Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission Meeting, March 6, 2025

The February meeting was postponed due to inclement weather. Present were Chair Lorraine Lucas, Vice Chair Ray Turri, Commissioners Devin Stilson, Matt Wheeler, Dante Malanca, Andy Savage and Adam Andrusia.

Reading of the Minutes: January 2, 2025, Minutes were amended for (Old Business, A) to read that the findings did not require significant activity to have a public hearing. They were unanimously approved of with the amendment by the Commissioners.

New Business:

Jarrett Mazza, Hageman Shean Road, lot 021, presented a Site Plan, Soil Report and the Torrington Area Health approval document for his request to build a new dwelling with an attached garage on the cited property. It is in a regulated area with no disturbance to the wetlands. There are no alternative locations because of setback restrictions. An erosion control plan was presented. A gravel driveway already exists. The application was unanimously accepted by the Commissioners.

Nicholas Bagriele, Lot 236 Canterbury Court, applied to construct a single-family dwelling, driveway, pump chamber and well in the upland review area. This application was removed from New Business because an existing permit was extended therefore, no need for a new application.

Edmond Meto, ED & AJ Building and Remodeling, Lot 783 Cornwall Drive, requested a transfer of permit 24-31W, from Rebecca C Godson, for a single-family dwelling, pump chamber and well in the upland review area. This previously approved plan was reviewed in November. The transfer of the original permit was unanimously approved by the Commissioners.

Approval of IWCC budget for 2025-2026  in the amount of $5687 was unanimously passed by the Commissioners. The only change was for supplies, an increase of $100.

Agent Enforcement Officer Spencer Musselman, Determination:William Coyne, 67 Milton Road, lot 079, wants to build an accessory building next to the house. There is a gradual slope separated from wetlands by a large gravel parking area. With proper erosion control there shouldn’t be any wetland issues.

Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officers Report: A debate between Vice Chair Turri and Enforcement Officer Musselman ensued about any improvement for the new construction site at Lot 458, 205 East Hyerdale Drive. Vice Chair Turri noted that poor erosion controls (inadequate hay bales and silt fencing), debris at the roadside, mounds of topsoil, all resulting in road residue that ultimately ends up in Woodridge Lake. To date nothing has been done to stop this by you or Woodridge Lake’s Environmental Control Committee. (Update) The Environmental Control Committee requested that the owner of the property appear before the committee to discuss resolution and an enforcement plan.  Enforcement Officer Musselman indicated that he met with the property owner multiple times. According to Musselman stockpiles have been reduced and new hay bales added. With progress, there is no reason to send a cease-and-desist letter. That would result in the contractor walking away from the job and conditions wouldn’t change. Musselman is relying on the good faith of the property owner. Commission Chair Lucas will view the site. There should not be any soil runoff left on the road. (Note: There is a tracking pad of stone allowing traffic coming to and going from site preventing any sedimentation to enter road. Additional stone should be added. Vice Chair Turri disagrees with the measure of progress. Due to the location of the site, it does not set a good example for other builders. The town doesn’t have fining capabilities, but they do have a bond for the driveway.  Spencer will continue to work with Mr. Lu.  

Enforcement Officer Musselman issued 3 permits from IWCC activities. The Enforcement Report was unanimously accepted.

Correspondence:

Received 2 pieces of correspondence, 1) Notice of Timber Harvest letter that had no effect on Inland/wetlands and 2) Email from Marissa Wright pertaining to the Town of Goshen, 38 Torrington Road application. The application was withdrawn and is no longer an issue.

 Other Business Proper to Come Before the Commission:

Commission Chair Lucas mentioned 777 North St agriculture approval for a driveway is now looking to store cars. The subject matter led to a very active discussion by the commissioners. How do we confirm that an applicant is really doing agriculture? We should examine applications closely. They do not have to be approved at the first meeting. We need to ask more questions. Planning and Zoning recently amended requirements to stipulate that there must be a residential building to build a barn for agriculture. That solves the barn issue but not the issue for a driveway. Driveways can be accepted for agricultural or non-agriculture. How buildings get built and their usage are a concern.  There are building loopholes (agriculture and country club) that are being taken advantage of. Agriculture is large scope. While the buildings don’t pertain to Inland/Wetlands, an agricultural plan should be in place. Commissioner Lucas’s point is that we need to slow down on agricultural approvals. They will not be approved immediately, and an agricultural plan submitted for review. However, we don’t want to be a burden to real agricultural applications.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting and approved.