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STAFF REPORT
APPLICATION# 22 IWC 20
PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
Prepared by Meredith Badalucca, Zoning & Wetlands Officer
Applicant: Austin Harmon, Hull Forest Products, Inc.
Property Owner: Timothy Wasniewski
Address: 120 & 102 Turner Road (M/B/L 003-002-000 & 003-004-000), Oakdale, CT
Meeting Date: September 15, 2022
Received by IWC: September 15, 2022 (Decision Required Date – November 19, 2022)
Applicant Request: As of Right Determination for Timber Harvest
Activity Description:
Wetland Disturbance Area Approximately 600 SF Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area Approximately 360 SF
Upland Review Disturbance Area Approximately 30,000 SF
STAFF COMMENTS:
- Application is for an As of Right Determination for a Timber Harvest in accordance with
Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations Section 4.1.a and C.G.S. Section 22a-
40.
- Under the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act C.G.S. Section 22a-40 and Montville
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations (“Regulations”) Section 4.1.a, farming is as
“Permitted operation and use”. Forestry is defined as farming or agriculture under C.G.S. 1-1q.
- Parcel 1 – 120 Turner Road is located in the WRP160 zone on about 29.45 acres, contains
regulated wetlands & watercourses and is developed with an existing single-family residence.
- Parcel 2 – 102 Turner Road is also located in the WRP160 zone on about 4.31 acres and is
an undeveloped lot encompassed by 120 Turner Road.
- The Applicant states the operation is “A selection harvest with group selections. Removal
of most sawlog material as well as any unhealthy/diseased firewood/poletimber. Open up the forest
floor and advance regeneration to more sunlight for growth. Re-establishment of prior skid trails.”
- The site will be accessed from an existing curb cut from Turner Road and the previous skid
trails will be utilized as well as new skid trails. There will be one wetland crossing and two – three
drainage crossings. Corduroy and/or bridge mats will be used to stabilize the crossings.
- The amount of forest products to be harvested is approximately 30 acres total for 85,000
board feet and 100 cords and trees have been marked with blue paint.
- It is estimated that 4 months of good working weather will be required to complete this
project. An estimated starting date for the harvesting operation is November 15, 2022.
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The Commission will need to make a finding as to whether or not the proposed activities are “As
of Right” activity and, therefore, do not require a permit.
There is no proposed relocation of watercourses with continual flow or filling or reclamation of
wetlands or watercourses with continual flow associated with the proposal associated with the
timber harvest and, therefore, staff recommends approval of the proposal as an “As of Right”
activity.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR ACTION:
If the Commission is inclined to approve this application, the following language for a motion of
approval is suggested:
M O T I O N # 1 (A Motion to Approve)
After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 4 of the
Montville Inland Wetland Regulations and Section 22a-40 of the Connecticut General Statutes, I
move that Application# 22 IWC 20, submitted by Austin Harmon of Hull Forest Products on
behalf of property owner, Timothy Wasniewski for a Timber Harvest and more fully described in
the Application, dated 8/15/2022 and Notification of Timber Harvest dated 8/16/2022 with
associated Timber Harvest Map dated August 2022 is a Permitted Use As of Right and,
therefore, no permit is required.