Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission
40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT 06279
July 27, 2009 – 7:30 ~~PM
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Ken Metzler – Chairman
Greg Blessing
Tess Gutowski
Members Absent:
Dave Schreiber – Vice Chairman - excused
Leon Kouyoumjian - excused
Also present:
Susan Yorgensen - Wetlands Agent
Public Hearing
K. Metzler called the public hearing to order at 7:35.
W2009-16 Application to remove existing bridge deck and upper portion of existing abutment walls. Construct new concrete abutment, new steel bridge and related road and site work. Location Ketchkes Road approx. 650’ west of Moose Meadow Road Owner/Applicant Town of Willington (Public Hearing on July 27, 2009 Decision within 35 days after close of P.H.)
Karl Acimovic, the Town Engineer, and Lynn Nichols, of Public Works, were present for the applicant. Mr. Acimovic read a narrative he had prepared on the existing conditions, the proposed replacement and the preliminary schedule. This document was filed as exhibit #6. He said Kechkes Rd. Bridge services 1 homeowner and a campground. The bridge was constructed in the 1800’s and reconstructed in 1979. The bridge is 25 feet in length and is paved over the bridge and then 20 feet beyond. The remaining road is gravel. Mr. Acimovic said the bridge has been rated by the DOT in serious condition. He said the existing bridge will be removed including the abutments and the superstructure. A new 36 foot bridge will be constructed with steel stringers, steel deck and an asphalt surface. The
existing abutments will stay in place until the new concrete abutments are installed. A discussion was held on the abutments.
Mr. Acimovic said the property is owned by Diane Becker and they are working on an easement agreement with the Becker’s. He said there aren’t any wetlands on the road itself and a discussion was held.
T. Gutowski asked if the applicant had spoken to the homeowner and if they were agreeable to use an alternate travel road and Mr. Acimovic said yes. G. Blessing asked for how long they would have to use an alternative route and Mr. Acimovic said at least a couple months in which they are aware of.
A discussion was held on the water level, the flow of the water and the height of the road. A discussion was held on the staging that will be place in various areas.
G. Blessing asked about wing walls and Mr. Acimovic said they will not be doing wing walls. A discussion was held.
T. Gutowski said there are utility lines going along the bridge and the applicant is going to move them when they begin working. She said it shouldn’t have any impact on the job.
Mr. Acimovic said he has drafted a letter to the DEP Fisheries and read the letter to the commission. K. Metzler requested the letter be sent to the attention of Brian Murphy. Mr. Acimovic said he is also going to include his narrative and a set of plans with the letter.
A discussion was held on protective measures. Mr. Acimovic said a construction easement similar to the one used on Tinkerville will be set up. G. Blessing asked about property lines in which Mr. Acimovic showed on the map along with the temporary construction easements.
G. Blessing questioned what they will do if they do not get permission from the property owner. Mr. Acimovic said they will probably have to hand the project over to the state and it will be much more costly.
G. Blessing asked about alternatives including culverts. Mr. Acimovic said culverts couldn’t get the same capacity and the cost could be higher. He said they also looked at two additional alternatives, in which he described, but this turned out to be the most reasonable. T. Gutowski said, on the field walk, her observation was that this proposal was a good way to go about the reconstruction.
Mr. Acimovic said the First Selectmen has spoken to the Becker’s and did let them know that he is willing to walk the road with a soil scientist to see if there are any potential issues. It was pointed out that the current application did not include the temporary road and once a soil scientist report is received with a plan if there is activity within the regulated area it would require a permit.
The following exhibits were entered for the record.
Exhibit #1 – Plans
Exhibit #2 – Aerial Photographs of the property lines
Exhibit #3 – Plan Revisions
Exhibit #4 – Photographs
Exhibit #5 – Example of a Steel Bridge
Exhibit #6 – Narrative
K. Metzler opened the floor to the public. There were no questions or comments.
T. Gutowski motioned to close the public hearing. G. Blessing seconded the motion. All in favor. Hearing closed.
Regular Meeting
T. Gutowski motioned to seat G. Blessing. All in favor.
W2009-12 Comprehensive changes to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations, Applicant: Inland and Wetland and Watercourse Commission (Public Hearing June 22, 2009)
T. Gutowski went through the hard copy provided by S. Yorgensen and there are several formatting issues that she would like to correct but she will not change the narrative. She said she would like to clean up the fee schedule as it is very hard to read.
A discussion was held on removing the sections of the fee schedule. K. Metzler asked S. Yorgensen to contact Atty. Mark Branse regarding this. S. Yorgensen commented on an email from Atty. Branse regarding Vernal Pools and a discussion was held on the Criteria for the Identification of Vernal Pools and Guidelines for the Protection of Vernal Pools.
W2003-49 Notice of Violation: TravelCenters of America (the Lessee) and George Giguere of Royce Properties (the Owner) of property located at 327 Ruby Road.
T. Gutowski said they are still waiting for the Spill Prevention Control Plan and it is not expected to be ready until the end of the year. The commission asked staff to send a formal letter requesting a copy of the draft.
Correspondence
1. Letter from State of Connecticut regarding the telecommunications facility located at Cosgrove Rd. (Whifford Hill).
2. Letter from Construction Services to Michael Eldredge regarding the Pocket Communications/Siting Council Application for Exempt Modification to existing lattice tower at Cosgrove Rd.
3. CT DEP Emergency Incident Report on fire water run off on 84 East between Exit 70 and 71.
Staff Report
S. Yorgensen commented on the Cadlerock project regarding the wetland restoration. She said they are finishing the project and as soon as EPA leaves, they are all done with the restoration. She said there won’t be anyone to go back and see if everything was done properly and EPA suggested they get a bond and the town hold the bond. G. Blessing asked about the criteria to release the bond. S. Yorgensen said the town would have to place the criteria. A discussion was held on soil scientists monitoring the land, the current litigations and who should take on the responsibility of monitoring it. The commission did not feel this should be the responsibility of the Inland Wetland Commission and agreed that they are not willing to take on the responsibility.
Minutes
T. Gutowski motioned to approve the minutes of July 13, 2009 with the following amendments. G. Blessing seconded the motion.
Page 3 – Application W2009-11 - A discussion was held on the background material Ms. Nichols provided to the commission concerning the State of Connecticut’s DEP proposed Forest Practices Regulations and the Hearing Officer’s Report dated February 3, 2000. T. Gutowski indicated that the Hearing Officer’s Report stated that those opposing the state’s proposed regulations did not base their opinion on specific features of the regulations, but rather the principal of further regulating harvesting of forest products. T. Gutowski noted that similar concerns were expressed at the Town’s IWWC Hearing.
Page 4 – G. Jones explained the Notice of Violation. T. Gutowski asked for clarification: “went back and fixed it?” G. Jones said yes, it is 99% fixed and over time it will be restored.
All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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