2005-01-11
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2005
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman
Richard Schmidt
Peter F. Regan
Christina Berger
Hellyn Riggins, Town Planner, Staff Liaison
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Steven Sokolowski
Guy Hoffman
Absent:
Rev. Frederick Raap
Wallace F. Ebner*
Guest:
Mayor Adam Salina
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:30 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Mayor Salina stated that he has worked in close contact with Hellyn
Riggins; Dir. of Development Services and Jim Mahoney, Economic
Development Dir. and wanted the Conservation Commission to know that the
Town has been actively pursuing open space acquisitions. He noted that any
insights or suggestions from the commissioners would be welcome. Chairman
DeLorenzo noted that the Conservation Commission has been frustrated over
the years by the lack of purchase of open space land versus developments. He
hoped that this could be counterbalanced at some time but he worries that the
general public does not realize the value of having green or wooded areas of
open space and how they add to the value of a town.
Mayor Salina discussed how he would like to have money put aside in
the budget as a line item for open space development. He stated that the
amount may be small in the first year, but could be increased in subsequent
years. Trying to procure open space areas must be an ongoing priority of the
Town. Commissioners suggested the Town Council be pro-active and send
letters to property owners of open space areas asking them to first consider
selling their land to the Town before considering a developer. Mayor Salina
stated that the Town actively sends out letters of interest to certain property
owners. Commissioner Berger asked whether sending these letters was a new
policy because previous Administrations had discouraged the Conservation
Commission from approaching property owners about selling their land. Mayor
Salina answered no; if there was interest in a property the town actively
pursued the property owners. Commissioner Berger noted that she would like
Conservation Commission Minutes -1/11/2005 - Page 2
to see a letter sent to prospective sellers who have open space properties and
have that letter signed by the Conservation Commission and the Town Council.
Commissioner Berger stated that she had made a presentation to the
former Town Council about preservation of open space and was surprised that
some people did not understand the economic value of preserving open space.
Commissioners emphasized to Mayor Salina that bonding for open space
is very important and should be mentioned frequently. Mayor Salina stated
that he would like to have Commissioner Berger make a presentation to the
Town Council on the Survey of Open Space Study, perhaps at their February
meeting. He requested that this be a line item on the agenda and not be part of
the audience of citizens.
Commissioner Regan urged the Mayor and Town Council to move
forward in purchase of any open space properties. He recommended that the
town buy any property that becomes available, they will not go down in value
and if the Town finds that a certain property does not fit its needs, it can always
be sold for development at a later date. Many desirable pieces of property have
been bought up and developed before the Town acted on purchasing them.
Commissioner Regan stated that he would implore the Town Council to move
forward and actively pursue purchase of any and all pieces of open space before
Berlin becomes overbuilt like other area towns.
Chairman DeLorenzo thanked Mayor Salina for taking the time to attend
the meeting and offering insight on where the Town is going with open space
acquisition.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2004:
Commissioner Sokolowski MOVED to accept the Minutes of Tuesday,
December 14, 2004, as written. SECONDED by Commissioner Berger &
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Project Review - Proposed 2-Lot Subdivision - Butler St.,
DeVivo/Buteau - The Commission had no comment on this plan.
B. Project Review - Excavation Permit - Howard Asal, Lot 11-5, Block
73, Old Farms Place - Upon review, Commissioner Berger noted that
she is in agreement with comments made by Town Departments in
their preliminary review. She also questioned how a certified map does
not show accurate contours as questioned by Town Engineer Tony
Ferraro. She suggested that Town Planner Riggins check with the
Waste, Engineering & Enforcement Div. Of the DEP as to whether
asphalt chunks are considered clean fill. Commissioners questioned
why filling is taking place at a site that has an Excavation Permit.
C. Project Review - Proposed Zone Change - Lot 2, Block 123, Deming
Rd, R-43 to OT-2 - Commissioners were in agreement that they were
not in favor of this zone change from OT to OT - 2. OT - 2 will increase
the density of housing and not preserve natural resources. This zone
change is also contrary to the Plan of Conservation & Development.
D. Project Review - Proposed Garage Bituminous Driveway & Side
Entrance - The Commission had no comment on this plan.
E. Project Review - Field Road, LLC, Adult Residential Development,
Beckley Rd. - This Adult Residential development has approximately
Conservation Commission Minutes -1/11/2005 - Page 3
200 units. The Commission supports the dedication of the 32 acres of
open space to the Town of Berlin and would be in favor of a bike trail
within that portion. Commissioner Sokolowski noted that the open
space area is where it is most beneficial to the Town and would allow
for use as open space and a passive recreational area. Commissioner
Berger noted that she would like to see a natural resource assessment
done on the land to determine the options of the open space land use.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS
1. Sanitary Septic Survey/Watershed Assoc. - Commissioner
Hoffman will e-mail report.
Other - Study of Town Owned Open Space Report -
Chairman DeLorenzo noted that he has spoken with Ms.
Karen Pierson about updating the Town Owned Open Space
Report. He noted that the current commission budget, line
item Open Space Public Education would be used to fund this
work. Chairman DeLorenzo will contact Ms. Pierson for a
proposal for updating the report. Chairman DeLorenzo
discussed and requested a motion to seek additional funding
in next year's budget for added work on the update. Mter
discussion, Commissioner Sokolowski MOVED to request
funding of $3,500 for fiscal year 2005-06 for Open Space
Public Education. SECONDED by Commissioner Hoffman &
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. Commissioners were in
agreement to keep other budget requests the same as this
year.
Chairman DeLorenzo will ask Ms. Pierson to come to the next
Conservation Commission meeting to outline the work she will
be doing.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION
C. REVIEW ACTION ITEMS
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
Chairman DeLorenzo accepted a letter of resignation from Commissioner
Ebner. Commissioner Ebner and his family will be moving to Massachusetts.
Commissioners expressed sadness at his leaving the Commission but wished
him well in his new endeavor.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Schmidt MOVED to adjourn the meeting @8:35 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Regan & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary