Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission
40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT ~06279
December 12, 2011
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dave Schreiber – Co-Chair
Tess Gutowski
Mark Drobney
Heather Dionne, Alternate
Evan Brand
Members Absent:
Greg Blessing, Alternate
Ken Metzler, Co-Chair
Regular Meeting
D. Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:37. T. Gutowski motioned to seat H. Dionne. M. Drobney seconded the motion. All in favor.
T. Gutowski motioned to add Matt and Amy Michanczyk, 23 Lindsay Lane, application for land clearing for agricultural purposes (horses/farming) to the agenda. M. Drobney seconded the motion. Motion carried.
New Business
- W2011-51 Application for construction of travel stop, including store, food service, fueling station and associated construction 3 Polster Road (on the west side of Polster & north of Lohse Road - at the intersection (Assessors Map 46 Lots 16 &17 Zone R80) Owner: Frank W & Joseph Malack Applicant: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores (Received November 14, 2011 Public Hearing January 9, 2012 Decision within 35 days after close of P.H.)
S. Yorgensen said this is a new application and the reports and maps have been submitted. D. Schreiber explained that the application cannot be discussed until the Public Hearing. T. Gutowski asked if between now and January, the engineer will review the material and submit comments to staff. S. Yorgensen said yes, she will email them to the commission members. The applicant said they could submit electronic copies of the information submitted.
- W2011-52 Application for Timber Harvest at 150 Village Hill Rd (Lot 43 Lot 124-00 Zone R80) Owner: Ray Crossen Applicant: Forestland Management Alternatives (Received December 12, 2011 Decision or Public Hearing by February 13, 2012 Decision within 35 days after close of P.H.)
Eric Johnson of Forest Land Management Alternatives was present. He said the parcel is 100 acres and they will be logging on 50 to 57 acres. They will use the existing roads and will have to construct some skid roads. T. Gutowski asked the soil type and Mr. Johnson said testing has not yet been done. He said he is a Licensed Forester and will be using Best Management Practices.
Mr. Johnson said the area is fairly level. A discussion was held on the terrain, the plans and the area to be harvested. T. Gutowski marked the areas on the map. A discussion was held on setbacks. T. Gutowski asked when the activity will take place and Mr. Johnson said this winter if approvals are in place. S. Yorgensen said she has not been out to the site. The commission agreed to do a site walk and table the application until the January 9, 2012 meeting.
- W2011-53 Application for Timber Harvest on the east side of Ruby Road & just north of Cosgrove Road – in the approximate vicinity of property between #116 and 190 Ruby Road (Map 33 Lots 19 & 17 Zone R80) Owner: Ruby Road Associates LLC Applicant: Hull Forest Products (Received December 12, 2011 Decision or Public Hearing by February 13, 2012 Decision within 35 days after close of P.H.)
Brian Sheehan, a Forester for Hull Forest Products was present. He said the property is 326 acres and harvested 15 years ago. Mr. Sheehan said the skid trails are still well established and the crossings are good and solid; they will use temporary bridge sections that are 24 feet wide. It is a large parcel but the road system is well in place. He said the landing is owned by Charlie King and if they cannot gain access, they will use the landing that is much further out. A discussion was held on the landings. D. Schreiber asked if the applicant was using the same plan as before assuming Mr. King will give permission and if not, they will have to haul an additional half mile. Mr. Sheehan said that was correct and that they hope to conduct the activity in the winter, weather permitting.
T. Gutowski asked if the parcel had a management plan and Mr. Sheehan said no, it’s been managed by Hull Forest Products. He said the owner would like them to put it into 490 next year but that will be a later application. Mr. Sheehan said last time they did 12 inch DBH and up but this time they will do 14 DBH and up for forest regeneration. He said they will do 1500 board feet per acre which is not a clear cut by any means; it is a selective cutting and all trees are painted which they will see on the site walk. The commission agreed to set a time and place for the site walk later in the meeting.
New application added to the agenda:
- Matt and Amy Michanczyk, 23 Lindsay Lane, application for land clearing for agricultural purposes (horses/farming).
Mr. and Mrs. Michanczyk were present. They purchased the house through a short sale and have 6 acres in which they are clearing 3 acres for horses. The applicants said they spoke to someone in town and were told they did not have to pull a permit. They cleared the 3 acres and then a lady from the State Forestry came out to the property. S. Yorgensen said the State Forester called her due to a complaint they received. Mr. and Mrs. Michanczyk said the parcel is slightly graded with wetlands at the bottom but the clearing did not go into the wetlands. They showed the areas on the plans and confirmed that they did receive the Notice of Violation. S. Yorgensen said the State Forester confirmed that the closest point to the wetlands is 50 feet.
T. Gutowski said the application is incomplete and the applicant needs to submit additional paperwork. The commission agreed to do a site walk and tabled the application until the next meeting. A discussion was held on the application and review process and the commission recommended the applicant take a look at the regulations. A discussion was held on the upland review area, clear cutting, slopes and the impacts to the wetlands. A discussion was held on the regulations, upland review area and minimum footage.
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.
The Notice of Violation was tabled.
Correspondence
- Copy of the Notice of Violation to Stanley Orlowski regarding 23 Lindsey Lane.
- Copy of the Notice of Violation to Phillip Orlowski regarding 23 Lindsey Lane.
- Copy of the Notice of Violation to Matthew and Amy Michanczyk regarding 23 Lindsey Lane.
- Emergency incident report on a gasoline spill at Ruby Rd. and Turnpike Rd.
Minutes
M. Drobney motioned to approve the minutes of 11/14/11. H. Dionne seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Discussion
The commission agreed to conduct site walks at 150 Village Hill Road, Ruby Road, and 23 Lindsey Lane on 12/18/11 at 8:00 am.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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