I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Colin Heffernan called the regular meeting to order at 7:00pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Judith Preston, Janis Esty, J. Colin Heffernan, Daniel Walden, Walter Smith
Paul Carver; Seated: Charles Wehrly, Elizabeth Steffen
Members Absent: Brendan McKeown
Staff: Sandy Prisloe, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer; Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to APPROVE the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 15, 2015; MADE: by W. Smith; SECONDED: by C. Wehrly; VOTING IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, W. Smith, J. Esty, C. Wehrly, D. Walden; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: E. Steffen; APPROVED: 5-0-1.
MOTION to APPROVE the Minutes of the Special Meeting of January 29, 2015; MADE: by C. Heffernan; SECONDED: by E. Steffen; VOTING IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, W. Smith, J. Esty, C. Wehrly, E. Steffen, D. Walden; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None APPROVED: 6-0-0.
B. Correspondence & Announcements
None.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Charles Wehrly, reporting for WPCA, said they are still looking at wetlands regulations. A public hearing is rescheduled for March 2.
Janis Esty, reporting for the Planning Commission, stated that the referral for the Eastpointe development was approved, with a few caveats, such as a request for elevators and to examine whether a second trash dumpster area should be established.
Wetlands Enforcement Office Sandy Prisloe informed the Commission that Melanie Roberts, who is employed by the Land Use office, has been working on updating the office’s wetlands-related maps, ultimately entering information and updating the map geo system.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
15-004 “330 Watrous Point Road” Landscape Improvements
330 Watrous Point Road (Map 64 / Lots 17-2)
Applicant: Martin & Ann MacKay Agent: Thomas Metcalf, P.E.L.S.
Action: Accept application, determine significance and if Ordinance 71 fees are required
Thomas Metcalfe, agent, presented for the applicant. Also present was Andrew Moyer with the firm Anne Penniman Associates, LLC.
Paul Carver arrived at 7:03pm
Thomas Metcalfe explained that the property owners propose landscaping improvements, as well as installation of an in ground swimming pool. Soil scientist Richard Snarski had inspected the property and flagged the wetlands in the fall of 2014. He did not foresee any negative impact. On the property are tidal wetlands and a small inland wetlands. The area where the pool is to be installed lies within the gateway conservation zone. No work is proposed within the inland wetlands areas.
Judith Preston arrived at 7:07pm.
T. Metcalfe explained that the proposed work consists of removal of retaining walls and installation of new ones, installation of the swimming pool, installation of a riparian buffer along the perimeter, removal of some lawn area, removal of invasive species, and planting of native species within the wetlands, and installation of a fence. T. Metcalfe stated that Torrance Downes of the Gateway Commission had no objections.
A. Moyer answered questions about tree removal and plantings noting that only native species that would have been found in the area will be reintroduced.
MOTION to accept the application, “15-004 “330 Watrous Point Road” Landscape Improvements
330 Watrous Point Road (Map 64 / Lots 17-2)” Applicant: Martin & Ann MacKay Agent: Thomas Metcalf, P.E.L.S. MADE: by E. Steffen; SECONDED: by W. Smith; VOTING IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, W. Smith, J. Esty, C. Wehrly, E. Steffen D. Walden, J. Preston, P. Carver; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None APPROVED: 8-0-0.
MOTION to not deem this application significant, “ 15-004 “330 Watrous Point Road” Landscape Improvements 330 Watrous Point Road (Map 64 / Lots 17-2”) Applicant: Martin & Ann MacKay Agent: Thomas Metcalf, P.E.L.S. MADE: by J. Preston; SECONDED: by E. Steffen; VOTING IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, W. Smith, J. Esty, C. Wehrly, E. Steffen, D. Walden, J. Preston, P. Carver; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None APPROVED: 8-0-0.
MOTION to not require Ordinance 71 fees for “ 15-004 “330 Watrous Point Road” Landscape Improvements 330 Watrous Point Road (Map 64 / Lots 17-2)” Applicant: Martin & Ann MacKay Agent: Thomas Metcalf, P.E.L.S. MADE: by C. Heffernan; SECONDED: by E. Steffen; VOTING IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, W. Smith, J. Esty, C. Wehrly, E. Steffen, D. Walden, J. Preston, P. Carver; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None APPROVED: 8-0-0.
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 P.M. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2015, Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by P. Carver; SECONDED by C. Heffernan; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, W. Smith, J. Esty, C. Wehrly, E. Steffen, D. Walden, J. Preston, P. Carver; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None APPROVED: 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
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