2016-04-11 :::,:::;.
TOWN OF BERLIN
3=' �► Conservation Commission
° sTown Hall • Berlin, CT 06037
TUESDAY, April 11, 2016
ROOM 8 - BERLIN TOWN HALL - 6:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman
Guy Hoffman, Vice Chairman
Thomas Heisler
Karen Pagliaro
Richard Gadoury
Absent
Karl G. Lewis
Rob Ramsey
Joseph Mazza
Hellyn Riggins, Director of Development Services
Staff:
Marlo Matassa, Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:35 P.M seconded by Vice Chairman Hoffman.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Jay Lentz
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Chairman Delorenzo moved to accept the Minutes of Tuesday, March 8th 2016 with modifications.
Commissioner Pagliaro seconded the motion and they were unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
Scout Leader Event:
Jay Lentz attended the meeting to provide an update on volunteer services for Scout Weekend June 11-
12th 2016. Mr. Lentz stated the Boy Scouts will help with maintenance-o€the,Corarounity,Q,a}-clen. The
plan will be for them to put up fence posts, do weeding, mulching, and-outline garden plots.
Commissioner Pagliaro gave Mr. Lentz the code to the garden to do the work. Commissioner Pagliaro
will email him plot plan. Chairman Lorenzo asked that the scouts be mt3i0410 0.i derAand to be careful
not to step on the plants.
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Community Garden:
The Garden will be open from May to October 2016.A portable potty will be added to the garden area for
gardeners to use. Commissioner Pagliaro will be working with Hellyn Riggins on the "Three Strike"
policy letter for members of the garden. Commissioner Pagliaro put an informational notice in Berlin
Citizen. If there are still a lot of plots left in the upcoming weeks she will also put a notice in the Hartford
Courant. Last year the garden was completely full and that's expected for this year as well. In the previous
years, the Commission asked the Berlin Police if they could patrol when they are in the area. The
Commission is hoping the same will be done this year.
Special Permit Use for Four Rod Road: No comment
Proposed Amendment for Sale of Food from Trucks,Trailers,Wagons etc.: No comment
Farmers Market moves to Hungerford Park: No comment
Silver Ridge Special Permit Eliminates Age Restriction: No comment
Subdivision Application on Salvage Hill Road:No comment
Prescription Drug Disposal: Commissioner Pagliaro would like to propose a permanent drug disposal
program that will run all year long. Commissioner Pagliaro would like the Commission to work with the
town and the police department as team. Vice Chairman Hoffman stated he was under the impression that
the police were working on a permanent program. Prescription drugs being flushed down the toilet and
are negatively affecting bodies of water and fish life. Commissioner Pagliaro stated that at this time, the
correct way to dispose of prescription drugs is to mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter, then bag
them and throw them in the trash. There is a cost to the police department for this program but the
commission thinks they may be able to obtain a grant for the program. Commissioner Hoffman will reach
out to Officer Donna Manning in the PD to get some information about this proposed permanent program.
The Commission thinks the cost might be less in the long run doing it all year,than just once a year.
Budget Hearing: Chairman Lorenzo stated the budget request for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 was $3000. The
town reduced the budget by approximately $275. The fiscal year runs July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016.
There is $1500 remaining as of today.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A.USE OF TOWN LANDS:
Inland Wetlands Plans:
Proposal by the Town of Berlin Public Works Department to replace High Road Culvert:
Commissioner Hoffman stated that it is a good time of year to do this project. Vice Chairman Hoffman
and Commissioner Heisler both agreed that there needs to be an erosion control plan in place. The
Mattabasset River is a very sensitive area and the plan needs to be in place prior to starting the project
because water quality needs to be held to a higher standard.
Berlin Nature Center Pond (Hungerford) and Norton Pond: Both bodies of water have proposals out
for an aquatic pesticide application to control algae and weeds. Commissioner Pagliaro is concerned this
application of chemicals may harm the fish. This is governed by the State of Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection.
Girl Scout Camp Structures: Vice Chairman Hoffman brought up concerns about the structures located
on the Girl Scout camp property. The questions raised are as follows: Are the structures sound? Are they
a liability to the Town of Berlin? Can or would The Town of Berlin maintain the structures? Chairman
DeLorenzo is going to consult with Jim Horbal about the issues at hand and whether the structures may
need to come down.
Biological Inventory: Vice Chairman Hoffman handed out a spread sheet to the commission regarding
"Berlin Open Space Potential Biological Inventory Parcels". (See below) These are among the sites he
would like to research and document on.
I Berlin Open Space
Potential Biological Inventory Parcels
Potential Community Inventories
Terrestrial Aquatic
Parcels Birds Mammals Amphibians Invertebrates Trees/Shrubs Plants Benthic Invert Fish Waterbodies
Ragged Mountain X X X X X Xx x Small tributaries
Timberlin X X X X X X X X John Hall Brook/Hart Pond Trib
Bicentenial X X X X X X X X Hatchery Brook
Hatchery Brook X X X X X X X X Hatchery Brook
Blue Hills X X X X X Xx x Crooked Brook
Belcher Brook(Orchard Rd.) X X X X X X X X Belcher Brook
Belcher Brook(Meadow to Norton) X X X X X X X X Belcher Brook
Belcher Brook(Eastbrook Terrace) X X X X X X X X Belcher/Mattabesset
Pistol Creek X X X X X X X X Spruce Brook
Beckley Farms X X X X X X X X Mattabesset River
Trail Blaze Signs/Signage for Trails —. Chairman Lorenzo stated that Jim Horbal would like the
Commission to put up "No Trespassing" signs at the Chowkowski property on Chamberlain Highway.
The purpose of these signs is to keep hikers aware of the private property lines. The commission would
like to purchase and put up 6x6 posts and markers for fields. Also signs could be placed on entrances of
hiking trails in town such as Bicentennial Park and Kensington Orchards.
Commissioner Pagliaro made a motion to provide signage posts and maps bordering the Chowkowski
Property and Kensington Orchards. Vice Chairman Hoffman seconded the motion and the vote, passed
unanimously. The $1500 remaining in the budget from fiscal year 2015-2016 can be applied toward this
purchase.
Pistol Creek Walking Trails - Chairman DeLorenzo stated Pistol Creek is in the process of obtaining a
grant for ATV's and there possibly may be some money remaining for a natural resource identification
information signage. Chairman DeLorenzo will research this.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: None
8. ADJOURNMENT:
• Commissioner Pagliaro moved to adjourn the meeting @ 8:10 P.M. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Heisler and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Marlo Matassa, Secretary