of the new changes.
Mr. Pawlak handed out his report, stating that he was hired to inspect the wetlands October 2003, and this year in October. He explained that there is a wetland on the property that is the beginning of a larger wetland that extends off site to the southeast. There is a seasonal headwater watercourse that originates within the wooded swamp and meanders through the center of the swamp. It does not appear in the USGS Map but further down off site it does appear as a tributary to Stratton Brook. He noted that on both inspections the swamp showed soft and waterlogged saturated soils and ground water discharges were also found on both inspection dates. During his wetland functions assessment he found that the principal functions were of the wetland were ground water discharge, flood flow alteration, pollutant removal, and
production export for the wildlife habitat. It is border on one side by a grassy field, and on the church side by a mowed grass lawn and parking lot. He has not yet received the information from the natural diversity database, but will submit it into the record when he receives it. He stated that he did not observe any listed species during his inspections. One species that he did note in his report and one that is most closely associated with wetlands is the two-lined salamander. He stated that he did find two of these juvenile type salamanders under a log. In term of regulated activities, the tree existing line will be respected; there is no activity proposed within the tree line. All of the activity occurs within an area that is mowed lawn or as landscaping within the existing parking area. The grass lawn has no relationship to the functions that the wetland is currently providing. He stated that in his opinion, the place where the addition is proposed is the best area to
construct the addition. He does not believe there will be any impact on the wetlands.
Commissioner Winters asked about soil type. The soil type is ridgebury within the wetland. The soil type with the grassy area is eudorphins.
Chairman Beach asked if it was originally part of Tulmeadow land. The applicants were not sure.
Chairman Beach asked about erosion control measures. The applicant showed on the map where the silt fencing would be installed.
Commissioner Bucknam asked how close the activity would come to the wetland. It was stated that the closest construction would be 50 feet. The trench is 40 feet from the wetland boundary, outside of the tree line, and the shed and the silt fence is 20 feet.
Chairman Beach asked how close the bump out of the back corner of the church is to the wetland. Mr. Benkson said it is about 30 feet.
Chairman Beach asked if that is a gradual grade change or is there a drop off at the tree line. Mr. Bucknam said it is a gradual grade, it is very flat. Maintaining erosion and sediment control will be relatively easy.
Chairman Beach asked if the flared end picks up the parking lot or roof leaders. It was answered that it is only roof leaders. All of the leaders from the new addition go into the flared end. There was a discussion about the flared end discharge, and the commission members asked if some of the roof leaders could be discharged into the meadow. Mr. Benkson said they could look into it.
Chairman Beach asked how the grassy area behind the church is currently maintained. Mr. Lyons stated that it is natural, and it hasn’t been fertilized.
Commissioner Winters asked if the treed area in the parking area is only for aesthetic purposes. Mr. Benkson said yes. Commissioner Winters asked if they considered using infiltration of the water (rain garden concept) from the parking lot. Mr. Pawlak stated from the amount that could be captured would be limited.
Commissioner Beach stated there is an elevation of 298 on L21 of the wetland plan and the parking lot shows 302, a difference of 4feet. He says that the water follows the general topography of the land.
Commissioner Beach asked what kind of sump pumps they have. Mr. Benkson said he could not answer that question.
Commissioner Bucknam asked about the shed, from where was it relocated, and how much water discharge it will contribute. Mr. Benkson showed the location on the plans and answered that the shed does not have any gutters or downspouts. Chairman Beach stated that if the idea of redirecting the roof leaders to the lawn area was implemented it would cancel out the shed’s water discharge.
Mr. Pawlak stated that the idea is a good one and will be explored.
Chairman Beach asked if they are pumping affluent to the sanitary sewer system.
Mr. Benkson stated that it is the septic system.
Mr. Lavery, architect, was present. He was asked where the water from the 7,000 square foot addition is to discharge. He answered that the roof of the existing church and the new addition will all be drained. The Commission asked if some of the water could be redirected into the wetland.
Mr. Lavery and Mr. Benkson said that they’ll look into it.
Commissioner Winters asked if any replanting will be done. Mr. Benkson said there are to be maple, birch and crabapple trees, and no invasive plantings.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a regulated activity by reason of the incursion into the upland review area, the proposed addition, the digging of the trench, and the relocation of the shed.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a significant activity given that the construction is in close proximity to a wetland with significant wetland function, which is a tributary to Stratton Brook.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that a public hearing is not required as it has been noticed and there has not been any indication of public interest in the application from neighbors.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to grant a permit for the proposed activity with the stipulation that the applicant will change the proposed drainage so that the drainage from the roof of the proposed addition doesn’t go into the existing flared end discharge into the wetland. Instead it will discharge towards the open meadow or some other direction other than towards the wetland.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
b. Application of Paul Reinhart, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to dig and facilitate the construction of foundation footings for kitchen and screened porch addition within the regulated area on property located at 6 Sachem’s Trail.
Mr. Reinhart was present. He explained that the activity is within the regulated buffer, it is not within the wetlands itself. The soil is sandy and loam, with some clay down deep. The activity will be about 30-50 feet from the wetland boundary. There is no problem with access to the site by construction equipment, and will not encroach up the wetland. The wetland is seasonally wet, close to the house it is dry. The area of concern is adjacent to the house where the footings will be dug. The vegetation is grass. A silt fence will be installed for sedimentation and erosion control measures. He will leave the silt fence up as the winter season is coming.
Commissioner Beach asked where the excess soil will be put. Mr. Reinhart said it will be a stock pile to the side of the house.
Chairman Beach asked if there would be a possibility of the water flowing down the steep slope into the stockpile, washing the soil into the wetland. Mr. Reinhart said that typically comes out to of the back and bypasses the area.
Chairman Beach said that Mr. Reinhart should hydroseed or get some kind of cover on the land, because once the soil freezes any water that comes down will wash away the silt fence. Mr. Reinhart said that he would to prefer to do that.
Commissioner Bucknum asked if the excess soil is to be used for backfill and held in the stockpile for a short time. Mr. Reinhart said yes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a regulated activity by reason of construction activity in the upland review area.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a potentially significant activity because of the possibility of erosion and sedimentation towards the wetland.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that a public hearing is not required as it has been noticed and there has not been any indication of public interest in the application from neighbors.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to grant a permit for the proposed activity with the reminder to be careful with the stockpile, and silt fence around the stockpile and to try to move the stockpile. Also that the project is moved along quickly so that the stockpile is not sitting for an extended period of time where it might have more opportunity to cause an erosion or sedimentation problem in the direction of the wetlands.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
c. Application of Carol Stoeke, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to remove silt from catch basin within the regulated area on property located at 10 Pasture Lane.
Ms. Stoeke was not present, but the Commission discussed the application, as Commissioner Beach spoke with her about the application.
Chairman Beach said that the problem is not the pond, it is the siltation basin. He explained that she is trying to get a contractor, but is not able to get one until all of the permits are inn order. He stated that she prefers to wait until the ground is frozen. It will all be hauled across the street, where the fill could be used on Simsbury Trust land. The Commission was concerned about where it would go and the stabilization process.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a regulated activity because of disturbance and removal of sediment in a wetland.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a significant activity based on the fact that the application is for work within a water body.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that a public hearing is not required as it has been noticed and there has not been any indication of public interest in the application from neighbors.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to grant a permit for the proposed activity with the understanding that the application meant to read, “remove silt from a detention pond”, as opposed to “catch basin.” It is also granted with the condition that the silt removed from the pond be properly disposed of. It is also understood that if the intention is to put the silt across the street, the owner should be careful that it doesn’t cause any siltation, and that if it is anywhere near a wetland or a slope towards a wetland that it be properly stabilized.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Beach stated that they have not yet made a decision on the Commission Officer, but they should know something by November 1st.
The 51st annual Farmington River Watershed meeting will take place on Nov 4th. If any member would like to attend contact Lois Laczko.
The next Conservation meeting will be November 16th. No meeting on Nov 2nd due to Election Day.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of October 5, 2004
A motion was made Commissioner Bucknam to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Winters seconded with all in favor.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to retract the approval motion and table the minutes until next meeting because none of the members were present at the October 5th meeting.
Commissioner Winters seconded with all in favor.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Bucknam moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.
Commissioner Winters seconded with all in favor.
| 
