Essex Conservation Commission

MINUTES

The Essex Conservation Commission conducted a special meeting on Thursday, March 15, 2007 in Room A of the Essex Town Hall. Those members in attendance were Chair, Kay Tucker, MaryAnn Pleva, Doug Demarest, Richard Helmecki. Goody LeLash arrived at the meeting at

1. Call to order.

Ms. Tucker called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

2. Review and Approve Minutes of February 8, 2007 Meeting:

Motion made by Doug Demarest to approve the February 8, 2007 meeting Minutes.

Motion seconded by MaryAnn Pleva and passed unanimously.

3. Old Business:
a. Commentary on Robida correspondence regarding fill on Clark property.

Comments on the Susan and Dennis Robida correspondence was read into the record at the February 8, 2007 meeting regarding the Clark property fill. Ms. Pleva researched the Essex Zoning Regulations on waste material and on enforcement. Ms. Pleva read Section 115 of the Zoning Regulations which addresses waste material. Ms. Pleva read an email from Conservation Commission member Robert Graulich who serves as the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission liaison. In his email, Mr. Graulich stated that as per a Wetlands Commission meeting, Mr. Clark had agreed to remediate the site and remove all waste materials within the upcoming weeks. Ms. Pleva indicated that Mr. Graulich did not state at which Wetlands meeting these comments were made, however his email was dated Wednesday, February 14, 2007. Ms. Tucker stated that that information was received by the Wetlands Commission sometime between February 8, 2007 which was the date of the last Conservation Commission meeting and February 13, 2007 which was the date of the last IWWC meeting.

Ms. Tucker noted that Mr. Herbert Clark was in the audience and she asked Mr. Clark if he had any comments. Mr. Clark informed the Commission members that the material has been removed and the site has been inspected by Marian Staye, the Essex Zoning Enforcement Officer. Ms. Staye informed Mr. Clark that the site would now need to be seeded in the spring. Mr. Clark indicated that Ms. Staye has drafted a letter to that effect to the Conservation Commission. Ms. Tucker commented on photographs that were presented to the Conservation Commission on February 8, 2007 for Mr. Clark's perusal. These
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Conservation Commission
March 15, 2007

photographs were presumably taken on Mr. Clark's property forty to sixty feet from Viney Hill Brook Park Preserve by Mr. Dennis Robida. Mr. Clark confirmed that these photos did represent his property and all of the waste including stumps and brush have been removed. Mr. Clark stated that some of that debris on his property was comprised of the building that the Essex Conservation Trust retained Mr. Clark to remove from the Essex Machine Works. Ms. Tucker thanked Mr. Clark for his attention to detail surrounding this matter.

4. Report on Bushy Hill Preserve site walk

Recommendations for improvements:
Members walked that property in Bushy Hill on Saturday February 10, 2007 will all of the Commission members in attendance. Ms. Pleva commented on an email dated February 12, 2007 from Commission member Robert Graulich in which he made several recommendations: 1. New signs that conform in color and style with Viney Hill for Canfield Woods. 2. New chain and clasp at park entrance that reveal post and wire/rusted chain. 3. Have parks surveyed so that Commission can draft new trail maps. 4. Re-draft text and graphics for trail map and color code trails. 5. Re-establish trails and cut new ones where necessary. 6. Obtain advise from Phil Miller or Commission attorney on enforcement of fines. 7. Re-establish other entry points between houses by getting clarity on exact boundary and trail placement. Cut or trim pine trees that may obstruct trail and establish trail as far in as possible into the park. See if there is a place for crossing over the Falls River into the main trail area. Ms. Tucker thanked Mr. Graulich for his comments.

Ms. Tucker presented photos taken in 1999 in the Falls River area. Ms. Tucker informed the Commission that the boundary between the house in that area needs to be cleaned-up. Ms. Tucker spoke with Mark Pratt, Oak Ledge Drive . Ms. Tucker noted that there is a right-of-way between Mr. Pratt's home and the home next to his which is owned and should be maintained by the Town of Essex. At this time, Ms. LeLash arrived at the meeting and Ms. Tucker referenced a map of the cul de sac to Oak Ledge Drive that is showing the access point to Bushy Hill Preserve, which was given to the Town of Essex by the developer. Ms. Tucker commented on property on Bushy Hill Road in the area of Sarah McLaughlin's property. When Ms. McLaughlin subdivided that property, one of the stipulations placed on that subdivision was the future placement of twenty evergreen trees to be planted on each lot adjoining the nature center. Ms. Tucker suggested that the Commission notify Ms. Staye, the Essex Zoning Enforcement Officer and request that she look into this. Mr. Demarest suggested that the Commission re-visit this issue in six months at which time a good deal of the homes will be constructed. Mr. Demarest made a note to revisit the issue on August 1, 2007.

Ms. Tucker commented on an old map of Bushy Hill and a floppy disc of that area which she has in her possession. Mr. Helmecki indicated that he would hold on to that information and pass it onto Mr. Graulich when he returns to town.

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Conservation Commission
March 15, 2007

Oak Ledge right-of-way and access:
Ms. Tucker stated that item c under Section 4 on the Agenda should read Oak Ledge. Mr. Helmecki spoke with Selectman Miller and Mr. Miller will speak with the owner of the property who abuts the right of the right-of-way and inform them that the Conservation Commission is looking to reestablish and review that area. Mr. Helmecki offered to contact Don Carlson, a surveyor in Deep River who has been retained by the Commission and remind him to mark the boundaries on Viney Hill Brook.

Management Plan recommendations:
Ms. Tucker indicated that the Commission members previously stated that they were in agreement that a management consultant is not needed at this time, however Ms. Tucker asked the members to read the report from the State of CT Department of Environmental Protection Agency regarding the different strands in Bushy Hill. The Commission also expressed a desire to have some grading completed in that area. Mr. Helmecki contacted the DEP and spoke with a representative who stated that he is willing to attend a Conservation Commission meeting, however the Commission members were encouraged to set goals and be ready to discuss those goals with the DEP representative at the April meeting . Ms. Tucker encouraged the Commission members to study the prospectus which was prepared by the DEP for Herb Moeller many years ago and be ready to discuss at the April 2007 meeting. Ms. Tucker indicated that she would like the Town Crew to come in and smooth out the rutted entry-way and also clean up the area around the pond cleaned up. Ms. Tucker asked Ms. LeLash to look into the brush hog that is owned by the Land Trust. Ms. Tucker scheduled a March 24, 2007, 1:00p.m. work party at Bushy Hill. The members will focus on the pond and the brush and Ms. Tucker encouraged members to bring loppers and gloves to clip the brush around the culvert area. Members will also review the meadow.

Mr. Helmecki stated that one of the Bushy Hill bridges was washed out in the previous rain storm.

5. Current Expenditures for Bushy Hill, Canfield Woods and Viney Hill Brook Park

The Conservation Commission will meet on May 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. with the Land Trust at Canfield Woods in Deep River. The Commission will look into the maps and trail signs to determine if they need to need to be upgraded.

Ms. LeLash passed out the Essex Land Conservation Trust Outdoor Activities for 2007, a brochure of coming events. Ms. LeLash stated that there is a vernal pool walk on March 31, 2007 at Bushy Hill Nature Center and a walk will be conducted at Falls River on April 28, 2007.

Ms. Tucker stated that the Commission is planning to upgrade all of the properties utilizing the fiscal year budget.

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Conservation Commission
March 15, 2007

6. New Business:
a. Discuss scheduling speakers for future meetings:
Winnie Olson will speak to the Conservation Commission on April 12, 2007 about the Gateway Commission.

Mr. Demarest stated that Judy Preston has inquired if the Commission is interested in growing beetles. The cost will be around $1,000.

b. Proposed Conservation Commission budget for 2007-2008
Ms. Tucker reviewed the 2007 fiscal budget which is less by $675. My Tucker felt this to be fair. The members reviewed the budget proposal in its entirety.

7. Correspondence

8. Adjournment

Motion made by Goody LeLash to adjourn

Motion seconded by Rich Helmecki and passed unanimously

The special meeting of the Conservation Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Stella C. Beaudoin
Recording Secretary

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