TOWN OF WETHERSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the October 12, 2005 Meeting

Chairman Jim Schumaker called the meeting to order at 8:05 PM in the Town Hall Public Works Conference Room. The meeting was attended by Commissioners Ingrid Boelhouwer, Christoph Geiss, Gene Grayson, Robert Pulford, Rebecca Zaliznock, and Royce Vehslage (arriving late). Also in attendance was Kathy Bagley of the Parks and Recreation Department.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

   The July 13, 2005 Minutes were approved (Motion by C. Geiss, Seconded by R. Pulford).

   The September 14, 2005 Minutes were approved with minor correction changing the "CACIWC" to "DEP" (Motion by C. Geiss, Seconded by J. Schumaker).

2. COMMUNICATIONS
   • The Great Meadows Conservation Trust "The Meadow View" newsletter, Autumn 2005.
3. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

   Kathy Bagley:

   • Plans are underway for the installation of signs for the Heritage Way Trail through the Great Meadows, including talks with Rocky Hill for installation of signs within their boundaries.
   • DEP is hosting a workshop Wednesday October 26 @ 1:00 to discuss their plans for a state-wide GIS / GPS trail mapping project. Some members of the Commission will plan to attend the workshop to be held at the CT Forest & Park Association office in Middlefield.
   • The town is selecting a consultant to conduct a study of Goff Brook beginning at the 1860 Reservoir and running through Mill Woods to Mill Woods Pond. The study is intended to provide information on the waterway and recommendations for improvements to Mill Wood Pond.
   • There are preliminary discussions with the town of Newington to determine if recreational trails in Wethersfield and Newington can be connected.

   R. Pulford report:

   The DEP public hearing for the construction of a maintenance road along the dike was attended by Lee Standish (who reported the findings to R. Pulford). A 15-feet wide gravel road is proposed for construction along the dike from Windsor to Wethersfield. The purpose of the road is to facilitate mowing and inspections of the dike. The DEP agreed that the section running through Wethersfield will be loamed and seeded and with a locked gate to prevent access to motorized vehicles.

   Open Space Inventory:

   The Open Space Inventory is complete and awaiting data entry into the Town's GIS mapping system. C. Geiss mentioned that he is seeking a student to develop maps showing the land use in Town over time, overlain onto historic aerial photographs, potentially creating a Power Point presentation to the Town Council to demonstrate the diminishing open space. The Commission discussed the submittal of an application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the development of land along Back Lane. The Commission plans to submit a letter to P&Z to emphasize the importance and priority of conserving open space; and plan to ask the Town Planner Peter Gillespi to attend the Conservation Commission's November meeting.

Chairman Schumaker adjourned the meeting at 8:35 PM (Motion by C. Geiss, Seconded by B. Pulford).

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca M. Zaliznock
Commission Secretary