Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 09/17/2019
CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY - FSPL PROGRAM ROOM - 7:30 p.m.
725 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
I. CALL TO ORDER - Margery Winters called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
II. ROLE CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates - Donald Eaton appointed to sit
Present: Margery Winters, Donald Reiger, James Morrison, Jason Levy, and Donald Eaton
Absent: Kevin McCusker, Chad Thompson, Grant Gritzmacher, Charles Haldeman
Staff Present: Michael Glidden, CFM CZEO Director of Planning and Community Development
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. None
IV. OLD BUSINESS
1. Applications:
a. Application #19-09 of David Bordonaro, Applicant; George P. McLean Est. & McLean Affiliates, Inc., Owner; for regulated activities within the wetlands and upland review area related to the construction of a new building, new access drives and parking areas on property located at 85 & 95 Firetown Road, and 75 Great Pond Road. (Assessor’s Map E08, Block 147, 148, Lot 001). Zone R-40 (decision must be rendered by 11/07/2019)
Attorney T.J. Donahue introduced application #19-09, introducing Tom Daley, Senior Engineer, and Megan Raymond, Wetland Specialist and Soil Scientist, Milone & Macbroom, to answer questions about the project on McLean property.
Mr. Daley spoke about the stormwater management features to be added to accommodate the increased building and impervious surface, including the construction of two stormwater basins.
He also discussed erosion control during construction; silt fencing, second level of protection within a 50’ area of wetlands such as hay bales/straw. Topography will be used to minimize cuts and fills for the site.
Ms. Raymond spoke about the details of where the wetlands are located on the property, and the acreage of the wetlands. She spoke of the wetland function, vegetation and hydrology of the property, highlighting how to reconfigure improvements to allow the wetlands to remain.
Potential direct impact (direct .05 acre isolated wetlands) and indirect potential impacts (untreated stormwater and sedimentation/erosion control) were discussed.
Mr. Easton requested clarification of what old infrastructure would be abandoned or removed. Mr. Daley clarified that the cottages, driveways and parking lots would be demolished, infrastructure would be removed.
Mr. Morrison requested clarification on the new features. Mr. Daley spoke about the catch basins and swirl basins in the chamber. He further discussed the maintenance plan such as storm water, sweeping, when these areas should be mowed and inspected, when to maintain the gutters and lawn.
Mr. Rieger asked if the town of Simsbury has the authority to ensure that the maintenance is being carried out and request the reports of facilities and infrastructure maintenance? Mr. Glidden answered that the permit is only for 5-10 years. For at least five years the town can request these reports.
Mr. Rieger asked if it could be a special condition of approval for the town to request the reports. Mr. Glidden replied that it could be a condition of approval, but cautions the Commission that the town can only request those reports for five years.
Ms. Winters asked Ms. Raymond if there will be enough sunlight for germination and propagation of vegetation? Ms. Raymond noted that there should not be too much canopy cloaking the sunlight on the edge of the property.
Discussion was had about mowing and planting of wooded vegetation, as well as observation of plants being installed appropriately and appropriate weed suppression. Soil will be tilled with a 20% compost mix, which should promote good growth, no new soil will be brought in.
Mr. Morrison noted that the level spreaders are not on the maintenance program, and he wishes for them to be added. Mr. Daley agrees they should be added and has no objection to the addition to the maintenance program.
Mr. Morrison asked for more information about the emergency generator and cooling tower. Mr. Daley expressed that the architects have said these items need to be added, it is a building code addition. It would be a double walled container, fully enclosed unit on a concrete pad. Mr. Daley offers that town be provided a cut sheet, and has no objections to submitting a cut sheet to the town as a condition of approval.
MOTION:
Mr. Morrison made a motion that this is a regulated activity because it involves construction in a wetland and in the upland review area.
Motion seconded by Mr. Levy and the motion passed unanimously at 8:09 p.m.
Mr. Morrison made a motion to find that this is not a significant impact activity because although there will be a small loss of wetland, that area is very small and isolated, and providing very little wetland value.
Motion was seconded by Mr. Rieger and the motion passed unanimously at 8:09 p.m.
Mr. Morrison made a motion to approve the application subject to the conditions in the staff report and subject to the following additional conditions:
1. That an annual maintenance report be provided to the town
2. That the maintenance program be updated to include inspection of the level spreaders
3. Any gas or oil tanks in the upland review area will be double walled and specification sheets will be provided to the town staff before installation.
4. Schedule in UT will be modified to relate to the mowing, not the lack of necessity of mowing the basins and the annual reports should detail the applicant’s compliance.
5. Refer in the annual report the maintenance program outlining sheet UT
Mr. Levy seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously at 8:10 p.m.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Receipt of New Applications - None
VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Approval of the Minutes of the September 3, 2019 regular meeting
The meeting minutes will be filed as-is.
2. Discussion of Fireworks Road draft commission letter
Commission discussed the letter drafted which points out a violation and the lack of notice of violation to the town. Options were discussed about how to further proceed with the violation. Ms. Winters noted that if the letter is sent, the management plan will be on record. Mr. Rieger noted that the letter could also be submitted to open space and have them take a look at it. All members of the Commission are in agreement with sending the letter.
Chairman Winters signed a copy of the letter and submitted it to staff.
VII. CONSERVATION COMMISSION DUTY WORK
1. Ms. Winters announced that on September 23, 2019, Mary Ellen Lemay will present the Pollinator Pathway Project at 7:00 p.m. in the Simsbury Public Library - FSPL Program Room.
Mr. Morrison requested this information be emailed to the Commission.
2. Mr. Rieger discussed the Monarch Migration Project that was recently highlighted in media.
Discussion was had about the plants that can be planted to attract the monarchs.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Levy made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Morrison and motion passed unanimously at 8:26 p.m.