Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 12/19/2017

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 7:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:  Margery Winters, Jason Levy, James Morrison, Donald Rieger, and Alternate Charles Haldeman;

ABSENT:  none

ALSO PRESENT:  Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.

I.  CALL TO ORDER:

Chairwoman Winters called the meeting to order at 7:30PM.

II.  ROLL CALL:

1.            Appointment of Alternates.

Mr. Haldeman was seated for vacancy.

III.  PUBLIC HEARING:

1.  None.

V.  OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Applications:

A.    Application #17-25 of Town of Simsbury, Applicant; Robert Jackson, Owner; for the removal of sediment from existing drainage swale on the property located at 15 Brook Drive (Assessor’s Map D08, Block 303, Lot 012). Zone R-40.

Mr. Glidden informed that Commission that the Director of Public Works could not make the meeting this evening. He reviewed his staff report and the supporting documentation with the Commission.

Chair Winters voiced concern on stabilizing the area of disturbance because the work will be conducted outside the growing season. Staff noted that the correspondence from Tom Roy indicates that they are aware of the likelihood of success for growing grass outside the growing season and has committed to re-visiting the site in the spring to seed areas of disturbance.

Mr. Morrison expressed concern that the application submittal lacks the required data and was hard to understand the intent of the removal. He thanked staff for clearly explaining the application to Commission.

Mr. Haldeman questioned if disturbance could be limited. Mr. Glidden indicated that according to the applicant’s correspondence, incidental disturbance should be limited due to the scope and nature of the project. DPW will use smaller tack machines which will prevent the excessive disturbance.

MOTION:  Mr. Morrison, Mr. Levy second, that the Commission finds this to be a regulated activity as it involves within the upland review area; unanimously approved.

MOTION:  Mr. Morrison, Mr. Levy second, that the Commission finds that the proposed activity is not a significant activity because the erosion and sediment control plan will prevent adverse impacts to the adjacent inland wetland soils, motion unanimously approved

MOTION:  Mr. Morrison, Mr. Levy second, to approve Application #17-25 of Town of Simsbury, Applicant; Robert Jackson, Owner; for the removal of sediment from existing drainage swale on the property located at 15 Brook Drive (Assessor’s Map D08, Block 303, Lot 012). Zone R-40 subject to the special and standard conditions outlined in the staff report, motion unanimously approved

V.  NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Receipt of New Applications.

Mr. Glidden reported that no new applications have been received. Staff noted that the Fire District has indicated that there are 2 fire ponds which they have identified that need sediment removed similar to the Terry’s Plain pond. These applications will be submitted to the Commission in the near future.

VI.  GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:

1.  Approval of the Minutes of the December 5, 2017 Regular Meeting.

The December 5, 2017 regular meeting minutes were accepted as submitted.

2.  Forestry Management discussion & workshop.

Susan Brachwitz presented a map to the Commission which illustrated the different kinds of habitats she observed by using various sources. Members of the Commission thanked her for the work.

No further comment was taken from the public. The commission then discussed the philosophy, tactics, and goals as noted in various documents in the meeting packet.

Chair Winters directed members of the Commission to look at the goals which are outlined in the packet and come to the next meeting prepared to discuss whether these goals are appropriately described in the text or whether these goals need further explanation so that Commission could move forward with reviewing site specific management plans. Staff will make the forestry management plans which has been prepared for the Town of Simsbury available for the Commission in the next meeting packet.

Chair Winters asked if there was any other business for the Commission. D. Rieger indicated that he had a few items for consideration.

D. Rieger noted that Board of Selectmen has scheduled the drought ordinance for a public hearing to be held at their January 8, 2018 meeting at 6:00 pm in the main meeting room. He asked for support from the Commission on this proposed ordinance.

 Commissioner Rieger made a motion to reaffirm support from the Conservation Commission for the passage of drought ordinance; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy, the motion passed unanimously.

D. Rieger noted that the Commission has not heard of Counsel regarding complex application ordinance. After the last conversations, it was determined that a simple language change was required in order to address the current ordinance issue. D. Rieger asked that the Town Attorney be present to follow up on their request.

D. Rieger expressed his concerns regarding the Simsbury Meadows and lack of workshops which have been held on the matter with the Town. Staff noted that the Director of Planning was handling the workshops and he will follow up with the Director. The consensus of the Commission was it would be appreciative to have the workshop at their next regular meeting.

VII.   ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  Mr. Levy, Mr. Morrison second, to adjourn at 9:10PM; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Glidden CFM CZEO

Assistant Town Planner