MINUTES OF THE
BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015
Page 1
of 8
The regular meeting of the Inland
Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:32 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
Brian Smith, Member
Roger Hathaway, Member
Nancy Scanlon, Alternate Member,
seated as a voting member
The following member of the
Commission was absent:
Lisa Gaw, Member
Also present was:
Isabel Kearns, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer
PUBLIC
HEARING
1.) Proposed
revisions of the “Town of Bethany Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations”
–
At
8:04 p.m., Chair Breslin called to order the public hearing on the proposed
revisions to the Inland Wetlands Regulations.
Chair Breslin read the legal notice prepared for the public hearing.
At
8:05 p.m., Chair Breslin recessed the public hearing.
At
8:49 p.m., Chair Breslin reopened the public hearing.
The
Commission stated these revisions would bring the Inland Wetlands Regulations
in compliance with Connecticut State Statutes through the current Legislative
Session and that the revisions have been referred to the State of Connecticut
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Chair
Breslin asked if there were any members of the public who would like to speak. There were no replies.
At
8:54 p.m., Chair Breslin closed the public hearing.
NEW
BUSINESS
1) Presentation
by the Long Term Financial Planning Committee
–
2) 53 Judd Hill
Road, Application #1238 submitted by Artur and Elizabeth Carreira for an Inland
Wetlands Permit for a residential site development and pool
–
The Commission formally received the
application. Present for this discussion
was Fred D’Amico, P.E. of D’Amico Associates, Oxford, Connecticut, representing
the applicants, Artur and Elizabeth Carreira, who were also present.
Mr. D’Amico briefly reviewed the proposed site
development and noted in discussion:
·
Revised application to include
pool.
·
Septic System does not have final
approval.
·
Footing drain to be pulled back
to protect Bethany Bog.
·
Will flag four corners of house
and septic.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
·
Concerned about Bethany Bog.
·
Will schedule a site visit.
·
Amend application to include
pool.
·
Need to submit information on
type of filter for pool and how will be backwashed.
·
No Conservation signs.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Tabled.
3) 185 Downs
Road, Application #1239 submitted by Nicholas Zito, Forester from Regional
Water Authority, for an Inland Wetlands Permit for a timber harvest
–
No one was present for this discussion. The Commission visited the site on April 24,
2015.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Tabled.
OLD BUSINESS
1.) 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 Al
Shepard, P.E. of Nowakowski, O’Bymachow and Kane, Shelton, Connecticut,
representing the applicant, Jason Cogle, who was also present.
The Commission received a letter from Andy
Bevilacqua of Diversified Technology Consultants, dated April 27, 2015,
Re: Comments on review of revised plans
dated April 16, 2015, 12
Pleasant Drive, New Truck Storage Building.
In discussion, Mr. Shepard noted:
·
No maintenance will be done on
trucks.
·
Runoff will be detoured away from
stream.
·
Project engineer will be
monitoring construction closely.
·
QVHD has approved septic plan.
In discussion, Commission members noted:
·
Concerned with removing ditch. Proposing to cut drainage off, cut pipe out
and put clean fill in and tie into other side.
·
Water quality in pond visually
looks healthy.
·
Concerned with leaching field
located 40 feet away from the stream.
·
Commission visited the site April
18, 2015.
·
This property is on a public
supply watershed.
·
Keep vegetated buffer around the
pond.
The Commission proceeded to deliberate. It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by
Smith to approve Application 1233 submitted by SFM Storage, LLC – Jason Cogle
for an Inland Wetlands Permit for site development to construct a truck storage
building located at 12 Pleasant Drive in accordance with the following
submitted plans prepared by Nowakowski, O’Bymachow, Kane, Associates, Shelton,
Connecticut:
a. “Site
Development & Soil Erosion Control Plan Prepared For SFM Storage, LLC”,
dated November 7, 2014, revised to April 27, 2015.
b. “Septic
Plan Prepared For SFM Storage, LLC”, dated November 7, 2014, revised to April
27, 2015.
c. “Landscaping
and Lighting Plan Prepared For SFM Storage, LLC”, dated January 14, 2015,
revised to January 23, 2015.
In
addition, this permit is subject to the following conditions including the
standard conditions found on the Land Records Volume 93, Page 802 and Page 803:
a)
The
detention basin shall be mowed a minimum of two times a year and inspected for
invasive species, such as phragmites, which shall be removed.
b)
A
25-foot natural vegetated buffer shall be established around the existing pond
by just leaving that area in its natural state and not mowing that area.
c)
Only
maintenance to be performed onsite shall be company owned passenger vehicles.
d)
As
represented by the Project Engineer, that only the driveway entrance shall be
paved and that the remaining portion of the parking areas around the building
shall remain gravel for increased permeability.
e)
A
construction bond to be proposed by the Project Engineer and reviewed by the Commission’s
Consulting Engineer to insure the installation and maintenance of sediment and
erosion controls and storm water system per minimum of one year.
Based on these plans and the strict supervision by
the project engineer and Quinnipiack Valley Health District, that the removal
of the 12-inch drain in the area of the proposed septic as well as the existing
drainage swale and the use of the low permeability fill between that septic
system and the stream that there should be minimal or no adverse impact to the
onsite wetlands and watercourse which are on public water supply watershed.
Vote 5 to 0.
Voting were:
Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Hathaway, Scanlon.
Unanimous approval.
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 –
No one present to discuss this application. Commission members visited the site but would
like to meet with Al Green, Public Works Director, at the site to answer
questions. The IWEO will contact Mr.
Green.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 26, 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 –
No one present to discuss this application. Commission members visited the site but would
like to meet with Al Green, Public Works Director, at the site to answer
questions. The IWEO will contact Mr.
Green.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 26, 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 –
No one present to discuss this application. Commission members visited the site but would
like to meet with Al Green, Public Works Director, at the site to answer
questions. The IWEO will contact Mr. Green.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 26, 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 –
No one present to discuss this application. Commission members visited the site but would
like to meet with Al Green, Public Works Director, at the site to answer
questions. The IWEO will contact Mr.
Green.
Further
discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the
Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Tabled.
6.) Proposed
revisions of the “Town of Bethany Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations”
– Public hearing closed April 27, 2015.
Commission member discussed and proceeded to deliberate. It was moved by Sullivan and seconded by
Hathaway to approve the adoption, effective May 11, 2015, of the revised “Town
of Bethany Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations” subject to the
proofing of any typographical corrections that need to be made.
Vote 5 to 0.
Voting
were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith,
Hathaway, Scanlon.
Unanimous
approval.
7.) 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 April 23, 2015, Re: Will be preparing a Biological Assessment of
the pond and upland review area on this property for the May Meeting. Tabled.
8.) Revisit site
in November the continue discussion regarding road and overland run-off
across 37
Hilltop Road (DeCesare) down to Route 69 - Tabled.
9.) Discussion regarding Bethany West
clearing. (Letter from Roman Mrozinski
of the
Southwest Conservation District) – Tabled.
10.)185 Beacon
Road, Discussion with Daniel Cusano regarding non-permitted barn
–
Tabled.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
1. It
was moved by Smith and seconded by Scanlon to approve, as submitted, the
minutes of the Monday, March 23, 2015, Regular Meeting.
Voting
were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith,
Hathaway, Scanlon.
Unanimous
approval.
2. It
was moved by Smith and seconded by Scanlon to approve, as submitted, the
minutes of the Monday, March 30, 2015, Special Meeting.
Voting
were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith,
Hathaway, Scanlon.
Unanimous
approval.
3. It
was moved by Smith and seconded by Scanlon to approve, as amended, the minutes
of the Saturday, April 18, 2015, Special Meeting/Site Visit.
Voting
were: Breslin, Sullivan, Smith, Gaw,
Hathaway.
Unanimous
approval.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Thank you card
from the Bethany Community Garden Committee.
2.
Letter
from the SCC Regional Water Authority, dated April 24, 2015, Re: Comments on review of RWA Timber Harvest,
south of Hatfield Hill Road.
3.
Letter
from Andy Bevilacqua of Diversified Technology Consultants, dated April 27,
2015, Re: Comments on review of revised
plans dated April 16, 2015, 12 Pleasant Drive, New Truck Storage Building.
4.
Letter
from the SCC Regional Water Authority, dated April 24, 2015, Re: Comments on review of Stormwater drainage
improvements, Raccio Road, Emerald Lane and Schaffer Road.
5. Letter
from Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to NHB & Associates, dated March 25, 2015,
Re: 53 Atwater Road – Request to
classify as Farm Land. Look for file
with lead report. Old gun club.
6. Letter
from Aquarion Water Company, dated April 10, 2015, Re: Reminder of deadline for the Aquarion
Environmental Champion Awards program.
BILLS
1) It
was moved by Sullivan and seconded by Scanlon to approve the payment of $105.00
to Anne Sohon, Court Reporter, for recording services for the public hearing
held on Monday, February 23, 2015 (90 Pole Hill Road, IW Amendments).
Voting
were: Breslin, Sullivan, Gaw, Hathaway,
Scanlon.
Unanimous
approval.
ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER REPORTS – Tabled.
SCHEDULE SITE
VISITS –
The Commission scheduled a site visit for Friday,
May 8, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. Commission
members will meet at the Town Hall parking lot.
Sites to visit are as follows:
1) Raccio
Drive
2) Emerald
Lane
3) Schaffer
Road (from Pole Hill Road to sharp turn)
4) Bethmour
Road (from Luke Hill Road to Pole Hill Road)
5) 56
Judd Hill Road
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by
Sullivan
and
seconded by Hathaway to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:20 p.m.
Unanimous approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
for the Inland Wetlands
Commission
