Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 01/15/2019

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 7:30pm

Simsbury Town Hall-Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

PRESENT: Margery Winters, Jason Levy, Donald Rieger, Kevin McCusker, James Morrison, Donald Eaton,

ALTERNATE: Grant Gritzmacher

ABSENT: Charles Haldeman

ALSO PRESENT:  Robin Newton, Assistant Town Planner

I.             CALL TO ORDER

               Chair Winters called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.

II:                   ROLL CALL

       1. No alternates

III:          PUBLIC HEARING

       1.  Application #18-19 of Jordan Blumberg, Applicant; Estate of Francis W. Ashmore, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Map Amendment to reflect more accurate mapping of the property located at 62 Laurel Lane (Assessor’s Map E06, Block 107, Lot 073B). Zone R-25. (public hearing must be closed by 02/19/2019)

Assistant Town Planner, Robin Newton, stated that Application #18-19 was recommended in error by Town staff. The location of the property is not in the mapped wetlands, so there will be no need to open or amend the application. The applicant will be refunded the fee once the request is approved by the Board of Selectmen.

Motion: Commissioner Rieger made a motion to accept the withdrawal of Application #18-19.

Commissioner Levy seconded the motion.           The motion passed unanimously at 7:40pm.

IV:                 OLD BUSINESS

       1.  Applications:

Application #18-19 of Jordan Blumberg, Applicant; Estate of Francis W. Ashmore, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Map Amendment to reflect more accurate mapping of the property located at 62 Laurel Lane (Assessor’s Map E06, Block 107, Lot 073B).  Zone R-25. (decision must be rendered within 35 days of closing public hearing)

Withdrawn.

        V.           NEW BUSINESS    

                      1. None

        VI.        GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1. CT Land Conservation Council: Enabling a Local Option for Land Conservation and Stewardship Funding

The proposed legislation would allow, but not require, towns to establish funding to purchase and maintain open space in their communities by including a conveyance fee of up to 1% to be paid by buyers.

Chair Winters stated there is statewide interest in allowing towns to get their names placed on this enabling legislation, but if a town name does not go on the legislation, then the town would not be able to take part in the collection of funds.

Commissioner Rieger stated that this option would allow the town to impose a fee as it sees fit, and that tax payers and the Board of Selectmen would decide what to do with the funds.

Chair Winters asked the Commission if they would like to have a letter written to the Town requesting that Simsbury be placed on the list.

Motion: Commissioner Rieger made a motion to ask the Chairman to write a letter to the Board of Selectman urging them to allow the Town to be placed on the proposed legislation, so that if the legislation passes, the Town would be allowed to consider imposing a fee for the purpose of Open Space Management.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy. The motion passed unanimously at 7:52pm.

   2. Chair Winters asked the Commission to amend the agenda to include the Belden Forest   discussion.

Motion: Commissioner Levy made a motion to amend General Commission Business to include the discussion of Belden Forest. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCusker. The motion passed unanimously at 7:53pm.

Michael Paine, Board of Selectman, and liaison for the Conservation Commission, was present to discuss Belden Forest and a possible proposal to designate the forest as an Old Growth Forest.  Mr. Paine stated that the Board of Selectmen expressed a strong interest in designating this property and are seeking the Conservation Committee’s viewpoint on the topic.

Commissioner Rieger showed concern over the maintenance burden that may be inflicted on the Town, as well as any possible safety concerns that would arise. He also stated that, by allowing Belden Forest to become part of this national designation, it may be construed as a ‘meaningless gesture.’

Commissioner Rieger also stated that a discussion of Belden Forest was held in 2017, and that the designation of the forest did not really amount to anything other than a promise of some publicity.  The Commissioner also stated that he showed concern over the possibility of easements in the future.

Mr. Paine insisted that the Board of Selectmen would not be in favor of granting easements.

Commissioner Morrison expressed concern with having a management plan before designating the property as an Old Growth Forest.

Chair Winters discussed the financial impact that towns with OFNG property have. There is an increase in visitation and spending within these communities.  She stated that it will show recognition that we have a ‘wonderful treasure in town.’ 

Motion: Commissioner McCusker made a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Belden Forest be included in the Old Growth Forest Network. He also recommended to the Board of Selectmen that a forest management plan be in place and that there be signage and parking improvements in the area. In addition, funding for maintenance.

Commissioner Levy seconded the motion.

Commissioner Rieger voted NAY.

The motion passed 5-1.

                       3.  Approval of the December 18, 2018 regular meeting minutes.

                The regular meeting minutes will be filed as is.

                      4. Robin Newton handed out a bi-annual training registration form.

        VII.       ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Commissioner Levy made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Morrison. The motion passed unanimously at 8:23pm.

        Respectfully submitted by:

        Tammy Marzucca

        Zoning and Planning Commissions Clerk