05/17/2022 CC/IWWA Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, May 17, 2022

CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY

 

REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2022, 7:30 P.M. HELD VIRTUALLY

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER

 

Chair Winters called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

 

  1. ROLL CALL

 

Present: Director of Community Planning and Development, George McGregor; Chair, Margery Winters; Andrew Bade, Donald Eaton, Charles Haldeman, and Jason Levy

 

Absent: James Berman

 

Charles Haldeman was appointed as a seated member.

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS

 

  1. Receipt of New Application and Determination of Significance
    • CC 22-07 72 King Philips Rd. (5 Tower Run)- Application for leach field in upland review area.
    • Mr. McGregor explained that the proposed leach field area is about 45 feet from the regulated area, and that it probably meets the conditions for non-significant activity.
    • James Cassidy, the site insurer, stated that after conducting soil tests he found that the original proposed area for the septic tank was not best for longevity, and that the area for the proposed pool, which already was granted approval, was much better for the septic tank.

MOTION: Commissioner Levy made a motion to find non-significant activity and that it is moved forward to the June 7th, 2022, meeting agenda. Commissioner Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. OLD BUSINESS

 

None.

 

  1. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

Minutes: April 19, 2022

 

Chair Winters stated that James Morrison was listed as absent but has resigned.

 

MOTION: Commissioner Levy made a motion to accept the minutes from the April 19, 2022, meeting as amended. Commissioner Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. AGENT ACTIONS

 

Application #22-04 37 Long View Drive – A/C Condenser Installation

  • Mr. McGregor stated that it concerned two small air conditioning condensers at the base of the house, a significant distance away from the wetland watercourse.

Application #22-05 12 Springbrook Lane – Garage Construction

  • Mr. McGregor stated that it was a 420 square foot garage addition and is about 96 feet away from the watercourse brook.

Application #22-06 24 Musket Trail – Deck Construction

  • Mr. McGregor stated that it was a 320 square foot deck replacement with post holes.

 

 

  1. CORRESPONDENCE

None.

 

  1. CONSERVATION BUSINESS

 

  1. Commission Reference Guides
    • Chair Winters stated that she sent Mr. McGregor the Agricultural Land Use Practices created by the Open Spaces Committee. and believes this is going to the Board of Selectmen.
    • Commissioner Levy wanted to add something concerning integrated pest management and how growing without any application of materials is not really realistic but the farmers who practice this use a lot less and is a best practice.
    • Commissioner Haldeman wanted to know where the results were to go under Cropland Soil Testing. Chair Winters responded that was one of the things that is still being worked on. Commissioner Haldeman concluded that what Open Spaces is interested in with this section is how the soil is used and how it is being improved over time.
    • Native Plants
  • Chair Winters said that it was composed by Newtown, CT’s Commission.
  • Commissioner Haldeman stated that he was wondering what the constraints would be. Chair Winters responded that it would be nothing from across the ocean, or where there are similar climates. He responded that there should be clarification on what is unwavering because climate will be changing in the future.
  • Commissioner Levy stated that there should be an exemption for fruit trees unless they are an invasive species.
  • Mr. McGregor suggested taking out the word “enforcement,” if this is going to be a guideline for residents.

 

  • Mowing Practices
  • Chair Winters stated that Parks and Rec mows the open spaces when they have people available to mow them, however with the wild areas they are dependent on what they are being managed for, pollinators or grassland birds. Some of the recommendations for grassland birds is that you need land the shape and size of a field to be effective and those should not be mowed during the breeding season, but they should be mowed late August. When you mow in late August for pollinators it tends to knock off all of the seed heads and is conducive for the grass but not for the growth of forbs, the pollinator plants.
  • Chair Winters stated that there needs to be identification of which parcels of property in town would be good for which intention. Some of the fields are mowed annually which is unnecessary for the pollinator meadows. You can mow every other year or every third year, or even one half one year and the other half the next year.
  • Commissioner Haldeman stated that it comes down to who will be figuring out those distinctions and who will evaluate if it is effective. Chair Winters responded that it would have to be a subgroup.
  1. Other Topics
  • Chair Winters inquired to the Commission which invasive species they came up with for a list compilation
  • Commissioner Levy responded with garlic mustard. Commissioner Haldeman responded with Japanese knotweed. Chair Winters stated Japanese barberry and burning bush, mumflordolls, and norman bittersweets. Commissioner Eaton stated Russian olives.
  • Commissioner Levy stated that next year he wanted to promote “No Mow May” for next year.
  • Commissioner Haldeman commented that on the Stratton Brook Trail he noticed that both sides were cleared by the aquarion water site, and one side is now being overrun by poison ivy and garlic mustard and he inquired about what the remediation plan was and who is responsible for cleaning it up. Chair Winters asked Mr. McGregor to find out those answers.
  • There was also a focus on continuing to provide information on  prevention of bear habituation to humans.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Commissioner Levy made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

           

                  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Amanda Blaze

Commission Clerk