Inland Wetlands Commission

Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. C. Dorman was seated for D. Holley; G. Carrington was seated for B. Doody.

Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the Unapproved Minutes of the May 12, 2003 meeting. Motion by S. Skrebutenas, seconded by J. Kaufman to approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2003 meeting as amended. Unanimous.

Correspondence:

Old Business:

a.) Application 17-02: Algonquin Gas Transmission Company, 125 Waterbury Road (Algonquin R.O.W.). Pipeline maintenance within wetland/watercourse area. Terry Doyle, Principal Environmentalist with Algonquin Gas represented the application. Chairman Koehler stated at the last meeting that the commission agreed in lieu of a scheduled site walk each commissioner would visit this site prior to tonight’s meeting. There were no additional comments or questions from the previous meeting. Mr. Doyle stated they are planning to begin work, which should last no more than one or two days, in July when ground water tables normally are lowered. Silt fencing will be installed and an on-site Algonquin supervisor will see the project through from start to finish. Bill Donovan will be notified at least 48 hours prior to start-up. S. Skrebutenas asked if the pile of dirt currently stored near the work site is Algonquin’s. Mr. Doyle stated it is not, and said he believes the dirt was left for future work by the City of Waterbury within their surrounding property. Motion by C. Dorman, seconded by J. Kaufman to approve Application #17-02 0f Algonquin Gas Transmission Company for regulated activities associated with pipeline maintenance work at 125 Waterbury Road. Unanimous.

b.) Chairman Koehler requested a motion to add Thomas Broderick, 11 Alison Court to the agenda for an in-ground pool installation within a regulated area. Motion by S. Skrebutenas, second by C. Dorman to add Thomas Broderick to the agenda. Mr. Broderick stated they are attempting to install an in-ground pool at 11 Alison Court that meets the required separating distance from his septic system and is as far away from wetlands as possible. Commissioners asked if the bottom of the pool would be below ground water tables and expressed concerns with the pool’s stability if this should occur. Mr. Broderick replied that his basement is dry, and believes the pool will also not be affected by ground water tables. Motion by S. Skrebutenas, second by J. Kaufman to accept Application 18-02 of Thomas Broderick. Unanimous. A Site Walk was scheduled for Monday, June 16th at 6:30 p.m.

Public Hearings:

a.) 7:30 p.m. Application 15-02: Shannon Development Company, LLC, 80 Straitsville Road. Regulated activities associated with a proposed 5-lot subdivision. This public hearing was continued from the May12, 2003 meeting. Chairman Koehler read into the record a letter from Scott Poryanda of Connecticut Consulting Engineers representing the application requesting the public hearing be carried over to the next meeting and granting an extension of time on this application. There were no comments from the public and Chairman Koehler set a date and time of June 23, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.

New Business:

a.) Tesco Rentals, LLC, 155/151 Union City Road. Regulated activities associated with a proposed Elderly Housing Complex. Attorney Edward Fitzpatrick represented the application. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated Tesco Rentals is seeking to construct an “Age Restricted Development” consisting of approximately 40 adjoining units and a common community building. The development will be serviced by public water, gas and a sanitary forced main that will extend from the site westerly into Naugatuck where the main will tie into Naugatuck’s sanitary system. Attorney Fitzpatrick detailed seven regulated activities consisting of 1. Constructing a sanitary pump station; 2. Installation of a sanitary sewer main; 3. A watercourse crossing of a sanitary sewer main; 4. One building unit; 5. Miscellaneous wetland filling; 6. Construct a detention pond and drainage system and 7. Construct a paved driveway (road) entrance with storm water appurtenance within a wetland area and in a regulated area. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated there will be less than 5,000 square feet of wetland disturbance and minimal impact to the watercourse. The site itself is highly disturbed and is characterized by irregular, large mounds of rocky ground separated by excavated areas. S. Skrebutenas asked what is meant by “miscellaneous filling”. Attorney Fitzpatrick described this as crossings over the watercourse, grading at the detention basin and at Building One. Mr. Fitzpatrick also submitted a Soil Report of the area dated August 13, 2001 from Cynthia M. Rabinowitz, Soil Scientist. Chairman Koehler asked if the watercourse is to be filled in conjunction with the sanitary crossing. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated there will be no filling, that the main will be placed underneath the water course. This is a 10.25 acre parcel. S. Skrebutenas mentioned the runoff from the roofs and driveways and the concern this caused at a previous application for this same parcel. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated the hydraulic calculations presented by the engineer address this issue. The proposed detention pond will contain the storm water runoff from the roofs and paved areas and meter that volume off site in a volume no greater than pre-construction conditions. G. Carrington asked how much fill will be needed for Building One? Mr. Fitzpatrick responded he will have that information at a future meeting. J. Kaufman asked about the width of the paved driveway and the need to allow fire trucks or other emergency vehicles the ability to turn around. J. Kaufman also asked if there has been discussion on creating a nature or walking trail within the parcel. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated they would consider that possibility. Chairman Koehler asked if an oil and water separator is needed up-stream of the detention basin given the amount of new paving and likely concentration of vehicles within this proposed project. Consensus is that the separator would be prudent. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by C. Dorman to accept Application #19-02 of Tesco Rentals 151/155 Union City Road for regulated activities associated with a proposed “Active Adult Community” Unanimous. A Site Walk was scheduled for Monday, June 16th at 6:45 p.m.

b.) Chespro LLC, 278 Cheshire Road. Regulated activity within a proposed 3-lot subdivision. Chairman Koehler read into the record a letter from David V. Carson, OCC Design Group, Inc. acting as agent for this application requesting no action be taken at this time relative to acceptance of this project. No action was taken.

c.) Nicholas Mecca, Lombard Drive. Proposed 3-lot subdivision. Bill Donovan introduced Mr. Mecca to the commission stating that Mr. Mecca’s proposed subdivision does not have regulated activities or appears to have an impact on down-stream areas. Under Prospect’s Subdivision Regulations however, a proposed subdivision with no regulated activities must still be presented to the Inland Wetlands Commission for their review and comment. The commissioners reviewed the subdivision plans and also from personal knowledge of the area acknowledged there should be no impacts to wetlands or watercourses as presented.

d.) Regulation revisions/up-dates. General discussion of the regulations whereby a definition of an “upland area” and “vernal pool” should be added. Also, whether all commercial or industrial proposed projects, as with all subdivisions should be presented to the commission for review and comment. J. Kaufman also asked if there should be a statement in the regulations addressing the protection of natural features such as a waterfall or scenic watercourse. Bill Donovan stated he would begin putting together a final draft copy of the proposed regulations for the commission and the DEP to review prior to Public Hearing.

Enforcement Hearings: None

Land Use Inspector’s Report: None

Public Participation: None