OLD LYME, CT — The Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approved a retaining wall and seawall replacement project on Shore Drive and determined that a proposed Connecticut Water Co. facility expansion on Cross Lane falls outside its regulatory jurisdiction during its Oct. 27 meeting.
The commission also reviewed state environmental permit referrals involving properties on Lieutenant River Road and Ferry Road and unanimously adopted its 2027 meeting calendar.
The commission approved an application from Paul A. Dean and Laura Dean-Frazier to replace an existing retaining wall and seawall at 31 Shore Drive.
The project also includes construction of a patio and accessible stairs.
Commission Chairman Tom Machnik moved to approve the application with a condition requiring the Deans to coordinate with Land Use Coordinator Eric Knapp on soil erosion and control measures.
The condition was included because the project area has a steep slope, according to the meeting minutes.
Vice Chairman Jared Bombaci seconded the motion.
Commissioner Michael Aurelia abstained, and the remaining voting members approved the application.
The commission unanimously determined that it lacks regulatory jurisdiction over a proposed Connecticut Water Co. facility expansion at 7 Cross Lane.
Knapp explained that the water company is planning to expand its existing facility.
Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-40, activities conducted by water companies for water treatment purposes are exempt from certain inland wetlands regulatory requirements, he said.
Knapp emphasized that the matter was a request for a jurisdictional determination rather than a wetlands permit application.
He said Connecticut Water would still need to bring the proposed expansion before the Zoning Commission.
The expansion was identified as being within the upland review area.
Aurelia suggested recommending stormwater improvements within the facility's parking lot.
Machnik moved to determine that the commission had no jurisdiction over the proposed activity. Commissioner Peter Friel seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
The commission reviewed a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection referral involving the Trocano property at 12 Lieutenant River Road.
Alternate member Mark Schott questioned a reference to a follow-up conservation plan that was not included in the materials forwarded to the commission.
Knapp explained that the local wetlands commission did not have jurisdiction over the matter and had received only limited information from the state referral.
He said the complete application, including materials not forwarded to the commission, was available through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's website.
No vote was recorded on the referral.
The commission also received notice of a state environmental permit involving Old Lyme Dock Co. at 323 Ferry Road.
Knapp told commissioners that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had already granted the permit.
The item was presented as a notice to the commission rather than a request for local approval.
No comments or votes were recorded.
Commissioners unanimously approved the commission's regular meeting calendar for 2027.
Machnik introduced the motion, which Commissioner Rob Janes seconded.
The commission approved its Sept. 22 regular meeting minutes without changes.
It also approved the minutes of an Oct. 6 special site walk meeting, with Aurelia and Janes abstaining.
The remaining commissioners approved the Oct. 6 minutes as submitted.
The commission met at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 in the mezzanine meeting room at 52 Lyme St..
Members present were Machnik, Bombaci, Friel, Janes, Aurelia, Schott and Todd Crolius. Deborah Froggatt was absent.
Knapp, Land Use Technician Julie Michell and three members of the public also attended.
Machnik moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:11 p.m.
This report is based on the Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission's Oct. 27, 2026, regular meeting minutes, submitted by Land Use Technician Julie Michell.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
The Lymes Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.