Agency approves landscaping mitigation and grading permit for 1153 Newfield Street amid parking concerns

The Middletown Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency granted permit W2025‑7 at its October meeting to authorize landscaping mitigation, grading and maintenance within the upland review area at 1153 Newfield Street, agency members said.

Michael Matheson of TM Power Solutions explained the work would be limited to grading non‑wetland areas so light‑duty equipment can maintain the waterway, removing logs and brush left by a prior excavator run, and having the landscape architect certify completion. "We will not disturb any of the wetlands," Matheson said, adding the team will work around wet areas on both sides and rely on the city right‑of‑way.

Several members raised concerns about use of the berm for temporary parking during snowstorms. One member said, "I just don't like the idea that you're gonna be putting cars down there," and questioned whether the area might become de facto parking in future months; Matheson said he was not proposing a designated parking area and noted ample storage elsewhere.

A committee member read the draft motion finding that application W2025‑7 meets Conn. Gen. Stat. §22a‑41 and the city’s wetlands regulations. The motion required compliance with the construction sequence prepared by Robert Sherwood, RLA (08/13/2025), seeding with a New England conservation mix upon final grading, and other standard stipulations. The motion noted that William Kenny, a soil scientist, performed the wetland delineation referenced in the plans.

The chair called for a voice vote; members voiced "aye" and the chair declared the motion passed. The transcript records no opposition or abstentions and does not provide an exact vote tally.

The permit was granted with conditions and standard stipulations; agency members asked staff to monitor any conversion of the berm into persistent vehicle storage.