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Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Meeting
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, November 30, 2004
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency was held on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 in the Council Chambers, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairperson Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Chairperson
Richard Szewczak (7:02 p.m.)
Frank Poirot
Louis V. Tallarita
Michael Mosschetti
MEMBERS ABSENT: Joseph Jedynak
David J. Wawer
ALSO PRESENT: Neil Angus, Wetlands Agent
Susan Berube, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None.
REGULAR MEETING
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall at 7:00 p.m.
2. Pledge Allegiance to the Flag
3. Roll Call:
Present were: Chairperson Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall and Agents Moschetti, Poirot, Szewczak (7:02 p.m.), and Tallarita.
4. Executive Session - Matters regarding specific employees, pending litigation, acquisition of real estate and / or matters exempt from disclosure requirements, as needed. The specific reason should be stated for each session.
There were no items for discussion in Executive Session.
5. Public Participation - Issues of concern not on the agenda.
No one in the audience came forward to speak.
At this time, a motion was made by Agent Poirot and seconded by Agent Moschetti to add the following item to the agenda: "Discussion of IW#349" under the "old business" portion of the agenda. Vote was 5-0-0.
6. Correspondence.
Correspondence was as follows:
" Letter dated October 15, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Paul & Margo Lafferty regarding proposed 24'x36' garage/breezeway addition at 7 Brentwood Drive. The letter stated that although no activity is planned within 100' of wetlands, portions of the property may contain wetlands;
" Certified letter dated November 4, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Robert Yeaw regarding DPN 2004-11-01 outlining DPN criteria;
" Certified (warning) letter dated November 10, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Gary Raffia of Raffia Farms regarding deposition of material on terrace escarpment slopes and within 100' of a watercourse at 113 Raffia Road; Mr. Angus noted that the material being spread came from the Mass Mutual property and is clay type material;
" Letter dated November 17, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Rita Wood regarding re-installation of fencing at 44 South River Street. Mr. Angus noted that the fencing has again been removed and will not be re-installed, according to the owner. It was re-installed in error by landscapers;
" Letter dated November 17, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Bob Digennaro, Somerset Development Corp. regarding final compliance with IW#323 for lots 49, 50, & 51 Bush Lane to re-direct drainage away from terrace escarpment slopes;
" Notice of violation sent by certified mail on November 22, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Gary Raffia, Raffia Farms, Inc. regarding deposition of material on terrace escarpment slopes and within 100' of a watercourse at 113 Raffia Road; An inspection is scheduled for December 1 and if items are not resolved by then, a Cease & Desist Order will be issued;
" Certified letter dated November 5, 2004 from Mr. Angus to Robert Flagg, Hazardville Water Company regarding non-compliance of conditions of IW#403. Mr. Angus noted that the work that was done on Kelly Drive is different from the plan that was submitted and approved by the IWWCA on February 17, 2004;
" Update to Roberts Rules of Order for Small Assemblies. Mr. Angus asked that the Agency members review the update. If the Agency decides to adopt the updated rules, they would need to be approved by the Town's Attorney and an amendment to the Agency's bylaws would be needed;
" 2004 Legislation and Regulations Advisory from Connecticut D.E.P. Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall asked if the Agency's Regulations could be re-printed with this and all other recent updates. Mr. Angus agreed that with the recent numerous amendments it would be wise to have the regulations re-printed in its' entirety.
7. Commissioner's Correspondence.
Agent Szewczak noted that the recent CACIWC conference was very educational. He especially enjoyed the workshops on forestry and riparian rights.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall also attended the workshop and enjoyed a presentation given by Dr. Wagner.
Mr. Angus noted that Dr. Wagner has worked on several sites in Enfield and he specializes in endangered moth species.
8. Approval of Minutes -- October 19, 2004 Meeting:
After brief review, a motion was made by Agent Szewczak and seconded by Agent Tallarita to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 3, 2004 as presented. Vote was 5-0-0.
9. Wetlands Agent Report - October 28, 2004 through November 28, 2004:
Mr. Angus noted that many items in his report were addressed in the Correspondence portion of the agenda.
In response to a question by Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall, Mr. Angus explained that he visited the Stocker Farm to determine where on the property, fill from Mass Mutual was being placed.
He was not allowed to inspect the property. He then went to the Mass Mutual contractor and requested that no additional fill be brought to the Stoker property until it can be determined where the material is being placed.
Mr. Angus added that the operation creates a great deal of heavy truck traffic, and potential dust, and soil & wind erosion. Enfield has no fill regulations at this time.
Members also discussed the Grant Road Open Space Violation.
Agent Poirot agreed that it is very difficult to police areas such as the Town's open space and lands owned by public utilities. It is a safety, liability, and nuisance issue with no clear, uniform solution.
10. Old Business
None.
11. New Business
IW#428 Town of Enfield for proposed storm drainage improvements involving excavation and placement of structures within 100 feet of wetlands and watercourses. Property located within the Road ROW on the North side of Town Farm Road adjacent to #127 [Submitted November 19, 2004, Received November 30, 2004; PPE December 14, 2004; MAD February 3, 2005].
Mr. Angus gave a brief explanation of the proposed project. He explained that the site is a low spot on Town Farm Road, in which ponding and icing occur in the winter, creating a safety hazard.
Two catch basins, drainage pipe and a manhole are proposed to be installed under the roadway just prior to the entrance to Grassmere Golf Course to alleviate this ponding issue.
No work will be done within the wetlands, only within the road right of way.
Mr. Angus stated that he had suggested Engineering look at a grass swale alternative but after visiting the site, he realized that the topography would not support it. The slope off of the right-of-way is too steep and would require acquiring additional private property for proper installation.
In response to a question by Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall, Mr. Angus stated that the manhole will provide access for cleaning and maintaining the connection to the existing culvert. The runoff eventually goes into the brook.
Agent Poirot asked about the capacity of Buckhorn Brook.
Mr. Angus stated that it is a year-round stream but he was unsure of the capacity.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall thought that it had flooded the road in the past.
Mr. Angus felt that this would not be possible because the brook elevation is 5 to 6' lower than the road. He stated that past road closures could have been due to the ponding of the low point.
Agent Poirot asked if any consideration was taken for the possibility of flooding downstream since this project would likely direct drainage into the brook quicker.
Mr. Angus noted that the properties that border the brook have the houses set far back from the brook - out of the floodplain and the brook flows through the golf course so he did not feel that flooding would be a problem, but stated that he will check with the Engineering Department on this issue for confirmation.
A motion was made by Agent Poirot and seconded by Agent Tallarita to table further discussion on IW#428 until the Agency's next meeting, scheduled for December 14, 2004.
12. Other Business
" IW#349 - Discussion of Wilson House Barn Removal.
Mr. Angus explained that the barn is scheduled for removal but it is unclear if the removal was approved as part of the IWWCA application for the Senior Center.
Also, since the application was approved, new regulations have been adopted, increasing the regulated area from 75' to 100'. This would place all of the barn within the regulated area.
Members reviewed the original and final (approved) plans. The original plan notes that the barn is to be removed, however, the final plans do not have that statement. The minutes of the meeting where the plans were approved do not mention the barn at all. There is no known reason for the absence of the statement.
Mr. Angus is questioning the method of removal, the equipment to be used and other pertinent information from the Town and contractor.
The contractor stated that the barn is on sonotubes but there is a slab under the barn. There is to be no disturbance to the ground; only the barn is being dismantled at this time.
Access would be from the parking area as shown on the plans. This would also be the area for storage of equipment and material storage.
Agent Szewczak asked if Catch Basin #7 and the separator have been installed. Mr. Angus stated that he was not sure, but will check.
Chairperson Pfeifer-Hall recalled the application being presented and had been under the impression that the barn was to be removed, but there was no discussion on the method of removal.
A private party is removing the barn. It will be up to the Town of Enfield to remove the slab at some point and that will require excavation.
Mr. Angus noted that that there were no notes from ART meetings relating to the removal of the barn.
Mr. Angus also questioned Town Staff as to where the barn was being re-constructed within town. In any case, it would need foundation and excavation work and that process may require an IWWCA permit.
It was the consensus of the Agency members that removal of the barn does not need a permit and it is likely that the Authorized Agent process could be utilized for removal of the foundation/slab.
A motion was made by Agent Szewczak and seconded by Agent Poirot that no permit is needed to remove the barn, however, removal of the foundation should come back before the Agency for a DPN, once it is determined when, and by what method removal will be made. Vote was 5-0-0.
o Next regular meeting will be Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
13. Adjourn
A motion was made by Agent Poirot and seconded by Agent Tallarita to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Vote was 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Frank Poirot, Secretary
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