TOWN OF GRANBY
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 14, 2010
PRESENT: Chairman David Tolli, Richard Van Nostrand, Deb Sheahan, Craig Perry and Wayne Cahoon
Chairman Tolli called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:08 p.m. Deb Sheahan was introduced and welcomed as a new member of the commission.
MINUTES:
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Cahoon, the commission voted (5-0-0) to accept the minutes of the March 10, 2010 meeting with the following corrections:
- Under item 2a. it is noted that Mr. Brockett’s land slopes down toward Day Street. It, in fact, slopes down from Day Street.
- Under item 5a. the next CACIWC meeting was reported to be on March 25, 2010. It should be corrected to the next state training is on that date.
- Item 5c., CAWS meeting, was on the agenda but was not discussed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2a. Wetland boundary change, 173R West Granby Road
Eric Mainardi is in the process of purchasing the lot. He submitted a letter of intent to the Building Department office and also a more detailed wetland report completed by soil scientist, Tom Petros and Brian Denno.
The report (completed by Tom Petros on 3/29/10) answers the question of the possibility that the wet areas found through inspection by the Chairman and Wetland Enforcement Officer could be vernal pools. The five seasonal ponds were checked and no species, other than wood frog egg masses, were found.
Mr. Askew reminds the commission that this hearing is simply a redesignation and at this time it is necessary only to agree or disagree with the way the property is mapped. The applicant has provided all requested documentation. Mr. Askew and Chairman Tolli have verified the thorough mapping.
The public was invited to comment.
Mr. Gilbert “Buzz” Hale, 7 Haleview Drive, is very familiar with the property. He has lived there for 37 years. He believes that the Mainardis would make ideal occupants of the property. Mr. Hale further says that he would allow the Mainardis to use his pasture. A letter written by Mr. Hale was submitted to the commission.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Perry, the public hearing is closed.
(5-0-0)
APPLICATIONS
3a. Bob Brockett, 235 North Granby Road, road in wetland
The application is to construct a road in the wetland. Mr. Askew provided a report summarizing the record and distributed a photo of the clearing/cutting that occurred and has been discussed in the public hearing. Mr. Askew says the commission may wish to make a jurisdictional judgment as to how to address the issue of the cutting. In addition, Mr. Askew observed substantial runoff due to the recent increase in rain activity. He suggests that if the commission proceeds to grant the application that installation of a culvert be required.
Mr. Perry suggests that the better plan is Road A, although he believes it would get washed out if installed. He asked if there was significant flow to require an engineered plan. There are other things in place that would handle the situation.
Mr. Cahoon says this is a farm road and is in favor of the property owner having access to his property. It is suggested that the town engineer and wetland enforcement officer work with the owner to come up with an appropriate way to allow the water to flow when the road is installed.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Perry, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission unanimously approves the application to eliminate Road B from the plan due to its potential negative impact on the wetlands and to approve Road A with the following condition:
The applicant must supply a culvert crossing design to the wetland enforcement officer and town engineer for approval prior to the installment of the farm road (proposed Road A).
ON A MOTION by Mr. Perry, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission unanimously accepts that the creation of pastureland by tree harvesting/cutting falls within the agricultural exemption.
WETLAND BOUNDARY CHANGE:
4a. Eric Mainardi, 173R West Granby Road
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Perry, the commission unanimously accepts the wetland boundary change as shown on the plans:
Eric Mainardi
173R West Granby Road
Dated 1/11/2010, Revised 4/6/2010
REQUEST FOR REVIEW
5a. Eric Mainardi, 173R West Granby Road
Janet Brooks, attorney for Mr. Mainardi, addressed the commission. Documents were submitted for farm plans. No activities fall within the wetland areas, nor do they fall within the upland review. The only proposed structure, a stable, would be situated outside of all regulated boundaries. Only the proposed fencing may fall within wetland review areas. The goal of the applicant is to respect the wetlands. They do not foresee any clear-cutting. The property has approximately 15 acres with limited amount of trees suitable for proposed needs.
The determination being sought is the designated farm exemption.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Mr. Cahoon, the commission accepts that the activities as presented all fall under the agricultural/farming exemption. The documents on record include:
Submitted request for review, a letter dated 4/1/2010 with detailed proposal for activities by the Mainardis, a letter dated 4/7/2010 describing exemptions by Janet Brooks, and a letter from Mr. Hale dated 4/6/2010 in support of the proposal.
(4-0-1) Mr. Perry abstains on this motion.
5b. Matthew Calendrillo, 12 Allen Road, construct dock and replacement of revetment
Mr. Calendrillo recently purchased the property that has frontage on Lake Manitook. The current revetment consists of felled trees held in place with rebar. Mr. Calendrillo would like to remove the existing structure by hand without the use of heavy equipment. He will replace it with face board. The dock would be seasonal, to be removed in winter. Mr. Van Nostrand comments that the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) does not have jurisdiction on private lakes with associations.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Cahoon, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission accepts the application to replace the revetment provided that pressure treated wood is not used. (5-0-0) The matter of the dock is not addressed since it does not fall within the commission’s jurisdiction.
MISCELLANEOUS:
5a. CACIWC meeting highlights
The Chairman is working on an outline to distribute to the commission members.
5b. CAWS meeting highlights
The Chairman is working on an outline to distribute to the commission members.
ANY OTHER PROPER BUSINESS:
The next monthly meeting is May 12, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Ms. Sheahan, the commission unanimously agreed to end the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Yost
Recording Secretary
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