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