10/20/2020 Conservation Commission/ IWWA Minutes

October 21, 2020

CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND INLAND WETLANDS AGENCY
REGULAR OCTOBER 20, 2020 MEETING
MINUTES
Call to order: 7:30

Roll call: Chair M. Winters, D. Eaton, J. Campolieta, J. Levy, J. Morrison and C. Haldeman were present. Also present was Wetlands Agent T. Hazel.
G. Gritzmacher, was absent.

Application 20-14- Franklin and Susan Norman, 11 Elliott Drive, Installation of an inground pool in the upland review.
Neither the homeowner nor their contractor were present. Agent T. Hazel went through the application for the commission. The distance of the disturbance from the wetlands is approximated to be 80-85 feet. There is a large wooded buffer between the wetlands and the proposed location of the pool. The agent and the contractor have gone over the various conditions of having a pool located near a wetland and the concern with material storage during construction. The contractor plans to excavate and remove the soil material from the site as he progresses. The contractor will have E&S measures on site to protect the wetlands from any possible runoff. The topography of the site is very flat and with the soils being removed from the site and not stock piled, the concern of any adverse impacts are minimal.
Motion: That this is a regulated activity was made by Commissioner Haldeman and seconded by Commissioner Eaton. All voted in favor (6-0-0).
Motion: That this activity is not significant was made by Commissioner Haldeman and seconded by Commissioner Levy. All voted in favor (6-0-0).
Motion: To approve the activity was made by Commissioner Haldeman and seconded by Commissioner Levy. All voted in favor of the approval (6-0-0).

Application 20-16 – Simsbury Land Trust, East Weatogue Street, Parking area improvements including the installation of gravel, paved apron and handicap parking space. Chair woman Winters recused herself as a member of the Land Trust. Having no other members present to represent the application, Mrs. Winters gave a brief over view of the application. Agent T. Hazel discussed the details of the erosion issues that facilitated the need for the improvements. With minor grading and the installation of gravel the storm water should now have a better opportunity to infiltrate and be guided so as to not continue to saturate and erode the parking area. The installation of a paved apron will keep the gravel on site and allow for safer entrance and exit to the street. There is proposed silt fencing along Lucy Brook to the north, but with the topography sloping from north downward to the south there should be little to no chance of any adverse impact to the brook. The majority of the project is in the upland review area and with the minimal regrading there should be little disturbance to the soils.
**Due to a defect this application is held until the next regularly scheduled meeting for a ruling.

Applications 20-07 and 20-08 – Town of Simsbury, Bridge repair / maintenance Firetown Road and Barndoor Hills Road. Town Engineer and Consultants from GM2 were presenting the application. The embankment repairs and the abutment repairs were the most significant aspects to the project. The project will also include the installation of rip rap and extensive deck work above the watercourse. The Firetown location over the Bissell Brook was found to be in the NDDB review area and DEEP issued a notice of spring salamanders and eastern box turtles to be of concern. Simsbury has hired a Herpetologist to assist in this particular project. The town plans to work with in the recommended times of the year as recommended by DEEP and the consultant. The Herpetologist will be present if the project should fall outside those months for extra precaution. This is not anticipated to occur. The work on the abutments may require water diversion during repairs. Due to the low level of flow this is planned to be accomplished with the use of haybales and geotextile. Both bridges will be repaired by one contractor and is slated to take several months each.
Motion: That this is a regulated activity was made by Commissioner Morrison and seconded by Commissioner Haldeman. All voted in favor (6-0-0).
Motion: That this activity is not significant was made by Commissioner Morrison and seconded by Commissioner Haldeman. All voted in favor (6-0-0).
Motion: To approve the activity was made by Commissioner Morrison and seconded by Commissioner Haldeman. All voted in favor of the approval (6-0-0).

Application 20-16 - Simsbury Fire District, 251 Hopmeadow Street. This application was added to the agenda on a vote of (6-0-0). The application was received and held for the next regularly scheduled meeting in November.

Approval of Minutes: August 18, 2020 minutes
Motion was made to approve them as presented by Commissioner Campolieta and was seconded by Commissioner Levy. All voted in favor (6-0-0).

General Business: Discussion was had about the Wood Duck restoration along the Farmington River. Some have concerns about the matting used to reinforce the hill while the grasses establish. It is a standard mesh matting impregnated with straw and seed. In the future the commission would prefer to recommend the use of matting not using plastic.

Agent Actions:
Application 20-11 – 4 Up The Road, an addition to a home in the upland review. The agent found the positioning of the home made it so any disturbance would be such that the house would be between the wetlands and the project area. The area being worked on is already a paved surface and the minimal footprint of the project make the likelihood of any impacts very low.
Application 20-12 – 6 Sachems Trail, a shed in the upland review, A standard shed on a gravel base. The area chosen is already maintained lawn and with no soil disturbance there is no expected impact to the wetlands.
Application 20-13 – 37 Pine Hill Road, shed and deck in the upland review. The shed location is closest to the wetlands and will be on a gravel base with no soil disturbance. The wetlands are located off the property with a town bike path between the property and the wetlands. The deck is further away and will have 4-6 Sonotubes. There is expected to be no impact to the wetlands.
Application 20-15 – 15 Park Road, deck replacement and expansion. There will be 4 Sonotubes added to the extension of the deck. The project area is in the rear of the house and thee associated stream is in front of the house. There is expected to be no impact to the watercourse.

Adjournment: At 9:00 PM Commissioner Campolieta made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Levy seconded. All voted in favor (6-0-0)