TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - May 16, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, Carol Heffler, John Blondin, Audrey Delnicki, Adam Reed, Jack Phillips, Richard Muller, Hugh Brower (arrived at 7:05 pm)
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Vicki Paliulis
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Planner
Donna Thompson, Recording Secretary
THE FOLLOWING ARE MOTIONS MADE DURING THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AGENCY/ CONSERVATION COMMISSION – MADDEN ROOM
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: no
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: no
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: none
BONDS: none
MINUTES: Minutes from 5/2/2012 approved by consensus.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Chairperson Warren advised the Commission that SWALPAC is going to request from the Town Council that the funds the Town receives from the agricultural leasing of public lands be dedicated to the maintenance of open space, approximately $18,000/year. SWALPAC will be submitting this request at the Town Council meeting on May 21st, and the Mayor has suggested that it wouldn’t hurt to have the approval of the Conservation Commission along with it. Warren stated that there has been some concern about the cost of upkeep for open space. Parks & Rec has responsibility for all the athletic fields as well as the open space, and there has been some concern that open space is being neglected. For instance, trails do require more upkeep, attention and labor than Folger,
the scouts, and other volunteers can adequately provide. This may be a way to assure that those areas get as much attention as possible. Folger stated that it has not been determined how much has been allocated from the Park and Rec budget for open space. The SEP funds from DEP that were used for materials for the boardwalks and bridges, etc. will probably be depleted year. There will not be any funds for materials for structures, etc. for any of the open space areas. Though there is an excellent working relationship with the scouts – much of what has been done would not have been possible without them, more attention is needed in the way of maintenance in these areas. Having the funds available from the leases would supplement the Park and Rec budget for materials and staff to help keep the open space areas in good/improved condition. The intent is to have these funds used for more specific purposes than mowing (i.e. trail expansion,
creation, maintenance). The Commission would like to recommend that Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Officer as advisor for these funds. Commission Heffler suggested that the funds be shown as a separate line on the Park & Rec budget designated specifically to open space.
Motion to: co-sponsor with SWALPAC, the request to the Town Council for the funds from the leasing of public lands be dedicated to the maintenance of open space.
Was made by: Commissioner Blondin
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried, with Commissioner Brower abstaining - he was not here for the information/
discussion leading up to motion.
Folger stated that two additional Eagle Scout projects have been completed recently – replacement of an aging boardwalk at Donnelly, and construction of a portion of the trail to link the Priest property to the Land Trust property. Construction of this trail was a condition of approval for the Hartford Hospital building on Sullivan Avenue – material is being provided by the medical office building’s owner.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: Nothing much at this time. There will be an application coming before the commission to be set for a public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING: 7:15
Secretary Heffler read the Legal Notice.
Appl. #12-20W – Town of South Windsor – Long Hill Road Reconstruction Project – IWA/Conservation Commission application for the reconstruction of Long Hill Road including associated improvements to the drainage and stormwater structures The site is located southerly of Pleasant Valley Road and northerly of Chapel Road.
Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer and Joe Perna, Project Engineer presented the application. The project involves drainage improvements and reconstruction of a small portion of Long Hill Road and a small portion of Pleasant Valley Road, from Ellington Road to just past Long Hill Road. The drainage is not good in this area causing flooding on the roads and in the abutting field. The project is being funded through the $10 million bond referendum past a few years ago. A slight change has been made to the application submitted – a proposed sidewalk has been added on the south side of Pleasant Valley Road (there is not room to place it on the north side). Due to the addition of the sidewalk, there is now a slight wetland impact of 200 sq ft that was not present before. The upland review area impacted is now 38,810
sq ft. from 37,560 sq ft. These changes are related to grading the shoulder to make the sidewalk work on that side of the road. There will be a four foot grass shelf, the sidewalk and then grading that slopes back to meet the existing grade. There are a couple of drainage structures near Ellington Road but they do not pick up much of the drainage in this area. There is currently no structured storm drainage on Long Hill. The plan is to add in new storm drains on Long Hill Road in order to keep the drainage on Long Hill in our storm drainage system. Drainage will be conveyed down to an existing discharge point where it will tie into an existing 48” pipe that crosses under Ellington Road. The system has been designed to accommodate future improvements on Long Hill Rd. There will be a sedimentation chamber installed just before the discharge will enter the pipe. A portion of roadway on both Long Hill (approximately 1000
linear feet) and Pleasant Valley (about 400 linear feet) will be reconstructed to help with the drainage flow.
Folger did not see any adverse impact to the wetland or to the function of the wetland by this project.
Motion to: close public hearing for Appl. #12-20W at 7:29 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Brower
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Motion: move a finding of no prudent and feasible alternative to locating the sidewalk on the south side of Pleasant Valley Road as there is no property available on the north side of Pleasant Valley Road.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Heffler
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Motion to: approve Appl. #12-20W – Town of South Windsor – Long Hill Road Reconstruction Project – IWA/Conservation Commission application for the reconstruction of Long Hill Road including associated improvements to the drainage and stormwater structures The site is located southerly of Pleasant Valley Road and northerly of Chapel Road, standard conditions:
1. The final approved copy of the entire set of plans and this letter reproduced thereon must be submitted to the Planning Department. 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 May 16, 2017. 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.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
OLD BUSINESS:
MODIFICATION TO Appl. #12-04W – Town of South Windsor – Strong Road Reconstruction Project – IWA/Conservation Commission application for the reconstruction of Strong Road including associated improvements to the drainage and stormwater structures. The site is located easterly of Nutmeg Road.
Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer presented information for the proposed modification of previously approved Appl. # 12-04W. The drainage to the east of Nutmeg Road was previously designed to all run down to a cross culvert near Tomel Drive. The alternate design being proposed will discharge into the Brickyard pond. Permission has been obtained from the owner’s of both properties involved – Guy’s Electric and Redland Brick. At this time there are two heavily eroded areas running behind the parking lots of these properties. The proposal is to bring the drainage from Nutmeg Road, discharging north through a storm water treatment chamber out to a rip rap swale - taking the place of the two eroded gullies.
Motion to: approve modification to Appl. #12-04W – Town of South Windsor – Strong Road Reconstruction Project – IWA/Conservation Commission application for the reconstruction of Strong Road including associated improvements to the drainage and stormwater structures. The site is located easterly of Nutmeg Road as presented.
Phillips: well thought out plan that will correct severe erosion problem
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Philllips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
APPLICATIONS OFFICIALLY RECEIVED:
Appl.#12-28P – Nutmeg Village – 388 & 428 Pleasant Valley Road, 100 South Satellite Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 155 unit multi-family development and associated improvements on property located northerly of Pleasant Valley Road and southerly of South Satellite Road. Multi-Family (MF) Zone, A-20 Residential Zone, Industrial Zone.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Appl.#12-28P – Nutmeg Village – 388 & 428 Pleasant Valley Road, 100 South Satellite Road – Determination of Public Hearing – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 155 unit multi-family development and associated improvements on property located northerly of Pleasant Valley Road and southerly of South Satellite Road. Multi-Family (MF) Zone, A-20 Residential Zone, Industrial Zone.
Motion to: hold a public hearing for appl #12-28P – Nutmeg Village, on June 20, 2012, based on the potential for significant wetlands impact and the potential public interest due to the size of the project.
Was made by: Commissioner Blondin
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 7:49 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: June 20, 2012
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