MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
1st Floor Conference Room
Town Hall, 302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman, Paul Smith, called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Paul Smith, Chairman
Charles Sohl
William Pollock
Janis Esty
Charles Wehrly, seated for Brendan McKeown
Janice Holland, seated for Kimberley Gallagher
Members Absent
Kimberley Gallagher
Judith Preston
Brendan McKeown
Staff Present
Sandy Prisloe, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Kathleen Noyes, Administrative Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. 12-009 “Hunter’s Ambulance” Reg. activity for commercial construction
309 Boston Post Road (Map 42 / Lot 14-1)
Applicant: Hunter’s Ambulance Service, Inc.; Agent: HRP Associates, Inc.
In their packets, Commissioners received a copy of the IWWC Application, an application addendum dated 4/27/12, an on-site soil investigation report by JMM Wetland Consulting Services, LLC dated 4/10/12, a map unit legend and 3 photographs: an aerial photo of the area that was taken many years ago, a photo of the wooded swamp along the western property line; facing southwesterly, and a photo of the wooded swamp along the northwestern property line; facing northwesterly, both of which were taken in April, 2012.
Adam Fox with HRP Associates, Inc. presented for the applicant. The existing building is now “Coastline Motorsports.” The applicant is looking to convert the present building to a handicapped van and Hunter’s ambulance dispatch service.
Currently, the storm-water runs off the pavement into an embankment off the property. With the proposed change in use, the applicant is looking into storm water control measures as part of the project. The wetlands are off site. There are no wetlands on the actual property, however, a portion of the northwest corner of the property, including the existing dumpster, is within the 100’ upland review area. The applicant would like to construct a water quality swale with a stone diaphragm pretreatment and a silt fence with hay bales in this area. Additionally, there will be re-striping of the parking area.
W. Pollock asked if there would be any biological waste. A. Fox replied that there would not be biological waste because this will be a dispatch facility only.
David Lowell, Chief Operating Officer, and Atty Diane Sargalski, Vice President of Hunter’s Ambulance Service, were both present. They confirmed that Hunter’s Ambulance only proposes non-emergency work for this facility. There will be no biological waste generated. Any linens, if soiled, are left at the medical facility. There will be no laundry facility needed on the site.
There will be no maintenance of vehicles on the site, so there will be no oil changing done.
J. Esty asked about parking requirements. A. Fox said the parking spaces would be used for the handicap vans and for the employees.
P. Smith asked for more information that he would like the applicant to include with the application form at the next IWWC meeting. He would like more detail on page 2 of the attachment to the Application regarding the extent of the activity proposed. He asked the applicant to provide the quantity of material to be removed or excavated from the site and the quantity of material or fill to be brought to the site. He also requested an estimate of materials for the concrete slab.
On the drawings, P. Smith noted that on the cover sheet, general note #5, should be corrected to read “town of Old Saybrook” not “town of Lisbon”. He noted that there was no need to correct the cover sheet for next month’s meeting however.
P. Smith asked about the manhole shown behind the two handicap parking spaces A. Fox said the manhole is directed to the on site septic system. There are no proposed changes to the septic system because it does not need to be modified.
P. Smith questioned the elevation at Control point #1, which had an assumed elevation of 100.00 (assumed datum). He said he would have preferred to have a U.S. Coastal Geodetic Survey reference for elevation due to potential flooding. However, there are no floodplains located in proximity to this site.
P. Smith asked A. Fox about the proposed dumpster slab and enclosure near the chain link fence on Sheet #2. A. Fox said the fence does have a gate, but it is not shown in the drawings. The gate is wide enough for a trash removal vehicle. There are no plans to remove the fence.
P. Smith questioned A. Fox about the fixtures that sit on the south side of the existing building, which appeared to be propane tanks on a concrete pad. He asked if propane was necessary, and if those tanks would be maintained or removed. A. Fox said the tanks are not needed for the project. A. Fox also said there is no gas service to the property and no underground gas supply line from the street to the property. There is an existing above ground fuel oil tank that will be retained for future use for heating the building. There was discussion about how the oil the oil deliveries are made to the above ground tank.
The air conditioning unit is pad mounted. It will be maintained for future usage.
P. Smith asked the applicant to supply details for the areas of spillover for the next IWWC meeting. There are 2 spillovers for the swale.
P. Smith requested that the applicant bring an environmentalist from HRP to next month’s IWWC meeting and/or calculations to explain in further detail the water spillover which takes the spread discharge from the back of the property on the west side and concentrates it into 2 spillovers to provide extended detention time. The existing ground cover in this area is leaves and dirt. There are no grasses growing. Anything coming off the roof discharging onto the rear asphalt area will flow into the wetlands.
Commissioners requested information about the shed on the westerly side of property. A. Fox said that the shed and the woodpile belong to the adjoining property owner.
MOTION to accept application #12-009 “Hunter’s Ambulance” Regulated Activity for commercial construction; 309 Boston Post Road (M42 /L 14-1), Applicant: Hunter’s Ambulance Service, Inc.; Agent: HRP Associates, Inc. MADE by W. Pollock; SECONDED by C. Sohl; VOTED IN FAVOR: P. Smith, C. Sohl, C. Wehrly, W. Pollock, J. Esty, J. Holland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
MOTION to deem application #12-009 “Hunter’s Ambulance” Regulated Activity for commercial construction; 309 Boston Post Road (M42 /L 14-1), Applicant: Hunter’s Ambulance Service, Inc.; Agent: HRP Associates, Inc. not to be significant in accordance with the IWWC Regulations, and to determine that Ordinance 71 fees are not required. MADE by W. Pollock; SECONDED by C. Sohl; VOTED IN FAVOR: P. Smith, C. Sohl, C. Wehrly, W. Pollock, J. Esty, J. Holland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
S. Prisloe gave Commissioners a copy of the Withdrawal of notice of IWW violation dated 4/20/12 re: Morin property at 267 Schoolhouse Road, and a letter from a series of homeowners on Spencer Plains Road re: the proposal for 15 housing units at 450 Spencer Plains Road. P. Smith stated that S. Prisloe is handling further communication regarding this matter.
Commissioners received a summary of the IWWC budget dated 5/1/12.
From C. Wehrly representing the Water Pollution Control Authority, Commissioners received a copy of the WPCA article that is going to be published in the next “Saybrook Events Magazine”.
- Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
J. Esty reported that the Planning Commission went on a site walk on Ingham Hill May 16, 2012 to learn more about scenic roads.
- C. Sohl said that the Zoning Commission considered the affordable housing project, “Ethan’s Landing”, on Spencer Plains Road.
S. Prisloe reported that Colvest, West Marine, would be working on the installation of the irrigation system next week. Then landscaping materials will be delivered. There is still mulch in the NW corner where the level spreader was located.
Regarding 13 Fox Hollow Road, S. Prisloe said D. Reed called him a week after the last IWWC meeting. All conditions of the permit have been complied with. S. Prisloe inspected it, and he asked D. Reed to put larger wood chips down to prevent erosion.
D. Reed’s neighbor, Joe Flanagan called S. Prisloe. J. Flanagan is upset that the IWWC issued the permit to D. Reed for construction of a bridge. S. Prisloe informed J. Flanagan that he could appeal the permit and he suggested that if J. Flanagan wanted to pursue the matter further, he should review the IWWC regulations.
S. Prisloe informed Commissioners that he issued an IWWC administrative permit for “Ethan’s Landing” for a small parcel of upland review area being constructed into a lawn area behind the living units.
S. Prisloe also issued an administrative IWWC permit for 10 Holly Drive. The homeowner is adding a 10’ by 10’ 2nd story expansion to the existing deck. The house is in the upland review area. There will be no impact to the wetlands.
S. Prisloe updated Commissioners on the status of the violation on 31 Obed Heights. H. Wood has complied with the conditions requested, and the material he pushed down into the wetlands has been taken out. The highest point on the hillside has been grassed and seeded.
S. Prisloe discussed a violation at 57 Bokum Rd. S. Prisloe met with M. Carpenter whose property is in an upland review area, and the rear of his property is wetland. M. Carpenter had put fill, wood chips, in his yard because he wanted to make the yard safe and level in anticipation of having children. M. Carpenter did have the wetlands flagged by R. Snarski. S. Prisloe stated that he sent M. Carpenter a letter that it was reported that he was conducting activity in a regulated area but not a formal violation notice. M. Carpenter contacted S. Prisloe as soon as he got the letter, and he said he would like to work with the town to re-mediate the situation. If M. Carpenter does not come in with an application showing the dimensions of the property and the locations of the wetlands flags for next month’s IWWC
meeting, P. Smith recommended a formal violation be issued.
M. Piontkowski filed a report about abutting properties on Obed Heights conducting activity in a regulated area. S. Prisloe met with the homeowners and found there is no activity taking place currently. The shed and dock on one property have been there for over 10 years. Another property owner had a tree removed after it fell during Tropical Storm Irene. The tree removal was allowed because it is an as of right activity to remove debris if a storm pushes a tree down. It does not require a permit. S Prisloe will follow up with a letter that no further action is required, and there is no active violation.
C. Minutes – April 19, 2012
MOTION to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 19, 2012 as presented; MADE by C. Wehrly; SECONDED by C. Sohl; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Wehrly, C. Sohl, W. Pollock, P. Smith, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: J. Holland; APPROVED: 5-0-1.
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 P.M.. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission scheduled for, Thursday, June 21, 2012, Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by C. Sohl; SECONDED by J. Holland; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Wehrly, C. Sohl, W. Pollock, P. Smith, J. Holland, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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