Inland Wetland Minutes - October 23, 2000

Inland and Wetlands

October 23, 2000

Board Members Present: Chairman Arnold Koehler, David Holley
Alternates Present: Enver Kaba, Harold Bernier (7:02)
Absent Members: Brian Doody, Joe Piotrowski, John Kaufman, Lawrence Gomez, (Alternate)
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector

Chairman Arnold Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Enver Kaba was seated for Joseph Piotrowski and Harold Bernier was seated for John Kaufman

Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the minutes of September 11, 2000. Motion by Enver Kaba, seconded by Harold Bernier to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2000 meeting as presented. Unanimous.

Communications:

  1. Connecticut Construction Industries Association, Inc., Notice of Seminar on October 31, 2000 - EPA's Phase II General Stormwater Permits, "What Connecticut Contractors Need to Know".
  2. State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program.
  3. The Nature Conservancy Connecticut Chapter, Notice of 40th Annual Meeting on October 25, 2000.
  4. Connecticut Association of Conservation & Inland Wetland Commissions Newsletter, The Habitat - Summer 2000.
  5. Referral from the Town of Bethany Inland Wetlands & Watercourse Commission re: Application for a proposed Communications Tower at 61 Edwards Road, Bethany.

Public Hearings: None

Old Business: None

New Business:
a. Paul Kaplan, 59 Salem Road. Application to Repair Existing Septic System. Paul Kaplan presented an application to replace his existing septic as he had noticed areas in his lawn where the septic is surfacing. Chesprocott has approved the Site Plan. Bill Donovan stated that he visited the site. The existing leaching fields are located in a lawn area that is within 100 feet of Wetlands. Application fees of $140.00 and $10.00 have been paid. Motion by Harold Bernier, seconded by David Holley to accept Application #04-2000, Paul Kaplan, 59 Salem Road, as presented. Unanimous. Chairman Koehler had Mr. Kaplan initial the site plan acknowledging where silt fencing or skated hay bales will be placed to prevent possible runoff inot the wetlands. Motion by David Holley, seconded by Enver Kaba to approve Application #04-2000, Paul Kaplan, 59 Salem Road, with the change noted on the site plan drawing for a silt fence or staked hay bales. Unanimous.

b. Robert Capanna, 145A Summit Road. Driveway Crossing Over Wetlands. Scott Poryanda of Connecticut Consulting represented Mr. Capanna and presented an application for a proposed bridge crossing affecting approximately 4,200 square feet of wetlands. The crossing will initially be utilized for a tree cutting operation on approximately 6 acres of property located at 145A Summit Road. Silt fencing will be installed on both sides of the roadway as well as riprap to stabilize the road bank. The tree cutting is being done soley for the purpose of harvesting the lumber. Motion by David Holley, seconded by Harold Bernier to accept the Application #05-2000, Robert Capanna, 145A Summit Road, as presented. Unanimous. B. Donovan stated that this property abuts 157A Summit Road where similar logging operations waas approved by the Inland Wetlands Commission recently. The same logging company will be handling the tree cutting on Mr. Capanna's property. Mr. Poryanda did not have the storm water calculations available. Chairman Koehler asked that Mr. Poryanda provide a copy of the storm water calculations to Bill Donovan. The Commissioners determined the application fees based on the crossing being one regulated activity and the tree cutting proposed on an estimated total of 8 acres. Fees were paid in the amount of $245.00 and $10.00. A site walk was scheduled for November 4, 2000 at 8:30 a.m. Motion by Enver Kaba, seconded by David Holley to approve Application #05-2000 as presented on map entitled R.S.C. Development, LLC, Summit Road, prepared by Connecticut Consulting Engineers, LLC, dated 10/11/00, with the stipulation that any concerns noted by the Commissioners on the site walk scheduled for November 4, 2000 be addressed by the applicant. Unanimous.

c. Town of Bethany Inland Wetlands Commission Referral of an Application for a proposed Communications Tower. The Commissioners discussed the proposed Sprint Communications Tower being proposed for 61 Edwards Road in Bethany. It was determined that this proposal would not have any impact on the Town because the property is on a downward slope away from Propsect. Bill Donovan was directed to send a reply to the Town of Bethany informing them of the Commissioners determination.

Enforcement Hearings: None

Land Use Inspector's Report: B. Donovan reported that a letter was sent to the owners of property located at the corner of Route 68 and Morris Road as they have been filling in over wetlands in their backyard. The homeowners responded to the letter stating that they were having a new lawn installed that had been completed on October 5, 2000. Bill stated the property will be monitored over the next 3 weeks and if the lawn is not germinating, silt fencing will be installed to control erosion over the winter months. A representative from the Inland Wetlands Commission is needed to serve on a committee being formed for the purpose of indentifying property in Town that may have potential benefits if kept as open space. Chairman Koehler stated he would represent the Inland Wetlands Commission. Bill reminded the Commissioners of the meeting scheduled for October 25, 2000 for the purpose of giving input on the Plan of Conservation and Development and encouraged all of the Commissioners to attend.

Public Participation: None

Motion by David Holley, seconded by Harold Bernier to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. Unanimous.

Arnold Koehler
Chairman