Conservation Commission
APPROVED MINUTES
Regular Meeting
February 24 2009, 6:00 p.m.
31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, Connecticut
Commissioners Present: Hovious, Ferguson, Barkman, Wright (by phone), and Kaley
Staff Present: Rob Sibley, Deputy Director, Tammy Hazen, Clerk
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Executive Session opened at 5:00 p.m. and adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
The public meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Public Participation: There was one member of the public present.
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Ferguson motioned to approve the minutes of February 10, 2009. Commissioner Barkman seconded the motion. Minutes were discussed and approved unanimously as amended.
Old Business – Progress Reports and Updates
Open Space Purchase Discussion and Resolution as Appropriate – Item tabled.
Commission Critical Work for 2009 – Commissioner Ferguson compiled the ranking sheets and distributed a list entitled “Forced Ranking”. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed the list. Commissioner Ferguson will forward this electronically to Commissioner Wright.
Natural Resources Inventory RFP Responses – Mr. Sibley discussed the two RFP responses from CME and Environmental Planning Services and is waiting for a third from Malone and McBroom. The GIS team will be part of the decision process. Any individuals in the community that are interested in helping can be connected with the consultant. The subcommittee will bring forth a recommendation to the Commission.
Open Space at Commerce Road Update – Mr. Sibley presented the latest tech park plans from EDC which include a commercial condominium complex that includes five buildings and a driveway instead of a road. The lower field will continue to be a hay field and a solar farm is proposed to generate electricity for the water treatment facility. Mr. Sibley thanked the Commission for all their hard work on this project. Commissioner Hovious spoke with Mr. Rau from EDC who said the plans are still very conceptual and that more detailed plans will follow once they get the okay to pursue further engineering. The subcommittee will meet before the next meeting and arrive at a recommendation. The commissioners should get any questions answered before the next meeting.
Open Space Inventory – Mr. Sibley will e-mail an Excel spreadsheet that lists open space parcels downloaded from the GIS system. The latest properties may not be on the list. CCA is currently working on marking properties. Mr. Sibley spoke with Karen Lato who has volunteered to help with the marking of the Pieragostini property and maintenance of the trails. Iroquois grant money can be used for signage. A link between Dickenson Park and the Pieragostini property was also discussed.
Loveland Property Purchase Status – Mr. Sibley said that there is a meeting on this in Kent tonight. The final report will be read on March 3rd with opportunities for public comment and more information will be forthcoming in a week or so. There is potential for a Grant. The Trust for Public Lands is anxious to have this property closed on.
First Light Agreement – Commissioner Hovious stated that he has not been able to contact the attorney. Mr. Sibley said that if anything else is needed, they will contact the Commission.
New Business
Impact on Mason Purchase on Al’s Trail – Commissioner Barkman walked the trail. Although the additional land will make Al’s Trail a little shorter, it cuts the trail through a forest instead of having to walk along the road. An Eagle Scout may make map boxes. Commissioner Hovious suggested a celebration when that part of the trail is completed. Mr. Sibley discussed the mapping that Alicia Messier created using GIS. The area will need to be surveyed and a trail needs to be made where the environment will not be hurt.
Report on Economic Development Presentation by HVCEO – Commissioners Kaley and Hovious discussed their attendance of a presentation by Jonathan Chu, Executive Director of HVCEO at the last EDC meeting.
Attendance at March 4, BOS Special Meeting – Commissioners discussed a public meeting where Senators Lieberman, Dodd and Murphy spoke regarding the proposed Military facility in Newtown.
Commissioner Wright motioned to add an item to the agenda regarding the CT DEP Land Division and Forest Association. Commissioner Ferguson seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.
Trails Group – A local Eagle Scout, Scott Coleman, is interested in the development of a new Trails Group. The latest trails group was a sub task force of Parks and Rec. There was a very productive meeting with Amy Mangold, the Director of Parks & Recreation and Carl Samuelson, the Assistant Director of Parks, about a pilot project along the Monroe border. Mr. Sibley would like to get a group started through the Selectmen to work on trails. Commissioner Barkman said that she has been working with Scott Coleman on Al’s trail.
Signage – Mr. Sibley discussed an objective to reach out to other agencies, such as the DEP and Newtown Forest Association, in order to work together to better mark and map open space corridors. Mr. Sibley had a positive meeting with Nathan Hale, the Director of DEP Parks & Rec. and spoke with Bob Echinrode from the Newtown Forest Association, who was also optimistic with the networking. Other groups to include could be Aquarion, other Forest Associations, Hunt Clubs, Iroquois, etc. This item will be added to the next agenda.
Commissioner Barkman motioned to adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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