MINUTES
OLD LYME INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016
PRESENT WERE: Skip DiCamillo, Tom Machnik, Evan Griswold, Dave McCulloch, Tim Rollins and Christian Tompkins. Also present were Keith Rosenfeld and Kim Groves.
MINUTES
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DATED, MARCH 22, 2016
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the regular Meeting Minutes of March 22, 2016 as written. Tom Machnik seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
16-1 – OLD LYME CEMETERY ASSOCIATION – 31-2 LIBRARY LANE – PROPOSAL IS TO ENLARGE THE NUMBER OF BURIAL SPACES.
Attorney Thomas McGarry was present on behalf of the Old Lyme Cemetery Association. He stated the purpose of the acquisition is to enlarge the number of burial spaces for the Duck River Cemetery. He said the exact number and location will be determined by a company retained to design cemetery layouts once the purchase is completed. He stated the Cemetery association approached Alan and Deborah Froggatt about purchasing 31-2 Library Lane which is a rear parcel approximately 2 plus acres in size. He further stated that property does have a right of way to Library Lane and noted it was also a buildable parcel. He stated as part of the contract if this application is approved the association will relinquish any right to use that parcel therefore the main access will still be off of McCurdy Road.
Attorney McGarry also noted that as part of the contract the associate has agreed to screen plant the whole boundary line to obstruct the Foggart’s view of the headstones.
The commission reviewed the map which delineated the wetlands on the site. The commission discussed the access to the proposed new burial sites. The commission discussed the construction of the concrete vaults as well as the disturbance to the soil during the actual burial and noted the dirt is actually placed directly on tarps.
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The commission agreed to set a site walk for Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. McGarry also discussed the timeline of the proposal and noted the contract expired between the two parties in mid-June.
16-2 – OLD COLONY BEACH ASSOCIATION – SHEFFIELD BROOK – THE PROPOSAL IS FOR FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION AND CULVERT REPLACEMENT.
Christine Baker, Project Engineer with Fuss & O’Neill was present to discuss the application. She stated that this project has been in the works since 2008. She stated that Sheffield Brook is located right on the coast in between the Old Colony Beach Association property and the Old Lyme Shores property. She stated that Sheffield Brook is a man-made type channelized stream that just carries base flows and storm conveyance down to Long Island Sound. She stated currently they are having a lot of trouble with flooding on the sides of the brook. Baker reviewed the drawing with the commission. She stated the proposal is to excavate approximately 5,000 cubic yards of fill material from this parcel and completely restore the floodplain and create a meandering stream to provide some habitat value and also slow
the flows down. She further stated there will be a floodplain bench on either side of the stream to allow some space for the flow flows to jump the banks. She noted they will do the same process through the smaller channel. She noted the 36 inch pipe will be removed replaced with two new 36-inch pipes. She also noted that in addition to the local permits they have applied for permits from the Federal and State, DEEP, Office of Long Island Sound, Coastal Permits and Army Corp. She also noted she attended the Harbor Commission meeting.
Baker stated the project area is approximately 1.75 acres and the wetland impact is .8 acres (35,000 sq. ft). She stated once the project is complete there will be restoration of approximately 50,000 sq. feet which is over 1 acre. She noted the area will be completely seeded with a floodplain mix. The channel will be lined with rock and two scour pools will contain some rip-rap.
The commission agreed to set a site walk for Thursday May 5, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Baker also discussed the timeline of the project and expressed her concern if the commission was going to require a public hearing then she would like the hearing to be held at the May meeting. The commission agreed to make that determination at the site walk.
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OLD BUSINESS
15-17 PETER MACHNIK – 131 MILE CREEK ROAD – INSTALLATION OF A 400 FT. PROPOSED GRAVEL DRIVEWAY
Tom Machnik recused himself from the application.
Peter Machnik introduced himself and stated he has a 400 ft. gravel driveway in which he has proposed 2 – 18 inch culvert s insuring the intermittent watercourse will not be disturbed.
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the application as submitted with the following conditions:
1. Proper soil and erosion controls should be in place before any construction activity takes place and must remain in place (and functional) for the entire lifetime of the project.
2. Work should be done when it is an anticipated dry period.
3. WEO should be informed prior to when scheduled work shall begin.
Christian Tompkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
15-18 KEVIN CANNING – 76 GRASSY HILL ROAD – PROPOSED ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE REGULATED AREA.
Kevin Canning reviewed the project again with the commission on behalf of the applicant. He also noted that all the work would be occurring on the street side of the home, away from the rear, lakeside portion. DiCamillo asked Mr. Canning if he was able to discuss the installation of a buffer on the property with the property owner. Mr. Canning stated the property owner agreed to plant a buffer and agreed to mow only twice a year.
Dave McCulloch made a motion to approve the application as submitted with the following conditions:
1. Proper soil and erosion controls should be in place before any construction activity takes place and must remain in place (and functional) for the entire lifetime of the project.
2. Plans should be amended to include notes relative to the vegetative buffer.
3. WEO should be informed prior to when scheduled work shall begin.
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Tom Machnik seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
15-19 JOHN MESSER – 12 SUNSET DRIVE – PROPOSED ADDITION WITHIN THE REGULATED AREA
Mr. Messer was present to review the application with the commission. He also noted he has new drawings for the commission with include the buffer that was discussed at the site walk. He also noted his work will be done on the west side of the home, away from the brook.
Tom Machnik made a motion to approve the application as submitted with the following conditions:
1. Proper soil and erosion controls should be in place before any construction activity takes place and must remain in place (and functional) for the entire lifetime of the project.
2. Plans should be amended to include notes relative to the vegetative buffer.
3. WEO should be informed prior to when scheduled work shall begin.
Tim Rollins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Evan Griswold discussed the issue of buffers on property. He stated the State of New Hampshire has put forth some guidelines on buffers in relation to slope and there minimum buffer on a relatively flat surface is 25 ft. Griswold suggested that the commission review the New Hampshire guidelines and they could discuss it at the next meeting. Rosenfeld stated he would print out the information and get it to the commission members prior to the May meeting.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT
Skip DiCamillo contacted Keith Rosenield regarding trees that he observed that had been taken down on Sill Lane. Rosenfeld visited the site and spoke with the owner and took some photographs. He stated that 6 to 7 trees had been taken down but the noted the stumps had been left intact and cut fairly high about the ground. He also stated that most to all the trees were dead or dying
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and he could see the hollowed logs that were fallen off the tree. Wood chips
were spread about the cutting area. He also stated that no signs or erosion was taking place. Rosenfeld agreed to continue to monitor the site.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
NOTICE: Messages to or from the Town of Old Lyme domain are subject to the Freedom of Information statutes and regulations.
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