TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
CONSERVATION-LAKE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010
7:00 P.M.
EATON E. SMITH MEETING ROOM
TOWN HALL
MINUTES
- Call to Order. Chair Zawisza called this regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Chair Zawisza, Kurt Comisky, Michael Brogan, Irene Curtis, Allen Petell, Nancy Selavka. Commissioners not present were Mark Rose, Thomas Wells, Mark Habedank, Paul Peszynski (A) and Mark Niosi. Also present was Kerry Nielson, Director of Community and Environmental Planning, several applicants, members of the public, and Jennifer Carducci, Recording Clerk.
- Seating of Alternates – None
Nancy Selavka was formally introduced to the members and the public.
- Approval of Minutes – Irene Curtis made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2010 Conservation-Lake Commission as written; seconded by Kurt Comisky; Vote: Yes-6; No-0; Abstain-0. Motion carried.
- Communications and Liaison Reports –
Kerry Nielson had no communications. Allen Petell reported on Inland Wetlands, and the recent Motherboard Meeting where he spoke regarding this Commission. Council agreed that this Commission has a lot of work ahead of them. Mr. Petell mentioned items IW has heard of late. He also mentioned that Chair Foran of IW stated it is the duty of this Commission to be designing/in charge of tags for open space.
- Report of Director of Community and Environmental Planning.
Kerry Nielson was present to advise of our new Commission member, Dr. Wagner’s proposal has been accepted and the work has been funded. The Commission contact list has been updated and circulated. Ms. Nielson advised that there will be no local fertilizer ordinance due to law.
Ms. Nielson discussed Lake water sampling. There are 18 sampling sites, 2 in-Lake (that need a flat-bottom boat). She has a lead on a contractor who could help sample, if needed. The Commission agreed that volunteer would be more cost-efficient.
After discussion, Michael Brogan was appointed liaison to Navigational Lake Task Force. Times will be set up in the near future. Ms. Nielson will send an email.
Ms. Nielson handed out copies of the narrative summarizing the charge of this Commission (used in the budget book).
- Public Remarks – None
- Plan Review
Michael Rose arrived, 7:28 p.m.
- Application review of Variance Request for Side Yard Setback for a Storage Building – 11 Pine Trail in Lake Pocotopaug watershed.
Ms. Nielson explained that all activities in the watershed that go to P & Z, ZBA, must come before this Commission, per Ordinance.
Susan Jordan was present to show plans and explain what has transpired at her property. Due to an injury sustained by her husband, Ms. Jordan put a storage shed on her property to temporarily store furniture to enable her husband to recuperate on the first floor of the home. She explained the procedures used to protect the Lake and water drainage before the shed was placed as well as after.
After a short discussion, and a consensus that there is no issue for this Commission, a motion was made by Michael Rose that the Conservation-Lake Commission recommend this application favorably for a variance as referenced in 7.1; seconded by Irene Curtis, Vote: Yes : 7, No: 0, Abstain: 0, Motion carried.
- Application review of a Timber Harvesting Permit for 45 Champion Hill Road – Hull Forest Products, Inc.
Chris Casadei, Hull Forest Products submitted narrative of application. The driveway being used is paved; there is very minimal impact on a small wetland area. The selective harvesting will be of approximately 140 trees; work will be done when area is dry. This relatively flat area is not in the watershed area. Work would be done with in a two-week period.
Ms. Nielson commented regarding the possibility of Hull working 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., six days a week, as listed in application. Mr. Casadei stated that work will most likely not be those hours every day.
After a short discussion, Michael Rose made a motion in favor of this application 7.2 as it has no adverse affect on the conservation of the watershed area; seconded by Irene Curtis, Vote: Yes: 7, No: 0; Abstain: 0, motion carried.
- Application review of Chatham Forest Subdivision – Rte. 16 – Fifteen (15) Lot Subdivision in the Salmon River Watershed – Pelletier Development Company LLC.
Matt Pelletier and Jim Dutton were present to present this application.
A wetland analysis and impact report was discussed briefly. The report is very specific and was provided for the Commission.
Approximately thirty-one (31) acres of open space will be transferred to the Town. There will be no home owner’s association or common space.
Jim Dutton, Dutton Associates, engineers and surveyors for the project explained the plan for this conservation subdivision. The subdivision is on the east side of the road, consisting of 15 lots. The road is approximately 970 feet long; there will be a water quality basin, no detention proposed, as this is a very unique watershed. There are no vernal pools on this property and the watershed area slows the water as it flows down. A detention pond would actually aggravate flooding. The water quality basin will deal with the first inch of rain, having an under drain. Anything above 1” will flow directly out of the pond. Clearing will be done for the roadway, and a few areas for soil stockpiles, and ultimately areas for development, in stages, as they are worked on, to minimize
erosion.
Seventy (70) test pits were dug (7’ deep) and were suitable. Curtain drains from houses on the east side will have to be connected to the catch basin system (they were designed to accept this drainage). The road will be a Town-owned road and each lot will have individual wells and septic systems.
There will be approximately 100 square feet of direct impact to the wetland. A vortecnic basin will be placed at the beginning of the road. There will be an easement in favor of the Town in this area, so that the Town can maintain the water quality basin. It is not very deep, no moving parts, 50-60’ of under drain, surrounded by stone. The outflow is restricted by an orifice. The biggest piece of maintenance will be the cutting of vegetation in the area; and approximately every 15-20 years, clean the sediment out of the stone. Recommended maintenance will be stated on the plans (vacuum catch basins twice a year, etc.).
Chair Zawisza stated that this subdivision is well designed for the area.
Michael Rose stated that part of the responsibility of this commission is to identify possible parts of Town regulations, requirements that are inconsistent with our goals.
A motion was made by Mr. Rose to report favorably to the appropriate subsequent commissions, seconded by Michael Brogan, and after discussion, Vote: Yes: 7, No: 0; Abstain: 0, motion passed.
- Old Business
- Update on Discussion on setting up timeline for implementing and prioritizing management actions in AECOM report for Lake Pocotopaug and having Commission email two to three brainstorming ideas on priorities from Table 9-1 in report.
Ms. Nielson asked for feedback. Questions were raised as to whether we do this or incorporate into a Lake Watershed Management Plan. Suggestions were regulating boat speed on the Lake, vacuuming catch basins 4-6 times a year, installing watershed signs, storm drain identification/numbering/locating, Lake mascot, educational pieces/pamphlet. In the interim, suggestions will be forwarded to the Town Council.
Ms. Nielson will be looking into the functionality of the catch basins/drainage at Seven Hills tomorrow.
- Discussion on brainstorming parcels for submission of a grant application for DEP’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program due in early May.
Ms. Nielson discussed the grant application process and the background data, appraisals, and other information needed regarding the properties. The parcels have not yet been determined. If members have recommendations, please forward to Ms. Nielson. She will request Town Manager approach property owner on Christopher Road.
- Consideration of RFP for Lake Pocotopaug Watershed Management Plan
Discussion surrounded having Dr. Wagner assist due to his previous expertise and information. This task is almost an extension of previous modeling work. Past documents are available. This commission is the group to make the decision. Consensus was that going through the RFP process would be time consuming and a duplication of efforts. The next step would be the scenario – how do we get to 50% phosphorus. A communication will be sent to the Town Council to advise them that this commission is working on this (due date 3-12-10).
- Planning of Lake Watershed Cleanup Day in April
Irene Curtis passed out a listing of Association contacts. The Cleanup Day is tentatively scheduled for April 24. Mr. Habedank was extremely involved in the last Cleanup. Irene Curtis will contact Mr. Habedank to discuss his involvement since he has not been at the last meetings. Further discussion ensued regarding logistics, participation, and resources for the Day.
- New Business
- Discussion on Updating and Prioritizing Conservation/Lake Tasks on Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) Implementation Table.
P & Z would like the Commission to look at the Implementation Table, update, and revise. Commissions will look this over and it will be discussed and finalized next month.
10. Public Remarks - None
11. Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Petell to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Carducci
Recording Clerk
3-13-10
All handouts and attachments are made part of these minutes and are available at Town Hall.
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