After technical review, the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) has approved a town project to improve five sections of the Pond Brook streambank that runs alongside Pond Brook Road in Hawleyville.

At a recent IWC session, the streambank reconstruction project received unanimous approval from the IWC. Voting in favor were Chairman Kristen Hammar, Mary Curran, Craig Ferris, Sharon Salling, Suzanne Guidera, John Davin, and Michael McCabe. Mr McCabe was recently appointed to the IWC.

David Bratz, assistant town engineer, presented plans for the project to IWC members.

The work would include reinforcing failed sections of the slope which serves as both the Pond Brook streambank and the embankment supporting Pond Brook Road. Through the project, a suitable eastbound road shoulder for Pond Brook Road would be created.

The five failed sections of streambank would be armored with large boulders near the brook and with riprap on higher sections of the embankment.

Mr Bratz said March 8 the town plans to start the streambank improvement project this spring.

As specified by the IWC, the town would work on each of the five areas requiring improvement one at a time, he said.

The five streambank areas to be improved lie on the south side of Pond Brook Road. The westernmost streambank section to be improved lies about 860 feet east of the intersection of Pond Brook Road and Obtuse Road.

The five streambank sections of varying size lie alongside a 1,010-foot section of Pond Brook and total 433 linear feet, according to plans for the project. The five sections are on the stream's northern bank, lying in an area where the stream flows west-to-east.

Pond Brook is the outlet for Taunton Lake, discharging water from there to the Lake Lillinonah section of the Housatonic River, near the state boat launch at 160 Hanover Road.

The town has gotten the large boulders needed for the Pond Brook Road project from its road improvement project on Hoseye Coach Road, Mr Bratz said.

The placement of the various rocks on the streambank will armor the slope to prevent scour and erosion.

Mr Bratz said that all five streambank sections would be improved during 2016.

Streambank repairs would be followed by metallic flex-beam guardrail installation, stormwater drainage improvements, and road paving, he said. The whole project may take several years to complete.

The 14-acre site at 67 Pond Brook Road where the streambank work is planned is owned by Sandra K. and Dr Arthur C. Degraff, Jr, trustees.