TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - March 4, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, Adam Reed, Barbara Kelly, Carol Heffler, Richard Muller, Arthur Jennings
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Jack Phillips sitting for John Blondin
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Officer/Conservation Officer
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: none
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: none
BONDS: none
MINUTES: 2/18/2015, approved by consensus
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Chair Warren stated that Eversource Energy (formerly CL&P) had informed her they would be trimming along the transmission lines in the next couple of weeks.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: Folger stated that there is nothing to report - the ground is frozen.
OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Kelly stated that the North Central Conservation District’s annual seedling & plant sale will be going on until the end of March. There are brochures available for anyone interested. Many of the plantings are native species, which will do well in this area without a lot of work. The sale is a major fund raiser for the District, of which South Windsor is a part.
PUBLIC HEARING: 7:10 pm
Commission Heffler read into the record the legal notice as published in the Journal Inquirer.
Appl. #15-13W – Town of South Windsor – Avery Street Reconstruction – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for approval of the re-construction of a portion of Avery Street located north of Kelly Road and south of Beelzebub Road, Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Jeffrey Doolittle, Town Engineer, Joseph Perna, Project Engineer, and Michael Joyce, Consulting Engineer with Milone & MacBroom, represented the Town for this application. Mr. Doolittle stated the project consists of full depth reconstruction of a section of Avery Street including the replacement of two culverts; one for Dart Brook north of Beelzebub and one for Avery Brook north of Kelly Road. There will be re-alignment the road near the Beelzebub/Woodland Drive intersection, and a sidewalk installed. Repair of the culverts will help address the flooding issue on the right side or Avery. Some existing trees will be removed for the construction work and ground cover will be planted and maintained going forward.
Mr. Joyce reviewed the report submitted by Milone & MacBroom with the application, addressing the uniform road width of 29 feet, the two wetlands areas directly impacted, the two upland review areas impacted, the best management practices being followed regarding DOT, DEEP and Army Corp of Engineers. Mr. Joyce reviewed the erosion and sedimentation controls to be used and stated the water quality will be better after the new culverts are in place than currently due to the poor condition of these culverts.
Mr. Doolittle and Mr. Joyce stated that as prudent and feasible alternatives they looked at location, road width vs sidewalk requirement, and the fact they are limited as to what they can do with other agencies involved. This is the best plan.
Commissioner Kelly emphasized that the ground cover and continued maintenance of erosion controls is very important especially with a town project.
Motion to: close public hearing at 7:47 pm on Appl. #15-13W
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Motion to: move a finding of no prudent & feasible alternatives
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Heffler
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Motion to: approve Appl #15-13W, 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 March 4, 20200. 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.
- A planting plan incorporating a shade tolerant ground cover to be determined by Town Staff.
All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Heffler
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
NEW BUSINESS:
App. #15-11P Modification to application #12-40W – West River Farms – 329 Scantic Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for regulated activities in connection with the relocation of a stormwater system for a 69 lot residential development, on property located southerly of Scantic Road. Rural Residential Zone.
Chair Warren stated the additional information requested by the Commission at the previous meeting has been received. South Windsor Fire Chief Kevin Cooney provided a letter to Attorney Leonard Jacobs which has been submitted as part of the record. Chief Cooney’s letter clarified that the width of the gravel access road into the site should be sixteen feet and built sufficient to support the weight of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles.
Chair Warren stated that she spoke with the East Windsor Conservation Commission and they indicated they were in favor the open space parcel going to the East Windsor Scout Hall organization, the most reliable non-profit they have ever worked with; they do excellent work. Chair Warren stated she is in favor of the group acquiring the parcel.
Commissioner Philips stated from a scouting perspective that there is nothing in South Windsor that can compare to this East Windsor scout group.
Commissioner Heffler stated that Open Space Task Force is not interested in acquiring this land for open space and she is in favor of the Scout Hall taking possession of the parcel.
Commissioner Heffler read a letter into the record from Victory Outreach Ministries, Inc. objecting to the hearing of this application.
Chair Warren suggested the Conservation Commission send a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) in support of the East Windsor Scout Hall taking possession of the open space parcel associated with this application.
Motion to: send a letter of support to PZC
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Heffler
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion to: approve Appl #15-11P, 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 March 4, 2020. 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 Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Heffler
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED:
Appl. #15-14P – Ticket Network – 83 Gerber Rd West – Conservation Commission application for approval of the expansion of the existing parking lot located east of Gerber Rd West, Industrial (I) Zone.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn at 8:20 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Second by: Commissioner Delnicki
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: 3/18/2015
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