TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 2002 REGULAR MEETING
A. Call to Order
Metzler called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present: K. Metzler, Chairman
D. Schreiber, Vice-Chairman
F. Dirrigl
T. Gutowski, alt.
L. Kouyoumjian
Members Excused: J. Csiki, alt.
Members Absent: G. Blessing
Also Present: S. Yorgensen, Inland Wetland and Watercourses Agent
S. Nimerowski, Recording Clerk
C. Seat Alternates
MOTION: To seat T. Gutowski for G. Blessing.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Schreiber
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
D. New Business
1. File #W2002-25 – Application to construct a 15’ x 17.5’ deck within the Regulated Area located at 39 Nipmuck Road (Map 7, Lot 18-11). John Loughran Owner/Applicant. (Received on 06/10/02, No Decision before 06/24/02, Hearing or Decision by 07/22/02.)
MOTION: To remand Application #W2002-25 to staff for approval.
By: Gutowski Seconded: Dirrigl
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
E. Old Business
1. File #W2002-20 – Application for a Wetlands Permit for logging located at 166 Village Hill Road (Map 47, Lot 36, 175 acres). Joseph Halchek owner/applicant. (Received on 5/13/02, No Decision before 05/27/02, Hearing or Decision by 07/08/02.)
Steve Acerbo, Supervising Forest Products Harvester, discussed revisions to the application. He said that no trees under 14 in DBH would be cut. He said that the intermittent stream with buffer area would be out of the cut since access will be gained from the other side of the property; therefore, no wetlands and no crossings are involved now.
Metzler described the proposal to Commission members. He said there will be a 50 ft. setback from wetlands.
Mr. Acerbo said the treetops will be reduced with a chain saw to help with decomposition.
Gutowski asked if the woods have been cut before, and Mr. Acerbo replied no, it is a very mature forest. Gutowski asked who identified the wetlands, and Mr. Acerbo replied the surveyor, Bob Messier.
MOTION: Move to approve application as amended.
By: Schreiber Seconded: Dirrigl
Gutowski asked if a site walk has been done on this property. Metzler said that a site walk was considered originally but due to plan revisions, there will be no stream crossings and hence a site walk is unnecessary.
Result: Motion passes 4-0-1 (Gutowski abstains).
2. File #W2002-22 – Application for a 3-Lot Subdivision located off Latham Road (Map 9, Lot 32, 24.60 acres. Michael Nogas, owner/applicant. (Received on 5/13/02, No Decision before 5/27/02, Hearing or Decision by 07/08/02.)
Yorgensen noted that Karl Acimovic has reviewed this application.
Gutowski requested a copy of past minutes concerning this application. She said she has questions about where the vernal pools fall in the 3 lots.
Dirrigl asked when the sites were surveyed, and Yorgensen replied that the wetlands were looked at March 15 and May 15, although Site 9 was not visited on May 15.
Both Metzler and Gutowski expressed the opinion that these sites were unique; Metzler commented that most of the impact was out of the wetlands buffer.
Yorgensen said she would like to review this application.
A brief discussion ensued about the advisability of having a public hearing.
Gutowski said she walked the site today and wanted to look at alternatives to the proposal. She said she felt the integrity of the wetlands should be ensured, possibly with conservation easements.
Mr. Pelletier said that Mr. Acimovic has already reviewed the application and the soil conservation service has visited it.
Yorgensen said she had asked the DEP recently for input about endangered species.
Gutowski noted that information in the April 22 minutes should be considered before approving this application.
Metzler suggested Mr. Pelletier address recommendations in the letter from the Conservation Service. He also requested staff review the application.
Yorgensen said she would give an information packet to each member.
Dirrigl reminded the Commission that he will be absent for the month of July.
3. File #W2002-23 – Application for a Wetlands Permit to extend existing lawn area in the Regulated Area located at 317 Tolland Tpk. (Map 22, Lot 9). Scott S. Hills owner/applicant. (Received on 5/13/02, No Decision before 5/27/02, Hearing or Decision by 07/08/02.)
Mr. Hills spoke of his plans.
Yorgensen asked Mr. Hills why he wanted to go to the edge of the brook, and he replied that the existing lawn goes down to the brook and that he is trying to create a little more usable area. He said the proposed area is 50’ x 85’.
Kouyoumjian said that he and Csiki have walked the site for a previous application.
Dirrigl asked Mr. Hills if trees would be removed, and he replied yes, although the trees don’t go to the edge of the brook.
Mrs. Hills also spoke.
Dirrigl noted that George Brook has a substantial flow; eventually flowing into the Fenton River, and that the banks should be stabilized.
Yorgensen asked how Mr. Hills would stop erosion, and he replied that a silt fence would be used.
Metzler said the applicants would be notified of a site walk.
5. Remediation of Bio-Filter located at Truck Stops of America.
Dave Plummer, Environmental Consultant, discussed remediation plans. He said the 3 water/oil separators were cleaned out in March.
Mr. Plummer said that Lemick Landscaping would install a liner along the wall; if water is diverted, everything will be okay. He said the landscaper would go no deeper than 18 inches. He said he thinks the detention pool is doing its job.
Metzler said that Roaring Brook is a significant resource and that’s the reason for having a tertiary system. He said everything that can be done to renovate the water leaving would be good.
Mr. Plummer repeated his belief that the detention pond is doing its job. He said they would be proceeding with the liner installation to divert water and give it a longer course of treating the water.
Gutowski asked if monitoring will be done, and Mr. Plummer said that regular samples would be taken of the outflow of the detention pond.
Metzler asked that a short summary be provided as well as reports. He asked Mr. Plummer to notify Yorgensen of when the project is begun and when it is finished. He said that the Commission would be better able to determine if the biofilter will work as designed once the wall has been repaired, plantings have a chance to thrive, and monitoring results are reviewed.
Yorgensen said someone should be overseeing the landscaper; she asked for a copy of the landscaper’s plans and specifications. She has some concern since she believes the clay liner was installed at about 18 inches in grade.
Mr. Plummer gave assurances that the landscaper will be supervised and he will send a copy of the specs to Ms. Yorgensen.
MOTION: To modify agenda to include W2002- Cook/Common Road.
By: Schreiber Seconded: Dirrigl
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
6. W2002- Cook-Common Road.
Mr. Cook said he is building a home on Building lot 8 off the Common Road Subdivision. He said he wants to go into the buffer zone to create a lawn or garden area. He said the area is 1/20th of an acre.
Metzler asked if grading, cutting tress, removing stumps, and seeding will occur, and Mr. Cook replied yes. Metzler asked how much grading will be required, and Mr. Cook said the natural contour of the land will be preserved.
Gutowski asked how far the area is from wetlands, and Mr. Cook said 65 ft. Gutowski noted that there is a conservation easement on a portion of the property. Mr. Cook said there is a 50’ easement on the eastern side and 25’ on the rest.
Gutowski asked Metzler if the wetland feeds into a brook, and he replied yes.
Metzler asked the applicant to mark off on the map where the clearing will be so it will be obvious where trees will be cut. He also said a silt fence is needed.
Mr. Cook said a stockpile and silt fence were already there. He said the topsoil will be put on the stockpile; stumps will be trucked off-site
MOTION: To remand Application #W2002- to staff.
By: Schreiber Seconded: Dirrigl
Discussion. Metzler asked the Staff to tell the Commission about anything they should know about this application.
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
F. Correspondence
Correspondence was reviewed. Yorgensen suggested that Gutowski attend the
June 11th public informational meeting on the proposed towers if possible. .
G. Approval of Minutes
Gutowski asked that the spelling of her name be corrected on page 1 of the May 13 minutes.
MOTION: To approve the May 13, 2002 minutes as amended.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Kouyoumjian
Result: Motion passes 6-0-1 (Gutowski abstains)
H. Staff Report and Discussion
Metzler expressed his concern that large, possibly overloaded logging trucks are traveling down and causing damage to Baxter Road and Rt. 32.
Dirrigl asked about the status of activity at 180 Tolland Turnpike, saying it was a real mess. Yorgensen replied that Jones has written a letter to the property owner and is handling it. He said wetland vegetation and part of a stonewall have been removed, fill has been put in, and large vehicle ruts remain. Dirrigl said that removal of vegetation up to George’s Brook is a bad idea. He asked that Metzler call Jones about the situation. Gutowski asked if we could send the property owner a letter, requesting them to come to a meeting. Yorgensen replied that Mr. Jones was working with the property owner and did not believe the area had been filled. She will get an update from Jones.
I. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn at 9:55 p.m.
By: Kouyoumjian Seconded: Gutowski
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan S. Nimerowski
Recording Clerk
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