MINUTES OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011 Page 1 of 5
The regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:43 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.
The following members of the Commission were present:
Patricia McGregor, Chairman
Alexandra Breslin, Vice-Chairman
Kristine Sullivan, Member
The following members of the Commission were absent or excused:
John Kane, Member
Jack Ellison, Member
Brian Smith, Alternate Member
Also present were:
Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Karen Hubbell, Assistant Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Breslin to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2011, Regular Meeting with the following change:
Page 3 – First Sentence – Reads “The Commission would like the IWEO to contact Mr. Luciani, who is the contractor, running the project.” Change to “The Commission directed the IWEO to contact the project contractor and direct that erosion controls be installed. The IWEO was also asked to check for erosion controls on the similar road project on Russell and Collins Road.”
Voting were: McGregor, Breslin, Sullivan.
Unanimous approval.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
1. Letter from SCC Regional Water Authority, dated May 11, 2011, Re: Review comments on application for repaving and drainage improvements to Valley Road.
2. Letter from Land-Tech Consultants, Inc., dated April 28, 2011, Re: Application review, Hopp Brook Resubdivision, Miller Road.
3. Memo from Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, dated May 1, 2011, Re: Review comments on application for resubdivision of property at 100 Miller Road.
4. Memo from Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, dated May 22, 2011, Re: Review comments on application for resubdivision of property at 100 Miller Road.
PUBLICATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
1. Connecticut Wildlife, May/June 2011.
2. The Habitat, Spring 2011.
NEW BUSINESS
1. 122 and 123 Valley Road, Application #1165 submitted by the Town of Bethany for an Inland Wetlands Permit to replace a cross pipe -
The Commission formally received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Al Green, Public Works Director, representing the Town of Bethany.
Mr. Green reviewed the proposed project noting:
· That the drainage on Valley Road has diminished.
· That the pipes have rotted and disintegrated, which is causing collapses.
· That the Town would be replacing all the basins and cross pipes.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
· That the road will be partially closed when the work is being completed.
· That the SCC Regional Water Authority submitted a letter, dated May 11, 2011.
· That the Commission would like to conduct a site visit.
· That the catch basins should be protected with silt fence.
The Commission scheduled a site visit for Thursday, May 26, 2011. Commission members to meet at Old Mill Road off of Valley Road at 6:00 p.m.
Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, June 27, 2011. Tabled.
2. 286 Carrington Road, Application #1100-M-1 submitted by Susan Burt for a modification to the Inland Wetlands Permit to rebuild a barn –
The Commission formally received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Susan Burt, applicant and owner of record.
Mrs. Burt reviewed the proposed project noting:
· That the barn collapsed.
· That the proposed new barn will be 8 feet away from the road.
· That the proposed barn will be smaller than the previous existing barn.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
· That the property is flat but slopes down to the watercourse.
· That the applicant added additional silt fence on the plan.
· That there will be no discharge of water from the concrete truck on the subject property.
Commission members discussed and proceeded to deliberate.
It was moved by Breslin and seconded by Sullivan to accept and approve Application #1100-M-1 submitted by Susan Burt for a modification of the Inland Wetlands Permit to rebuild a barn in accordance with the submitted plan, untitled, with hand drawn revisions prepared by the applicant and revised to May 23, 2011, and is subject to the following conditions including the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803:
Silt fence to be placed as shown on the plan revised by the applicant on May 23, 2011.
No discharge to the watercourse of any waters from washing out the concrete truck or other activities on the site.
The Commission’s decision was based on the fact that if all the activities are followed as shown on the approved plan, there would be no adverse impact to the onsite wetlands and watercourse. Unanimous approval.
3. 38 Farm View Road, Application #1088-M-1 submitted by Kevin Murphy for a modification to the Inland Wetlands Permit to construct an in-ground pool –
The Commission formally received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Varsha Mehta, applicant and owner of record.
Mrs. Mehta reviewed the proposed project noting:
· That the pool contractor did not show up for the meeting.
· That she will contact the pool contractor to stakeout the pool location.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
· That there is a lot of material to be removed.
· That there are no plans showing if the material is going to be stockpiled and where or will it be removed offsite.
· That adequate sediment and erosion controls must be placed due to slope for stabilization.
· That the Commission would like to visit the site.
· That the Commission would like the pool contractor to stake the corners on the site where the pool will be located.
The Commission scheduled a site visit for Thursday, May 26, 2011.
The Commission will schedule a special meeting on a date after the site visit to have the pool contractor present for discussion. The Commission would like the pool contractor to address the following areas of concern:
· How many yards of material will be removed?
· Submit a plan of additional sedimentation and erosion controls because of the steepness of the slope at the back of the proposed pool and how the slope will be stabilized.
· Accurately show how much work area needed to install the proposed pool.
· Where will the material that is being removed be stockpiled or is it being moved offsite?
Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, June 27, 2011. Tabled.
OLD BUSINESS
1. 100 Miller Road (Hopp Brook Resubdivision), Application #887-M-3 submitted by Christopher Stoyer for a modification of the Inland Wetlands Permit to amend map (lot line revision and shifting of house) –
Present to speak on behalf of this application was Attorney Michael Alexander, representing the applicant, Christopher Stoyer, who was also present.
Attorney Alexander submitted and reviewed with the Commission the following materials:
· Revised plan updated to May 17, 2011.
· Letter from Inland Wetlands Commission to Bear Hill Construction, dated March 18, 2008, Re: Approval of five-year extension for the three-lot resubdivision of 100 Miller Road.
· Letter from Bear Hill Construction to the Planning and Zoning Commission, dated December 12, 2011, Re: Request for a five-year extension from the Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands commissions for subdivision approvals for 100 Miller Road.
· Letter from Kratzert, Jones & Associates, Inc., dated May 17, 2011, Re: Response comments pertaining to letter from Land-Tech Consultants, dated April 28, 2011.
· Letter from Soil Resource Consultant, David Lord, to Christopher Stoyer, dated May 21, 2011, Re: Site Investigation for responses to review comments, Land-Tech letter dated April 28, 2011.
Also present was Mr. David Lord, Certified Soil Scientist & Environmental Consultant from Soil Resource Consultants of Meriden, Connecticut. Mr. Lord reviewed his letter dated May 21, 2011.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
· That there are inaccuracies in the map and with what the letter from Land-Tech Consultants, dated April 28, 2011, states pertaining to the wetlands delineation.
· That the Commission would like to hire their own consultant (soil scientist) to recheck the wetlands delineation.
The Commission directed Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to contact the consultant as soon as possible.
The applicant granted the Commission a 14-day extension in time to act on the subject application. The Commission will schedule a special meeting after receipt of the input needed from the consultant that the IWEO will contact. Tabled.
2. Discussion regarding revising the wording on the Conservation Area Signs -
Tabled.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT
Route 69, Hoadley Road, house in span between two forks – Kris Sullivan reported this property for years has had erosion coming down from the hillside onto Route 69 and it is starting again. The owner needs to control what is coming off the site. The IWEO will investigate and report back to the Commission at the next regular meeting on June 27, 2011.
It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Breslin to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:24 p.m. Unanimous approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
for the Inland Wetlands Commission
