MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, William Grace, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller, Jack Phillips and Audrey Wasik
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Donald Gates sitting for Philip Forzley
STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental
Planner/Conservation Officer
Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Correspondence
The Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions (CACIWC) will be holding work sessions on Saturday, November 15, 2003. Anyone interested should contact Jeff Folger.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Jeff explained that a scout is will be extending the hiking trail on the Michael Donnelly property. Platforms will be used for one or two more wetland crossings rather than the construction of a bridge.
Jeff will be working with Nancy Kerensky to try to keep the grant money from OPM in Town.
ITEM: Wetland Officer’s Report
There was a total of 3 to 5 inches of rain this past weekend; the Town did not have any major problems.
Commissioner Phillips noted that there was water going across Buckland Road. Jeff stated that initially the church was giving the Town permission to place a detention basin on their property, but has since withdrawn that permission. The Town will be looking at other options in order to correct this problem.
Jeff told Commission members that he had received a complaint regarding 461 Miller Road. A portion of the rear yard there were wetlands filled. Jeff stated that he would be contacting the homeowner to see if there will be voluntary cooperation with this matter.
The memo dated September 18, 2003 regarding The Shops at Evergreen Walk from Betty to the Planning & Zoning Commission was read into the record, but was not made part of the approval conditions at the Planning & Zoning meeting. The Planing & Zoning Commission did not feel that a view scape was the purview of the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Commission members discussed this matter in detail and decided that the sub-committee meeting regarding the zoning regulations will also meet with Planning & Zoning to discuss letters sent to Planning & Zoning Commission.
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #03-64W – Town of South Windsor
Mr. Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer came before the Commission. He explained that they would like to remove and replace a culvert that crosses Lawrence Road. The culvert is believed to have been the original culvert that was put in when the road was constructed more than 40 years ago. The culvert drains to the wetland on the West Side of the road, into a wet marshy area on the East Side of the road through a small stream channel. Presently there is a 24” corrigated metal pipe that starts on the West Side of the road. This pipe has about 1/3 of the bottom rotted away. Somewhere in the middle of the road, the pipe changes to a 36” concrete pipe and comes out to a catch basin on the East Side of the road, then out to an outlet structure that is made from a couple of 4’ square catch basin
sumps put together and then into some riprap and down steam. The riprap on the West Side will remain. The asphalt on the East Side will be removed and riprap will be added on the West Side. The existing pipe will be removed and then replaced with a 24” concrete pipe all the way across the road, and extend the side out about 8’ to stabilize the slope. A head wall will be constructed on the end and some riprap around the entrance to avoid erosion. The catch basin on the East Side will be replaced with a doublewide catch basin, which will allow more storage and easier maintenance capabilities. The disturbed area will be replanted with a wild flower mixture or a suitable cover.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Doolittle explained that all invasive species within the work area would be removed.
Jeff Folger stated that all work being done is in a previously disturbed area and the result is going to be a net benefit in the stream channel.
Jeff Doolittle told the Commission that the project would be for two days. One half of the proposed construction will be done in one day. The area will be temporarily secured making sure the water continues to flow. The next day, construction will be done on the second half of this project.
Public
Mr. Roger Hildebrand of 43 Cliffwood Drive came before the Commission. He asked the applicant if Lawrence Road would remain open while construction is underway. Mr. Doolittle said that it would be.
Commissioner Phillips asked if there is a plan for preventing silt from going down stream during the time when no pipe is in there. Jeff Doolittle explained that the work will probably start downstream and work upstream. The contractor will have an area downstream where he can collect silt and dispose of it. Jeff Doolittle stated that he did not feel check dams would be necessary, but if it were found that they are necessary, they could be put in.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #03-64W – Town of South Windsor – Lawrence Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to re-construct an existing drainage culvert across Lawrence Rod. RR, rural Residential zone.
Conditions:
1. One blueprint copy of the entire set of plans and this letter reproduced thereon, must be submitted to this Commission. This must be completed within 65 days of approval prior to any construction activity on the site. Plans submitted to Planning & Zoning Commission shall be considered having met this requirement.
2. The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use.
3. The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on October 1, 2008. It is the landowner(s)/applicant(s) responsibility to track expiration dates and notify the Commission of a renewal request at least 65 days prior to expiration.
4. All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
5. A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
6. Oversight of general construction by Jeff Folger.
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follow: unanimous
ITEM: Old Business
Appl. #03-59P – Mannarino Builders
Mr. Jay Ursery of J. R. Russo came before the Commission. He explained that at the last meeting the Commission had concerns about the proximity of the house to the wetlands, the footprint of the proposed house and the 18’ wide driveway. The house footprint has been decreased and the driveway location for the proposed house has been relocated. The house is now setback 37-38’ from the wetland. A split rain fence will be erected between the house and the wetland. After a discussion with the Fire Marshall, the common driveway will have to remain 18’ wide.
Commissioner Heffler suggested that a stone wall be erected instead of a split rail fence. Mr. Ursery explained that people would walk right over the stone wall and he felt that the split rail fence would be a better barrier.
Mr. George Logan from REMA came before the Commission. He explained that the soil report has been revised because delineation of the wetlands have been changed. The proposed disturbed area will be 450 square feet with mitigation of 1,500 square feet. The mitigation area will be adjacent to an enhanced buffer area. Both north and south areas will have the enhanced buffer area.
Jeff stated that he would like to review the mitigation area and also walk the site again. Chairperson Warren would also like to go back and walk the site.
There was concerns about the trees hanging over the house. Mr. Ursery stated that they would go back out to the site and put stakes to show where each house will be located. The property owner will be informed about the garbage that is on the site.
Continue public hearing to the October 15, 2003 meeting.
ITEM: Other Business
Meeting Calendar for 2004
The meeting calendar for 2004 was approved by unanimous consensus.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________ ___________________
Deborah W. Reid Date Approved
Recording Secretary
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