TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-1216
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, October 13, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
Saybrook Point
I. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chairman, Paul Smith, called the regular meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Paul Smith, Vice Chairman Frank Reichart, Economic Development Rep.
Robert McIntyre, Planning Representative Brendon McKeown, Alternate Member
William Pollock, Regular Member
Judy Preston, Conservation Rep.
Charles Sohl, Zoning Representative
Kim Gallagher, Alternate Member
Kevin Zawoy, Regular Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Enforcement Officer
Andrea DeDominicis, Recording Clerk
Paul Smith addressed the Board members and acknowledged William Pollock who is now a Regular Member and not an Alternate Member of the IWWC Commission. Mr. Smith also welcomed Damon Hearne who will be serving as the clerk for the “Preserve” application and is also an IWWC staff member. Mr. Hearne possesses a BA degree in Biology and a Masters Degree in Resource Management and offers many years of inland wetland experience to the staff.
Paul Smith amended the agenda and added applications # 05-022 and 05-023, Robert L. Day Co. under the New Business heading.
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. 05-020 Timothy and Margaret Russell
Application to split lots, construct a new dwelling, wells and sanitary system.
273 Schoolhouse Road (Map 50, Lot 11-1) 1.25 acres of wetlands.
Residence AA-1 District, Agent: Greg Fedus, P.E.
Accepted: 9/15/05, Open PH: 10/13/05, Close PH: 11/17/05,
Decision by: 12/22/05
ACTION: Contine Public Hearing
Greg Fedus, engineer for the applicant, summarized the changes made on the revised
plans for lot 1, which he passed out at the meeting. Mr. Fedus has moved the well for the exisiting home to the southwest, which moved it 63’ feet from the wetland area. The previous location of the leaching field has been rotated to eliminate the removal of a large tree. The plans also show the silt fence closer to the construction area to reduce the disturbance area.
The plans for the new house on Lot 2, showed the house size slightly smaller, the topsoil stockpile area is located in the northwest corner of the property and the silt fence was moved closer to the septic system and the house. Mr. Fedus said the Town Health Department had verbally approved the septic design.
Charles Sohl asked if Mr. Fedus had checked where the adjacent property owner’s septic system was located. Mr. Fedus said he will check and be sure that the septic system for this application is at least 75’ feet away from any proposed well location.
Casey Marachick, soil and wetland scientist for the Commission, stated that he did review the site and did not see any major impact on the wetland areas. Mr. Marachick did recommend a conservation easement be placed on the forested area in the southwest portion of the property to protect it from any future cutting of trees to the wetland boundary.
Paul Smith asked the audience if any one would like to speak for or against the proposed project. No one from the audience spoke. At this time Mr. Smith closed the hearing to the public.
Judy Preston stated that she would like to walk the site before the next meeting. Paul Smith asked for a motion to continue the application to the next month’s regular meeting.
MOTION: to continue application # 05-020, Timothy and Margaret Russell, 273 Schoolhouse Road (Map 50, Lot 11-1) until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 17, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasbeshauke Pavilion, 155 College Street, Old Saybrook, Ct. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. 05-013 Michael Evangelisti
Application to construct a 3 bedroom house, sanitary system and driveway.
68 Bokum Road (Map 57, Lot 20) 0.5 acres of wetlands.
Residence AAA District, Agent: Darcy Collins, P.E.
Accepted: 7/14/05, Open PH: 8/18/05, Close PH by: 9/22/05,
Decision by: 10/27/05
ACTION: Deliberate and Act.
Kim Gallaher and Kevin Zawoy recused themselves from this matter because they were not present at last months meeting and the tapes were unavailable.
Paul Smith read a letter from Geoff Jacobson, engineer for the Town, which identified a pipe on the property as being an inlet pipe. Mr. Jacobson stated that his previous comment regarding the pipe on the property, is not applicable.
Paul Smith asked the Commission members if they had any further questions or comments about this application. The Commission members stated that they were ready to vote.
MOTION: to approve application # 05-013, Michael Evangelisti, 68 Bokum Road (Map 57, Lot 20) to allow construction of a 3 bedroom house, sanitary system and driveway. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Charles Sohl. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock. OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: K. Gallagher, K. Zawoy. APPROVED: 5-0-2
Kim Gallagher and Kevin Zawoy rejoined the Commission members at 8:15 p.m. when the vote was concluded.
B. 05-017 Christopher Lewis
Application to build a 2 bedroom house and sanitary system within
100 ft. of wetlands.
7& 9 Clark Avenue (Map 18, Lots No. 59 & 60) .005 acres of wetlands.
Residence A District, Agent: Attorney David Royston
Accepted: 8/18/05, Open PH: 9/15/05, close PH by: 10/20/05,
Decision by: 11/24/05
ACTION: Review and Act
Christina Costa read a letter from Attorney David Royston which stated, his client, the applicant, had rescinded the application. No further action was required by the Commission.
C. 05-015 Michelle Duchemin
Application for a 30’ x 16’ deck within 100 ft. of wetlands.
8 Dibble Road (Map 46, Lot 13-8) 63,143 s.f. of wetlands.
Residence AA-1 District
Accepted: 9/15/05, Decision by 11/18/05
ACTION: Review and Act.
Christina Costa read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Duchemin stating that they were out of town and could not be present for this meeting. Ms. Costa passed out a revised plan which showed a modified deck shape, and a 3’ foot high picket fence to protect children from falling off a cliff edge that is located on a portion of the property.
Paul Smith also referenced a letter from Richard Snarski, dated 9/26/05, stating a site inspection had been completed and all the wetland flaggings were current and correct on the plans.
MOTION: to approve application # 05-015, Michelle Duchemin, 8 Dibble Road (Map 46, Lot 13-8) to allow construction of a 30’ x 16’ deck and a 3’ picket fence at the cliff edge shown on revised plans dated October, 2005. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by William Pollock. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher. OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none. APPROVED: 7-0-0
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. 05-019 Grandona, LLC.
Application to restore the functioning of the original manmade detention basin “D”, approved in the original 1986 site plan approval.
295 Middlesex Turnpike (Map 52, Lot 63-64, Unit 1) 30,600 s.f. of wetlands.
B-4 District
ACTION: Accept application if complete, determine if significant activity and if Ordinance 71 fees required.
Attorney John Bennett and Linda Grossman were present. Attorney Bennett spoke to the Commission first, summarizing his applicants plan to clean out a detention basin which is located on the auto dealership property they had recently purchased. The basin is filled with soil and other vegetative debris. The proposal is to clean out the basin by hand, without the use of machinery or digging, which would improve the aesthetics on the property. The applicant proposes to add crushed stone, if appropriate, in place of the soil debris.
William Pollock asked the applicant, Linda Grossman, if there was any other kind of debris in the basin such as old tires or batteries. Ms. Grossman said there was not.
Paul Smith mentioned that there will be some level of maintenance involved to keep the basin free from soil and brush in the future and asked the applicant to think about what type of plan they would have in place that would accomplish that. Attorney Bennett said he will address those issues in more detail at the next meeting and invited the Commission members to walk the property.
MOTION: to accept application # 05-019, Grandona, LLC., 295 Middlesex Turnpike (Map 52, Lot 63-64) to restore the function of a detention basin approved in the original 1986 site plan. The next regularly scheduled meeting date will be on Thursday, November 17, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasbeshauke Pavilion, 155 College Street, Old Saybrook, Ct. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
MOTION: that this application # 05-019, Grandona, LLC., (Map 52, Lot 63-64 is not a Significant Activity and will not require Ordinance 71 fees. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Charles Sohl. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
B. Preliminary Discussion: Proposed Retail Development within 100’ feet of
Inland Wetlands.
Property located adjacent to I-95 and Rt. 154.
Assessor’s Map 53, Lot 52
B-4 District, Agent: Brian McCarthy
Discussion requested by Cal Caldarella and Brian McCarthy
Cal Caldarella was present to informally discuss a retail
development plan for the site. Mr. Caldarella would like to build two,
single level retail spaces.
Brian McCarthy, a civil engineer and land planner, continued the discussion and mentioned that there would be 350 parking spaces set aside to accommodate the retail spaces. He also mentioned that the septic system would be designed to accommodate retail stores and not a restaurant. Robert McIntyre felt it would be a good idea to design a septic system larger than needed, in case a future proprietor wanted to put a restaurant on the site.
Dennis Lowry, a certified wetland and soil scientist, spoke to the Commission members about wetland areas he identified on the property.
Mr. Lowry went on to say that there are three types of wet areas on the site. The first being a wetland with deep peat soil and a wooded swamp. The second is a disturbed wetland area in another portion of the property that was affected by earth moving equipment many years ago. There were ditches left from the equipment and now thick shrubs and brush growing in those areas. The third area of water consisted of two isolated pockets about 3’ feet deep probably caused by poor grading and filling done many years ago. Mr. Lowry also mentioned a culvert along a drainage ditch off of Rte. 95.
Kevin Zawoy asked Mr. Lowry if there were any vernal pools on the property.
Mr. Lowry said there were no vernal pools in the main area of the development.
Judy Preston mentioned a portion of the property as being very desirable to the Town because the White Cedar Swamp is there. Ms. Preston mentioned possibly donating the area to the Town for protection.
Paul Smith asked about the scale of the maps, the coloration depicting various wetland areas on the map and the 100’foot wetland buffer. Mr. Smith said the next set of plans will have to show the 100’ foot buffer area and the amount of development proposed within the buffer. Mr. Smith felt the size of the development was large for the property. Kim Gallagher felt the development would need to be scaled down and kept out of the 100’foot wetland buffer.
Robert McIntyre felt the activity proposed was a bit aggressive for the area. Mr. McIntyre was concerned with the grade of top soil and where the water will run off and who it will affect down stream. Brian McCarthy asked how the Commission would feel if the wetland area was used as a detention basin. Paul Smith said that is not the purpose of a wetland and would advise against that as an alternative for the runoff. Mr. Smith also suggested the applicant put a plan in place for the maintenance of a detention basin if that is going to be an alternative for the water runoff. Mr. Smith also advised that an entire site survey will be needed to identify any point of stormwater discharge and its relationship to the adjacent businesses and properties.
C. 05-022 / 023 Robert L. Day Co.
Application to construct a single family dwelling with 2 car attached
garage, deck, septic system, utilities and public water on each of two
separate parcels.
Parcel A, and Parcel B-1, Ragged Rock Road
AA-2 District
ACTION: Accept applications if complete, determine if significant activity
and if Ordinance 71 fees required.
Robert Day presented his proposed house plans. Mr. Day has two applications in front of the IWWC and are identified as Parcel A and Parcel B1. They are both the same type of house and plans.
Paul Smith noted that part of the house on Parcel A, and 2/3 of the garage was in the upland area. Robert McIntyre questioned the location of the septic reserve, considering the size of the property he felt the system could be moved upfront and not near the wetland area.
Mr. Day said he tried to keep the house as far away from the wetland area as possible. Mr. Day also had to consider that the Connecticut Water Company prefers the house to be at a 90 degree approach for the water service and this was the best location for it. Mr. Day also stated that the proposed driveway would be stone.
Kevin Zawoy would like to maintain the buffer area and restrict future property owners from cutting down trees, bringing in top soil and creating a lawn up to the wetland area. Mr. Zawoy mentioned that the Commission should try to find ways to prevent this from happening in the future.
Paul Smith advised Mr. Day to extend the silt fencing to go beyond the footing drain. Mr. Smith mentioned that the purpose of the silt fence is to provide a barrier for the disturbance.
MOTION: to accept application # 05-022, Robert L. Day, Co.(Map and Lot to be assigned by assessor), Parcel A, Ragged Rock Road, to construct a single family dwelling with 2 car attached garage, deck, septic system, utilities and public water. The next regularly scheduled meeting date will be on Thursday, November 17, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasbeshauke Pavilion, 155 College Street, Old Saybrook, Ct. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
MOTION: that this application # 05-022, Robert L. Day Co., (Map and Lot to be assigned by assessor) Parcel A, is not a Significant Activity and will not require Ordinance 71 fees. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
MOTION: to accept application # 05-023, Robert L. Day, Co.(Map and Lot to be assigned by assessor), Parcel B1, Ragged Rock Road, to construct a single family dwelling with 2 car attached garage, deck, septic system, utilities and public water. The next regularly scheduled meeting date will be on Thursday, November 17, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasbeshauke Pavilion, 155 College Street, Old Saybrook, Ct. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED:
7-0-0
MOTION: that this application # 05-023, Robert L. Day Co., (Map and Lot to be assigned by assessor) Parcel B1, is not a Significant Activity and will not require Ordinance 71 fees. MOVED: by Robert McIntyre. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher IN FAVOR : P. Smith, J. Preston, C. Sohl, R. McIntyre, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, K. Gallagher OPPOSED: none ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
VI. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Staff Report - None
B. Representative and Subcommittee Reports – None
C. Correspondence – Included in packets
D. Approval of Minutes
MOTION: to approve the meeting minutes of September 15, 2005 with no corrections. MOVED: P. Smith. SECONDED: by Kim Gallagher. IN FAVOR : P. Smith, C. Sohl, J. Preston, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, R. McIntyre, K. Gallagher. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none
APPROVED: 7-0-0
MOTION: to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion, 155 College Street Extension, Old Saybrook, CT. MOVED: P. Smith. SECONDED: by Judy Preston IN FAVOR: P. Smith, C. Sohl, J. Preston, W. Pollock, K. Zawoy, R. McIntyre, K. Gallagher. OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINING: none APPROVED: 7-0-0
Next Regular Meeting
Thursday, November 17, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion
155 College Street Extension
Respectfully Submitted,
Andrea DeDominicis, Clerk
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