Town of Bolton Conservation Commission

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1 Town of Bolton Conservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, May 7, :00 PM at Bolton High School Library Media Center Conference Room Members Present: Rodney Parlee (Chairman), Andrew Perham, Brenda Cataldo, Ron Rousseau Special Guest-Brian Murphy (CT DEEP Fisheries Biologist) Guests- Peter VanDine, Milton Hathaway 1.0 Preliminaries 1.1 Call Meeting to Order-The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. 1.2 Changing the order of the Agenda- A motion was made by Mr. Rousseau, seconded by Ms Cataldo to move the approval of the Minutes and Public Comment to after the Special Guest Presentation. Motion passed unanimously. 2.0 Special Guest Brian Murphy of CT DEEP Presentation on Notch Pond Dam- Mr. Brian Murphy gave a power-point-presentation on the damage that has been done to the Notch Pond dam as well as some solutions. Mr. Murphy showed evidence that most of the damage to the dam has been done by a beaver dam which is on top of the existing dam. Beaver removal began already and about 7 beavers to the DEEP knowledge have been removed. This is a continuous process that would be ongoing to assure the dam does not return. To fix the dam it would cost in excess of $200,000, which the state does not have. Mr. Murphy suggested that a temporary fix would not be the correct solution and that the entire dam should be rebuilt. Another solution is to take the dam down altogether and let the land go back to its former shape. There would still be a pond, at a lower level with shrubby vegetation and trees that would be more visible. At the present time there is only 2.6 feet left of the dam in height and on top of that was another 2.3 feet of beaver dam. Flooding downstream occurred when the beaver section failed. If the beaver dam fully fails 22.5 million gallons of water could be released.

2 In the year 2000, the Railroad Brook Fish Habitat Restoration project cost $112,000. According to Murphy, if nothing is done to the dam, flood damage would continue. If you choose to repair the dam it is not a priority with the state and if you choose to have the dam removed it would minimize flood damage and restore pond to prior condition a shrubby wetland. At the present time, there is poor water quality in the pond as it is oxygen deficient, nutrient rich, and has acidic water. The value of the pond is, that it is a great habitat for some birds such as the geese, mallards, and wood ducks. There are several benefits if the dam was removed they are: 1) It would minimize flooding; 2) There would be wildlife benefits, such as other birds and fish that would come to live there; 3) It would eliminate the beaver base by having a no beaver policy; 4) Species of Special Concern, such as the wood turtles would thrive there; 5) Removal of the barrier would open up the upstream fish passage to more favorable water quality conditions; and 6) The Hop River Trail could possibly be fixed. If the dam was taken down the area would look like a pocket of water with vegetation and shrubs. Water would still be able to flow through it, but it would take about 100 years to get back to its original condition. At the present time the DEEP is trying to get feedback from the town and what they would like to do. The DEEP wants to have a collective agreement with the community and would like suggestions to help them move forward. There have been mixed reactions on solutions to the Notch Pond Dam. Some concerns have been the effect on economic development, the fact that people like the pond and open water, the value of the pond for recreation, and the history. Unfortunately the town has no money to appropriate toward fixing of the dam. If the dam were to be removed, the earliest they would start the project would be late next year. Mr. Milton Hathaway of Quarry Road expressed concerns on safety and access - - not being able to get medical teams in, if someone gets injured on the trails. Riding bikes on this section of trail is not safe due to the narrowness and poor condition of the trail. There was a concern about the area being protected as a wetland area if the dam should be taken down. Mr. Murphy is requesting that concerns be sent to him so he can address them. Some concerns the BCC feel that should be addressed are: 1) History of the pond; 2) Beaver Management; 3) Who currently manages the pond and what is the management plan? 4) Who owns the pond? (Town or state); 5) Loss of existing habitat for wildlife, e.g., beaver, huge snapping turtles, moose, etc. and 6) Loss of recreational opportunities, especially when the East Coast Greenway gap is filled.

3 3.0 Approval of Minutes from April 23, 2012 Special Meeting and April 2, 2012 Regular Meeting- A motion was made by Mr. Perham seconded by Mr. Rousseau to approve the Special meeting minutes of April 23, Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Mr. Rousseau, seconded by Mr. Perham to approve the Regular meeting minutes of April 2, Motion passed unanimously. 4.0 Public Comment- Peter Van Dine of Vernon Rd. shared a draft memo about the high levels of phosphorous found in the lake and what lake residents can do to keep this level down. It was discussed that the drawing down of the lake could be causing more problems than realized, such as more pollution in the deeper parts of the lake. Mr. Lee, UCONN, suggested that the town should hold-off on lowering the lake for a couple of years to see if that makes a difference. It was also suggested that maybe some college students could come in and help with water testing. 5.0 Outreach 5.1 Earth Day Results & Trails Day The feedback from Earth Day is that it went very well. Over 35 participants learned and shared information with each other; such as transit-oriented development is a form of sustainability and smart growth. When the gap is filled in two years, more bicyclists, runners and walkers will find their way to the Notch pond area. A Bi-directional bike path may even someday connect Bolton Lake to the East Coast Greenway and Notch pond. The added influx of recreational users will help create a demand for more infrastructure, services and businesses. Some questions asked were as follows; where will the bike get repaired? Where will the family walking around the pond go for an ice cream sundae after using the Greenway? Will there be walkable neighborhoods with a village character? Will we require Smart growth, Low Impact Development (LIDs) techniques, buildings that are LEED certified? On Trails Day, Saturday, June 2nd, there will be 2 events co-sponsored by the Commission, one hike at 8:30 am - 11 am with Town Historian, Hans DePold and Nationally know arborist, Matt Twig Largess on the Hop River Trail. Mr. Hans DePold is also organizing a ceremony at 2pm with Congressman Larson to announce the funding for the Rochambeau Trail Information Center. The second hike will be at 1 pm on the NEW Tulip Tree Trail with Matt Largess. This is a 6-mile hike and will start from the commuter lot. Blazing the trail is almost fully completed.

4 5.2 Photo Contest, Prizes, Judging, 2013 Calendar & Photo Book Proposal- At the present time only 16 photos, by 7 people, have been entered into the contest. Brenda Catalo is donating a photography certificate and will get art work from Ray Hardy. The trees have been received. The photo contest judging may take place on May 16 th at the Bolton High School or online. Paul Smith was asked rejoin BCC to help with the judging for another year. Mr. Perham will not be able to attend a meeting, but the photos may be sent to him via so he can assist as well. A photo book was proposed to include pictures that were not able to make it into the calendar, instead of a calendar or in addition to it. Commission members felt that the calendar was still the best way to go. 5.3 Family Day Table Staffing & Tri-fold Display-Ms. Cataldo will be attending the meeting on May 15 th and will be looking at the Tri-fold display and help update it. Mr. Perham, Ms. Cataldo, and Mr. Parlee will be attending. Mr. Rousseau was not sure at the time if he will be able to make it. Family Day is on Memorial Day at the Bolton Center School at 11:30am-2pm. 6.0 Correspondence Letter from Ed Pyznar asking for support for his position at the CT DEEP. A motion was made by Mr. Perham, seconded by Ms. Cataldo to write a letter of support for Ed Pyznar and his position at the CT DEEP. Motion passed unanimously letter from Lisa Hageman of the Manchester Land Conservation Trust asking for support for a grant to purchase land. A motion was made by Mr. Perham, seconded by Mr. Rousseau to write a letter of support for the Manchester Land Conservation Trust in applying for a grant to purchase land know as the Apple Orchards, providing the Town or BLT is not competing for the same grant. Motion passed unanimously. Article in the Journal Inquirer about development at 98 Boston Turnpike, misquoted the BCC as they did not make a comment on this topic. Mr. Parlee will discuss this with Joyce Stille. Contractor of the year award The HABITAT newsletter EMS VIP Reception Invitation Friends of Valley Falls Newsletter Map of the Tulip Tree Trail Willimantic River Alliance Review 7.0 Unfinished Business 7.1 Freja Park Trail Improvement Subcommittee & Status- Mr. Parlee is still waiting to meet with Joyce Stille about Freja Park and dissolving the subcommittee.

5 The BCC could still do their part as a commission and just not have a subcommittee. The Pullerbears will be discussed with Ms. Stille to find a location where they should be kept. 8.0 New Business 8.1 Proposed Village Style Commercial Plaza at 98 Boston Turnpike-There were many questions about a recent article in the Journal Inquirer- - is there enough market to support this kind of development. Why do the sewer lines need to be buried so deep. And, how much of the rare Pitch pine community can be saved? 8.2 Rain Barrel Acquisition Approval, Storage and Sales-The rain barrels have arrived and the Chairman will go to the town garage to make sure they are all there and in good shape. 8.3 Plan Special Meeting May 16 th for Photo Contest Judging-The BCC may meet on May 16 th to judge the photo contest at the Bolton High School. 9.0 Financial Report Mr. Rousseau commented that the next year s budget for the BCC would be $1750 instead of last year s $2450. This is due to the new activity fund that was created last year. When rain barrels are sold the funds will go into this Conservation Activity Account and the money will be used to purchase the calendars. Payroll has $ left, Professional & Business has $138.03, and Office Expense has $ Reports Open Space committee is considering publishing a brochure on locally grown food Approval of Clerk s Invoice- A motion was made by Mr. Perham, seconded by Ms. Cataldo to approve the Clerk s invoice as submitted. Motion passed unanimously Adjournment- A motion was made by Mr. Perham, seconded by Mr. Rousseau to adjourn at 9:35pm. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Joanne Huber Board Clerk Please see minutes of subsequent meetings for the approval of these minutes and any corrections to them The next regularly scheduled meeting is July 2, 2012 at the Bolton Town Hall Originals Printed on 100% Recycled Paper Earth Day and Every Day

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