Meeting of the Charlton Environmental Conservation Commission – March 29, 2005

 

1.   The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Marv Schorr, Bob Killeen, Teddi Smith, Midge Dube, Doug Ranaletto and new member Lane Jastrebski in attendance.

 

2.   Minutes of the Feb. 22 meeting were reviewed and accepted.

 

3.   Marv reported on the Town Board meeting. The status of the new Town Hall was discussed. A site archeological study must be performed - it has been found that a cheese factory existed on the site in the mid-1800s. There could be a delay if artifacts are found. Financing was discussed and there may be a petition circulated for a referendum on the financing. The Planning Board held a site plan hearing and the ECC submitted comments. Emergency access could be an issue and the fate of the old (existing) Town hall is in question regarding possible future use.

 

4. Teddi reported on the county water committee. Dave Wood’s farm is doing a lot to help protect water quality and dispose of livestock wastes. She reported on the Alplaus Creek photo study. Two photo albums were viewed.

 

5.   Trees have been ordered for the April 30 tree give away. Teddi will pick up the trees.

 

6.      Marv and Midge reported on a meeting of a Comprehensive Plan sub-committee with a hydrological consultant, Alpha Geoscience, on town ground water. Concern was expressed about the poor quality of the soils as far as promoting the finding of large water supplies. The meeting was productive. One sidebar was the impact of salt from water softeners on ground water contamination since the Town does not use road salt (see next item).

 

7.      New business: Marv will write articles on grey water discharges into streams and wild parsnip for the next newsletter. He will also write one on the salt from water softeners at a later date.

 

8.   Marv discussed the Heflin-Durst proposed development on Swaggertown Road, There are 23 lots on a new road. The rural environment of Charlton and how to preserve it were discussed.

 

9.      The variance request of J&L Services to be allowed to build a house on a narrow (90 foot) frontage, non-conforming use lot was discussed. The concerns were related to how narrow the lot is and whether a well and septic system could be sited without interfering with wells on neighboring lots. There is not enough information on the plot plans showing neighboring  properties. Comments will be sent to the ZBA.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

M.M. Schorr, Chairman

 

cc: ECC members

      A. Grattidge