TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 2003
A. Call to Order
D. Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present: K. Metzler, Chairman (arrived 7:34 p.m.)
D. Schreiber, Vice-Chairman
G. Blessing (arrived 7:33 p.m.)
S. Calvert (alt.)
F. Dirrigl
Members Excused: L. Kouyoumjian
Also Present: G. Jones, Asst. Inland Wetland and Watercourses Agent
S. Nimerowski, Recording Clerk
C. Seat Alternates
MOTION: To seat Calvert for Kouyoumjian.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Blessing
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
D. New Business
1. Review of Conservation Easement for Sharon W. Dunston, Old Farms Road and
Hockla Farms Road
Jones said that the owners of Lot #2 want to put in a pond. Metzler read the
proposed conservation easement, which ended with wording that said they had the
right to request approval for a pond. Jones said the wording was standard except for
that section. Blessing asked if we have approved the subdivision with the easement
offered to us, and Jones replied yes. Jones said they can locate the pond on any part
of the property that it not part of the easement. He said the mylars haven’t been filed
yet, and that he would talk to Mrs. Dunston.
2. File #W2003-44 Notice of Violation – Filling of wetlands and grading and filling activity within the upland review area without permits on property located at 315 Daleville Road (Map 7, Lot 10B). Owner: Harold W. III and Rene Bruce; Contractor: All-Phase Enterprises, Inc.
Schreiber recused himself from this application. Harold Bruce II presented the
Commission with a map and photos. Jones said he had looked at the area, and
suggested the Commission do so also. Mr. Bruce explained why he wanted to fill in
the area, and said that All-Phase dropped off the fill.
In answer to questions from the Commission, Jones said that part of the regulated
area had been filled in, open water was seen, and that they have a soil survey of
the area. Jones explained that he and Agent Yorgensen consider the area in question
as wetlands because of the area and soil types. He said there are off-site wetlands.
Mr. Bruce said it was all right with him if Metzler looked at the area. Metzler
explained that placing fill within 100 ft. of a regulated area would require a permit.
E. Old Business
1. File #W2003-41 – Application to dredge pond and install retention pond on
property at 31 Daleville Rd. (Map 22, Lot 25, 64 acres). Owner/Applicant:
Robert S. Hockla. (Received 10/27/03; No Decision before 11/24/03; Site walk
11/15/03, 10:00 a.m.; rain date 11/22/03, 10:00 a.m.; Public Hearing or Decision
by 12/8/03.)
Metzler said that Schreiber and Jones conducted a site walk. Schreiber said that about ¾ of an acre of mud has filled in the applicant’s pond, and he wants to drain it down 9 ft. to take the sludge out, spread it on a field that drains away from the property, and put in a retention pond.
Mr. Hockla said the retention pond would be 15 ft. x 30 ft., and about 6-8 ft. deep. Schreiber asked if DEP approval was needed. Jones showed 1975 photos vs. recent photos that showed deposits. Mr. Hockla said that some of the material is coming off roads. He said it was last dredged in the mid-60s.
Blessing suggested that perhaps it should be called a sediment basin rather than a retention pond. He said that if it was called a retention pond, there would be more regulations.
Dirrigl asked if stream diversion or DEP approval would be required. Brief discussion followed.
Metzler suggested the applicant apply for the dredging of the pond and for a sediment basin separately. He said that DEP application forms are on line, and information could be found on the website.
Commission members looked at a topo map. There was discussion about various events that can cause wash-outs and sedimentation. Pat Wright, an abutting neighbor, said that about 90 acres of watershed drains into the pond. Schreiber said that every time beaver dams are broken, a lot of debris gets flushed out.
2. File #W2003-42 – Application for selective timber harvest adjacent to wetlands
with stream crossing on property at 169 Lohse Road (Map 52, Lot 28, 17+- acres).
Owner: Richard Jenkins, III; Applicant: Ted Willis. (Received 10/27/03; No
Decision before 11/14/03; Site walk 11/15/03, 11:00 a.m.; rain date 11/22/03,
11:00 a.m.; Public Hearing or Decision by 12/8/03.)
Metzler said a site walk was done on November 15. Jones said the area is a good site for logging as it is mostly flat. He said the trees are already marked, and an old logging road exists. Schreiber said there are about 17 acres. Blessing asked if we had dealt with this logger before, and Jones replied no. Jones said the logger is going to use a corduroy bridge for the one stream crossing.
MOTION: To approve File #W2003-42 “as is.”
By: Metzler Seconded: Blessing
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
3. Violation: Travel Centers of America (the Lessee) and George Giguere of Royce
Properties (the Owner) of property located at 327 Ruby Road.
Schreiber said the Conservation Commission sent him an e-mail about this, and he told them to read the IWC minutes. Blessing said he would defer the matter to DEP for investigation and clean up. Jones said the DEP should be communicating with us about it since wetlands and their refurbishment is our concern.
F. Correspondence
1. Town of Willington Notice of Violation dated 11/19/03 to Harold and Rene
Bruce, 315 Daleville Road.
2. Town of Willington letter to Pamela B. Katz of the CT Siting Council dated
10/28/03
re: Docket #267
3. Conservation Easement Agreement – Dunston, Willington
Correspondence was reviewed.
G. Approval of Minutes
MOTION: To approve minutes of October 27, 2003.
By: Calvert Seconded: Schreiber
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
H. Staff Report and Discussion
Jones discussed the Clover Springs subdivision.
The Commission asked for legal advice from Atty. Branse concerning Clover Springs’ wetlands permit that expires 12/15/03.
Schreiber noted that Csiki has resigned as alternate.
Blessing expressed a desire to eventually leave the Commission, saying he has been on it since 1989.
I. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn at 9:08 p.m.
By: Blessing Seconded: Calvert
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Nimerowski
Recording Clerk
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