by Susan MacEachron

The Inlands Wetlands Agency meeting on August 2 was primarily devoted to a continuation of the public hearing regarding the proposed Haystack Woods development. The matters under discussion all related to the standards required to provide access to the development via a town road.  

Ken Hrica, an engineer and licensed land surveyor advising the Foundation for Norfolk Living, provided additional material in response to questions by Wetlands members at the July 12 meeting. A lengthy discussion ensued about a question concerning drainage plans for the wetlands that may be impacted by the road construction. Michael Ziska, the land use attorney advising the agency, noted that all drainage not directly in the roadway would be the responsibility of the homeowners association, but the town would be responsible for the swales and cache basins on town property. Kate Johnson, president of the foundation, said that the homeowners association would assume responsibility for maintaining the retaining wall along the side of the road.

At the request of Wetlands, the foundation engaged George Logan, a certified professional wetlands scientist, to provide a description of the existing wetlands and the potential impact from the disturbance. He said approximately 1,250 square feet of wetlands would be temporarily impacted during construction of the road and retaining wall and that Wetlands needs to know how the foundation plans to restore the wetlands soils. Logan additionally said the restoration plan should include new topsoil and not a reuse of the excavated soil due to the risk of spreading invasive plants. Several Wetlands members expressed concern that the proposed plans would drain the wetlands.  

Wetlands chair, Hartley Mead, noted that the original plan for a private road did not raise any of these concerns, and he suggested there might be a better alternative. Zizka explained that Wetlands should consider if there is a “feasible and prudent” alternative whenever wetlands are to be disturbed. Ziska also noted that when considering alternatives, Wetlands is allowed to consider what the development is trying to accomplish and whether the outcome justifies the wetlands’ disturbance. Mead’s proposed alternative would construct the new town road using an existing town right of way to the town Public Works building.  The existing right of way is on land owned by the Cemetery Association.

Zizka said he was not convinced the right of way was wide enough to provide proper access for the new homes, and that this possible route would require approval from the Cemetery Association and agreement from the town. He continued that the idea Mead suggested appeared technically feasible if the Cemetery Association and town were to agree. Neither First Selectman, Matt Riiska, nor Johnson expressed any enthusiasm for exploring a new route after the time devoted to the plan currently under consideration.  Mead said he thought it was worth asking the Cemetery Association. The public hearing was continued to the next meeting, scheduled for August 30.