Town of Wethersfield Conservation Commission
Minutes - November 12, 2003

Chairman Andrew Wizner called the meeting to order at 8:05 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room. Attended by Ingrid Boelhouwer, Linn Speers Maxwell, Jim Schumaker, Tracy Gionfriddo and Rebecca Zaliznock. Also in attendance was Kathy Bagley of the Parks and Recreation Department. Commission Members discussed possible nominations for two vacancies on the Commission.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

   Approval of the Minutes for the September 10, 2003 meeting (with the correction of spelling errors for the names Boelhouwer and Schumaker) was unanimous through a motion to approve by T. Gionfriddo; Seconded by I. Boelhouwer. The Commission did not have the Minutes for the October 8, 2003 meeting available for review.

2. COMMUNICATIONS
   • The Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda for November 5 and November 30, 2003 meetings.
   • A Legal Notice for public hearing on November 5, 2003 for site plan approval for Bed, Bath and Beyond along the west side of Silas Deane Highway.
   • A notice extending the public comment period to November 17, 2003 for the Environmental Impact Statement for Designation of Dredged Material Disposal Sites.
   • A copy of the 2002 annual report of the Environmental Quality in Connecticut.
3. KATHY BAGLEY REPORT / PROJECT UPDATES
   • The Parks and Recreation Department has received an $8,000 grant for improvements to Wintergreen Woods. Signage at the entrance will be constructed with consideration to include Heritage Way.
   • Local boy scouts working towards Eagle Scout status will be considered to work on the completion of the Heritage Way trail through Mill Woods Park.
4. MDC INLAND WETLANDS APPLICATION (REPORTED BY TRACY GIONFRIDDO)

   The Town Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission has approved the MDC application to construct a sanitary sewer line to serve residents along 741-883 Ridge Road, houses which are currently using failing on-lot sewage disposal systems. According to Ms. Gionfriddo (a member of the Wetlands Commission), the MDC will construct an access roadway through the wetlands and to each home as part of the sewer line construction. The roadway will exist and be maintained in perpetuity and no mitigation conditions were required.

5. MDC VS. WETHERSFIELD COVE

   The Commission discussed the issues related to the MDC discharges to the Wethersfield Cove and reviewed a Summary of Alternatives prepared by Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. (dated 9-30-03). Five alternatives are proposed for water quality improvement actions, with the final decision to be determined by Town Council. Chairman Wizner requested Commission members to consider submitting a letter of opinion to the Town Council regarding this issue.

6. HERITAGE WAY UPDATE

   I. Boelhouwer suggested the Commission to focus the continued construction of Heritage Way through the Meadows, and possibly meeting with representatives of the farmers and sportsman club to discuss and issues or concerns related to the trail system running through the Meadow area. No information regarding the status of the Grant application to the DEP was available.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca M. Zaliznock
Commission Secretary