Board Members Present: Stephen Sackter, Charles Wentworth & Stephen Mulhall
Alternate Members Present: David Michaud
Absent Members: John Kaufman, David Celotto, Arnold Koehler (Alt.) &Charles Dorman (Alt.)
Others Present: William Donovan – Land Use Inspector & Diane Lauber – Clerk
Chairman S. Sackter called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was taped. D. Michaud was seated for J. Kaufman.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by S. Mulhall seconded by C. Wentworth to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2009 meeting as presented. Unanimous.
Communications:
1. Connecticut Land Use Leadership Alliance – Notice of Training Program.
2. Letter dated 1-26-09 from Anthony & Shawna Dorso for a Release of Bond at 30A Scott Road.
W. Donovan stated that he would make a site visit to 30A Scott Road prior to the next meeting and report to the IWC at that time with a recommendation regarding the release of bond request for Mr. Dorso. The release of bond request will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Old Business:
a. Application #15-08 – Cathy Santoro, 38 Blue Trail Drive. Septic system and grading within a regulated area. A site walk was held on January 24, 2009 at 9:00a.m. It was noted that there were no changes made with this application from the original plan that was approved five years ago. There were no additional concerns raised at the site walk. Motion by S. Mulhall, seconded by D. Michaud to approve Application #15-08 of Michael & Cathy Santoro for a septic system and grading within a regulated area as shown on site plan entitled. “Lot 12, Matthew Hills South, Sec. 2, Melissa Lane & Blue Trail Drive” with latest revision date of 10/03/08 for property located at 5 Melissa Lane as presented. Unanimous.
b. Application #16-08 – Janet Messina Skrip, 3 Arbor Meadow Drive. Deck within a regulated area. A site walk was held on January 24, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Robert Allen of Home Enhancements, LLC, was in attendance representing the applicant. The commissioners questioned Mr. Allen regarding the exact location of the proposed deck in relation to the wetlands. Mr. Allen explained that the small deck currently above the rear patio would be removed and a new deck is proposed to extend an additional 14 feet to the right side of the house and wrap around the side of the house to connect to the front porch. The commissioners reviewed a plot plan of the property with Mr. Allen and were satisfied that there would be no disturbance to the wetlands. Fees were set and paid in the amount of $140.00 and $30.00. Motion by S. Mulhall, seconded by D. Michaud to approve Application #16-08 of Janet Messina for reconstruction of an existing deck within a regulated area for property located at 3 Arbor Meadow Drive as presented. Unanimous.
c. Inland Wetlands Commission Fine Ordinance.
Enforcements:
a. William Brundage & Brenda Nadeau, 143 Plank Road. Activities in a regulated area without a permit. There was no discussion.
New Business:
a. William Brundage & Brenda Nadeau, 143 Plank Road. Landscaping/Tree removal within an upland review area. Brenda Nadeau presented the application at the previous meeting. The commissioners agreed to delay scheduling a site walk until March hoping for more suitable weather. A date and time for the site walk will be set at the February meeting. Fees were paid in the amount of $130.00 and $30.00. Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by S. Mulhall to accept Application #01-09 of William Brundage & Brenda Nadeau L/U, for landscaping/tree removal within an upland review area for property located at 143 Plank Road. Unanimous. It was noted that the applicant doesn’t need to be in attendance at the February meeting. W. Donovan will notify the applicant of the date and time of the site walk when it is scheduled.
b. Thomas Giammattei – 200 Scott Road. Review of proposed greenhouses. Thomas Giammattei presented the commissioners with a plan for a commercial greenhouse facility on his property located at 200 Scott Road. The property is accessed through a right of way from Waterbury. Mr. Giammattei indicated that he is planning up to 12,000 square feet of greenhouses to be located approximately 50 feet from the wetlands. W. Donovan stated that Mr. Giammattei was coming before the IWC under the exemption for agricultural use as permitted by right in the wetlands regulations and State Statutes. Mr. Giammattei stated that he is working with the federal government for grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NRCS where they help to conserve water with no leaching into the ground. Mr. Giammattei reviewed the Trough Irrigation system that will be put into use at his current place of business, The Flower Farm at 50 Scott Road, this summer that will contain water used for irrigating plants for re-use. The system allows for conservation of water, less need for fertilizer and there is no leaching into the ground. Mr. Giammattei’s proposal for his new facility is to make the operation completely organic. Under the guidelines, Mr. Giammattei is required to review with the commission his proposed operation for the commissioners to agree that it is an agricultural use permitted by right under the Town’s regulations and State Statutes and have it noted for the record. The commissioners questioned Mr. Giammattei on the layout of the greenhouses and on-site storage of chemicals. Mr. Giammattei explained that if he is running an organic facility, there could be no on-site chemicals. All supplies for the organic plant products will be kept in cabinets inside the greenhouses. Mr. Giammattei is proposing production of three crops each year: spring, fall and a winter vegetable crop. W. Donovan referred to State Statutes for agricultural use of property stating that an agricultural use within a wetlands area is allowed and is not considered a regulated activity. Mr. Giammattei is currently farming on the property. D. Michaud asked if there would be silt fencing during construction to protect the wetlands. Mr. Giammattei stated he would install silt fencing. The commissioners acknowledged that the operation as described by Mr. Giammattei is an agricultural use permitted by right under the wetlands regulations. It was also noted that if the operation were to change at a later date, the operator would be required to come before the IWC. Mr. Giammattei gave his permission for the commissioners to visit the site once the operation is up and running.
c. 2009/2010 Proposed Budget. Discussed after Public Participation.
Public Hearings: None
Public Participation: Anthony Dorso, 32 Scott Road, reviewed a shift in the proposed house for his property at 30A Scott Road (20 Peter Gilkey Road) resulting in the southeast corner being 90 feet from the wetlands. Mr. Dorso also asked whether the commissioners had any concerns with utilities being run underground. The commissioners reviewed the modified plan noting the change in the location of the proposed house and were satisfied that there was no significant impact to the wetlands. It was also noted that the utility lines would be underground.
c. 2009/2010 Proposed Budget. Discussion was held on the current year’s budget and expenditures to date. It was determined that all line items should remain the same for next year. Meeting Clerk, $2,550.00; Supplies, $175.00; Conferences, $275.00; Engineering, $3,000.00 for a total proposed budget of $6,000.00. Motion by D. Michaud, seconded by S. Mulhall to approve the proposed 2009/2010 Inland Wetlands budget totaling $6,000.00. Unanimous.
Land Use Inspector’s Report: W. Donovan reported that the Town has been reimbursed for all legal fees associated with 181 Union City Road. Bill indicated that Jeremy August has inquired about installing a chain link fence around his property. The commissioners stated they would consider the installation of a fence as a regular application before the IWC.
c. Inland Wetlands Commission Fine Ordinance. Discussion was held on the proposed “Ordinance Establishing Fines and Citation Procedure for Wetlands Violations”. W. Donovan recommended changes under “1. Penalties” to change “buffer areas” to “upland review areas”. S. Sackter felt that there could be a sliding scale regarding the fines applied rather than a set amount. It was noted that the fines would be implemented after all other enforcement procedures have been exhausted and the commissioners agreed to keep the proposed fine amounts as presented. Motion by D. Michaud, seconded by C. Wentworth to accept the proposed “Ordinance Establishing Fines and Citation Procedure for Wetlands Violations” as amended. Unanimous.
Motion by S. Mulhall seconded by C. Wentworth to adjourn at 8:26 p.m. Unanimous.
Stephen Sackter, Chairman