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ConCom approved two septic-system plans, issued enforcement orders for three properties, and imposed an $1,800 fine during its August 25 meeting. Conservation Commission (ConCom) also continued work on a Wood Street building proposal and revisions to wetlands regulations.
ConCom also continued a proposal to replace a religious building at 115 Wood Street, continued work on wetlands regulations, and declined to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 51 Chamberlain Street.
Attendance and Items Not Heard
Chair Melissa Recos, Jim Cerillo, Peggy Shaw, Walter Garland, and Ted Barker-Hook attended. Ed Harrow and Matt Moyan were absent. Conservation Administrator Judy Day and Environmental and Inspectional Services Coordinator Anna Rogers also attended, along with Joe Orzel of Lucas Environmental.
ConCom moved Edward Kelly’s hearing at 15 Montana Road and the Agilitas Energy hearing for 0 Frankland Road to September 15. Wall Street Development’s hearing for 12 North Mill Street was moved to September 29. Members tabled the July 14 draft minutes because not everyone from that meeting was present.
Commission Approves Two Septic Plans
For 28 South Mill Street, ConCom approved a revised plan for Morrie Gasser’s replacement septic system. It added approximate resource-area and riverfront-area lines based on GIS data rather than a field survey.
It also extended permanent immovable barriers around the property and barn. Morrie Gasser said no trees would be removed, although branches might be cut. He said running bamboo would be buried on site, and no material would leave the property.
ConCom also approved Joanne Thistle’s revised replacement septic plan at 360 Wood Street. It added wetland field data, permanent barriers, and an approximate Natural Heritage habitat layer.
The work would fall outside that layer, so notification was not needed. Joanne Thistle agreed to remove trash near the wetland and provide photographs.
The plan includes two pitch pines to replace one proposed for removal. ConCom required a bittersweet treatment plan and additional barriers.
115 Wood Street Proposal Moves to September
The Masumeen Charitable Trust presented plans to raze an existing building and construct a larger religious building at 115 Wood Street. The project includes about 86 parking spaces, underground stormwater recharge, and septic changes.
Representatives said the existing building is nearly 100 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. The septic leaching field would remain, but the tank and pump chamber would be replaced. The Board of Health approval is still needed.
Project representatives described Japanese knotweed treatment, jute netting for a steep slope, and the use of an existing chain-link fence as a permanent barrier. ConCom raised concerns about erosion controls and the barrier near the wetland.
They discussed moving work farther from the wetland and adding plantings. ConCom continued the hearing to September 15, pending a Probable Annual Risk (PAR) stormwater review and additional plan information.
Hickory Way Permit and Certificate
ConCom issued an enforcement order tied to Lynette Nealon’s expired permit for 1 Hickory Way. The original permit covered a single-family home and stream crossing. The crossing and part of the wetland replication work were completed before the permit expired.
The order requires completion of the replication work at the new location shown on the revised plan. ConCom also issued a Certificate of Compliance for the original permit, allowing Lynette Nealon to move forward with a new Notice of Intent.
The new Notice of Intent remained open. ConCom discussed drainage pipes, plantings, permanent barriers, and erosion controls. They did not close the hearing because the project did not yet have a state DEP file number.
Restoration Ordered at 5 Deneen Road
At 5 Deneen Road, ConCom accepted a wetland delineation without requiring a third-party review. The decision applies only to existing conditions. A stump survey identified 62 stumps over 1.5 inches in jurisdictional areas.
Li Liang, speaking for Lawrence Fowler and herself, acknowledged that more trees were removed than intended. ConCom issued an enforcement order requiring a restoration plan by September 30 for discussion on October 20. It discussed a permanent barrier, plantings, and a possible conservation restriction.
Saddle Hill Road Owners Must Restore the Buffer Area
At 64 Saddle Hill Road, ConCom approved an enforcement order involving a shed, stone area, and fill near the wetland buffer. Owners Rick Taylor Jr. and Cindy Reynolds-Taylor said the shed and stone area existed when they bought the property.
The order requires that the shed be moved outside the 50-foot buffer and that brush, leaves, and soil be removed from the wetland. The Taylors must submit an updated plan. ConCom supported a split-rail fence near the 25-foot line with conservation medallions.
Fine Issued at West Main Street Site
At 30 West Main Street, 0 Elm Street, and 0 West Main Street, ConCom addressed a first-time violation at the property belonging to Yuan Li and Rui Heh. This property is in a new subdivision without a final address.
Judy Day reported that an August 20 site visit found severely damaged erosion controls, unstable material, damage to at least 11 trees outside the approved limit of work, cut vegetation in jurisdictional areas, tire tracks, and other material outside the limit. The cease-and-desist order remains in effect.
ConCom ordered a surveyor to reestablish the work limit, remove material outside it, and review damaged trees. It approved an $1,800 fine for six violations, excluding previously calculated daily erosion-control violations.
The final order will require professional twice-monthly stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) reports after the controls are restored. Additional fines could follow.
Certificate Not Issued at 51 Chamberlain Street
ConCom declined to issue Toll Brothers a Certificate of Compliance for 51 Chamberlain Street. They said the area behind several barrier posts had not become an established meadow and appeared to have been mowed.
They requested stronger protection, such as a chain, fence, rock line, or other permanent barrier, as well as conservation medallions. No Toll Brothers representative attended.
Wetlands Regulations and Liaison Assignments
ConCom continued its wetlands-regulations discussion to September 15. They supported a separate meeting on the proposed changes, but no date had been set. ConCom reappointed Ed Harrow as liaison to the Open Space Preservation Commission and Jim Cerillo to the Community Preservation Committee.
In addition, Ted Barker-Hook was appointed to the Zoning Advisory Committee. The Lake Maspenock Weed Citizen Input Group liaison position remained open.
The next regular meeting dates are September 15, September 29, and October 20.
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