Inland Wetland Minutes - May 13, 2002

Inland Wetlands Commission

May 13, 2002

Board Members Present: Chairman Arnold Koehler, Brian Doody, David Holley, John Kaufman
Alternates Present: None
Absent Members: Lawrence Gomez, Steven Skrebutenas (Alt.)
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector

Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the unapproved minutes of April 8, 2002. Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to approve the minutes of April 8, 2002 as amended. Motion Carried 3 - 0. J. Kaufman abstained.

Communications:

  1. Letter dated April 19, 2002 from John Triana, 2 Cook Road, re: Skate Park
  2. Notice from New Haven County Farm Bureau re: Farm Tour Dinner on May 16, 2002.
  3. Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley Land Use Forum on Public Hearing Procedures for Planning & Zoning, Wetlands and ZBA on May 29, 2002.
  4. Institute for Wetlands & Environmental Education & Research - 2002 Training Schedule & Publication List.
  5. HRP Associates, Inc. - Notice of Seminar on Environmental Auditing.
  6. HRP Associates, Inc. - EnviroSource, March 2002.

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. A site walk was held on April 27, 2002. B. Doody stated that the size of the barn as proposed appeared too large for the area. The applicant was not in attendance. The Commissioners asked B. Donovan to contact the applicant and ask for other prudent and feasible alternatives regarding the size of the proposed barn. The application was tabled until the next meeting.

b. Mark and Joan Chevrier, 215 Cheshire Road. Application #15-01 for a Proposed Garden Center within a Regulated Area. This application was accepted at the April 8, 2002 meeting. At the site walk held on April 13, 2002, the applicant was asked to install a plunge pool at the lower corner of the property near Route 68 to prevent silt from draining to the wetlands. Mark Chevrier stated that the plunge pool has been installed. Mr. Chevrier further stated that he has been led to believe that the D.O.T. could take some time in determining where the road cut should be and consequently, he is planning to seed and fertilize the property to provide sedimentation control. Chairman Koehler asked that hay bales be placed at the low side of the property. B. Donovan asked whether a new site plan was available. Mr. Chevrier stated that he expects to have a new site plan within a couple of days. Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to approve Application #15-01, Mark & Joan Chevrier, for a proposed Garden Center within a regulated area with the stipulation that a plunge pool be installed and that an updated site plan be submitted to the Inland Wetlands Commission detailing the location of on-site facilities and which could later be utilized to show the location of the curb cut. Motion Carried, 3-0, with J. Kaufman abstaining.

c. Mark Guastaferri, 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. The applicant was not in attendance. Discussion on this application was moved to later in the meeting.

d. Richard Gruszka, 192 Straitsville Road. Application #17-01 for a New Garage within a Regulated Area. This application was accepted at the April 8, 2002 meeting. A site walk was held on April 11, 2002. Chairman Koehler stated that there were no major issues with this application, but he would like a small riprap plunge pool placed at the outlet of the gutter leaders. Mr. Gruszka stated that he may have to cut pine trees on the side of the proposed garage to allow enough room for access around the building. He would replant with arborviate to prevent erosion. Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to approve Application #17-01, Richard Gruszka, 192 Straitsville Road for a new Garage within a Regulated Area stipulating that a small riprap plunge pool be installed in the area where the leaders drain. Motion Carried, 3-0, with J. Kaufman abstaining.

Public Hearings: None

New Business:
a. Town of Prospect, 36 Center Street. Application for Repair of Various Town Roads within a Regulated Area. Mayor Robert Chatfield presented an application for repairs to Terry Lane, Woodcrest Drive, Hemlock Road, Meadow Lane, Matthew Street, Clark Hill Road, Bronson Road, Morris Road, Terry Road, and Center Street. The projects are being proposed to alleviate hazardous road conditions during rain storms and winter ice storms. Mayor Chatfield explained that different precautions would be required at each site and the Town would be working closely with the Wetlands Enforcement Officer to ensure that there would be no pollution to wetlands or watercourses. Motion by D. Holley, seconded by B. Doody to accept Application #18-01, Town of Prospect, as presented for repair of various town roads. Unanimous. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by D. Holley to waive the fees for Application #18-01. Unanimous. The Commissioners discussed the application with Mayor Chatfield. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by B. Doody to approve application #18-01 as presented. Unanimous.

Mayor Chatfield presented a letter requesting a 5-year extension of previosly approved road repair Application #12-98, #12-97, and #2-98. Mayor Chatfield described the progress of the road repairs and stated that he is requesting Inland Wetlands approval for the extension to ensure that the permit period on each of the applications does not expire to work being completed. Motion by D. Holley, seconded by B. Doody to approve a 5-year extension for Application #12-98, Application #12-97 and Application #2-98. Unanimous. The 5-year extension expires on May 13, 2007.

b. Vincent Corsino, 250 Straitsville Road. Application for a Subdivision with Construction of a Driveway within a Regulated Area. Vincent Corsino presented a site plan for a subdivision of his property located at 250 Straitsville Road and described re-grading for and construction of a proposed driveway that should improve the site line in that area of the street. Fees were set and paid for one regulated activity for the driveway cut in the amount of $155.00 and $10.00. Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to accept Application #19-01, for construction of a portion of a driveway within a regulated area at 250 Straitsville Road. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2002 at 6:30 p.m.

Old Business:
c. Mark Guastaferri, 36 Union City Road. Application for a Proposed Garden Center within a Regulated Area. The applicant was not in attendance. Bill Donovan stated that the rear of the property has been cleared and a rock barrier has been put in to protect the wetlands. Bill also stated that the applicant dug a rock channel for runoff to drain to the wetlands. Chairman Koehler stated that a catch basin with sump was to have been installed at the driveway to catch loose fines before the runoff drains to the wetlands. Bill stated that he did not see a catch basin. The Commissioners reviewed previous Inland Wetlands approvals for this property and asked Bill to see if the applicant could produce old site plan maps. The Commissioners will conduct a follow-up site visit on Friday, May 17, 2002 at 6:15 p.m. to review the regulated activities.

Enforcement Hearings: None

Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill commented on the need to fill vacancies on the Commission to ensure quorums at future meetings. The Commissioners felt that a letter should be sent to Mayor Chatifeld stating this concern and ask that the proper committees be notified. Bill highlighted an article in "The Habitat" referring to the Courts standing behind Inland Wetlands Commissions rights address issues outside of a regulated area if there could be an impact on wetlands or watercourses. Bill reminded the Commissioners that the Town of Prospect's updated Plan of Conservation and Development became effective on May 1, 2002 and suggested that a new Wetlands map be produced in conformity with the updated Plan. The Commissioners agreed that Bill could start the process of having a new map produced. J. Kaufman stated that a public hearing would need to be scheduled to approve the new map. B. Doody noted a property on Summit Road in violation of a wetlands permit. Bill was directed to send a letter to the property owner regarding the violation.

Public Participation: John Triana, 2 Coer Road, discussed his concerns with the Commissioners regarding the property behind the Senior Center where a skate park is being proposed.

Motion by D. Holley, seconded by B. Doody to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Unanimous.

Arnold Koehler
Chairman