Meriden Square steps in
Westfield Meriden mall has apparently hired environmental experts to gather information for a possible legal action against a company seeking to build an upscale shopping center in Cheshire's north end. (MRJ, by Leslie Hutchison)
During a site walk of the property by the town's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission on Saturday, two professional wetlands scientists working for REMA Environmental Services of Manchester said they had been hired by a Westfield attorney to provide environmental reports as part of a possible intervention, or lawsuit, by the international property group.
Tim White
18 comments:
It's unfortunate that it takes a competitor with cash in order to get an independent environmental impact assessment. Of course, REMA could be best buds with Westfield. I have no idea.
As I read it, if inland wetlands gives a thumbs up, that’s final as far as the ct dep is concerned, but it can still be overturned in the state courts.
From http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2720&q=325680&depNav_GID=1654
Appealing Decisions
Finally, if you feel that the action or decision of a municipal inland wetlands agency is erroneous, you may obtain legal counsel and take the matter to the state courts. Whatever the outcome of a regular meeting or a public hearing, the action or decision of a municipal inland wetlands agency cannot be appealed to the DEP. The Wetlands Management Section of the DEP receives numerous telephone calls every year from persons requesting that the DEP reverse or overturn an action or decision of a municipal inland wetlands agency. The Act does not provide any authority to the DEP to act as a board of appeals or to overturn the actions of municipal inland wetlands agencies. Appeals must be taken to state courts. Only the state courts can overturn such actions or decisions. Section 22a-43 of the Act requires that appeals must be made to the superior court for the judicial district where the land affected is located. The majority of legal appeals of municipal inland wetlands agencies actions in Connecticut involve appeals of permit decisions.
-csh
Cheshire Town Post
What does this mean? Saw the Town Manager today at Amity Liquors in Hamden walking out with purchases. Wonder why he is buying there when he should be buying in Cheshire?
Tim:
Did you or any of the council people know that IWC and the deevelopers were going to do a site walk?
Shouldn't the public be informed? This is a public meeting and nobody is told? What kind of government is this?
8:23 I was unaware of the meeting/walk. I can't speak for anyone else.
What does this mean? Saw a Cheshire teacher at the mall in Waterbury. Wonder why she is buying there when she should be buying in Cheshire?
What does this mean? Saw a Cheshire resident buying gas at a gas station in Meriden. Wonder why he is buying there when he should be buying in Cheshire?
What does this mean? I saw a turtle on the proposed north end development property…
It was a posted public meeting and from what I understand members of the public did attend, how is that a blackout? You folks are nuts!
"It was a posted public meeting"
Where and when was it posted? Do we all have to go to the town hall and look around. 29,000 people did not know anything about it not even the town council members.
Your one of the experts of deception.
"It was a posted public meeting and from what I understand members of the public did attend, how is that a blackout? You folks are nuts! "
Thanks. I guess we're all nuts?
Instead of attacking people here that were unaware of the walk, maybe steps should be taken to figure out how better to get the word out.
The people visiting this blog are some of the most connected and involved folks in town. If we overlooked the posting, then there's probably something wrong. There's a difference between fulfilling notification requirements and actually encouraging participation.
-csh
Maybe Town Hall should send letter to everyone when there is an Inland Wetlands meeting?
Hey now that is a great idea, then everyone would know.
Of course, I have feeling the original suggestion was made in jest (which is not a good sign), but I too actually like that idea. For starters, how about an email mailing list? That would be simple, free, and require an opt-in.
Let's not leave democracy to those who have the free time to make a hobby or pursuit out of it. Things have changed. Schedules are filled from morning till bed and nearly every family is two income. Let's make it easy for everyone to find the time and get involved.
-csh
They certainly made sure the people that they wanted to attend were notified, and probably disappointed that Westfield found out about it.
If everyone on the town council was not told. then why bother telling the public.
This was not a matter of how can we inform the public. It was matter of how can we not inform them.
Maybe, Tim, you can ask about this at the next council meeting. Find out where it was posted, when it got posted, and why none of the council people were aware of it.
Thanks!
It was most likely posted at the Town Hall. That place is not to inviting to visit or obtain information. I guess one could call the IWC chairman and ask ??
"Maybe, Tim, you can ask about this at the next council meeting. Find out where it was posted, when it got posted, and why none of the council people were aware of it."
Typically, I'm not noticed about any Board/Commission meetings, other than the Council meetings.
But to address your concern, I'd suggest that you write a letter to the Council (also sent to local papers) and ask for a better understanding of the role of the Council's newly created position of Public Information Officer.
hey, heres an idea.......how about getting off your duff and attending the Inland wetland meetings.....i am sure there is a schedule available for the whole year in advance.....guess you were not really interested after all....but thats ok, keep on talking about it and don't accomplish anything....nice job!
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