TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
JANUARY 28, 2002
Minutes
D. SCHREIBER CALLED A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE WILLINGTON INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M. JANUARY 28, 2002 AT THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING, 40 OLD FARMS ROAD, WILLINGTON.
PRESENT:
D. Schreiber
G. Blessing
F. Dirrigl
L. Kouyoumjian
J. Csiki, alt.
K. Metzler (arr. 7:45)
T. Gutowski, alt.
G. Jones, assistant agent
L. Decker, clerk
G. BLESSING MOVED TO SEAT J. CSIKI UNTIL K. METZLER ARRIVES.
SECONDED BY F. DIRRIGL. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. File #2002-5-Application for a wetlands permit for a logging operation located at 375 Tolland Turnpike (Map 22, Lot 20). Jonathan Covault, owner/Dan Donahue, applicant. (Received on 01/28/02, no decision before 02/11/02, hearing or decision by 03/25/02).
No one was present to speak on the application.
The commission reviewed the assessor’s map and determined the proposed work is pretty close to the river.
D. Schreiber said it is within the 100-foot buffer.
G. Blessing asked why.
G. Jones said it is flat there at the base of the hill and the other area is steep. He showed the area to be harvested.
D. Schreiber said the commission looked at this property about 2-3 years ago.
G. Blessing said a sitewalk should be set because it is so close to the Fenton.
F. Dirrigl said they did do a good job in the previous harvest there.
G. Blessing asked why the existing trails were not going to be used.
The commission determined the applicant was trying to avoid taking the trees out up hill.
G. Jones said there is an existing road that goes up on the Covault property. Both crossings are on the property.
G. Blessing asked why Becker is not part of the application since that is whom the logging is for.
D. Schreiber noted water comes down hill off the property.
The commission discussed possible alternatives for an access route.
G. Jones reviewed the alternatives considered in the narrative. It appears skidding the trees up hill is the problem.
G. Blessing asked how much damage comes from skidding up hill vs. working that close to the Fenton. Those are the two options that need to be weighed.
D. Schreiber said the planned work is very close to the flood plain.
F. Dirrigl said there is a good, heavy vegetation buffer there as well.
The commission reviewed the plans.
G. Blessing said if they skidded up hill, they would not even need a sitewalk because everything would be out of the regulated area.
The commission set a sitewalk for Saturday, February 9th at 10 a.m.
K. Metzler arrived at 7:45 p.m.
G. BLESSING MOVED TO UNSEAT J. CSIKI AS K. METZLER ARRIVED.
SECONDED BY L. KOUYOUMJIAN. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
2. File #W2002-9-Application for a wetlands permit for a logging operation located at 48 River Road (map 10, Lot 21, 92.72 acres). Gerald Levasseur, applicant/Willington River Corp., owner. (Received on 01/28/02, no decision before 02/11/02, hearing or decision by 03/25/02).
Don Worth, landscape architect and management consultant spoke on behalf of the applicants.
D. Worth said this is part of a 90-acre property, formerly the Benton property, now held by Willington River Corp. They want to do a timber and firewood harvest to clean up and improve the lot, as well as provide economic value. They want some area for recreational use and to promote the best growth possible. Forester Charles Leigus will oversee the operation. There is a network of roads through the land that will be used. There are no stream crossings and no need for a culvert. They will put in a couple water bars in steep areas if necessary. He explained the water flow, markings and setbacks on the property. He noted the hillside is essentially locked out as a harvest area.
Mike Bartlett has also reviewed the property for a potential maple stand and maximum fall color.
There appear to be no wetlands issues on the site, no proposed work in the regulated area and no crossings are anticipated. The 100-foot setback is shown as required.
The overall schedule is about one year, with no work planned in the spring or wet periods.
He reviewed the staging areas and grades.
G. Jones said a driveway permit might be needed.
G. Blessing asked about re-stabilization.
D. Worth said most of the area is now passable with a 2-wheel drive pickup truck. They do not plan to chew up the roads.
D. Schreiber asked if they would use a forwarder or a skidder.
C. Leigus said it would be a conventional rubber-tire skidder operation. He reviewed the process of the harvest.
K. Metzler asked if they would process cordwood on site.
D. Worth said he did not know. It does not pay to get the wood out of the forest.
G. Blessing asked about the tops.
C. Leigus said intent is to have the tops chipped. They will work to bring them to a central location.
K. Metzler said he knows the site and thinks the roads are in good condition. There will likely be no wetlands impact.
G. Blessing asked if there was any proposed activity along Route 32.
D. Worth showed the setbacks.
J. Csiki asked about erosion control.
D. Worth showed the silt-fencing plan.
G. Blessing said if all activity is outside the regulated area it appears the commission has no jurisdiction.
The commission concurred.
G. BLESSING MOVED THAT THE IWWC COMMISSION HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER FILE #W2002-9 as proposed.
SECONDED BY K. METZLER. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. File #W2002-3-Application for the construction of a 26’ x 20’ accessory building within the regulated area located at 317 Tolland Turnpike (Map 22, Lot 9, 7.78 acres). Scott S. Hills owner/applicant. (Received on 01/14/02, hearing or decision by 03/11/02).
G. Jones said he & Sue have looked at the property and there appears to be no problem with what is proposed. If they put in erosion control downgrade, it should be fine. They are limited due to zoning regulations.
The commission reviewed the plans.
L. KOUYOUMJIAN MOVED TO APPROVE FILE #W2002-3 WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITION:
erosion and sedimentation control such as hay bales will be installed downgrade.
SECONDED BY F. DIRRIGL. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
2. File #W2002-3-Application for a wetlands permit for activity in the regulated area for a single-family home located at 91 Miller Farms Road (Map 6, Lot 12-K). Joan & Bill Kraemer, owners/Spring Hill Properties, LLC, applicants. (Received on 12/10/01, hearing or decision by 02/11/02).
G. Jones said the town engineer has not had a chance to look at the plans and renovation calculations.
K. Metzler read from the letter on record regarding the septic system.
The commission determined they should wait for Karl’s review and details regarding alternatives.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Brochure on Forests & the Connecticut Economy from the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
MINUTES:
K. METZLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 01/14/02.
SECONDED BY F. DIRRIGL. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
STAFF REPORT & DISCUSSION:
G. Blessing said Mark Branse should be notified that Greg is no longer commission chairman as he continues to get correspondence.
G. Blessing noted there is dirt being moved into the commuter lot on Route 32.
M. Dilaj arrived at 8:16.
K METZLER MOVED TO ALTER THE AGENDA AND RETURN TO DISCUSSION ON FILE #W2001-60.
SECONDED BY G. BLESSING UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
D. Schreiber stated the commission would likely make no comment until they hear from the town engineer.
M. Dilaj said there are three main things to comply with DEP standards:
a) phosphate removal
b) nitrate deletion below drinking standards
c) flow time for bacteria to reach the groundwater discharge plant.
M. Dilaj there is a flow of 720 gallons per day. He reviewed the calculations and said the 5.5 inches of soil under the septic system will remove the phosphates.
Calculations determine that the concentration levels of nitrate reaching the wetlands system will be 6.5mg per liter and travel time for bacteria substances will be 28.8 days, which is in excess of DEP standards.
M. Dilaj reviewed the alternative of using a shorter system and distributed copies of the design. Using 18” galleys will shrink the system by 21 feet. They can take the house and shift it over, but the negative impact is that it would subsequently require fill, which would be a lot more destructive. Trees would also need to be cut for this. He said that it ends up being a tradeoff and a judgement call. Mr. Delaj said they are trying to preserve the wooded area as a buffer to the next house.
The commission reviewed the plan and the alternatives.
D. Schreiber said the commission would wait for the town engineer’s review before making any determinations.
T. Gutowski asked about switching the systems.
M. Dilaj said that would leave them with a pump system, which can back up, clog, overflow, etc.
Further discussion was tabled.
The commission returned to STAFF REPORT.
F. Dirrigl reviewed information from the FedEx 2001 annual habitat report.
K. Metzler said it appears the site condition is improving and progress is being made.
T. Gutowski gave an update on study circles for the town Plan of Development.
D. Schreiber said the town would need to balance the tax base with all the services it wants. Everyone wants close, convenient shopping, but they also want it rural.
F. DIRRIGL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:55 P.M.
SECONDED BY G. BLESSING. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
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