Goshen Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission Meeting
8/7/25
Present: Chair Lorraine Lucas, Vice Chair Ray Turri, Commissioners Devin Stilson, Matt Wheeler, Dante Malanca, and Adam Andrusia. Andy Savage was excused.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Alicata Family Trust, 181 Bentley Circle –Application to construct a new home within the regulated area upslope of the Marshepaug River
Other regulated site improvements include portions of the driveway and well. The property is currently overgrown. Enforcement Officer Musselman and Engineer Bill Colby visited the site. It’s relatively flat and they are quite a way from the wetlands. The back of the property will have a circular silt fence. There are no major issues. A motion to approve the application was made and approved.
- Michael Padover, 333 West Hyerdale Drive – After-the-Fact Permit, Rock Removal on perimeter of backyard grass.
An after-the-fact application was filed for removal of large boulders within the regulated area along with minor grading and seeding on a lakefront lot at Woodridge Lake. In May, after hearing of the work being done, Enforcement Officer Musselman conducted a site visit and required the homeowner to apply for the after-the-fact permit. With rain forecast, he allowed the contractors to remove what had already been disturbed and seed. Erosion controls were installed the next morning and a rip-rap basin was added downslope of the work where a drain pipe daylights. Musselman commented on seeing no evidence of any erosion, stating it’s more stabilized, the grass has grown in, and erosion controls are in great shape. (Note: In August, Woodridge Lake’s Environmental Control Committee (ECC) also received an after-the-fact application and a $1000 fine was levied for failure to file in advance.) Lucas stated that in the future “you know to come to us first”. A motion to approve the application was made and approved.
3. Michael Leonard, 22 School Hill Road – Pond Dredging Proposal
The application is to hydraulically dredge a pond on a property close to the site of fuel oil storage tanks where there had been a past spill. The applicants were supposed to provide information regarding testing of the pond soil before the August meeting. Michael Leonard said that after talking to a couple of people he realized it may be a bad move. “We opted to send a letter to the owner responsible for the spill to pay for the soil test. It’s my understanding that if I test the soil it could end up being my responsibility.” He wanted to pull the permit and reapply when this gets straightened out. Musselman recommended sending an email or letter to withdraw the request for a permit.
4. Stephen Lasar, 293 West Hyerdale Drive – Remove existing deck/screened porch, stairs, and ground level patio and replace with slightly larger deck/screened porch, stairs, and ground level patio and frost walls
The application is to reconstruct an existing deck and patio approximately 80' from Woodridge Lake. The applicant contacted the Woodridge Lake Property Owners’ Association and confirmed there are no setback issues. Architect Steve Azar added the silt fence and haybales to the plan, as requested. A motion to approve the application was made and approved. Work will start right away.
Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Report:
Musselman mentioned the 4 old business items on this month’s agenda. A permit transfer occurred at 411 Milton Road 24-10W. Musselman did reviews of several properties he is monitoring.
OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Stilson initiated discussion of contractors and home owners failing to get permits and how Goshen might implement a fine system. Mr. Musselman said he would write something for the Commission's review and to be presented to the Selectman for consideration of a new ordinance.
There was no meeting for September.
