Inland Wetlands Commission
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of March 24, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT
Commissioners Present: Peters, Salling, Pieragostini, and Curran
Staff Present: Rob Sibley, Deputy Director of Planning & Land Use,
Ann Astarita, Conservation Official and Tammy Hazen, Clerk
EXECUTIVE SESSION - Commissioner Pieragostini motioned to go into Executive Session at 7:18 pm to discuss items of litigation. Rob Sibley, Ann Astarita and Atty. David Grogins were invited to attend. Commissioner Curran seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Commissioner Pieragostini motioned to exit Executive Session at 7:47pm. The motion seconded by Commissioner Salling. Motion carried unanimously.
PENDING APPLICATIONS
Mod #03-54 72 Hanover Road, R. Mastroni Developers, LLC. Application related to the modification of an existing permit.
Alan Shepard, from Nowakowski, O'Bymachow & Kane, 415 Howe Avenue in Shelton, was present along with Mr. Mastroni. Commissioner Peters stated that the commission is waiting a report from their expert, Steve Trinkaus. Mr. Shepard discussed the erosion and sediment controls that Mr. Mastroni has been working on and noted the placement of rip rap. They were asked if the slope is being stabilized and Mr. Mastroni said he plans to build a boulder wall at the base of the slope. Mr. Mastroni will contact Ms. Astarita when he is finished in order that she can inspect the area.
Mod #06-37 42 Alpine Circle, Louis Segneri. Application related to the modification of an existing permit application.
Alan Shepard and Mr. Segneri was present to discuss the application. Mr. Shepard submitted a letter from JMM Wetlands dated March 24, 2010. Commissioner Peters asked the applicant to explain why a box culvert is better than a bridge and noted concerns over providing adequate protection to the wetlands. Mr. Shepard said that the disturbance caused by building a bridge is more disruptive and feels a box culvert would be faster to install and thereby lessen the potential for harm to the wetlands. The box culvert will be installed several feet beneath the riverbed and then the stream bed will be restored inside the culvert. He stated that the hillside weeps will be impacted by either the bridge or the box culvert. The applicant’s expert from JMM Wetlands will be asked to attend the
next meeting. The commission will review his reports.
Mod #05-19 224 South Main Street, Robert Mastroni. Application related to the modification of an existing permit application.
Alan Shepard and Mr. Mastroni were present to discuss the application. Mr. Shepard distributed a plan “Feasible Alternative Additional Package Plan” dated March 24, 2010. The commission received a report from their expert, Steve Trinkaus. Mr. Shepard expressed his disagreements with information in the report. The commission asked Mr. Shepard to return to the next meeting with a written response to Mr. Trinkaus’ report.
Mod #05-28 27 The Old Road, Corbo, Ray. Application for a modification to an existing permit for a single family house.
Robert Sherwood, Landscape Architect, and Mr. Corbo were present to discuss the application. After a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Pieragostini motioned to approve this application with standard conditions A, B, C, D, E, F, and
(1) The approved plans are “Proposed Site Plan, Re-subdivision of one Twist Hill Lane, Lot 1B, #27 The Old Road, Newtown, Connecticut”, dated 2-17-10 for R. Corbo, and including planting plans dated 3-23-10; and
(2) Quarterly Reports will be submitted on forms provided on the Town of Newtown website or in the Land Use Office until the permitted activity is completed. The completed plan will be approved by the Conservation Official.
Commissioner Curran seconded the motion and asked Mr. Sibley if this motion includes everything in the original application. Mr. Sibley said language could be added as an amendment stating the conditions are in addition to and do not supersede the original application conditions. Commissioner Pieragostini then added a third condition stating
(3) These conditions are subsequent to and do not supersede the original approved permit from 2005.
Commissioner Curran seconded the motion for the amendment. All approved the amendment. Commissioner Peters asked for a vote on the amended motion. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
IW #10-02 41 Mohawk Trail, Westchester Modular Homes of Fairfield County. Application to replace
existing home with a modular home.
Joe Enright and David Dillman from Westchester Modular Homes of Fairfield County, 4 Stony Hill, Bethel, were present to explain plans to build a modular home. Their plans include the installation of erosion and sediment controls, the demolishing of an existing house, and the removal of one Hemlock tree. They explained the grading that will be required and the drilling of a new well.
The commission asked if they would consider applying for a variance in order to move the home away from the waters edge. The applicant said it would be difficult to relocate the house footprint because of the existing septic system and limitations of space. The commission wanted assurance of adequate erosion and sediment controls and the protection of the waterfront. The applicant was asked for a cross section view and written description of the construction sequence. The applicant will flag where the new well will be drilled.
IW #10-03 Warner Pond Dam (Old Mill Road) Town of Newtown. Rehabilitation of an existing deficient dam as ordered by the DEP. – This Item was Tabled.
OTHER BUSINESS
Acceptance of New Applications: IW #10-04 Housatonic Railroad Company, 30 Hawleyville Road. Activities related to the operations associated with a rail yard transfer station. Commissioner Salling motioned to set a public hearing for April 28th, 2010 for this application #10-04 Housatonic Railroad Company. Commissioner Curran seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Curran motioned to approve the minutes of March 10, 2010 as written. Motion seconded by Commissioner Pieragostini. Motion carried unanimously
Adjournment: Commissioner Pieragostini motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 pm. Motion seconded by Commissioner Curran. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.
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