TOWN OF GRANBY
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES
January 13, 2010
PRESENT: Chairman David Tolli, Aurelle Locke, Barry Avery, Richard Martindale, Charlie Katan, Richard Van Nostrand, Neil Kraner and David Askew, Technical Advisor to the Commission.
Chairman Tolli called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:02 p.m. Aurelle Locke was introduced and welcomed as a new member of the commission.
MINUTES:
Lisa Anderson, 19 Kearns Drive, addressed the commission. She submits a letter requesting that the matter of Mr. Brockett, 235 North Granby Road, be dismissed on the grounds that a full application has not yet been filed.
There was an error in the attendance reporting. Mr. Katan did not attend the December meeting, however, Mr. Avery did attend. Also, the commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month, not the third.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Kraner, the commission voted (5-0-2) to accept the minutes of the December 9, 2009 meeting with the corrections. (Mr. Katan and Ms. Locke abstain.)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2a. Application for new house, 192 West Granby Road, Ed Sansone
Mr. Avery is recused.
Marek Kement, engineer, Michael Gragnolati, soil scientist and the owner appeared. Mr. Kement says there are two remaining points for clarification: the question of the parcel as a lot of record and the analysis regarding the proposed location of the house.
Mr. Gragnolati distributed an impact statement. There are two wetland areas on the site, one in the northeast corner and the other in the northwest section. The proposed location of the house places it in the southern end of the property, closer to the road. The septic would be placed between the two wetland areas. Ariel photos were reviewed. The wetlands are isolated and there is no evidence of vernal pool activity. The wetlands serve as holding for runoff and to recharge the ground water. It is Mr. Gragnolati’s opinion that constructing a single-family home on this site will not have a negative impact once the construction is complete. He further states that the last revised plan submitted offers the best solution.
Lucille DelCampo, 196 West Granby Road, submits new photographs.
Richard DelCampo, 196 West Granby Road, submitted photos of wet conditions at the property on September 9, 2009 with a letter. He reviews the new photos. Included in his reporting is evidence of water reaching Route 20, overflow of water from the 188 West Granby Road property, and the abundance of water on his property. He submits that pursuing construction on the site in question will unfairly diminish his property value. The site has four borders. One is the state road and one is the owners other lot. This leaves two options for directing unwanted water runoff, the DelCampos’ property. He is very concerned about any additional water or potential septic runoff.
Jim Glenney, 33 Glen Road, stated his curiosity about where the responsibility would lie should the project be approved and a disaster occur as a result. The reply is that it would become a matter for the courts.
Mr. Martindale, of the commission, restated his confusion about the reason the commission is hearing this matter at all since the recorded information on the town records shows the site as “unbuildable”. The wetness and problems on the site are apparent. He would be hard-pressed to approve house construction on this site.
Richard DelCampo replies that Ed Lally issued a report on October 14, 2003 showing why the lot is unbuildable. It was concluded it was too wet to build on and the taxes were reduced.
Mr. Askew reports that lots are determined as legal. The unbuildable designation is a tax assessment issue. This commission is charged with determining wetland impact.
Marek Kement states that the test pits and design submitted to the Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD) was approved in two ways.
Mr. Kraner asks if the proposed house would have a cellar. It would not. The house would sit on a slab and employ drains. Mr. Kraner points out that there would be additional clearing on the lot creating less natural absorption. He also asks what impact there may be from the septic system. While the FVHD governs the health of people it does not address the health of the wetlands. How is the water rejuvenated and what is the potential for nitrogen overload?
ON A MOTION by Mr. Kraner, seconded by Mr. Katan the public hearing is closed. (6-0-0) (Mr. Avery is recused.)
2b. Bob Brockett, 235 North Granby Road, road in wetland
Mr. Brockett requests that the hearing be continued.
Lisa Anderson, 19 Kearns Drive, again proposed that Mr. Brockett be required to withdraw this application and submit a full and complete one.
The continuance is because the wetlands are in question. Mr. Brockett says the submitted map is missing a required signature and is waited to obtain it.
Mr. McDermott, 7 Kearns Drive, objects. He states that the maps are not specific and should include more detail. The soil survey is six years old and since that time there has been clear-cutting. He says that activity on the property may have been in violation of Inland Wetland and Watercourses regulations and asks the commission to review and take action. Mr. McDermott suggests that this application be reviewed with the property to the north since the residents there will be leasing the land for use. He suggests looking at the potential effect in totality.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Martindale the commission unanimously agrees to continue the hearing until next month while more information is gained.
NEW APPLICATIONS
3a. Ed Sansone, 192 West Granby Road, new house
The matter is continued allowing commission members to review all of the information.
3b. Road in wetland, 235 North Granby Road, Bob Brockett
This matter is continued since the public hearing is still open.
WETLAND BOUNDARY CHANGE:
4a. Eric Mainardi, 173R Haleview Drive
The Chairman and the Designated Agent will walk the property for review.
The owner submits a letter that grants access to the property for purposes of review.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission unanimously agrees to hold a public hearing at next month’s meeting. The road on the map submitted is labeled West Granby Road. The correct road is Haleview. The map does not show access to Haleview Drive.
CEASE ORDER:
5a. Cambridge House, redux
Mr. Avery is recused.
The letter withdrawing the cease order is approved and shall be sent to the owner.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Martindale, seconded by Mr. Kraner, the commission approves the letter and authorizes the Chairman to sign.
REPORT OF DESIGNATED AGENT:
6a. Request for Review – Signed
1. Neal Jaroch, stone retaining wall, 66 North Granby Road
MISCELLANEOUS:
7a. New forms are required by law. Mr. Askew distributed a sample of the new request for review form. A request for review is considered a permit and the applicant must submit a public notice. Mr. Askew also distributed a sample form letter for applicant use.
7b. Chairman Tolli has drafted a letter seeking Wild and Scenic designation.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Kraner, seconded by Mr. Martindale, the commission authorizes the Chairman to sign and send the letter.
7c. Chairman Tolli will distribute his notes from the CACIWC meeting at next month’s meeting.
Mr. Avery expressed his confusion on the farming exemptions. Mr. Askew will give a briefing on all the changes.
ANY OTHER PROPER BUSINESS:
The next monthly meeting is February 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Martindale, the commission voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Yost
Recording Secretary
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