Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
July 24, 2006
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Dave Schreiber called the IWWC meeting to order at 7:32 PM.
Roll Call:
Dave Schreiber
Roger Peloquin
Leon Kouyomijian
L. Kouyomijian made a motion to seat R. Peloquin as an alternate, D. Schreiber seconded the motion, all in favor, and thus the motion carries.
K. Metzler and F. Dirrigl arrived at 7:34 PM, R. Peloquin was unseated.
G. Blessing arrived at 7:36 PM
New Business
W2006-34 – Application for selective Timber Harvest on property on Luchon Road (Map 18, Lot 8B) Owner: Winthrop & Elizabeth Merriam; Applicant Hull Forest Products, Inc. Attn: Michael J. Bartlett (Received 7/24/06, Public Hearing/Decision by 9/19/06)
Mr. Bartlett was present to discuss the application. He stated that he would like to conduct a selective harvest on Luchon Rd. He stated that on the property he will need to cross a brook, to do so he will bring in a portable bridge as well as use logs and earth over a water bar to protect the brook from the skidder when crossing over it. He stated that Willimantic Water Works has been notified.
Mr. Bartlett stated that the area where he will be cutting will be mulched after the harvest. He explained that during the harvest there will be hay bails covered with tarps to avoid erosion problems during rain storms. He stated that he will be using a chain saw to cut the trees and will be able to leave the trees near the brook uncut.
The commission asked Mr. Bartlett to return at the next meeting with a narrative stating that he will not cut the trees near the brook.
Pre-application
None
Applications received after or post agenda filing:
W2006-35- Application for activity within the upland review area for two lots on 49 & 53 Navratil Road. (Map12, Lots 41 & 41A) Owner/Applicant Patriot Land Developers LLC.
Andrew Bushnell from Patriot Land Development was present to discuss the application. He stated that there are two existing lots that he would like to develop and access with a common driveway. He stated that currently the lots are accessible through a single wheel path which he believes was the original driveway to the property. Mr. Bushnell stated that there was once a home on lot 41 but it burned down years ago. He stated that the original owner of the property passed away but deeded the property in two pieces to a nephew. Mr. Bushnell stated that he would like to maintain the current driveway due to the sightlines. He also stated that a pipe will need to be installed under the driveway to maintain the current water flow.
Mr. Bushnell stated that the driveway will be paved as well as having additional aggregate on either side to widen the driveway for emergency vehicles.
There has not been approval from the Health department for the septic.
G. Blessing asked if there is any drainage to prevent water from going into the road. Mr. Bushnell stated that currently the water sheet flows from the driveway into the road.
The commission told Mr. Bushnell that he would need to come back with records showing that this is indeed two separate pieces of property as well as approval from the health district. The commission stated that they would like the plans to be sent to the town engineer as well. The commission asked if there were other areas on the property where a driveway could be put in that would not affect the wetlands. Mr. Bushnell said he would look more at the property. The commission asked him to come back at the next meeting with changes.
Old Business
W2006-24 – Application for construction of two (2) single family dwellings within the regulated area on parcel A&B south of 69 Loshe Rd. (Map 46, Lot 1-B) Owner/Applicant: D. W. Fish Home Builders, LLC. (Received 5/8/06, Site walk 5/22/06 at 6pm, Public Hearing/Decision by 7/10/06, extension requested to 7/24/06)
The commission discussed application W2006-24; D. Schreiber went through the memo from the town engineer stating his thoughts and concerns regarding the application and plans. Some of the engineer’s concerns included the need for a temporary check dam instead of silt fencing, the need for hay bails to be placed below the check dam as well as the construction site to be monitored by an engineer.
G. Jones noted that he is still waiting to receive documentation from a lawyer that the parcel is indeed two separate pieces of land, due to the assessor’s map showing that it is one lot.
G. Blessing measured the slope of the driveway and discussed his concerns regarding how steep it would be causing the driveway to not be stable and erode. The commission suggested the possibility of placing an erosion control bond on the property, as well as requiring an engineer to inspect the construction site after each storm to see if erosion has occurred.
K. Metzler stated that there is a high probability that the driveway can not be stabilized. D. Schreiber looked at the map and suggested other locations that the driveway could be placed that would not disrupt the wetland area.
K. Metzler read the IWWC regulations to the commission to remind them what they needed to base their decision on when approving or denying an application.
F. Dirrigl stated that he was concerned because he feels that the commission led this applicant to create the final plan, based on their suggestions that a common driveway would cause less of a disturbance to the wetlands then two separate drives.
G. Blessing stated that he feels that there will be significant erosion control issues at this site. He stated that the driveway crossing the wetlands is not the only concern, that the larger concern is the amount of damage the footprint of the entire driveway will create to the wetlands due to erosion. G. Blessing went on to state that due to the commissions credentials as well as his own he is able to look at the applicants plans and see that the water flow plan that is mapped out will not work due to the proposed grading and the water will not end up in the proposed catch basin. He stated that there may be other alternatives to the plan such as better ways to deal with the drainage and grading, but with the current plan there is the potential for sedimentation and erosion control issues during and
after construction.
F. Dirrigl stated that he feels that even if the applicant follows the town engineers recommendations that there still will be erosion issues after construction is completed.
K. Metzler made a motion to deny with out prejudice W2006-24- Application for construction of two (2) single family dwellings within the regulated area on parcel A & B south of 69 Loshe Rd. (Map 46, Lot 1-B) Owner/Applicant: D.W. Fish Home Builders, LLC for the following reasons: 1) feasible alternatives exist that would cause less impact to the wetlands and watercourse, including driveway reconfiguration and/or only developing the site as a single lot; 2) there will be irreversible loss of wetlands and watercourse resources which would be caused by the regulated activity, including pollution and environmental damage to the wetlands and watercourse and the inability to maintain the their existing environmental quality; 3) construction of the driveways, as proposed, will cause injury to
the wetlands and watercourse area through erosion and sedimentation and a subsequent negative impact to fish and other beneficial aquatic organisms within the watercourse; and 4) the proposed activity will have a negative impact on downstream wetlands and watercourses, particularly Roaring Brook.
G. Blessing made a second to the motion.
The commission voted:
In favor- G. Blessing, F. Dirrigl, K. Metzler, & D. Schreiber
Opposed- None
Abstentions- L. Kouyomijian
The motion carries.
Cease and Desist Order issued to Joseph Vobril Re: Clover Springs Subdivision Wetlands Permit #W2004-04 off Battye Road. Site walk 10/24/05 9:30 a.m.
No discussion
File #2003-49- Notice of Violation: TravelCenters of America (the lessee) and George Gigure of Royces Properties (the Owner) of property located at 327 Ruby Road.
No Discussion
Correspondence
1. Letter from Gina McCarthy Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection. RE: Travel Center
2. Letter of resignation from Kathleen Pacholski
3. Town of Willington Plan of Conservation and Development
4. Permit application for use of pesticides for Gardner Pond on Old Farms Road
5. Letter from Howd & Ludorf LLC. Stating that the Town of Willington is being sued by Patti Wright for improper removal of trees on her property.
F. Dirrigl made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting with the correction of the spelling on L. Kouyomijian’s last name and Roger Peloquin’s first name. L. Kouyomijian seconded the motion.
In favor: D. Schreiber & F. Dirrigl
Opposed: None
Abstentions: K. Metzler, G. Blessing, L. Kouyomijian
Staff Report
Staff asked the commission to drive by the property site for application W2006-35 on Navertil Road. D. Schreiber asked to staff to have the applicant put out a flag as a marker for the property so the commission would be able to find it more easily.
F. Dirrigl asked if the commission members would like to look at the regulations. He asked S. Yorgensen to look at the regulations also and note what she feels is missing from them.
L. Kouyomijian made a motion to adjourn at 9:25 PM, K. Metzler seconded the motion, all in favor thus the motion carries.
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