Board Members Present: Stephen Sackter, Charles Wentworth & David Celotto
Alternate Members Present: None
Absent Members: John Kaufman, Stephen Mulhall, Lisa Mason (alt), David Michaud (alt) &
Anthony Dorso (alt)
Others Present: William Donovan – Land Use Inspector
Chairman S. Sackter called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion by D. Celotto, seconded by C. Wentworth to approve the July 27, 2009 minutes as presented. Unanimous. Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by D. Celotto to approve the August 10, 2009 minutes as presented. Unanimous.
Communications:
1) Prospect Building Inspector’s Report–August 2009; 2) The Connecticut Water Company: Water Diversion Permit Application for a Public Water Supply System Interconnection.
Public Participation: None
Old Business:
a. Prospect Estates Subdivision, Proposed Landscaping within Conservation Area on Lots 5 & 6. Larry Beausoleil, representing Harb Developers, LLC discussed plans to plant several trees in the vicinity of the stream crossing to help stabilize the soils, prevent vines from re-emerging and also help delineate the conservation area. He is suggesting pine trees to eliminate leaves from blocking or causing the stream to flow outside of its natural channel. There will be no additional fill brought in other than what may be necessary to plant the trees. Mr. Beausoleil stated they are thinking of planting approximately 20 trees. C. Wentworth questioned whether the new trees, over time, could cause the brook to divert from its normal path. Mr. Beausoleil stated the trees will be planted 10-15 feet from the water course. B. Donovan suggested utilizing the White Pine as it is somewhat salt-tolerant. This may be important given the winter road sanding and salting operations that occur on roads within the upstream watershed for Roaring Brook. The commission acknowledged Mr. Harb’s intentions to plant coniferous trees within the conservation area of Lots 5 & 6, Saddle Court.
New Business:
a. Application #07-09 – Michael Lynch, 27 Luke Street. Proposed Shed within a regulated area. Mr. Lynch presented a report prepared by David Lord, Certified Soil Scientist and principal of Soil Resource Consultants, Meriden CT. He also presented a plot plan dated September 9, 2009 prepared by Connecticut Consulting Engineers depicting a drainage system consisting of a roof leader drain connecting into 3 sub-surface stormtech infiltrators with an overflow yard drain that discharges into a grass swale extending to the stream. Mr. Lord addressed the commission. He described the upland soils on the property as a Charlton Series, with a moderate ability for water infiltration. He stated the abutting wetlands have a great natural ability to absorb runoff water. The infiltrators are designed to collect the roof water runoff underground and allow that water to infiltrate into the ground. Additionally, the applicant plans to eliminate the roof drain and install a stone swale at the drip line on both sides of the building that would intercept roof runoff and expand the water collection area around the building. Roof runoff would fall into the stones, permeate into the ground or be directed to the infiltrators. A proposed grass swale provides a surface relief for the infiltrators should the volume of runoff exceed the storage capacity of the infiltrators. The stones on both sides of the structure would be graded towards the infiltrators. There was general discussion with the applicant and Mr. Lord and a Motion by D. Celotto, seconded by C. Wentworth to approve Application #07-09, with an added drawing on the submitted plot plan, signed and dated, showing the location of the stoned swales on the sides of the shed was Unanimous.
Public Participation:
Bill Sima, 44 Sherwood Drive stated he had received letters from the Land Use Inspector concerning possible inland wetlands violations on his property and he is here to understand what the commission’s concerns are. Mr. Sima stated he is trying to finalize septic approval with Chesprocott for a new house on his property. He stated he has brought in stone to place on the driveway because water runoff from Sherwood Drive continues to erode the driveway. He has not transported any fill onto the property, but he has brought in topsoil to fill in the holes dug for the septic tests. He does have firewood and parks equipment on the property. C. Wentworth stated the last time he was there, the pits were still exposed, and fill was placed in the back of the work area. He stated when it rains, traffic over the brook crossing in the driveway causes erosion. Mr. Sima stated a significant amount of water flows onto his property and driveway from Sherwood Drive. B. Donovan stated his concern that as materials are brought onto the property, they’re deposited further back on the property and closer or into the wetlands. C. Wentworth stated his concern that vehicles parked on the property may be leaking fluids. He was glad to hear the septic pits have been filled in. There were no further questions and the commission thanked Mr. Sima for his attendance.
Enforcements:
a. Herminio Nunes, 41 Juggernaut Road. Shed within a regulated area without a permit. B. Donovan stated at the Enforcement Hearing for Mr. Nunes held at the July 27th meeting, the commission suggested to Mr. Nunes he advertise his shed for sale or for no payment with the condition that the structure is taken off his property as a way of bringing his property into compliance. The commission had asked Mr. Nunes to attend tonight’s meeting with copies of the advertisements he stated he would place in the paper to confirm his intentions to have the structure removed. Bill stated he has not spoken to Mr. Nunes on this matter since the last meeting. C. Wentworth asked that Mr. Nunes appear before the commission at the next scheduled meeting on September 28th.
New Business:
a. Foresite Building Service, 41 Sherwood Drive. House addition within a regulated area. Larry Beausoleil, Foresite Building Services, represented the property owners, John & Susan Blondis. Mr. Beausoleil stated Mrs. Blondis is seeking to have a two-car attached garage built with wheelchair accessibility for Mr. Blondis. The structure is approximately 82-feet from the brook that passes through the property; however the topography of the property where the garage will be placed is sloped away from the stream. The garage will be placed on a slab. Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by D. Celotto to accept Application 11-09 of Foresite Building Service as presented. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
b. Donald Paradise, 1 Laura Avenue. Installation of underground utilities within a wetlands and regulated area. Mr. Paradis is constructing a new house and is ready to have the utilities brought in from Route 68. There is an existing inland wetlands permit on file (02-07) for a residential house and driveway within a regulated area. Mr. Paradise stated he will need to excavate a trench approximately 170-feet in length from Route 68 to his house that will include a 60-foot crossing over wetlands. Motion by D. Celotto, seconded by C. Wentworth to accept Application 12-09 as presented. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
c. James LaMarre and Michele Rogers, 27-A Juggernaut Road. Excavating and grading activities within a regulated area. Mr. LaMarre stated he has been clearing his back yard to expand the use of his property and became aware he needs a wetlands permit to continue. Mr. LaMarre stated a brook passes through the property and there is also a pond on the property. Therefore most of the useable area on his property is within 100-feet of either the brook or the pond. He is attempting to cut back the embankment near the pond and level the area around the pond for added use and enjoyment of his property. Motion by C. Wentworth, seconded by D. Celotto to accept Application 13-09 as presented. Unanimous. A site walk was scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
Land Use Inspector’s Report:
Bill Donovan stated he has been advised of vehicles possibly driving over wetlands and brook crossings in the back portion of 209 Cook Road. In response, Bill sent a letter to Armand Rosanelli of that address asking if Bill could make an inspection to determine whether there are impacts occurring in the wetlands. He has not yet received a response from Mr. Rosanelli.
Adjournment: Motion by D. Celotto, seconded by C. Wentworth to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Unanimous.
Stephen Sackter, Chairman