Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. No alternates were seated.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the Unapproved Minutes of the July 8, 2002 meeting (The August 12, 2002 meeting was cancelled). Motion by B. Doody, seconded by D. Holley to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2002 meeting. Unanimous.
Communications:
Old Business:
a.) Paulmar Associates, LP, 36 Union City Road. Resubmittal of application for a proposed nursery with activities within a regulated area. Toby Strileckis of Curtiss Watergardens, 36 Union City Road presented a letter from Mark Guastaferri allowing Mr. Strileckis to represent this application. The original application was denied without prejudice because the applicant had not produced a site plan showing wetlands delineation on the property. Mr. Strileckis submitted a "Wetlands Delineation Plan" and report produced by Mark H. Sullivan, Land Surveying and Environmental Consulting, LLC. showing locations of wetlands and those structures and activities within regulated areas. Chairman Koehler noted that the location of a catch basin with a sump that is to be installed to capture sediment runoff from the work and travel area is not shown on the plan. B. Doody also stated the plan appears very similar to the original plan for this location submitted to Inland Wetlands in the 1980's and does not accurately detail current conditions relative to drainage appurtenances, dewatering of pond and size/location of structures. The Commission agreed the application as presented is incomplete and did not accept it. A meeting is to be arranged with Mr. Guastaferri and Mr. Strileckis at 36 Union City Road to review the plan against existing site conditions with the intent that the applicant will update and otherwise correct his plan to allow this application to be accepted at the next scheduled meeting.
Public Hearings:
Town of Prospect: Proposed revisions to Prospect's Wetland Soils Classification Map. Chairman Koehler opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. and read into the record the legal notice as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American on August 29 and September 4, 2002. Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector for Prospect represented the town in this application. Bill related that the proposed changes to the Wetland Soils Map will bring Prospect's map and language relative to wetland soils definition into harmony with the Department of Environmental Protection's definition for a wetland, and also with Prospect's definition of a wetland as it now appears in the town's Inland Wetlands Regulations. J. Kaufman felt it would be beneficial to know the type or specific name of a wetland soil to better understand where that soil type is relative to the map definition of "poorly drained, alluvial", etc. J. Kaufman also noted that neighboring town boundaries need to be shown, and the larger bodies of water need to be labeled. D. Holley would like to see where the 500 foot boundary is to abutting municipalities.
There was also the suggestion that the scale on the map should be able to determine distances in feet, rather than a portion of one mile. Also, the commission felt some reference as to where aquifer protection areas are located should be made available or included on the map. Chairman Koehler carried the public hearing over to the next scheduled meeting on September 23 at 7:15 p.m. to allow for the proposed amendments to be incorporated onto the map.
New Business: Edward Hanky/Jane Valetkevich, 200 Coachlight Circle. Review of map for a proposed 8-lot subdivision with no regulated activities. B. Donovan related that this subdivision application is currently before Planning & Zoning. The applicant, through his soils scientist has produced a soils report indicating that there are no regulated activities within this proposed subdivision. However, there are revisions being made consequent of comments received at the P&Z public hearing, and that final map has not been made available to the town or public for review. Accordingly, the map that is before this commission will likely be replaced with a revised map. Questions among the commissioners included potential environmental impact from increased road water and roof runoff, creating a new detention pond, open space and passive recreational access to the abutting CT Water Company. Bill will ask Mr. Hanky upon completion of a revised plan to have his engineer appear at the following Inland Wetlands meeting.
Enforcement Hearings: none
Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill read an article regarding a recent court decision that supported a Connecticut Inland Wetlands Commission's decision not to allow a resident to extend a stockade fence on her property to the water's edge of a lake her property abuts. That commission determined the proposed fence interfered with the lake's environment and aesthetics. The court upheld that decision saying the fence was within 50 feet of the lake and hence was within the jurisdiction of the commission. J. Kaufman and D. Holley also mentioned the fence would block normal travel routes of the various wildlife surrounding the lake and could have a negative impact to natural populations.
Public Participation: none
Motion by B Doody seconded by D. Holley to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Unanimous