Newtown Inland Wetland Chiefs Set Public Hearing On Mt. Pleasant Road Field

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission addressed a property violation, postponed a town culvert replacement, and scheduled a public hearing on a proposed athletic field complex during its Aug. 27 meeting at the Municipal Center.

Commissioners reviewed an application from Richard and Tessa Duncan regarding unpermitted work at their Hanover Road property. The couple replaced a collapsed drainage culvert and placed fill in wetlands without prior approval. Richard Duncan told the commission he was unaware a permit was required after last year’s storm damaged the driveway.

Deputy Land Use Director Steve Maguire explained that the culvert had been installed without authorization and that wetlands were filled on other parts of the property. Commissioners agreed to treat the matter as a single application but resolve the culvert and fill issues separately.

Chair Sharon Salling noted the new culvert is larger, in line with others on the street, and appears to be functioning properly. Several members expressed greater concern with the fill in the wetlands and the need for restoration. Maguire will meet with the property owners on site to determine how much fill must be removed and whether an additional short form application is needed. The commission voted unanimously to allow the culvert replacement and delegate the fill remediation decision to Maguire.

The panel also considered a town application to replace the existing culvert on Brushy Hill Road over Deep Brook with two precast structures. At the applicant’s request, the matter was tabled until Sept. 10. Maguire said he raised concerns with the town engineer about whether the wider culverts could reduce fish passage and noted the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will review the design.

Commissioners later accepted an application from 90 Mt. Pleasant Road LLC to construct two athletic fields, a 5,080-square-foot clubhouse, parking, utilities, and storm drainage. Given previous public interest in proposals for the site and emails received by the Land Use Agency, members voted to hold a public hearing on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Center’s council chambers.

In his report, Maguire updated the commission on an application to the University of Connecticut’s Stormwater Corps program, which could provide the town with free student assessments for low-impact development and green infrastructure opportunities on municipal properties.

He also explained recent changes to the commission’s meeting agendas, which now include more detailed information to help the public understand regulations and procedures. The traditional “Other Business” section was removed after complaints about transparency and replaced with the Deputy Director’s Report.

The commission also approved minutes from its Aug. 13 meeting and adjourned at 8:11 p.m.