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'?PORATEO Z TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Vice-Chairman Schmidt called the meeting to order @ 6:43 P.M., in Room 7
of the Berlin Town Hall. He noted that Chairman DeLorenzo would be late to
the meeting because he was attending a Town Council meeting. Chairman
DeLorenzo will be relaying to Town Council the Conservation Commission's
thoughts in regard to the purchase of the Bradley property on the Chamberlain
Highway.
The Commission welcomed new Alternate member Leonard J. Fredericks.
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman Richard Schmidt, Vice-Chairman
Richard A. Glidden Peter F. Regan
William L. Welch Wallace F. Ebner
Leonard J. Fredericks
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Excused:
Michele Spacek Guy Hoffman
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, APRIL 10, 2001:
Commissioner Glidden MOVED to accept the Minutes of Tuesday, April
10, 2001, as written. SECONDED by Commissioner Welch 86 UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED.
3. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
4. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS:
1. 4-97 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
LANDS IN THE TOWN OF BERLIN - Vice-Chairman Schmidt noted
that Chairman DeLorenzo had spoken with Councilman Paul Argazzi
about formation of an ordinance designating Town Forests.
Councilman Argazzi felt that the Town Forest Ordinance should be
separate from Ordinance #4-97. Councilman Argazzi had indicated
that proposal for Ordinance #4-97 was still in committee and has not
been sent to Town Council.
Vice-Chairman Schmidt discussed the recent Berlin Community
Survey prepared by The Center for Research 86 Public Safety. He
noted that the survey spoke strongly toward conservation and the
Conservation Commission Minutes-5/8/2001 -Page 2
conservation items got the highest ratings. "Open space corridors
along rivers and streams within Berlin should be preserved", got a
vote of 95.8% Strongly & Somewhat agree against 3.4% Somewhat &
Strongly Disagree. Opinions were equally high for "Increased efforts
to protect the safety of the towns underground water sources or
aquifer" & "Efforts should be made to clean the Mattabassett River".
Commissioner Welch stated that he is concerned that the Town is
doing very little for preservation of the streams. Vice-Chairman
Schmidt said that he was impressed with the survey and felt that the
Mattabassett River Watershed Committee would be able make use of
the information provided.
Vice-Chairman Schmidt stated that he would like to see more interest
in the formation of a Town Forest Ordinance, emphasizing that the
survey denotes a strong interest in conservation of Town resources.
Commissioner Regan discussed Ragged Mountain and stated that he
would like to see it recognized as the special gem that it is and
institute efforts to preserve it. After further discussion,
*Commissioner Welch MOVED to propose that a letter be sent from
this Commission to Town Council asking that they consider
instituting an ordinance regarding Town Forests, (Municipal Forests).
SECONDED by Commissioner Regan & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Vice-Chairman Schmidt will draft a letter for Chairman DeLorenzo's
approval. Commissioner Regan offered to contact other town's to
obtain copies of their ordinances regarding Town Forests.
2. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW FOR NEW PROJECTS - Vice-Chairman
Schmidt reviewed a letter sent by Chairman DeLorenzo to Brian
Miller, Director of Development Services, regarding Commission
concerns with the plan for the Mooreland Glen Subdivision. Vice-
Chairman Schmidt had met with Mr. Miller and found out that Mr.
Miller had similar concerns about the open space areas. The plan
stated that 43% of the development would be classified as open
space. Commission had questions regarding how this amount was
arrived at and what method was used for calculation. Concerns were
also voiced that the open space as shown, seemed to be spread out
within the development and broken by structures and a walkway.
Commission also expressed concern whether the open space areas
along the Mattabassett River would be protected under inland
wetland regulations. Mr. Miller stated that he had asked the
developer to review the plan and come up with changes.
3. PARK & RECREATION BROCHURE - Vice-Chairman Schmidt
reported that the brochure has been printed. He believes that the
Park & Recreation Commission will probably be contacting the
newspapers to publicize the brochure.
Conservation Commission Minutes-5/8/2001 -Page 3
4. PAPER GOODS POND - Vice-Chairman Schmidt noted that State
Representative Ann Dandrow has pioneered a bill for implementation
of dredging of Paper Goods Pond.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION:
Chairman DeLorenzo joined the meeting and discussed acquisition
of the Bradley Property on Chamberlain Highway. He noted that the
property would be split into two areas, 55 acres at the front for active
recreation use and 35 acres at the back for passive recreation such as
walking and hiking. Chairman DeLorenzo had spoken in favor of the
purchase of the land by the Town and he asked Town Council to consider
authorizing another one million dollars for acquisition of new parcels. He
feels that now that the first purchase has been made, further purchases
should be considered. He stated that he felt it was a very strategic move
to purchase the Bradley property.
Commission discussed letter sent by Karen Pierson, Consultant, to Brian
Miller and the Plan of Conservation 86 Development Committee noting
that she would like to expand the scope of her work because there is a
great opportunity right now to chart open space properties before they
are developed. The Committee agreed to her request to expand the scope
of her work and she will submit a final open space report.
Chairman DeLorenzo noted that the Plan of Conservation 86 Development
Committee hopes to invite Representative Dandrow as a guest.
Chairman DeLorenzo will raise the issue of a conveyance tax or impact
fees with the group.
C. MERIDEN POWER PLANT:
Open Space/El Paso Project - Chairman DeLorenzo noted that he had
received a note from Town Manager Therrien stating that the new
owners, N.R.G., have agreed to uphold the agreement providing open
space areas to the Town.
D. REVIEW ACTION ITEMS:
Commission reviewed Action Item list.
• Rustic Sign @ Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve/Eagle Scout Project -
Commissioner Welch has recently spoken to Dave Paradise, Town of
Berlin employee, and found out that the size of poles ordered for
installation of the sign had to be backordered. He expects that the poles
will be received within a week and installation of the sign should occur at
that time.
• Town Web pages - Chairman DeLorenzo stated that he has been notified
by Town Manager Therrien that the web site is open for input from the
Commission. Chairman DeLorenzo will discuss with Commissioner
Spacek.
• Silver Lake Dredging - Commission discussed recent newspaper articles
denoting that funding is in place for further dredging of Silver Lake.
Commissioners very pleased to hear that news and it was agreed that
this item can be removed from the Action Item List. Commission
Conservation Commission Minutes-5/8/2001 -Page 4
discussed the peat that is being removed from the lake, noting that it
used to be called Peat Works Pond.
• Mattabessett River Watershed Committee - Vice-Chairman Schmidt
noted that the budget was accepted and $3,000 has been earmarked for
use on this project. He felt that the first priority would be to provide
signs identifying tributaries such as Belcher Brook.
• Commissioner Welch asked that Walking Trails be added to the action
item list. He would like to see better access provided to Webster Park,
other than from the highway, to promote walking in the park.
Commission discussed the possibility of using a right of way through
Lions property on Beckley Road. Land that the Town owns on Beckley
Road could provide accessibility to the park but concerns were voiced
about the large amount of wetland on the Town property. Commissioner
Welch will discuss access routes with Deputy Dir. Of Public Works
James Horbal. Commissioners Glidden and Fredericks agreed to make
arrangements to walk the area. After discussion,
*Commissioner Glidden MOVED to add Walking Trails to the Action Item
List. SECONDED by Commissioner Welch 86 UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED.
6. NEW/OLD BUSINESS:
None
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
Commission reviewed correspondence,
1) Listing of Monthly Firearms Classes.
2) Information on Annual Greenway Awards 86 Official Greenway
Designation.
3) Land 86 People Magazine from The Trust For Public Land, Spring
2001.
4) Information regarding Database on the Park 86 Recreation
Administration.
5) DEP - Application for Approval, Re: Clean Water Act, Repairs on a
dam on the Mattabassett River in Berlin.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Schmidt MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Regan & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary * 4
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Michael DeLorenzo - Chairman 2005D Revised 6/8/01
28 Pebble Brook Court
Berlin H828-8569 Fax 829-5410 W586-8121,Ext. 12
MADELORENZOa,HOME.COM
Richard Schmidt-Vice Chairman 2003U
77 Whispering Brook Drive
Kensington (H)828-0803 (W)800-269-9994 X2412
SCHMIRJ@ATT.NET
Richard A. Glidden- Prudential CT. Realty 2004R
18 Farmington Ave.
Kensington (H)225-2948 (W)563-2881 X61
RGLIDDEN(2 PRUDENTIALCT.COM
Guy Hoffman 2004R
1518 Orchard Rd.
Berlin (H) 829-6545
GHOFFMAN02@SNET.NET
Peter F. Regan 2005R
1005 Kensington Road
Kensington 829-1512
Pregan2(a%stanleyworks.corn
Michele Spacek 2002U
2352 Chamberlain Highway
Kensington (H)829-1352
TM@NTPLX.NET
William L. Welch 2003D
764 Worthington Ridge
Berlin 828-6648
Alternates
Wallace Ebner 2006R
123 Whispering Brook Drive
Kensington H828-6757 W665-3041
EBNERWF(&,NU.COM OR NEBNER@AOL.COM
Term expires 1/31 of a given year.
Leonard J. Fredericks 2006D
129 Redwood Lane
East Berlin H-829-1814
LJFESCI@AOL.COM
Secretary
Juliet K. Benjamin
29 Pheasant Run
Kensington 225-7046 Home Juliet Benjamin@MSN.COM
Work JBENJAMIN@,Town.Berlin.Ct.Us
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
ACTION ITEMS - REVISED MAY 9, 2001
DATE NAME(S) DESCRIPTION
1. 1/31/91 BCC Acquire/develop land for Berlin,
(ongoing).
2. 5/12/92 BCC Natural Resource Inventory Comm.
3. 1/3/91 RJS Land Conservation Plan with
Middletown & Meriden —
Lamentation Mountain.
4. 3/14/95 MD/GH/RJS Land Care Volunteer Subcommittee
WE & Develop stewardship plan for
Ragged Mountain.
5. 7/ 14/98 MS/MD Open Space Land Classification
Subcommittee.
6. 1/12/99 BCC Seek guest speakers for BCC
meetings.
7. 4/13/99 MD/BCC Web page subcommittee
8. 7/11/00 WW Eagle Scout Project/Rustic Sign @
Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve
9. 11/14/00 RJS/GH Mattabassett River Watershed Comm.
10. 5/8/01 RJS/RG Walking Trails
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