June 17, 2010

Call to order: The special monthly meeting of the Sterling Inland Wetland and Watercourses Commission (IW&WC) was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Graeme Everson, Chairman.  Other members present: Robert McLevy, Timothy Renke, Nicholas Sharpe, Richard McGarry, Maggie Camplin, and Brad Herman. Members absent-Alternate Mike Giusti.  Staff present-Judy Lincoln, Russell Gray, and Joseph Boucher.   Also present- Robert Messier..

Audience of Citizens:  No Comments.

Approval of Minutes:  T. Reinke made a motion, seconded by B. Herman, to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2010 meeting as written and presented.      All voted in favor of the motion.

Correspondence:  The Northeastern CT Council of Governments is requesting a response to their Regional Comprehensive Plan Questionnaire by July 16th.  This will be given to the Wetlands Agent to complete. 

Unfinished Business: 

  1. Application #IW-10-01 by Timberwolf Enterprises for Main Street: R. Messier, of Messier & Associates, Inc., representing the applicant,  submitted revised drainage calculations dated June 17, 2010 and plans showing changes (three round pipes in lieu of an open end culvert)  as requested.  Everyone but B. Herman has viewed the site.  Chairman Everson asked if the members had any questions or comments regarding this application.   Clarification was asked if this proposal is for two driveways and two driveways would be built.  R. McLevy stated that this is what the Commission has to approve.  R. Messier noted that the applicant intends to build only one driveway that would be shared by two lots.  Subdivision regulations require that each lot must be able to construct its own driveway.  T. Reinke stated that the issue with this application, for him, is the substantial activity in a very fragile area, it may require Army Corp approval because of more than 5,000 square foot of disturbance necessary for the construction of 2 driveways.   R. McLevy expressed concern also with the square footage of disturbance to create these driveways and crossing along with very steep inclines toward the wetlands from both directions, east and west, into the wetlands in the same direction as the driveway.  T. Reinke stated that he is extremely concerned with the level of disturbance on the site, future use of the site, about heavy metals and nitrates being washed off the surface of the roadway, fertilizers being washed into a Class A Brown Trout breeding stream, that the steep of the slope directly adjacent to the primary and secondary system for lot #2 is an extreme steep slope and concerned that any E&S measurers used would most likely fail.  M. Camplin agreed with T. Reinke’s opinion. 

T. Reinke stated there is significant risk of impact to the wetland from lot #2 and from the driveway.  R. McLevy noted there are two brooks through this area and the applicant knows the extreme level of disturbance, bad slopes and large square footage. The Commission has never approved anything this large.  B. Herman noted he is concerned because other members are concerned but he hasn’t viewed the site and doesn’t feel he has enough information to make an informed decision.  Chairman Everson noted that he, along with R. McLevy and R. McGarry went to the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting and asked whether or not the two driveways are needed (100%) for two houses.  The P&Z regulations require approval of one driveway for each house built.   Chairman Everson’s concern is also the disturbance to the Quoduck Brook.  A copy of the recommendations from Joe Theroux, Wetlands Agent were reviewed and discussed.   A favorable vote on this application would require modifications.  The balance of any fee due be paid, $5,000 cash bond for E&S Control, $1,000 to cover inspecting fees, Town Engineer should be inspecting the construction sequence and final construction of driveways and crossings to verify that the project is built to specification and his time agreed to and paid for by the applicant, and the proposed catch basin between the two driveways should be cleaned out yearly by the property owners and noted on the plans and in the deeds for each lot. 

R. McLevy made a motion, to deny Application #IW-10-01 by Timberwolf Enterprises for wetlands crossing to construct two driveways on property referenced by Map #3844, Block #44, Lot 29 at 352 Main Street based on the extreme level of square footage required for the crossing, the lack of a report from the Army Corp of Engineers, the severe slopes through the buffer areas into the two brooks and the wetland area.  This motion was seconded by T. Reinke.  A roll call vote was taken: T. Reinke-aye, M. Camplin-aye, N. Sharpe-aye, R. McLevy-aye, G. Everson-aye, B.

Herman-abstained, R. McGarry-aye.  Motion to deny Application #IW-10-01 by Timberwold Enterprises was passed.

  1. Application #IW-10-02 by Town of Sterling for Gibson Hill Road Bridge Replacement:  Joe Boucher of Towne Engineering, Inc. representing the Town of Sterling, was present to answer any questions about this application.  J. Theroux ‘s only concern about the project was the dewatering process.   R. McLevy made a motion, seconded by T. Reinke, to approve Application #IW-10-02 by Town of Sterling for the replacement of Gibson Hill Road Bridge with the following modification:  1) The dewatering sediment basin shall be properly constructed and monitored or a sediment filtering bag shall be used to prevent sediment from entering the brook.  5-members voted in favor of the motion, 0-members voted against the motion, 2-members abstained from voting.  Motion carried.

New Business:

a.   Agent’s Report: 1) J. Theroux spoke with the site supervisor at Exeter Energy Construction site regarding E&S measures. The silt fencing should be in place once the top soiling of the slope begins.  2) A sample of “nasty grey colored water with an oil sheen” from the Exeter site and the supervisor is to submit a sample to Premier Labs and notify Joe of the results. 

Commission members expressed concern with the issues at Exeter and will  ask Joe to invite the supervisor from Exeter Energy to attend the next meeting (July 23rd ). 

Any other business:  None

Adjournment:  T. Reinke made a motion, seconded by M. Camplin, to adjourn at 7:56 p.m.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

                                                            Attest: ________________________________

                                                                 Judith K. Lincoln, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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