Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission
40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT 06279
July 14, 2008 – 7:30 ~~PM
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Ken Metzler
Dave Schreiber
Tess Gutowski seated as an alternate
Roger Peloquin seated as an alternate
Members Absent:
Greg Blessing
Leon Kouyoumjian
Frank Dirrigl
Also present:
Gary Jones
K. Metzler called the meeting to order at 7:39 PM.
D. Schreiber motioned to seat T. Gutowski and R. Peloquin. K. Metzler seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Public Hearing:
W2008-6 Applicant to construct driveway , crossing of wetlands & installation of culverts at 14 Balazs Road (Map 44 Lot 17 Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Craig A. Johnson (Received May 12, 2008 Public Hearing ~July 14, 2008 decision within 35 days after close of Public Hearing)
Edward Pelletier of Datum Engineering was present for the applicant. He submitted revised Subsurface Sewage Disposal Design plans dated July 14, 2008 which were marked as exhibit #1. He said he wanted to extend the public hearing until the next meeting to address F. Dirrigl’s comments about the Vernal Pools. K. Metzler asked Mr. Pelletier to present the information they currently have for this public hearing.
Mr. Pelletier explained they are adding a driveway. He showed the wetlands which were flagged by Rick Zulick who was also present. He commented that they have 2 proposed crossings of the wetlands.
K. Metzler asked how they would handle the run off coming down the paved driveway. Mr. Pelletier said it would be a raised driveway in which everything would run away from the driveway, not down the driveway. He commented that it would be 250 feet of paved driveway. He said that, on this lot, all improvements other than the driveway are out of the regulated area. K. Metzler asked Mr. Pelletier to submit the full picture plan copy he was presenting with the application.
A discussion was held on alternatives. D. Schreiber asked if the applicant had looked at going through lot 7 as an alternative. Mr. Pelletier said that it was a feasible possibility as the owner is the same. K. Metzler asked if this would reduce impact and Mr. Pelletier thought that it would reduce the amount of fill needed.
A discussion was held on the location of the Vernal Pool. A memo from F. Dirrigl was submitted as exhibit #2 regarding a Vernal Pool that should have been surveyed.
Mr. Zulick, a soil scientist, commented that he did the wetland delineation. A discussion was held on the wetland/watercourses, the possible location of the Vernal Pool and the necessary precautions that should be taken.
R. Peloquin asked how much fill would be brought in and what kind. Mr. Pelletier said gravel would be brought in but he would have to calculate the amount which would be provided to the commission at a later date.
K. Metzler opened the comments to the public. Sue Thatcher of 269 Turnpike Rd was present and asked what the proposed plans were and exactly what was to be done. K. Metzler said the applicant is looking to build 2 dwellings on 2 existing lots. Overview plans, dated February 1977 were marked as exhibit #3.
Discussion was held on Bissonnette Pond. Bob Anderson, of 30 Balazs Rd., commented that the pond is owned by the association and there are 13 or 14 covenants attached to their deeds. Shirley Ernst, of 30 Balazs Rd, commented she felt it necessary to do whatever it takes as to not to adversely effect the pond or the brook.
G. Jones submitted resumes of the commission member which was marked as exhibit #4.
T. Gutowski made a motion to continue the public hearing until July 28, 2008. D. Schreiber seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
W2008-7 Applicant for construction of single family dwelling, septic system, drilling well, driveway & site grading within upland review area.18 Balazs Road (Map 44 Lot 16 Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Craig A. Johnson (Received May 12, 2008 Public Hearing July 14, 2008 decision within 35 days after close of ~Public Hearing.)
Mr. Pelletier was present for the applicant and presented revised Subsurface Sewage Disposal Design plans that were marked as exhibit #1. He commented that the lot fronts on Balazs and there is some frontage on Bissonnette Pond. Mr. Pelletier explained the plans. He said the house will have a walkout basement so there will be minimal grading. He said they did test holes. The original septic was moved because the Health Dept. did not like the location. He said all grading associated with the septic would be away from the slope. He said the entire site is in the regulated area.
The Overview map was marked as exhibit #2. A discussion was held on the wetlands and the dam which is owned by the association.
A discussion was held on the septic design in which Mr. Pelletier said would be a standard septic design.
A discussion was held on the activity allowed in the area next to the pond and the guidelines of the association.
K. Metzler asked if the Health Dept had approved the septic. Mr. Pelletier said yes.
A discussion was held on alternatives. An alternative was marked as exhibit #3.
Mr. Zulick commented on 3 possible alternatives and his thought in regards to the wetlands. The commission asked Mr. Zulick to submit this in writing.
A discussion was held on the brook and the placement of the house and septic. Mr. Pelletier commented, per the Health Dept., the septic has to be 50 feet from the wetlands.
K. Metzler opened the discussion up to the public. Mr. Anderson asked if test holes for lot 7 and 8 had been done at the same time and what time of year. Mr. Pelletier said yes, they were done at the same time and the first holes were done in March of 2008 and the second in June of 2008.
Bob Shabot, of 17 Jared Sparks Rd, was present and expressed his concern about year round activity that takes place in close proximity to the water. He was concerned about water quality, large houses being built and pollution that might occur. He asked the commission to take a serious look at the site to limit the size of the house. Mr. Pelletier commented that the lots are large in size and the septic areas do not drain toward the pond. Mr. Zulick commented that the Public Health Code has a separation distance between septic and well.
G. Jones explained the zoning regulations in regards to lake protection zones. G. Jones submitted the commission resumes marked as exhibit #4.
T, Gutowski made a motion to continue the public hearing to July 28, 2008 and asked the applicant to prepare written alternatives. R. Peloquin seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Regular Meeting
K. Metzler called the regular meeting to order at 9:01 PM.
W2008-11 Application for activity related to multi-family development (Winterberry Hill) east side of River Road 1000 ft north of Baxter Road (Map 10 Lot 21) Owner/Applicant Willington River Corp (Received June 9, 2008 ~Public Hearing on July 28, 2008 decision within 35 days after close of Public Hearing)
Application was table for this meeting.
Correspondence
1. Emergency Incident Report from State of Connecticut DEP regarding a diesel fuel spill at Becker Construction.
2. Emergency Incident Report from State of Connecticut DEP regarding a transformer oil spill at exit 70 on I-84.
3. Letter to Mr. Healy regarding the Storrs Community Church and the proposed location.
4. Letter from State of Connecticut DEP regarding the Turnpike Road Pond Dam and the repairs necessary.
Minutes
T. Gutowski made a motion to approve the minutes of 6/23/08. D. Schreiber seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Staff Report
G. Jones commented he had nothing additional to report at this time.
R. Peloquin made motion to adjourn at 9:15. D. Schreiber seconded the motion. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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