Naugatuck

Paddock Ridge Subdivision

The Environmental Review Team approved a request from the Naugatuck Inland Wetlands Commission for assistance in reviewing a proposed subdivision. The 14.79 acre site is located in the northwest section of Naugatuck at the end of King Street adjacent to the State Bridle Trail. The proposed subdivision is13 lots (an R-30 zone, with lots ranging in size from .70 acres to 2.39 acres) with a cul-de-sac road, public utilities and a stormwater detention pond. The site is presently wooded with 2.34 acres of wetlands. 4.50 acres are proposed as conservation easement. There is 100’ wetland upland review area. Barber’s Pond is located directly to the east.

Reason for Request and Concerns:
The ERT has been requested to assist the town in the review of this project because of concerns with the following issues: impacts of erosion and methods of sediment control, impact to wildlife habitats, forestry and vegetation, potential effects of stormwater management strategie and potential impact of the proposed road.

Specific concerns include:

• Soils – to identify soils suited for residential home development and those areas of soils having unfavorable properties.
• Hydrology – to discuss the extent to which the proposed project will alter the hydrologic balance.
• Forestry/vegetation – to identify existing vegetation characteristics and patterns to aid in assessing development impacts on indigenous plant life, evaluation of proposed landscaping plans.
• Wildlife habitat – to examine proposed plantings consistency with surrounding ecosystem in wildlife habitat and food value, related to existing vegetation preserved and that which is lost to development.
• Ponds – to comment on existing waterbody and effect proposed activity may have on existing aquatic resources.
• Inland wetlands – to identify existing wetlands and wetland systems and possible effects of the proposed plan.
• Site design – to review existing water supply, sewer and stormwater drainage infrastructure.
• Stormwater – to investigate/identify structural stormwater collection systems and natural processes such as infiltration, interception, storage, filtration, etc. and identify measures to control storm water quality as well as quantity.

Paddock Ridge ERT Field Tour: Due to inclement weather a GPS photo tour of the field review in Google Earth is not available for this review. However the shape file for the GPS field walk is available.

 

 

Bolton

Heritage Farm Natural & Historic Resource Inventory

The ERT is currently working with the Bolton Heritage Farm Commission in providing them a natural and historic resource inventory for the Bolton Heritage Farm. The 102 acre town owned farm located on Bolton Center Road just past the Town Hall was purchased by the Town in 2000. 88 acres are under a conservation easement to the State of Connecticut. The other approximately 12 acres, which include the house, barn and upper hayfields, are not under conservation easement but are restricted to “municipal purposes.” Approximately 20 acres of the farm are enrolled in the USDA’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and a 10-year maintenance plan under that program was started in August 2008. A structural analysis of the house and barn with recommendations for future uses was completed in September 2008 by Nelson Edwards Company Architects, LLC. Also a hiking trail is located on the farm.

Reason for Request and Concerns: The Bolton Heritage Farm Commission, established in 2006 by the Bolton Board of Selectman, is charged by town ordinance to “develop and submit for the Board of Selectman’s approval a written plan for the short and long term mixed use of the Bolton Heritage Farm which could include historical, agricultural, educational, civic and tourist utilization>” The ERT will assist the Commission in achieving this purpose. The Commission will use the ERT information to create a plan for the farm and to give informed advice to the Bolton Board of Selectmen about special opportunities or limitations presented by the natural and historic qualities of the farm. Specific concerns include:Wetlands, Lakes and Ponds, Forestry /Vegetation, Agriculture, Farmland Preservation, Historic Significance and Archeology
(The 1781 Rochambeau encampment site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a State Archaeological Preserve. The precise boundaries of the encampment have not been determined. A general sketch of the site shows the boundary running north-south through the barn, which was built in 1908.)

Bolton Heritage Farm ERT Field Tour (To view, double click on the "Bolton Heritage Farm ERT Field Tour" link and the file will open in google earth. The trail will be visable and the red markers along the way are pictures, click once to view the photo, click twice for the photo to be viewable in the direction the photo was taken.(In order to view this file you will need to download the latest version of google earth)

 

Shelton

Open Space # 80 (Soundview & Wiacek Property)

The ERT is currently working with the Shelton Conservation Commission for assistance in reviewing the town owned Soundview and Wiacek Open Space Parcels. The project consists of three abutting open space parcels totaling 66 acres identified as:
OS 80.01 “Summerfield” – 12.27 acres, wooded
OS 80.02 “Wiacek” – 40.25 acres, a mix of hayfields and woods
OS 80.3 “279 Soundview” – 13.91 acres, mix of fields and woods, with a small dwelling and garage on Soundview Avenue The properties are centrally located in Shelton and abut Shelton High School. It is expected that portions of Wiacek property will be used for ballfields or other municipal uses at some time in the future, and the Paugussett Trail (a “blue-blazed” trail) will be routed through the Wiacek parcel. The site is bounded by Meadow Street, Soundview Avenue, and Constitution Blvd. north of the High School.

The review is requested to assess the viability of agricultural lands on the city owned open space, including several hayfields, and identity areas that are best suited to other possible uses such as ballfields. Areas of concern include: agricultural soil suitability, impacts to wetlands, viability of farmland, preservation of fields, invasive shrubs, potential sale of dwelling, multi –use potential.

Shelton Open Space #80 ERT Field Tour (To view, double click on the "Shelton Open Space #80 ERT Field Tour" link and the file will open in google earth. The trail will be visable and the red markers along the way are pictures, click once to view the photo, click twice for the photo to be viewable in the direction the photo was taken.(In order to view this file you will need to download the latest version of google earth)

 

 

Preston

Norwich Hospital Property

The ERT is currently working with the the Preston Conservation Commission and the Norwich City Manager for Environmental Review Team assistance in providing a natural resource inventory for the Norwich Hospital Property.The project site is located in the towns of Preston and Norwich along the Thames River and Route 12. The +400 Preston Norwich Hospital Property is owned by the Town of Preston. The property may be divided into 4 segments:

1. The first segment is located on the north side of Route 2A and Route 12 and consists of approximately 205 acres (per town GIS) This segment is primarily wooded (with watercourses and wetlands) with slopes between 15-30%. Four buildings are located adjacent to a +13 acre pond on the westerly portion of the segment. North of the pond are two “State Archaeological Preserves” consisting of two WWII, F6F Hellcat aircraft. It also contains portions of the former Norwich and Westerly trolley line.
2. The second segment contains about 122 acres and is the main campus area located on the southerly side of Route 12. The railroad borders the west edge of this segment with a narrow parcel of land isolated on the west side of the tracks.
3. The third segment is located south of the 2A bridge and abuts the railroad to the west and Route 12 to the east. The 133 acre segment is primarily wooded, contains no structures, and has less severe topographic conditions than Segment One.
4. The fourth segment is located on the south side of Route 2A and East of Route 12. Containing over 50 acres, the portion of this segment that borders Route 12 is currently in agricultural use, with the wooded balance providing a buffer for Poquetanuck Cove.

A natural resources inventory is requested for the property prior to any specific development proposal. In addition, it is requested that any planning, engineering, and environmental protection techniques be recommended to mitigate potential development impacts.

The Preston Conservation Commission hopes to use this inventory as a tool to prioritize areas in need of protection during the master planning process. Areas of concern include: extensive frontage on the Thames River, a large forest block with steep grades an undisturbed wetland system, watershed and frontage on Poquetanuck Cove, and deep gravel deposits.

Norwich also seeks a natural resource inventory and an indication of constraints with respect to future development.

Specific Concerns and information requested include: general soils mapping and interpretation, slope constraints, overview of surficial and bedrock conditions, recommended BMP tool box, location of significant wetland systems, means of limiting development impacts on Thames River and shoreland concerns, fisheries habitat and impact mitigation measures, inventory forest and management, wildlife habitat  and management and mitigation techniques, prioritize areas to be protected due to environmental significance, any special design considerations, potential hazard areas, historic and archeological significance and protection.