Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. C. Wentworth was seated for David Holley.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the Unapproved Minutes of the April 14, 2003 meeting. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by C. Wentworth to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2003 meeting as amended. Four votes to approve; one abstention. Motion to approve carried.
Communications:
Old Business: None
New Business:
a.) Algonquin Gas Transmission Company, 125 (Transmission main R.O.W.) Waterbury Road. Pipeline maintenance within wetland/watercourse area. Terry Doyle, Principal Environmentalist with Algonquin Gas represented the application. Mr. Doyle explained the company's intention to conduct maintenance work on their 26" and 30" high-pressure transmission mains located in their R.O.W. on 125 Waterbury Road. This particular section lies underneath a watercourse and wetlands created from spillway discharge coming from the City of Waterbury's up-stream public water supply reservoir. The proposed maintenance work, which is to add cathodic protection to the pipeline system at this location, will involve the excavation of wetland soils within the pipeline ROW in an area previously disturbed during the original construction of the two pipelines. The estimated area of wetland disturbance is 2500 square feet. Mr. Doyle stated they would like to initiate the project in July when ground water tables have lowered. Chairman Koehler asked if they will do the work or sub out to private contractors. Mr. Doyle said they generally use the same private company for this type of maintenance work and will have an Algonquin company representative on site throughout the project, which should take about two weeks to complete. S. Skrebutenas asked if the existing pile of earthen material adjacent to where this work will occur was placed there by Algonquin. Mr. Doyle stated they have not brought any material or equipment to the site to date. Commissioners discussed whether a site walk was needed, but agreed to visit the site on an individual basis instead. Mr. Doyle stated he would contact the Land Use Inspector prior to starting the work. There were no further questions. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by S. Skrebutenas to accept Application 17-02 of Algonquin Gas Transmission Company for regulated activities at 125 Waterbury Road. Unanimous.
b.) Joseph & Joanna Swiski, 1 Morris Road. Proposed above ground pool and attached deck within regulated area. Bill Donovan indicated that Mrs. Swiski, when applying for the Inland Wetlands Permit, indicated that they had committed with a pool installer for an installation date prior to the next scheduled Inland Wetlands meeting. Bill consequently went to the site and determined the installation would not impact the wetlands. Bill contacted Chairman Koehler who also visited the site and concurred that there did not appear to be any direct impact to the wetlands with this proposed pool installation. Bill consequently provided Mrs. Swiski with "Agent Approval" of the application subject to review by the commission. J. Kaufman asked that the ground on which the pool is to be placed be stable. B. Donovan advised Mrs. Swiski to create a "Plunge pool" or depression in the ground to allow pool backwash waters to discharge into, thus avoiding a direct flush into the wetlands. Motion by S. Skrebutenas, seconded by B. Doody to accept and approve Application 16-02 of Joseph and Joanna Swiski, 1 Morris Road for installation of an 18' x 33' above-ground pool and attached deck within a regulated area. Unanimous.
Public Hearings:
a.) 7:33 p.m. Application 15-02 Shannon Development Company, LLC, 80 Straitsville Road. Regulated activities associated with proposed 5-lot subdivision. Chairman Koehler read into the record the "Notice of Public Hearing" as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American on May 1st and 8th, 2003. Scott Poryanda, Connecticut Consulting Engineers represented the applicant. Mr. Poryanda described the proposal as a 5-lot subdivision, including an existing house, located on the westerly side of Straitsville Road. Mr. Poryanda stated there will be approximately 17,000 S.F. of wetlands disturbance with this proposal from the construction of four driveways accessing four proposed houses located to the rear, or westerly boundary of the subdivision. The driveways will have a stone bedding allowing water to flow through the driveways thus avoiding a ponding condition. Mr. Poryanda stated that an alternative design, that of utilizing a common roadway to access the rear lots would result in greater disturbance to the wetlands. Chairman Koehler then read into the record a letter from Land-Tech Consultants, Inc. dated May 2, 2003 acting as the Town consultant for this project. Mr. Poryanda stated he did receive a copy of the May 2nd letter, but has not had sufficient opportunity to respond to Land-Tech's comments. Chairman Koehler indicated that as a result of the site walk held at this site, the commissioners also feel an impact assessment of the wetlands needs to be accomplished. Further, Chairman Koehler feels the location of the driveways for Lots 2 & 3 dissects the wetlands and he would like Scott to consider another location or alternative. J. Kaufman asked who is "Shannon Development"? Scott responded Mike and Kathy Mazzeo. J. Kaufman also asked for more information on where the water is coming from, the source, etc. and where the water flows to after it passes through the proposed development. Scott responded he would have that information at subsequent meetings. Chairman Koehler asked when the environmental impact study might be ready, to which Scott stated it will likely take at least one month to complete. S. Skrebutenas asked about the Army Corps of Engineers application requirement. Scott responded that application is normally submitted following a decision by the local Inland Wetlands Commission. J. Kaufman asked Scott to consider alternative locations of accessing onto this parcel of land, such as properties abutting the northerly boundary. G. Carrington asked if other streams, such as the one paralleling the southern boundary, could be impacted by this development. Scott responded that the impact to wetlands and watercourses are concentrated in the front portion of the parcel. J. Kaufman asked for information on the quantity of water volume during storm events and daily movement of water during non-rain days. Chairman Koehler asked for comments from the public. Tim Jones, 77 Straitsville Road, asked about the design parameters of the septic systems. Scott responded mottling on all lots indicated approximately one to one ½ feet of fill will need to be brought in for each septic system. Any filling for septics would be at least 50 feet from wetlands. Linda Mason, 77 Straitsville Road asked how wide an area is the wetlands on this parcel? Scott stated approximately 325 feet. Doug Gordon, 71 Straitsville Road is concerned with the potential of flooding with the development of this property. Scott responded the pipes under the driveways are designed to accept 25-year storm water flow, however the top of the driveways are lower than Straitsville Road, and therefore would not direct water out onto Straitsville Road. C Wentworth asked where the difference lies between the 17,000 S.F. of wetlands disturbance as stated by Scott vs. the 28,000 S.F. mentioned by the consultant. Chairman Koehler indicated that it may be necessary for the applicant to grant an extension of time at the next public hearing date (June 9th) if the environmental impact assessment and other requested information are not available for submittal. Doug Gordon, 71 Straitsville Road asked what recourse do abutting property owners have if flood damages occur that could be directly related to the development of this parcel. There were no further questions and Chairman Koehler set a date and time of June 9, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. to continue the public hearing.
Enforcement Hearings: None scheduled.
Land Use Inspector's Report: There was a general discussion on updating the regulations. Bill stated that Mr. Sydoriak had contacted him to say he would have the pile of woodchips removed from his property on Williams Drive. Bill also mentioned he had inspected Curtis Gardens on Union City Road for compliance with the Inland Wetlands permit, and that the owners of that business asked if a small portion of stone could be brought out to the front as a display to let people know that this product is available. Bill did speak with the Town Attorney regarding a possible conflict with the Town's engineer, who reviews applications and site plans for both Inland Wetlands and Planning & Zoning and also represents other applications before both commissions. The attorney basically responded that there is nothing saying he can not act as his own engineer in representing applicants, and that the commissions themselves will have to question Scott directly if they feel there is a conflict.
Public Participation: None
Motion by S. Skrebutenas, seconded by B. Doody to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Unanimous