MEMBERS PRESENT: Betty Warren, Barb Kelly, Audrey Delnicki, Carol Heffler, Tim Appleton, Jack Phillips
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Roy Szoka sat for Richard Muller
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Kathy Middleton, Recording Secretary
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM
ITEM: PRESENTATION
Herb Woike, of GES and a subcontractor for Exxon Mobile gave a presentation. Woike stated that gasoline was first detected in the storm drain dry well. Vacuum trucks sucked out of the culvert and storm drain immediately after the release. There was 1100 tons of gasoline impacted soils. The tanks were removed in August and a remediation system was constructed. There are fourteen recovery wells. There were no impacts to private drinking water wells.
Delnicki asked if the well that is on the Exxon property has been capped. Woike stated that a lot of clearing has been done and they have not been able to locate the well. There are some bedrock wells and they are clean. Since the tanks were removed and the lines have been removed and the soil was tested and is clean.
Appleton asked if the contamination would be classified as an above average case or below average case. Woike stated that it was an average situation that happened over a short period of time. Exxon Mobile was very responsive and the clean up and effective control was excellent. The DEP was very satisfied with the quick response.
Woike stated that the range of contaminates has dropped off quickly and the groundwater flow rate increased when wells were activated and more water was produced. Woike stated that well number six which is closest to the river had initial concentrations of 15,000ppb and are now down to less than 3,000ppb.
Woike stated that the future activity for the site is a permit application for chemical oxidation. Woike stated that this is when they add chemicals into the ground to try to clean up residuals that the vacuum did not pick up. They will need to get a DEP permit and approval from the Town to add chemicals to the ground. There is delineation of contamination off site that needs to be completed. The stream has been sampled on a regular basis. Based on the fact that there was never any contamination shown in the samples, they are not worried that there is a lot of contamination but the DEP wants to delineate where the problem exists and the limits of. Therefore, wells have been put in to delineate and confirm the limits of the contamination.
Appleton asked what the reason was for not going under the canopies. Woike stated that safety was the primary reason for not going under the canopies. There are still gas lines that could still be charged with gasoline.
Appleton also questioned a drinking well that has not been accounted for. Woike drew a diagram of the bedrock surface and ground surface and stated that contamination that may exist shouldn’t have a conduit. Woike stated that from a risk perspective on a conceptual site model this isn’t a high risk issue. Some due diligence has been done to try to locate the well. Woike agreed with Kelly’s statement that a crack in the bedrock would be more of an issue.
Paul Bettincourt of Exxon Mobile came before the Commission and gave a presentation of the underground storage tank systems (UST Systems). Bettincourt stated that double wall tanks are standard today. Bettincourt stated that fiberglass tanks are the most common because they are less prone to rust. Spill buckets were mandated by the EPA in 1998. This is secondary containment which is something that is relatively new. All of Exxon Mobile’s tanks have the new device and over the last three years all of the Exxon sites have been retrofitted. There are seventeen hundred locations that have had secondary containment added. Bettincourt stated that all sites are hooked up to a central call center and are monitored and responded to accordingly.
Folger asked what types of questions should be asked of new applicants. Bettincourt said that applicants should be asked what types of containment will be used for pumps, fill and dispensing and how will they be monitored?
Motion to: move Item: New Business up on the agenda.
Was made by: Commissioner Delnicki
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Motion to: Move application 08-13P before application 08-03P for discussion of determination of public hearing.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
ITEM: NEW BUSINESS
08-13P - 5 & Diner Restaurant – 274 Buckland Road – Determination of Public Hearing - IWA/CC application for the construction of a commercial dining establishment, parking, stormwater structures and associated improvements located on property east of Buckland Road. Gateway Development (GD) Zone.
Folger stated that there are 4,995 square feet of wetlands. Commissioners determined that a public hearing should be held for the potential for impact to the wetlands and for the potential for public interest. Folger recommended a hearing date of April 16, 2008.
Motion to: Hold a public hearing on April 16, 2008 on appl. # 08-13P - 5 & Diner Restaurant – 274 Buckland Road –IWA/CC application for the construction of a commercial dining establishment, parking, stormwater structures and associated improvements located on property east of Buckland Road. Gateway Development (GD) Zone due to the potential for significant impact to the wetlands and the potential for public interest.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
08-03P - Avery Street Christian Reformed Church – 399 Beelzebub Road – Conservation commission application for an addition to an existing building, parking and associated improvements on property located east of Avery Street and south of Beelzebub Road. Rural Residence (RR) zone.
Rocco Roberts and David Hesketh came before the Commission representing the applicant. Roberts stated that the application proposes an expansion of parking because Beelzebub Road will be aligned with the intersection across the street and would therefore take away some of the church property. The church would like to add parking on the lower level and would like to have parking and drop off area as well as parking near the house. Proposed are an additional twenty four parking spaces. Phase two is to remove the house and expand parking for the entire length.
Roberts stated that there are no wetlands on the site and there are .54 acres of disturbed area. There is a pond with an easement running down. There is an increase in impervious area. The upper lot is being handled through the use of dry walls and there is an overflow provided so that if it is full, it will tie into the existing drainage system and flow out. The lower parking area, a series of curb cuts and a trench drain along the edge of the parking to assist the water flow. Drainage counts were submitted to the Town Engineer for review. The Town Engineer was satisfied.
Warren asked Folger if he was satisfied with the plans. Folger stated that it conforms to State guidelines and he is satisfied. Folger stated that the stormwater system discharges to the vegetative swale. Kelly asked if infiltration was expected. Folger stated that they do expect some infiltration to happen.
Warren asked for comments from the public. There were no comments or concerns.
Motion to: Approve appl. # 08-03P - Avery Street Christian Reformed Church – 399 Beelzebub Road – Conservation commission application for an addition to an existing building, parking and associated improvements on property located east of Avery Street and south of Beelzebub Road. Rural Residence (RR) zone.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Conditions:
1. One blueprint copy of the entire set of plans and this letter reproduced thereon must be submitted to this Commission. This must be completed within 65 days of approval prior to any construction activity on the site. Plans submitted to Planning & Zoning Commission shall be considered having met this requirement.
2. The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use.
3. The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on March 19, 2013. It is the landowner(s)/applicant(s) responsibility to track expiration dates and notify the Commission of a renewal request at least 65 days prior to expiration.
4. All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
5. A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
6. A bond of $2,000.00 will be carried over from the previous application for Avery Street Christian Reformed Church to ensure compliance with erosion and sedimentation control measures.
ITEM: CORRESONDENCE & REPORTS
Warren stated that the Thank you Reception for volunteers will be held on June 8, 2008 at Maneeley’s. Warren also notified the Commissioners that the Board of Education Annual Eugene Policelli Service Award nominations are due by March 28, 2008.
ITEM: MINUTES
The minutes of January 16, 2008 were approved with corrections by consensus of the Commission.
The minutes of February 6, 2008 were approved with corrections by consensus of the Commission.
The minutes of March 5, 2008 were approved with corrections by consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Folger stated that they are currently in the process of constructing the parking lot at Wapping Park. The topsoil has been stripped. They are also seeking bridge methods for crossing the Podunk. They are considering using precast concrete blocks on either side of the stream and they will continue across the flood plain. The bridge and walkway will be suspended three feet and railings will be put in. Folger stated that it should reduce long term maintenance. Folger stated that there will be two trails on the property. There will be a limited habitat planting.
ITEM: WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT
Folger stated that the sites held up well to the rain and one in particular that held up well is the Dzen Tree Farm site. Folger stated that the water running off the site was clean water. Folger stated that other sites are also doing well.
Warren asked if there would be a letter to the Council regarding the detention basin at John Fitch Blvd. Folger stated that he will email a copy of the letter out to Commissioners for comments.
ITEM: ADJOURNMENT
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:08 PM
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Delnicki
The motion carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
Katherine J. Middleton
Recording Secretary
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