Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission
40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT 06279
March 14, 2011
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dave Schreiber – Co-Chairman
Tess Gutowski
Evan Brand
Mark Drobney
Members Absent:
Ken Metzler – Co-Chairman
Greg Blessing – Alternate
Also present:
Gary Jones – Assistant Inland Wetlands Agent
Regular Meeting
S. Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:32.
Regular Meeting
New Business
W2011-2 Application for culvert repair at Turnpike Road Extension (150’ northwest of intersection with Turnpike Road) Owner /Application: Town of Willington (Christina Mailhos). Received February 14, 2011 Public Hearing by April 11, 2011 Decision within 35 days after close of P.H.
Karl Acimovic and Lynn Nicholls were present for the town. K. Acimovic presented plans and pictures. He said the problem started back in October 2005 with wash out from the storm. He said the drainage area is ¼ square miles. K. Acimovic said that last time they were in they were going to replace the pipes and now the proposed work is to leave the pipes in and re-line with O. D. HDPE lining systems. He explained the plans and the proposed work and said they will stay out of the streambed with construction. T. Gutowski asked if they had done work like this before and K. Acimovic said yes, in Stonington and explained the work that was done.
G. Jones asked if they were going to build half, putting the traffic on the other side and then build the other half and K. Acimovic said yes. T. Gutowski asked about riprap and K. Acimovic showed the areas on the plans. He said the work would be done in the summer when the flow is very low.
G. Jones said he looked at the proposed work last summer and the new proposed work is less disruptive.
T. Gutowski motioned to approve the application as proposed. E. Brand seconded the motion.
T. Gutowski asked what the 2005 rainfall would look like now after the new work is done and K. Acimovic said it would not go over the road. M. Drobney asked how long the corrugated pipes have been in and if they have been inspected. K. Acimovic said probably since the 1950’s and they have inspected them. He said they are still in good condition so this is the time to do the work.
All in favor. Motion carried.
Karl Acimovic brought another issue up to the Commission. Burma Road has washed out and down into the vegetative wetland next to the pond. He said he felt it was prudent that the Commission do a site walk. He said the pipe under the private way driveway plugged up. A discussion was held on getting the debris out of the wetlands. A discussion was held on options. K. Acimovic mentioned trying to purchase the property as an option. T. Gutowski said she would like to know when the driveway and piping was put in. A discussion was held on grading the road. L. Nicholls said they need to get this resolved and this road open again. A site walk was scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 3:30.
Old Business
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.
G. Jones said there is nothing additional to report for this application at this time.
Correspondence
1. Letter from the Board of Selectman to Abby Kelly appointing her as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission.
2. Letter from Nathan Jacobson & Associates to Willington Public Works regarding the general permit for the discharge of storm water associated with industrial activities.
3. CFL News.
4. Pinelands Nursery & Supply.
5. The Habitat – winter issue.
6. Copy of the Planning magazine – January 2011 issue.
7. Clearscapes – winter issue.
8. Emergency Incident Report – petroleum spill at TA Travel Center.
9. Emergency Incident Report – petroleum spill at 40 Old Farms Rd.
10. Letter from Fuss and O’Neill regarding the Engineering and Environmental Services/Street Sweeping Stockpile Sampling
11. State of Connecticut DEP letter to Connecticut’s Municipal Aquifer Protection Agencies regarding the 2010 Legislation and Regulations Advisory, Aquifer Protection Areas.
12. State of Connecticut Substitute House Bill No. 5436 – An Act Concerning Brownfield Remediation Liability.
13. Notification of Timber Harvest Form.
Holly Drinkuth was present to discuss The Natchaug River Basin Conservation Compact. She said they are looking for support from the land use commissions and they are looking for opportunities to work on projects to protect and preserve the watershed as a region. Ms. Drinkuth said they do have a collaborative website that explains the project -greenvalleyinstiture.org.
Ms. Drinkuth said the Environmental Protection Agency is starting a pilot in each state of looking at the watersheds that are in great shape. She said Mike Eldredge signed off on this compact a couple years ago. A discussion was held on the Compact. Ms. Drinkuth said the Compact does not affect Economic Development.
D. Schreiber said they should support the Compact as far as they can within the confines of the regulations.
The Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission fully endorses “The Natchaug River Basin Conservation Compact” and encourages the Selectmen to participate in the region compact signing event to be held streamside at Diana’s Pool in Chaplin on April 29th at 9 am.
T. Gutowski said the towns have been a part of this discussion with the Natchaug River Basin Conservation the last 3 years and it certainly is something our IWWC Commission should support in an approach to protect the watershed and they look forward to working with the Board of Selectman.
Minutes
The minutes from Nov. 8, 2010 and December 13, 2010 were tabled until the next meeting.
A discussion was held on the washed out area on Burma Road and the private driveway.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:00.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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