Ned T. Statchen
Chair, Farmington Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commission, Farmington Inland Wetlands Commission
Roles
- IWC Chair, Farmington Inland Wetlands Commission
Coverage (10 articles)
East Farms Pond Deck Gets Wetlands Approval for Repairs
Farmington's Inland Wetlands Commission approved repairs to the observation deck at the East Farms School pond, plus a ramp on the path to it, and a second driveway on Garden Street. Proposed changes to the town's wetlands rules still had not gone to the state.
Farmington Wetlands Panel Uses a Term Its Rules Never Define
The Farmington Inland Wetlands Commission voted twice on Sept. 2 that a project was "not a significant activity." The phrase is not among the 33 terms its own regulations define. Staff is finishing amendments to fix that, and the only public step is a hearing nobody has scheduled.
Farmington Approves West Avon Road Wetland Restoration
The wetland being restored at 114 West Avon Road does not stop at the property line. Farmington's Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission tabled the plan on July 8 until both abutting owners sent letters of approval. Two weeks later it had one of the two, and approved anyway, without settling on the record what the missing letter is worth.
Noble Energy Withdraws Farmington Truck Stop Applications
Noble Energy withdrew both its wetlands and zoning applications for the proposed diesel truck stop on 86 acres above Batterson Park Pond, ending a fight that drew an intervener, dueling hydrology experts, and unanimous Town Council opposition. The company gave no reason. The project dies without a vote.
Noble Energy Hearing Comes Down to One Disputed Number
Noble Energy wants to build a diesel travel center and warehouse on 86 acres that drain toward Batterson Park Pond — the public pond the state is spending roughly $10 million to restore. After five hearings, Farmington's wetlands commission still won't decide, and it now comes down to one contested number: the applicant says the project removes under 5 percent of a vernal pool's watershed; the intervenor says 56.8 percent. The hearing stays open to June 17.
Wetlands Commission Accepts Intervener in Noble Energy Case
The Farmington Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission unanimously accepted Stephanie Roman's intervener petition Wednesday in the continuing public hearing on Noble Energy Real Estate Holdings' proposed travel center, warehouse, and diesel fueling facility on the upstream edge of the Batterson Park Pond watershed. The petition's expert, Carya Ecological Services principal Sigrun Gadwa, flagged a state-endangered wetland plant — Saururus cernuus, lizard's tail — on the applicant's own plant inventory. The hearing was continued to May 20, with both commissions attaching conditions to anything they eventually approve.
Noble Energy Brings Smaller Plan to Farmington Wetlands
Noble Energy returned to Farmington Inland Wetlands with a smaller plan for 8261 Fienemann Road: no restaurant, a shrunken warehouse and travel center, and wetlands impact cut from 3,700 square feet to under 1,000. The public, when its turn came, wanted to talk about four schools within a half mile. The hearing was continued to May 6.
Farmington Reviews Its $125,000 Natural Resource Inventory
Farmington's Conservation Commission is reviewing a 25-year-old, $125,000 natural resource inventory that quietly guided two decades of land protection. With the town's Plan of Conservation and Development due for an update in 2027, the commission is weighing whether the 800-page study needs a refresh.
Farmington Wetlands Commission Returns to In-Person Meetings
Farmington's Inland Wetlands Commission will return to in-person meetings starting April 15, ending its fully remote format. Chair Ned Statchen and Commissioner Robert Isner cited litigation risk as the primary driver, noting the commission was the last in town — and possibly the state — still meeting entirely online.
Farmington Wetlands Approves Wolf Pit Road Batting Cage
Farmington's Inland Wetlands Commission unanimously approved a 70-by-15-foot batting cage at 20 Wolf Pit Road for Little League and high school use. The commission also tabled the JBS Developers application at 598 Plainville Avenue to April 15.