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08-14-13
INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of August 14, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Meeting Room #1 and Council Chambers
Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT

These Minutes are Subject to Approval by the Inland Wetlands Commission

Present:  Mary Curran, John Davin, Anne Peters and Sharon Salling; Absent:  Pat Boily and Kristen Hammar; Staff Present: Steve Maguire, Land Use Enforcement Officer and Tammy Hazen, Clerk

Ms. Peters convened the meeting at 7:30 pm.

PENDING APPLICATIONS

IW #13-21  141-147 Poverty Hollow Rd, Abigail Kende.  Application for work completed within a regulated area.  

Ms. Kende requested a second 30-day extension.  She explained that NRCS could not provide a timely assessment of her property so retained Jim McManus from JMM Wetlands who will be providing information at a later date.  

IW #13-26 157 Brushy Hill Road, Mark & Gail Olson.  Application to construct a driveway across wetlands.

Larry Edwards was present and explained the potential issues with developing a combine driveway.  He was concerned over removing mature trees and stated that wetlands would still be affected with either plan.  He said that Zoning was against having a combined driveway.  Mr. Edwards felt that having separate driveways would be the most feasible and prudent alternative.  Ms. Peters asked what the difference is in the wetlands disturbance and if they plan to provide mitigation.  Mr. Edwards stated the original proposal results in 1,200 sf of disturbance and the combined driveway alternative results in a 620 sf disturbance.  He said that neither property owners want a combined driveway.  Mr. Edwards marked the map with mitigation plans, noting it as “Conservation Plantings”.  After a lengthy discussion:

Ms. Salling motioned to approve the application with standard conditions A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, O, P; and
  • A planting and mitigation plan will be submitted for Land Use approval;
  • The permit will be granted subject to Land Use Staff approval;
  • The plans indicate a conservation and planting easement of approximately 200 feet by 30 feet; and
  • The approved plans are proposed site plan 157b Brushy Hill Road, prepared for Mark and Gail Olson, Newtown, CT stamped dated June 13, 2013.
Ms. Curran seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously.

IW #13-27 25 Parmalee Hill Rd, Todd Gray Landscaping.  Application to dredge a pond.

Todd Gray, 2 Bridge End Farm Lane, representing the applicants - Mike and Rita Powers, explained the plans to remove sediment and debris from the pond, remove invasives and armor the inlet stream, create a plunge pool, and fix the surrounding stone wall.  He estimated that 60 and 100 yards of material will be removed from the property with minimal disturbance.  Plantings will include native grasses, shrubs and trees.  Mr. Gray marked the plans where the plantings will be placed and will get staff approval before beginning the work.  The stone armoring along the stream bank will be placed at an approximate 45 degrees.  After further discussion:


 Ms. Curran motioned to approve the application with standard conditions B, C, E, O, P; and
  • The approved plans are entitled “Landscaping Unlimited” dated August 14, 2013 and signed by Todd Gray landscaping;
  • The planting will be completed within one year;
  • The plants will be monitored for two growing seasons after planting to ensure survival and will replace any dead plants within that time; and
  • The sediment, dirt and other debris will be removed immediately by truck from the property.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Salling and unanimously approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mr. Davin motioned to approve the minutes of July 24, 2013.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Salling and abstained by Ms. Curran.  The minutes were approved as written.

OTHER BUSINESS – Ms. Peters discussed a recent Conservation Commission’s meeting she attended to discuss the High and West Meadows on the Fairfield Hills campus.  Conservation is writing up management plans for the meadows that include them to be preserved for wildlife.  The meadows are currently being mowed by a farmer.  Conservation proposes that the West Meadow specifically be left undisturbed and mowed less frequently because it is a wetlands.  They will be forwarding their final proposal to the Wetlands Commission for review and support.
ACCEPTANCE OF NEW APPLICATIONS – None.

ADJOURNMENT – Mr. Davin motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 pm.  Ms. Curran seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by Tammy Hazen