KENT, Conn.—The Inland Wetlands Commission held an executive session Monday, Oct. 6, to discuss litigation it faces from the Kenmont-Kenwood summer camps.
The meeting included a site visit to view the road and boat launch at North Spectacle Lake that were built without IWC approval.
The camp is suing the commission because it denied an “after-the-fact” application for the road and boat launch in March 2024. At some unknown date, a log road and boat launch was constructed on a 63-acre parcel off Kenmont Road. The land where the construction took place is not part of the main camp area but is associated with the corporation.
The IWC used Google maps to determine approximately when construction took place and determined the road was built over several years, starting around 2012 and reaching the shore of North Spectacle by 2020. The IWC concluded that the project was incompatible with wetland regulations.
Following its denial, the IWC recommended remediation of the damage. IWC member Ken Deitz said at that time he wasn’t sure if forcing removal of the road and dock might not cause more harm to the area and member Paul Yagid suggested that the 15-foot-long dock be removed but that nature be allowed take its course along the log roadway.
Attorney Michael Sconyers, representing the camps at the time, agreed that this would be the best option.
In voting to deny the application, IWC members said they would not have approved the application if it had come before them in a timely fashion. Kenmont-Kenwood filed a legal appeal of the commission’s decision within 15 days of the denial, and the lawsuit is still in litigation.
In March 2024, the property was for sale. At the time, IWC member Jeff Galusha asked if there was a way to inform any new owner that this roadway should not be used in the future and was told that the commission’s decision would remain on the record.
There was no action taken after Monday’s site visit.
