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

The regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands 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 Commission were present:

         Kristine Sullivan, Chairman

         Brian Smith, Vice-Chairman

         Nancy Scanlon, Member

         Charles Clark, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member

 

The following members of the Commission were excused:

         Roger Hathaway, Member

         Rob Huxley, Alternate Member

 

 

NEW BUSINESS 

 

1. 11 Carmel Road, Application #1296 submitted by Brian Smith for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a 12-foot by 12-foot addition –

 

Brian Smith recused himself.

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was Brian Smith, applicant and owner of record.

 

In discussion, Mr. Smith noted:

• Proposing a 12-foot by 12-foot addition in back of house which will enlarge one room.
• Waiting for comments from Regional Water Authority and Quinnipiack Valley Health District.
• Brook shown at 60 plus feet to the top of the bank.

 

The Commission would like to visit the site.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, October 23, 2017.  Tabled.

 

 

It was moved by Scanlon and seconded by Smith to add to this evening’s agenda the following two applications for 16 Falls Road and 10 Northrop Road.

Voting for:  Sullivan, Smith, Scanlon, Clark.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. 16 Falls Road, Application #1296 submitted by James Mank for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a 40-foot by 50-foot barn –

 

Present for this application was John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S.

 

The Commission would like to visit the site.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, October 23, 2017.  Tabled.

 

 

1. 10 Northrup Road, Application #1297 submitted by Smitish Patel for an Inland Wetlands Permit to Restore Buffer/Upland Review Area –

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S., representing the applicant.

 

Mr. Garcia stated the application was submitted to lift the Cease and Desist Order on the property dated modified to December 26, 2014.  Mr. Garcia will be submitting a letter to waiver the application fees for this application.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, October 23, 2017.  Tabled.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1. Mesa Drive, Application #1293 submitted by James W. Woodward for an IW Permit for a 4-Lot Subdivision –

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was Alan Shepard, P.E., of Nowakowski, O’Bymachow & Kane, representing the applicant.

 

Mr. Shepard submitted a “Wetlands Assessment & Impacts Analysis” dated September 25, 2017, from JMM Wetland Consulting Services, LLC, Newtown, Connecticut. 

 

Chair Sullivan asked the clerk to forward the “Wetlands Assessment & Impacts Analysis” to the Commission’s consultant, Michael Klein.  The Commission had concerns regarding the vernal pool located on the property.

 

It was the consensus of the Inland Wetlands Commission to schedule a public hearing on the subject application for the next regular meeting on Monday, October 23, 2017, at 8:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

Tabled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. 667 Amity Road, Application #1294, submitted by 667 Amity Road, LLC for a Stormwater Management Plan –

 

Present to speak on behalf of this application was John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S.   Mr. Garcia stated the storm water drainage system is installed 100%. 

 

The Commission is waiting for comments from their consulting engineer, Diversified Technology Consultants.

 

Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting adjourned to Monday, October 23 2017.  Tabled.

 

 

1. 667 Amity Road, Continuation of Show Cause Hearing pertaining to Cease and Desist Order, dated August 7, 2017, issued to Matthew Micros –  Tabled.

 

 

1. 74 MUNSON ROAD, Harold, Thomas and Dina Durley, Updated on Cease and Desist Order issued December 7, 2016 – No activity.  Remove from agenda.

 

 

1. Discussion regarding Bethany West clearing.  (Letter from Roman Mrozinski of the
   Southwest Conservation District) –
    
   Chair Sullivan stated she received a phone call from the First Selectman regarding the placement of benches around the lake at Veterans Memorial Park and that First Selectman would like the Commissions input as to where and to where not to place the benches.  The Commission would like to schedule a site visit to look at possible locations for the benches.  Tabled.
    
2. 185 Beacon Road, Discussion with Daniel Cusano regarding non-permitted barn – No activity.   Removed from agenda.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

1. It was moved by Scanlon and seconded by Smith to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the August 28, 2017, Regular Meeting.
   Clark recused himself.
   Voting for:  Sullivan, Smith, Scanlon.
   Unanimous approval.

 

1. It was moved by Scanlon and seconded by Smith to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the September 9, 2017, Special Meeting/Site Visit.
   Clark recused himself.
   Voting for:  Sullivan, Smith, Scanlon.
   Unanimous approval.
    

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

1. Letter from John Paul Garcia, P.E., to Mike Patel, dated August 16, 2017, Re:  6 Sargent Drive, Bi-yearly site review and report.
2. Letter from Isabel Kearns, IWEO, to Robert Knudsen, owner of 629 Bethmour Road, dated August 30, 2017, Re:  629 Bethmour Road, Stop Work Order issued August 9, 2017, need plan.

 

PUBLICATIONS

1. Connecticut Wildlife, July/August 2017.

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

90 Pole Hill Road (Community Garden) – The Commission discussed the need for a gate so that residents will not be able to drive their cars down to the pond.  Chair Sullivan will draft a letter to the First Selectmen and send the draft to Commission members for review.  Also, a copy of final letter will be forwarded to Fire Department.

 

629 Bethmour Road – Robert Knudsen -  Stop Work Order issued June 20, 2017, clear cutting of trees, extent of wetlands, hiring of soil scientist.  Isabel Kearns, IWEO, stated she spoke with Town Attorney regarding this matter and will prepare another letter to              Mr. Knudsen regarding this.  Mr. Knudsen lives in Rhode Island and the Commission asked the IWEO to include in this letter to Mr. Knudsen if there is someone else that he would feel comfortable with meeting us at the subject site.

 

 

SCHEDULE SITE VISIT

 

The Commission scheduled a site visit for Saturday, October 14, 2017.  Members to meet at the Town Hall at 8:30 a.m.  Sites to be visited are as follows:

• 16 Falls Road
• 265 Beacon Road, Bethany West
• 11 Carmel Road

 

 

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 8:14 p.m.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

For Inland Wetlands Commission

R 25, 2017                                         

Page 1 of 5