Conservation Commission
MINUTES - Amended
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT
Present: Commissioners Gaudet-Wilson, Germain, Henderson, Hovious, Kershaw and Kaley
Staff: Tammy Hazen, Clerk
The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:23 pm
Items added to the Agenda: Commissioner Wilson requested the following be added to the agenda: (1) Set a Date for Parcels Evaluation; and (2) Enforcement Issues Update (under committee staff reports).
Correspondence – Commissioner Wilson sent out information regarding an Invasive Shrub Control Workshop (discussing the removal of Barberry) that will be held at White Memorial Conservation Center on Tuesday, November 15th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This workshop is free but there is a need to register (by calling Thomas Worthley at UConn 860-345-5232).
Public Participation: None
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Hovious motioned to approve the minutes of October 11, 2011 and was seconded by Commissioner Germain. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended.
Administrative Item: (Project Management/Task List/Calendar) – The commissioners reviewed the task list as presented by Commissioner Kaley. Two action items were added: (1) Parking at Taunton Lake (assess the parking possibilities) and (2) The rating of four new parcels.
OLD BUSINESS AND ACTION ITEMS
Fairfield Hills Open Space – Commissioner Wilson noted that P & Z minutes made reference that their commission would need to determine what areas of Fairfield Hills should be deeded as open space. Commissioner Wilson will work on the letter to P & Z that reiterates the commission’s thoughts and concerns in this matter.
Work Orders –The area of Al’s Trail near the wastewater treatment plant was cleared and the bog bridges are being fixed.
Horse Guard – Commissioner Henderson will contact the HG spokesperson for an update.
Open Space 37-3-14 – No update
Forest Evaluation – Commissioner Kaley emailed Christopher Mangels to see if he would be interested in a tree identification project on the Raynolds property. She will follow up with him on this.
Conservation Subdivisions – Commissioners Wilson and Cramer reviewed the proposed regulations and met with George Benson, Director of Planning and Land Use. They represented the Commission at the P & Z hearing held on October 20th. Commissioner Wilson stated that the new regulations are more flexible for the developers. Some changes include the removal of a special exception requirement; the removal of a size requirement; a density bonus of 10%; the removal of the maximum lot coverage of 10%; the removal of requirement that a minimum of 15% of open space be given to the Town; and the requirement that 95% of the open space land be used for wildlife habitat and other conservation purposes. The subcommittee made other minor suggestions. It is hoped that the regulations can be
adopted at the next P & Z meeting. The Road Ordinance was also discussed. P & Z would like examples of other towns which have allowed the narrowing of roads for interior sections of subdivisions. Commissioner Wilson has found at least four other towns that allow for reduced paving (as long as there is an ample turnaround for emergency access). The commissioners expressed their appreciation that P & Z is going forward with this concept.
POCD – No Update
COMMITTEE/STAFF REPORTS
Trail Building – The commissioners discussed trail building activities on Pole Bridge Preserve. There was some confusion over the approvals of activities on this parcel. Commissioner Hovious discussed his participation in the 2010 trails workshop and said he was quite impressed. The commissioners discussed defining the process and procedures of approving new trails on town-owned open space.
Open Space Inventory and Maintenance Progress – The commissioners reviewed a printout of the open space database updated by Ms. Hazen. The subcommittee will set up a meeting to work on this.
Property Marking Plans, Surveying Status – The commissioners will meet at 1:00 pm on October 26th at the Land Use Agency to work on marking an open space parcel off New Lebbon Road.
Natural Resources Inventory Status Report – No update
Conservation Easement on WWTP – No update
Status of Halfway River Fishing Access – Mr. Sibley will be meeting with a representative of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Iroquois Invasive Documentation – No update
Education Subcommittee – No update
Invasives Subcommittee – The work session on Al’s Trail has been rescheduled to Friday, November 4th.
Al’s Trail – No update
Strategic Planning – No update
TBDAC – Commissioners Wilson, Germain and Cramer attended the October 17th Board of Selectmen meeting at which the final report of the TBDAC was presented. Commissioner Germain said the report will need to be presented again to the Board of Selectmen after the election. First Selectman Llodra suggested the report also be presented to other Town commissions and boards. The commissioners discussed what portions of the report are relevant to the Conservation Commission, i.e., those relating to the protection of habitat and health of the forest. The commissioners agreed to be ready to discuss this at the next meeting.
Parcels for Evaluation – The commissioners will meet on Monday, November 7th at 10:00 am at the Municipal Center to walk property #11-01.
Enforcement Issues – Commissioner Wilson discussed a complaint of a manure pile on Pond Brook that is adjacent to open space. It was noted that the deck that was encroaching onto the Sweet Briar open space was removed.
Commissioner Hovious motioned adjourn at 8:51 pm, which was seconded by Commissioner Henderson. The motion was approved unanimously.
Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT
Present: Commissioners Gaudet-Wilson, Germain, Henderson, Hovious, Kershaw and Kaley
Staff: Tammy Hazen, Clerk
The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:23 pm
Items added to the Agenda: Commissioner Wilson requested the following be added to the agenda: (1) Set a Date for Parcels Evaluation; and (2) Enforcement Issues Update (under committee staff reports).
Correspondence – Commissioner Wilson sent out information regarding an Invasive Shrub Control Workshop (discussing the removal of Barberry) that will be held at White Memorial Conservation Center on Tuesday, November 15th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This workshop is free but there is a need to register (by calling Thomas Worthley at UConn 860-345-5232).
Public Participation: None
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Hovious motioned to approve the minutes of October 11, 2011 and was seconded by Commissioner Germain. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended.
Administrative Item: (Project Management/Task List/Calendar) – The commissioners reviewed the task list as presented by Commissioner Kaley. Two action items were added: (1) Parking at Taunton Lake (assess the parking possibilities) and (2) The rating of four new parcels.
OLD BUSINESS AND ACTION ITEMS
Fairfield Hills Open Space – Commissioner Wilson noted that P & Z minutes made reference that their commission would need to determine what areas of Fairfield Hills should be deeded as open space. Commissioner Wilson will work on the letter to P & Z that reiterates the commission’s thoughts and concerns in this matter.
Work Orders –The area of Al’s Trail near the wastewater treatment plant was cleared and the bog bridges are being fixed.
Horse Guard – Commissioner Henderson will contact the HG spokesperson for an update.
Open Space 37-3-14 – No update
Forest Evaluation – Commissioner Kaley emailed Christopher Mangels to see if he would be interested in a tree identification project on the Raynolds property. She will follow up with him on this.
Conservation Subdivisions – Commissioners Wilson and Cramer reviewed the proposed regulations and met with George Benson, Director of Planning and Land Use. They represented the Commission at the P & Z hearing held on October 20th. Commissioner Wilson stated that the new regulations are more flexible for the developers. Some changes include the removal of a special exception requirement; the removal of a size requirement; a density bonus of 10%; the removal of the maximum lot coverage of 10%; the removal of requirement that a minimum of 15% of open space be given to the Town; and the requirement that 95% of the open space land be used for wildlife habitat and other conservation purposes. The subcommittee made other minor suggestions. It is hoped that the regulations can be
adopted at the next P & Z meeting. The Road Ordinance was also discussed. P & Z would like examples of other towns which have allowed the narrowing of roads for interior sections of subdivisions. Commissioner Wilson has found at least four other towns that allow for reduced paving (as long as there is an ample turnaround for emergency access). The commissioners expressed their appreciation that P & Z is going forward with this concept.
POCD – No Update.
COMMITTEE/STAFF REPORTS
Trail Building – The commissioners discussed trail building activities on Pole Bridge Preserve. There was some confusion over the approvals of activities on this parcel. Commissioner Hovious discussed his participation in the 2010 trails workshop and said he was quite impressed. The commissioners discussed defining the process and procedures of approving new trails on town-owned open space.
Open Space Inventory and Maintenance Progress – The commissioners reviewed a printout of the open space database updated by Ms. Hazen. The subcommittee will set up a meeting to work on this.
Property Marking Plans, Surveying Status – The commissioners will meet at 1:00 pm on October 26th at the Land Use Agency to work on marking an open space parcel off New Lebbon Road.
Natural Resources Inventory Status Report – No update.
Conservation Easement on WWTP – No update.
Status of Halfway River Fishing Access – Mr. Sibley will be meeting with a representative of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Iroquois Invasive Documentation – No update.
Education Subcommittee – No update.
Invasives Subcommittee – The work session on Al’s Trail has been rescheduled to Friday, November 4th.
Al’s Trail – No update.
Strategic Planning – No update.
TBDAC – Commissioners Wilson, Germain and Cramer attended the October 17th Board of Selectmen meeting at which the final report of the TBDAC was presented. Commissioner Germain said the report will need to be presented again to the Board of Selectmen after the election. First Selectman Llodra suggested the report also be presented to other Town commissions and boards. The commissioners discussed what portions of the report are relevant to the Conservation Commission, i.e., those relating to the protection of habitat and health of the forest. The commissioners all agreed that the commission should weigh in on the report and submit information to the Board of Selectmen.
Parcels for Evaluation – The commissioners will meet on Monday, November 7th at 10:00 am at the Municipal Center to discuss this.
Enforcement Issues – Commissioner Wilson discussed a complaint of a manure pile on Pond Brook that is adjacent to open space. It was noted that the deck that was encroaching onto the Sweet Briar open space was removed.
Commissioner Hovious motioned adjourn at 8:51 pm, which was seconded by Commissioner Henderson. The motion was approved unanimously.
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