MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, July 16, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Colin Heffernan called the meeting to order at 7:01pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Colin Heffernan, Charles Wehrly, Richard Esty, Janis Esty, Elizabeth Steffen
Members Absent
Judy Preston, Paul Carver, Brendan McKeown
Staff Present
Sandy Prisloe, Wetlands Enforcement Officer; Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to APPROVE the Minutes of June 18, 2015 as presented, MADE by R. Esty; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTING IN FAVOR: J. Esty, E. Steffen, R. Esty; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: C. Wehrly, C. Heffernan; APPROVED: 3-0-2.
B. Correspondence & Announcements
Richard Esty’s contact information will be updated with information he provided.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Janis Esty reported for the Planning Commission that both the Scenic Roads and Mariner’s Way booklets have been published and released and both look well designed and produced.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Charles Barnes”
135 Ingham Hill Road (Map 48 / Lot 11)
Wetlands Enforcement Officer Sandy Prisloe gave a brief summary of this application, stating that Mr. Barnes had come to the last meeting, and promised to start cleaning the site. He was to inspect the site prior to tonight’s meeting, and if progress had been made there would be no need for Mr. Barnes to attend this meeting. S. Prisloe made the visit and saw that progress had been made, that two dumpsters were full, and cleaning and removal of debris had occurred on the site. S. Prisloe informed Mr. Barnes that the notice of violation is still in effect, and that he will contact Mr. Barnes in two weeks and arrange to inspect the site. Colin Heffernan stated that S. Prisloe may handle this matter administratively, and report back at the next regular meeting.
B. 12-016 “Tougas” Regulated Activity for Residential Construction
210 Essex Road (Map 58 / Lot 58-53)
Applicant: Phil Tougas
S. Prisloe explained that the owner had been issued a permit on 11-15-2012 for this property, for removal of a dilapidated house. The house was removed, then work stopped. Mr.Tougas is requesting an extension of the permit so that he has the option to build a house in the future. S. Prisloe submitted an email dated July 15, 2015 to the Commissioners in which Mr. Tougas made this request. At present the owner does not know if he’ll ever build. C. Heffernan recommended a three year extension, so as not to leave the matter too open-ended.
MOTION to grant extension of permit to November 2017 for 12-016 “Tougas” Regulated Activity for Residential Construction 210 Essex Road (Map 58 / Lot 58-53) MADE by C. Werhly; SECONDED by E. Steffen; VOTING IN FAVOR: J. Esty, C. Heffernan, C. Werhly, E. Steffen, R. Esty; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Staff Report
Van Epps of Spencer Plains Road
S. Prisloe reported that Mr. Van Epps of Spencer Plains Rd came to the Land Use office, was upset that a complaint filed with the court has to do with wetlands when he has an agricultural exemption. S. Prisloe’s observation is that there is no farming occurring on the property, that there is scrap and junk in the uplands review area. There is a pond in the middle of the property with a large amount of wood chips approximately 20ft from the pond. Papers have been served by the Sheriff.
Cynthia & Kenneth Morin 267 Schoolhouse Road
The Morins were granted agricultural exemption; neighbors complained of clear cutting yet there is no evidence of farming. S. Prisloe sent a letter to the owners requesting permission to inspect the property in order to confirm agricultural activity. He has not received a response. He will send a certified letter requesting permission to inspect the property. If he receives no response he will ask them to appear before the Commission.
Sue Michaud, Bokum Road
S. Prisloe received a complaint from Sue Michaud about a neighbor Michael Evangelisti. Ms. Michaud stated that Mr. Evangelisti is engaged in non-permitted activity. S. Prisloe spoke to Mr. Evangelisti and he states he is not engaged in non-premitted activity. S. Prisloe will review permitting history for this property dating to 2009 and report back to the Commission.
Christine Kelly, 194 Essex Road
Ms. Kelly wants to build a retaining wall of boulders, and asked if this could be handled administratively. S. Prisloe suggested she come before the Commission to ask for a jurisdictional ruling as to whether the activity is allowed “as-of-right”, and if granted then she would not need a permit.
Max’s Place 22 Spencer Plain Road
A storm water pond at Center Road/Max’s Place has a lot of algae. Plants were supposed to have been planted in the detention pond, which would have hindered the spread of algae. The grate gets clogged with algae and owner must clear it up. S. Prisloe confirmed with Richard Snarsky that plants on the original plant list can still be planted. S. Prisloe sent a letter to Attorney Royston who assured him that Max’s Place will plant immediately. S. Prisloe confirmed that planting had begun.
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 P.M. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2015, Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by E. Steffen; SECONDED by R. Esty; VOTING IN FAVOR: C. Heffernan, C. Werhly, R. Esty, J. Esty, E. Steffen; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
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