May 9,2005
Board Members Present: Arnold Koehler, Charles Wentworth,
Alternates Present: Charles Dorman, George Carrington, Stephen Sackter
Absent Members: Brian Doody, John Kaufman
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 J. Kaufman; S. Sackter was seated for B. Doody; G. Carrington was seated for the vacant commissioner seat.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion by G. Carrington seconded by C. Dorman to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2005 meeting as presented. Four votes in favor with one abstention. Motion to approve carries.
Communications:
Chairman Koehler stated all communications relate to the LaChance application listed under "Old Business" and will be submitted under discussion of that application.
Public Participation:
Luca Petracca, 5 Laura Avenue. Mr. Petracca asked what information he would need to present to the Commission to determine whether a structure could be built on his property. Mr. Petracca stated approximately 35% of the property is wetlands. Chairman Koehler reviewed with Mr. Petracca what initial documents are required, and referred Mr. Petracca to contact Bill Donovan for further information and assistance.
Old Business:
a. Application 16-04: Town of Prospect, 36 Center Street to install a public water supply water main within a regulated area on Cambridge Drive. Chairman Koehler stated a site walk did take place on May 3rd. Mayor Chatfield was present to respond to questions. He reviewed the construction schedule and chlorination process of the water main installation. There were no questions from the commission and a Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by C. Dorman to approve Application 16-04 was voted Unanimous.
b. Application 15-04: Gregory and Kimberly LaChance, 93 Plank Road. Application for regulated activities associated with a proposed residential house and septic. Chairman Koehler read into the record correspondence received concerning this application. Donald & Lisa Cousey, 85 Plank Road requesting a public hearing on this application. Christine and Richard Hinckley, 471 Matthew Street expressing concerns with the potential impacts on the wetlands and obligate wildlife species that would result from the construction of the proposed house and septic and requesting a public hearing be scheduled on this application. Chairman Koehler stated he has spoken with Mrs. Hinckley who indicated they are actively seeking the required number of signatures to petition for a public hearing. Chairman Koehler stated a site walk did take place on May 3rd. He noted a man-made detention basin was causing stagnant water and requested the basin wall be breached to allow water to flow thru in a natural direction. It was felt there is a high ground water table contributing to the water that is concentrated in the basin. Chairman Koehler also noted surface water flowing into the wetlands that would need to be addressed as the application goes forward. Nancy Levesque, of Net Engineering who is representing the applicants reviewed with the commission several options to address high ground water and drainage. Chairman Koehler asked the LaChances to install several standpipes on the property to provide a method to monitor ground water levels over the next several weeks. The application was carried over to the June 13th meeting.
New Business:
a, Connwood Foresters, Rockwell, CT. Logging operation near Old Logtown Road. David Beers of Conwood Foresters appeared for the applicant. The logging operation is to take place on Connecticut Water Company property and Mr. Beers submitted a letter from Cindy Fazeniero of CWC authorizing Mr. Beers to act as the water company's agent for all matters related to the logging operation. Mr. Beers described the operation as a forest harvest to remove 1145 sawtimber trees and 754 firewood trees for silvicultural purposes. No harvesting will occur within any wetlands or watercourses. A percentage of trees located within 100 feet of forested wetlands will be harvested and intermittent streams will be crossed. Mr. Beers submitted with his application a complete narrative of the logging operation and final site stabilization. Motion by C. Dorman, seconded G. Carrington to accept Application 17-04 of Connwood Foresters for logging operations within a regulated area near Old Logtown Road. Unanimous. Fees were determined and a site walk was scheduled for June 1, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.
Public Hearings: None
Public Participation: None
Land Use Inspector's Report: None
Adjournment:
Motion by C. Wentworth seconded by G. Carrington to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Unanimous.
Arnold Koehler, Chairman