Town of
NORTH STONINGTON, CT
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016 – 7:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
Minutes Approved ~ September 14, 2016
1.
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice-Chair Mark Grigg called the Regular Meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission to order on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 7:04 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Mark Grigg, Vice-Chair, Cody Bill, Marvin Chase, Jr., Kevin Geary and Candy Palmer
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Robert Miner
and Ron Lewis
STAFF PRESENT:
Wayne Berardi, Wetlands Enforcement Officer and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Konsavitch
2.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
MOTION by C. Palmer, SECOND by M. Chase to approve the draft minutes of 07/13/16
as submitted. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
5.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. #16-047
Application of Farm to Gold Properties, LLC, c/o Kim Welch, 73 Pinewoods Rd., North Stonington, CT to construct activities within an upland review area for proposed multi-use commercial
building with associated site improvements. No activity is proposed within wetlands or watercourses on property located at 81 Norwich-Westerly Rd., N. Stonington, CT 06359 in an ED Zone. Tax Map #122, Parcel #0956
Demian Sorrentino from Boundaries LLC was present along with Lynn
Goodwin co-founder of Farm to Gold.
Mr. Sorrentino, stated they were back before the Commission because of the statutory wait time. Mr. Sorrentino submitted a letter from
the Town Sanitarian stating he reviewed the sanitary design plan and it is in compliance with the CT Public Health code which he said is already a part of the record.
Mr. Sorrentino submitted a revised plan showing a modified access drive which has no bearing on the wetlands application but they needed
to address a comment from the DOT regarding the entrance drive. DOT was concerned with left hand turning movements from the north bound side of Route 2 and wanted a traffic study. In lieu of that they contacted DOT District 2 Traffic Engineer Rick Chapman
and discussed another option altering the entrance drive when the Phase 2 uses are implemented.
The Commission had no questions as Mr. Sorrentino gave a thorough review of the application at the Commission’s July 13th meeting.
MOTION by C. Palmer, SECOND by C. Bill to approve application #16-047 as submitted. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B.
#16-038
Application of Lee Winakor, 217 Ledgen Wood Rd., North Stonington, CT for a restoration plan for exceeding the clearing limits within the 100 foot upland review area. The extended building
envelope that was not permitted includes portions of a terraced lawn, stone retaining walls and a beach area along the shoreline of Billings Lake in an R-80 Zone. Tax Map #45, Parcel #8000
Mr. Winakor was not able to attend the Commission’s August 10th meeting. He will be present at the Commission’s September 14th meeting
with a plans provided by a soil scientist addressing the contaminants entering into the water.
water.
B. #16-050
Application of Van Brown, Firefly Farms, LLC, Wintechog Hill Farms, LLC, 96 Button Rd., N. Stonington, CT 06359 for clearing, deepening & expanding pond(s) for animal water & possible
irrigation to keep grass available for grazing at property located at 135 Wintechog Hill Rd., N. Stonington, CT 06359 Tax Map #93, Parcel #9490
C.
#16-051
Application of Van Brown, Firefly Farms, LLC, Wintechog Hill Farms, LLC, 96 Button Rd., N. Stonington, CT 06359 for clearing, deepening & expanding pond(s) for animal water & possible
irrigation to keep grass available for grazing at property located at 118 Wintechog Hill Rd., N. Stonington, CT 06359 Tax Map #93, Parcel #2135
Mr. Brown was asked at the Commission’s July 13th meeting
to prepare plans indicating the wetland flags, slopes, perimeter, and location of pond spoils for consideration
6.
NEW BUSINESS: None
MOTION by C. Palmer, SECOND by M. Chase to amend the agenda to add Steve Bossie under Discussion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Kristen Comstock asked what the status was on the project on the opposite side of the Mill Pond on Clarks Falls Road. WEO Berardi stated he spoke to the
owners and told them they needed to come in for a permit, which they did for the removal of trees, but WEO Berardi told them they needed one for the land disturbance. Ms. Comstock stated that she was concerned about erosion control, not only in that location
but other locations as well that have a lot of exposed bare earth. Ms. Comstock stated that she feels that’s a bad example that something of that nature can continue for so long.
WEO Berardi stated there has not been any activity since they had initially moved the stones around and the site is stabilized at the moment until they start
working again.
Ms. Comstock asked if this is the correct Commission to speak to about this matter and C. Palmer stated it is and the Commission is asking their WEO to follow
thru on this matter.
Mac Gray came before the Commission to discuss his neighbors gravel from their driveway going into the pond which is owned by the State. Mr. Gray stated
he has tried contacting the State, but has not been able to reach anyone there and who owns the driveway was also questioned by the Commission.
C. Palmer stated the Commission will have their WEO look into it. WEO Berardi will meet with Mr. Gray to inspect the site and he would like the Commission to do a site-walk
of the property for their opinion.
8.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT:
WEO Berardi stated that he had a request from Charlie Smith to do repairs to a deteriorating retaining wall he owns on property located at 411 Wyassup Road.
The Commission had no issues with the repairs.
