Eye on Town Government

By Susan MacEachron

The Inland Wetlands Agency discussed several permit applications at its meeting on Oct. 3 and addressed concerns about a resident who has refused to identify a product sprayed along a stretch of Bruey Rd.

At the August Wetlands meeting, Ginger Creek Nursery had requested a permit to clean out a pond at 280 Westside Rd.  Additional information had been requested by the Wetlands agency, including a site plan, dewatering, and the amount of material to be removed. The applicant had 65 days to respond and since no further information was provided, Wetlands voted to deny the application without prejudice. Ginger Creek may submit a new application. 

Troy Lamere, Norfolk’s Road Superintendent, filed a Wetlands application to replace a culvert around 399 Winchester Rd.  Wetlands Enforcement Officer, Michael Halloran, said Lamere told him that he had been asked by the property owner to dig out the entire pond.  Wetlands approved the culvert replacement the town proposed, but stated that any additional work in the pond would require more information and likely a public hearing and questioned why the town would engage in work for a resident

Residents of Bruey Rd. attended the meeting to discuss their concerns about a product that they said was sprayed by their neighbor, Bart Wenrich, along the roadside abutting his property.  They said Wenrich was wearing protective clothing while spraying and has refused to identify the product he used.  Wetlands members speculated that the product was Roundup. One resident said she worried about the impact on wildlife and the other resident was concerned about potential contamination of his well water.  A letter sent to Wenrich from Hartley Mead, Wetlands chair, was read into the record.  Since the roadside is town property, Mead said he would ask First Selectman Matt Riiska to write to Wenrich.  

Mead said he wanted to note a problem on Mountain Rd. where Aquarion’s work replacing water lines damaged a culvert.  He expressed dismay that the town’s solution, a new liner pipe inserted through the damaged pipe further damaged the culvert and resulted in about five feet of pipe hanging out over the brook.  Mead said he understands there is reluctance to cut off this piece of pipe for fear it will result in microchips of plastic in the brook. 

Mead concluded the meeting with a discussion about logging and the need for the forestry community to be more aware of informing Wetlands before commencing logging to verify they are not working in or crossing wetlands.  He also noted that intermittent streams and forestry definitions should be clarified in Norfolk’s wetlands regulations.  Mead suggested that Wetlands should investigate how surrounding towns coordinate with local foresters.