Board Members Present: Chairman Arnold Koehler, John Kaufman
Alternates Present: Charles Wentworth, Charles Dorman, George Carrington
Absent Members: Brain Doody, Steve Skebutenas, David Holley
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector/Clerk
Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. C. Wentworth was seated for B. Doody; G. Carrington was seated for D. Holley; C. Dorman was seated for S. Skrebutenas.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by G. Carrington to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2004 meeting as amended. Four votes in favor with one absention. Motion to approve carries.
Correspondence: 1) CT Association of Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commissions, "The Habitat". Winter 2004; 2) ASW Consulting Group, LLC, Environmental Impact Evaluation for Proposed Water Main Extension at Putting Green Lane and Straitsville Road; 3) CT Association of Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commissions, Request for support of approval of Public Act SB 445, An Act Concerning the Jurisdiction of Municipal Inland Wetlands Commissions; 4) Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley, Annual Report 2003-04 5) Connecticut Federation of Lakes, Inc. CFL News; 6) HRP Associates, Inc. Spring/Summer 2004 Training Schedule; 7) DEP Bureau of Natural Resources/ Wildlife Division, "Connecticut Wildlife"; 7a) Institure for Wetland & Environmental Education & Research, 2004 Training Schedule and Publication List; 8) CT DEP Open Space and Watershed Land Acquitin Grant Program Questionnaire; 9) Soutwest Conservation District, Inc. Spring 2004 Newsletter, 10) Vortechnics,Inc. CE News Publication; 11) CT DEP 2004 Municipal Inland Wetland Commissioners Training Program . (Chairman Koehler request B. Donovan contact the DEP to learn the seating availablity of Segment II and to contact each member with this information).
Old Business: None
Public Hearings: None
New Business: None
Land Use Inspector's Report B. Donovan stated there currently is a moratorium on new subdivision appplications that is scheduled to be lifted on June 1st which is the target date that the new Prospect and Zoning Regulations and Subdivision Regulations would go into effect. Bill mentioned a proposed change in the regulations defines a "Buildable Area" in a proposed new building lot as a "contigious area of a lot, exclusive of wetlands, watercourses, water bodies, wetland buffers, and where no more than 25 percent of area contains slopes in excess of 20 percent." If approved, the "Minimum Buildable Area" would place restrictions on where a new house can be placed that would effectively require a new house to be located outside the regulated area. The public hearings are scheduled for May 12th and all commissioners are welcome to attend and comment on the proposal. Bill mentioned that the new age-restricted housing project on Route 68 that received approval from the commission last year has gotten off to a poor start in that no erosion control measures were initially in place prior to construction and as required by the applicant's Erosion Control Plan. The applicant has since installed the required erosion measures and has also placed four additional stone check dams with filter fabric and hay bales across the watercourse passing through the property. Commissioners asked Bill to check the approved site plan for the "Curtis Watergardens" property on Route 68 concerning the stock-piling of loam at the southerly side of the property and next to the wetlands. It was understood any loam would be stored away from the wetlands to avoid being pushed over into the wetlands causing unnecessary sedimentation. Bill was also asked to inspect the installed catch basin to see if it needs to be cleaned out. Commissioners also noted that the new landscape operation on Route 68 next to the Public Works facility has the trailer and product on opposite sides of the property from what was presented to the commission. Bill stated that applicant must present a revised site plan to Planning & Zoning and will require one for Inland Wetlands as well.
Public Participation: Adelle Gray, 102 Cook Road expressed concerns with a to-be proposed subdivision on Cook Road that will be located where there is extensive wetlands and wildlife. She has concerns that the developer will ignore any regulations or law protecting the environment and is asking what enforcement is available to prevent unnecessary destruction of the area from a development. Chairman Koehler stated there are enforcement procedures in place by State Statues and that the commission would pursue whatever legal options are available should there become a need to do so.
Adjournment: Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by C. Dorman to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Unanimous.
Arnold Koehler
Chairman