A Hawleyville heavy-wrecker company that wants to expand its business amid some wetlands at its Mt Pleasant Road site has provided additional information to the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) about environmental protection measures that it would take as part of that expansion project. Hilario's Service Center Inc is seeking a wetlands/watercourses protection permit from the IWC.Project Specifics

On June 28, at the IWC's third public hearing on Hilario's expansion proposal, civil engineer Steven Sullivan of CCA, LLC, of Brookfield, representing Hilario's, explained to IWC members the several steps the firm would take in terms of wetlands protection. Those measures are based on comments about the project that were made at a June 14 public hearing, according to Mr Sullivan.

On June 14, the IWC had received much wetlands-related information from the applicant, based on IWC members' requests for that data made at the initial public hearing on May 10.

The latest information provided by Hilario's concerns the project's landscaping plan and its soil erosion control plan. Specifically, the plans show the positioning of additional boulders alongside wetland restoration areas to physically limit vehicular access to those areas; the placement of additional straw wattles to limit soil erosion; and the creation of additional temporary sediment traps on the site. Also, some mapping depicting the location of restoration areas has been improved.

IWC Chairman Sharon Salling said June 28, "There's been a lot [of information] to go through." IWC members have toured the site for which the permit is requested, she said.

IWC member Michael McCabe said that for environmental protection reasons, he would prefer that an area adjacent to a proposed new building, which is near a wetland, be a paved surface, instead of having a gravel surface, as is proposed by the applicant. That concern stems from the potential for automotive fluids leaking from damaged vehicles hitting the ground, and then seeping downward through the gravel in proximity to a wetland, according to Mr McCabe.

Ms Salling said of the engineering plans for the expansion project, "This is quite an improvement over what's there now."

James McManus of JMM Wetland Consulting Services of Newtown represents the applicant on wetlands matters. Mr McManus said that the technical design for the expansion project would improve stormwater control at the industrial site. Environmental buffer zones would be created, and "best management practices" would be employed for environmental protection, he said.

There were no comments from the public at the June 28 hearing. Public comments had been made at the June 14 and May 10 sessions, largely focusing on the environmental protection aspects of the project.

IWC members closed the public hearing on the application. They are expected to act on the requested wetland/watercourses protection permit when they meet on July 12. If the IWC grants that permit, it would list many conditions of approval.

Besides operating heavy wreckers, Hilario's of 131 Mt Pleasant Road (US Route 6) also repairs commercial vehicles. The expansion project is proposed for the adjacent 135-139 Mt Pleasant Road property, which lies generally west and south of 131 Mt Pleasant Road. The addresses 131, 135, 137, and 139 Mt Pleasant Road total 5.66 acres. The proposed development would alter 3.95 acres of the overall site.

Hilario's specializes in the recovery of trucks, trailers, and various other commercial vehicles that have been involved in accidents and other incidents. The firm provides towing and hauling services, plus the storage of recovered cargo from commercial vehicles. It has a service shop for commercial vehicle repairs and also has vehicles that respond to make repairs on the road. The firm has been in business since 1976.

Under the proposal, a one-story, 11,500-square-foot commercial vehicle service shop would be constructed, as would a one-story, 15,200-square-foot warehouse. The warehouse would include a wash bay for large commercial vehicles. Also, an existing Hilario's building would be converted for use as an employees' lounge. The relocated business would have two new driveways extending from Mt Pleasant Road.

Provided that a wetlands/watercourses protection permit is received, Hilario's would then seek a special zoning permit for the expansion project from the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z).

The P&Z would conduct a public hearing on the project, addressing various topics not under the IWC's jurisdiction. P&Z review includes matters such as compliance with applicable zoning regulations, traffic, vehicle parking, site access, noise, nighttime illumination, and business hours, among many others.