TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2006
Regular Meeting
A. Call to Order
Ken Metzler called the Public Hearing to order at 7:37 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Absent:
K. Metzler, Chairman
D. Schreiber, Vice Chairman K. Pacholski (alt.)
þ F. Dirrigl
þ G. Blessing
þ L. Kouyoumjian
Also Present: S. Yorgensen, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agent
M. Benjamin, Recording Clerk
C. Seat Alternates – not applicable
D. New Business
W2005-40 – Application for activity related to 13 lot subdivision including road and lot development and detention pond on property at Lustig Road [Map 36, Lot 12] Owner: Meredith Fuentes; Applicant: Mansour Development (Received 12/12/05, Public Hearing or decision by 2/13/06)
Doug Ellis, representing the applicant, stated that this property on Lustig near Tinkerbell Road is approximately 41.5 acres; ¼ of the property will be Open Space, and that there will be site disturbance at the hill where 2 detention ponds will be created. There will be a 1300 square-foot area of uplands disturbance. 100-foot and 250-foot setbacks are shown on the map. All individual wells and septic systems are marked.
Yorgensen asked what sort of response had been received from Eastern Highlands or Karl Acimovic, the town engineer. Ellis stated that the Eastern Highlands want additional tests and more information on the map. Ellis added that the perc test had come in low.
Specifics of the application were then discussed. Yorgensen identified the key issue was the proposed cut and fill. It would cause a 500-foot wide disturbance on the road. Ellis stated that they would be cutting in on the south, and showed the testing results. Testing has been run for all the septics. Schreiber asked if there was enough buildable area on the property, and was told there was enough buildable land for all lots.
Metzler stated that the commission did not possess enough information to determine if a Public Hearing would be needed. He mentioned the fill between the 100-foot and 250-foot setbacks would need to be specified, as 1 lot is very close to Lustig Road. Usually much unanticipated discharge occurs, and many drains will need to be put in on this property. Metzler added that the slope is such that this is potentially an erosion nightmare. He requested comments from the Eastern Highlands and Acimovic be addressed. Yorgensen added that a Plan of Erosion was needed, and much more information is needed about possible erosion. Schreiber commented that 5 septics of the 13 proposed would impact the review area. Metzler stated that a Public Hearing would be scheduled for February 13, 2006. Yorgensen told
Ellis he needed to submit a lot more information before the hearing. She asked Ellis to let her know if he could not assemble all the requested information to let the town know, as notices would be sent out the last week in January. Metzler stated that a site visit would need to be scheduled before the hearing.
W2005-41 – Application for a 3 lot subdivision on property at 69 Clint Eldridge Road [Map 17, Lot 47] Owner/Applicant: Earl A. Eldridge (Received 12/12/05, Public Hearing or Decision by 2/13/06)
The representative of the applicant gave the commission copies of new plans that incorporated comments of the Health Department. Wells are now shown on the 150-acre parcel which is being divided into 3 lots. The septic system has been moved 2 feet on lot 2. Lot 1 consists of 21.18 acres and the existing farmhouse, lot 2 consists of 94 acres, but there are no plans to build on it. Although no building is planned, plans that show a house, driveway and well are needed to settle the estate. The house meets the current health code. The driveway is with in the 100-foot and 250-foot setbacks, and the septic is within 100 feet. Lot 3 is 34 acres. There is a house in front. The piece of land across the road will be added to Lot 3.
Yorgensen said that the town engineer was comfortable with the plans. She added that the septic on Lot 3 has to be 75 feet away to meet zoning requirements. Across the street a 24” pipe gets an intermittent stream which runs overland where the brook comes down. There is a small swale section. Drainage easements exist for the first 10 feet, and are shown on the boundary maps. She stated that Lot 2 had a small wetlands area, and another large wetlands area on the other side. The culvert is located in the driveway. Water runs down, so there is a pipe way in the driveway to direct it. The drainage calculations were submitted to Karl. Another pipe has been added to the right of the hill. The culvert is placed in a low spot in the field to divert water.
Metzler advised the applicant’s representative to make revisions to the plans and move the septic to 75 feet, and submit them to town staff.
Lot 1no wetlands activity. Accepted – no action.
W2006-01 – Application for Logging on property on Willington Hill Road [Map 3, Lot 5] Owner: Henry Fish; Applicant: Riendeau & Sons Logging (Received 12/12/05, Decision by 1/09/06)
Mr. Riendeau appeared, and explained that there were some wetlands crossing and swales on this property. All work would be done with an 8-wheel forwarder. Work will be carried out in a manner designed to stop erosion. There will be 3 crossings, and the property is pretty flat. The total property is 50 acres. 25 acres are in Storrs/Mansfield, and 25 acres are located in Willington. Portable bridges will be put in during the work. All of the timber will come out on Route 320/Willington Hill Road. Riendau walked the area with staff member Gary Jones. A 14” and up cut is planned. The trees to be cut are primarily oak. Metzler asked how long this logging would take. Riendeau said it would take 3 weeks, and that he would do this when either the land was frozen or dry. The staging area would be at an
existing landing. Tracking material would be placed, and rock would be placed and would stay after the job is completed. Gary Jones’ recommendations have been incorporated in the second map in this application. Metzler asked that the bridge be shown on the plans. Metzler asked if there would be seeding after the harvest. Riendeau said that firewood (8’x10’ logs) would also be taken out and trucked to their yard. Any splitting or cutting would be done there.
MOTION: TO APPROVE W2006-01 with the following conditions:
1. The seed mix must be added to the plans;
2. A Section on Erosion Control needs to be added and;
3. The bridge location is added to the plans.
By: Dirrigl Second: Schreiber
RESULT: Motion passed unanimously.
Yorgensen asked Riendeau to submit revisions to her or Gary Jones.
W2006-03 - Application to install and maintain a water main from Tolland to Willington on Depot Road [Map 15, Lots 1 & 7] Owner: Lee & Lemont Realty; Applicant: Birmingham Utilities, Inc. (Received 1/09/06, Public Hearing or Decision by 3/13/06)
Jack Keefe, Jim Wilcox and Ron Wilsby appeared on behalf of the applicant. A water main from Tolland to Willington exists. For this project, a pipe will be bored beneath the river and the road. It will have a 20” sleeve housing and a 12” water main.
There have been issues of water contamination and of low pressure in the area of the Hall School, the River’s Edge condominiums and the apartments across the street. Birmingham Utilities has been bringing potable water by truck, but this method is quite costly.
The pressure on the Tolland side is 230 psi, and water pressure on the Willington side is 100psi. This work will adjust the water pressure, and cause water that is not contaminated to flow to Willington.
Yorgensen asked if other sources of water had been considered, and was told that no test wells had been drilled.
It would be faster to fix the water problems this way, and the Hall School can be added to this main. Problems at the school, the apartments and the condominiums would be alleviated. The application also asks permission to perform directional boring and to bore below the railroad tracks. Metzler asked if Tolland would need any of the water to come to Willington and was told that the total flow is 7,000 gallons of water per day. Tolland has permitted the diversion of 2,000 gallons of water per day
A discussion ensued regarding municipal, regional and the Willimantic River Alliance interest and concerns about this project. Metzler stated that the structure at Willington would mean that pipe would be added at the River’s Edge area. He stated that pressure would be reduced with a forced water pipe. Automatic shutoff would occur from the Tolland side.
Yorgensen said that the town had received no request from River’s Edge Condominiums about this issue, and that this would be needed. Fire hydrants would need to be placed as part of the project.
Metzler asked for a memo from the town engineer about this project. Metzler asked that the applicant respond to the town engineer’s concerns, and to return to the commission on 02/23/06. Tolland will be having its Public Hearing on the 19th. Willington IWW members are encouraged to attend Tolland’s Public Hearing on this application.
W2006-04 – Application for Emergency Repairs from Storm Event of 10/14-15/05 on Turnpike Road and Culverts on Canestrari Property. [Map 46, Lot 23] Owner: Arthur Canestrari; Applicants: A. Canestrari & Town of Willington. (Received 1/09/06, Public Hearing or Decision by 3/13/06)
No one represented the applicant. Yorgensen stated that no work has been done. Ken Metzler moved that the application be approved with the condition that the town engineer needed on site to oversee the construction and erosion controls and that an as-built is submitted after the work was finished. Unanimously approved.
G. Old Business
W 2005-25 Application to cross wetlands to construct a driveway associated with a single family dwelling at Ruby Road [Map 33, Lot 17) Owner: Ruby Road Associates; Applicant: BHS Construction (Received 7/25/05, Site Walk: 10/23/05 at 10:15am; Public Hearing on 10./25/05 continued to 11/24, extension requested and granted to 12/12/05; Decision by 1/9/05).
Members of the IWW Commission need to listen to tapes of the meetings they had missed for this application. A vote will be taken on this application at the next IWW meeting.
Cease and Desist Order issued to Joseph Voboril Re: Clover Springs Subdivision Wetlands Permit #W2004-04 of Battye Road
The situation continues to be monitored closely by staff.
File 2003-49 – Notice of Violation: Travel Centers of America (the lessee) and George Giguere of Royce Properties (the owner) of a property located at 327 Ruby Road.
No comment.
H. Correspondence - None.
I. Approval of Minutes of 12/12/05 Meeting – Minutes approved.
J. Staff Report and Discussion – None.
K. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn this meeting at 9:25 pm
By: Kouyoumjian Second: Schreiber
RESULT: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully Submitted,
Maura Benjamin
Recording Clerk
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