Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 12/05/2017

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 7:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:  Jason Levy, James Morrison, Donald Rieger, and Alternate Charles Haldeman; Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.

ABSENT:  Margery Winters.

ALSO PRESENT:  Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.

I.  CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting commenced at 7:30PM.

II.  ROLL CALL:

1.  Appointment of Alternates.

Mr. Haldeman was seated for Ms. Winters.

III.  PUBLIC HEARING:

1.  None.

V.  OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Applications:

A.    Application #17-24 of KC Jones, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company, Applicant; Dyno Nobel Inc., Owner; for the construction of concrete block walls adjacent to existing buildings on the property located at 632 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G11, Block 132, Lot 052). Zone R-40 OS. (received 11/21/2017; decision must be rendered by 01/25/2018)

Jim Thompson, PE of Buck & Buck Engineering, accompanied by Mr. Gilthowser of Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company appeared before the Commission regarding this application.  Referring to the submitted drawings, Mr. Thompson indicated the locations of Buildings 5 and 6, explaining that they are about 600 feet to the river from the railroad tracks and noting the location of the wetlands soils.  Mr. Gilthowser explained that Building 6 is a testing facility and Building 5 is a processing center.  It was noted that the US Department of Defense is requiring protective walls be installed around those two buildings to contain shrapnel in the event of an accidental explosion.  Because this area is in a floodplain, Mr. Thompson explained that the design includes block walls also commonly referred to as mafia blocks.  He noted that cross-sections were included to reflect the calculations for the resulting decrease in flowage capacity. 

Mr. Thompson reported that there will be no excess of materials on site but for the block walls.  The removal of the soil would occur on the same days that it is excavated, according to Mr. Thompson.  There was no other design considered, Mr. Thompson had explained, but for possibly an earthen embankment but it would be so large and would erode.  It was noted that the work will necessitate approximately 280 blocks and will be installed as they are delivered and not temporarily stockpiled anywhere.  The installation of the blocks would not likely take more than two weeks. 

Mr. Glidden noted that there is a water and sewer easement in this location and has requested that the easement and the pipe location be staked in the field prior to construction activities.  He cautioned that the contractor not bring in construction equipment over that pipe so as to avoid possibly crushing it.  Additionally, Mr. Glidden reported that the soils in this location are alluvial soils and that the Building Official is treating the blocks as a fence.

MOTION:  Mr. Rieger, Mr. Levy second, that the Commission finds this to be a regulated activity as it involves construction within the wetlands; unanimously approved.

MOTION:  Mr. Rieger, Mr. Levy second, that the Commission finds that the proposed activity is not a significant activity in that it does not portend a significant disruption in the wetland soils; unanimously approved.

MOTION:  Mr. Rieger, Mr. Levy second, to approve Application #17-24 of KC Jones, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company, Applicant; Dyno Nobel Inc., Owner; for the construction of concrete block walls adjacent to existing buildings on the property located at 632 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G11, Block 132, Lot 052). Zone R-40 OS, subject to the following standard and special conditions:

1.  The Conservation Commission’s agent shall be notified at least 48 hours prior to commencement of any construction activity.

2.  Final stabilization of disturbed soil areas shall be stabilized with the application of loam, seed, required plantings and appropriate erosion control measures.

3.  At all times, during site work and until soil areas are stabilized, the applicant shall install and maintain erosion and sediment control measures such as fabric filter fence, staked hay bales or other measures deemed necessary by the Commission’s agent to prevent erosion and sedimentation impacts.

4.  Erosion control and soil measures shall comply with the approved plans and the guidelines as established in the Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, 2002, CTDEP Bulletin 34.

5.  Upon direction of the Commission’s agent, erosion and sediment control measures shall be removed by the applicant following stabilization of the site.

6.  A pre-construction meeting is required with the Commission’s agent prior to the start of site work. 

7.  Limits of sewer easement and pipe location are to be marked in the field by a licensed land surveyor prior to star of site work. 

8.  No storage of materials associated with wall construction is permitted within floodplain or inland wetland soils.  Upland location from both wetlands and floodplains is required for locating a construction lay down area.

9.  Approval is only for construction of retaining wall as presented to the commission.  Filling or grading outside of the limits of work as presented to the Commission shall be considered a direct violation of this approval and subject to an immediate enforcement action.

10.  Haybales, or other similar material acceptable by the Commission’s agent, to be present to deal with excessive precipitation or similar event.

   All work and all regulated activities conducted pursuant to this authorization shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of this permit.   Any structures, excavation, deposition of fill, obstructions of flow, encroachments or other regulated activities not specifically identified and authorized herein shall constitute a violation of this permit and may result in permit modification, suspension or revocation.

   In the event that any wetland or watercourse regulated activities are required as a result of other agency permitting to support the proposed activity, the Simsbury Conservation Commission reserves the right to reconsider the proposal activity and may require modification to minimize the impact to wetland resources.

    In evaluating this application, the Commission has relied on information provided by the applicant.  If such information subsequently proves to be false, incomplete and/or inaccurate, this permit may be modified, suspended or revoked.                     Motion unanimously approved.

V.  NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Receipt of New Applications.

Mr. Glidden reported that a new application has been received from the Department of Public Works for removal of sediment in a drainage swale between two residences at 15 Brook Drive.  He noted that DPW Director Tom Roy will be present at the next regular meeting.

VI.  GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:

1.  Approval of the Minutes of the November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting.

The November 21, 2017 regular meeting minutes were accepted as submitted.

2.  Forestry Management discussion & workshop.

It was noted that Chair Margery Winters had emailed a request that the discussion on the forestry management plan be postponed to the next regular meeting. 

As the meeting was being recorded by SCTV, the Commission agreed to receive comment from members of the public.  Dr. Susan Brachwitz indicated that she has been preparing a habitat map of the Town of Simsbury but preferred to delay her comments until such time that Ms. Winters would be available, too.

3.  Pesticide Letter.

Mr. Rieger shared with the Commission a proposed letter drafted to newly elected First Selectman Eric Wellman and Performing Arts Center President David Ryan reminding him that any application of pesticides in a wetland area, within one-hundred feet of a wetland area, or any other place where the pesticides effect a wetland area is a regulated activity requiring a permit from this Commission.  As the chairman was unavailable for signature, it was agreed that Mr. Morrison would sign it in his capacity as vice chairman.

MOTION:  Mr. Rieger, Mr. Levy second, to accept Mr. Rieger’s letter modifying it to include Mr. Morrison’s signature on behalf of the Commission; unanimously approved.

Mr. Glidden reported that Craig MacCormac and Alternate Donna Beinstein have resigned from the Commission thereby leaving four vacancies.  He urged commissioners to alert staff if they are unable to attend a meeting.

Mr. Rieger reminded the Commission that the public hearing on the proposed Water Shortage ordinance is scheduled for Monday January 8, 2018 at 6:00PM in the Main Meeting Room of Simsbury Town Hall. 

VII.   ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  Mr. Levy, Mr. Rieger second, to adjourn at 8:46PM; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Colombie

Recording Clerk