TOWN OF GOSHEN
INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
PRESENT: Chairman Thomas Stansfield, Allen Kinsella, Lorraine Lucas, Ray Turri, Rick Wadhams; Town Planner/Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer, Martin Connor, AICP.
EXCUSED: Martin Bothroyd, Anthony Savarese
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Thomas Stansfield called the meeting to order at 7:15PM.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
No business was discussed.
3. READING OF THE MINUTES – August 5, 2010.
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Ms. Lucas, to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2010 regular meeting as written; unanimously approved.
4. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Raymond & Marijane Truting, 90 Sandy Beach Road, Shoreline Stabilization.
Raymond Truting addressed the Commission regarding this application and submitted drawings of the proposed work to tear down and rebuild the wall along the lake. Mr. Truting stated he did not plan to extend the wall. Mr. Connor told the Commission that this application was similar to others that had been approved. The Commission briefly reviewed the plans.
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Ms. Lucas, to approve the application in the matter of Raymond & Marijane Truting, 90 Sandy Beach Road, Shoreline Stabilization per all oral and written testimony and finding there are no other reasonable and prudent alternatives, with the condition that the applicant notify the Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer prior to beginning any work; unanimously approved.
B. Kathleen Ruzbasan, 140 Sandy Beach Road, Repair/Replace Existing Shoreline Wall.
Ed Wright, contractor for the applicant, addressed the Commission. Mr. Wright explained that the applicant was looking to reestablish an existing wall and was not changing the shoreline in any way. Mr. Connor informed the Commission that the application was complete and that he recommended approval. The Commission briefly reviewed the plans as well as pictures submitted by the applicant.
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Mr. Kinsella, to approve the application in the matter of Kathleen Ruzbasan, 140 Sandy Beach Road, Repair/Replace Existing Shoreline Wall per all oral and written testimony and finding there are no other reasonable and prudent alternatives, with the condition that the applicant notify the Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer prior to beginning any work; unanimously approved.
C. Patrick Sullivan and Patricia LeShane, 52 Cottage Grove Road, Rebuild Stone Retaining Walls at Water’s Edge, After-the-Fact.
Michael Sullivan, the applicant’s son, addressed the Commission regarding this application. Mr. Sullivan stated that he lived in the house and submitted plans that were revised as per Mr. Connor’s and the Commission’s request at the previous meeting. The Commission reviewed the revised plans, which changed the surface of the jetty from grass to small stones. Mr. Stansfield expressed concern about the proliferation of jetties around the lake and the potential negative impact to the shoreline. Mr. Connor noted that this was the first application of this type.
The Commission reviewed before and after pictures of the applicant’s shoreline. Several members of the Commission expressed concern that approval of this application would create a precedent allowing future construction of additional jetties. Noting that the drawdown for the lake would be taking place this month, Mr. Connor suggested the Commission table the application in order to make individual site visits. Mr. Kinsella observed that there had been a jetty previously onsite and noted that that was different from an application for a completely new jetty.
The Commission agreed to continue this matter to the October 7, 2010 regular meeting in order to allow for site visits by Commission members after the drawdown.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Woodridge Lake Sewer District, 527 Beach Street, improve driveway add generator pad.
Ray Turri recused himself from this matter, explaining that he was the chairman of the Woodridge Lake Sewer Board; he then left the meeting room
William Colby, contractor for the applicant, briefly reviewed the plans with the Commission. Mr. Colby stated that the wetlands would be flagged by the next regular meeting. He explained that the current driveway was very steep and difficult for trucks to get into and out of. Commission members asked how often trucks used this driveway, and Mr. Colby explained that it was used for maintenance. Mr. Connor stated that he had visited the site and agreed that the work needed to be done.
MOTION Mr. Kinsella, second Ms. Lucas, to accept the application in the matter of Woodridge Lake Sewer District, 527 Beach Street, improve driveway add generator pad, determine it to be nonsignificant, and set it for discussion at the October 7, 2010 regular meeting; unanimously approved.
A member of the audience then went out to inform Mr. Turri this matter was finished for the evening, and Mr. Turri reentered the meeting room at 7:47PM and was seated for the duration of the meeting.
B. Alan Hudson & Marya Hoffman, 36 Sandy Beach Road, Reconstruct Dwelling and Driveway.
Dennis McMorrow of Berkshire Engineering and Surveying addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicants. Mr. McMorrow briefly explained the proposed plans and submitted the application and fee. He stated that the wetlands had been flagged and a landscaping plan would be completed in time for the October regular meeting. Mr. McMorrow explained that while the septic system would provide for increased volume, it was still sized for a 2-bedroom house. He then submitted a letter of approval from the Torrington Area Health District.
MOTION Ms. Lucas, second Mr. Turri, to accept the application in the matter of Alan Hudson & Marya Hoffman, 36 Sandy Beach Road, Reconstruct Dwelling and Driveway, determine it to be nonsignificant, and set it for discussion at the October 7, 2010 regular meeting; unanimously approved.
MOTION Mr. Stansfield, second Mr. Turri, to add the following items to the agenda under new business:
§ Barry Anstett, 78 Sandy Beach Road. Shoreline stabilization.
§ Colby Engineering for Frank McCarthy, 156 Sandy Beach Road. Change location of proposed house rebuild.
§ Richard Skargensky, 581 Sharon Turnpike. Remove brush and expand horse paddock.
The motion carried unanimously.
C. Barry Anstett, 78 Sandy Beach Road. Shoreline stabilization.
Mr. Connor explained that the Commission had previously approved this exact application in 2002; however, the work had not been started, and the applicant needed a new permit.
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Mr. Wadhams, to accept the application in the matter of Barry Anstett, 78 Sandy Beach Road. Shoreline stabilization, determine it to be nonsignificant, and set it for discussion at the October 7, 2010 regular meeting; unanimously approved.
D. Colby Engineering for Frank McCarthy, 156 Sandy Beach Road. Change location of proposed house rebuild.
William Colby addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Connor explained that the applicants had already obtained a wetlands permit for the proposed work; however, they had since decided to change the location of the house from that shown on the approved plans, and they also added a wrap-around deck. Mr. Colby briefly explained the plans, noting that the house was actually being moved away from the shoreline. He stated that the part of the deck adjacent to the wetlands would be cantilevered so as to minimize impact. The Commission reviewed the plans and several members expressed a desire to visit the site.
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Mr. Kinsella, to accept the application in the matter of Colby Engineering for Frank McCarthy, 156 Sandy Beach Road. Change location of proposed house rebuild, determine it to be nonsignificant, and set it for discussion at the October 7, 2010 regular meeting; unanimously approved.
E. Richard Skargensky, 581 Sharon Turnpike. Remove brush and expand horse paddock.
William Colby addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Colby explained that Mr. Skargensky wanted to remove brush from within an existing paddock in order to expand the total area available for his horses. He said that all brush was being removed from within the fence line and that the material would be piled at the back of the existing paddock. Mr. Colby explained that no fill would be brought in, and that the applicant planned to seed and mulch the cleared area.
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Mr. Kinsella, to declare the work proposed in the matter of Richard Skargensky, 581 Sharon Turnpike. Remove brush and expand horse paddock a permitted use as of right per Section 4.1 A. of the Regulations; unanimously approved.
6. INLAND WETLANDS ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT:
The Commission received and reviewed the Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer’s report. Mr. Connor further informed the Commission that he also would be addressing an issue with a resident who had erected a tent garage in a regulated area without a permit.
MOTION Mr. Stansfield, second Mr. Kinsella, to accept the Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer’s Activity Report for August 6, 2010 through September 1, 2010; unanimously approved.
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
The Recording Secretary, Stacey Sefcik, informed the Commission that they had received the July/August 2010 edition of Connecticut Wildlife. Mr. Connor then informed the Commission that the Recording Secretary would be emailing them copies of a recent local legal decision that he believed would be of interest. Mr. Kinsella also asked for information regarding the declaratory rulings made at the previous meeting, and Mr. Connor briefly reviewed the pertinent Inland Wetlands regulations.
8. ADJOURN:
MOTION Mr. Turri, second Mr. Stansfield, to adjourn at 8:25 P.M; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey M. Sefcik
Land Use Clerk
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