MINUTES OF THE BETHANY INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, MA

The regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission was called to order at 7:35 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:

         Kristine Sullivan, Vice-Chair, Acting as Chair

         Brian Smith, Member

         Nancy Scanlon, Member

 

The following members of the Commission were excused:

         Alexandra Breslin, Chair

         Roger Hathaway, Member

         Rob Huxley, Alternate Member

 

 

Acting-Chair Sullivan stated the first order of business is to move Item #1 of New Business – 337 Beacon Road to Old Business for the application was received last month.

 

Also, Acting-Chair Sullivan stated there is a request to add 48 Amity Road to the agenda for an issue with heavy rain washing silt onto Amity Road.  It was the consensus of the Commission to add this item.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS 

 

1. 81 Humiston Drive, Application #1281 submitted by James Mooney for an IW Permit for an inground swimming pool –

 

The Commission formally received the application.  Present to speak on behalf of this application was James Mooney, applicant and owner of record.

 

Mr.  Mooney reviewed the proposed project and noted in discussion:

• Original owners received a variance to build the existing house. 
• Property slopped in areas.
• There is an existing deck.

 

In discussion, Commission members noted:

• Need information on what type of filter to be used for pool.  Commission prefers one that does not require backwashing.
• Need information on where the material will be stored that is being excavated.  Will it be stored onsite or offsite.
• Would like to conduct site visit.
• Will need location of pool staked for site visit.
• Need erosion controls shown on plan.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, June 26, 2017.  Tabled.

 

 

 

1. 94 Downs Road, Application #1282 submitted by Gary Martin for a modification to previous approval for a residential site development –

 

The Commission formally received the application.  Present to speak on behalf of this application was John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S., representing the property owner.

 

Mr.  Garcia reviewed the proposed project and noted in discussion:

• This is a modification to house footprint.

 

In discussion, Commission members noted:

• Concerned with increased water runoff to swale which runs through break in stonewall and goes down to stream below.
• Would like drainage kept up high on property.
• Show erosion controls near proposed septic system.

 

Mr. Garcia will revise plans and submit before next meeting.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, June 26, 2017.  Tabled.

 

 

1. 48 Amity Road, Re:  Notice of Violation to Laura Torrence, dated April 17, 2017, pertaining to erosion of sediment and rocks onto Amity Road after heavy rainfall –

 

Present for this discussion was Mr. Torrence.

 

Mr. Torrence noted in discussion:

• Reviewed four photographs of subject property submitted.
• When trailers were moved out, it created ruts.
• Installed riprap and haybales to correct problem.  (shown in photographs)

 

The Commission stated that with the heavy rain coming down from Bethridge Road onto his property is beyond his control.  The Commission thanked Mr. Torrence for coming in and resolving the issue.

 

Isabel Kearns, IWEO, will prepare a letter that the Notice of Violation, dated April 17, 2017,  has been released.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1. 337 Beacon Road, Mendell’s Folly, Application #1280 submitted by the Bethany Land Trust for an IW Permit to construct a pedestrian bridge across brook –

 

No one was present for this application.

 

Commission members visited the site on May 20, 2017.

 

 

 

 

The Commission discussed and proceeded to deliberate.  It was moved by Smith and seconded by Scanlon to approve Application #1280 submitted by Bethany Land Trust for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a footbridge across the brook located at 337 Beacon Road, Mendell’s Folly as presented in the application, testimony and in accordance with the submitted plan, with hand-drawn markings, showing location of footbridge, submitted on April 18, 2017.

 

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:

1. The total amount of disturbance in area will be the matching 12” excavation of both sides for a precast footing for the bridge.
2. Any excess material that will be removed for the bridge supports shall be broadcast to an upland area on far west side of area.

 

This approval is based on the fact that if the plans are followed as discussed there will be no adverse impact to the surrounding wetlands.

Vote 3 to 0.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Smith, Scanlon.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

1. 74 MUNSON ROAD, Harold, Thomas and Dina Durley, Updated on Cease and Desist Order issued December 7, 2016 – Silt fence in place.  Tabled.

 

1. Discussion regarding Raccio Drive – Proposal from Diversified Technology Consultants – Tabled.
    
    
2. Discussion regarding Bethany West clearing.  (Letter from Roman Mrozinski of the
   Southwest Conservation District) –  The Commission would like to revisit the site with First Selectman Derry Gorski.  The cutting has stopped.  Tabled.
    
    
3. 185 Beacon Road, Discussion with Daniel Cusano regarding non-permitted barn –

Tabled.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Approval of minutes for March 27, 2017, has been tabled.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

1. Letter from Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to Matt Micros of 667 Amity Road, dated May 16, 2017, Re:  Release of Cease and Desist Order dated May 10, 2017, for erosion control measures.

 

 

 

 

1. Letter from Isabel Kearns, IWEO to Harold, Thomas and Dina Durley of 74 Munson Road, dated April 13, 2017, Re:  Reminder to install haybales around pond area where quad riding took place.
2. Letter from Isabel Kearns, IWEO to Laura Torrence, dated April 17, 2017, Re:  Notice of Violation pertaining to erosion of sediment and rocks onto Amity Road after heavy rainfall.
    
    

SCHEDULE SITE VISIT

The Commission scheduled a site visit for Saturday, June 3, 2017.  Members to meet at        81 Humiston Drive at 8:30 a.m. 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS –

1. 37 Hilltop Road – Decesare – Again experiencing silt down to bottom of road.  Need controls to stop runoff.  Ask the Board of Selectmen what the Town is going to do.
2. 19 Deerfield Lane – Franco – Property owner has not complied with condition of permit that the area south of the existing garage addition being reclaimed in the spring back to the state that was required by the prior IW Permit #1217 for the garage addition to the house.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Scanlon

and seconded by Smith to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

For Inland Wetlands Commission

 

 

 

Y 22, 2017                                                          

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