Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 02/17/2015

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, February 17, 2015

CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS &

WATERCOURSES AGENCY MINUTES

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

Chairperson Margery Winters opened the Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission at 7:31 p.m. in the Simsbury Public Library Program Room 2 at 725 Hopmeadow Street.  Other members and alternates in attendance were Jim Morrison, Phil Purciello, Darren Cunningham, Donald Rieger, Patrick Spaulding and Donna Beinstein.   Also present was Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk.

 

 

II.        APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

 

Chairperson Winters appointed Commissioner Beinstein to serve as the alternate for the Commission vacancy and Commissioner Morrison to serve as the alternate for Margaret Sexton.

 

The Commissioners discussed the officer nominations/elections at the last meeting and noted there were some corrective steps required in the process.  (See the motion in VI. below.)

 

 

III.       DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

 

1.         Discussion of Commission roles and responsibilities

 

The Commissioners agreed to discuss at the next meeting Commission activities and roles, including for Conservation, as the Inland/Wetlands Agency, and for Chapter 8 Erosion and Sedimentation control. 

 

            2.         Discussion and review of the Commission Bylaws

 

Copies of the Regulations, Bylaws and Guidelines were provided to new Commission members.  All Commission members were asked to review the Bylaws and provide Town Staff with comments.

 

Other helpful sources of information that would be helpful to new Commissioners included the CACIWC Handbook regarding the big picture, which is available on the www.caciwc.org website; suggested reading of "What Is Legally Required", a guide to the legal rules for making land use decisions in Connecticut; "The Habitat" quarterly newsletter which reports on various court cases, and members were encouraged to attend CACIWC's fall conference.

 

            3.         Discussion of Native Plants

 

The Commissioners received various listings of plants noting the subject often comes up before the Commission and there is a need to strengthen the list of desirable plants.

 

The Commissioners noted receipt of a useful "Cheat Sheet".

 

 

IV.       RECEIPT OF NEW APPLICATIONS

 

1.         Application #15-01 of Carol E. Gallagher, Owner, for existing grading and leveling in the Upland Review Area to a watercourse on the property located at 6 Wintergreen Lane (Assessor's Map B14, Block 301, Lot 127). Zone R-40 OS.

 

Application #15-01 will be heard at the next Commission meeting.

 

 

V.        CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Commissioner Rieger commented that based on the information provided, the CLCC meeting looks like a good program to attend.

 

 

VI.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES of January 20, 2015 Regular Meeting

 

Commissioner Rieger made a motion that the Commission acknowledges procedural errors were made at the last meeting, and accordingly, the elections which purportedly occurred at that meeting are null and void.

 

Commissioner Spaulding seconded the motion, and it was passed by the majority with Commissioner Morrison abstaining.

 

On Line 31, the name “Rieger” is corrected to "Spaulding".

 

Commissioner Purciello made a motion to approve the January 20, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes, as amended.

 

Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

 

 

VII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

Commissioner Rieger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

 

Commissioner Purciello seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

 

 

 

_____________________________

Donald Rieger, Secretary