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2004-01-13 TOWN OF BERLIN CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY JANUARY 13 2004 Members Present Michael DeLorenzo Chairman Michelle Spacek Vice Chairperson Guy Hoffman Wallace F Ebner Juliet BenJamin Secretary Richard Schmldt Steven Sokolowskl Christina Berger Members Excused Richard Ghdden Peter F Regan I CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order (a 6 30 P M 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY~ DECEMBER 9, 2003 Commissioner Sokolowskl MOVED to approve the Minutes of Tuesday December 9 2003 as written SECONDED by Commissioner Berger & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 3 AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS None Chairman DeLorenzo noted that Town Planner Hellyn Riggins plans to attend future Commission meetings She had intended to be at tomghts meeting but was attending the public meeting regarding the Stop & Shop proposal at McGee School 4 NEW BUSINESS Review of New Projects A Kensington Baptist Church 222 Lincoln St Site Plan Amendment #64772 - Commissioners reviewed Kensington Baptist Church s request for site plan amendment to allow the Church to expand its present use as a place of worship Commissioners reviewed the site plan and noted that increased runoff from coverage by a larger building and increases in parking area look to be reduced by inclusion of a detention basra Commissioner Berger suggested the Church look at the use of concrete honeycomb grid on the outer portion of the parking lot This honeycomb grid contains spaces filled in by dirt and grass The area can be mowed and allows for overflow parking without the look of immense areas of partang lot Commissioner Berger also suggested that the specifications for the detention basra be attached to the narrative B Carnere Property/Beckley Rd Final Subdivision Application #64771 - Commissioners noted they were pleased with the proposal for a 50 Wetland buffer and use of a common driveway for the rear lots which reduces the impact on the environment Conser~at on Co n n ss on 1Vhn tes 1/1 /2004 Page 2 C 114 New Park Dr Associates Site Plan Amendment #64770 - Commissioners suggested the use of concrete honeycomb grids as discussed above for use on the outer areas of the parking lot After discussion Commissioners were in agreement that they were unable to make any other comments on the plan because areas of change were not easily identifiable on the plan Commissioners voiced concern about flow of stormwater and noted that they have observed runoff from the area toward properties on Orchard Road and hoped that this problem would not be magnified Commissioners also noted that the map does not seem to be certified or sealed D Silver Island Estates North Colony Road Age Restricted Multi Family Site Plan Application #64768/#64766 - Proposal is for a 24 unit subdivision 3 units per acre Commissioners noted that it appears that the units along Silver Lake are closer than the 30 rear yard listed in Sect 53 06 of the Town of Berhn Zoning Regulations Buildings near the water appear to have a drop off to the water line Commissioners commented on the use of the terminology Common Area and Conservation Easement on the same areas Commissioner Sokolowsta questioned whether any alternatives have been proposed that would be more environmentally friendly He felt that the proposed houses were too close to the water E Munson Meadows 11 Lot Subdivision L&L Land Co LLC Louis Valentine Preliminary Subdivision Application #64763 - Commissioners discussed the 163 629 SF open space Common Land area This area has the designation of Outdoor Recreation and Commissioners felt that more specific information should be included as to what type of outdoor recreation Not enough information is being given regarding this area and whether a parking area would be required Commissioners commented that they understood Mr Valentine might donate the recreation area to the Berhn Youth Soccer League Commissioners stated that if this is true the Town should put in place deed restrictions that would have the land revert to Town ownership if it is no longer wanted by the Soccer League or whatever recreational league that it is given to Budget Discussion/Purchase of E&S Guidelines - Chairman DeLorenzo noted that he had met with Town Manager Haberman on the Commission budget requests The request now goes through the review process with the Town before finalization of the budget Chairman DeLorenzo stated that the Commission has approval to use $300 from the existing budget to purchase guidehne books for Commission and Town use After discussion Commissioner Schmidt MOVED to purchase two {2) copies of the 2002 Connecticut Guidelines for Soil & Erosion & Sediment Control Ca $90 each and two {2) copies of What s Legally Required 2004 Legal Rules for Land Use Decisions (~a $19 each from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection SECONDED by Commissioner Berger & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Review of Maps from Northeast Utilities - Commissioners reviewed maps sent by Northeast Utlhtles containing portions of open space properties that the Town of Berlin might be interested in purchasing if they become available Commissioners were in agreement to recommend properties #061 348 061 349 Located between Kenmere & Hallmere Reservoirs and #053 1136 - Open space Conser~at on Co n n ss on Whn tes 1/1 /2004 Page along the river off Beckley Road Chairman DeLorenzo will send recommendations to Town Planner Riggins that the recommendations go to the Chief Elected Officer Mayor Sahna for notification to Northeast Utilities Extension of Woodlawn Road - Commissioners reviewed a December 3 article that appeared in the Berlin Citizen regarding extension of Woodlawn Road and the feaslblhty study that the Department of Transportation will be doing Commissioner Schmidt noted that he would not be in favor of extending the road because it would serve to cut up the Wetland corridor and open space area 5 OLD BUSINESS A USE OF TOWN LANDS I Webster Park/Walking Trails - Nothing new to report on this item 2 Sanitary Septic Survey/Watershed Assoc - Commissioner Hoffman will check into whether the final report has been received 3 Metacomet Monadnock Mattabesett Trail Study - Draft Concept Paper - Commissioner Spacek noted that the next MMM Trail Study CT Section Steering Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday January 21 2004 from 5 7pm at the Connecticut Forest and Park Association in Mlddlefield and that she would be attending the meeting 4Other B OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION - Nothing to report on this item C REVIEW ACTION ITEMS 6 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Sokolowskl submitted an article about the Qulnnlplac River Watershed Association using inspects to battle an lnvaslve plant The Watershed Association is asking for volunteers to be Bug Farmers and raise the bugs Galerucella pusllla beetles These bugs have been effective in the control of the dreaded purple loosestrlfe a pretty but harmful plant from Eurasia which is displacing native plants on the Qulnnlplac River Commissioner Sokolowskl suggested this would be a good Boy Scout project 7 CORRESPONDENCE Commissioners reviewed correspondence Copies of the Plan of Conservation and Development adopted by the Berhn Planning and Zoning Commission July 2003 were distributed to Commissioners A copy of the State of Connecticut proposed Plan of Conservation & Development Map was reviewed and it was agreed to keep this map in the Commission cabinet Chairman DeLorenzo noted that Election of Officers would be held as a part of next month s meeting and anyone wishing to serve as an officer should make his/her intentions known 8 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Schmldt MOVED to adjourn the meeting (a 9 07 P M SECONDED by Commissioner Spacek & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Respectfully submitted Juhet K BenJamin Secretary