Tuesday, January 7, 2020


MINUTES OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019                                              Page 1 of 4

The regular meeting of the Inland Wetland Commission was called to order at 7:31 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut. 

 

The following members of the Inland Wetlands Commission were present:

         Kristine Sullivan, Chairman

         James Nickle, Member

         Anjuli Cokic, Member

 

The following members of the Inland Wetlands Commission were excused:

         Charles Clark, Member

         Nancy Scanlon, Member

 

Also present was Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer

 

 

NEW BUSINESS 

 

1)      South of Hoadley Road and North of Hatfield Hill Road, Application #1328, submitted by Alexander J. Amendola of South Central Regional Water Authority for Inland Wetlands permit for a stream crossing in Timber Harvest.

 

The Commission formerly received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Alexander Amendola, Forester for South Central Regional Water Authority.

Mr. Amendola briefly reviewed the application.

 

 

The commission scheduled a site visit for this application on January 4th, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Commissions members will meet at the site on Hoadley Road. Tabled.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1)      39 Round Hill Road, Application #1323 submitted by Kathleen LaTronica for an IW Permit for a new drainage pattern

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was Theron Simons, agent for the Latronica’s.

 

Some items noted by the Commission were:

·         Review of the November 18th from Civil One and from Kiyan Bakhtiari and correspondence from Dec. 6th, 2019 from Civil One.

·         Review of the Dec. 12th correspondence from Civil One.

 

Also present were Kiyan Bakhtiari of 47 Round Hill Road.  The Bakhtiari’s addressed their concerns about the effect this activity is having on their property. Mr. Bakhtiari suggested a drainage retention basin with a control output to the property.

 

 

 

Commission members discussed the new drainage pattern following the approval from Ciscuolo Engineering and Civil One engineering and proceeded to deliberate.

It was moved by Nickle and seconded by Cokic to approve Application #1323 submitted by Kathleen LaTronica for an Inland Wetlands Permit for new drainage pattern  located at 39 Round Hill Road as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, titled as follows “Proposed Drainage Improvements, Properties of Kathleen L. LaTronica, 45,39, 35 Round Hill Road, Woodbridge, Connecticut”, dated July 10, 2019 with no revisions, prepared by Angus McDonald, Gary Sharpe & Associates, Inc. Old Saybrook, Connecticut.  Also, this approval is subject to the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803 and with the following condition:

1.      There shall be a maintenance schedule submitted for the plunge pools that shall be recorded on the Land Records.

Also, the Commission found there were no specific wetlands on the site based on the soil report submitted by the applicant, Soil Resource Consultants dated November 4, 2019, prepared by David H. Lord, Certified Soil Scientist.

 

This approval is based on the fact that it has been approved by our Consulting engineer and that following these guidelines as shown, there should be minimal or no adverse impact to the onsite wetlands.

Vote 3 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic.

Unanimous approval.

 

2)      184 Miller Road, Application #1325 for an After-the-Fact IW Permit to construct a 24-foot by 24-foot barn

 

No one was present to speak on behalf of this application.

 

Commission members discussed and proceeded to deliberate.

It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Nickle to approve Application #1325 submitted by Jozsef Megyola for an Inland Wetlands Permit for an after the fact 24’ x 24’ barn  located at 184 Miller Road as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, untitled, prepared by the applicant.  Also, this approval is subject to the standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803 and with the following condition:

.

1.      There being no roof leaders or footing drains with no discharge towards the on-site pond. Any work on the site within 150’ of the on - site pond requires Inland Wetlands Commission action.

 

This approval is based on the fact that if the applicant follows the condition above there should be minimal or no adverse impact on the on-site wetlands.

Vote 3 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

3)      49 Round Hill Road, Robert McSherry, Application #1327 for an IW Permit for driveway for residence

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was Bob McSherry, applicant.

 

Some items noted by the Commission were:

·         Noted that there is an Actual wetlands crossing and that there is a stream crossing in it.

·         A 24” Pipe proposed to be put in.

·         Application from the applicant is needed proposing alternatives to crossing.

·         Copy given to applicant of the Army Corp. Engineering for reference to applicant engineers.

·         A public hearing has been scheduled for January 21, 2020 at 7:45 p.m. at the regular meeting.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, January 21, 2020.  Tabled.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

1)      It was moved by Cokic and seconded by Nickle to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the November 18, 2019, Regular Meeting.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic.

Unanimous approval.

 

2)      It was moved by ­­Nickle and seconded by Cokic to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the December 7, 2019, Special Meeting/Site Visit.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

1)      Letter from Brian Baker, PE – Civil 1 Civil Engineers dated, December 6, 2019. Re: 35, 39 & 45 Round Hill Road Stormwater Management Improvements.

2)      Memo from James Pretti Jr., P.E. /L.S., dated December 12, 2019, Re:  Comments on review of 45, 39 & 35 Round Hill Road.

3)      Letter from Kiyan Bakhtiari, dated December 16, 2019, Re:  45 Round Hill Road, proposed drainage plan and response from engineer.

4)      Email from Isabel Kearns, IWEO, dated November 19, 2019. Re: 184 Miller Road, Re: no roof leaders or footing drains were installed for the barn.

5)      A letter from Macchi Engineers, LLC to Paula Cofrancesco, dated December 3, 2019. Re: Notice for Permit Application to various repairs to the dam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Cokic and seconded by Nickle to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:16 p.m.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Nickle, Cokic.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lina V. Frazer, Clerk

For Inland Wetlands Commission

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

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APPROVED – December 9, 2019

Attendance:  First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman Donald Shea

Visitors:  Attorney Vince Marino, Sharon Huxley, Luke Cassidy, Mary Cassidy

First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:30 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  As the first order of business, Selectman Cofrancesco asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of November 12, 2019.  The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The vote taken was unanimous.

EAGLE SCOUT PRESENTATION

Luke Cassidy presented to the Selectmen his proposed Eagle Scout project.  Luke would like to re-blaze the trails behind the Airport Property to earn his Eagle Scout Service award.  The trails were damaged by the tornado of May 15, 2018.  A few areas of the trails have been re-routed due to debris from large trees.  Luke will check with the Land Use Department to make sure that the re-routed trails are not on private property.  The Selectmen did not want Luke, or his team to move or try to cut up any of the large trees, as tree cutting of this caliber would require professional help.  The basic cleanup had been done by Natures Harvest.  Selectman Shea moved the motion to support the Eagle Scout Service project of Luke Cassidy to re-blaze the trails behind the Airport and to follow through with any land use permits that would be needed.  First Selectman Cofrancesco seconded the motion.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SMALL CITIES MORTGAGE RELEASE

Discussion and possible action on Small Cities Mortgage Release was tabled.

KNOLLWOOD ROAD WELLS

First Selectman Cofrancesco reported that she had received an email from Don Bard of Connecticut Wells.  The three wells on Knollwood Road have been completed and the old wells are abandoned and all areas where the digging took place have been cleaned up and seeded.  The water will be tested to make sure it is potable. 

MAJOR ROAD WORK

The first phase of the Major Road Resurfacing has been completed.  Tilcon Connecticut  has nearly completed driveway entrances as needed. 

SIMPSON PROPERTY LAND ACQUISITION

There was no update available on the Simpson property Land Acquisition.  Probate Court issues are still pending.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CEMETERY COMMISSION BY-LAWS

Discussion and possible action on the Cemetery Commission by-laws was tabled. 

OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

First Selectman Cofrancesco asked for a motion to approve reimbursement to Dorothy Dieroff for $4,359.86 for pipe replacement due to salt corrosion.  The motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco.  The vote taken was unanimous. 

Sharon Huxley suggested that when the Simpson Land Acquisition was brought before a Town Meeting that open discussion on the destiny of the Airport Hangar should be on the agenda of that meeting also. 

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:15 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Cofrancesco.  The vote taken was unanimous.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                Paula Cofrancesco

                                                                                                First Selectman

 

  



DRAFT
Attendance:  John Grabowski, Sharon Huxley, John Ford, Katie Erickson, Sally Huyser
Absent: Lars Demander
Visitors:  First Selectman, Paula Cofrancesco
Chairman John Grabowski called the meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:09 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall. 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Grabowski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of November 12, 2019.  The motion of approval was moved by John Ford and seconded by Sharon Huxley.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The vote taken – Approval - Unanimous.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Grabowski reported that he had attended an Amity of Board of Finance meeting the night before.  Amity’s initial budget number was 7.17% or $3,551,237 over the current 2019-2020 budget. After working through their numbers they are currently down to 4.84%.  The Representatives on the Board from all three towns expressed that Amity should continue to work at reducing that number further.  One reason for the current reduction is that Amity is pushing off some of the Debt Service amount to the next budget (2021-2022).  Amity is also looking to put a full-time Resource Officer in each of the Middle Schools.  That could potentially increase the 2020-2021 budget by approximately $200,000.  Amity plans to present their 2020-2021 budget to the Town in February 2020.  Amity’s current surplus is $406,145.00.
FIRST SELECTMAN’s REPORT
First Selectman Cofrancesco updated that the initial road paving project is complete.  Some final striping is being done.  Town is waiting for final report from BETA.  Once that is received, it will be reviewed, looking initially at the remaining eight roads on the initial list of the roads presented in the spring.  There are some other roads that may also require work.  The condition of the roads and the extent of work that needs to be done will be a determining factor in how many get done.
 First Selectman Cofrancesco updated that the project to replace three wells on Knollwood Drive was complete.  Bills for the wells came in at what was proposed or under.  There was some discussion on the reimbursement to Dorothy Dierhoff on the repairs she incurred to make her water potable while waiting for well replacement.  She had extensive damage to her pump and pipes.  First Selectman Cofrancesco indicated that Dorothy provided documentation covering her expenses (just over $4,300.00).  Sharon Huxley made a motion to approve the reimbursement to Ms. Dierhoff up to $4,500.00.  The motion was seconded by John Ford.  Vote taken – Approved – Unanimous.
FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORTS – Sheila Lane absent – No reports
A.      MONTHLY ENDING REPORT FOR FY 2019-20
ADDRESS CONTROL ISSUES
Katie Erickson expressed concern in getting controls in place.  It will help to know what responsibilities go with certain positions.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will work on getting a draft of an organizational chart in place.  Now that we have the module and representative for Human Resources available from Paychex, that should help us in this area.
OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING - NONE
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 8:15 p.m. after a motion was moved by Salley Huyser and seconded by John Ford.  The vote taken was unanimous.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                       
                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,
 
                                                                                                Paula Cofrancesco
                                                                                                First Selectman
 
  

BOARD OF FINANCE

DECEMBER 10, 2019

Page 1 of 2

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

DECEMBER 9, 2019

Page 1 of 2

 

DRAFT

Attendance:  First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Derrylyn Gorski

Visitors:  Attorney Vince Marino

First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:48 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  As the first order of business, Selectman Cofrancesco asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance,

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of November 25, 2019.  The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectman Gorski.  There were no changes to the minutes.  The vote taken - Approved – 2; Abstention 1-Gorski.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SMALL CITIES MORTGAGE RELEASE

Discussion and possible action on Small Cities Mortgage Release was tabled – no action at this time.

MAJOR ROAD WORK

First Selectman Cofrancesco reported that all work was completed and just waiting on all billing to be submitted before making payment. No further action needed at this time.

SIMPSON PROPERTY LAND ACQUISITION

Attorney Marino provided a quick update on the Simpson property Land Acquisition:  Having some issues with communication with the attorney for the family; Proceeding with a title search; Probate Court issues are still pending – may need to go through two layers as both parents are deceased before settling with the sons.  Any monies expended in the acquisition of this property will be paid from the grant monies.  No further action taken at this time.

SIMPLE RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES)

First Selectman Cofrancesco reported that she had a meeting with Bruce Loomis and Kristen Brown (from Simple Recycling) regarding the pink bag program.  Discussion followed – Attorney Marino mentioned that he covers a couple of towns that do the program.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will provide a copy of the contract to Selectmen Shea and Gorski for further review and discussion after the 1st of the year.  No action taken at this time.

DEFERRED TAXES

No action required.

CEMETERY COMMISSION BY-LAWS

Discussion and possible action on the Cemetery Commission by-laws was tabled. 

 

 

 

OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

KNOLLWOOD ROAD WELLS

First Selectman Cofrancesco reported that she had received the billing for the replacement of the three wells.  Came in at or below what was originally quoted.  Mapping of the sites was attached to each bill.

QUINNIPIACK VALLEY HEALTH DISTRICT

First Selectman Cofrancesco reported that she had received correspondence from QVHD indicating a budget request in the amount of $6.40 per capita.  This is an increase of .25 cents.  The total payment for the Town of Bethany for the 2020-2021 fiscal year would be $35,180.80.  This amount is based on the 2018 population estimate of 5,497.  Selectman Gorski indicated that they had the best rates/fees compared to other companies that provided the same or comparable services.  Selectman Gorski moved to approve the new rate from QVHD.  Selectman Shea seconded.  Vote taken – approved – unanimous.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

First Selectman Cofrancesco reported that the American Red Cross had been contacted a couple of weeks ago that the blood drive scheduled for December 26th would need to be rescheduled as the Town Hall would not be open. Selectmen were not sure who actually gave the approval for that day. Selectman Gorski mentioned that Janet Hescock may have worked with Janice Howard, but that could not be verified.  First Selectman Cofrancesco indicated that she had been contacted by the organizer for the blood drive on the 6th to see if there was any way the Town Hall could be opened.  First Selectman Cofrancesco indicated to the organizer that she would bring it to the Board of Selectmen for discussion and decision.  After some discussion it was decided (unanimously) that the Town Hall would remain closed.  First Selectman Cofrancesco will call the organizer and let her know that she will need to reschedule or find another venue for the drive.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was called at 8:28 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski.  The vote taken was unanimous.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                                Paula Cofrancesco

                                                                                                First Selectman