Thursday, January 5, 2012

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011 Page 1 of 5


The regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:33 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:
Alexandra Breslin, Chair
Kristine Sullivan, Vice-Chair
Brian Smith, Member
Roger Hathaway, Member
Lisa Gaw, Member

Also present was:
Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Hathaway to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the October 22, 2011, Special Meeting/Site Visit.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.

2. It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Hathaway to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the October 24, 2011, Regular Meeting.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.

3. It was moved by Smith and seconded by Sullivan to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the November 11, 2011, Special Meeting/Site Visit.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.

4. It was moved by Smith and seconded by Sullivan to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the November 28, 2011, Regular Meeting.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.

5. It was moved by Smith and seconded by Sullivan to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the December 10, 2011, Special Meeting/Site Visit.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.






GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

1. Email from Marc Adelberg of 29 Mesa Drive, dated November 30, 2011, Re: Memo regarding the development of 46 Mesa Drive.
2. Letter/Report from Dr. Michael Klemens, dated December 11, 2011, Re: Comments on review of 46 Mesa Drive plans revised to November 28, 2011, and REMA Ecological Services Report dated November 28, 2011.
3. Resume of Dr. Michael W. Klemens, submitted December 19, 2011.
4. Copy of Department of the Army General Permit, State of Connecticut and Lands located within the Boundaries of an Indian Reservation, effective date July 15, 2011, expiration date: July 15, 2016.
5. Consent to extension of time from James Woodward dated December 19, 2011, Re: Extension of 30 days to continue the public hearing on Application #1170 for 46 Mesa Drive.
6. Letter from John Paul Garcia, dated December 12, 2011, Re: 6 Sargent Drive, revised copy of drawings submitted to PZC for proposed gas filling station/convenience store with attached drawings.

Mr. Garcia stated that a new application for 6 Sargent Drive has been submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission with less development and comments from the Inland Wetlands Commission is needed whether or not a new Inland Wetlands application or modification needs to be submitted.

It was the consensus of the Commission to submit a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission stating the Inland Wetlands Commission has reviewed the proposed modification dated October 24, 2011, for 6 Sargent Drive and that the Commission has no issues due to the decrease in development and provided that if successfully passed through the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Inland Wetlands Commission would like a copy of the revised plans for their record.

7. Letter from Nancy McCarthy, Town Clerk, dated November 22, 2011, Re: Request for 2012 schedule of regular meetings for the Inland Wetlands Commission with attached draft prepared by clerk for 2012 regular meetings.
It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Gaw to adopt the proposed dates for the 2012 Meeting Schedule as prepared by the Clerk, in a letter dated December 1, 2011.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.


PUBLICATIONS AND WORKSHOPS

1. Connecticut Federation of Lakes, December 2011.







BILLS

1. It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Smith to approve the payment of $585.00, for professional services rendered by Diversified Technology Consultants as shown on a bill dated December 14, 2011. (46 Mesa Drive).
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.


PUBLIC HEARING

· 46 Mesa Drive, Application #1170 submitted by James Woodward for a Five-lot Subdivision -

At 8:01 p.m., Chair Breslin called to order the public hearing continuation on the five-lot subdivision. Chair Breslin read the legal notice for the public hearing continuation and stated the Commission would just be accepting documents for the hearing record.

Chair Breslin noted that the Commission has received the following items relative to the subject application. Exhibit identification was assigned as noted:
Exhibit 3A – Email from Marc Adelberg of 29 Mesa Drive, dated November 30, 2011, Re: Memo regarding the development of 46 Mesa Drive.
Exhibit 3B – Letter/Report from Dr. Michael Klemens, dated December 11, 2011, Re: Comments on review of 46 Mesa Drive plans revised to November 28, 2011, and REMA Ecological Services Report dated November 28, 2011.
Exhibit 3C – Resume of Dr. Michael W. Klemens, submitted December 19, 2011.
Exhibit 3D – Copy of Department of the Army General Permit, State of Connecticut and Lands located within the Boundaries of an Indian Reservation, effective date July 15, 2011, expiration date: July 15, 2016. references in his letter.
Exhibit 3E – Consent to extension of time from James Woodward dated December 19, 2011, Re: Extension of 30 days to continue the public hearing on Application #1170 for 46 Mesa Drive.

At 8:05 p.m., Chair Breslin recessed the public hearing and continued it to the next regular meeting on Monday, January 23, 2011, in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall. Tabled.


NEW BUSINESS

No new business.



OLD BUSINESS

1. 667 Amity Road, Application #1177 submitted by Eric Soltis for an IW Permit to construct a “Haunted Attraction” –

Present to speak on behalf of this application was Eric Soltis, Applicant.

The Commission visited the site on December 10, 2011, and there being no concerns, it was the consensus of the Commission that a permit was not necessary at this time. The Commission would like to revisit the site after the attraction has been in operation for one season to check for erosion from the parking.

It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Smith to send a letter to the applicant returning his application and informing the applicant that this is subject to the Inland Wetlands Commission revisiting the site in November after the attraction has been in operation for a season so that the Commission can observe the activity conducted for that year and determine whether or not this is a regulated activity.
Voting were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw, Hathaway.
Unanimous approval.


2. Francis Drive, Anella Drive and Clay Road, Application #1178 submitted by the Town of Bethany/Department of Public Works for an IW Permit for drainage improvements –

No one was present for this application.

It was the consensus of the Commission that the Town needs to hire an engineer for engineered plans and stormwater calculations for these proposed drainage improvements. Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to draft letter and submit to Commission for review.

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, January 23, 2012. Tabled.


3. Discussion in regard to amendments to the Inland Wetlands Regulations per State of CT –

Commission to review and discuss at the next regular meeting scheduled on Monday, January 23, 2012. Tabled.


4. 46 Mesa Drive, James Woodward, Application #1170 for a Five-lot Subdivision –

Public hearing continued to the next regular meeting scheduled on January 23, 2011. Tabled.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Smith and seconded by Sullivan to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:05 p.m. Unanimous approval.

Respectfully submitted,


Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
For the Inland Wetlands Commission
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 12, 2011
Page 1 of 2

Attendance: First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Steven Thornquist

Visitors: Attorney Kevin McSherry, Ann McDonnell, George McDonnell, Phil Brunwin, Janet Brunwin, Janet Hescock, Bruce Hescock, Walter Briggs, Pat Stewart, Tony Esposito, Kathleen Schurman, Guy Yale, William Brinton, Shaukat Kahn

The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:35 P M. The meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. Check signing was the first order of business. First Selectwoman Gorski asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
First Selectwoman Gorski called for approval of the minutes of the meeting of November 22, 2011. The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski. There were no changes to the minutes. The vote was called. The vote taken was unanimous.

First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the special meeting of December 1, 2011. The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Thornquist and seconded by Selectman Shea. The minutes were approved on a unanimous vote without change.

LIONS CLUB
SHOWCASE PLANS
Shaukat Kahn gave a presentation to the Board of Selectmen on the history of the Bethany Lions Club. The club was established sixty years ago and has been an active club in the Town ever since. To preserve the history of the Bethany Lions Club, members present were asking to have a show case installed at Lakeview Lodge to display memorabilia. A plan of the show case was distributed. Following discussion and review of the plan, Selectman Thornquist moved to grant permission to the Bethany Lions Club, to build a showcase at the Lakeview Lodge in the inner room, to display memorabilia of the club, with a storage area at the base of the showcase as shown in the plans presented to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Shea seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous.

LIONS CLUB
FLEA MARKET
Members of the Lions Club discussed with First Selectwoman Gorski, a suitable location on the Airport property, to hold their Flea Markets in the spring and summer and fall of 2012. The location as discussed was agreeable to all members present.

REVALUATION BID WAIVING
Bethany Tax Assessor Mario Panagrosso has requested that the Board of Selectmen waive the bidding process for revaluation of the 2013 Grand List. Equality Valuation Services LLC will give us a price of $73,800 to perform the revaluation if the bid process is waived. This amount is substantially less than we would probably settle if we had a request for proposal. Equality is a Connecticut based company which still employs the same personnel that worked on the 2008 revaluation in Bethany. Mario indicates that this previous experience with Bethany will be beneficial when arriving at fair market values. Included in the $73,800 price would be digital images of every home in Bethany. Following discussion the Selectmen c hose to table the decision until Mario could be present to answer questions they might have.

TAX REFUNDS
Selectman Shea moved to refund to David Cira the sum of $90.79, to Nissan Infiniti, LT the sum of $216.55 and to Robert Golub & D. DeFusco the sum of $10.00 all for overpayment of taxes. The motion was seconded by Selectman Thornquist. The vote taken was unanimous.

MONUMENT REPAIR FOR BETHANY CEMETERIES
William Brinton, Bethany Town Historian gave a power point presentation to the Selectmen on the need for repair of the old historic monuments in Bethany’s Cemeteries. The cemeteries are the Meyers, Carrington, Methodist and the Sperry Cemeteries. There are a number of historic headstones that are damaged and require attention. The Board of Selectmen in the absence of a church or cemetery association is responsible for the maintenance of all town cemeteries which is the case of the four listed. William is proposing that the Selectmen add an appropriate sum to the existing line item or create a separate one for headstone restoration and maintenance to establish a preservation program for all historic grave markers. The Selectmen all agreed that something needs to be done to preserve history. A consideration will be given to this request in the preparation for the budget of 2012-13.

CORRESPONDENCE
A request has been made by the family of Edyth Simpson to possibly place a bench at Veterans Memorial Park in memory of Edyth as she was one of the founders of the former Beacon Outing Club now known as Veterans Memorial Park. The Selectmen agreed as long as a presentation was made to them on the design of the bench and that proper steps were followed for its placement.

OTHER
First Selectwoman Gorski reported that the Audit draft will be presented to the Board of Finance tomorrow night.

The Bond Sale will take place on Wednesday. There should be a $347,000 savings if the price remains stable until Wednesday.

ADJOURNMENT\
Adjournment was called at 9:00 P M after a motion was moved by Selectman Thornquist and seconded by Selectman Shea. The vote taken was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,


June G. Riley
December 16, 2011



NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO THE BETHANY ZONING REGULATIONS – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012

Notice is hereby given that at the Regular Meeting of the Bethany Planning and Zoning Commission held on December 7, 2011, the Commission approved and adopted the following amendment to the Bethany Zoning Regulations, Section 6 - Prohibited Uses:

· Add #6.28 – Signs with any type of internal lighting or internal illumination.

The adopted regulation amendment is effective January 1, 2012.

Respectfully submitted,


Melissa M. Spear, Chair
For the Planning and Zoning Commission

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