12/06/2022 CC/IWWA Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, December 6, 2022

CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY

 

REGULAR MEETING December 6, 2022, 7:30 P.M. HELD Main Meeting Room Simsbury Town Hall

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER

 

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

 

  1. ROLL CALL

 

Present: Director of Community Planning and Development, George McGregor, Andrew Bade, Jason Berman, Joseph Campolieta, Donald Eaton, Jason Levy, Margery Winters, Kyle Testerman (Alternate), and Cailyn Welsh (Alternate)

 

Absent:  Charles Haldeman

 

Kyle Testerman is seated as a full member in Charles Haldeman’s absence.

 

  1. NEW APPLICATIONS FOR RECEIPT AND DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE

Application CC #22-27 of Maria Capriola, Owner, Thomas Roy, Applicant, for construction of a +/- 3,600 linear foot, 10-foot-wide, concrete trail with pedestrian boardwalks and associated site improvements along the Farmington River property and right of way located near Tariffville Road from Hopmeadow Street to Curtiss/Pattison Parks.

  • Adam Kessler, Deputy Town Engineer, introduced the project, which connects the Simsbury main trail on Hopmeadow Street to Curtiss Park.
  • There are 46,000 square feet of state wetlands which will be impacted.  The land and soils are previously disturbed. 
  • Mr. Kessler will provide an update on regulatory permit status at the public hearing.  Agencies that have been involved in project reviews include the local DOT offices, Deep Fisheries and Army Corps.
  • Ms. Winters inquired when the DOT update for the project will be received.  Mr. Kessler responded that the intent is to receive an update from DOT in January 2023 regarding project funding with a goal to begin construction in 2024.  $2.4-$2.5M is the current estimate for funding.
  • Two sections of boardwalk are planned, which will utilize helical piles, resulting in minimal impact to the surrounding area.
  • Mr. Campolieta inquired whether invasive plants will be removed and whether any replanting will utilize a native mix.  Mr. Kessler responded that there will be removals of invasive species with the intent of encouraging native species to take root.  There is a project requirement for invasive species monitoring for 2 years after project completion.
  • Mr. Berman inquired if this project will eventually extend into Bloomfield and if so, what route would be utilized., noting the flooding levels on Tariffville Road.  Mr. Kessler responded that there is current construction underway to connect Tariffville to the Bloomfield trail.  The segment from Curtiss to Tariffville is the most complicated section that is still under review, but he will take the flooding levels under advisement. 
  • Ms. Winters inquired if this connection is for pedestrian traffic.  Mr. Kessler responded that this will be considered a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.  The width between rails will be 10 feet. 

 

Motion:  Mr. Levy made a motion to find Application CC #22-27 of Maria Capriola, Owner, Thomas Roy, Applicant, for construction of a +/- 3,600 linear foot, 10-foot-wide, concrete trail with pedestrian boardwalks and associated site improvements along the Farmington River property and right of way located near Tariffville Road from Hopmeadow Street to Curtiss/Pattison Parks to be significant and that a Public Hearing be scheduled during the January 17, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Commission.  Mr. Campolieta seconded.   

 

All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (7-0-0)

 

  1. PUBLIC HEARING AND/OR ACTION ON APPLICATIONS

 

  1. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

Minutes: November 15, 2022

 

Motion:  Without objection, Ms. Winters motioned to approve the November 15, 2022 minutes for the Regular Committee meeting.

 

All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (7-0-0)

 

  1. AGENT ACTIONS

 

  1. CONSERVATION BUSINESS

 

Plan of Conservation and Development Discussion and Update

  • Ms. Winters met with and provided her comments on the POCD to Glen Chalder and requested that the other Commission Members review and provide any comments to Mr. McGregor. 
  • Dr. Bade has reviewed and will provide Mr. McGregor with his comments. 
  • Mr. McGregor explained that one of the primary issues that will be updated in the POCD is the definition of Open Space and the Open Space mapping.
  • Mr. McGregor reminded the Commission and community members to take the POCD survey, which is linked on the Simsbury town website. 
  • Ms. Winters requested that prior year Parks and Rec and Open Space survey results are also incorporated as part of this update as well.
  • Mr. McGregor will host a public, community session at the end of January, and at that time the survey results and findings will be released.
  • A POCD session specific to the Conservation Commission comments can be held with Mr. Chalder and/or Mr. McGregor.
  • Ms. Winters reviewed the Newtown and Stamford Dark Sky Initiative regulations and will provide her analysis to Mr. McGregor, as one of the actionable items for the POCD.

 

Erosion and Sedimentation Control Town Code Revisions

  • Mr. McGregor explained that there is an inconsistency in town code that gives to decision making responsibility to the Conservation Commission as it relates to Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plans.  This conflicts with state law.  As such, this will be taken to the Board of Selectman to remove that chapter. 
  • An effort will be made to ensure that any significant projects with Open Space / Erosion complements can be brought to the Conservation Commission for referral and review.

 

  1. PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UPDATES
  • The town is working to fill Assistant Town Planner position.
  • Mr. McGregor will send out the DEEP online wetlands training link to the Conservation Commission members.

 

Motion:  Mr. Campolieta made a motion to cancel the December 20, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Commission as there are no significant items on the agenda.  Mr. Levy seconded.

 

All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (7-0-0)

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion:  Without objection, Ms. Winters made a motion to adjourn. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:01 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Cara Blackaby

Commission Clerk