P.O. BOX 308
Wednesday, April 5,
2006
7:00 p.m. – Town
Hall
Acting
Chairman Karl Walton called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members Henry Broer, Dan Fraro, Daniel
Fraro, Karl Walton, Lise Wood and Alternate Member Candace Aleks (seated for
Todd Whitford) were present and constituted a quorum. Wetlands Agent David Askew was also
present. Mr. Walton introduced the
newest additions to the Commission:
Members Henry Broer, Daniel Fraro and Alternate Member Candace
Aleks.
II.
OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Wetlands Application #531, 2-Lot Subdivision in Upland Review Area, 93
Field Road, Percoski
Mr.
Askew reviewed the plans with the Commission, noting that all activity will take
place more than 100 feet away from the wetland. He has no issues with the application
and it is very straight forward.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve Percoski’s Wetland Application #531 for a 2-lot subdivision at 93 Field
Road.
b.
Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands
Application #532, Dredging Intermittent Watercourse & Culvert Crossing, 92
Scully Road, Chatis
David
Askew provided a sketch of the project together with photos of the area, which
is located on a small tributary to Gillette’s Brook. This is an intermittent watercourse
which has endured a significant influx of sedimentation. Currently, it is overtopping and flowing
into the adjacent pasture.
Bruce
Wood proposes excavating the stream along approximately 245 linear feet. David Askew has spoken with someone who
produces erosion control materials and determined that the approach previously
proposed is not the best option. A
more favorable plan is to construct the culvert with two plunge pools and then
to install stone check dams within the stream to form sediment
basins.
Mr.
Askew recommends a pre-construction meeting in order to discuss materials and
procedures with Mr. Wood.
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Candace Aleks, and voted 4 in favor, 0
opposed, and 1 abstention (Wood) to approve Chatis’ Wetland Application #532 for
dredging and culvert crossing at 92 Scully Road with the condition that a
pre-construction meeting be held with David Askew.
c.
Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands
Application #533, Bridge Crossing Stream, 328 Stafford Road,
Czerwinski
David
Askew reviewed the application, explaining that as a result of the October 2005
flooding, the bridge crossing a stream on Mr. Czerwinski’s property was washed
out. The applicant may be eligible
for federal government funding to cover stream stabilization. Because the stream is trout-bearing, Mr.
Askew requests that watertight forms be used when pouring the concrete and that
no concrete washing be done within the stream. He also recommends a pre-construction
meeting.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Henry Broer and unanimously voted to
approve Czerwinski’s Wetland Application #533 for a bridge at 328 Stafford Road
with the conditions that 1)
watertight forms be used for pouring concrete, 2) that no concrete washing be done in
the stream and 3) that a
pre-construction meeting be held with David Askew. In addition, the application fee is to
be waived.
T.J.
Barresi from Ed Lally and Associates presented the application and reviewed the
details. The 1-lot subdivision is
situated on the north side of Mountain Road. The wetlands have been flagged by a soil
scientist. The driveway is planned
to connect with the driveway on an abutter’s property, for which the applicant
has received an easement. The
driveway will cross a wetland for access to a single-family home to be built in
the upland review area. A private
well and septic system will service the residence.
A
number of alternatives were considered and are discussed in a letter from Mr.
Barresi. There are no alternatives
to the existing crossing that would reduce the amount of wetland to be
filled. A crossing approximately 20
feet upstream of the proposed crossing was considered but the applicant could
not obtain an easement in this location.
Mr.
Barresi presented a drawing of the proposed driveway including a 12-inch pipe
culvert to cross the wetland. Fill
will be included to build up the driveway grade.
The
application has been reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals because the
driveway location is within 10 feet of the property line. The Planning Commission has also seen
the application.
The
Fire Chief has been contacted regarding the requirements for a fire turnout and
his requests are to be included on the plan. The turnout will be in the upland review
area and will require some additional clearing.
David
Askew had no additional issues with the application, but did request that a
pre-construction meeting be held.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Candace Aleks and unanimously voted to
approve DeWitt’s Wetland Application #534 for a 1-lot subdivision with stream
crossing at 183 Mountain Road with the condition that a pre-construction meeting
be held with David Askew.
e.
Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands
Application #535, In-ground Pool in Upland Review Area, 56 Brittany Lane,
Witwer
David
Askew reviewed the application with the Commission and noted that the area is
drier than it was originally because of the under drains along the road. He explained that the applicant is
seeking to install an in-ground pool and he has no issues with the
application.
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to
approve Witwer’s Wetland Application #535 for an in-ground pool at 56 Brittany
Lane.
f.
Discussion/Possible
Decision: Wetlands
Application #536, New House with Intermittent Stream & Wetlands Crossing,
167 Root Road, Gallant
David
Askew presented revised plans for the property, which includes land along Root
Road in addition to the proposed home site. A considerable amount of ledge was found
at the area along Root Road so it is unsuitable for a septic system and is not a
feasible alternative as a building site.
The house location as proposed is the only one that will
work.
Dave
has reviewed the buffer planting for the length of the driveway with Mike
Mocko. The lot grading will provide
the ability to shed water, a detail that has also been incorporated into the
proposed plans. Mr. Askew has asked
to have a year window after the project is completed to inspect the road. He anticipates that there may be some
driveway settling resulting from the weather and from use and he would like to
visually inspect how the storm water is behaving on the road over a period of
time to insure that discharges of storm water into the wetland are
minimized.
Karl
Walton suggested markers along the wetland boundary which would be helpful for
future owners. Mr. Askew
recommended markers delineating the wetland boundary from WB-31 to WB-46 and
from WB-5 to WB-10.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Henry Broer and unanimously voted to
approve Gallant’s Wetland Application #536 for a new house and crossing with the
conditions that 1) a qualified
environmental consultant or engineer inspects the driveway for erosion control
once a week until construction is complete, 2) that David Askew does a one-year
review of the driveway drainage and
3) that markers be placed on the wetland boundary from WB-31 to WB-46 and
from WB-5 to WB-10.
Mr.
Askew presented plans for the expansion of the sewer plant within the upland
review area. They are proposing the
addition of another 2 beds. The
wetlands have all been flagged. The applicant will be working within 40 feet of
the wetland border in one corner.
The area is a flat, forested wetland. David Askew has no issues with the
application.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve the Town’s Wetland Application #537 for sewer expansion at 3 Quality
Avenue.
h.
Other
- No other Old Business was presented.
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Request for Extension of Permit #427, Commercial Development, South Road,
Ladd
David
Askew explained that this South Road parcel across from Rich’s Drive-in includes
a wetland. The property will be
developed for commercial use. The
original 5-year permit was approved on July 11, 2001 and Mr. Ladd is requesting
an extension. Mr. Askew has no
issues with the permit extension.
Jay
Ussery from J. R. Russo and Associates, representing Dan Roulier, presented the
plans to construct a home in the upland review area off of Partridge Run. The house will front on Partridge Run,
but will have access from Horseshoe Lane.
The property is part of Phase II of an approved subdivision established
in the mid-1980’s and the permit for this parcel, originally granted in the
1990’s, has since expired.
The
upland review area extends 100 feet into the parcel. They have decided the best way to access
the single-family home is to come in from the back of the lot with a common
driveway rather than cutting across the stream. The driveway will be located near an
intermittent water course. Silt
fencing will be used for soil and erosion control.
The
applicant is requesting that a special meeting be held for approval so that work
can begin as soon as possible.
The
applicant would like to construct an in-ground pool within the existing lawn
area adjacent to the home. The
wetland area has been mapped and the pool is to be 43 feet from the wetland
area. There is a catch basin in the
middle of the wetland. David Askew
has no issues with the application.
d.
Wetlands Application #540, New House in Upland Review Area, 1027 Main
Street, Warren
Al
Warren was represented by Scott Neff, Land Surveyor, and Jeffrey Lamavalla,
Engineer. The new single-family,
3-bedroom home is to be situated on approximately 2.8 acres on the northerly
side of Main Street. A brook runs
along the northeasterly edge of the parcel, bisecting the site, and they have
just finished putting in the under drains, eliminating the need for a wetland
crossing. The wetlands have all
been delineated. A private well and septic tank will be placed at the front of
the house. Silt fencing will be put
in for erosion control. Mr. Askew
has asked for low split-rail fencing along the area as well to provide
additional buffer to the wetland.
David
Askew noted that more lots are being submitted with minimal separating distance
between wetlands and building activities and that different strategies, such as
split rail fences, are being explored to reduce the incidence of enforcement
issues with homeowners, while allowing development on tight parcels. He suggested that the wetland line be
permanently delineated.
e.
Modification of Wetlands Application #524: Grading in Upland Review Area, 164
Hampden Road, Grower Direct
This
item was deferred as no modification was received from the applicant. A brief discussion was held to update
the newest members of the Commission about the existing
application.
f.
Other: Wetlands Application
#541, Work Around Pond & Wetlands, 17 Orchard View,
Whiteley
Frank
Chicharella from Frank’s Landscaping presented plans for Dr. Whiteley’s property
at the end of Orchard View Drive, which is off of Miller Road. The area around the pond has been
cleared and the applicant would now like to grade and landscape the
area.
The
first plan was to dredge the area, but when David Askew visited the site he
discovered that the pond has naturalized and is now a breeding location for wood
frogs. It was determined that
dredging would cause too much impact, so the plan now is to grade the area and
put in an outlet pipe. The
vegetation along the pond’s edge will be re-established to eventually hang over
the water and provide additional habitat.
David
Askew will meet with Frank Chicharrella to discuss the pond drainage and set up
a more detailed plan prior to the next meeting, including a planting
list.
The
next POCD meeting is April 24, 2006.
David
Askew presented the Wetland’s Agent Report, explaining each item briefly. A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded
by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to accept the report as
written.
Mr.
Askew explained to the new members that there are DEP Wetlands Training Classes
which they are invited to attend.
Anyone interested in going should contact him.
It
was determined that a Special Meeting of the Conservation Commission would be
held on April 19, 2006. Mr. Askew
or Patrice Carson will contact everyone via email.
A
bill dated April 5, 2006 was presented from the Journal Inquirer in the amount
of $55.09. A motion was made by
Lise Wood, seconded by Henry Broer and unanimously voted to pay the
bill.
VIII.
MINUTES APPROVAL
- February 1, 2006 and March 7, 2006
This
item was deferred until the next meeting.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
adjourn the April 5, 2006 Conservation Commission meeting at 9:15
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Lise
Wood, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.