OLD LYME INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2013
PRESENT WERE: Chairman Skip DiCamillo, Evan Griswold, Janet Bechtel, Dave McCulloch and Linda Krulikowski.
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DATED JANUARY 22, 2013
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Linda Krulikowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES OF SITE WALK MEETING DATED FEBRUARY 23, 2013
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the Site Walk minutes as submitted. Linda Krulikowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
TOWN OF OLD LYME – REGIONAL DISTRICT 18 – 69-2 LYME STREET FIREWELL MAINTENANCE
David Roberge, Fire Marshal was present to discuss the proposed maintenance. Roberge stated as a part of the site improvements a supportive travel path for fire apparatus to access the edge of the pond was created. He further stated recently the Fire Department visited the area and tried to simulate actually drawing water and due to the current pond conditions they are limited to the number of hose sections that can be used to draw suction.
Roberge stated they are present tonight to ask the Inland Wetlands Commission permission to go in and re-establish a supply point at the edge of the pond. He stated the excavation size would be limited to a width of 15 feet along the edge of the pond and extends outward to a distance of 8 feet. A depth of excavation extending downward 5 feet would create a point adequate for fire apparatus to access. He stated that they anticipated removing about 22 cubic yards of material.
Roberge stated the work would be done from the edge with a rubber tire excavator during the months of March/April 2013. He stated the material would be placed in a dump truck and then be transported on site to the lay down area which is located in the schools leaching area. Roberge also noted some sort of crash barrier will be placed at the end for safety purposes to prevent vehicles and or people from going into the pond.
Ann Brown reported that a recent statutory change was sent out to the commission that stated that installation of a dry hydrant is a permitted activity. Therefore, Brown stated if they were to install a dry
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hydrant the commission would not issue a permit. She stated the statute doesn’t specifically exempt maintenance of a fire well. She further stated she was aware the fire department was anxious to begin work so if the commission issues the permit they will need to wait till next month. If the commission authorizes an Administrative Permit the time can be cut down to about two weeks. She also noted if the commission determines this is so like the installation of a dry hydrant a permit would not be required.
Bechtel stated on the permitted uses one of them is withdrawals of water for fire emergencies. Bechtel asked if a dry hydrant was technically standpipe. Roberge stated that was correct. Bechtel clarified that the proposal was simply excavating so hoses can be dropped to suck water. Roberge stated that was correct.
Dave McCulloch made a motion to allow the issuance of an Administrative Permit for this activity. Linda Krulikowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
13-3 DENNIS HALLAHAN – 3 LITTLEFIELD LANE – REPLACE EXISTING PROPANE TANK WITH A NEW LARGER TANK IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.
Brown presented Mr. Hallahan’s application because he was unable to attend the meeting due to travel. Brown stated he applied for a zoning permit to install his tank and when she evaluated the permit she realized it needs a Wetlands Permit. Brown distributed the photographs but noted they were difficult to see because of the amount of snow on the ground at the time. She noted the tank has been installed just behind the stonewall. She also presented a site plan of the area which indicated he was within the upland review area. Brown noted he apologized for not applying for a permit.
Griswold clarified that the tank is on the wetlands side of the wall. Brown indicated that was correct. McCulloch asked if it was a concrete base that held the previous tank. Brown noted the existing tank was located behind the garage. She stated the proposed tank is not pressurized or filled at this point and the tank behind the garage would be removed. DiCamillo asked how far the proposed tank was from the wetlands. Brown stated it was approximately 20 feet.
The commission agreed to set a site walk for Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.
13-4 ROBERT O’LEARY – OAK LAND DEVELOPMENT – 59 SEA SPRAY – TEAR DOWN EXISTING HOUSE DESTROYED BY HURRICANE SANDY AND CONSTRUCT A NEW HOUSE. PROPERTY OWNERS: MARK & MARIA BERNACKI
Bob Doane, Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor was present on half of the Bernacki’s to discuss their proposed application. Doane stated the proposal is to tear down the house that was significantly damaged by Hurricane Sandy and rebuild. He said the first floor of the existing house was at elevation 7.1. He stated the Flood Plain Elevation (FEMA) as of February 6, 2013 it went to 12 and with the current regulations he is proposing a first floor elevation of 13.
Krulikowski asked if the rebuild would be within the same footprint. Doane stated the footprint is a bit larger but with the first floor elevation of 13 and the building height restricted to 24 feet you cannot
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construct a two story dwelling so they are trying to do everything within the zoning limits. He stated it would be a three bedroom house with a relatively new sanitary system. He noted a small amount of grading would need to be done around the house to get coverage on the pipes going into the building. He noted it was a flat lot.
Doane noted there is an existing stream that goes down the paper road. He noted the wetlands have been flagged by Richard Snarski. He stated the entire property is within the regulated area.
Bechtel asked what did damage to the house. Doane stated the water elevation. Brown stated it came up from the ocean and could not get out from the brook.
Bechtel also asked Mr. Doane to inquire as to what is being stored in the shed on the property . Doane agreed to provide the information at the next meeting. Doane also noted he would be providing architectural drawings prior to the next meeting.
The commission agreed to set a Site Walk for Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.
OLD BUSINESS
13-1 RICHARD BATTALINO – 240-1 SHORE ROAD – TEMPORARY SELF-STORAGE CONTAINERS THAT ARE RESTING ON CRUSHED STONE
Chairman DiCamillo stated the commission visited the site on February 23, 2013 at which time they told Mr. Battalino he did not need to attend the meeting.
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Dave McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
13-2 OLD LYME LAND TRUST – 132 FOUR MILE RIVER ROAD – STAIRWAY STRUCTURE AND WALKWAY ACROSS THE WETLANDS.
Chairman DiCamillo noted the commission was unable to walk the site due to the amount of snow on the ground. The commission also reviewed the map of the area and the other adjacent parcels that would now be connected. Bechtel stated that parking would always be limited but noted the beauty of the piece is that it now would have access to other parcels. She noted this area would be a real hike for pedestrian traffic.
The commission agreed to set a new site walk date for Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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