Sherman wetlands commission to involve Town Attorney over Candlewood Lake Drive violation; seeks FirstLight order on Oriole Drive case

At its April 21, 2026 meeting the Sherman Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission directed staff to involve the Town Attorney to pursue an alleged violation in the Candlewood Tax District and asked the inland-wetlands agent to obtain documentation in a separate case.

In his agent report, Inland-Wetlands Agent Tim Simpkins said he has been in contact with Thomas Derby, president of the Candlewood Tax District Association, and property owner Mr. Flannagan about Violation #02-25, described in the minutes as work on a driveway and private road on Candlewood Lake Drive. Simpkins said he again asked the association to file an application with the commission; commissioners decided to move forward and contact the Town Attorney to pursue the violation if the association did not file.

Simpkins also reported on Violation #01-22 regarding Daniel and Michele Dries at 6 Oriole Drive. He told commissioners he had called Brian Wood of FirstLight to discuss the matter but that Wood had not returned the call. The commission asked staff to try to obtain a copy of any FirstLight order related to the property; if received, the commission will forward it to the Town Attorney for further action.

The minutes list multiple permit statuses (several permits reported as complete, several in progress and one extension granted after zoning approval) but do not record any legal filings or a formal enforcement hearing at this meeting. The commission’s decision at the meeting was to escalate enforcement efforts by involving legal counsel and to continue seeking documentation that could substantiate or clarify FirstLight's position.

The commission adjourned at 7:45 p.m.