Goshen Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission

The Town of Goshen’s use of herbicides in right-of-way areas generated a lively discussion at the Goshen Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) Sept. 3 meeting.

9/3/26, 7:16 p.m.

Present: Chair Lorraine Lucas. Vice Chair Tom Stansfield. Commissioners Devin Stilson, Dante Malanca, and Matt Wheeler. Excused Absence: Adam Andrusia. Absent: Ray Turri.

Ultimately, the panel wants its voice heard on the issue from a wetlands perspective and will have more information at future meetings.

Enforcement Officer Marissa Wright updated members on the topic after she met with Garret Harlow, Public Works Supervisor, who confirmed treatments are performed by licensed applicators under contract with the Town.

“It is a difficult topic with the herbicide use and particularly with invasives because we do try to control them, but there’s also valid concerns for not using them, especially in certain situations,” Wright said.

Public concerns raised have focused on issues including spraying without notification, signage, or communication or disclosure of what chemicals are used and in what locations. 

“They currently contract out the spraying to a licensed pesticide applicator,” Wright said. “So that’s good to know. The town also does perform some spot spraying on its own. So that’s just minimum, probably household quantities, I would say… And we did discuss the use of herbicides approved for aquatic use. And he believes that because the areas are considered right of ways, that regular Roundup and some other chemicals are being used among other products and mixes.”

Wright said she and Harlow discussed using Rodeo, a Coreva Agriscience aquatic herbicide specifically aimed at controlling unwanted vegetation around water bodies.

“If we’re going to be spraying in wetland areas, that should be used and that should be in whatever

contract they put out for potential bidders,” Wright said. “They should know, you know, about you

need to have herbicides that

are approved for aquatic use if you’re going to use them in or around wetland areas.”

Wright will follow up with Harlow, she said. Wheeler raised the issue of signage to alert residents in areas that are sprayed.

“So technically a licensed engineer would have to put signage,” Wright said. “So that’s something that should be addressed. It should be labeled, and I think that is a requirement so I can check.”

Vice Chair Stansfield said, “I’m just thinking of the one right on School Hill, that crossing. That’s very obviously, very selectively sprayed. That’s in the wetlands.”

Commissioner Wheeler said, “There’s no signage anywhere, until you see the brown (vegetation). Go to Woodridge and see selective spraying. It’ll alarm you. I’m work

ing in Woodridge down by the dam right now. Oh my God, there’s hundred-foot stretches of the road just nuked. And everything is by a catch basin,” he said.

Commissioner Stilson said herbicide spraying is obvious “where Milton Road crosses the Marshepaug River.”

“They could not have done that without spraying it into the river itself,” Stilson said. “Where it crosses the Marshepaug River, there’s a metal guardrail on each side of the road. The vegetation was barely above the height of the metal guardrail, and the vegetation is only 12 inches on each side of the guardrail. To spray at all is mindboggling,” Stilson said. “I could have taken a weed whacker and had it done in 20 minutes without anything going into the river.”

Wheeler said, “I would rather see the Town put money somewhere else and let’s stop spraying herbicides on our roadsides and let’s just do the manual mowing. None of this works. It’s an every-year thing. I’m sure if it was put to a public vote, I’m sure most of the public would want to see it eliminated or it severely, you know, reined in.”

“And some alternatives,” Stilson said. “Is it going to cost the town more to have some guys with weed whackers go twice a year and knock down the right of ways?”

Lucas questioned whether residents might want to trim weeds on the Town rights-of-way at their homes rather than having herbicide sprayed.

“I did it in front of my house because the town wouldn’t do the right thing,” Wheeler said.

Wright will check the Town’s contract related to spraying herbicides, she said, and raise the Commission’s concerns with Town leaders, then return to the Commission with more information.

“You can request in a contract that they submit pesticide applicator reports,” Wright said.

Commissioners also requested an opportunity to review applicable contracts from a wetland protection perspective.

Public Hearing - Ike’s Auto Body, 225 North Goshen Road: The hearing continued with an update from Wright, who read aloud correspondence from Ike’s. The business indicated some progress is being made with the Soil Scientist, Environmental Engineer, and Surveyor; however, the process is taking longer than anticipated. The Commission continues to await the full report from the Soil Scientist.

“It’s frustrating,” Wheeler said. “They’re obviously stalling. I think they’re just thumbing their nose at us.”

Commissioners agreed they want the Town Attorney to take action, a move they discussed in an August meeting, Stansfield noted.

“We talked about getting a Town Attorney involved, and I thought the whole point of that was to have him reach out to either the applicant or their attorney,” Stansfield said. “I’d like him to do that.”

After a motion by Stansfield and second by Malanca, Commissioners voted unanimously to continue the public hearing at the next meeting.

Old Business:

316 Sharon Turnpike – Richard Bette for Abby and Jonathan Yvon: Enclosure of Existing Deck, New Deck, and Mudroom Entry. Abby and Jonathan Yvon clarified that the proposed enclosure includes the area adjacent to the garage, including the existing stairs leading to the second floor. The proposal also includes a new deck supported by piers.

For the Commission to approve the application, Torrington Health Department approval must be provided. Stansfield moved and Stilson seconded a motion for approval of the application pending a green light from Torrington Area Health. The action was unanimously approved.

New Business:

, Thomas Mariano for Nicole Mariano: Rebuild wall along the lake to mitigate unsafe, collapsing steps, and mitigate soil erosion into the water. This application was declined last month due to missing information. Thomas Mariano clarified the outstanding concerns. The Commissioners emphasized the importance of using filter fabric and ensuring proper backfill. They also stated that no equipment should be used in the lake.

Stansfield moved to accept the application and waive the fee, as the fee was already paid with the original application. Following      review and a second on the motion by Stilson, Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the application.

Lot 149 Bueford Court, William Colby for Vance & Jeffifer Kusaila: 24-4W permit transfer to new owner Ed Meto, Ed & AJ Building and Remodeling, LLC. Ed Meto, of Ed & AJ Building and Remodeling, LLC, did not attend the meeting, as everything will remain the same. The plans indicate a transfer of property ownership/sale. Following review and a motion by Stansfield and second by Stilson, Commissioners voted unanimously to transfer the permit with the condition that all stipulations on the original permit are maintained.

106 Sandy Beach Road, Robert Hall IV: Add foundation under existing cottage (same footprint) as per engineered drawings, move deck and stairs to right front of house instead of center where it currently is, rebuild existing stone retaining wall on the water. The proposed plan is to lift the cabin and construct a walkout foundation. The cabin will be located slightly closer to the water. The septic system is located on the side of the house.

The submitted plan is missing details regarding the footings, retaining wall dimensions, and approval from Torrington Area Health. Following review, Stansfield moved and Wheeler seconded a motion to accept the application, on the condition that the requested information be provided. Commissioners unanimously agreed.

278 West Side Road, Boy Scouts of America Housatonic Council: After the fact activity: 20 X 30 storage building (existing wetlands permit). The plan changed to build a storage building. The application is being submitted to document the work and bring the project into compliance with the applicable permitting requirements. All work is on hold. Following review, Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the application after emphasizing the importance of following soil erosion control instructions. The motion was by Stansfield and the second by Malanca.

Other Business Proper to Come Before the Commission:

Review of the New Wetlands Permit Application: Discussion focused on comparing the inland wetlands application fee with those of other towns. The current application fee will remain, but the After-the-Fact fee will be $300. The Commissioners approved the recommendation unanimously after a motion by Stansfield and second by Stilson.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. after a motion by Stansfield and second by Stilson, followed by a unanimous “yes” vote.