TOWN OF GRANBY
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
February 5, 2009
PRESENT: Mike Lengvarsky, Victoria Mazzei-Stepanov, Carolyn Flint, Susan Dwyer, Neil Hornish, and Charles Katan
Ms. Shelley Reuben and her daughter Hailey attended the meeting as well.
Chairman Lengvarsky called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:35pm
MINUTES:
The minutes from the January 15, 2009 meeting were read.
ON A MOTION by Ms. Carolyn Flint, seconded by Ms. Victoria Mazzei-Stepanov, the minutes were approved on a 5-0-1 vote. Ms. Susan Dwyer abstained from voting because she was not in attendance at the January 15, 2009 meeting.
RIDGELINE GUIDELINES:
Chairman Lengvarsky is scheduled to meet with Mr. Fran Armentano of the Community Development Department to get feedback and comments on the Granby Center Zone. Chairman Lengvarsky will email the Commissioners highlights from this meeting over the upcoming weekend.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION INVENTORY LIST
The Commissioners reviewed the list of projects which they have considered to work on. Ms. Mazzei-Stepanov felt the Natural Resource Inventory should be a top priority; Ms. Carolyn Flint agreed, and also suggested re-introduction programs, such as the bluebird re-introduction program, become a priority.
Mr. Hornish suggested town-owned windmills be a priority, and stated that Holcomb Farm is the only viable option in town. Chairman Lengvarsky agreed that the cause is important, but something a consultant could work on full-time.
NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY:
Ms. Mazzei-Stepanov and Ms. Carolyn Flint suggested getting inventory information from other communities, such as Branford, Colebrook, and New Hartford. From this information a baseline inventory can be created for the Town of Granby and be used in conjunction with the Planning and Zoning regulations, open space initiatives, and the Plan of Conservation and Development.
Ms. Flint will contact an acquaintance from New Hartford who worked on the inventory list to see if she would like to attend a Commission meeting to give suggestions on how the inventory can be completed in Granby.
Ms. Mazzei-Stepanov asked if appropriate guidelines are in place for soil excavation and displacement in the Town of Granby. She thinks the Commission should investigate whether an appropriate mechanism is in place for testing soil before it is brought in or moved.
Ms. Flint also suggested trail-mapping be considered in the inventory. Chairman Lengvarsky stated that the Land Trust and Holcomb Farm both are creating maps which will be placed on their websites. He would like to utilize the town’s website to create a list of conservation themed-websites, which will provide a ready reference for town residents.
CONNECTICUT ENERGY GUIDE:
Chairman Lengvarsky sent copies of the guide to all the Commissioners via email. During the next Commission meeting he would like to determine a form of outreach to get the enrollment for the program up for the 20% by 2010 campaign.
Ms. Reuben spoke up and stated she was interested in spear-heading the initiative for the Commission and would love to get Granby students involved in the project, as well as apply for grants which will aid in the campaign.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Hornish announced that a solar company is working with the Peoples Action for Clean Energy (PACE) to hold a seminar in Enfield on February 14, 2009 from 11am to 1pm. He felt an informational session on solar energy could be done in Granby as well, and volunteered to investigate having the program at the senior center.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Neil Hornish, seconded by Ms. Mazzei-Stepanov, the Commission voted (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:26pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Leveille
Recording Secretary
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