Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 07/02/2019

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, July 2, 2019

CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS

AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY

REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019 – 7:30 P.M.

SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – MAIN MEETING ROOM

933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

 

I.             CALL TO ORDER-Margery Winters called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.

 

II.            ROLL CALL

 

Present: Margery Winters, Jason Levy, Kevin McCusker, James Morrison, Charles Haldeman

Staff Present: Janell Mullen, Code Compliance Officer

Absent: Donald Rieger, Donald Eaton, Grant Gritzmacher

 

1.            Appointment of Alternates- Charles Haldeman was promoted to full member.

 

III.           PUBLIC HEARINGS

1.            None

 

 IV.          OLD BUSINESS

1.            Applications:

 

a.            Application #18-05 of Nadine Eales, Owner, for the placement of a 10’x16’ shed in the wetlands on the property located at 28 Alder Road (Assessor’s Map F06, Block 302, Lot 022). Zone R-15. (received 06/18/2019; decision must be rendered by 08/22/2019)

 

Nadine Eales was present to discuss her proposal to replace an old shed that was on her property for many years. The new shed will be 10’X16’ and will be set back from the old shed approximately 12’. The new shed will be in the wetlands, but not in the upland review area.

 

There will be crushed stone placed underneath the new shed. The area is currently a grassy area.

The existing shed was removed. Ms. Eales will replant grass in the area where the old shed was removed.

 

The new shed cannot be put directly behind the home because there is a hill on the property. No more than 6” of crushed stone will be used. There will be no digging. There will be no gas storage in the new shed, and there will be no power to the shed. 

 

MOTION: James Morrison made a motion that this is regulated activity because the construction is in the wetland area. The motion was seconded by Jason Levy and passed unanimously at 7:36pm.

 

James Morrison made a motion that it is not a significant activity because the proposed disturbed area is currently used as a grassy lawn with minimum wetland functionality. Jason Levy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 7:36pm.

 

James Morrison made a motion to approve Application #18-05 subject to the conditions in the staff report. The motion was seconded by Jason Levy. The motion passed unanimously at 7:36pm.

 

 V.            NEW BUSINESS

1.            Receipt of New Applications-None

 

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            Appoint Janell Mullen as Assistant Wetlands Agent

 

MOTION: Jason Levy made a motion to appoint Janell Mullen as the Assistant Wetlands agent. The motion was seconded by Kevin McCusker. The motion passed unanimously at 7:38pm.

 

2.            Approval of the Minutes of the June 4, 2019 regular meeting-The meeting minutes were filed as-is @ 7:39pm.

 

3.            Correspondence-None

 

VII.         CONSERVATION COMMISSION DUTY WORK

 

Margery Winters stated that Paine’s has come out with bear-proof trash cans.

 

She added that it should be noted on the Town of Simsbury website that the feeding of birds is not needed in the summer-time when bears are awake.

 

Margery Winters stated that she would like the conservation commission to join the ‘pollinator pathways,’ which encourages the public to “plant native trees and makes people aware that what they plant in their yards will have a direct effect on the wildlife.”

 

Charles Haldeman asked about the Open Space Committee. Janell Mullen stated that the town is staffing the committee. Ms. Mullen stated that she would like to inventory all the open space, categorize it, and make a master plan that can be used collectively with other commissions.

 

VIII.        ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Kevin McCusker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jason Levy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm.