Essex Conservation Commission

MINUTES

The special meeting of the Essex Conservation Commission was conducted on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Those members in attendance: Kay Tucker, Doug Demarest and Rich Helmecki.

Ms. Tucker opened the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Ms. Tucker indicated that Ms. LeLash and Ms. Pleva are on vacation. Mr. Graulich is expected at this meeting, however since there is not a quorum at this time, the members cannot vote on the approval of the past month's Minutes.

The first item for discussion on the Agenda: Discuss, review and assign pending projects for Canfield Woods, Bushy Hill and Viney Hill Brook Nature Preserves:

Mr. Helmecki presented. Mr. Helmecki created a check list of items requiring completion:

• Mr. Helmecki to meet with Don Carlson to discuss Viney Hill Brook.
  " Mr. Helmecki indicated that the Commission must also meet with Wendy Arnold to discuss the Town's easements and open space. Ms. Tucker noted that Ms. Arnold has printed and left with the Commission, the easement and parcel plotted on a map. Ms. Arnold had forty four easements plotted on the GIS map. Mr. Tucker noted that there is a conservation easement behind Clark's Pond and Brooks Lane. Ms. Tucker suggested that the Commission arrange a time to meet with Ms. Arnold to review the GIS system. Mr. Helmecki and Mr. Demarest volunteered to meet with Ms. Arnold to discuss and describe the issues the Commission has encountered when attempting to read the maps.
• The Beetle project with Judy Preston as a presenter is another item the Commission wished to address.
• The bridge at Bushy Hill has washed out and is now in need of repair. Mr. Helmecki proposes to purchase posts which will facilitate the repair of the bridge and he will present an invoice to the Commission for the costs associated with that purchase.
• Re-mark trails and paint and replace markers as well as repairing the erosion caused by the run-off from heavy rains.
• A new gate and sign for Bushy Hill Park.
• Planting of trees in the buffer zone (Bushy Hill Park).
• Establish a forest management plan.

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Special Meeting
Essex Conservation Commission
June 21, 2007

• Complete weed-wacking and marking the trails and establish a new trail around the swimming pond and do an invasive plant study.
• Clear the brush around the boulders in the area of Observation Point.
• New park signs.
• Replace the DEP sign and mailbox which has been stolen in the area of Viney Hill Brook Park.
• A kiosk for the maps.
• New trail maps needed for Canfield Woods.

Ms. Tucker stated that she has passed out to all the Commission members a composite of the statement, suggestions and recommendations to the Planning Commission for their public hearing.

Ms. Tucker stated that she and Ms. Pleva have met and discussed with several people from Deep River, the topic of Canfield Woods. Some of the suggestions included a three-way share of the price of the maps. Also discussed was the need for common rules and regulations for the use of the property, i.e., one portion is maintained by Essex Conservation, one portion by the Essex Land Trust and one portion by the Deep River combined Land Trust and Conservation Commission. This will result in a uniformity in terms of the designation of signs and the trail markings. Also discussed was the review of maintenance and improvement needs with a time to be established when a group can get together to work on a project, possibly in the Fall to determine work to be accomplished before the winter months. Ms. Tucker stated that there should be uniformity with regard to the signs on the four trails; Eagle Ridge, Dennison Road, Meadow Woods Road and the Deep River entrance to Canfield Woods. There was a suggestion to utilize aluminum nails versus steel or iron nails when tagging signage to trees. Certain trees are dying as a result of the use of iron nails used to pound in marker signs. There was a suggestion for the use of universal wording or direction on the signs throughout Canfield Woods such us those used (universal pines) on the Appalachian Trail.

Discuss Safe Connecticut Inspection Deficiencies Correspondence and Remedies for Canfield Woods:

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Special Meeting
Essex Conservation Commission
June 21, 2007

Ms. Tucker received a letter from David Steiger, Environmental Analyst for the State of Connecticut. In his letter, Mr. Steiger noted that under the terms of the program, DEP is required to perform an onsite inspection of each project to insure that the project is completed in accordance with the original proposal and that the project site is being maintained. DEP concluded that Essex is deficient in this respect; the Bushy Hill Nature Preserve did not have land and water conservation fund signage nor did Canfield Woods. Mr. Steiger passed along an example of what the sign should look like. Ms. Tucker stated that she had no recollection of ever receiving land and water funds. Ms. Pleva offered to contact Mr. Steiger and the Essex Town Hall to determine what is needed in order to meet the deficiency.

Discuss Request from Essex Land Trust to Endorse Their Proposal for Platt property:

Ms. Tucker stated that the proposal was presented by Bill Grover who is the Vice President of the Essex Land Trust. The Land Trust is negotiating the purchase of 41.5 acres of land. Mr. Grover suggested that the Conservation Commission send a letter endorsing the Land Trust application for open space funds. Six acres of this property is in Westbrook just past Pond Meadow Road. The total proposed value of the property is $336, 720. The Land Trust will ask the Town for $70,000 of the money for this purchase. Ms. Tucker stated that she is in favor of submitting a letter in support of this purchase.

Discuss and Encumber All Fiscal Year end expenditures:

Ms. Tucker stated that the Commission has contracted with Ms. Wendy Arnold for $1,992 of which Ms. Arnold expended $1500 on mapping. Approved Applied Geographics for $230 and Ms. Tucker noted that bill is going to be $262.50 which is $32.50 more than anticipated. Mr. Malcarne's fee is $300. Other encumbrances include $1,000 to Don Carlson from one year ago. Ms. Tucker noted that the Commission cannot vote on any lumber needed for the kiosk as there is not a quorum at this meeting. A bill from Mr. Graulich in the amount of $36.17 for reimbursement for the mailboxes for Viney Hill Brook and $24.76 from Kay Tucker for copy and fax expenses.

Ms Tucker indicated that the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Essex Conservation Commission is July 12, 2007.

The special meeting of the Conservation Commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Stella C. Beaudoin
Recording Clerk

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