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Norfolk commission rules beaver-deceiver installations a permitted use at three town sites
Summary
The Town of Norfolk Inland Wetlands Commission unanimously determined July 6 that installing beaver-deceiver fencing and piping at Loon Meadow Drive, Lovers Lane and Winchester Road is a permitted use under the town's inland wetlands regulations; the town will proceed with installations and arrange follow-up reporting.
The Town of Norfolk Inland Wetlands Commission on July 6 unanimously determined that installing beaver-deceiver devices at three town sites is a permitted use under the Town of Norfolk Inland Wetlands Regulations.
First Selectman Henry Tirrell told the commission that contractor Beaver Solutions had visited multiple problem sites and recommended installations at Loon Meadow Drive, Lovers Lane and Winchester Road because, he said, "these three locations were the most accessible and easiest to install." The Lovers Lane installation would set fencing a few feet back from a culvert inlet so beaver-built material can accumulate on the fence while water continues to flow; the Loon Meadow Drive and Winchester Road installations would combine fencing with a pipe run further out into the water.
Commission discussion noted a similar private installation reviewed earlier that was subsequently installed and appeared to be working well. Bill Millard moved and Myron Kwast seconded a motion to find the proposed activities a permitted use as of right; the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Stacey Sefcik, the town’s inland wetlands enforcement officer, said she would coordinate with the First Selectman and the Public Works Supervisor to provide a follow-up report after installation.
Tirrell said the vendor performs annual maintenance in other municipalities and that the town is considering additional sites for future installations. The commission did not require a separate individual permit for the three town locations after concluding the work is allowable under the town regulation language cited in the motion.
The commission did not record individual roll-call tallies in the transcript; Commissioners present who participated in the action included Vice-Chairman Jill Chase, Bill Millard and Myron Kwast. The town did not set a timetable for installation in the meeting record; staff indicated they would return with post-installation information and coordination with Public Works.
