MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, Philip Forzley, William Grace, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, and Jack Phillips
STAFF PRESENT: Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Permit Extensions
Appl. #00-35P – Redland Brick
Mr. Benson came before the Commission to inquire about East Hartford Sand & Gravel
Commission members discussed this property at length and decided it would be beneficial to have Jeff look at the property before a decision is made regarding the permit. The permit will be discussed again at the next scheduled meeting.
Motion to: change agenda order to hear Eagle Scout presentation prior to public hearing.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Grace
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Other Business
Eagle Scout project – jurisdictional ruling
An Eagle Scout, David Anastasio, came before the Commission to present his project of constructing boardwalks on the Major Michael Donnelly Preserve.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Anastasio explained that this project will be done the weekend of the 22nd rain date is the following weekend. The material being used was donated by Parksite Plunkett.
Motion: jurisdictional ruling: the construction of boardwalks proposed by David Anastaio, on a portion of the Major Michael Donnelly preserve is a non-regulated use pursuant to section 4.2B of the IWA/CC Regulations.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Kelly
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
Chairperson Warren told Commission members that there are sign ups for the 2005 Municipal Inland Wetland Commission Training Program, Segment III. The dates are October 12, 15, 19, 21 and 29. There is also an annual meeting with the CT. Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions on Saturday, November 5, 2005. Anyone interested in either program should contact Jeff or Debbie at Town Hall.
ITEM: Minutes
The July 6, 2005, July 20, 2005 and September 7, 2005 minutes were all approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #05-46P – Executive Court
Ms. Karen Isherwood, Professional Engineer from Design Professionals, Inc. came before the Commission to continue the presentation on this application. She explained that the this is a 17 lot industrial subdivision on the corner of Governor’s Highway an Nutmeg Road North. For the construction of the swales, truck traffic has been indicated on the plan as requested by Jeff Folger. Ms. Isherwood explained the mitigation that is being proposed for this site. This can be discussed further with Town staff. The area outside of the upland review area on the smallest lot is 10,038 square feet.
Mr. Ed Pawlak from CT. Ecosystems came before the Commission. He presented a letter from Dr. David Wagner that explained the conditions that have occurred and the species found on this site. One species found is the tiger beetle which is a species of special concern. Dr. Wagner mentioned that there is a potential for other sand plain rare species to be found on this site. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was contacted and asked for a letter of finding with respect to impact or no impact, have not heard from them. There is suitable habitat for the tiger beetle.
Mr. Pawlak also stated that he went to the site and looked at the detention basin. During the spring time the basin is full, but really drops down during the dry time of year. Most of the basin presently is unvegetated. It is not known whether the basin was never planted or planted but the plants died. The basin bottom drops sharply and Mr. Pawlak stated that the water is too deep to support plant growth. Mr. Pawlak recommended that the fragmites be removed and the area be planted with native plants. He also recommended that where the water is too deep to support plant life, that the bottom be modified (15’ or so from the shoreline) by raising the elevation. This should be discussed further with Jeff Folger while in the field.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Pawlak explained that the species that will be planted in the basin will be discussed with Jeff Folger. Ms. Isherwood stated that the plan chosen has the least amount of disturbance and is the best alternative. A conservation easement could be entertained on this site which would protect the mitigation area and the associated wetlands. Ms. Isherwood explained to the Commission that because there will be some challenges on developing some of the lots in this subdivision, it will be stated on the plans that any activity proposed within the wetlands ore regulated upland review area will require further permitting through the IWA/CC Agency.
Motion to: close the public hearing on appl. #05-46P – Executive Court – IWA/CC application request for a re-subdivision of 38+ acres of property to crate 17 lots, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located at L012 Governor’s Highway, on the easterly side of Nutmeg Road North and northerly side of Governor’s Highway, I zone.
Was made by Commissioner Forzley
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Old Business
Presentation of wetland mitigation plan for East Hartford Sand & Gravel
Mr. George Logan of REMA Ecological Services came before the Commission. Mr. Logan explained that there have been changes to the plan since it was approved by this agency because of involvement with DEP, Army Corp. of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife and EPA. Mr. Logan then explained the area where Mr. Silvestri had taken the sand, it slowly became a wetland of critical concern. Mr. Logan explained to the Commission what would be happening in each area of the site and also stated that Dr. Wagner is extremely interested in this area.
Ms. Sigrun Gadwa told the Commission about the type of wetlands that have emerged on this site.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Logan explained the items that DEP would like done are to make sure the access is limited by putting boulder barriers at certain points and asking Mr. Silvestri to donate part of this land to conservation. This would protect the endangered species found.
The presentation was continued to the October 19, 2005 meeting.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________
Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
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