Eye on Town Government

By Susan MacEachron

At its meeting on Aug. 1, the Inland Wetlands Agency (Wetlands) discussed two requests, one for work directly in wetlands and the second for work that would cross wetlands.

At 280 Westside Road, Ginger Creek Nursery applied for a permit to remove invasive plants from the edge of a pond using mechanized equipment. Wetlands members decided there was no need for a public hearing but noted that the application submitted was incomplete. They asked for a map to indicate where the work will be done and a thorough description of the disposal plan for the phragmites, including dewatering. Member Clint Webb elaborated on how difficult it is to remove phragmites without spreading the rhizomes and noted that the material must be dried out before being moved from the site.

Wetlands addressed an application from John Cox, at 185 Ashpohtag Road, to cross wetlands in order to remove timber from his property. The abutting landowner, Kerry Muller, has already received a permit to remove trees from his land. Wetlands Enforcement Officer Michael Halloran said that Muller is willing to allow Cox to cross his land provided he obtains the same approvals that Mueller received. Wetlands members agreed that Cox should provide letters from the state, the town and the Land Trust allowing access to their land.

Hartley Mead, Wetlands chair, requested Halloran follow up with both applicants for the additional information requested.

Wetlands reviewed a letter the Land Trust had requested in support of the potential purchase of 82 acres of land on Lovers Lane in the hope of receiving funding from the State of Connecticut. It was agreed that Mead might tailor the letter to more specifically mention wetlands, but all were in favor of submitting a letter.