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Litchfield wetlands panel approves pond work, backyard sauna and boardwalk extension; names wetlands agent
Summary
At its June 10 meeting the Litchfield Inland Wetlands Commission unanimously approved small-scale permits including pond landscaping (<0.1 acre), an 180-sq-ft sauna near Jefferson Hill Brook and a 50-foot boardwalk extension; it also accepted a town stormwater application for review and appointed Steven Macary as inland wetlands agent.
The Litchfield Inland Wetlands Commission on June 10 unanimously approved a set of small-scale land-use items and appointed Steven Macary as the commission's inland wetlands agent.
Owner A. Tchelebi received approval for landscaping and irrigation work around an existing pond affecting less than 0.1 acre intended to improve aesthetics and circulate stagnant water to reduce mosquitoes; the owner told the commission the work is expected to take place between the end of July and early August and will notify the Land Use office when it begins. Commissioner A. Combs reported visiting the site; Commissioner J. Hamill moved to approve and the motion passed unanimously.
The commission also approved an application from owner V. Cruz to construct an 180-square-foot sauna with a concrete block foundation adjacent to Jefferson Hill Brook. The record notes the sauna would be sited about 18 feet 7 inches from the brook's center and outside the 10-foot side setback; the application had received TAHD approval on June 9. Commissioner K. Kerr moved to approve and the vote was unanimous.
A modification to a November 12, 2025 permit for an elevated locust-timber boardwalk at 288 North Lake Street was approved after Land Use Administrator S. Macary and Commissioner A. Combs inspected the existing 150-foot section. The commission found adding 50 feet would not be a significant change and approved the modification unanimously.
Town Engineer R. Alexe presented a pavement replacement and stormwater-improvement application for the intersection of Old South Road and South Street that would affect about 0.2 acres in the upland review area; the plan calls for a larger pipe to hold and slowly release stormwater at the same flow and volume. The commission voted unanimously to accept the town's application for review so the Department of Transportation can proceed with a pending encroachment permit once local approvals are complete.
The commission also considered a Region 20 application for a new 75-space student parking lot at Lakeview High School. Land Use Administrator S. Macary reported a site visit and verified planned work (including a retaining wall where slope reaches about 9 percent, curbing and catch basins) will occur outside the regulated wetlands area; Commissioner J. Hamill moved to confirm the project does not require an inland wetlands application, and the motion passed unanimously.
During routine business the panel noted four Inland Wetlands PGP notifications for pond treatments at local addresses and approved the May 20, 2026 special meeting minutes. Commissioner A. Combs moved to appoint S. Macary as the commission's inland wetlands agent; the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
Next procedural steps include the applicants notifying the Land Use office when field work begins and the town seeking the DOT encroachment permit following local acceptance of the stormwater plan.
