The Chaplin Conservation Commission (CCC)
The CCC's purpose is for the development, conservation, supervision, and regulation of natural resources, including water resources, within the town of Chaplin. It can conduct research into the utilization of land areas within Chaplin; coordinate unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and can distribute educational literature for those purposes. It may propose a Greenways Plan for inclusion in the Plan of Conservation and Development, inventory natural resources and formulate watershed management plans.

The Commission has conducted winter and spring bird surveys as well as a bioassessment of the macro-aquatic organisms found in the Natchaug River. It can keep an index of all open areas, publicly and privately owned, for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas and can recommend to the town plans and programs for the development and use of such areas.

It can make recommendations to various town land use boards on proposed land use changes. It may, with the approval of such legislative body, acquire land and easements in the name of Chaplin and make the rules and regulations for the use of that land. Any town-owned open space or park property could be supervised and managed by the Conservation Commission if given the authority.

Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC)
The town of Chaplin has just received a substantial grant from the state to update its Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD). Our current plan is very out of date, with the exception of work that was done on the Route 6 Corridor Commercial Overlay Zone.

A town's PoCD is, in essence, the guide by which its regulations are modified, developed, and enforced. It is the vision that will guide our town's development as we move forward. It is therefore an important opportunity and undertaking to update our plan to prepare for the future. The PZC has the task of implementing and steering the process, which involves community outreach and dialog as well as commissioning the services of experts in community planning. We therefore ask that all residents watch for requests from the town for input and dialog, and attend those gatherings. Everyone's input is important. We want our updated PoCD to encompass everyone's vision as much as possible. We are, therefore, gearing up to undertake the task which will be added to our routine schedule which is busy, already filling each scheduled meeting night.

The Commission has also been adding to its schedule informal ad hock workshop nights to undertake improving and clarifying some of our existing regulations that appear to need some attention. We expect to have some recommended changes soon which we expect to bring before the board to consider.

The Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission (IWWC)
The IWWC is charged by the Connecticut General Statutes to regulate in or near wetlands and/or watercourses in the town of Chaplin for the purposes of protecting Chaplin's natural resources. These regulations require all land owners and their agents who propose any activity within 100 feet of a wetland or watercourse or within 200 feet of the high water mark of the Natchaug River to contact the Wetlands agent, Joe Theroux at 455-0570, for a determination on whether this activity should go before the Commission for a permit. These activities may include, but not be limited to, cutting trees, removal or depositing of material and/or soil, disturbance of the natural drainage, erection of buildings and grading of soil.

The IWWC is responsible for reviewing applications, which may impact a wetland or watercourse. The purpose of the Commission's regulations is to minimize or prevent disturbance and pollution of the town's inland wetlands and watercourses, including its bogs, swamps, and marshes, as well as its ponds, rivers and streams. Protection of these resources is an important factor in the maintenance of a clean and potable water supply for all residents of the community.

The Commission has had fewer applications over the past year due to the slow down in the residential housing market. Unfortunately, part of our time is spent with violations which usually resolve themselves in an application being submitted and the impacts to the wetlands mitigated.

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
In general the ZBA receives applications from persons who request a variance from zoning regulations and appeal the decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Less frequently are applications from persons regarding the property of others. Subdivision regulations are not under the purview of the ZBA.

In its deliberations and procedural matters the ZBA is held to standards in the C.G.S. Sect 8-6 thru Sect. 8.8 and case law, some examples of which are found in the Annotated version of the C.G.S. For example:

• An applicant must file an appeal within 30 days or less.
• A public hearing is required.
• Four of five members required to reverse or modify ZEO's decision or grant a variance.
• A variance must not substantially affect the comprehensive plan (Regulations and Map).
• Legal hardship must be unique to the property (not generally found in other properties in its zoning class), cannot be self created, and must not be economic.
• Variances run with the land and not the owner.