Town of Mansfield

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Meeting of 15 October 2008

Conference B, Beck Building

MINUTES

Members present: Peter Drzewiecki, Quentin Kessel, Scott Lehmann, John Silander. Members absent: Robert Dahn, Joan Stevenson, Frank Trainor. Others present: Grant Meitzler (Wetlands Agent).

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:40p by Chair Quentin Kessel.

2. The draft minutes of the 17 September 08 meeting, with the correction of a typo in item 6, were approved.

3. UConn Composting. Three sites near the Depot Campus are under consideration for a facility to compost manure from University animals (and perhaps leaves from University grounds) for use on agricultural fields. Information on the proposal will be presented to the community at a meeting on 19 November.

4. CL&P Interstate Reliability Project. Kessel distributed photocopies of material gleaned from CL&P’s massive application, including Fig. IV-2 (showing where more electricity is needed in S. New England), Figs. IV-4 through IV-9 (showing alternative routes for delivering it), and Fig. 2-1 (comparing these alternatives). The project’s aim is to deliver power to Fairfield County; there would be no benefit to NE Connecticut, save perhaps protection from region-wide power disruptions caused by excess demand elsewhere. Kessel suspects that CL&P prefers the routing through NE Connecticut (“Option A”) because it judges it to be the path of least political resistance; it is up to Towns along the proposed corridor to make enough fuss to prove this judgment wrong. He has drafted a letter to the Town Council, which he will refine and circulate by e-mail. CL&P will hold an information session on its proposal on 22 October at the Mansfield Community Center.

5. IWA referral s: W1417 (Popeleski, Bassetts Bridge & S. Bedlam Rds.) A 3-lot subdivision is proposed. The northern portion of Lot 1 (2.4 acres) on S. Bedlam Rd. is wetland, but the house and septic system would be located more than 150 ft. from it, up a gentle slope. There is a small wetland near the road on Lot 3 (4.9 acres), about 75 ft. (and slightly downslope) from the reserve septic location. Lehmann went on the IWA field trip to the property earlier in the day and reported that the lots contain some large trees; adjusting the siting of the houses might preserve more of them. After some discussion the CC agreed unanimously on the following motion (Lehmann, Drzewiecki): No significant wetlands impact is to be expected from the proposed subdivision, but consideration should be given to adjusting house locations to preserve more of the large trees (particularly on Lot 2) and to increase set-back from the road and distance from wetlands (Lot 3).

6. Adjourned at 8:40p.

Scott Lehmann, Secretary

20 October 08; approved 19 November 08