Litchfield Inland Wetlands Commission approves 10‑acre reforestation as permitted use, signs off on small projects and tables two items

The Litchfield Inland Wetlands Commission on May 20, 2026, unanimously declared a 10‑acre conservation and reforestation plan for property owned by P. Litwin a permitted as‑of‑right activity and approved several other small, non‑significant projects during a special meeting at the Town Hall Annex in Bantam.

The reforestation plan for MBL #102-072-174, described by property owner P. Litwin and F. Turner of Maple Ridge, LLC, calls for removing invasive plants, brush, swamp maples, birch and any trees 10 inches or less in diameter while preserving pine and oak trees to create new forest habitat on roughly 10 acres of former pasture. The Commission found the plan falls under Section 4.2 A (Conservation and silviculture management) of the town's Inland Wetlands regulations and approved the declaration by unanimous vote (motion by K. Kerr, second by J. Hamill).

Alongside the Litwin declaration, the Commission approved other applications it classified as non‑significant or permitted as of right. J. Yannone, representing Rifugio / KC&E Adventures and speaking with authorization from property owner R. Evangelisti, described plans to remove deteriorated skids and woodchips and restore about 50 feet of an approximately 800‑foot recreational trail behind area businesses that provides an alternative route to Route 202; the Commission declared those trail repairs a permitted use (motion by A. Combs, second by S. Clarkin).

The Commission also accepted a pond landscaping and irrigation plan for 39 Fern Avenue from owner A. Tchelebi, who presented proposals to clean and replant a secluded, spring‑fed 50‑by‑80‑foot pond with native marginal plants, deciduous and evergreen shrubs and to install Snorkel and Centipede filtration equipment; staff noted the existing electrical is up to code and no public hearing was required (motion by S. Clarkin, second by J. Hamill). Separately, the board accepted an application from owner V. Cruz to construct a 180‑square‑foot sauna sited near Jefferson Hill Brook; because the structure is under 200 square feet the project meets the 10‑foot setback requirement and was not judged significant (motion by J. Hamill, second by A. Combs).

Chairman Martin Connor authorized an agent determination to permit construction of a septic system within the regulated area for a new 5.3‑acre parcel created from MBL #138-070-006 (Bares/Lynch, Potash Road). The Commission approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and received correspondence noting Attorney Bryne's hourly legal fee will increase to $225 effective July 1, and a nomination request from Aquarian for a student steward of the environment award was reassigned to S. Clarkin to complete.

Two items were tabled for further follow‑up. The request to modify an approved 150‑foot elevated boardwalk at 288 North Lake Street by adding 50 feet (Beatty, MBL #194-044-028) was tabled because the Commission required R. Zitter, who requested the change, to attend and clarify scope and purpose. A request to extend permit #CC00001223 for a single‑family house at 401 South Street (Veerman) was again tabled after staff were unable to contact the property owner to collect the required $130 application fee.

The Commission was notified that a new Land Use Administrator/Inland Wetlands Agent is expected to join the Land Use office on May 26 and will be introduced at the June meeting. The special meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Evangelisti/Daulong (491 Bantam Road) — declare trail repairs permitted as of right; mover: A. Combs; second: S. Clarkin; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Litwin (MBL #102-072-174) — declare conservation/reforestation (≈10 acres) permitted as of right under Section 4.2 A; mover: K. Kerr; second: J. Hamill; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Tchelebi (39 Fern Avenue) — accept pond landscaping and irrigation (<0.1 acre); mover: S. Clarkin; second: J. Hamill; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Cruz (64 Naser Road) — accept application to construct a 180‑sf sauna; mover: J. Hamill; second: A. Combs; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Bares / Lynch (Potash Road) — agent determination authorized for septic construction in regulated area; authorized by Chair Martin Connor; outcome: authorized. - Beatty (288 North Lake Street) — requested modification to add 50' of boardwalk; motion to table (J. Hamill; second S. Clarkin); outcome: tabled unanimously (5–0) pending applicant attendance. - Veerman (401 South Street) — permit extension (original IWC approval 04/13/2016) tabled to next meeting due to lack of owner contact and unpaid $130 fee. - Approval of minutes (04/08/2026) — mover: J. Hamill; second: S. Clarkin; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0).

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