Killingworth Wetlands Commission Approves Hammonasset River Dredging, Schnoor Road Addition

KILLINGWORTH, CT — The Killingworth Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission unanimously approved maintenance dredging of a fishing pool on the Hammonasset River on Sept. 8, allowing either of two proposed methods to remove accumulated silt.

The commission also unanimously approved a residential addition on Schnoor Road and established conditions under which a cease-and-desist order involving woodchips at a River Road property could be lifted.

Professional engineer Roger Nemergut presented the Hammonasset Fishing Association's application to dredge an existing fishing pool along County Road. He said a decision had not yet been made whether to use a long-reach excavator or a suction dredge.

Commission members had visited the property Aug. 18 and identified no wetland issues that concerned them, according to the minutes. The work is planned for next summer.

The commission also reviewed 10 comments contained in a Sept. 8 report from the Regional Water Authority. Two changes were made to the plan and accepted by the commission.

Tim Doyle moved to approve the revised plan with the Regional Water Authority recommendations and allow either proposed dredging method. Chris Reimers seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Six commission members were present.

Schnoor Road Addition Approved

The commission unanimously approved an application from Tim Greene and Beth Abbott to construct an addition to an existing home at 117 Schnoor Road.

After a brief review, Doyle moved to approve the project and Ed Pizzuto seconded the motion.

Used-Car Business Gets Site Walk

Commissioners added an application from property owner Pauline Dawson and Hi-Quality AutoWorks LLC to the agenda on a unanimous vote. The proposal concerns activities associated with used-car sales at 26 Chittenden Road.

Mr. and Mrs. Dawson attended the meeting and presented information about the proposed business. The application included a business overview and proposed operations document outlining anticipated activities.

Commissioners scheduled a site walk for Sept. 10 and planned to continue discussing the application at their Oct. 13 meeting. No vote on the application itself was recorded.

River Road Cease-And-Desist Order Could Be Lifted

The commission also reviewed an enforcement case involving property owned by Jesus and Fresolina Villegas Trustees at 167 River Road.

The cease-and-desist order concerned an excess amount of woodchips and possible other material deposited within wetlands and the 100-foot wetlands setback.

Jesus Villegas attended the meeting and showed commissioners photographs indicating that most of the woodchips had been removed. He said he planned to seed the area to create a pasture for his alpacas.

The commission unanimously agreed that the cease-and-desist order could be lifted if commission member Chris Plum inspects the property and determines that the woodchip removal is sufficient. Plum was absent from the Sept. 8 meeting. Chris Jacob made the motion and Reimers seconded it.

Chairman Glenn Johnson, Pizzuto, Doyle, Jacob, Carolyn MacGonagle and Reimers attended the meeting. The commission unanimously approved its Aug. 11 regular meeting minutes and approved its Aug. 18 site-walk minutes with Jacob abstaining.

The meeting at the Town Office Building adjourned at 7:45 p.m. on a unanimous vote.