Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission
40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT ~06279
April 3, 2012
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dave Schreiber – Co-Chairman
Ken Metzler – Co-Chairman
Tess Gutowski
Mark Drobney
Greg Blessing – Alternate – arrived at 7:26 p.m.
Heather Dionne - Alternate
Members Absent:
Evan Brand
Also Present:
Attorney Mark Branse
Public Hearing
W2011-51 Application for construction of travel stop, including store, food service, fueling station and associated construction west of Polster Road & north of Lohse Road at the intersection of these roads (Map 46 Lots 16 &17 Zone) 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.)
D. Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:10.
Attorney Branse informed the commission that the recording device was not working for the first 30 to 45 minutes of the meeting and read into the record the information that took place.
- Len Jacobs addressed the commission and said he believed they answered and addressed every question asked by the commission. After which time he got a call from Susan Yorgensen, the Planning Agent, requesting the P & Z soil scientist go to the location with the applicants’ soil scientist to verify that Josh Wilson’s conclusions were correct. The soil scientist’s report verified that Mr. Wilson’s findings were correct.
- Rick Sheffield was not able to attend this evening and wanted to address 2 items in which were submitted in a letter and read out loud.
K. Metzler said he has five sheets that are revised and asked if they are the only ones affected and Mr. Perry said that was correct, they are the only sheets affected.
- Mr. Galeota spoke and said they just completed a site walk and witnessed several test pits on Wetland J. that were dug by Fuss and O’Neil in response to help the commission better understand the ground water hydrology in the area. A revised set of plans and transmittal letter has also been submitted describing the changes to the plans.
- Mr. Galeota then read the transmittal letter; they did not originally do test pits in the forebay due to the lack of seeps and the shallow depth of the forebay excavation but wanted to address the question so they conducted more tests.
Tom Galeota detailed the CG 102 Revision submitted; 5 test pits with a table included with the findings shown. He then referenced CD-513; the test pits confirmed their basis for design and has not changed subsequent to the information submitted at the March 12th hearing. Revisions to CE- 501 have been submitted - a note has been added on de-watering which will be done in accordance with DEP.
CD- 511 has been revised; the spill containment boom has been revised in which Mr. Galeota gave the details. The spill containment boom capacity chart has also been revised and Mr. Galeota gave the details of the containment boom which will have a capacity of 9,875 gallons. On CD-513, test pit information has been added and Mr. Galeota gave the details of such.
K. Metzler asked about the de-watering of detention basin # 2 during construction and where they would discharge the water. Mr. Galeota said they would discharge it down gradient and gave the specifications which are also detailed on the plans. K. Metzler asked if he anticipated any seasonal limitations. Mr. Galeota said in the wettest part of the season, if there were high levels of storms, special considerations would have to be made and an engineer on site to witness the construction of the detention basins. A discussion was held on ground water level.
G. Blessing asked about the forebay design and the amount of soil over the liner. Mr. Galeota said it hasn’t been designed yet but they have done it at other locations and confident that it can be done.
K. Metzler asked about the diversion swale and the details. Do you think the surface swale will intercept enough water to move the water out of the area of the detention area or will there still be water underneath? Will this operate as a curtain drain or is this going to operate as a surface water interceptor? Mr. Galeota said it’s going to operate as a surface swale and intercept the water. Further discussion was held. Mr. Galeota said the swale is not meant to act as a curtain drain and a discussion was held.
T. Gutowski questioned catastrophic events and the redesign. A discussion was held on the test pits. Mr. Galeota said they redesigned the containment boom to have a deeper draft and then lined the forebay with an impermeable liner. A discussion was held on the boom. A discussion was held on fuel deliveries.
G. Blessing questioned the constructability of the forebay and the modeling of the ground water elevation to see that the liner does not float. Mr. Galeota said the liner would be placed where it needs to be to offset any floatation and explained the details. He said they would not lose any storage volume
Mr. Galeota referred to modeling of the test pits done March 19th and presented his findings. He said he checked the pits last week and the water was in the same exact position.
Josh Wilson gave his findings when meeting with the soil scientist representing the Inland Wetland and Watercourse’s Commission and after digging a few more test pits, they were in agreement in their findings. Mr. Wilson presented more details of the wetland characteristics and the plan for the exclusion barrier.
D. Schreiber opened the floor to the public.
Ralph Tulis commented on Mr. Sheffield’s letter in regards to concrete pavement and expressed his concerns.
Kathy Demers expressed her concern about areas set aside for animals and how they would handle the waste product in these areas. The applicant felt this should be addressed before Planning and Zoning but Mr. Galeota explained their ideas for this concern; there will be an employee on site to clean this area. A discussion was held on the area proposed and the area of snow storage.
D. Schreiber asked if there were any further questions or comments; nothing at this time.
Atty. Jacobs addressed the commission. He thanked the commission and the public for their time and the consideration shown.
Mr. Galeota referred to Mr. Metzler’s question on the detail of the swale ad said it is detailed on CD-508.
K. Metzler motioned to close the Public Hearing. T. Gutowski seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried Hearing is now closed.
A discussion was held on the members present. Atty. Branse explained the voting process, the members that can provide comments and the members that can vote on the application. He said in order to have an Alternate vote on the application; they would have to be seated at tonight’s meeting. A discussion was held on the next meeting and the opportunity for their engineer to review the application.
Regular Meeting
W2011-51 Application for construction of travel stop, including store, food service, fueling station and associated construction west of Polster Road & north of Lohse Road at the intersection of these roads (Map 46 Lots 16 &17 Zone) 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.)
D. Schreiber called the regular meeting to order. T. Gutowski motioned to seat H. Dionne.
K. Metzler said it is a beautiful piece of land and is concerned about the groundwater on the site. He said the applicant has done a great job addressing the concerns of the commission. It is very close to roaring brook but he feels the chances of a catastrophic
spill is unlikely. K. Metzler said he was impressed when talking to HAZMAT in Florida in regards to this company. This is a tough decision but the commission has to understand the legal parameters they are charged with and base their decision on just that.
T. Gutowski said it is a tough site but the applicant has done as much as possible to mitigate any impacts and has been very responsive to the questions of the commission; they have met the regulations.
H. Dionne said they have done an excellent job presenting and believes they have covered all the basis.
K. Metzler would like staff to help formulate conditions for approval or denial.
K. Metzler motioned to adjourn at 8:28. T. Gutowski seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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