07/21/2020 Conservation Commission/IWWA Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, July 21, 2020

MINUTES
CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS
AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY

REGULAR MEETING JULY 21, 2020 7:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 PM

ROLL CALL: Present – Chairman Winters, Vice Chairman Morrison, Commissioners Eaton,
Levy, Campolieta. Alternate Haldeman was invited to sit. A quorum was established. Absent were
Commissioners McCusker and Gritzmacher

PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

NEW BUSINESS:
Application #20-07 Jeff Shea, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Bridge repairs and upgrades specifically the repair work on the abutments and wing walls including vegetation removal. Bridge 04549 – Firetown Road over Bissel Brook.

Tom Hazel represented for the town of Simsbury, Stating that the work with any impact to wetlands would be the repairs to the abutments and the wing walls which may require the use of coffer dams to dry the work area during repairs. The need for such dams would be assessed at the time of repair. There would also be vegetative maintenance around the structure to keep roots from undermining the abutments. Commissioner Morrison had two questions for the town engineer to answer at the next meeting. First does the project fall into the NDDB requirement and second if the coffer dams are used is there a water quality structure at the out flow of the pump hose.

MOTION: Commissioner Levy made a motion to accept application 20-07 and hold it for a ruling at the next meeting, commissioner Campolieta seconded. (Vote 6-0-0) in favor

Application #20-08 Jeff Shea, Applicant Town of Simsbury, Bridge repairs and upgrades specifically the repair work on the abutments and wing walls including vegetation removal. Bridge 04550 – Barndoor Hill Road over Bissel Brook.

Tom Hazel represented for the town of Simsbury, Stating that the work with any impact to wetlands would be the repairs to the abutments and the wing walls which may require the use of coffer dams to dry the work area during repairs. The need for such dams would be assessed at the time of repair. There would also be vegetative maintenance around the structure to keep roots from undermining the abutments. Commissioner Morrison had two questions for the town engineer to answer at the next meeting. First does the project fall into the NDDB requirement and second if the coffer dams are used is there a water quality structure at the out flow of the pump hose.

MOTIONS: Commissioner Levy made a motion to accept application 20-07 and hold it for a ruling at the next meeting, commissioner Campolieta seconded. (Vote 6-0-0) in favor

Application #20-09 David Taylor, 507 Firetown Road – the construction of a shed in the wetlands. Mr. Taylor was cited for work without a permit and is applying to make his actions approved by the commission. (Assessors Map C03, Block 203, Lot 023A)

Agent Tom Hazel introduced the application because it was the result of a notice from the town of work without a permit. He stated the shed location is in the wetlands as well as the floodplain which was of concern. He stated that Mr. Taylor has reached out to the town on both issues and that he was here to apply for a wetlands permit. Mr. Taylor stated that they have grown evergreen trees there for some time and had accumulated a brush pile in the location of the shed. He has cleaned up the brush and wanted a shed to house tools and needed materials for the tree operation. Mr. Taylor reviewed his construction methods and stated since the new larger culvert was installed on Firetown road his property has stopped flooding and tends to stay dry.

MOTION: Commissioner Levy made a motion to accept application 20-07 and hold it for a ruling at the next meeting, commissioner Campolieta seconded. (Vote 6-0-0) in favor

GENERAL BUSINESS:
Minutes: Minutes of June 16, 2020 – commissioner Campolieta made a motion to approve the minutes, commissioner Levy seconded. Vote: Approved 6-0-0.

Discussion of drought ordinances for town facilities, especially facilities such as the golf course. Well serviced areas versus municipally supplied areas. Questions arose due to the Simsbury owned Golf course watering from a well source while the town was asking for water restrictions through the private water company. Research into protocols for the town in drought situations was requested.

Discussion regarding plantings for birds now that the town has passed an ordinance in regards to feeding wildlife in Simsbury due to recent bear human interactions. Suggestions were made to try and get a show garden established at a town owned facility such as Simsbury Farms so the public could get educated on the method.

AGENT ACTIONS:
Agent Tom Hazel reported the approval of an above ground pool at 47 Squadron Line Road. He explained the topography as quite flat and all the activity would be in the upland review area.

CORRESPONDENCE:
A notice was sent to the commission informing them of the states permitting of several dam maintenance projects around the town. The maintenance is mainly spillway clearing and vegetative control measures on the damns.

ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Campolieta made a motion to adjourn at 8:21 PM, Commissioner Eaton seconded. Vote: 6-0-0.