TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 26, 2001
K. METZLER CALLED A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION TO ORDER AT 7:40 P.M. FEBRUARY 26, 2001, AT THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING, 40 OLD FARMS ROAD, WILLINGTON.
PRESENT: ABSENT:
K. Metzler G. Blessing
D. Schreiber F. Dirrigl
T. Gutowski, alt.
J. Csiki, alt.
S. Yorgensen, agent
L. Decker, recording clerk
D. SCHREIBER MOVED TO SEAT BOTH ALTERNATES FOR THE MEETING.
SECONDED BY K. METZLER. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. File #W2001-18-Application to construct an addition to a single-family dwelling within the regulated area located off 12 Red Oak Hill Road (Map 8, Lot 14). Nancy A. Cooke owner/applicant. (Received on 02/26/01, no decision before 03/12/01, hearing or decision by 04/23/01).
N. Cooke reviewed the map with the commission showing the main house and 24’ x 24’ addition that is proposed.
The commission reviewed the map and outlined the setbacks and buffer.
N. Cooke said there is an existing parking lot, and the addition will be in there.
K. Metzler asked if staff had seen the property.
S. Yorgensen said No.
K. Metzler asked about the shed.
N. Cooke said they anticipate moving it. It has no foundation and is on cement blocks.
K. Metzler said he feels staff should look at it and make any recommendations to the commission. He asked to get the addition area marked out so the commission can have a better idea of proximity to the wetlands.
N. Cooke said she has already reviewed this with Dave Potts. He wants a perk hole done to check the system. She showed the tank and fields on the map.
The commission discussed the septic reserve area and what will be needed in case of failure and repair.
Staff will review the site.
2. File #W2001-16-Application for a wetlands permit for two stream crossings and activity within the regulated area for a logging application located off Blair Road (Map 53, Lot 01, 44 acres). Northeast Utilities owner/Ferrucci & Walicki, LLC applicants. (Received on 02/26/01, no decision before 03/12/01, hearing or decision by 04/23/01).
No one was present to represent the file.
The commission reviewed the file.
K. Metzler read from the regulations and noted the applicants do not have an automatic right on this.
S. Yorgensen said the commission attorney agrees this is not a situation of an automatic right. She will try to contact them and ask them to come to the next meeting.
The commission reviewed the info and deferred discussion.
3. File #W2001-08-Application for a wetlands permit for a rear lot with house and grading in the regulated area located by 219 River Road. Kathryn Hallock owner/applicant. (Received on 01/22/01, no decision before 02/05/01, hearing or decision by 03/26/01).
S. Klimkoski of Filip Associates spoke on behalf of the applicant.
S. Klimkoski asked if the commission had any questions as a result of their sitewalk Saturday. He noted the only difference on the map was the stockpile. He showed the proposed well, house location and plan. The 80,000 square foot zoning requirement is pushing the site back a little farther.
D. Schreiber asked if it was an engineered septic.
S. Klimkoski showed the reserve area and said they may need to have a pump if it fails.
The commission discussed clearing of trees.
T. Gutowski asked if the water on site meanders into the Willimantic River.
S. Klimkoski reviewed the pond system.
T. Gutowski asked if it was an approved lot.
S. Klimkoski said 2 lots were merged into the one existing. They are trying to break it up. The only work inside the buffer will be the grading for the house. He already spoke with Dave Potts about the project.
The commission reviewed the map and buffers.
S. Klimkoski went over other options that had been explored.
T. Gutowski asked if they were paving the driveway.
S. Klimkoski said it would be paved all the way down to the house.
K. Metzler said the impact on wetlands and watercourses appears to be minimal.
D. Schreiber said if they are planning on doing anything with the trees by the pond they should be aware there is not much sod underneath, and should be careful.
S. Klimkoski said he made a set of clearing notes from the SES handbook, and can add those notes to the plan. There is info on seeding, mulching and stockpiling.
The commission discussed possible future cutting in the regulated area.
S. Yorgensen said any further disturbance of land other than what is on the map must come before the commission. A note should be put on the map to that effect.
S. Klimkoski agreed it was a good idea to put a note on the plan.
K. Metzler said the note would keep any future buyers aware of the situation.
T. Gutowski said the commission has experienced problems in the past where a pond was totally destroyed after clear-cutting an area.
S. Klimkoski said they could also put an easement on the pond.
K. Metzler said a note to the effect that any further work requires a permit should be sufficient.
D. SCHREIBER MOVED TO APPROVE FILE #W2001-08-APPLICATION FOR A WETLANDS PERMIT FOR A REAR LOT WITH HOUSE AND GRADING IN THE REGULATED AREA LOCATED BY 219 RIVER ROAD. KATHRYN HALLOCK OWNER/APPLICANT. (RECEIVED ON 01/22/01, NO DECISION BEFORE 02/05/01, HEARING OR DECISION BY 03/26/01), WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITION:
1) That a note stating that any activity in the regulated area, beyond that which is shown on the plans, shall require approval of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.
SECONDED BY T. GUTOWSKI. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
4. File #W2001-13-Application for a wetlands permit on the west side of Route 32, north of I-84 (Map 39, Lot 6, 8.11 acres) for a municipal recreation area. Town of Willington owners/applicants. (Received on 02/12/01, no decision before 02/26/01, hearing or decision by 04/09/01).
The commission reviewed the map and proposal.
D. Schreiber said all within a specific area of this site is a manufactured wetland per se.
T. Gutowski asked if they were going to retain the tree line.
S. Yorgensen said she did not know.
T. Gutowski said likely not, since there will probably be a track.
D. Schreiber said the area has a lot of fill and has been worked over a lot in the past.
T. Gutowski said the commission should go on a sitewalk.
K. Metzler said there is a lot of earth moving to be done.
S. Yorgensen said there is not supposed to be any work at all in the regulated areas. The engineer has flagged off the regulated area. She reviewed the history of the parcel and work being done.
The commission decided to set a sitewalk at the next meeting after the snow is gone.
5. Review of revised plans for truckwash plans located at Truckstops of America: George Giguere.
G. Giguere read a letter into the record regarding the proposed changes. He said he needs to go before the PZC to ask for a new permit for the truckwash and is running out of time. The existing IWWC permit is a 5-year, received in February of 1998. The builder that was originally going to do this lost his financing 2-3 days after the start of the project. He showed the plans that are already approved. The change proposed is to the drains for the truckwash bays, as recommended by the new supplier. The existing plans will work, but the viability of finances to maintain it makes it somewhat unfeasible. They fill rapidly, and it is one, set steep price to have it cleaned. With the new plan, the grates come off, and you can use a backhoe to put it into a truck to haul.
D. Schreiber said the concrete structure looks like it is over 7 feet deep.
G. Giguere said that is correct.
T. Gutowski asked about recycling of the water.
G. Giguere said it is a pit with bafflers, and all hard material settles out. A lot of sand comes off, and rather than putting it through the recycler, this system settles it out. It is much more efficient and is a huge cost savings.
K. Metzler asked how they would de-water the material that is excavated.
G. Giguere said he did not know exactly. They pull the level down when they dig it out.
T. Gutowski asked if it was considered hazardous waste.
G. Giguere said he’s paying hazardous waste prices to have it hauled.
S. Yorgensen said it is considered hazardous waste because it has petroleum products. She does not understand how they will be able to take it out with a backhoe.
S. Yorgensen asked if Gary Levitt had looked at the plan.
G. Giguere said yes. They looked at the specs for the new recycling system. There is another one like it in Connecticut now, which is working extremely well. It is a totally closed system. Everything stays inside the building. If something spills, it goes back into the system. The companies that do this are regulated by the state, and they can’t leave with hazardous waste dripping on the roadway. They are bonded, state-licensed, and highly regulated.
T. Gutowski asked about the compartments.
G. Giguere said they are actually holes.
K. Metzler asked about the biofilter.
G. Giguere said he got the info late on that.
K. Metzler said there are still deficiencies.
G. Giguere said his understanding is that the water is leaking underneath the channel wall. They have taken steps to stop it but it is still occurring. Also, some of the plantings may have not taken root.
G. Giguere said that TA went to their environmental people about it and they will be coming before the commission soon with a proposal. As a bit of a preview, they are proposing a 4” membrane that extends above the water level by about 2 feet. It will be covered with clay, and then topsoil, then the plantings. They feel that should stop the seepage and allow the plants to grow. Other proposals have been reviewed as well. He reviewed the pages of the plan, which are changing.
Regarding the trench drain - K. Metzler asked if this was sent to DEP for approval.
G. Giguere said No, but it is set with Gary Levitt.
D. Schreiber said the commission wants to be sure DEP is aware of this and that it is not a bad thing, and that spillage will not be a problem.
G. Giguere said all the requirements regarding spillage are part of the already-existing permit.
K. Metzler said he does not see the proposal as a significant change.
The commission reviewed history of the problems on the site.
K. Metzler asked about the discharge water quality.
Consensus of the Commission was that if they had a letter from DEP regarding the trench design and indicating it would not create a problem and that they approved of the design that the Commission would agree there is not a significant change to the existing permit.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Review of Mitigation Condition for Village Hill Road Bridge Replacement
John Patton reviewed his request for leeway on the bridge replacement mitigation in consideration of the 80-acre Fenton Ruby land acquisition. The town is spending $43,000 to buy open space, which they do not have to do. It is a good length of wetlands. The town is giving up an unnamed tributary, but getting and preserving something much greater.
T. Gutowski said she understands the request, but would like input from DEP Fisheries since they looked at the problems due to bridge construction. She said purchase of the Drobney property is indeed a great deal for the town.
J. Patton said his point is that the town is preserving a valuable piece of property with a huge wetland area running right through it. He was looking for a tradeoff.
K. Metzler said he does not disagree with what Mr. Patton is saying, but DEP Fisheries felt very strongly, about what was happening at the Village Hill Road Bridge. He would like to talk to DEP about other options that may be available.
J. Patton said Alan from AN Engineering is also going to speak with them about it.
K. Metzler said he would speak to Brian Murphy at DEP Fisheries and go from there.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. 1/24 letter from Branse & Willis, LLC, re: rate increase
2. 1/23 letter from New England Wild Flower Society, re: Plant Conservation Volunteer Corps
3. River Rundown, Winter 2001
4. Memo, re: Feb. 28th seminar on local fisheries habitats
5. American Planning Association February 2001
6. Info on request for authorization under the general permit for water resource construction activities
7. Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants, Feb. 15, 2001
MINUTES:
Deferred.
STAFF REPORT AND DISCUSSION:
None.
J. CSIKI MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:30 P.M.
SECONDED BY D. SCHREIBER. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
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