Wetlands Weighs Runoff Plans

By Susan MacEachron

Water and erosion issues related to construction of the road to the Haystack Woods development were discussed at the Inland Wetlands Agency meeting on April 3.  

Previously, Wetlands asked to have its engineer, Todd Parsons from Haley Ward, review the plans presented by the Foundation for Norfolk Living’s (NFL) engineer, Ken Hrica, to address the unexpected presence of wetlands in the path of the road. Parsons advised Wetlands that he agreed with Hrica’s proposal to create a swale for water runoff and that it was unnecessary to replace an old pipe that was discovered during excavation. 

Wetlands Enforcement Officer Michael Halloran reported that he received a weekend call from a Wetlands member who had been to the construction site and was concerned that the Erosion and Sediment (E&S) controls in several locations had failed. After visiting the site and confirming the problem, Halloran said he had notified NFL president Kate Johnson and the town’s road superintendent, Troy LaMere. Halloran said he then rechecked the site and was satisfied with the repairs.

Johnson reported that she had reminded the contractors that the E&S controls must be checked daily and noted that they would add hay bales as further protection. She said that a new 50-foot track pad for the site entrance would be installed.

Wetlands briefly discussed the current situation at the gas spill site. Halloran read an email from Jeff King, senior consultant for Verdantas, the company overseeing the clean-up efforts. King wrote that access had been granted for two of the remaining three properties where significant remediation work is needed and that negotiations for access to 89 Greenwoods Road East were ongoing. Verdantas is coordinating with Environmental Services Inc. and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.  

Hartley Mead, Wetlands chair, raised the issue of the pipe protruding under the Mountain Road bridge over Tobey Brook, a subject of discussion at several previous meetings. Mead noted that installation has created a perched culvert, meaning the pipe hangs above the level of the stream bottom and thereby restricts the movement of aquatic creatures. He expressed concern that this could have a long-term detrimental impact on Tobey Pond.