Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Present were Chair Tom Stansfield along with Commissioners, Devin Stilson, Lorraine Lucas and Dante Malanca. Vice Chair, Ray Turri, Commissioners Andy Savage and Matt Wheeler were excused. Enforcement Officer Spencer Musselman was also present.
Old Business
John Spinetti for Boy Scouts of America Housatonic, 278 West Side Road returned with a detailed plan and cut sheet for product and excavation for the repairment of a stone waterfront wall. There was a change to the closure of the pavilion. The pavilion is by the waterfront. The new wall will be 4 feet tall. No machines will enter the waterfront and there are no drainpipes. The beach area is mostly sand and soil. The work will be completed in the fall. Proper erosion controls will be in place. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the application.
Patricia Mascetti returned with a detailed plan and timeline for all three separate applications, 130, 132 and 136 Sandy Beach Road requesting a restructure of loose rocks for all 3 lakefronts. It’s estimated that the manual reorganization of all 3 walls will take 3 weeks to complete. All labor is manual, and the rocks will not extend further into the lake. An old concrete cap will remain. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve all 3 applications.
New Business:
A motion was made to add three applications to tonight’s agenda. The motion was approved unanimously by the commissioners.
Barbara Ziogas of 134 Sandy Beach Road applied to rebuild a damaged existing seawall using same materials. The contractor indicated that the existing stone wall has eroded and needs to be replaced. They will also remove posts from a prior dock that is now a hazard. Spencer met with applicant. Work will be done by hand. Wall to be rebuilt in sections with filter fabric behind the wall. The commissioners voted unanimously to accept the application.
Rebecca Godson, 54 Cornwall Drive, Lot 783, applied to construct a single-family home under the same conditions that were formerly approved. The current permit (2014) recently expired. The file has not yet been located but the applicant has a copy of the previously granted permit and copies of original plan. They plan to mirror original plan. The commissioners voted unanimously to accept the application under the conditions that they receive and review a copy of the original plan.
Judith Grosz 173 Sherbrook Drive, Lot 501 applied to build an enclosed insulated addition and to add driveway space outside of regulated area. Spencer completed a site visit in May and has no issue with initial application. Site plan should be updated for erosion and sedimentation control and the stockpiling of materials. Plan should also include relocation of propane tank and generator. Homeowner believes propane tank remains but not certain of others. The commissioners voted unanimously to accept the application; however it requires added erosion controls and plan details.
Agent Determination:
Enforcement Officer Musselman provided an update that the work on Willian and Sarah Butlers property at 120 East Hyerdale Drive to replace a rock displaced by ice damage has not started. Will verify status before next meeting.
Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officers Report:
Enforcement Officer Musselman completed a summary of various Inland Wetlands activities including a few from tonight’s agenda and the 3 received today. He discussed recent meetings and construction status. One will not meet a completion deadline set by the Commission. All other activities are documented in his September IW report. The Enforcement Report was unanimously accepted.
Enforcement Officer Musselman and Commission Chair Stansfield spoke before the meeting about a new trench on North Street (Arts Barn) clearly in wetlands. Officer Musselman will review.
Commissioner Lucas informed the commission that a drainage project was started by the town on West Side Rd. Will seeding and hay be utilized? Rip Rap looks good. Officer Musselman will call Garret (Public Works Supervisor) for an answer.
Correspondence:
Lori Clinton, Commission Clerk mentioned correspondence regarding Commission Chair Stansfield’s decision to not seek reelection in November. After 33 years Commission Chair Stansfield believed the timing was right. If reelected, he didn’t want to resign during the meeting year. It provides time for a candidate to get elected to the position. He thanked everyone for their continued support and how the group always relied on a science based unbiased approach. He is proud of accomplishments.
Other Business Proper to Come Before the Commission:
Junell Mullen, new Town Planner provided an introduction and discussed her qualifications. She spoke about expectations going forward. She will work closely with Enforcement Officer Musselman. He is the gatekeeper and will act as the IWWC liaison.
