MIDDLEFIELD INLAND WETLANDS and WATERCOURSES AGENCY 405 Main Street Middlefield, Connecticut 06455

Revised Minutes of the February 19, 2014 Meeting

Darin Overton, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.

Attendance:

Members Alternates X Angiletta, Irene A Dilauro, Richard X Bernotas, Randy A Li, Linda X Brown, James X Charles, Douglas X Overton, Darin Others A Poturnicki, Rob X Vito, Lee X VanderVeer, Daria

A=Absent X=Present

Randy Bernotas joined the meeting at 7:12 PM.

Amendments to the Agenda

Darin Overton proposed to move the Wetlands Enforcement Officer’s report from item 14 to item 7. The numbers will be adjusted accordingly.

Approval of the Agenda

Irene Angiletta made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Doug Charles. Motion was passed unanimously. Thomas Perrelli, Proposed Activity within 100’ of a Wetland to Repair/ Replace Retaining Wall, 24D Rosemary Lane

Lee Vito reported that Thomas Perrelli has withdrawn his application. Darin Overton stated that he believes there were complications with getting rights from the DEEP to build the wall in the lake.

Wetlands Enforcement Officer’s Report

Lee Vito reported that he contacted DEEP about Mr. Perrelli’s application and was told that the applicant is required to file an application with the State DEEP, Property Management Division, and get on their agenda for review. Local authorities cannot give any approvals on state property. Darin Overton commented that this was the same information that the Commission received from their attorney. This Commission cannot approve anything on someone else’s property without formal consent.

Lee Vito also reported that the Independent Day School has invited the Commission members to an open house for the newly-constructed wetland walkway that will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 AM.

Diana Jakiela, David and Donna Worroll, and Mary Ann Mocci, Proposed Activity within 100’ of a Wetland to Repair/Replace Retaining Wall, 30 Lake Shore Drive, 36 Lake Shore Drive and 38 Lake Shore Drive, respectively

Lee Vito had contacted all three applicants (Diana Jakiela, David and Donna Worroll and Mary Ann Mocci) and told them that they did not need to attend this meeting, but that they should be available if the Commission chooses to do a site walk.

These three walls have already been repaired/replaced. Darin Overton stated that the Commission needs to find out that the walls were repaired/replaced in the same place on the property. Mr. Overton suggested that the Commission schedule a field walk and review the existing mapping.

Lee Vito doesn’t believe that Diana Jakiela had an existing wall. Darin Overton stated that the plan from 1999 did not show a wall.

A site inspection has been scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 8:00 AM for all three properties.

Josephine Monthei, Proposed Activity within 100’ of a Wetland to Repair/Replace Retaining Wall, 45 Lake Road

Josephine Monthei was present and just wanted to correct her address to 45 Lake Road, not 35. Mrs. Monthei had been before the Commissioner earlier about repairing her boat ramp and the wall. Joe Monthei, Mrs. Monthei’s son, was also present and explained that they wanted to continue the length of the existing wall. Darin Overton explained that more information will be needed as to the exact location of the wall. Mrs. Monthei did explain that the beach area will be left open. Mr. Overton asked that Mrs. Monthei work with Lee Vito to define the materials and actual limits of the wall and ramp area. Daria VanderVeer suggested that the contractor could help with drawings, etc. Once again, the Commission needs to be sure any work being done is on the applicant’s property.

Joan Santos, Proposed Activity within 100’ of a Wetland for the Demolition of Existing House and the Construction of a New House, 78 Lake Shore Drive

Darin Overton reported that there is an application with a plan from Bascom & Benjamin.

Joan Santos and her husband Rick, RJ Lake Shore, LLC, plan to demolish their family home that was built in 1930 and plan to construct a new home at 78 Lake Shore Drive. The old home did not fall within the current regulations for set-back and the new home will be centered in the middle of the lot and will not require a variance. The front of the new house will sit where the current house sits. The new house will not be any closer to the lake. The driveway would remain in the same place and will be 30 feet x 26.75 feet. Irene Angiletta asked what material would be used for the new driveway and would like it to be a material that would allow the water to go through. Rick Santos stated that the driveway will not be concrete or asphalt. Joan Santos also commented that they will stay at less than 25 percent lot coverage.

Darin Overton noted that part of the foundation wall in back will be exposed, due to the grade. Randy Bernotas asked whether the pervious and impervious surface concerns are actually in the regulations. Darin Overton replied that there was nothing in the regulations that requires it. Mr. Overton also stated that the house footprint seems to be slightly larger, but with the loss of all the existing pavement for the driveway, there will be a net decrease in impervious surface.

It doesn’t appear that any fill will be brought into the site; rather some will have to be removed. No trees will be lost with construction. The heat is electric baseboard.

Irene Angiletta commented that the plan looks to be in very good shape, but it would be nice to see a computation of existing vs. proposed impervious surface. Darin Overton asked the applicants to have their engineer prepare those numbers for the Commission. Once the Commission receives that information, they will be prepared to make a decision at the next meeting.

Nancy Grenier, One-Lot Subdivision Review, 234 Main Street

Darin Overton reported that Pat Benjamin had spoken to him about this project. Mr. Benjamin was unable to make tonight’s meeting but sent a copy of the plan. This is part of a subdivision process that requires a report from Inland Wetlands. Mr. Overton reviewed the plans and did not see any regulated activities. He then directed the Commission to look at page 2 and went over the plans. The only thing proposed within the upland review area is a row of silt fence. The Commission could either determine that this project does not need a permit or it can be deferred to Lee Vito for an agent determination. The property is a mowed field that slopes gently and the nearest wetland line is approximately 70 to 80 feet from the back corner of this lot. A motion was made by Darin Overton, seconded by Randy Bernotas, that the application of Nancy Grenier, One-Lot Subdivision Review, 234 Main Street, be deferred to the Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer for approval because there is no wetlands disturbance or activity in a wetlands. The motion passed unanimously.

Lovely Development, Inc., 12-Lot Subdivision Review, Ross Road, Mary Drega Estate

Andy Perk, an engineer, was present as well as Mark Lovely, president of Lovely Development, Inc. The property along Ross Road is 14.2 acres, bound to the west by Ross Road, residential properties to the north and south and open land to the east. The site is mostly old farm fields, most of which are overgrown. There is also some forest area and approximately 1.9 acres of wetlands. Mr. Perk reviewed the maps with the Commission. The wetlands have been field delineated.

The proposal is for a 12-lot residential subdivision which has been proposed under environmental conservation rural district (ECRD-2) which allows 4.3 acres to be preserved with reduced lot sizes. All of the lots will be served by private wells and septic systems. Site disturbance will be minimized. The proposed roadway will be 22-feet and will be curbless, with roadside swales to help with groundwater recharge and control of stormwater.

The permit being sought is for the disturbance of 4,200 sq.ft. of wetlands on the southerly end of the site. There is also .9 acres of upland review area disturbance, primarily for the stormwater basin. The applicant has proposed almost 8,400 sq.ft. of wetland mitigation which is a 2:1 compensation for the wetland area that will be disturbed. The plans call for the material to be stockpiled on site so it can be used in stormwater basins as well as the mitigation area. Throughout the site, there are a number of invasive species from the old farm that will be removed in the mitigation area. They will also provide a wetlands seed mixture and planting.

The applicant has also looked at alternatives to conventional subdivisions. This plan is the least intrusive as far as direct wetland impact and buffer impact.

Daria VanderVeer asked for clarification of the roof discharge and underground recharge system. She was referred to section D2 for the details, explaining the gutter system, roof leaders, down spouts and the collection system that is underground. There was then some discussion about exactly where the property is located on Ross Road.

A soil scientist will attend the next meeting to explain the soils that were found on the site.

Darin Overton commented that the wetland map in the Town’s regulations does not show any wetlands on the property, nor does the wetlands inventory.

Darin Overton summarized the application. There will be 4,240 square feet of direct wetland filling to accommodate the road. There does not appear to be any other location for the road that would have less impact. Mitigation will be at a 2:1 ratio, so over 8,000 square feet will be mitigated, involving creation of wetland and invasive species management. Mr. Overton then asked the Commission if they felt this would be a significant activity and would then trigger a wetland impact assessment and inventory. There was discussion about whether or not there was significant impact, with Commission members on both sides of the debate. Ultimately, it was decided that the Commission conduct a site walk and hold a special meeting on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 9:00 AM.

Approval of Minutes

Randy Bernotas made a motion, seconded by Daria VanderVeer, to defer the approval of the January 15, 2014 meeting minutes until the next regular meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman’s Report

Darin Overton received a package from DEEP that looks to be a full set of DVDs for a commissioners’ training program. This includes an actual training program, an introduction to map reading and site plan review and Afunctions and values of wetlands and watercourses.@ Lee Vito will have the sign-out sheet for anyone wishing to take them home.

Darin Overton also had copies of Habitat for Winter, 2014.

Darin Overton also informed the Commission that he had submitted his letter of resignation to the First Selectman today, effective with the Commission’s regular meeting in May. Mr. Overton asked that the Commission think about who would be interested to move up to take the chair and if anyone was interested, he would be fine with stepping down before May.

There was then some discussion about the progress of work being done on Lake Beseck.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Randy Bernotas, seconded by Doug Charles, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm. Middlefield Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency Minutes February 19, 2014 Page 6

Respectfully submitted,

Debi Waz

Debi Waz Alwaz First