April 25, 2005
Board Members Present: Arnold Koehler, Charles Wentworth, John Kaufman
Alternates Present: Charles Dorman, George Carrington (7:10 p.m.)
Absent Members: Brian Doody
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector/Clerk
Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. C. Dorman was seated for B. Doody; G. Carrington was seated for the vacant commissioner's position.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion by G. Carrington seconded by C. Dorman to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2005 meeting as presented. Four votes in favor with one abstention. Motion to approve carries.
Communications:
CT Department of Environmental Protection: Municipal Inland Wetland Commissioners Training Program-2001 Summary Report; King's Mark Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc: Brochure; Land-Tech Consultants, Inc.; Invoice of March 31, 2005; New England Wetland Plants, Inc. Product Information; 8KB India Co: Brochure; University of Connecticut: Connecticut Statewide Forest Resource Plan.
Old Business:
a. Application 13-04: Joseph Capuano, 32 Luke Street to construct a detached garage and install an above-ground pool within a regulated area. Chairman Koehler stated a site walk did take place on April 19th. Chairman Koehler asked Mr. Capuano to complete a revised plot plan of his property showing the final dimensions and location of his proposed garage. Commissioners also asked Mr. Capuano to ensure the soil base under the proposed pool is stabilized with geo-textile fabric or tight compacted materials to eliminate the potential of the pool collapsing from an unstable base and spilling a significant amount of water treated with chemicals into wetlands. Commissioners discussed the need for a plunge pool or similar retention device to direct pool backwash water into the ground. Mr. Capuano was asked to locate the plunge pool on his plot plan. Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by G. Carrington to approve Application 12-04 of Joseph Capuano with conditions that a plunge pool or other acceptable water retention device will be constructed to prevent a direct surface discharge of pool backwash waters into the wetlands; an amended plot plan will be provided to the Land Use officer showing final dimensions and location of the proposed garage; erosion control measures such as silt fencing and hay bales will be installed and maintained throughout the garage construction and pool installation process to prevent disturbed soils from washing into wetlands, and that these erosion control measures are to remain in place until all disturbed ground is stabilized with grass or other permanent ground coverings; the Land Use Inspector is to be notified 48 hours prior to initial excavation. Unanimous.
b. Application 14-04: William and Karen Mullen, 14 Blue Trail Drive to construct a house addition within a regulated area. Chairman Koehler stated a site walk did take place on April 19th. Mr. Mullen presented a revised plot plan as requested by the commission showing a more defined wetland boundary and locations of the existing pool, deck and point of discharge for roof water drainage. Mr. Mullen was asked to direct the roof water drainage into a plunge pool to avoid direct discharge into wetlands. Chairman Koehler asked Mr. Mullen on the status of removal of the litter observed in the wetlands during the site walk. Mr. Mullen stated he has already removed most of the items as requested and will completely clean the wetlands on his property of any remaining litter. Motion by C. Dorman, seconded by J. Kaufman to approve Application 13-04 of William and Karen Mullen with conditions that erosion control measures such as silt fencing or hay bales be positioned between the
work area and wetlands to prevent disturbed soils from moving into the wetlands, and construct a plunge pool at the point of roof water discharge. Unanimous.
New Business:
a. Gregory and Kimberly LaChance, 93 Plank Road. Application for regulated activities associated with a proposed residential house and septic. Nancy Levesque of Net Engineering represented the applicants. Ms. Levesque stated the applicants are seeking to place a new residential home on their property at 93 Plank Road. This is a 3.78 acre lot with 1.82 acres of wetlands. There are no direct impacts to wetlands. The house would be 55 feet to wetlands and the septic is shown to be 75 feet to wetlands. The LaChances are proposing to avoid a direct impact to wetlands by granting an access easement over their abutting property at 483 Matthew Street and thus eliminate the need to construct a driveway over wetlands on 93 Plank Road. Motion by G. Carrington, seconded by C. Dorman to accept Application 15-04 of Gregory and Kimberly LaChance for regulated activities at 93 Plank Road. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.
Chairman Koehler called for a motion to add the "Town of Prospect" to the agenda. Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by J. Kaufman to add "Town of Prospect" to the agenda. Unanimous.
b. Town of Prospect, 36 Center Street. Application for regulated activities on Cambridge Drive associated with the installation of an 8" water main. Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector, represented the Town. Bill presented an application and supporting information from Mayor Robert Charfield describing the installation of a portion of an 8" public water supply water main that would cross over a watercourse and be within a regulated area on Cambridge Drive. The water main is to be installed within the public right of way and will not be placed in a wetlands or watercourse. Motion by C. Dorman, seconded by G. Carrington to accept Application 16-05 of the town of Prospect for regulated activities on Cambridge Drive and waive all fees. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 6:45 p.m.
Public Hearings: None
Public Participation: None
Land Use Inspector's Report:
Chairman Koehler read a "Notice of Violation/Cease & Desist" order prepared by Bill Donovan that is being mailed to Justin Gill, 117 Cook Road The commission had directed Bill to proceed with an enforcement action against Mr. Gill as a result of Mr. Gill's lack of response to the commission's repeated requests to produce a wetlands boundary and description map of his property. The commission's request for a map showing the location of wetlands on Mr. Gill's property is a result of Mr. Gill's prior work within a regulated area without having first obtained the required permit and a more recent construction of a detached garage that appears to be within a regulated area. It was also mentioned that Stephen Sackter has recently been appointed as an Inland Wetlands Commission Alternate.
Public Participation: None
Adjournment:
Motion by C. Dorman seconded by G. Carrington to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Unanimous.
Arnold Koehler, Chairman