Inland Wetland Minutes - August 13, 2001

Inland and Wetlands

August 13, 2001

Board Members Present: Chairman Arnold Koehler, John Kaufman
Alternates Present: Harold Bernier, Steven Skrebutenas
Absent Members: Lawrence Gomez, Brian Doody, David Holley
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector

Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Harold Bernier was seated for David Holley and Steven Skrebutenas was seated for Brian Doody.

Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read the unapproved minutes of the July 9, 2001 meeting. Chairman Koehler noted that a site walk was held at 155 Union City Road on Tuesday, August 7, 2001. Motion by S. Skrebutenas, seconded by J. Kaufman to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2001 meeting with one addition. Unanimous.

Communications:

  1. Land Tech Consultants, Inc., Invoice #96156 dated June 29, 2001 for professional services re: 97 Waterbury Road.
  2. Land Tech Consultants, Inc., Invoice #96194 dated July 23, 2001 for Professional Services re: 97 Waterbury Road.
  3. HRP Associates, Inc., Notice of 2-Day Seminar – Introduction to ArcView GIS.
  4. Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Notice of Workshop Sessions – Making the Most of the State DEP Open Space Matching Grant Program.
  5. Connecticut Wildlife Magazine, July/August 2001.
  6. Planning & Zoning Commission Approved Minutes – June 20, 2001.
  7. Connecticut Association of Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commissions, Inc., 2001 Annual Recognition Awards Entry Form.

Old Business:
a. Prospect Sportsdome, LLC, 155 Union City Road. Application #19-2000 for an Indoor Sports Facility and Associated Site Work in a Wetlands and Within Regulated Areas and One Watercourse Crossing. Site Engineer Stephen Giudice of Harry E. Cole & Son, submitted a revised site plan map and discussed the changes made as a result of the site walk held on August 7, 2001. Chairman Koehler stated he was concerned that even though the site walk was held during an extremely dry period, there were still some areas with standing or running water and asked if it was possible to determine where the water is originating from and what will happen when digging for the project begins. Cynthia Rabinowitz, Soil Scientist, submitted a soil report for the project. Ms. Rabinowitz stated that previous earth removal activities have removed most soils, leaving exposed bedrock that can act as a barrier to ground water seepage, thus causing standing water conditions. Ms. Rabinowitz further stated that as excavation for the complex begins, added ground water runoff would be factored into the drainage design. It is her opinion that downstream wetland areas would be able to absorb this additional runoff without being impaired. Mr. Giudice submitted drainage calculations for the project and stated that he would put standpipes in the areas where cuts will be made at the proposed depths of the cuts to measure the amount of water in those areas. The Commissioners agreed that a public hearing should be scheduled for this application because this activity, which involves removal of material, may have a significant impact on downstream inland wetlands and may inhibit the natural dynamics of the watercourse system. The applicant agreed to grant a 12-day extension for a decision by the Commission in order to allow for a public hearing. A public hearing was set for September 10, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Bill Donovan will have the Town Engineer review the application prior to the public hearing.

Public Hearings: None

New Business:

a. Aaron Semrow, 10 Birchwood Terrace. Application for a New House and Septic within Regulated Areas. Jim Kulpa of Milone & MacBroom and Aaron Semrow presented an application for one wetlands crossing and the construction of a new home and septic system within a regulated area. The plan has Chesprocott approval. The Commissioners suggested that the plan could be revised to move the house slightly to allow for more than the 75 foot buffer from the wetlands. The applicant agreed to make the revision. Fees were set and paid in the amount of $257.25 and $10.00 for two regulated activities. Motion by S. Skrebutenas, seconded by J. Kaufman to accept Application #01-01, Aaron Semrow, 10 Birchwood Terrace, for a wetlands driveway crossing and a septic system within a regulated area. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for September 5, 2001 at 6:30 p.m.

b. Yankee Gas, Installation of Gas Mains – Routes 68 & 69. Ronald Talbot of Yankee Gas Services gave an informational presentation of a proposed plan for installation of a natural gas distribution main on Route 68 and Route 69. Installation will be by a public utility and is therefore under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut D.P.U.C. Chairman Koehler stated that the Commissioners should conduct a site walk concentrating on areas that are within 75 feet of a watercourse or wetlands to ensure that necessary precautions are taken to protect those areas. Mr. Talbot stated that the project should be completed by early December. A site walk was scheduled for August 21, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.

Enforcement Hearings: None

Land Use Inspector’s Report: Bill Donovan stated that the appeal period for the Inland Wetlands Commission approval for a proposed car wash at 97 Waterbury Road has passed and that no appeal has been filed. J.N.J. Realty has applied to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a special permit and a public hearing is being held on August 15, 2001 at 7:45 p.m.

Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by S. Skrebutenas to pay the bill for Land-Tech Consultants, Inc., for professional services re: 97 Waterbury Road in the amount of $536.87. Unanimous.

Public Participation: None

Motion by S. Skrebutenas, seconded by H. Bernier to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. Unanimous.

Arnold Koehler, Chairman