Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes

OPENING: The regular scheduled meeting of the Conservation Commission opened at 7:00 p.m.  Attendance is as follows:

7:00    Christopher Pratt, Chairman, opened the meeting.

        

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to accept the minutes of 11/07/16.  Commissioner Drenen seconded the motion.  None opposed, motion passed unanimously.

7:16 107 Point Grove Road NOI

Mr. Kerry Granfield

Mrs. Bonnie Lewis

Chairman Pratt opened the public hearing by reading the notice as posted in the Westfield Evening News.  The proposal is for the removal of two trees in the buffer zone.  A plot plan was presented that showed the 2 chestnut Oak trees to be removed.  The tree removal will improve the view, and reduce the amount of leaves which creates “muck” in the lake.  Mr. Granfield explained the removal of the trees will be done by a crane and the stumps will remain.

The NOI included the installation of an aqua thruster, similar to a propeller motor, which is attached to the dock to remove debris from the dock area.

Commissioner Mac Williams made a motion to close the hearing at 7:27 p.m.  Commissioner Drenen seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to grant the removal of the trees only.  There was not sufficient information relative to the aqua thruster to make a determination.  The Conservation Commission will defer to the Lake Management Committee for a recommendation.  Commissioner Drenen seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

107 South Loomis Street  Coordinator Clark conducted a site visit and found four 4 to 6 feet of fill in the wetlands.  The property owner will have a plan of action to hopefully rectify the situation no later than spring of 2017.  Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to ratify the Enforcement Order.  Commissioner Drenen seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

45 Fred Jackson Road DEP# 292-156  Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to sign the Certificate of Compliance.  Commissioner Soleimani seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

5 Laurel Ridge DEP# 292-111  Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to sign the Certificate of Compliance.  Commissioner Soleimani seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to approve the proposed budget for fiscal 2018.   The budget included a 5% decrease, level funding, a 5% increase, funds for a mapping replacement computer, and a replacement copy machine for fiscal year 2023.  Commissioner Soleimani seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.  Commissioner Soleimani seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________    

Jean Nilsson, Secretary