Goshen Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission:
4/02/26, 7:15 PM
Present: Chair Lorraine Lucas, Vice Chair Tom Stansfield, and Commissioners Devin Stilson, Dante Malanca, and Matt Wheeler; Commissioners Adam Andrusia and Ray Turri were excused.
Public Hearings
The Public Hearing for Ike’s Auto Body, 225 North Goshen Road, was tabled until the May 7 Inland Wetlands meeting.
The April 2 Public Hearing addressed modifications to the Goshen Inland Wetlands regulation to include a 200-foot setback from the wetlands as defined in the regulation and add the definition of a declaratory ruling to the definitions in the regulations. Notice of the hearing was posted in the Republican American on March 23 and 31. (Note: these notices are handled by Town Clerk.)
After discussing the limitations within the 100-foot regulated upland review area and its wetland impact, the Commission adopted an amendment expanding the review area from 100 feet to 200 feet to ensure a more comprehensive review protection. Necessitated by the growth of Goshen, especially in lake communities with increased redevelopment activity and larger, more complex project designs.
After nominal comments from the public, the Commissioners voted in favor of changing the 100-foot regulation and adding the declaratory definition. The hearing was then closed. The comment period was open until April 20.
New Business
Two items were added to the agenda.
Torrington Country Club (250 Torrington Road) was seeking a declaratory ruling to clear invasive species and dead trees. Enforcement Officer Spencer Musselman met with two reps from the Country Club.
Their request falls under Section 2.28 for the management of culture and invasives. Most of the clearing will be outside of the regulated area. There will be no stumping and no mulch added to the regulated area. They will be using a forestry mulcher and mini excavator within the regulated area.
Suggestions were made for silt fences and flagging the wetland boundaries. There was agreement to flag the wetlands area and to notify the Commission before starting work. A motion was made to approve the declaratory ruling. The motion passed unanimously.
Carolyn and Gary Wartels (51 Paxton Court) submitted a permit to extend and screen an existing porch. This property was once all wetlands.
Concerns were raised about the need for new piers and the potential disturbance of any regulated area. No one appeared to represent the applicants.
A suggestion was made to hold the application until the next meeting to gather more information and answer questions. A motion was made to accept the application and unanimously approved.
Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Report
The report noted site visits and ongoing projects inclusive of the golf course for permanent access and replanting. The Commissioners approved the Enforcement Officer report.
Other Business Proper to Come Before the Commission
Section 4.1 permitted uses of right: An update was provided on the progress of changing Section 4.1 and the development of new applications. The new application may be ready for June.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM.
