Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission
40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT ~06279
June 10, 2013
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dave Schreiber – Co-Chairman
Tess Gutowski
Mark Drobney
Evan Brand
Members Absent:
Heather Dionne - Alternate
Greg Blessing – Alternate
Also Present:
Susan Yorgensen
Ken Metzler
Regular Meeting
D. Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:30.
New Business
W2013-21 Application to be classified as a non-regulated recreational use for outdoor festival at 150 Village Hill Road (Wilderness Lake Campground) (Map 42 Lot 5 Zone DR) Owner: Ray Crossen Applicant: Project Sole (Received June 4, 2013 Public Hearing or Decision by July 16, 2013)
Atty. Tim Hollister and Alyssa Omley were present to represent Project Sole. They are proposing a charitable event which includes a 5K Human Obstacle Course scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2013. Atty. Hollister said they are applying for an outdoor festival event with ZBA and a one day charitable event alcohol permit with PZC and the State Liquor Commission. Atty. Hollister said they are before IWWC to confirm this is not a regulated activity. He said it is an outdoor recreation event; there will not be any structures involved and it is not earth moving. Atty. Hollister presented a diagram to the Commission and explained the layout.
Atty. Hollister said they have an outdoor parking location approximately ½ mile away and will shuttle the participants in. He said the event area will be a couple of tents and a stage and the race itself goes around Wilderness Lake. Atty. Hollister said the event is not in the water but at some point goes in the upland review area. S. Yorgensen said it appears that in all points it is in the upland review area and also goes over some streams. D. Schreiber asked if it goes over the stream and the bridge and over the stream with the dam and Atty. Hollister said yes.
Atty. Holllister explained Project Sole; they collect footwear from events such as this and distribute them all over the world. He said last year, in the United States, Project Sole distributed 11,000 pairs of footwear and they are hoping to collect a couple thousand pairs of footwear from this event.
Atty. Hollister said they would not be disturbing any wetlands or watercourses. D. Schreiber questioned if there would be mud pits and Atty. Hollister said he does not believe so; the race is called a Human Obstacle Race and people will dress up like Zombies and try to grab the flags off of the participant’s belts. A discussion was held on the course and Atty. Hollister said his understanding is there will be only human obstacles.
T. Gutowski asked the amount of participants and Atty. Hollister said over a 12 hour period approximately 7,000; they will have 8 waves of the race and run them in stages. He said they begin at 7:00 in morning and the last race will be at 4:30. T. Gutowski asked how the applicant will manage bathrooms and Atty. Hollister said there is a portable toilet area and showed them on the map. Atty. Hollister said they will have Police, trash personnel, Emergency Medical Services and onsite security and commented that he is very impressed with this organization.
Ralph Tulis asked if Ray Crossen built a bridge across the dam and if not, how they will get across the water. A discussion was held on the river, the dam and the beach. S. Yorgensen said the spillway could be an issue. Further discussion was held on the streams, the dam and the lake. S. Yorgensen said they may have to build a temporary structure to get over the water. T. Gutowski said she would like to remand the application to Staff to gather more information. The Commission members agreed they would like to remand the application to staff.
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.
This application was tabled.
Minutes
T. Gutowski motioned to approve the minutes of May 13, 2013. M. Drobney seconded the motion. All in favor.
Correspondence
- Email from David Lebel transferring authorization as the acting Construction Coordinator for the Temple to Cheryl Dudley.
Staff Report
A brief discussion was held on transferring the authorization to Cheryl Dudley. The Commission consented to Cheryl Dudley as acting Construction Coordinator from June through September of the Temple as she is familiar with the approval process the Temple has been following.
Hockla Farms, discussion was held on a leak-off in the road that was plugged up by a homeowner. T. Gutowski would like the Town to take a look at the situation. The Commission would like staff to send a letter asking the Town what their plan of action is regarding resolving the issues in this area.
The Commission presented Ken Metzler with a plaque and token of appreciation and thanked him for all his years of dedicated service; he has been a valued member of the Commission since 1986.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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