TOWN OF GRANBY
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 10, 2010
PRESENT: Chairman David Tolli, Aurelle Locke, Richard Van Nostrand, Neil Kraner, Craig Perry and Wayne Cahoon
Chairman Tolli called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:06 p.m. Craig Perry and Wayne Cahoon were introduced and welcomed as new members of the commission.
MINUTES:
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Kraner, the commission voted (6-0-0) to accept the minutes of the January 13, 2010 meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2a. Bob Brockett, 235 North Granby Road, road in wetland
Mr. Brockett submits a letter and a copy of a map showing the two proposed roads requested in his application. One proposed road will follow the southern border of his property and the other will follow the northern border. Mr. Brockett states that the roads are necessary to access portions of the property. He reviewed the section 4.1 of the Granby IWWC regulations and finds that installation of a road is a right under the designation of farm use. Mr. Brockett also states that he understands that he will need to seek approval from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to cross the watercourse. He appears before this commission for their permission. The planned roads will be unpaved gravel.
Members of the public began to talk out of turn, directing questions to Mr. Brockett. Persons from each side of the argument crowded the commission bench to express their case. The Chairman called for order.
Guy Stanhope, Kearns Drive, suggests that the roads be engineered. Flooding occurs over the road now.
Richard MeDermott, 7 Kearns Drive, is concerned with the proposed north road and the potential impact. He does not understand the necessity of putting in two roads to access property.
John Day, Lost Acres Road, asks if there is a provision in the regulations for the town to retain an expert and charge the property owner. The answer is yes.
June McDermott, Kearns Drive, expressed her concern for the amount of water on her property due to the clear-cutting that occurred on the Brockett property.
Robert Brockett, North Granby Road, explains that half of the McDermott property is wetland.
Richard McDermott, Kearns Drive, retorts that half of his property is not wetland. Mr. Brockett’s land slopes down toward Day Street and the water runs down and funnels into his property. Mr. McDermott suggests that it is a reasonable request to have an engineer review the proposal. He made further complaints about past activity on the Brockett property.
Bob Brockett, North Granby Road, responds that the brook crosses Kearns in two places and at the time of the flooding the west section flooded, too. Complete blame cannot be placed on the clear-cutting on his property.
Mr. Perry asks if the woods line on the map is accurate. It is. The tree clearing was done to the edge of the wetland for pasture. Mr. Perry would like to visit the property with the Wetland Enforcement Officer.
Mr. Anderson, 19 Kearns Drive, expressed his displeasure of the proposed north road.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Perry, seconded by Mrs. Locke, the commission closed the public hearing.
(6-0-0)
2b. Wetland boundary change, 173R Haleview Drive
There is confusion over what the correct address for this parcel is. Currently, the number has not been assigned. The applicant has been advised that it will be a Haleview Drive address.
The soil scientist for the project checked soils, delineated the wetlands (12/28/09) and placed 94 flags on the site. The sketch map has been signed and submitted.
The Chairman and the Wetland Enforcement Officer walked the property and witnessed a lot of standing water in areas. The concern is that they could be vernal pools. The areas of water should be included in the maps submitted. Determination of vernal pools cannot be made during this time of year.
Mr. Mainardi expressed his frustration with the lengthy delays on reaching a verdict on whether the property will suit his future plans. Mr. Kraner let the applicant and soil scientist know that the Farmington River Watershed Area conducted a vernal pool inventory in 2005.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Perry, the commission continued the public hearing to the next month. (6-0-0)
APPLICATIONS
3a. Ed Sansone, 192 West Granby Road, new house
Chairman Tolli summarized the situation. There is no doubt that there is water in and around the property. The question is whether a house can be built. The Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD) has assessed and authorized a septic system to support the house. Monitoring wells were used to verify. Mr. Kraner agrees that this is a tricky lot. No activity will take place in the wetlands as proposed. The soil scientist was asked directly and says that there will be no impact on the wetlands. The last submitted proposal is the best that can happen there. Mr. Van Nostrand agrees this is the most prudent alternative, however, there are wetlands on both sides and the lot had been billed as unbuildable by the town. Flooding occurs over route 20, which is the state’s concern. The owner may look to the
state for approval. Mr. Perry raises concern of the proximity of the home to the wetland (approximately 8 feet). No assurances have been received that there will be no negative impact to the wetland. There is no upland review area left.
Chairman Tolli points out that there has been no expert testimony to refute what the soil scientist reported at the public hearing. Mr. Kraner agrees that the plan is disagreeable to the layperson, but he has to rely on experts to make the determination.
ON A MOTION by Mrs. Locke, seconded by Mr. Kraner, the commission approves the application provided the following conditions are met:
- The line of silt fence on the plan shall serve as the clearing limits and a secondary line of construction fence shall be installed along (behind) the line of silt fence to serve as a construction barrier.
- Silt fence shall be installed before any clearing and grading and the installation of silt fence shall be approved by the Wetland Agent.
- All grading on the property shall be marked in the field by stake by the surveyor/engineer prior to filling.
- Stockpiling of soil material on the site shall be limited to the location shown on the plan.
- The landowner shall have a preconstruction meeting with the Wetland Agent prior to construction.
The application is approved since there is no feasible and prudent alternative. (3-2-1) In favor: Mr. Kraner, Mr. Tolli and Mrs. Locke. Against: Mr. Van Nostrand and Mr. Perry. Mr. Cahoon abstains.
3b. Bob Brockett, 235 North Granby Road, road in wetland
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Perry, the commission agrees to continue the discussion at the next meeting. (5-0-1)
3c. Matthew Calendrillo, 12 Allen Road, construct dock and replacement of revetment
The applicant did not appear.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Kraner, seconded by Mrs. Locke, a public hearing on this matter will be scheduled for next month since it appears that there is potential impact to the wetland.
WETLAND BOUNDARY CHANGE:
4a. Eric Mainardi, 173R Haleview Drive
This matter is continued.
MISCELLANEOUS:
5a. CACIWC meeting highlights
The next opportunity to attend the CACIWC meeting is March 25, 2010. The Chairman distributed copies of notes from the meeting. Discussion and/or questions on the notes may be heard at next month’s meeting.
5b. IWWC Training
All new members should attend training.
5c. CAWS meeting highlights
ANY OTHER PROPER BUSINESS:
Chairman Tolli distributed milfoil information that was sent as a courtesy from the Manitook Lake Association.
Mrs. Locke asks what written instruction is available to the public to assist them in the process of making applications to the IWWC. At this time there is not a written guide, however, the Wetland Enforcement Officer is available to answer questions.
Mrs. Locke points out that three members have retired from the commission.
ON A MOTION by Mrs. Locke, seconded by Mr. Kraner, the commission unanimously thanks the former members for their many years of dedicated service.
The next monthly meeting is April 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.
ON A MOTION by Mrs. Locke, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Yost
Recording Secretary
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