Milford wetlands agency upholds violation at 674 Naugatuck Avenue, requires weekly and post-storm inspection reports

The Milford Inland Wetlands Agency on June 17 unanimously upheld a violation order for 674 Naugatuck Avenue after staff presented an engineering inspection letter saying current erosion controls appear to be preventing sediment from entering adjacent wetlands.

Mary Rose, staff for the Inland Wetlands Agency, told commissioners the agency previously issued a show-cause order on June 4 requiring the property owners to stop work and submit an inspection report. The agency received a letter and inspection findings from engineer Ron Wassmer, who inspected the site on June 11 and June 15 and reported "no evidence of sedimentation entering the wetlands," while describing added measures including silt fencing, a drainage swale and plunge pools.

Owners Chris Salie and a co-owner were present and described the mitigation steps they have implemented, including redirecting downspouts, installing dry wells and digging a stone-lined swale adjacent to the parking area. Salie said the measures are being maintained by the owners and invited agency members to inspect the site in person.

Commissioners pressed on how the mitigation would be maintained and how the agency would verify performance after rain events. Mary Rose recommended continued monitoring until the site stabilizes and specified the agency's expectation that the property owner submit weekly inspection reports and additional reports after significant rain events to the IWA office.

Commissioner Ray Gradwell moved to uphold the violation and require the inspection reporting; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor. The record shows the motion carried unanimously.