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Essex
Conservation Commission M I N U T E S January 8, 2008 *Due to a malfunction of the recording device, the following Minutes are taken from the handwritten transcript of the January 8, 2008 meeting . Call to Order: The Essex Conservation Commission conducted their regularly scheduled meeting on January 8, 2008 in the Office of the Essex Zoning Enforcement Officer, Essex Town Hall. Chairperson Kay Tucker called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Members in attendance were: Kay Tucker, MaryAnn Pleva, Goody LeLash, Pam Bernardini and Douglas Demarest and Guest Wendy Arnold. Meeting called to order at 7:45 pm. Pam Bernardini introduced herself to the Commission. Ms. Bernardini stated that she has lived on North Winds Drive for four years. She has worked in the State Forest lab for thirty seven years and Ms. Bernardini noted that she enjoys the outdoors. Ms. Bernardini stated that she is looking forward to assisting the Conservation Commission.
The Conservation Commission oversees three land parcels and it was noted that the Commission is charged with inventorying town easements. Ms. Arnold has plotted sites based on statements in deeds using information provided by Don Malcarne at the behest of the Conservation Commission. There was a question about the difference between conservation easements and conservation restrictions. Page
2 MINUTES
2) Are there additional easements in the more recent subdivisions. Ms. Tucker noted that Don Malcarne is interested in pursuing this and that Mr. Malcarne is on "retainer" to the Conservation Commission. Mary Ann Pleva stated that she would like to see a glossary of terms. The state statute (Sec. 47-42A) was mentioned. Ms. Arnold reviewed the Town GIS and explained how easements and conservation restrictions are depicted. There was a question about a home owned by Peter Tibbetts, 11 Hunters Trail which will abut the Cook subdivision. Ms. Arnold described ways to document older easements. Newer easements are on subdivision maps which Ms. Arnold can measure with a scale. It was noted that Don Malcarne's list goes up to 2006 and it was suggested that Mr. Malcarne look at recent subdivisions to determine the easements. Ms. Tucker suggested that the Commission look at easements open to the public and later ones that are not accessible. It was noted that the Clapp/Bushy Hill site has restrictions; owners adjacent to the Conservation Commission property are supposed to put in a buffer of trees. Town-owned easements on Stonebrook off Walnut were discussed. Ms. Arnold stated that she would create a page-sized map of each site to accompany each description and then an overall map with detail for the website. Ms. Pleva asked if there is a list or map of open spaces that the Conservation Commission oversees, plus cemeteries, schools, parks, etc. Ms. Tucker indicated that she will ask Mr. Malcarne to renew the list of matters of interest to this Commission and thence communicate with Ms. Arnold to digitize and map. Ms. Tucker questioned how much more thoroughly the Commission would have to plot and document before going to Applied Geographics. Ms. Arnold added public access points in colors noting that this is not that long of a procedure. Page
3 MINUTES Ms. Tucker will contact Don Malcarne and speak with Ms. Arnold regarding her proposal soon thereafter. Downtown river public access points were discussed. Ms. Tucker will provide Ms. Arnold with a copy of the report.
A discussion ensued on what language should be used to indicate state (Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection) and federal (National Park Service Land & Water Conservation Fund) involvement in the land purchase(s). There will be another stakeholders meeting on January 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Ivoryton Library. Ms. LeLash will be out of town. Ms. Bernardini stated that she will attend that meeting.
It was suggested that the Conservation Commission liaison with the Essex Land Trust to link its new Platt property with Bushy Hill. Ms. LeLash will speak with Al Macgregor. New maps are needed and include such linkage. Bushy Hill needs a new sign and Mr. Demarest will email Bob Graulich about this. There was discussion about verbiage to be added to the signs which includes "Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection", "Nature Preserve"; "Enjoy your visit", etc.
Motion made by Doug Demarest to designatge Goody LeLash as liaison to the Inland Wetlands Commission. Motion seconded by Pam Bernardini and passed unanimously. Field Trips: None are scheduled. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Essex Conservation Commission will be conducted on Thursday, February 14, 2008.
Respectfully submitted, Gudrun
LeLash, Conservation Commission and |
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