Essex Conservation Commission

Thursday, October 11, 2007
7:30 p.m.
Zoning Office - Essex Town Hall

M I N U T E S

1. Call to Order

Acting Chair, Douglas Demarest called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Members in attendance were: Douglas Demarest, MaryAnn Pleva, Goody LeLash, Robert Graulich and Richard Helmecki.

2. Review and Approve Minutes of September 2007 Meeting

Mr. Demarest asked to have the following change noted:

• "Report on the Platt Site Walk", paragraph 3. change old logging trail to blue trail.

Motion made by Robert Graulich to approve the Minutes as amended from the September 13, 2007 regularly scheduled meeting.

Motion seconded by MaryAnn Pleva and passed unanimously.

3. Old Business
a. Reports on Trail Maintenance and Signage for Viney Hill Brook and Bushy Hill Preserve

Viney Hill Brook: Mr. Graulich stated that he and Mr. Helmecki cleared the entire orange trail and now the blue, red and orange trails are completely cleared. The yellow trail remains to be weed-whacked, however Mr. Graulich noted that there is not a great deal of over-growth to be cleared on that trail. Mr. Graulich went on to say that he and Mr. Helmecki have marked off an area within the green trail.

Bushy Hill Nature Preserve: Mr. Helmecki put up the sixteen foot, heavy duty chain across the entrance of the trail. The cost of that chain was $45.88 which Mr. Helmecki charged to the Conservation Commission from Essex Hardware. Mr. Helmecki put up the trail markers and he is in need of 15 additional yellow
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markers. Mr. Graulich stated that he needed a few more yellow markers in Viney Hill as well so he suggested that Mr. Helmecki order 50 yellow markers. Mr. Helmecki indicated that if Ms. Tucker prepares a new map of Bushy Hill Preserve, he would like to be included on the planning of that project.

b. Stake-Holders Meeting Relating to Canfield Woods

Ms. LeLash indicated that maps and signage was discussed at the Stake-Holder's meeting. At this meeting, there was discussion surrounding naming the trails and there was also discussion involving dogs in the park and a leash law.

The next meeting of the Stake-Holders group will be conducted in January 2008.

c. Discussion of Goals and Pending Projects

Ms. Pleva commented on the need for a revised mission statement of the Essex Conservation Commission. Ms. Pleva noted that the Essex Land Trust works in a similar direction to that of the Conservation Commission in that they have recently purchased several parcels of property. Ms. Pleva pointed out that Selectman Miller who is a naturalist, is making tremendous strides with the storm drains in the area. Ms. Pleva stated that she would like to see a map identifying every piece of land including all of the Town of Essex open-space.

Mr. Graulich suggested that members dedicate the upcoming weeks to coming up with a statement goal by either the December or January meeting.

Ms. Pleva stated that the Commission should participate in the activity surrounding the water use within the Town, in terms of monitoring well water and having available information about resident's well water and how to go about having it checked. Ms. Pleva also noted the Tiley Pratt pond recent activity conducted within that pond to check the fragmites.

Ms. Pleva discussed the criteria put forward by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection concerning a sign which they require to be posted at the project site. This logo sign will be for the Bushy Hill and Canfield Woods park entrances. These signs should include the information "funded by the land and water conservation trust."

Ms. Pleva noted that as more trees are cut down in Town, the road noise from Route 9 is more apparent.
Goody LeLash volunteered to look into the tree ordinances that are in effect within the Town.
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Ms. Pleva commented on a book entitled Growth and Responsibilities of Local Land Use Officials which is published by the CT Cooperative Extension Service. Some of the suggestions in this booklet included:

• Conservation Commission members shall conduct research into the possible utilization of land areas of every municipality.
  
• Keep an index of all open space, publicly or privately owned including open marsh land, swamps and other wetlands for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
  
• Keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report.
  
• Administer gifts received in the name of the municipality for its purposes subject to the terms of the gift.
  
• Approve, prior to submission, State, grant-made application for programs or preserves to restrict the use of open space land for conservation or recreation purposes.

Ms. Pleva will draft a synopsis of the contents of this booklet and have it available at the November 2007 meeting.

Mr. Demarest indicated that he would like to address looking at all of the easements within the Town and compile a list of those easements.

Ms. Pleva was referred by the DEP to the Glastonbury recreation director who informed Ms. Pleva that a sign measuring 30" x 30" would be appropriate for this purpose and the cost would be around $75. Members commented on the size of this sign and thought it to be excessively large for the intent. Mr. Graulich commented that the signs at Viney Hill Brook are 18" x 24" and are a bit too small.

Mr. Graulich stated that he is supposed to re-design the Bushy Hill sign and when he does so, Mr. Graulich will add the language mentioned to the bottom of those signs.

Ms. Pleva noted that there are several entrances to these parks and she questioned the DEP as to whether individual signs would be necessary for each entrance. Ms. Pleva was informed that only one sign per park would be necessary.

Mr. Demarest recommended that a sign be created that would suit all of the needs of the Essex Conservation Commission, and modified in size depending on the need and utilizing the same verbiage.

Mr. Graulich stated that he will send by way of email attachment to the Commission members a universal design with a suggested logo.

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d. Surveyor Update

Mr. Helmecki has scheduled a meeting with Don Carlson, L.S. on October 17, 2007 at Viney Hill Brook Park.

e. Other

Mr. Graulich indicated that he has been appointed the steward of the newly acquired land off of Route 154 in the new Essex subdivision known as Heron Pond. The Essex Land Trust wished to open up the trails by October 7, 2007. Mr. Graulich and Ms. King have blazed some of those trails, clearing any obstructions. Mr. Graulich displayed the trail markers which the Land Trust utilized on Heron Pond Trail. He suggested that the Conservation Commission utilize these same markers as the need arises. The Commission members were in agreement that these markers could replace those already existing within those trails under the purview of the Essex Conservation Commission.

4. New Business
a. Habitat Based Management of Open-Space Land Workshop

Kay Tucker will attend the Habitat Based Management of Open-Space Land Workshop which will be conducted on Saturday, October 27, 2007.

Ms. Pleva expressed an interest in attending as well.

b. Other

Dennis Robida joined the meeting. Mr. Robida referenced the development of the Sharon Clark property. Mr. Robida commented on the potential for a road which might cut through the passive recreation area and he noted that the right of way is to be used for emergency access only. Mr. Robida stated that if the subdivision plan is approved by the Essex Zoning Commission, there will be an additional 13.4 acres of good upland property to be added to the passive recreation area at Viney Hill Brook Park. The wetlands will not be included in that open space parcel. Mr. Robida stated that he is concerned about the language of the right-of-way and how it might be interpreted in the future years. Mr. Robida would like it stated that this is an emergency access only and then have this language incorporated into the property description. Mr. Robida stated that he would like to see something in place for perpetuity to protect the park.

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Mr. Graulich stated that as a condition of accepting the open-space, there should be language in place prohibiting the diversion of the right of way from emergency use only to general use/public road.

Mr. Demarest indicated that the best situation would be to grant to the Conservation Commission the title to the right of way.

Mr. Graulich suggested that Mr. Robida write a letter to the Conservation Commission expressing his concern and need for clarity surrounding this issue and further request support from the Town Counsel for clarity on this issue.

Mr. Demarest suggested that Mr. Robida first speak with the Planning Commission and request some clarification of the issue surrounding the right of way. Mr. Robida will contact Ms. Tucker in the next week or two and advise her of the outcome.

5. IWWC Liaison Report - Robert Graulich

" Property owned by Alfred Marulli, 39 South Main Street, Essex, CT. A Permit was approved at the October 2007 meeting to construct stairs leading to the water.

6. Correspondence

• A letter from Carla Feroni, Chair of the Essex Planning Commission. Mr. Douglas Demarest has been delegated to represent the Conservation Commission as liaison and member of the new subcommittee on the Strategic Plan for Ivoryton.
• A letter to Marian Staye, Essex Zoning Enforcement Officer from Kay Tucker, Chair of the Essex Conservation Commission with the following recommendations for plantings intended to provide a vegetative buffer between the subdivision houses, (tax assessor's map 60 lot 10) and adjoining Bushy Hill Nature Preserve owned by the Town:
  The twenty evergreens planted on each lot shall consist of a variety of Leland Spruces, Douglas Firs and any other quick growing, deer resistant trees that provide good foliage and maximum coverage. The intent is to provide a long-term vegetative barrier between the Preserve and the interior homes, the twenty, five to six foot tall trees, at the time of planting must be maintained in perpetuity by the homeowners as a condition of approval. In her letter, Ms. Tucker asked to be apprised of the situation as it progresses.
• Letter from the CT Department of Environmental Protection approving a dock for 39 South Main Street, Essex, CT, property owned by Alfred Marulli. The Permit surrounds a series of steps which lead down to the water.
  

7. Adjournment

Motion made by Douglas Demarest to adjourn.

Motion seconded by MaryAnn Pleva and passed unanimously.

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Essex Conservation adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Stella C. Beaudoin
Recording Secretary

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