2005-11-08
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2005
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, ChairmanGuy Hoffman
Steven SokolowskiRichard Schmidt
Peter F. Regan
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
Christina BergerKarl G. Lewis
Rev. Frederick Raap
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:35 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER
11, 2005:
Commissioner Sokolowski MOVED to approve the Minutes of Tuesday,
October 11, 2005 as written. SECONDED by Commissioner Hoffman.
Unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
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A. Project Review – Open Space Subdivision/Special Permit – 7 Lots
– Giana Woods Subdivision – 267 Elton Road – Coccomo Brothers
Developers – Town Planner Hellyn Riggins explained that the proposal
was for 5 lots, not 7. She also noted that this proposal has to first be
reviewed by Inland Wetlands and the Water Control Commission.
Commissioners reviewed the site plan and expressed concern about the
development being located adjacent to the Elton Road Well Fields.
Commissioners were in agreement that due to the proximity of the well,
residential or any other development could very well be detrimental to
the well and make the well property susceptible to contamination.
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B. Subdivision Application – Shuttle Meadow Development – Lincoln
St. – 16 Lots – Town Planner Riggins stated that the proposal has been
changed from assisted living to 15 single family homes in the R-15 zone.
Commissioners expressed concern about the detention pond. Town
Planner Riggins stated that nearly every development proposal shows a
detention pond, but no plan is in existence to time release the water from
these areas to prevent flooding within the Town. A working Town
system must be developed to prevent or restrict flooding within the
existing areas that are susceptible to flooding. Commissioner Sokolowski
Conservation Commission Minutes -11/8/2005 - Page 2
noted that all the plans show drainage going towards the property line,
but where does it go from there? There is no coordination from property
to property of stormwater runoff. Concerning this property,
Commissioner Sokolowski questioned whether all the drainage would be
going toward the property at the corner of Lincoln St and Farmington Ave
and flooding across Lincoln St? Chairman DeLorenzo stated that he
would check with Town Manager Middlebrooks on how far along the
Stormwater 2 Management Plan has progressed. Commissioner
Sokolowski questioned who would be responsible for maintenance of the
detention area and what will be the schedule of maintenance. Will the
homeowners of the lot perform the maintenance where the detention area
is located? Where will the drainage outlet be and can the discharge be
handled by the existing system?
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C. Site Plan Amendment – Vista Ridge LLC – Proposed Addition –
Modern Plumbing Supply, 152 Berlin Turnpike – Town Planner
Riggins noted that this project has received a variance from the Zoning
Board of Appeals. The variance was for the extent of building coverage,
but they do not exceed the extent of impervious coverage. Commissioner
had no comment on this proposal.
D. Site Plan Amendment – 259-279 New Britain Road LLC (Former
Magson Uniform Site) – New Building – Office/Retail – Commissioners
had no comment on this proposal.
Commissioner Hoffman made a motion to add Calendar of Meetings
2006 to the Agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Sokolowski & unanimously
approved.
Commissioner Hoffman made a motion to add Discussion of Job
Description for Natural Resource Specialist for the Conservation
Commission to the Agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Sokolowski &
unanimously approved.
Calendar of Meetings 2006 – As per the request of the Town Clerk, the
Commission reviewed the draft calendar of meetings for 2006. Commissioners
felt that the calendar was in order. Secretary Benjamin will file a copy with the
Town Clerk.
Job Description for Natural Resource Specialist for the Conservation
Commission – Commissioners reviewed the draft job description. Chairman
DeLorenzo explained that the proposed position, as part of the Development
Services Department, would spend a certain number of hours working for the
Conservation Commission and the balance of time would be spent working with
the staff of the Development Services Dept. Commissioners were asked to make
any comments or recommendations regarding this job description to either
Chairman DeLorenzo or Town Planner Riggins.
Commissioner Hoffman made a motion to add Discussion of Cannamela
Property, Chamberlain Highway to the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner
Sokolowski.
Conservation Commission Minutes -11/8/2005 - Page 3
Discussion of Cannamela Property, Rear of 2259 Chamberlain
Highway – Town Planner Riggins noted that this property is located behind
house number 2259 Chamberlain Highway. The Town Council is considering
purchasing the back property, which joins up with land belonging to the former
proposed power plant. Commissioners were in agreement that this would be a
favorable property to purchase for open space and the Commission was in favor
of the acquisition.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS
Commissioner Schmidt explained that he and Karen Pierson had been
taking pictures on Ragged Mountain when they saw someone from
Connecticut Forest & Parks clearing ground cover back by about 50’.
Commissioner Schmidt asked him to stop clearing the ground cover and
told him that the land was supposed to be left in its wild state and
undisturbed, and he agreed not to clear any further land. Commissioner
Schmidt also called Lisa Day, who had appeared before the Commission
a couple of months ago, and she agreed to follow up on this item.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION –
C. OPEN SPACE PUBLICATION – K. PIERSON, UPDATE OF
“STUDY OF TOWN-OWNED OPEN SPACE, OCTOBER 1994” -
Chairman DeLorenzo played the draft Power Point presentation
submitted by Ms. Pierson. Chairman DeLorenzo has the presentation on
disc form and will make it available to all commissioners for their
comments and additions. Town Planner Riggins suggested that someone
with the Conservation Commission should co-ordinate with the Park &
Recreation Commission as to specific uses for certain areas, such as
horse trails. Chairman DeLorenzo also noted that the Berlin Land Trust
needs to be included as part of the presentation. Commissioners
discussed having hard copies of the presentation, in addition to the
computerized Power Point Presentation. Commissioners also noted that
they would like to expand on larger properties and add details on those
properties. Commissioner Schmidt felt that this would prove to be an
invaluable tool for introducing the general public to open space
acquisition. Commissioner Hoffman discussed land cover statistics that
he has obtained through UCONN.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Hoffman stated that he is still concerned about the brown
water runoff from New Park Dr. that runs across the Berlin Turnpike and
onto Orchard Road. Town Planner Riggins agreed to look into this.
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
Chairman DeLorenzo noted that he has a copy of a letter sent by Keith
Scheer regarding the Scheer open space parcel on Orchard Road. Mr.
Scheer requests that he be able to garage his tractors on the property.
Commissioner Sokolowski stated that the Town should have a lease
agreement regarding use of the outbuildings, etc. Chairman DeLorenzo
Conservation Commission Minutes -11/8/2005 - Page 4
stated that the Commission has to set up a management plan before
deciding on other issues. In his letter, Mr. Scheer also offered to
volunteer for maintenance of the property, opening trails and keeping fire
roads open.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Hoffman MOVED to adjourn the meeting @9:00 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Schmidt & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary