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Torrington commission hears enforcement updates on 516 Mountain Road and 2904 Winstead Road; staff to map, pause fines and pursue coordinated remediation
Summary
At its Nov. 18 meeting the Inland Wetlands Commission received enforcement updates: property owners at 516 Mountain Road report berming and winter cessation with a restoration plan forthcoming; 2904 Winstead Road remains a complex, ongoing enforcement case involving piping, unbuilt compensatory wetlands, stockpiling in a regulated area and an Army Corps order concerning a bridge. Staff will pursue mapping, pre‑application coordination and restoration planning.
The City of Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission on Nov. 18 received two enforcement updates and a plan for coordinated remediation.
At 516 Mountain Road, resident Joe Paganini reported berms and erosion controls placed to limit sediment flow following recent heavy rainstorms and said work in the lower regulated area has ceased for the winter. Paganini told the commission the property owner was refused a meeting by the city attorney and that he plans to return in spring with an engineered restoration plan prepared with a soil scientist and surveyor. Staff confirmed field observations that work has stopped and that preparatory mapping and a restoration plan will be completed for winter and early spring work.
The commission then discussed 2904 Winstead Road (Gail Paving), a long‑running, complex enforcement matter. Staff and a surveying consultant described a history of activities: portions of a watercourse were piped after an earlier permit, compensatory wetlands required by that permit were not constructed, a bridge on site is the subject of an Army Corps order, and recent stockpiling and material processing have continued within a regulated floodplain/wetland area. A cease‑and‑desist related to the site has been in place for nearly two years, according to staff.
Commission staff described regulatory overlaps that complicate remedies: wetlands, floodplain and planning & zoning rules all apply and prior approvals or grandfathering for earlier material processing make resolution more complex. Staff recommended a coordinated pre‑application meeting with wetlands staff, planning & zoning (to address floodplain and earth‑processing regulations), the property owner’s technical team (engineer and surveyor), and other stakeholders such as Army Corps contacts if necessary. Commissioners supported site mapping, a site visit and a collaborative approach to developing mitigation, possible daylighting or compensation wetlands and re‑engineering options for the bridge if needed.
On the 2904 Winstead matter, staff also recommended holding off on issuing additional fines while the owner works with staff toward a permit pathway; the commission agreed not to initiate additional enforcement actions at this time while planning proceeds. Staff will convene a pre‑application meeting and report back with a concept plan and timeline.
No formal votes to change enforcement status were recorded; the items remain under active staff management and will return to the commission as the plan is developed.
