TOWN OF GRANBY
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 8, 2009
PRESENT: Chairman David Tolli, Barry Avery, Eric Lukingbeal, Richard Martindale, Charlie Katan, Richard Van Nostrand, and David Askew, Technical Advisor to the Commission.
Chairman Tolli called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:04 p.m.
The minutes of the April 8, 2009 meeting were discussed for approval. Ms. Neidermeyer, of 84 Lost Acres Road, submitted a report that states the necessity of a substantial water source to support a vineyard. Mr. Martindale submitted the following notes regarding his recollection of the meeting:
1. Notes of the meeting (April 8, 2009) are sparse and he does not have a copy of the minutes. The tapes recorded at the meeting are not decipherable and could not be understood.
2. According to Mr. Martindale’s notes on the agenda for that meeting the commission approved the minutes of the December 10, 2008 meeting. Under Requests for Review Pending, ‘84 Lost Acres Road, farm pond for vineyard’; the Designated Agent, David Askew, stated the farm pond was permitted by right under agricultural usage. Barry Avery and Eric Lukingbeal abstained. Mr. Martindale does not remember a vote in favor being taken and granted. There was general misunderstanding if the correct wetland map had been used during any meetings concerning the pond issue.
3. At the May 13, 2009 meeting the commission delayed the action on the April 8, 2009 minutes because of uncertainty of the map issue.
4. At the June 10, 2009 meeting Mr. Martindale singed his initials on what was agreed to be the correct wetland map. He does not recall any discussion prior to that meeting by the commissioners concerning the farm pond of 3 acres or less essential to the farming operation issue. Mr. Martindale does believe the owners are trying to follow the commissions concerns and the pond dredging will not be deposited incorrectly. Mr. Martindale does not know if the owners have addressed the issue of the pond being necessary and indispensable to sustain farming activities related to the farm.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Martinadale, seconded by Mr. Avery, the commission voted (5-0-1) to accept the minutes of the April 8, 2009 meeting. Mr. Lukingbeal abstained.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Marindale, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission approves the minutes of the June 10, 2009 meeting with the following corrections:
1. On page 2 regarding the Berkowitz matter, Mr. Avery requested a list of proposed native species to be used on the restoration project.
2. On page 1 in reference to the April 8, 2009 meeting, the address was omitted. The address is 84 Lost Acres Road.
Mr. Lukingbeal and Mr. Katan abstain. (4-0-2)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2a. Dan Dumais, 100 Lost Acres Road, 10-lot subdivision (con’t)
Mr. Lukingbeal removed himself from discussion on this matter.
Zack Denno and Dan Dumais reviewed the plans for a 10-lot subdivision on the 87acre parcel. There are two minor changes to the plans submitted last month. The first is the 200’ watercourse setback and the second change is the addition of a storm water outlet. The road will be private and an association will be responsible for maintenance of the road and storm drains. All drainage is rated on 10-year storm calculations and all crossings are rated for 50-year storm. Mr. Denno has submitted a report with calculations on wetland functions and water values with the plans. There is one road crossing and one driveway crossing.
The public was invited to comment. John Jenkins, of 62 Lost Acres Road, asked who is responsible for the care of the storm drains planned. Mr. Dumais responded that, by law, once 60% of the lots have been sold responsibility for the maintenance must be turned over from the contractor to the homeowners association. Frank Moon, of 11 Buttles Road, asked if by being a private road the homeowners are paying double for maintenance. They would pay for upkeep both through their taxes and through the homeowners association.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Martindale, the commission closes the public hearing. (5-0-0)
WETLAND BOUNDARY CHANGES
None.
NEW APPLICATIONS
4a. Dan Dumais, Lost Acres Road, 10-lot subdivision
Lukingbeal is recused.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Martindale, the commission approves the road and driveway crossings and the storm water management system for the subdivision since there would be minimal negative impact on the wetlands. (5-0-0) Mr.
4b. Town of Granby, Silver Street bridge replacement
Mr. Avery is recused.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Martindale, seconded by Mr. Von Nostrand, a public hearing on this matter is scheduled for next month’s meeting based on the information received. (5-0-0)
CEASE ORDER:
5a. Cynthia Anne Berkowitz, 63 Cooley Road (11/2/2005)
Mr. Askew has revisited the site. Stone around the lower side of the paddock is inadequate. Mr. Askew has asked the property owner to install a 2’ berm and additional stone. There has been no reply. The town attorney will contact the property owner.
5b. Cambridge House – redux
A letter is to be sent.
REPORT OF DESIGNATED AGENT:
6a. Request for Review – Signed
1. 84 Lost Acres Road, farm pond for vineyard, redux
6b. Request for Review – Pending
- 211 Salmon brook Street, stabilize bank of West branch in Salmon Brook Park near the dog park
The bank of Salmon Brook is eroding near the dog park. Kevin Clark, professional engineer, was asked to review the site. His approval of the stabilization design is required. There has been no response. Condition of approval will include engineer approval of placement of retention boulders and no boulders may be removed from the streambed or from the opposite bank. Also, linear feet need to be defined on the plans.
- 348 North Granby Road, addition and remodeling
Chuck Walker addressed the commission. The addition is to the existing structure. It is found that the existing foundation needs to be replaced. Silt fencing has been installed and any runoff is going into the cornfield. The activity on the property is within the existing footprint of the house. Equipment movement and soil removal is the only concerned activity.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Martindale, seconded by Mr. Avery, the commission authorizes the designated agent to sign the request. (6-0-0)
- 28 Strawberry Fields, in-ground pool
The project will require a temporary construction driveway for access. Mr. Avery points out that the 10’ proposed wall cuts off any runoff to the wetland. The proposed silt fencing is beyond the limits of the conservation easement (it would have to be placed within the easement). More details are necessary and it is suggested that the scope of the project be scaled back.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Katan the following request for review is added to the agenda (5-0-0):
Holcombe Farm, add irrigation line across the stream
Mr. Lukingbeal removed himself from discussion on this matter.
The plan is to place a 4” pipe on the streambed and to bury it underground on either side of the stream.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostand, seconded by Mr. Katan, the commission authorizes the designated agent to sign the request. It is asked that disturbance to the stream is kept to a minimum.
MISCELLANEOUS:
7a. Manitook Lake, milfoil
The herbicide has been applied. It will take several weeks before results are seen. It does appear that the milfoil is receding and no dead fish have been spotted. The chemical used is 24D, which is a basic broad spectrum weed and feed.
ANY OTHER PROPER BUSINESS:
8a. The Chairman received notification from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT owned dam at Manitook Lake was inspected in November 2008 and it was recommended that debris be removed.
The next monthly meeting is August 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Avery, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission voted (4-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Yost
Recording Secretary
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