Board members Present: Arnold Koehler, John Kaufman, Charles Wentworth
Alternate Members Present: Stephen Sackter
Absent Members: Charles Dorman, Stephen Mulhall (alt)
Others present: Diane Lauber, Clerk
Chairman Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. S. Sackter was seated for C. Dorman. The meeting was taped.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by A. Koehler to approve the minutes of the October 30, 2006 meeting as amended. Two votes in favor with two abstentions. Motion to approve carries.
Communications: None
Old Business:
a. Prospect Estates Subdivision/Spreda Pond Restoration. No discussion due to lack of a quorum upon C. Wentworth and S. Sackter recusing themselves. A special meeting will be scheduled for November 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
b. Prospect Estates Subdivision: Cease & Desist Enforcement Order. J. Kaufman noted that on a site visit with Bill Donovan he had taken pictures showing pockets of coarser sedimentation material rather than fines that had washed down towards the Sanford Brook area. No other discussion was held due to lack of a quorum upon C. Wentworth and S. Sackter recusing themselves. A special meeting will be scheduled for November 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. It was noted that Stephen Mulhall will review all minutes and listen to taped meetings regarding Item a. & b. on tonight's agenda before the special meeting on November 27, 2006.
c. Earl & Jean Reilly, 179 Union City Road. Significant sedimentation in pond. Chairman Koehler stated that the commissioners had recently visited the Reilly property and observed a significant amount of sedimentation in the pond, exceeding what had been previously observed when the Boulder Brook Development initially constructed the forebay at the stream inlet of the pond. The commissioners feel that the pockets of sedimentation observed on the site visit need to be cleaned out and will request that a representative from Boulder Brook be present at the next meeting to discuss a course of action, possibly redesigning the forebay at the stream inlet of the pond. Chairman Koehler stated that there is still a bond in place for Boulder Brook. J. Kaufman suggested that maybe a pond specialist should be consulted regarding the reclamation of the pond.
d. Inland Wetlands Regulations Revisions. [See Page 2]
New Business:
a. 2007 Meeting Schedule. The commissioners reviewed proposed meeting dates as prepared by B. Donovan. Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by S. Sackter to approve the meeting dates for 2007. Unanimous.
Public Hearings:
a. 7:30 p.m. Application #10-06: Rosenfield Enterprises, Inc., 157A Summit Road. Regulated activities associated with a proposed residential subdivision. Chairman Koehler read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican on November 1 & 9, 2006. Attorney Warren Hess represented the applicants, LTF Builders, LLC. Attorney Hess described the proposed "Woodmont
Estates Subdivision" as a 25-lot subdivision covering 51.6 acres located at 157A Summit Road. The property borders the proposed Toll Brothers project to the west and the recently approved "Summit Heights" subdivision to the south. The latest revised site plan map shows revisions through October 12, 2006. Wetlands have been flagged. Revised fees have been paid for a total of 20 regulated activities. Attorney Hess reviewed the proposed open space stating that a total of 9.83 acres of open space is being proposed of which 5.67 acres is dry area. Attorney Hess further stated that there is a total of 6.95 acres of wetlands on this site and they are proposing a total of 4,982 sq. feet of disturbance and creating detention basins totaling 3,582 sq. feet. A buffer strip is proposed along the entire site on the south, the west and the east and they have also provided for an area of land to tie the wetlands together with the Summit Heights subdivision. The applicant's engineer, Roland Desrosiers of R.J. Desrosiers & Associates, reviewed the storm water management plan and design of the detention basins. There is no direct storm water discharge from the road going into wetlands or streams. A. Koehler questioned the grading of the basins at the road crossings. Mr. Desrosiers stated that the basins would be dug into ground with grading to level them off. J. Kaufman stated that although Mr. Desrosiers has indicated that the ground is stable in the crossing areas, he would ask that if there are areas that are found to be soft, those areas would be stabilized with either a gabion or stabilization fabric. Final Chesprocott approval has not been received yet. A. Koehler acknowledged receipt of comments from the Town's engineer, Land-Tech Consultants, Inc. Mr. Desrosiers stated that he had just received a copy of the comments today and has not had time to address Land-Tech's comments. Discussion was held on the proposed temporary cul-de-sac and the impact on the septic system for that lot. Mr. Desrosiers stated that development of the lot may be restricted until such time as the road is extended. A. Koehler suggested that the section of roadway be eliminated until the road is extended. Mr. Desrosiers indicated he would review Land-Tech's comments regarding this issue and address it at the next meeting. Henry Moeller, soils scientist, reviewed the soils on the site and gave his assessment of the impact on the wetlands. Mr. Moeller' s written report had been previously submitted as part of the record. Jodie Chase, ecologist, reviewed the ecological impact of the project and submitted a written report showing an inventory of the wetlands system on site, as well as providing a functional evaluation of the property using the Army Corp of Engineer Highway Methodology. In describing the regulated activities, Ms. Chase stated that there is loss of wetland area, but not a loss of wetland functional value. There were no comments from the public. The hearing was continued to December 11, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Public Participation: None
Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill Donovan was not in attendance. A. Koehler read a letter sent to the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding Finno Development submitting a new application to the IWC for changes made to the proposed development on Cook Rd. A. Koehler also stated that Toll Brothers are thinking of putting a trailer on the Scott Road property and beginning with some clear cutting. Inland Wetlands Regulations Revisions: J. Kaufman stated he would like to see a $5,000 or higher bond required for all applications with areas considered sensitive. Mr. Kaufman also stated that the DEP is recommending a minimum 100-foot buffer zone from wetlands for any regulated activity. Chairman Koehler suggested that a special meeting may be called in January 2007 to finalize proposed regulation revisions.
Motion by J. Kaufman, seconded by S. Sackter to adjourn at 9: 10 p.m. Unanimous.
Arnold Koehler, Chairman