September 9, 2026
Members present: Nick Dethlefsen, David Tolli, Sue Okie, John Laudati, Barbara Schmitt and Fred Jones. Also present: IWWC Agent Kate Bednaz and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre.
37 Hartford Avenue–F. Devine–Permit application for regulated activities in connection with the development of a 16-unit apartment building and associated site improvements.
Since the last meeting in August, septic approval was received from the CT Department of Public Health and Farmington Valley Health District. Professional Engineer Rebecca Li provided additional application material, which consisted of a project timeline and map of the project area indicating septic system locations for the abutting properties. Bednaz provided her latest review comments, indicating that all concerns have been addressed and it is her opinion that the functions and values of the existing wetlands system will not be impacted by this development.
Public Comment
Attorney George Schober spoke on behalf of his client Peter Voskowsky, an abutting property owner. He requested a continuance of the public hearing so that Professional Engineer Steve Trinkaus may have time to review the newly submitted material. Schober proposed feasible and prudent alternatives, such as connecting to public sewer or reducing the unit count and expressed concerns regarding hydrology and contamination.
Reinhard Maier, 138 Day Street, had concerns regarding the proposed septic and leaching system as it pertains to nitrogen dilution and groundwater pollution.
Robert Flanigan, 24 Woodcliff Drive, expressed concerns regarding potential wetlands contamination due to seepage of effluent, as well as surface treatment of the parking lot during the winter months.
Maureen Eberly, 37 Silkey Road, questioned the legitimacy of the test pit results, invasive species located on-site and stated that the development shall connect to public sewer.
Ron Levesque of R Levesque Associates, Inc. spoke on behalf of the project and submitted a formal request to continue the public hearing to the Oct. 14 meeting.
The commission agreed to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting.
90 Salmon Brook and 35 Floydville Road–J. Gravel c/o Broadleaf Solar–RFR for mitigation and site stabilization within a regulated area.
Aaron Svedlow of Greenfield Development and Kevin Sullivan were present on behalf of Broadleaf Solar to discuss the application.
Sullivan explained that sorghum was planted to establish a cover crop that would address erosion issues and stabilize the area. In due time, the existing crop will either be mowed and left as a thatch, or it may be mowed down and tilled into the soil to establish another crop. Bednaz provided a brief overview of the project, noting a failure among the erosion and sedimentation controls last month. There were 218 acres tilled and planted, and silt fence and waddles were also installed to help control erosion. Bednaz indicated that an IWWC Permit is required to address the aftermath of the erosion, detailing how much sediment was removed, where it was deposited, how it will be removed, a mitigation plan, and timeline.
The commission voted 6-0-0 that the proposed activity is As of Right under the farming provision in Section 4.1a.