Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 01/16/2018

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 7:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

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

ABSENT:  Donald Rieger

ALSO PRESENT:  Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.

I.  CALL TO ORDER:

Chair 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 #17-26 of Gerard Toner, Director of Culture, Parks & Recreation, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for the construction of 2 basketball courts at the Simsbury Farms Recreation Complex at the property located at 100 Old Farms Road. Zone R-40.

Gerard Toner, Director of Culture, Parks, & Recreation for the Town of Simsbury addressed the Commission with Adam Kessler, Assistant Town Engineer. Mr. Toner discussed the history of the site. In the 1998 master plan for the Old Farms complex, this improvement was identified as a project however was never completed.

Mr. Toner reviewed the plans with the Commission for the court construction. Chair Winters inquired on when Mr. Toner anticipated starting the project. Mr. Toner explained that ideally the project would start in the early spring of 2018.

Commissioner Morrison asked whether all of the court material (pavement) was removed from the area when the previous courts were abandoned. Mr. Toner indicated that he believes that pavement was removed when the previous tennis courts were removed by the Town. Mr. Morrison inquired about the state and type of vegetation along the wetland complex to the west of the proposed courts. Mr. Toner stated it was scrub brush. Mr. Toner stated that the proposed court’s orientation was changed so that errant balls would not be directly flying into the area adjacent to inland wetland soils. Mr. Toner presented the revised plans which illustrated the change in court orientation.

Commissioner Morrison inquired of Mr. Toner if he received and reviewed the staff report. Specifically, Mr. Morrison was concerned with comment regarding de-watering of material. Mr. Glidden clarified that the comment was a result of construction experiences in the immediate area and that the details should be added to plans so that a contractor has guidance on how to handle potential for de-watering or decanting of material. Mr. Toner agreed and the details would be added to plans.

Chair Winters asked if the Commission had any other comments or if there was a motion for the application.

Motion: Commissioner Morrison seconded by Commissioner Haldeman, that the application is a regulated activity because it involves construction activity in the area of upland review. The motion passed unanimously.

Motion: Commissioner Morrison seconded by Commissioner Haldeman, that the application is not a significant activity because the construction is located outside the area of inland wetland soils and appropriate erosion and sediment control measures are provided. The motion passed unanimously.

Motion: Commissioner Morrison seconded by Commissioner Haldeman, to approve the application subject to the special and standard conditions contained within the staff report dated January 3, 2018 from Mike Glidden. The motion passed unanimously.

V.  NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Receipt of New Applications.

Mr. Glidden reported that applications were filed for the next meeting.

VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:

1.  Approval of the Minutes of the January 2, 2018 Regular Meeting.

The January 2, 2018 regular meeting minutes were accepted as submitted.

2.            Forestry Management discussion & workshop

Chair Winters asked if any members of the public wish to speak.

Mike Payne stated to the Commission that he was appreciative of the efforts of all the members on this matter. He feels that stance of taking different approaches for different sites are a good thing.

John Schaefer of 16 Lostbrook presented the commission with correspondence regarding forest management. He asked the Commission to wait until the RFP for the master plan for all of Simsbury’s open space is developed before the Commission proceeds to take any action.

Helen Peterson spoke to commission regarding the history of the open space committee. She felt that over the years open space was not properly managed and that changes in science and philosophy now have brought new options for management which should be considered by the Commission.

Commissioner Haldeman asked Mr. Schaefer to clarify his position in the correspondence. Mr. Haldeman was concerned that no action on the management plans would mean more time would lapse which may result in no action long-term.

Chair Winters spoke to why the language of the RFQ is important and wanted to know about the current status of the master plan RFQ. Mr. Toner discussed that due to transition of governance, that project was placed on hold but has not be abandoned. He is anticipating that direction from the new Town Manager would help the process when she starts. Mr. Payne echoed Mr. Toner’s report.

Chair Winters referred the Commission to the State Management plan for Massaco State Forest. She reviewed some of the plan with the Commission as it relates to the Onion Mt plan. The state management plan was clear that the intent of the management was for an active timber harvest. Chair Winters was concerned that someone can’t just cut trees if you cannot explain why you are cutting the trees.

Commissioner Haldeman stated he felt that the Commission is close to finalizing a list with issues that are not addressed in the management plans that are part of the philosophy and goals developed by the Commission. He stated that one option is state that current plans do not fully address some of the concerns and that the Commission does not recommend the Board of Selectmen to pursue with the plans for the forestry management.

Chair Winters voiced her concerns that monies from timber profits were steering the management of the properties. Mr. Glidden clarified that the Onion Mt plan only made $13,765.00. The logger posted a deposit for $2,753.00 which cover the $1,007.00 fee for marking of trees. However this logger back out of the harvest due to contract conditions. According to Mr. Toner, the monies gained from this harvest would have covered the costs for planned trail improvements for the site.

Commissioner Haldeman stated that the goals and policy can direct action on the plans. He felt that the end game with an actionable item such as a one page statement/list.

Chair Winters suggested that when the document was completed that with the new members on open space and conservation, both groups may benefit from a joint meeting on the subject of forestry management.

Chair Winters requested that for the next meeting members help finalize the goals and philosophy and then look at compiling a list of issues/comments when reviewing the document verses the onion mt plan so that the Commission can send an opinion to the Board of Selectmen.

3.            Notification of Timber Harvest at Dyno Nobel

Mr. Glidden informed the Commission that his office has received notification that a timber harvest is to occur at the Dyno Nobel property. He reminded that commission that the logger/forester is require to seek ruling that the activities are as of right in mapped inland wetland soils per statute. Mr. Glidden reviewed the limited documents provided by the logger.

Mr. Glidden will contact the logger to have him discuss the request with the Commission at the next regular meeting.

VII.   ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:   Mr. Morrison made a motion to adjourn at 9:00PM which was seconded by Mr. Levy; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Glidden CFM CZEO

Assistant Town Planner