Town of
Open Space Preservation Committee
Minutes of the October 21, 2008 meeting
Members present: Evangeline Abbott, Ken Feathers, Quentin Kessel, Steve Lowrey,
Jim Morrow.
1. Meeting called to order at 7:39.
2. Minutes of the September meeting were approved on a
motion by Kessel/Feathers.
3.
4. Old Business: none.
5. Report from Town Staff: none
6. New Business: CL&P Interstate Reliability Project
– Lengthy discussion raised several concerns including the prospect of an
increase in development, the need for restricted use of herbicides in watershed
areas, protection of the “pristine” nature of N.E. CT in relation to
cost-effectiveness of the chosen plan, concern for encroachment on interior
forest tracts and the fact that the maps lack accurate representation of
current open space properties. The
Committee is in agreement with the views presented by the Conservation
Commission in response to the proposals made by CL&P. PZC
File #548-2, one-lot subdivision, Crane Hill Rd. – Many issues were raised
by members in discussion of this item, including the need for the plan to
clearly indicate driveway access/parking/trail existence so that any buyer is
fully aware of existing conditions.
Members also contemplated the benefits of moving the house to the other
side of the building envelope, noting that it would keep the house in the same
relation in terms of impact on wetlands, while possibly providing better trail
preservation/access and some privacy for the house from the parking area. It was also noted that stones from any stone
walls cited for dismantling should be reused in trail marking and that any
walls disturbed for underground utility lines be rebuilt. Subdivision
Regulation Update – After brief discussion of 13.6 Payment in Lieu of Dedication,
the committee decided to table further discussion until the November meeting.
7. Meeting adjourned at 8:45.
Respectfully
submitted,
Evangeline
Abbott