TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Action
Minutes - 1 - October 3, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, Carol Heffler, John Blondin, Hugh Brower, Adam Reed, John Phillips, Barbara Kelly (arrived at 7:17)
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 7:05 pm
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: none
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: none
BONDS: none
MINUTES: 9-19-12
Motion to: approve the minutes from 9/19/2012
Was made by: Commissioner Blondin
Seconded by: Commissioner Reed
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: (Andy Paterna from SW Food Alliance presentation.)
Motion to: move SW Food Alliance presentation to after the Public Hearing
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Brower
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Folger reported that the last section of the boardwalk needing replacement at Donnelly will be done by a scout this coming weekend. Use of pressure treated wood will help it last considerably longer. More scouts are working at Wapping Park. Projects include trail improvements and the placement of benches near the parking area.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: Folger distributed photos and provided details from the first project completed since the approval of the Road Culvert Maintenance General Permit (8/1/2012) – two culverts on Clark St. The approximate wetlands disturbance: Culvert 1 - 80 sq ft upstream, 180 sq ft downstream; Culver 2 – 100 sq ft upstream, 100 sq ft downstream. In each case the wetland disturbance was well below the threshold of 800 sq ft per culvert set at the time the General Permit was approved.
This year Folger and the Town’s Environmental Health Officer, Sherry McGann, conducted the larvacide treatment for mosquitoes for the Town. Last year an outside contractor did five sprayings for adult mosquitoes near the ball fields at a cost of $28,000, which lasted approximately a week each time. Starting in May this year, Folger and McGann applied a variety of larvacides to selected bodies of water adjacent to the ball fields, continuing throughout the summer. The success of the program was demonstrated when Folger visited a site for the monthly application at the beginning of August and was not bitten at all. The program will be expanded next year. Roger Wolfe, Mosquito Biologist with DEEP, was instrumental in advising how to create an effective program. Folger has since received information from
Mr. Wolfe about a new way to kill mosquitoes with a device invented by a high school student for a science fair. The device utilizes low frequency sound to explode the larva’s air sack once the wand is inserted into a body of water. Folger stated that the Agricultural Experiment Testing Station located on Burgess Road has trapped mosquitoes infected with West Nile.
PUBLIC HEARING: 7:15 Secretary Heffler read the legal notice into the record.
Appl. #12-40W – West River Farms LLC – 329 & 341 Scantic Road, East Windsor - IWA/Conservation Commission application for stormwater control structures associated with a residential development in East Windsor. Located southerly of Scantic Rd. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Joe Capposella, Attorney, represented applicant. Dana Steele from JR Russo reviewed the application information. John Ianni, soil scientist, Highland Soils, reviewed wetland delineation in April 2012.
Visited property: Kelly and Brower
Visited property in 2005: Phillips and Warren
Motion to: close the public hearing on appl. #12-40W at 8:43 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Brower
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion: based on the record as a whole, move to issue a finding of no prudent and feasible alternative.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Kelly
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appl. #12-40W – West River Farms LLC – 329 & 341 Scantic Road, East Windsor - IWA/Conservation Commission application for stormwater control structures associated with a residential development in East Windsor. Located southerly of Scantic Rd. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Motion to: approve Appl. #12-40W, with the following conditions:
- 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.
- The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use.
- The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on October 3, 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.
- Bonds shall be collected in the amount of $25,000.00 to ensure proper placement and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls; $50,000.00 for construction of stormwater system; $20,000.00 for removal of invasive plants.
- All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
- A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
- The property located in South Windsor must be designated as open space with an appropriate steward identified.
- A plan for the removal of invasive plants must be submitted by the consulting biologist. The plan must address the removal/control of Phragmites, Autumn Olive and Multiflora Rose; including mowing the woody vegetation and treating the stumps for the Autumn Olive in the upland area. The plan must be approved by town staff.
- Upon stabilization of the stormwater pond, the pond must be stocked with appropriate species of native minnows for the purpose of mosquito control.
- Responsibility for basin and stormwater structure maintenance will be established that is acceptable to the Town of South Windsor.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
By consensus of the Conservation Commission, a letter is to be directed to the Town of East Windsor stating concerns the Commission has regarding the disposition of the South Windsor parcel as open space versus the need of a conservation easement to protect the parcel if an appropriate steward is not identified. The future ownership of the open space parcel is in question at this time and there is concern for the future use of this parcel.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION (con’t):
Andy Paterna from SW Food Alliance presentation. Mr. Paterna shared The Alliance’s vision and goals with the Commission, as well as a draft of their Master Plan (see handout). SW Food Alliance is a task force of local residents formed to support local farming and create new ventures to assist local farmers. Their vision and goals: economic viability for small scale farmers and food producers, based on sustainable farming practices, provide health locally grown food for residents, develop a circular system (seeds-vegetables-waste-compost-seeds), establish a Community Garden on Town property, identify farmed Town property with signs, facilitate local farms supplying schools and restaurants with seasonal produce, support the summer Farmers’ Market, establish a winter Farmers’ Market, facilitate
undeveloped parkland leases to local farmers, develop local food waste composting, develop a green roof project. The Alliance is working with the Parks and Recreation Commission, SWALPAC and the Historical Society. Mr. Paterna will be speaking with each Board and Commission and to the Town Council. CT NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) is interested in utilizing the Niederwerfer house at the Wildlife Sanctuary for displays and demonstrations.
The Conservation Commission unanimously endorsed the South Windsor Food Alliance, their vision, goals and Master Plan. A letter will be sent to the Town Council from the Commission stating their endorsement and support.
Motion to: endorse and support the South Windsor Food Alliance
Was made by: Commissioner Brower
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 9:27 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
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