TOWN OF GRANBY
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES
November 10. 2010
PRESENT: Chairman David Tolli, Richard Van Nostrand, Aurelle Locke, Deborah Sheahan, Craig Perry, and Wayne Cahoon; and David Askew, Technical Advisor to the Commission
Chairman Tolli called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:04 p.m.
MINUTES
ON A MOTION by A. Locke, seconded by D. Sheahan, the Commission voted unanimously
(6-0-0) to approved the minutes of the regular meeting of October 13, 2010 as presented.
PUBLIC HEARING
Item Addition to the Agenda:
Wetland boundaries changes – the Commission received the soils report.
The Commission members and D. Askew have not had a chance to review this information in detail.
At this time Chairman Tolli noted this matter should not be addressed during the public hearing portion of this meeting.
ON A MOTION by C. Perry, seconded by W. Cahoon, the Commission voted unanimously
(6-0-0) to close the public hearing.
ON A MOTION by C. Perry, seconded by W. Cahoon, the Commission voted unanimously
(6-0-0) to accept the wetland boundary line changes as depicted on the maps submitted by Alford Associates, dated October 12, 2010. Sheets included: sheet #3 dated August 30, 2010, sheet #4, dated October 13, 2010, Revised, and sheet #5, dated August 30, 2010. All three sheets show the boundary line and existing conditions.
2a. 12 Lot Subdivision Permit Application, 69 Hartford Avenue (continued)
This public hearing opened at 7:13 p.m.
This hearing is a continuation from the October 13, 2010 meeting.
Christian Alford, Engineer, appeared to continue explaining the initial request. He reiterated this is a 57-acre parcel on the south side of Hartford Avenue. An 800-foot road, with twelve building lots is proposed. He showed on a map where the road and houses would be and where the wetlands are on the property. He alternated between maps, showing the cul-de-sac now being positioned further away from the wetlands. He showed where a proposed bio-infiltration basin would be placed, just up from the edge of the brook. He noted that conservation easements have been added to the lots, still leaving plenty of room for a sufficient backyard.
George Logan, soil scientist, went over the highlights of his report. He explained that the proposed water filtration system is a high quality system and pointed out where the proposed stations would be. He reviewed the results of the soil tests. He stated setbacks and buffers are proposed to protect wetland boundaries. Within his report, Mr. Logan included a report from the CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding water quality in the Salmon Brook. He reviewed some of this report and A. Locke questioned some rather negative water results, to which Mr. Logan responded that was due to the agricultural use of the land in previous years. Overall the quality of the Salmon Brook water in this area is good. He discussed the quality of the soil in this area and how it affects creating the
basins. Mr. Cahoon questioned why the plans were changed from the last meeting regarding the drainage. Mr. Alford answered that the change was based on the Commissions request to leave more protection against erosion and address storm water run off into the stream. Mr. Logan went on to talk about Appendix 3 – Analysis Data Sheet, which shows a swale. He said the town will be maintaining the basins and if standing water were there for more than 72 hours it would indicate a problem, which would need to be addressed. Mr. Logan suggested that the catch basins have a hooded outlet.
Kevin Clark, Town of Granby Engineer, spoke saying that plans for this proposed project haven’t been received, in detail, yet. He has however, looked at the property with the interested parties. He made several comments including: curbless pavement may not be a good idea; Public Works will be looking at the plans to make sure they can take care of this area; basins should be considered part of the roads and should be maintained by the town; and in conclusion he feels this is a low risk development for the resources.
A turtle’s habitat and construction was addressed. The “edge” of the brook was clarified. It was stated that excessive rain would eventually cause the Salmon Brook to rise over the outlet pipe, but measures would be in place so there wouldn’t be a backup.
Chairman Tolli stated that on sheet #6, the elevation is noted at the bottom as 171 feet, but it should read 170 feet. Mr. Alford agreed.
Myles Kuchas, 91 Hartford Avenue, asked if ice in the winter would create a problem with the water runoff and basins. Also, he stated he has some concerns regarding the impact of construction on his property. Mr. Logan addressed his questions.
Jim Glenney, 33 Glen Road, questioned the layout of the building lots and if any represented a potential threat to the Salmon Brook. He was told there is no threat to the brook from any of the lots.
ON A MOTION by C. Perry, seconded by W. Cahoon, the Commission unanimously (6-0-0) voted to adjourn the public hearing at 8:30 p.m.
APPLICATION
12 Lot Subdivision Permit Application, 69 Hartford Avenue
Time is needed to review all the documents presented.
ON A MOTION by A. Locke, seconded by R. Van Nostrand, the Commission unanimously
(6-0-0) voted to continue this discussion to the next meeting.
C. Perry asked if the material could be given the commission members prior to a meeting (instead of at the meeting) so that the members can have a chance to review the material ahead of time. D. Askew said he would inquire if this could be done.
VIOLATION
4a. 44 Silver Brook
Tom Grimaldi appeared on behalf of Michael and Maria Warchol, 44 Silver Brook Lane. Mr. Warchol was also in attendance. Mr. Grimaldi gave maps to the commission members. He said the pond has been stabilized for the winter. There is exposed soil around the pond and the embankments have been modified. He showed pictures to the commission showing that the water is clear. These pictures were compared to previous pictures. D. Askew stated he had looked at the site today, and it looks better than it did. He does have a couple of issues, that being the material is in a wetland boundary and it needs to be removed and as this pond currently exists, it creates a fish trap (where brook trout can get stuck). Now that this pond has been dug, it tends to dry up the stream in the summer.
Mr. Grimaldi is looking for guidance from the commission as to how Mr. Warchol can proceed. It was stated that it doesn’t seem feasible that a pond, with an inlet and outlet, can be created here. D. Askew commented the easiest solution may be to remove the fill from the wetland area, put it back into the hole, and restore the stream as it was.
Chairman Tolli said if work is being done within the wetlands, then an application is necessary. Maybe a pre-application discussion could or should be set up sometime over the winter. Overall, the commission members feel more information is necessary. Members feel it would be beneficial for them to go look at this property. It was noted that the stream seems rather small and it may be beneficial for Mr. Warchol to hire a professional to evaluate the situation.
DISCUSSION AND UPDATE
D. Askew reported on this matter and shared some photographs. Last October there was a breech of the dam on this property. The property owners brought in an engineer to look at this matter. It was stabilized for last winter and earlier this year there were some unauthorized repairs done on the dam. D. Askew tried contacting the engineer in June, July, and August but has not spoken with him to date. A new engineer has now been brought into this matter. D. Askew, Tom Grimaldi, and Ken Stevens recently visited this property to look at the problem and found that sediment has gone down stream due to the breech. It may be best not to do restoration with the sediment in this situation. D. Askew stated, the site is stable at this time. Much discussion ensued regarding where the dam was before the
breech and where it is now, after repairs. A violation notice was sent in February 2010.
ANY OTHER PROPER BUSINESS
Chairman Tolli has some training DVD’s to loan to commission members, if anyone is interested. The DVD is about interpreting maps, etc.
C. Perry asked D. Askew about Mr. Brockett’s farm. D. Askew said he thought Mr. Brockett contacted the Department of Agriculture regarding farming programs. The application for a road was withdrawn.
ON A MOTION by A. Locke, seconded by C. Perry, the Commission voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn at 9:23 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be December 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Christian
Acting Recording Secretary
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