Inland Wetlands Commission - Regular Meeting

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

The Inland Wetlands Commission reviewed applications for a single-family home excavation on Vipurville Road, proposing approval with wetland protection conditions, and a fee waiver for an Eagle Scout project. Updates were also given on ongoing violation cases and a complex foreclosure.

About this meeting

Government Body
Inland Wetlands Commission
Meeting Type
Inland Wetlands Commission
Location
Old Lyme, CT
Meeting Date
August 25, 2026

Transcript

131 sections

0:00Speaker 1

25th August, Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission's regular town hall, 6pm.

0:05 – 0:18Speaker 4

New work. The first agenda for DEP referral is Rotela property. The title is March. Just a message. Just a message.

0:18 – 0:32Speaker 2

Again, you know about Shirsak. Our jurisdiction is with DEP. We don't have a jurisdiction on this, but they are going to inform us. That's why we are telling you. And if you have any questions, we can definitely talk to them. But now... We can talk to Nishit Rukhsand, but we can't do anything about it right now.

0:32Speaker 4

And anyway, there is no question or anything else. Application. 26-16.

0:37Speaker 1

For 10-1 walk-late lane. Jared.

0:40 – 1:52Speaker 4

Presented by Bombachi. Indian Pool. Pool deck. And storage pavilion. We will not do a side tour. We have already come here three times and there is nothing to see there. So we will make an announcement in the next session. We will listen to him in the next session. Okay. 426-12-41-1 Vipurville Road, Connecticut Real Estate Properties, Nae Ekal Parivaar Awas ke Nirmaan ke liye Khudai aur Grading. I think from the last sitting, moving forward, I have made some changes here. I have given the house a little more on this side. I have left a little more buffer there. Water charge has been added there. There is no plan to move forward from the area I cleaned.

1:53Speaker 1

There are some pictures there.

1:57 – 2:41Speaker 4

So it looks like this now. That is a sign of cleaning. And then I used AI to kill the driveway simulation. This is not 100% correct, but it gives you an idea. I have no intention of going beyond what I have. I need to hold the driveway. I am using some stones and natural materials. A natural buffer. Keep it in mind that all this will be a natural buffer. I am not cleaning it. So there is a buffer between the wetland and the side of the house. With dead trees. I had also called an arborist there. And it turned out that bark beetles have a severe allergy to that property. And that's why half the trees are dead and the other half are dying.

2:41Speaker 1

And when you remove the bark, you can see those lanes from where they eat it.

2:44 – 6:02Speaker 4

There are holes in all these trees. And it was originally said that cutting and removing is the only option, the best option. I think it was the mic. Be careful. I don't know if he came here. No, no. One of his biggest worries was a black hole on the side of the river. So this will be placed in a black hole on the side of the river, naturally. I don't need to go back there. I'll take it a little inside, but I just have to make a well there and then I'll keep the rest the same. I don't want to go back there. There are a lot of places. If the yard is not good for a lot of people, then I can reduce it a little. Going back to the Moonside Plan. From Swee Kritupkhand. So this is the plot. This entire property and the front part is at the corner of Cherry Cove, on Weberville. So, you can see the wetland line from the main route. I don't know why, but they didn't make it this way. So, it represents the control from the main route. So, that's the lower area. Maybe they didn't flag it, because it wasn't necessary. So, here's Dhalan. And it's completely separated from the wetland. It's almost completely in the floodplain. It's a bit difficult to see, but the plot is in yellow in the floodplain, blue in the floodplain, and the upper part is in pink. So the most suitable place to build a house is on the upper part of this existing driveway. In some other place, they will have to face problems like water and flood. So I hope I can satisfy most things. If you want to plant some trees and plants around the buffer area, then I don't have any problem with that. I think so. So if you have any suggestions for a tree or plant, My only concern with this area is that you are very close to wetlands, so I will suggest that we put hay wells and silt fans there. Basically and below the well because a lot of mud comes out during pumping from drilled wells. So these will be two areas that I can handle everything. All the soil will go that way. There is no problem for wells. I will probably want to put silt fans and grass in those places. Two areas. But those are my two biggest concerns. Nothing else. By the way, if you can plant some plants, that would be great. If you have any suggestions for plants or you want me to plant pine trees, then I don't mind planting some pine trees. You know. I'm just saying this.

6:02Speaker 1

Something like this. That would be fine.

6:11 – 6:59Speaker 4

So, I just want to submit something. Maybe not pine trees, but rather some wetlands, ardubhumi plants and maybe some upland blueberry plants. Instead of pine trees, some small grassy wetlands plants. As long as no one else has a question for us. So on this condition, I ask for your consent. Apart from the silt fence, from this corner to here, plant the grass stalks because these are the closest parts of the wetlands that I am worried about. But apart from that, I have a proposal for approval.

7:00Speaker 1

I don't remember it.

7:02 – 7:35Speaker 4

It's behind it. You're very, very close. Correct. Let's rest now. 26.13 is the request of the Open Space Commission to forgive Shulk. I don't think anyone is here for that. But I don't know what you guys think about this. We are at loss. I mean, every time. When we have to accept an application, our money is spent.

7:35Speaker 3

Is there any history of us doing this? Sometimes.

7:40Speaker 4

Sometimes they even refuse.

7:42 – 7:55Speaker 2

No. I mean, this is not a big amount, but we have to give a decision in the newspaper. I mean, the question is, do you want to collect some interest for its fulfillment or will you consider that expense as part of your budget and take care of it yourself?

7:55Speaker 5

When it is published in the newspaper, what is written in it? That it is for the Eagle Scout project. No, it just says this much.

8:04Speaker 2

It doesn't even say who it is for or who did it. It just says this. that the wetlands permit for the bridge project has been approved. That's all he tells us, okay?

8:14 – 8:25Speaker 4

I don't care about this at all, whatever it is. We just need to maintain continuity as we move forward. You know. I mean, yes.

8:27 – 8:48Speaker 2

I don't think you guys are very strict about this. This is Eagle Scout and this is just an open space. So if you guys want to make an apology for this, that's fine. I don't think I've made a lot of such mistakes. This is not something that happens four or five times a year. That's why we're not losing a lot of money on this. So if you want to forgive him, it's up to you.

8:48Speaker 4

Where does OpenSpace get its funds from?

8:50Speaker 2

These are all the same funds.

8:53Speaker 4

These are all the same funds. So why are you apologizing to them?

8:56Speaker 3

I don't know. And they're paying for it.

8:58Speaker 2

Not that Eagle, Scout, Swam... No, this is open space in the form of a foundation.

9:03Speaker 3

There's only one center that pays for it in different ways.

9:07Speaker 2

Yes, I mean, until a member of the open space does not want to pay from his pocket, this is all the money of the city. This is just a question of which budget he is coming from.

9:16Speaker 3

I have to forgive him.

9:18Speaker 2

I will sit with him.

9:21Speaker 3

Who is behind him?

9:24Speaker 4

Moving forward, is there any problem in dealing with these full projects in a government way? I have nothing to say. This is straight forward.

9:34Speaker 2

If you advise me to do this, I would be happy to go there and see.

9:36Speaker 4

Yes, if it is very different from the things we have seen before.

9:39 – 9:53Speaker 3

But yes, now you know. This is just a service. I mean, it is already a trail. You are only improving it. Because we are going to pass it. This is a good business.

9:53Speaker 4

A very sociable trail.

10:06 – 10:24Speaker 4

Let's go back. Okay, so this is the last time. Since we were here last month, it has been just a refresher. I think many of you have visited the site. This is the only family house in Awasiya. It is surrounded by the Osceola Trail in the north.

10:25Speaker 3

There is Roses Lake in the south and Awasi properties on both sides.

10:29 – 10:53Speaker 4

There is also an existing dacha on the site, which has been decorated in pink. It was made in the form of a separate garage in 1908. The current septic site is in this area. And what we are proposing is to convert the current dam into a single family house with a sun-lit garage. The driveway, which is located northwest of Sampatti, will be transferred to the northeastern area.

10:53Speaker 1

The current septic will be converted to the northwest area.

11:01 – 11:24Speaker 4

Forgive me, but this red line points to the planned area. We are all from the lake. We are trying to keep it as far as possible. But this line with the Bangani dash is only the present setback. So, as you can see, we have pushed the building in front of the lot as far as possible. During construction, we will implement a set fence in the form of a stockpile area.

11:24Speaker 3

And then to limit the spread of the fence on the road, we will use the construction entrance gate.

11:30 – 12:02Speaker 4

Once the construction is complete, The driveway, that construction entrance will be fixed above the door. I mean, the house will be about 12 feet from the nearest point here. This is about 50 feet. After the construction is complete, it will be about 30 feet. This is also surrounded by a lawn. After the construction is complete, the garden will be installed. We will install a lawn in the special area instead of the garden.

12:07Speaker 3

. . . . . . .

12:35 – 12:51Speaker 4

Does anyone else have a question? Who is the owner of this property? I have a proposal to give approval to the application with a pile of grass under the floor of the proposal. What is the purpose of the proposal?

12:54Speaker 5

Who is on the side?

12:56Speaker 4

Very much. Yes. Good afternoon. IPR, NPLA, NPLA. One. Never. Never. 26, 16, 11, 7, 4, drive.

13:21Speaker 1

Just. Oh, sorry.

13:23Speaker 4

You're very fast.

13:27Speaker 5

Government plates don't work here.

13:35 – 15:08Speaker 3

As you can see in the permit application, we have obtained the survey and plans from United Concrete along with their instructions. Along with their instructions, as we mentioned earlier, the contractor was going to use it. I am sorry, I don't remember what it is called, but it is... It is a debris cutter. Yes, thank you. We have to do termitity. Termitity will be cut in the water and after that, when they will move away from the water, they will put a silt fencing guard bar so that nothing goes into the water while making the second layer of the wall. Everything will be done according to the instructions of United Concrete because they are the builders of the wall and they are going to use the geo grid system. to help keep the block in its place. And then I will make sure that they use clean soil to backfill that experience, where they are going to expand the wall, as you saw last week. Do you have any questions? Yes, the contractor is Frank Pindle Pindle Construction, which is one of the Heavens. I think it's New Heaven.

15:08Speaker 1

So is he a different contractor?

15:11 – 15:46Speaker 3

Yes, I don't remember his name, but I want to say that his name is Dave, but I don't know for sure. I am the head of the block with United Concrete. They recommended Pindal Construction because the representative of United Concrete felt that it is most suitable to handle this work. Because there are some internal difficulties, as we know, it is more work to improve the mistake than to start from scratch. And that's why this person was recommended by United Concrete.

15:50Speaker 1

Do you have any questions or concerns?

15:56Speaker 4

Do you know when they are planning to start? So that we can catch this year's crop season stability. To bring this grass back to life. Maybe not this year.

16:16Speaker 3

I am not sure. Some part of it depends on the legal situation.

16:20Speaker 4

If this is done outside the Ropan season, what are you talking about?

16:26Speaker 3

Bunty, I thought you didn't plan it.

16:29Speaker 4

So season, I just want to make sure that it stays until you come back.

16:33 – 16:46Speaker 2

Tell me when are you starting this so that we can send a director to investigate the cut-out system and make sure that everything is working properly. Yes, I will keep you informed.

16:46Speaker 1

Is there any concern regarding the fact that things are going into the lake without being repaired? Can something be done to fix this?

16:56 – 17:12Speaker 2

Because this... Can you put a dam over there right now so that... We can talk to the contractor about what kind of dam he will use to stop the cut in the lake. During the winters, we want to ensure that nothing else goes into the water.

17:15Speaker 1

Because this situation will not get worse if it is frozen and melted.

17:18 – 17:42Speaker 2

Yes, I understand. So, I think that you are right. I believe that the solution is to apply some gauze bandage to stop the damage until the work is completed. Yes, I can talk to the contractor about this. And I don't think I will need them for this. I just want to know what kind of bandage they will use and I can apply it myself. If it is easy for you to do this, then let me come there again and see. And you also see that it is applied properly. Okay?

17:45 – 17:58Speaker 4

If you get in touch with them, it's fine. But they'll probably ask for a DOT card. That's all that matters. Cheap handcuffs break with a single scratch. They... Yeah, I learned this from a long time ago when I used to work in the police station.

17:58Speaker 3

Handcuffs and wooden sticks work well. Some other concern.

18:01Speaker 4

Just make sure you stay in touch with Aerie.

18:06Speaker 1

Yes. I ask for the approval of a new application.

18:16Speaker 3

So I believe that everyone has seen the plan.

18:46 – 19:01Speaker 1

This is simple for me. We had already mentioned about the permit. And we will come back for the new permit. And we just wanted to change the old wall. This is quite simple. Do you have any questions for the camera and record? No. Do you have any questions for the camera and record? No. Do you have any questions for the camera and record?

19:01Speaker 5

No. Do you have any questions for the camera and record? No. Do you have any questions for the camera and record? No.

19:05Speaker 1

Do you have any questions for the camera and record?

19:12Speaker 4

No. Do you have any questions for the camera and record? No.

19:15 – 19:29Speaker 1

No, I have a suggestion. You know, I appreciate it because I think it's very clear. The question is, what should we do about it? Because on the economic ground, our rights are limited to those external things, not those that are going on.

19:29Speaker 2

This is really very unfortunate.

19:41 – 20:11Speaker 1

I think it's unfortunate, and you also understand this, because if people had been given the right information on time, then a lot would not have happened. At least we could have discussed this earlier, and now it is difficult to change the situation. From our point of view, in the last 30 years, no one has helped us in managing the way we have worked. Yes, and that is outside our jurisdiction. . . . . . . . .

20:43 – 20:57Speaker 4

I don't think that we have such an example where we have told someone to remove something in such a situation. But you saw the wall as it is. Absolutely.

20:57Speaker 1

I had given him the permission to cut it to make it more beautiful.

21:02Speaker 2

I didn't make you listen to this savagely. This savagely is better. But I know that there are people in the audience. You have to give them permission to speak. No, no, no.

21:13Speaker 3

We have recently received some additional tips.

21:18Speaker 2

And again, I do not need this, so it is up to the Aayog. Do you want to hear any additional tips? I have no objection to listening to these tips.

21:26 – 21:51Speaker 4

Everyone present here has been respected and is not discussing waste. So please keep your tips in mind. Is there anyone else who wants to say something? Please come forward.

21:51Speaker 5

I am Katie Moish. I had spoken to you before, but... You can come forward so that... You can come out of the recording.

22:01Speaker 3

You are in the shade.

22:03Speaker 5

Now you are in the light.

22:04Speaker 1

I forgot your name.

22:07 – 23:19Speaker 3

My name is Rob James. Bob talked to us in the first session in which we came. And he said something very important. He said that... If it is known that you are going out of the scope of work that was accepted in the application, then there will be no special meaning of acceptance and it will be a distraction in the efforts of the future. If you know, this is common. So I understand that you say that you usually do not ask someone to remove the work done by them, but if you just want to apologize later, then I don't think so. that there is a big obstacle for someone to move ahead from the accepted limit. I just hope that you will think about it because two of the main people involved in this work, who are builders and the other who were land-escapers, they both probably understood the scope of work from the beginning and they continued it and this makes me sad. A healthy tree was cut and I don't see any reason for it, except that the depth of the fill was known. We are trying not to have such a debate.

23:19 – 23:31Speaker 4

You can keep your words in front of us, but as far as the question is, you can talk to us.

23:37 – 24:14Speaker 1

Yes, you can talk to us, but... So yes, we repeated one site and we made a gesture that we want to take it from point A to point B, and that was fine. And I didn't feel that the statement that was filled was different. So I think it was my fault that I didn't see the statement that my mother-in-law filled. As far as the question of the tree is concerned, it is due to the cutting of erosion. Unfortunately, we are responsible for that property and any person present on it. That's why this is something like this. I mean, he was just trying to make us drop the tree.

24:15 – 24:32Speaker 4

He was leaning towards the lake. So that's it. Any other tip? Anything else? Whatever has been sent to us, like we get it in a letter, all of it, its part is in this file. Oh, okay.

24:32Speaker 2

This will be in the file. We will scan it and it will be there. If anyone wants to read it after 30 years, it will be there. Is this all recorded?

24:41 – 25:16Speaker 4

So again, if in any other matter, we didn't ask people to remove all that, which is there, I don't think that it would be better to remove it from the perspective of the environment and leave it open again. So I don't know what anyone thinks about it. I agree to some extent that it will be more harmful to remove what is there.

25:16Speaker 1

And as a tip, I agree to the fact that the owner of the house is trying to make it easier. Yes, but she is not saying that.

25:26 – 25:37Speaker 4

This is a unfortunate situation, but I think on this point, I will have the permission to give consent.

25:40 – 26:04Speaker 5

I am Samet and I am on the same page. Okay, okay. I don't even need to ask this. How did the protest begin? And then? As the protest was going on, was there a time when someone came to see what was being done? I don't know. All of this happened at once.

26:09 – 26:30Speaker 2

So, by the time I reached there to see it, it had already happened. Okay. I mean, it didn't happen in a long period of time. It happened very quickly. And they didn't call me for an inspection until it was already there. Okay. For good or bad, I don't have enough time to see everything live. They call me when everything is done.

26:31Speaker 1

That's why I have to ask them.

26:34Speaker 4

If you want.

26:37Speaker 1

Yes, I just told my mom once, sir, that I was at the place and you didn't call her. I have pictures of every channel. Okay. Okay.

26:44Speaker 4

So, on behalf of Prasthao Parmadhan, I apologize. What? Is there any other discussion?

26:54Speaker 3

I just had a tip. I think Eric had said in the letter to call before starting. I don't believe that they are with me or not, but I think they did this.

27:08Speaker 2

Yes, I think he didn't accept that he didn't call.

27:11Speaker 3

So yes, maybe you didn't hear that, but you said that he called later.

27:14Speaker 2

Then the form must be there and you know. I understand.

27:19Speaker 3

Yes. It is accepted that when the seat fence was installed, I was not there.

27:22Speaker 2

I could reach there only after that. Oh yes, you should tell your contact.

27:27Speaker 5

Yes, you are not at fault in this. I mean to say that I understand.

27:31Speaker 2

Even the owner of the property is accepting it. I understand.

27:44 – 28:16Speaker 4

So again, those who are on the side of giving permission. Thank you. Any objection? Thank you. For 308 Lockport Road, an update from the Wetlands Development Officer.

28:16 – 28:30Speaker 2

In reality, there are two different things to say, one of which is that there is a case on a previous violation. The pre-trial is scheduled for 2 October and the trial is scheduled for the next year, 18 February.

28:30Speaker 3

We are slowly moving forward in these matters, so that trial will be possible.

28:39 – 29:37Speaker 2

And as far as the current work is concerned, he is preparing to start again. I talked to him this morning. He is applying extra ground cover. He is applying extra silt fencing. I have to go there within a week and see what he has done before starting work. The biggest problem that is arising, and we have already discussed whether a new permit is needed for it or not, is that the road is being flooded with water in some places. And he wants that where the road is being flooded with water, extra sewage should be added. And his pressure is that what did he talk to me about and I have permission for it. I don't think it's like that, but extra Before I put in the electricity, I'll make sure that I know how much electricity we're talking about, where it's going, and to see if it's in your permit or not. And if necessary, I'll send it back for a new permit. What's the purpose of the extra electricity? Well, it's...

29:37Speaker 4

I mean, it'll only send the water somewhere else. It'll flow from somewhere else.

29:47 – 30:15Speaker 2

I just want to say that he is very worried that he is dirty and the water is basically taking the grass in the ponds and on the other side of the road in the valley. So if he is pouring water there, then the thought is that he will stop the grass from flowing. And yes, I don't get to use it. Oh, but I talked to him about this in the morning and I will go there to collect better data.

30:18Speaker 3

I'll take a picture. I'll tell you how far it is.

30:20 – 30:31Speaker 2

But I think you'll get to hear about this from the neighbors. Because they're going to start work there very soon. And the neighbors will definitely not be happy with it.

30:31Speaker 4

Yes, I don't think any of us had a misunderstanding that the work is done. Okay, I'm done.

30:37 – 30:53Speaker 1

So if anyone has a question... Okay, I'll go. So... Do I have a time limit to cut the wall? No, because I can do that too. The step that I will make in the wall. Your permit is valid for 5 years, so.

30:54Speaker 4

Dollar around 20.

30:55 – 31:07Speaker 1

So 3 years. I might have to wait for this. Leap year. Let's do it in leap year. So 2028. 2028. Yes. It goes down, that's why.

31:44 – 34:27Speaker 2

So now we have come to Sherrond Drive from 16 Neck Road. At this time, a lot of cases are being filed on the individual roads. That's why they are starting the investigation. Many people associated with this are trying to buy this site and use it for good. On holidays. After coming back, in the last few days, 3-4 people have called me and asked about the site. That's why, I hope that someone will come forward and buy it before the KURKI process starts. Because the more it will pull, the worse the situation will get. Now, I'm not sure. Because I have a doubt that to solve all this, the amount of Rashi you need is more than the amount of Rashi you will earn from this property. But we are the same. I understand that the roads are incomplete, the houses are getting damaged, and perhaps they need to be demolished. So, that is one thing. It is necessary to completely remove the existing road and rebuild it from scratch. So, that is another thing. So, yes, you know. I don't know what it will look like to start the property again, but still people are asking about it, so let's see what comes out. If not, then again foreclosure is going on. And believe it or not, the subdivision is closing next year, so let's see where we reach. By the way, if this happens and everything changes back to a plot, then it will confuse the foreclosure even more because it has changed different plots with different LLCs. That's why there are different types of rindatas for each of these lots. And if all of this turns into a big divided plot, then the rindatas will fight among themselves as to who is the owner and what percentage of the divided plot is their share. If there was someone to ask for an extension, then you could have got an extension of five years. But I do hope that by the time this new policy is introduced, they will have no interest in applying for extension. So yes, you can ask for a 5-year extension as a matter of rights and get it. But what is the need for anyone to do this for them? They can't do this for them. So they have basically one year to solve this. I don't know what will happen between now and then, but I expect this situation to get better before it gets worse.

34:34Speaker 4

I was surprised to see someone cutting grass a few days ago. Someone was cutting lawn there. I was surprised to see that.

34:40Speaker 2

This is a new thing for me. I don't know who it is because I don't get it from anyone.

34:50Speaker 4

Okay. So, Karivrith ka Pathan aur Anmodan. This is Karivrith of the 28th of July. Does anyone have it? No, I don't have it.

34:58Speaker 1

I mean, I am worried. It was for Anmodan. I am Saurat Angad.

35:02 – 35:13Speaker 4

All parties. A special site walk of August 17th. Does anyone have any doubts or questions? No, just a few. Yes, just a few. A request for permission.

35:14Speaker 1

Yes, sir. If you were there, then yes.

35:16 – 35:32Speaker 4

There was one absence. So, I will take it. Sure. Yes. A request for permission. A request for permission. It's in the box. Okay. Send it, sir.

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.