Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission Continues Waterview Drive Erosion Application, Reviews Public Input

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission continued a wetlands application for erosion-control work at a Waterview Drive property and declined—for now—to add formal public participation to its meeting agenda during its Jan. 28 meeting.

The commission voted to continue Inland Wetlands Application #26-01, submitted by Stephen Wisniewski and Susan Wisniewski, for property at 94 Waterview Drive. The proposal seeks approval to install three retaining walls to stabilize an eroded hillside near the water.

IW commissioner Steve Maguire summarized the application, noting that FirstLight Power had contacted the town regarding work near the shoreline. Plans submitted call for replacing pressure-treated retaining walls and securing an exposed bank.

Wisniewski told commissioners the project would include three retaining walls, each approximately 6 feet tall and 60 feet long, and said he hoped to begin work as soon as possible. In response to questions from commissioners, he said plantings would be added once construction is complete.

Commissioners raised several technical concerns. Kendall Horch asked for a detailed soil and erosion control plan, including the location of silt fencing due to the project’s proximity to the water. She also requested that temporary stockpile locations be shown on the plans. Wisniewski said excavated material—about 100 cubic yards—would be removed from the site and transported off-site, pending confirmation of a disposal location.

Mike McCabe said he wanted confirmation that silt fencing would be installed and asked for clearer identification of any temporary on-site storage areas. Craig Ferris questioned which existing seawalls and wooden retaining walls would be removed or replaced and noted that some work appeared to extend to the water’s edge.

Maguire recommended that the applicants obtain authorization from FirstLight for work occurring near the shoreline. Wisniewski said he would comply with all required approvals. Mark D’Amico requested a slope stabilization plan and a clear sequencing of construction activities.

Commission members agreed that revised plans should show temporary storage areas, silt fencing and slope stabilization details. The application was continued to the commission’s next regular meeting on Feb. 12.

In other business, commissioners held a lengthy discussion about whether to formally add public participation to the meeting agenda. The commission ultimately agreed not to do so at this time, but left open the possibility of revisiting the issue in the future.

Instead, commissioners endorsed a plan allowing residents to submit comments directly to the commission by email. Those emails would be reviewed and discussed at subsequent meetings when appropriate and permissible. Commissioners said new email addresses will be created and linked on the town website, with messages distributed to both commission members and the Land Use Agency.

The commission approved amended minutes from its Jan. 14 meeting by unanimous vote after making minor corrections. No new wetlands applications were accepted, and no agent approvals or referrals were reported.

The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.