2010-07-13
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010
ROOM 8 - BERLIN TOWN HALL - 6:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman Guy Hoffman, Vice-Chairman
James Matulis Karl G. Lewis
Robert Ramsey Patricia T. Bigelow
Joseph Mazza
Members Absent:
Steven Sokolowski Rev. Frederick Raap
Guest:
Tom Heisler, Berlin Land Trust
Staff:
Hellyn Riggins, Dir. of Development Services
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:35 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Tim Andiric
Pat Jasmiewicz, RDOG
Debbie Ladd, RDOG
Matt Padelli
Pat Jasmiewicz from RDOG said that she will no longer be head of the
RDOG group and has been walking her dog in Walnut Hill Park on the one mile
route. She noted that she had searched on line for dog parks and that
Bicentennial Park was not on the list. She also stated that she originally had
the idea to move the bench in the park, but it was moved back again. She
heard that it was because the bench was in the sun. She thanked the
Conservation Commission for their efforts and offered her services if the
commission ever needs a volunteer to work on a project.
Debbie Ladd will be one of the people taking over the RDOG group and
she provided her phone number and email to Chairman DeLorenzo and asked
to be kept informed of any issues.
Matt Padelli, also with the RDOG group asked about the proposed
parking lot. Chairman DeLorenzo stated that the Town Council is in the
process of gathering information from everyone and they will try to come up
with a solution regarding the parking area. He noted it is in the hands of the
Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes -7/13/2010 - Page 2
Town Council and Town Manager and this commission would not be discussing
it further tonight.
Bluebird Boxes – Tim Andiric, who is associated with nestwatch.org, a
project sponsored by the Cornell University Ornithology Department made a
presentation to the commission regarding placing Bluebird Boxes in the
Hatchery Brook Conservation area and also Pistol Creek. Mr. Andiric noted
that he would like to put up two or three additional Bluebird nesting boxes on
the trail marker poles in the Hatchery Brook Conservation area. He explained
that he does this as a hobby and nest watches and takes pictures and
researches the birds as they nest and the brood grows. He noted that the
Bluebird was an endangered species but because of the nesting boxes they are
now at an acceptable level. These boxes are specifically sized for Bluebirds,
although other small species of bird’s do occasionally use the nesting boxes.
Dir. Development Services Riggins explained that Mr. Andiric needs to
put a request in writing and the Conservation Commission needs a motion if
they are in favor of the nesting boxes. Ms. Riggins said that she would ask for
guidance from Town Manager McNair.
After discussion, Commissioner Matulis made a motion to allow Mr.
Andiric to place Bluebird Boxes in the Hatchery Brook and Pistol Creek
properties. Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion and it was unanimously
approved.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Tuesday, June 8, 2010:
Commissioner Lewis made a motion to accept the Second Revision of the
Minutes of Tuesday, June 8, 2010 as written. Commissioner Matulis seconded
the motion & they were unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
l. Estates of Berlin, LLC, and Applicant – Beckley Farms, Owner – Age-
Restricted Residential Development – Dir. Development Services Riggins stated
that a new developer has taken over the Beckley Farms project and will be
building mostly single family and duplex buildings. The original proposal for
this project included five multi-family buildings, but they have been eliminated
in the new plan. The plan has to go back to Wetlands for review. It was felt
that it will be good to see this project completed. Ms. Riggins noted that the
open space on the property has been previously deeded to the Town.
Chairman DeLorenzo stated that he would like to see new developers
become more environmentally conscious. There are a lot of things that could be
done to make these types of projects environmentally friendly, such as
underground storage tanks for rainwater. Ms. Riggins will provide the
commission with a copy of an article about the flooding in Nashville that relates
to this issue.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS – Hatchery Brook Community Garden
Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes -7/13/2010 - Page 3
Commissioner Bigelow reported that the Community Garden is going great and
the new well is also working well. She noted that they are having a work day
next Saturday, July 17 and they will be weeding and spreading bark mulch.
th
Sunflowers have been planted on the extra plot and some adjacent gardeners
will be taking care of them.
Commissioner Bigelow said that she has filed a purchase order request
for $63.00 for signs for the well and to remind people to lock up the well. To
date $650.00 has been collected from the lease of the plots and more is to
come. She is looking for a donation of a picnic table and Commissioners
suggested she contact the DEP in Portland. They have lumber and they build
picnic tables.
Education Program for Neighbors of Open Space/Karen Pierson:
No discussion was held on this item.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION -
C. OPEN SPACE PUBLICATION – KAREN L. PIERSON – OPEN SPACE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
D. HATCHERY BROOK CONSERVATION AREA/LAND MANAGEMENT
PLAN
Open Space Signs
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioners discussed the new POCD Commission that is being
formed to review and study the last document and make either a new document
or enhance the existing. They agreed that the last POCD was basically a good
document with a lot of good things in it.
Commissioner Bigelow noted that in Rocky Hill a new dog park is set to
open. People got together and got private funding and made their own park.
August Meeting – Commissioners were in agreement to cancel the August
meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 10. Commissioner Matulis made a
th
motion to cancel the August meeting. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ramsey and unanimously approved.
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Matulis moved to adjourn the meeting @8:05 P.M. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewis & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted, Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary