2008-06-10
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman Karl G Lewis
James Matulis Steven Sokolowski
Rev. Frederick Raap
Hellyn Riggins, Dir. Development Services
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Members Absent:
Peter F. Regan Guy Hoffman, Vice-Chairman
GUESTS:
Art Simonian, Town of Berlin Town Engineer & Public Works Director
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:00 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 13, 2008:
Commissioner Raap made a motion to accept the Minutes of Tuesday,
May 13, 2008, as written. Seconded by Commissioner Sokolowski &
unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Arthur Simonian, Town Engineer – Stormwater Management Update
– Arthur Simonian, Public Works Director and Town Engineer for the
Town of Berlin attended the meeting and discussed items relating to the
Stormwater Management Plan. He noted that Jonathan Cuomo, Troup
44, has been working on his Eagle Scout project. The project involved
releasing larvae into the catch basins that will control mosquito larvae
before the mosquitoes hatch. Mr. Simonian explained that Jonathan put
a notice in the Berlin Citizen and conducted safety procedure training for
his Boy Scout Troop 44 for proper handling of larvae pouches as well as
roadway safety. A great deal of work went into putting this project
together and Jonathan worked very hard on the planning and completion
of the project. Each bag of larvae controls approximately 44 square feet
of area and approximately one-half of the town was covered.
Mr. Simonian explained that he has also been working with Milone &
McBroom on storm water reports from 2005, 2006 and 2007, along with
sampling. One discharge point for Industrial Permit is the Town
Complex on Town Farm Lane and weather/rainfall conditions have to
Conservation Commission Minutes -6/10/2008 - Page 2
meet specific criteria prior to sampling, which has been completed and
we are awaiting test results. Other discharge points are spread out
geographically and hydrologically in order to get an equal representation
from throughout the town. Mr. Simonian stated that he has been
working on educating the public on stormwater management by making
materials available.
Mr. Simonian discussed a letter from the DEP on trying to control e-coli
in the Mattabassett River. He believes the biggest challenge is
determining the source of the pollution and then trying to control it. The
commission discussed potential sources for the contamination and
agreed that the largest sources may be residential septic systems and
agricultural runoff.
The Town is trying to clean approximately 2,000 catch basins this year,
which is 80% of the 2,800 catch basins located around the town. Mr.
Simonian noted that the usual number of catch basins cleaned per year
is 500 and this push to clean 2,000 should dramatically improve
drainage throughout the system. He hopes to keep up with the cleaning
and troublesome catch basins will be targeted for cleaning next year also.
Mr. Simonian discussed the new concrete dry well that has been
installed at Elton Road and Orchard Road. It was installed a couple of
weeks ago and he feels that it has performed well through the recent
storms. He is working to put more responsibility on developers to look
downstream when they are planning a project and not just within the
parameters of their project to see if the development might be creating
problems for surrounding areas. The plan is to have a Townwide
Stormwater Plan in place for developers to follow. Dir. Development
Services Riggins noted that the regulations should require storm water
detention basin drain culverts to be wide enough that they can be
maintained and mowed.
Mr. Simonian expects to be putting together a bond package for all
infrastructure work within the town, such as road reconstruction,
bridgework, etc. He noted that he would appreciate any support from
Commissions within the Town.
Mr. Simonian also discussed the new Town of Berlin Sand/Salt Storage
Shed that is almost complete. The Town will be using up the sand & salt
that is now in storage and will be changing over to a new product,
Clearlane. Clearlane is magnesium chloride or treated salt and it looks
like green salt. Using this product will cut down on buildup in catch
basins and is also less toxic to wildlife.
B. CIL Development of Kensington, Sherwood Industries Properties
@10 Main St. Kensington – Condominiums and Townhouses – Mr.
Rich Pettinelli, Engineer w/Fuss & O’Neil happened to be at the Town
Hall to attend the Inland, Wetlands & Watercourses Commission meeting
took some of his time to explain to the Conservation Commission some
Conservation Commission Minutes -6/10/2008 - Page 3
details of the proposal. The proposal by CIL is for 72 condominium units
in the main Sherwood Tool Building and construction of 14 Townhouses
across the street where the warehouse storage was located.
Mr. Pettinelli explained some details regarding the containment of
metals, etc. that are in the landfill behind the main building. He noted
that the area would most likely be capped with 2’ of soil in order to
isolate the area in accordance with DEP requirements. He stated that
there are four options available, 1. Do nothing, 2. Dig out contaminated
soil and bring to Buffalo, NY, 3. Install a 2’ impervious cap with 2’ of soil
fill over a liner or 4. Install a pervious liner and cover with soil. Worse
case scenario is the impervious cap with 2’ of soil fill over a liner. This
would not allow the planting of trees, only small shrubs such as
blueberries, etc. If the DEP were to allow the installation of a pervious
liner then trees could be planted. Commissioners discussed this issue
and were in agreement that they understand the developers are abiding
by the DEP standards, but if there were a way to leave a buffer of trees or
any other innovative approach, the Commission would be in favor.
C. Site Plan Amendment – All Realty, (Allwaste –previously Lombardo
Enterprises), 131 Deming Road – The Commission had no comment on
this plan.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS – Chairman DeLorenzo stated that he has
been working with Jim Mahoney on securing funding for Karen Pierson
to develop a 3-fold brochure.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION -
C. HATCHERY BROOK CONSERVATION AREA – TRAILS DAY
CELEBRATION – JUNE 7, 2008 – Trail Ranger Karl Lewis stated that he
was very happy with the turnout of over seventy people for the
dedication. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to enjoy the hike
along the newly dedicated trail. Chairman DeLorenzo thanked
Commissioner Lewis for all his work in putting the event together and
making it a success. Chairman DeLorenzo also discussed the two-page
article about the event that was in the Berlin Citizen last week.
Commissioner Matulis submitted a CD of photos taken at the dedication
and Commissioners enjoyed reliving the event.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioners discussed moving the date of the next meeting to the
third Tuesday, July 15, 2008. An agenda will be sent out for that meeting.
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Raap moved to adjourn the meeting @7:20 P.M.
Seconded by Commissioner Lewis & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted, Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary