Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes

 

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

Commissioner Mizanoglu made a motion to accept the minutes of 09/19/16.  Commissioner Pranka seconded the motion.  None opposed, motion passed unanimously.

7:15 42 Powder Mill Road - RDA

Jon Goddard, R. Levesque

Chairman Pratt opened the hearing by reading the notice as posted in the Westfield Evening News.  Mr. Goddard presented a plan for field lighting in two sections of the complex.  One is directly behind the soccer field, the other is to the rear section parking area by the cul-de-sac.  Two pipes will need to be installed in the Riverfront area, with limited disturbance. There will be no disturbance of vegetation and a silt fence will be placed around the area during installation.  Mr. Goddard requested a continuation of the hearing until the October 17th meeting.

Commissioner Mizanoglu made a motion to approve continuing the public hearing until October 17^th due to the need for proper notification to DEP. Commissioner Pranka seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

7:30 13 Robin Road NOI

Jason Puzey

Jon Goddard, R. Levesque

Coordinator Clark presented a video of the site visit with Mr. Levesque, Commissioner Pranka, Commissioner Soleimani, and Mr. Puzey, property owner.  The wetland area, septic system location, and the location of the dwelling were all flagged.  There is a hump between two wetland sections that will be removed as part of the replication for the area being disturbed to accommodate the driveway.  The septic system will be raised with approximately 70 to 100 yards of fill as there is a high water table.  NHESP found no adverse effects for endangered species.  DEP did request a profile of the wetland crossing area, that is now added to the plan.  The entire parcel is 31.55 acres, and approximately 6,000 square feet of wetlands will be replicated.  The members of the Conservation Commission in attendance noted that one house on 31.55 acres was a good use of the land.  Commissioner Pranka made a motion to close the hearing at 7:42.  Commissioner Mizanoglu seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Pratt made a motion to approve the project as presented with the standard conditions and a $10,000.00 bond with a 75% payback when the wetland replication is approved, and the balance of 25% to be released after a 2 year re-inspection approval.  Commissioner Drenen seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.     

 

Sofinowski – Scout Troop 338  Braydon Tingley made a presentation of the removal and reconstruction of the Sofinowski Park Bridges project. Scout Tingley headed up the project by coordinating the material used and the volunteers who completed the work.  This was Scout Tingley’s first taste in how to manage, organize, and prepare materials for an entire project.  The Conservation Commission presented a certificate to Scout Masters Bryan Kantor and Keith Deyo and to Braydon Tingley in recognition of their participation in the project.  The Scout Troop is preparing to construct bird houses and re-stabilize the trails on the Sofinowski property as their next project.  

Chief Russ Anderson, Southwick Fire Department  Chief Anderson attended the meeting to discuss the possibility of controlled burns for training purposed to take place in the rear of the Fire Department.  DEP has been contacted for a determination on any adverse effects the exercise may have on air quality.  The Conservation Commissioner members were not as concerned with the water dispensing as most of it turns to steam once it comes in contact with a fire.  However, the Commissioners did express a concern relative to erosion that may occur and sediment that may be entering the storm drain.  Chief Anderson stated that hay bales would be placed to minimize erosion.  Chief Anderson will submit a request for determination if needed once more information is available.

 

The Conservation Commission received a request from the Select Board for a list of the top 4 parcels that should be considered.  The Commissioners discussed several parcels, with the main focus on the North Pond preservation.  However, the Commissioners agreed that posting a potential list could alert a property to consider a higher selling price.  Mr. Marcus Phelps, former Commissioner, made mention of properties that are currently considered agricultural and have a lower tax rate.  According to Mr. Phelps, there is no one monitoring the properties to ensure that they retain the agricultural usage.  Mr. Phelps estimated that $200,000.00 of tax revenue is not collected which includes some properties that actually may not still qualify for an agricultural tax reduction in accordance with the current land use.

  

107 Point Grove Road – Tree removal  Coordinator Clark conducted a site visit and presented the Commissioners with pictures of the proposed trees to be removed.  Both trees are healthy and would require removal across the lake once it is frozen.  The ice will need to be thick enough to ensure that the weight of the trees will not cause a break in the ice and allow the trees to be submerged.  There is also a structure on the property within the wetland delineation area that may be impacted as part of the tree removal.  The Commissioners were in agreement that a Notice of Intent would need to be filed by the property owner.

Lakemont Street – Brush trimming  Commissioner Clark presented a request from the property owner for brush trimming.  The Commissioners agreed that a plan will need to be submitted inclusive of replacement plantings prior to proceeding with the brush trimming.

107 South Loomis – Potential enforcement  Coordinator Clark stated that the property owner had installed culverts, drainage pipes and has debris within the wetlands.  An enforcement order was previously issued, however the property owner did not adhere to corrective actions mandated in the Order of Conditions, and in fact has increased wetland violations.  A site visit will be conducted with members of the Southwick Police Department, members of DEP and an interpreter to ensure the property owner is well aware of the provisions that need to be made for corrective action, and to ensure that no further disturbance of the wetlands occur.

Commissioners Review  Chairman Pratt received a notice from Michelle Hill, Town Clerk, that Coordinator Clark could not be appointed as a representative of the Conservation Commission to the CPC as he is not a voting member of the Conservation Commission.  However, Coordinator Clark could remain as an unpaid consultant for the CPC.  Commissioner Drenen made a motion to appoint Commissioner Mizanoglu as the Conservation Commission representative to the CPC.  Commissioner Pranka seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________    

Jean Nilsson, Secretary