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Weathersfield continues hearing on Wellwood Orchard dam removal; applicant disputes bond condition
Summary
Applicant Chris Yurek sought renewal and amendment of a 2022 dam‑removal permit, describing extensive earthwork funded by FEMA and asserting the board’s bond requirement is unlawful; the board continued the hearing to June 9, 2026.
The Weathersfield Development Review Board continued the public hearing on Application 26.0225.Yur on May 26 after hearing detailed plans for removal of a small dam at Wellwood Orchard Road and discussion of permit conditions.
Applicant Chris Yurek said the project is both a public‑safety and ecological restoration effort and described the scope: removal of approximately 26,000 cubic yards of earthen fill, 1,600 cubic yards of concrete, about 150 cubic yards from the spillway, and roughly 9,000 cubic yards (about 67%) of fine sediment; the disturbed footprint from the downstream channel to the upstream limit is about 5.6 acres. Yurek said the work is funded through FEMA’s hazard mitigation program and the contractor has been selected; he told the board most permits are in place aside from the local zoning permit.
Yurek challenged a board condition (C5(2)) that would require a $100,000 bond, calling the requirement “unreasonable, unprecedented, and unlawful” for a community‑owned facility. Board member Beth Hunton — who recused from decision‑making because her land is immediately downstream and was granted interested‑person status — said her principal concern was long‑term monitoring and control of invasive species. Consultant Roy Schiff told the board permit conditions typically require monitoring for three to five years and described steps to reduce invasive introduction risk, including use of straw mulch instead of hay and coordination with the Connecticut River Conservancy for spring plantings.
The applicant presented evidence of permits obtained since the 2022 approval including a State Construction General Stormwater Permit, a state stream alteration permit, and a US Army Corps of Engineers dredge‑and‑fill permit; state and federal reviewers provided mitigation measures for historic resources and agreed the culvert and dam lack archaeological significance. The applicant also submitted an access agreement with the Phelps property (Exhibit #31) to allow construction access; the applicant said the stone culvert downstream will not be removed as part of the project.
After considering testimony and permit details, Andrea Murray moved and Michael Cohen seconded to continue the hearing to June 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Martin Memorial Hall; the motion carried unanimously.
