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CONSERVATION COMMISSION ;_;t1 I'
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2003
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman Richard A. Glidden
Michele Spacek Peter F. Regan
Richard Schmidt Guy Hoffman
Steven Sokolowski Christina Berger
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Members Excused:
Wallace F. Ebner
Guest:
James Mahoney, Economic Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:35 P.M.
Commissioners agreed to change the order of the agenda to have the
presentation of the Proposed Plan of Conservation and Development at the
beginning of the meeting.
NOTE: Commissioner Spacek made a MOTION to go into Executive
Session at the end of the meeting for the purpose of real estate negotiations.
SECONDED by Commissioner Berger & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS - Presentation of the Proposed Plan of
Conservation and Development:
Economic Development Director James Mahoney and Chairman
DeLorenzo jointly explained the Plan of Conservation and Development using
slides and written material.
Chairman DeLorenzo addressed the Commission as a member of the
Plan of Conservation and Development Committee. He explained that the
update of the POC&D is mandated by the State to be completed every ten years.
The last plan was filed in 1992. Chairman DeLorenzo stated that the POC&D
Committee felt it important not only to formulate the plan, but also to
implement it. Along with members of the POC&D Committee, consultants with
specific expertise were also used to put together different portions of the plan.
Chairman DeLorenzo noted that the reason the plan is being presented to
various commissions is not only to solicit suggestions and comments, but also
to make the commissions aware of their responsibilities in implementation of
their portion of the plan.
Conservation Commission Minutes-2/11/2003 -Page 2
Chairman DeLorenzo noted that the POC&D Committee began work in
the spring of 2000 and Dennis Kern has served as Chairman. The makeup of
the committee included a representative of the Town Council, Planning &
Zoning, Economic Development, Conservation Commission and three citizens.
Their mission was to formulate a plan to balance land uses, integrate the
principles of the Strategic Plan Process and create a workable action plan for
21st Century development. Dir. Mahoney and Chairman DeLorenzo both agreed
that the biggest weakness in previous Plan of Development Plans was in the
lack of implementation. The new plan has been developed to be a hands-on
document and to be used on a daily basis.
Dir. Mahoney again stressed that this plan is to be an action plan, not a
paper plan. Six Commissions will carry key responsibilities in implementing
their portions, which will be structured with deadlines. The progress of these
portions will be tracked and available on the Town Website.
Dir. Mahoney noted that the POC&D Committee was fortunate to have
the Town Council Survey of Residents Top Planning Issues for reference. That
survey showed that preserving open space along streams & rivers was a top
priority with the public. Other priorities were, protecting underground water,
support efforts to clean the Mattabassett River, preserve Berlin's farms,
development of a Town Center as a community focal point, P & Z review of non-
residential architectural quality and acquisition of more open space. The
survey also showed that residents were willing to pay to maintain character of
the town by purchasing more open space, supporting economic development
efforts to increase the tax base, a new Town Center, Community Center, Senior
Center and farmland preservation.
Dir. Mahoney outlined the Town Councils role in making the plan a
success and functions of others such as the Town Manager, Planning & Zoning,
and other commissions. He explained that the goal of the plan is to balance
development and conservation without losing the character of the community.
Six goals that power the plan were outlined. Livability, Community Assets and
Open Space, Economic Development, Housing, Public Services and the Town
Center, the heart of Berlin.
A prime open space strategy, earmarked Berlin Heritage Lands was
discussed. This would be a connected network of lands in public ownership or
protected by private organizations or through easements. This would include
Town Parks, State land; Water Company lands, private owned open lands with
public access and the Metacomet and Mattabessett Trails. The key critical
element would be to link these various lands. The POC&D Committee, at its
last meeting, met with some area farmers to discuss preservation of these
farms, which town residents had identified in the council survey as a key item
to be preserved.
The economic development portion lists thirteen targeted areas for
development that could possibly generate a future tax base for the community.
Dir. Mahoney noted that the desire is to create an office type environment. He
Conservation Commission Minutes-2/11/2003 -Page 3
stated that the Town does not have a lot of Brownfield's sites or areas that
would require environmental clean up.
Dir. Mahoney noted that he needs comments from the Conservation
Commission by March 20th, containing any additions, modifications or
deletions. He stated that he hoped the Commission would be offering positive
comments toward the plan. Dir. Mahoney then asked for questions from the
Commissioners.
Commissioner Hoffman stated that he would like to have an updated
map of all current open spaces. Commissioner Glidden asked how much of the
plan depends on State or Federal money? Dir. Mahoney discussed this and
stated that the Town would be actively pursuing any State or Federal Grants
that are available. The Town already has approval for a $500,000 grant for the
Town Center.
Chairman DeLorenzo asked that Commissioners reserve any formal
comments on the plan for the next Conservation Commission meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2003:
Commissioner Glidden MOVED to accept the Minutes of Tuesday,
January 14, 2003 as written. SECONDED by Commissioner Berger &
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Chairman - Commissioner Glidden stated that he felt Chairman
DeLorenzo had done an excellent job and has served the Commission well as
Chairman over the last year. Commissioner Glidden nominated Michael
DeLorenzo as Chairman. There were no other nominations for Chairman and
the Commissioners unanimously approved the nomination.
Vice-Chairman - Present Vice-Chairman Schmidt nominated Michele
Spacek as Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Glidden seconded the nomination.
There were no other nominations for Vice-Chairman and the Commissioners
unanimously approved the nomination. Ms. Spacek stated that she would be
pleased to serve as Vice-Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Berger expressed an opinion that if the Commission is
going to discuss a new subdivision plan it should be listed on the Agenda to
allow the developer a chance to participate in the meeting and answer
questions. Chairman DeLorenzo explained that the subdivision plan has
already been submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission and, they as a
matter of courtesy, have sent a copy of the plan for the Conservation
Commission to comment on. The comments of this commission are strictly
suggestions, which the Planning & Zoning Commission can choose to
implement or disregard. Chairman DeLorenzo agreed to ask Town Manager
Therrien and Town Clerk Wall if each individual project needs to be listed on
the agenda. After discussion, Commissioner Hoffman made a MOTION to add
an agenda item under New Business - Review of Proposed Projects submitted
by the Development Services Dept. for Commission
Conservation Commission Minutes-2/11/2003 -Page 4
Comments/Recommendations. SECONDED by Commissioner Glidden 86
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS -
1. Webster Park/Walking Trails
2. Bradley Property, Chamberlain Highway
3. Sanitary Septic Survey for Watershed Association- Mr. Paul
Woodward is still reviewing results of sampling. Everything is
too frozen at this time to take any further samples.
4. Woodlawn Well Site -
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION - Nothing new to report on this item.
C. PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE - See
Audience of Citizens.
D. BROCHURE/CONSERVATION COMMISSION - BERLIN LAND
•
TRUST - Commissioner Spacek and Commissioner Berger agreed
to write the Open Space Brochure. They understand that the
Land Trust may assist in underwriting the cost of printing the
brochures and refining the project.
E. LAND CARE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - Nothing to report on this
item.
F. MERIDEN POWER PLANT - Nothing new to report on this item,
work is still suspended at the power plant.
G. REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS -
7. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
No Dumping Signs - Signs have been installed.
Acquisition of Open Space Property - Commission discussed
the acquisition from the City of New Britain, of a 4-acre parcel bordered
by High Road and Chamberlain Highway.
DEP Evaluation of Municipal Open Space Parcels -
Commissioner Sokolowski noted that he researched and found that the
Department of Environmental Protection will evaluate municipal open
space if requested. He will obtain a copy of a report completed for
another municipality as a reference document.
Review of Proposed Developments:
Copies of Conservation Commission comments made on the following
three projects have been sent to Bruce Driska, Acting Planner and
forwarded to the Planning 86 Zoning Commission.
Commissioners discussed how they could get answers to their
questions as asked on the individual comment forms for the
subdivisions. They questioned whether their comments should be
directed to the Inland, Wetland 86 Watercourses Commission instead of
the Planning 8s Zoning Commission. Chairman DeLorenzo will look into
this.
Review of New Proposed Development - Silver Lake/Worthington
Point Road - 18 Condominium Units - 3 Buildings - Lot 59A -
Owner, Red Gate Homes LLC, West Simsbury - Commissioners
Conservation Commission Minutes-2/11/2003 -Page 5
concerned that they would not like any invasive species of plants added
along the shore of the lake. Commissioner Berger noted that only
native species should be used and recommended that natural cover be
left as much as possible. Commissioner Spacek will put together
formal comments from the Commission. The Commissioners expressed
concern that Silver Lake is "Berlin's Lake", one of the town's best
natural resources and should be protected. They recommended that
the buildings be set back from the lake as much as possible and
natural resource cover should be left visually and environmentally in
place as much as possible. The Commission recommended creation of
a conservation easement along the water edge as a solution to concerns
about destruction of shoreline vegetation, 30' in from edge of water.
This would also reduce the visual impact for users of the lake.
PA490 Lands - Commissioner Berger noted that she has spoken with
property owners in her area whose property assessment has gone up
300% with the new evaluations. Most are not actively farmed lands and
not under the PA490 Act, but were assessed at a lower rate. She
believes this large increase in valuation will force some of the property
owners to sell to a developer because they cannot afford the increased
taxes. Thereby serving to have the Town force these property owners
into developing their land instead of leaving it open and undeveloped.
She recommended that the Town consider the value of these properties
as Open Space, not as developable property. She believes there are
over 30 properties that need to be recognized in the Plan of
Conservation and Development as PA490 properties.
POCB&D Comments - Chairman DeLorenzo reminded Commissioners to
put together their suggestions, modifications and comments regarding
the Plan of Conservation & Development for formalization at the next
meeting.
8. CORRESPONDENCE:
Commission reviewed correspondence received since the January
meeting.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Commissioner Hoffman MOVED to enter into Executive Session @9:30
P.M. for the purpose of discussing real estate negotiations. SECONDED
by Commissioner Schmidt & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Commissioner Schmidt MOVED to exit Executive Session @9:49 P.M.,
SECONDED by Commissioner Hoffman & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman DeLorenzo MOVED to adjourn the meeting @ 9:50 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Schmidt & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary