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
SPECIAL MEETING – “THE PRESERVE”
Monday, March 13, 2006 at 7:30 P.M.
OLD SAYBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL
60 SHEFFIELD STREET
I. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:35 p.m., Chairman Paul Smith called to order a special meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) for the continued deliberation of Application #05-016.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Paul Smith, Chairman None.
Charles Sohl, Vice Chairman, Zoning Rep.
William Pollock, Secretary
Kevin Zawoy, Regular Member
Frank Reichart, Economic Development Rep.
Robert McIntyre, Planning Rep.
Judy Preston, Conservation Rep.
Town Staff and Consultants
Damon Hearne, Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Whitney McKendree Moore, Recording Clerk
Michael Cronin, Esq., Consulting Legal Counsel
Kati Drzewianowski, Consulting Civil Engineer
Geoffrey Jacobsen, Consulting Civil Engineer
Penelope Sharp, Consulting Biologist and Wetlands Scientist
R. Richard Snarski, Consulting Soil and Wetlands Scientist
Russell Slayback, CBG, Hydrogeology Consultant
A. Martin Petrovic, Ph.D., Consulting Turfgrass Scientist
III. DELIBERATION
05-016 “The Preserve” – River Sound Development, LLC
Application to construct an open-space subdivision country club, golf course community (934 acres total) and open space (542.2 acres) within 100 feet of wetlands (114.5 acres total wetlands).
Residence Conservation C District, Aquifer Protection District
Applicant: River Sound Development, LLC Agent: Attorney David Royston
Pesticides, Herbicides and Fungicides
Commissioners sought the counsel of Dr. Petrovic regarding the issues emanating from the use of chemicals on the golf course. They had concerns about the potential risks during the construction phases and/or major rain events causing saturation. Dr. Petrovic stated that there are gaps in the knowledge base for assessing a project like this and, as yet, there remain many unknowns, but he assured the Commission that “one approach to minimize concerns in sensitive areas is sod,” adding that “You may want to condition ways that encourage establishment” during the construction phase. A key element is creating a Water Quality Monitoring Program that is as stringent as possible. Any such program should include strict protocols and requirements, such as shutting down a section until a problem is
resolved. There was discussion of the need for a water-quality baseline to be established prior to construction and of the need for a Certified Golf Course Superintendent with at least five years experience in managing this type of course. Dr. Petrovic said that managing a course like this one will be different from managing a less regulated golf course. Chairman Smith polled the members regarding the written comments from Dr. Petrovic and the other Town consultants, suggesting some revisions to the Environmental Review and moving that all the recommendations in these documents be accepted as conditions for any action taken by the IWWC.
MOTION to incorporate the entirety of the recommendations, as modified, made in the report entitled Environmental Review of Proposed Inland Wetland and Watercourse Activities, Sections 1 and 9.1 – 9.10, Dated October 17, 2005 and revised January, February, and March 2006 into any action taken by this Commission regarding The Preserve (Application 05-016). This report was prepared by Geoffrey L. Jacobsen, P.E.; Wade Thomas, CPESC and CPSWQ; Kati L. Drezewianwoski, EIT; Penelope C. Sharp, PWS; and R. Richard Snarski, Certified Soil Scientist, PWS and CPESC. MADE by P. Smith. SECONDED by R. McIntyre. VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Pollock, P. Smith, J. Preston, F. Reichart, K. Zawoy, R.
McIntyre, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
MOTION to incorporate the entirety of the recommendations made in the memoranda from Juliet McKenna and Russell Slayback (dated January 10, 2006) with regard to the water monitoring program and to the revised hydrogeologic report dated December 22, 2005 into any action taken by this Commission regarding The Preserve (Application 05-016). MADE by P. Smith. SECONDED by R. McIntyre. VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Pollock, P. Smith, J. Preston, F. Reichart, K. Zawoy, R. McIntyre, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
The Chairman next opened up discussion of the pump test, seeking resolution from the Commissioners as to whether or not there was a need for re-testing. Russell Slayback’s memorandum indicated that the test had not provided information on the relation between surface and ground water. “There was vagueness about the test,” Mr. Slayback said, adding that the applicant needs to prove two test wells (that Test Well 2 and Test Well 3) do not impact the vernal pool, which would include individual testing of the wells. All the Commissioners felt that re-testing should be required.
The Chairman clarified that, if a permit is ultimately granted here, all conditions and designs would be monitored and cleared through the Town consultants, not the IWWC itself. Dr. Petrovic suggested that the success of these quality controls would depend on:
§ The paper trail will help document all the agreements that have been made between the Town and the applicant.
§ Performance auditing, including spot visits and surprise visits, will help ensure that the project unfolds in alignment with those conditions and agreements
§ The assignment of the water quality monitoring to an expert who is independent of the applicant will create an insurance policy over erosion, pollution, and other impacts to the wetlands.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Smith then requested a motion to adjourn which was made at 10:45 p.m. as follows:
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. MADE by P. Smith. SECONDED by
J. Preston. VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Pollock, P. Smith, J. Preston, F. Reichart, K. Zawoy,
R. McIntyre, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Whitney McKendree Moore
Recording Clerk
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