Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 02/20/2018

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 7:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:  Margery Winters, James Morrison, Donald Rieger, Jill Powilatis and Alternate Charles Haldeman;

ABSENT: 

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 #18-01 of Kevin Kowalski, Simsbury Fire District, Applicant; to remove silt and vegetation from pond and rehab dry hydrant on the properties located at 8 Cricket Lane (Assessor’s Map C19, Block 511, Lot 004B) and 9 Cricket Lane (Assessor’s Map C19, Block 511, Lot 008). Zone R-40.

Kevin Kowalski presented the application to the Commission. Mr. Kowalski described the process for removal of sediment and vegetation from the pond. Mr. Kowalski stated the area of disturbance will be limited to 1/3 of the area of the pond. He stated that public water service is approximately ½ mile away from the site.

Commissioner Powilatis requested clarification from Mr. Kowalski on location of sediment deposit. Mr. Kowalski reviewed the map with the commission.

Commissioner Morrison quested whether the NDDB was reviewed by the applicant. He was concerned that if the work is occurring within an area that contains a species which is protected that the work could impact the habitat. Commissioner Rieger stated that the timing of the work could be delayed to the fall so that to avoid times of the year which would impact species of concern.

Mr. Glidden stated that the NDDB depicted that a species of concern was in the location of the subject property however he explained that the town was aware of which species because another project inquired CTDEEP for clarification. The species was a bat observed in Avon.

Mr. Kowalski stated the project is directly tied to availability of funding. Commissioner Powilatis questioned whether the work is a matter of public safety. Mr. Kowalski explained that the pond is compromised as its function for fire protection and the work needs to be completed so that adequate fire protection can be provided to the affect residences.

Chair Winters asked that if in the future could the timing of year for such projects be considered so that impacts to species could be limited. Mr. Kowalski agreed to work with the commission.

Motion: Commissioner Morrison seconded by Commissioner Rieger that the application is a regulated activity because it involves work within an inland wetland. The motion passed unanimously.

Motion: Commissioner Morrison seconded by Commissioner Rieger that the application is not considered to be a significant activity due to the limited area of disturbance. The motion passed unanimously.

Motion: Commissioner Morrison seconded by Commissioner Haldeman to approve the application subject special and standard conditions contained in the staff report. The motion passed unanimously.

V.  NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Receipt of New Applications.

                None

VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:

1.  Approval of the Minutes of the February 6, 2018 Regular Meeting.

The February 6, 2018 regular meeting minutes were accepted as submitted.

2.            Simsbury Meadows

M. Glidden informed the commission that this item was placed on the agenda and should be discussed at the next meeting with the Planning Director. Mr. Glidden reminded the commission that he will not be at the next meeting.

3.            Forestry Management discussion & workshop

Public Comments:

Commissioner Rieger read comments into the record from an email he received. The author’s name was not provided.

Helen Peterson mentioned the importance of the role of caretaker.

John Schafer asked the Commission to look at the independent parcel in the context of the region as a whole.

Mike Payne stated that taking time in addressing the issues is ok with the BOS as long as they do the right thing. He emphasized on getting a consensus without crafting a process that does not yield an outcome. He provided a comment as a private citizen how safety along the walking trails is important citing the recent incident at MacLean Game Refuge.

The members discussed two of the letters that were shared with the group written by the Chair and Commissioner Rieger. Some members felt that they did not have sufficient time to read the correspondence from Commissioner Haldeman and Helen Peterson.

Commissioner Haldeman stated that the commission should look at the themes contained in the various letters and see whether there is a difference in opinion in these.

Commissioner Rieger stated that he felt that a task force does not need to be established to deal with the forestry management plans; the town already has one, the Conservation Commission.

Commissioner Morrison felt there are a lot of good points of agreement. He felt though that the town needs to develop the goals for various plans.

The Commission continued the discussion with regards to the letters and how to proceed.

Chair Winters asked members to review all four letters and come to the next meeting prepared to discuss and determine which is the appropriate letter to send to the Board of Selectmen.

4.            Notification of Timber Harvest at Dyno Nobel

Mr. Glidden informed the Commission that the forester was not present for this evening’s meeting and the item will be on their next meeting agenda.

VII.   ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:   Mr. Haldeman made a motion to adjourn at 9:01PM which was seconded by Mr. Levy; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Glidden CFM CZEO

Assistant Town Planner