Brookfield Inland Wetlands Commission Approves Road Widening, Continues Multiple Wetlands Reviews

BROOKFIELD, Conn. — The Brookfield Inland Wetlands Commission this week continued several applications, approved a town road project and reviewed ongoing enforcement items during its regular meeting in Town Hall Room 133.

Commission Action and Reports
Chair Sharon Fox opened the meeting at 7 p.m., with Vice-Chair Tom Keller, Commissioner David Frankel and Alternate Robert Scalera serving as voting members. Land Use Director and Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Laura Barkowski and Recording Secretary Elizabeth Adams also attended.

Under the Inland Wetlands Officer’s report, Barkowski noted no new update on the 100 Candlewood Lake Road school project (#W-20-24).

For the 58 Old Grays Bridge Road soil remediation project (#C-18-78 & W-24-39), Barkowski said the project’s expiration date is March 11, 2033, and that the property owner must notify Land Use when the remediation work is finished so a post-completion inspection can be scheduled.

Monitoring reports for the 500A Federal Road project (#W-22-27) showed “no issues” in December.

Enforcement Updates
Several enforcement matters remained in progress, including violations and corrective actions:

• A wetlands violation at 35 Merwin Brook Road (#W-23-47) is still “with legal.”
• At 51 North Mountain Road (#WV-25-02), the applicant submitted planting photos; an inspection must be scheduled by June 1.
• At 230A Whisconier Road (#WV-25-04) and 171 Pocono Road (#WV-25-05), bonds have been received and plantings are due by May 31, 2026.
• 8 Dunsinane Road (#WV-25-06) and 31 Obtuse Road South (#WV-25-07) require inspections once work is complete.

For the cease-and-correct order at 19A Apache Drive (#W-25-56), resident Roberto Echavarria appeared before the Commission saying he had installed erosion and sedimentation controls and presented photographs. Barkowski confirmed the Land Use Office received images and a phone call but has not yet performed an on-site inspection. The Commission reiterated that work must stay on hold until the field inspection is completed and approved.

Old Business and Permit Decisions
Applications continued to later meetings included:

• 60 High Meadow Lane retaining wall (#W-25-69) — continued to the January 26 meeting upon motion by Chair Fox, seconded by Vice-Chair Keller.
• 69 Whisconier Road shed and front porch (#W-25-68) — also continued to January 26.

For 16 South Lake Shore Drive (#W-25-72), engineer Steve Sullivan described plans to demolish and rebuild a dwelling within the existing footprint without horizontal expansion. The Commission unanimously approved the application with standard stipulations after a motion by Chair Fox and second by Frankel.

In new business, the Commission heard a presentation from Garrett Meade of Brookfield Septic Service on proposed septic, patio and oil tank removal work at 142 North Lake Shore Drive (#W-26-1). The Commission unanimously moved to continue that application for further review.

Candlewood Lake Road Widening Approved
In a key approval, the Commission unanimously approved the 100 Pocono Road Candlewood Lake Road widening project (#W-25-71). Engineering Manager Steve Sullivan and Public Works Director Ralph Tedesco presented the plan, and Commissioners voted to approve with standard stipulations after a motion from Chair Fox and second from Frankel.

Other Business
Commissioners reviewed correspondence including a Siting Council summary on a cell tower and a Department of Energy & Environmental Protection permit for Defriesse Pond. They also approved the December 22, 2025 meeting minutes with one amendment. Vice-Chair Keller abstained because he had not attended that meeting.

Chair Fox adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m. The next Inland Wetlands Commission meeting is scheduled for January 26, 2026 in Town Hall Room 133.