Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 06/04/2019

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, June 4, 2019

CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS

AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY

REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY JUNE 4, 2019 – 7:30 p.m.

SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – MAIN MEETING ROOM

933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

 

I.            CALL TO ORDER-The meeting was called to order by Chair Winters at 7:30pm.

 

II.           ROLL CALL

1.           Appointment of Alternates-Grant Gritzmacher was seated by Chair Winters

Present: Margery Winters, Jason Levy, Kevin McCusker, Donald Rieger, Donald Eaton, James Morrison, Grant Gritzmacher

Absent: Charles Haldeman

Staff Present: Robin Newton, Assistant Town Planner

 

III.          PUBLIC HEARINGS

1.            None

 

IV.          OLD BUSINESS

1.            Applications:

 

a.            Application #19-03 of Hetal Shah, Applicant; Aquarion Water Company, Owner; for regulated activities within the upland review area related to the construction of the Eno Place Centralized Treatment Facility on the properties located at 4 Eno Place (Assessor’s Map I06, Block 141, Lot 001) and 5 Eno Place (Assessor’s Map I06, Block 141, Lot 003B). Zone R-40. (decision must be rendered by 07/25/2019)

 

 

Hetal Shah, Senior Engineer for Aquarion Water Company, was present to discuss the proposal for the construction of a Centralized Treatment Facility. The purpose of the construction is to combine the treatment of multiple wells into one location.

 

Shah stated that this will be beneficial because there will be only one location to store, treat, and handle any chemicals used.

 

Al Wells, Civil Engineer from Tighe & Bond, stated that one well will be abandoned and capped off. The other well will have an existing structure demolished, capping and abandoning of the water main. Both locations will have the upgrades as stated in the staff reports.

 

Raina Volovski, Environmental Scientist was present to discuss the disturbances that could possibly take place in or around the wetland areas. She stated that DEEP will be working with the applicants and will make suggestions on how to avoid as much habitat impact as possible.

 

Senior Civil Engineer, Andrew White addressed the need for natural gas updates and showed maps of the area where the construction will take place.

 

Volovski reiterated that the team will follow all DEEP recommendations and that there will be no destruction of wetlands, and they will be working in areas that have already been disturbed. She added that there will be no disturbances to native plants.

 

Don Rieger asked if there will be any impact on river water. The Civil Engineer stated that river water can not be drawn into the well.

 

Robin Newton stated that updates plans and signatures need to be given to staff and Volovski assured this will take place.

 

MOTION:

Kevin McCusker made a motion that this is a regulated activity in the upland review area.

The motion was seconded by Jason Levy. The motion passed unanimously at 7:55pm.

 

Kevin McCusker made a motion that this is not a significant activity to the wetlands.

The motion was seconded by Jason Levy. The motion passed unanimously at 7:55pm.

 

Kevin McCusker made a motion to approve the application subject to standards and conditions in the staff reports. The motion was seconded by Jason Levy. The motion pass unanimously at 7:55pm.

 

 

b.            Application #19-04 of Hetal Shah, Applicant; Aquarion Water Company, Owner; for regulated activities within the wetlands and upland review area related to the construction of the Stratton Brook Centralized Treatment Facility on the property located at 190 Stratton Brook Road (Assessor’s Map D12, Block 151, Lot 008C). Zone R-40. (decision must be rendered by 07/25/2019)

 

Al Wells stated that raw water from wells 1, 3, 4, and 6 are all treated in well houses (which will be abandoned) and treated in a new treatment facility.

 

A separate paved road will run parallel to the existing walking path. There will be a widening of the road which will cause direct impact to the wetlands. Wells stated that the majority of the work will be on the other side of the property next to the upland review area. Wells stated that the state of CT approved of the proposal for the modifications. The new treatment facility will be gated off to the public.

 

Volovski stated that all of the wetlands in the location are federal which is why the Army Corp of Engineers is involved with the proposal.  She stated that the area is currently maintained as ‘lawn’-so it is already disturbed. There is a buffer between the work area and the upland review area.

 

She added that she is waiting on DEEP suggestions in avoiding habitat impact.

 

Don Rieger asked when the project will be completed. Al Wells stated that the project will be completed later this year or next year. They are currently preparing easement agreements, and they are still waiting on the Army Corp. permits.

 

Kevin McCusker made a motion that this is a regulated activity in the upland review and wetlands. Jason Levy seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously at 8:24pm.

 

Kevin McCusker made a motion this activity is not a significant threat to the upland wetlands.

Jason Levy seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously at 8:24pm.

 

Kevin McCusker made a motion to approve the application subject to standards and conditions in the staff reports. Jason Levy seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously at 8:24pm.

 

V.            NEW BUSINESS

1.            Receipt of New Applications

 

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            Approval of the Minutes of the May 21, 2019 regular meeting.

 

Line 60 should say McCusker instead of McKusker.

The minutes will be filed as corrected.

 

2.            Correspondence

 

Robin Newton handed out an inspection report from Cumberland Farms.

 

 

VII.         CONSERVATION COMMISSION DUTY WORK

Don Rieger discussed the town’s plan for a bicycle path to be built near the buffer of the river. He suggested that the Conservation Commission should have been contacted in order to give advice on the subject. The buffer of the area is very valuable for the river and any construction done could impact the wetland area.

 

Robin Newton will be meeting with the North Central Conservation District to review the Simsbury Meadows site and the Fireworks Road.

 

Jason Levy stated that the gate at Simsbury Meadows has been closed more often than in the past.

 

Chair Winters stated that it is the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffragette amendment.

 

 

VIII.        ADJOURNMENT

 

Don Rieger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jason Levy seconded the motion. The motion pass unanimously at 8:39pm.