Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the unapproved minutes of May 13, 2002. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by B. Doody to approve the minutes of May 13, 2002 as amended. Unanimous.
Communications:
Old Business:
a. Jean Reilly, 179 Union City Road. Application #14-01 to Construct a Pole Barn within a Regulated Area. This application was accepted at the April 8, 2002 meeting and a site walk was held on April 27, 2002. The general concern of the commission was the large size of the building and the consequent closeness to the watercourse and pond that are both located on the applicant's property. J. Kaufman asked if the barn could be placed in another location on the property. Mrs. Reilly responded that the proposed location is the only feasible one that does not have steep slopes or obstructions blocking access to the barn. The commissioners related they would like to have the barn at least 15 feet away from both the pond and watercourse, which would mean the size of the barn would need to be reduced. Mrs. Reilly stated they would reduce the size of the barn to meet this requirement. Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to approve Application #14-01 for a pole barn within a regulated area with the stipulation that the structure must be minimum 15 feet from the top of the embankment of both the watercourse and pond. Motion carried: 3-0 with J. Kaufman abstaining.
b. Paulmar Associates, LP, 36 Union City Road. Application #16-01 for a Proposed Nursery within a Regulated Area. This application was accepted at the April 8, 2002 meeting with a second site walk taking place on May 17, 2002. Mark Guastaferri represented the application. Chairman Koehler stated he did observe the required catch basin, but it is minimal in size. M. Guastaferri related nursery personnel would construct a plunge-pool on the downstream side of the catch basin to disperse spillover. The commission expressed concern with the continual maintenance requirements for such a small structure, and J. Kaufman also pointed out the likelihood of water freezing within the basin. It was suggested personnel from the nursery could construct the catch basin. J. Kaufman mentioned piles of rock and other materials located within what appears to be a regulated area, and that the applicant needs to produce a plot plan showing where the wetlands are on the property relative to this commercial operation. D. Holley stated this needs to be done by a soil scientist, however M. Guastaferri felt the wetland boundary is readily identified and does not need the services of a professional. Because the application is being carried over to the next meeting, Chairman Koehler requested the applicant consent to a 65-day extension of time. M. Guastaferri consented and will submit a letter as such to be placed on file.
c. Lorraine Corsino, 250 Straitsville Road. Application #19-01 for a Driveway Construction within a Regulated Area. This application was accepted on May 13, 2002 and a site walk took place on May 17, 2002. Vincent Corsino represented the applicant. The commission discussed the embankment that the driveway will be cut into and which is also being cut back to improve the site line, with the need to provide adequate soil stabilization both during and after construction. Mr. Corsino indicated he will be installing silt fencing along the base of the embankment and he will also be utilizing a seed matting fabric to protect the exposed slopes until such time as a permanent grassed crop is in place. J. Kaufman also queried about the steepness of the slope in the area of the proposed septic system. Mr. Corsino stated soils testing indictaes the soils are very suitable for a septic system, and a minimum-sized system per Health Department guideline will be installed. J. Kaufman also mentioned the need for the Town to correct an existing erosion condition at the discharge of a towm catch basin located on the easterly side of Straitsville Road opposite #250. Motion by D. Holley, seconded by J. Kaufman to approve Application #19-01 for a driveway construction and embankment grading within a regulated area at 250 Straitsville Road. Unanimous.
Public Hearings: None
New Business: None
Enforcement Hearings: None
Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill mentioned he had attended a DEP training Course where it was mentioned that the State does not have an official definition of a vernal pool, but that Inland Wetlands Commissions have jurisdiction to regulate these seasonal bodies of water. Chairman Koehler also attended the same training session and related the added information that any conditions placed with a five-year permit approval expire after five years. Hence, if a detached building is approved within a regulated area, and a condition of approval is to not store hazardous materials such as gasoline, pesticides or herbicides inside the building, that restriction expires after five years.
Wetlands Map Revision: Bill Donovan submitted a proposal to allow the Town's Inland Wetlands Soils Map to be revised to where "wetland soil types" are defined and shown as "poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial and flood plain". The source of the soils data for the proposed map comes from the USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by B. Doody to hold a Public Hearing on July 8, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. to consider revisions to Prospect's Wetland Soils Classification Map. Unanimous.
Public Participation: There was no public participation, however the Commission discussed among themselves the need to be consistent with what an applicant is required to submit with his Inland Wetlands Application. In particular, the commission feels a soils survery, when requested, is paramount to determining the impact on a wetland environment and that an applicant needs to produce this information as required. It was further discussed that applications need to be complete before any action can be taken, and that an information packet or sheet detailing what an applicant must submit to the commission should be made available with the application. The Commission directed Bill Donovan to contact Mark Guastaferri and request he provide the Commission with a soils survey completed by a licensed soils scientist for his application at 36 Union City Road.
Adjourn: Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Unanimous.