MINUTES OF THE
BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015
Page 1
of 6
The regular meeting of the Inland
Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Commission Meeting
Room at the Bethany Town Hall 40 Peck Road Bethany , Connecticut
The following members of the Commission
were present:
Alexandra Breslin, Chair
Kristine Sullivan, Vice-Chair
Lisa Gaw, Member
Nancy Scanlon, Alternate Member,
seated as a voting member
The following members of the
Commission were absent:
Brian Smith, Member
Roger Hathaway, Member
Also present was:
Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer
NEW
BUSINESS
1) Preliminary
discussion with Andy Liveten and Sharon Huxley regarding Airport horse show rings
(upgrade horse show portion of the grounds)
–
Present for this discussion were Andy Liveten and
Sharon Huxley, who are part of an informal group who are trying to improve the
drainage at the riding rings at the Airport Property on Amity Road. Mr. Liveten and Mrs. Huxley stated this will
be an informal presentation to receive input from the Inland Wetlands
Commission.
In discussion, the following was noted:
·
Proposing to put the two riding rings
that exist at 90 degrees, which changes the pitch on the south end and will
enlarge the rings.
·
Water is pooling in the south end
of the rings.
·
Idea is to put better footings in
with curtain drains. (footings that exist are too deep)
·
Not touching the tree line.
·
Relocating section of the road to
give more space.
·
No wetlands in this area of the Airport
Property.
·
Need to obtain funds to do the
drainage.
·
Hoping to make area better for other
groups that use the Airport Property.
·
Will get input from the Planning
and Zoning Commission.
·
Commission will schedule site
visit.
The following
are applications received after cutoff but to be added to the agenda for
receipt and Commission will schedule site visits:
2) Raccio
Road, Application
#1234, submitted by the Town of Bethany for an Inland Wetlands Permit to remove
and replace drainage system including catch basin’s and outfalls and reclaim
road
–
The Commission formally received the
application.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, April 27, 2015. Tabled.
3) Emerald
Lane, Application
#1235, submitted by the Town of Bethany for an Inland Wetlands Permit to remove
and replace drainage system including catch basin’s and outfalls and reclaim
road
–
The Commission formally received the
application.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, April 27, 2015. Tabled.
4) Schaffer Road
(from Pole Hill Road to sharp turn, Application
#1236, submitted by the Town of Bethany for an Inland Wetlands Permit to widen
and upgrade road, improve drainage and tree removal –
The Commission formally received the
application.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, April 27, 2015. Tabled.
5) Bethmour Road
(from Luke Hill Road to Pole Hill Road, Application
#1237, submitted by the Town of Bethany for an Inland Wetlands Permit to remove
and replace drainage system including catch basin’s and outfalls and reclaim
road
–
The Commission formally received the
application.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, April 27, 2015. Tabled.
PUBLIC
HEARING
·
90 Pole Hill
Road, Application #1230 submitted by Bethany Community Garden Committee to
locate Community Garden, removal of selective trees, and use of pond for
irrigation purposes –
Member
Scanlon recused herself.
At
7:47 p.m., Chair Breslin called to order the public hearing continuation on the
subject application to solely receive a written document from James Seaton of
485 Bethmour Road. Chair Breslin read
the notice prepared for the public hearing continuation.
The
oral part of the public hearing was closed on February 23, 2015.
Chair
Breslin noted the Commission received a document from Mr. Seaton and assigned
an exhibit number as follows:
1) Exhibit 3A – Submitted
by James Seaton of 485 Bethmour Road on March 3, 2015, a copy of six pages of
report prepared by the Bethany Community Garden including proposed location at
the Airport property. All members were
distributed copies in their packet for the March meeting.
At
7:49 p.m., Chair Breslin closed the public hearing.
Due
to Member Gaw not being present at the February 23, 2015, public hearing and
not listening to the recording the Commission could not deliberate at this
time.
The
Commission scheduled a Special Meeting for Monday, March 30, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.
to deliberate on the subject application.
Tabled.
OLD BUSINESS
1.) 90 Pole Hill
Road, Application #1230 submitted by Community Garden Committee for an IW
Permit for location of Community Garden, removal of selective trees, use of
pond for irrigation of garden – Public
hearing closed. Special Meeting
scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. Tabled.
2.) 12 PLEASANT
DRIVE, Application #1233 submitted by SFM Storage, LLC – Jason Cogle for the
construction of truck storage building –
Present to speak on behalf of this application was
Jason Cogle, applicant.
The Commission received a letter from Andy
Bevilacqua, P.E. of Diversified Technology Consultants, dated March 23, 2015,
Re: Comments on review of 12 Pleasant
Drive, New truck storage building.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
·
The applicant’s engineer did not
comment on the DTC letter, dated March 23, 2015.
·
Commission will schedule a site
visit.
·
Revised set of plans need to be
submitted that address the DTC letter, dated March 23, 2015.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, April 27, 2015. Tabled.
3.) 185 DOWNS
ROAD, Timber Harvest, Jurisdictional Ruling
–
Present for this discussion was Nick Zito,
representative from the SCC Regional Water Authority, Forestry Department.
Member Gaw recused herself.
Chair Breslin mentioned that she represents the Town
of Bethany on the Representative Policy Board of the SCC Regional Water
Authority Board.
In discussion, Mr. Zito noted:
·
Per CGS Section 22a-40, timber
harvest is as of right in wetlands.
·
Apologized for email sent to
IWEO.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
·
Had question about our past
practice with forestry applications and needed to check back into the records
to see how applications handled.
·
Spoke with DEEP and have not
disputed the fact that forestry cut is something that could be done.
·
Email sent by Mr. Zito inappropriate.
·
Concerned mainly with wetlands
crossings and can require a permit.
·
Concerned with large amount of
material to be removed and impact on the wetlands crossings.
·
Commission will schedule site
visit.
Mr. Zito will submit an application electronically by
email with the IWEO and submit for the next regular meeting in April.
4.) Proposed
revisions of the “Town of Bethany Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations”
– Public hearing scheduled for April 27, 2015.
5.) Show Cause Hearing regarding Cease and
Desist Order, dated October 21, 2014, to Mrs. Bitina Patel of 10 Northrop Road,
extension of patio, stonewall along the pond, waterfall and clear cutting of trees
within the 150-foot upland review area without permit – Commission
received an email from Beth Evans, Evans Associates Environmental Consulting,
Inc., dated March 20, 2015, Re: Services retained by Mr. Patel, waiting for
snow to melt. Tabled.
6.) Discussion
regarding Frog Watch U.S.A. by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
– Commission received letter from Conservation Commission, dated January 26,
2015. Remove this item from agenda. Tabled.
7.) Revisit site
in November the continue discussion regarding road and overland run-off
across 37
Hilltop Road (DeCesare) down to Route 69 - Brief discussion on runoff. Commission will revisit site. Tabled.
8.) Discussion regarding Bethany West
clearing. (Letter from Roman Mrozinski
of the
Southwest Conservation District) – Tabled.
9.)
185
Beacon Road, Discussion with Daniel Cusano regarding non-permitted barn
–
Tabled.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
1. It
was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Breslin to approve, as submitted, the
minutes of the Monday, February 23, 2015, Regular Meeting.
Scanlon
and Gaw abstained.
Voting
were: Breslin, Sullivan.
Unanimous
approval.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Submitted
by James Seaton of 485 Bethmour Road on March 3, 2015, a copy of six pages of
report prepared by the Bethany Community Garden including proposed location at
the Airport property.
2. Letter from Andy
Bevilacqua, P.E. of Diversified Technology Consultants, dated March 23, 2015,
Re: Comments on review of 12 Pleasant
Drive, New truck storage building.
3. Letter
from Aquarion Water Company, dated February 23, 2015, Re: The Aquarion Environmental Champion Awards
program.
PUBLICATIONS
AND WORKSHOPS
1) Soil
and Water, Spring 2015 Newsletter.
2) Connecticut
Wildlife, January/February 2015.
ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER REPORTS – Tabled.
SCHEDULE SITE
VISITS –
The Commission scheduled a site visit for Saturday, April
18, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Commission
members will meet at the Town Hall parking lot.
Sites to visit are as follows:
1) Emerald
Lane
2) Schaffer
Road (from Pole Hill Road to sharp turn)
3) Bethmour
Road (from Luke Hill Road to Pole Hill Road)
4) 12
Pleasant Drive
5) Airport
Property
6) 37
Hilltop Road
7) Raccio
Drive
8) 185
Downs Road
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by
Sullivan and seconded by Gaw to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Unanimous approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
for the Inland Wetlands
Commission
