Friday, July 26, 2013


MINUTES OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2013 Page 1 of 4



The regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:37 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, arrived at

Kristine Sullivan, Vice-Chair

Brian Smith, Member

Lisa Gaw, Member



The following member of the Commission was absent or excused:

Roger Hathaway, Member



Also present was:

Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer



It was moved by Smith and seconded by Gaw to add Application #1200 and #1201 to the agenda. Unanimous approval.



NEW BUSINESS



1. 74 Amity Road, Application #1200 submitted by Chemtura Corporation for an Inland Wetlands Permit for remediation of pesticides within wetlands, via soil excavation and removal –



The Commission formally received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Russ Dirienzo, Principal Geologist of ARCADIS.



Mr. Dirienzo reviewed the proposed project noting:

• Proposal is to remove two feet of soil.

• Small quantities of chemicals tested in greenhouse and orchards.

• Basins were all cleaned out and installed a carbon filtration system.

• Water in swale not contaminated just the soil.

• Will invite Ron Walters of the Regional Water Authority to the next meeting.



In discussion, Commission members noted:

• Commission would like to visit the site.

• Estimated time to remove contaminated material will take two weeks.

• Best time to do this is in dry season.

• CT Remediation Standards of contamination are very low for the subject area.



Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, July 22, 2013. Tabled.





2. 1070 Amity Road, Application #1201 submitted by Third Garden Park Limited Partnership for an Inland Wetlands Permit for the installation of well and electric lines for new wells –



The Commission formally received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Douglas Heroux, Director of Construction for Garden Homes Management Corporation.



Mr. Heroux reviewed the proposed project noting:

• The property owner is being mandated by the State of Connecticut to install this new well system for better water quality and this needs to be completed by September 1, 2013.

• There is no other access to the wells but to encroach on small wetlands area. (Skirting the outside of the wetlands.)

• Installing all new wiring to each well.

• Proposing a generator for the new system.

• Potential for ledge in path to south well.

• All wells are currently in place.

• It would take 2 to 2 ½ weeks to complete this project.



In discussion, Commission members noted:

• Applicant proposing silt fence and haybales for erosion controls.

• Commission would like to visit the site.



Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, July 22, 2013. Tabled.





OLD BUSINESS



1. Discussion regarding Bethany West clearing. (Letter from Roman Mrozinski/Southwest Conservation District) – Tabled.



2. Show Cause Hearing regarding 290 Amity Road, Clement, Cease and Desist the cutting of trees in wetlands or upland review area – The Commission determined the tree cutting is not on the Clement property.



3. Continuation of Show Cause Hearing regarding 292 Amity Road, Gombos, Cease and Desist the cutting of trees in wetlands or upland review area –



Present for the continuation of the Show Cause Hearing was Steve Gombos of 292 Amity Road.



Members Breslin, Sullivan, Hathaway and Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Kearns visited the site on June 22, 2013.







In discussion, Commission members noted:

• At the site visit, Mr. Gombos showed us the area where he wants to plant and stated he will stay 15 feet away from the stream corridor.

• Mr. Gombos will be planting root vegetables.

• Mr. Gombos will be clearing less than an acre for planting.

• Soil is very rich.

• Expanding agricultural use of the property.



The Commission would like Mr. Gombos to put together a brief description of the area that he is clearing, the root crops he is planning on growing and the keeping away of the 15 feet along the brook and then the Commission can reply that they visited the site and have determined this is an agricultural use.



It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Gaw that the Inland Wetlands Commission has determined that based on the site inspection and the field description provided by Mr. Gombos on the site inspection and submission of a marked up map and narrative describing that, the Commission agrees this is an as-of-right use to conduct the root crop planting in the subject area. The Inland Wetlands Commission Chair must proof the letter.

Unanimous approval.



Mr. Gombos will work with the IWEO on completing the letter for the Commission.





4. Discussion with David Puzone, regarding 33 Deerfield Lane, development of property –



Member Sullivan recused herself.



Chair Breslin stated that she is working with Isabel Kearns, IWEO, on drafting the letter to Mr. Puzone in regard to the Commission’s recommendation of placing a pipe under the driveway for the protection of the wetlands. Chair Breslin and Ms. Kearns will continue reviewing the file and preparing the letter to Mr. Puzone. Tabled.



5. 185 Beacon Road, Discussion with Daniel Cusano regarding non-permitted barn –Tabled.



6. Continuation of Show Cause Hearing regarding Town of Bethany drainage repairs conducted in a regulated area without an Inland Wetlands Permit – The Commission will schedule a site visit to revisit Anthony Court. Tabled.



7. Update on appeal submitted by James Woodward for 46 Mesa Drive – No update. Tabled.



8. Discussion in regard to amendments to the Inland Wetlands Regulations per State of CT – Member Sullivan will resend draft regulations. Tabled.



APPROVAL OF MINUTES



1. It was moved by Smith and seconded by Gaw to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the May 28, 2013, Regular Meeting.

Voting were: Breslin, Smith, Gaw.

Sullivan abstained for she was not present.

Unanimous approval.





PUBLICATIONS



1) The Habitat, A newsletter of the CT Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions, Inc., Spring 2013.

2) Connecticut Wildlife, May/June 2013.





ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORTS

Isabel Kearns, IWEO, attended the DEEP 2013 Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency Continuing Education Training and provided pages of information to Commission members. Ms. Kearns reviewed the section of the Standard Conditions of an IW permit and suggested that the Commission needs to revise their Standard Conditions. The Clerk will email Standard Conditions to Commission members.





SCHEDULE SITE VISITS



The Commission scheduled a site visit for Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. Commission members to meet at the Town Hall parking lot and visit 74 Amity Road, 1070 Amity Road, and the west side of Anthony Court.





ADJOURNMENT



There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Smith and seconded by Gaw to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:15 p.m. Unanimous approval.



Respectfully submitted,







Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

for the Inland Wetlands Commission