Inland / Wetlands & Water Courses Agency

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT APRIL 21, 2021 A. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance Present: Joseph Carta Ken McClellan David Pritchard Trevor Davis Jennifer Greenberg Jammie Middleton Paul Dyka Absent: Fred Terrasi Jack Pieper Staff: Marek Kozikowski, AICP, City Planner Ron Baia, ZEO & WEO A motion was made and seconded by David Pritchard and Jennifer Greenberg to move Item D.1 to the top of the agenda. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to move Item D.1 with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. B. Public Hearing 1) Proposed remote trailer lot expansion including a 7.4 acre parking lot within the 100 ft. Upland Review Area located at 49 FedEx Drive. Applicant/agent FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. 21-02 Matt Bruton, Engineer with BL Companies introduced the various principals for this project. He said that he was at the site walk and will review any questions they may have. Marek said that the sign was posted properly, the abutters were notified and the notice was in the paper. Mr. Bruton gave a presentation and a description of the lot of the Fedex project via Webex. The Sawmill Brook bisects the property in half and discharges into the Mattabesset River. The area that is the topic of the application is on the left of the existing hub, adjacent to Middle Street. With the reconfiguration they are proposing 68 additional parking spaces. The parcel that would be the focus of this Commission is the offsite trailer expansion adjacent to Industrial Park Road. They are looking to expand the trailer facility on the northwestern/western side of this lot with an 1 additional 222 trailer spaces to accommodate their business needs. The lot does not have any direct wetland impacts, there’s no floodway impacts but they do have some areas within the upland review area. No members of the public wished to speak. The meeting continued with a discussion among the Commission and the applicant. Jennifer Greenberg moves to continue the public hearing to the May 5th Regular Meeting. David Pritchard seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to continue with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 2) Proposed new 600’ access driveway with associated blasting, excavation, grading and drainage system within 100 ft upland review area on property map 40, lots 0113 & 0115, Arbutus Street. Applicant/agent MWH Associates, LLC 21-03 John Wagenblatt, principal of the LRC Group introduced his team Rich Reynolds, Engineer from LRC, Martin Brogie, Soil Scientist and Mr. Hutton. He showed an aerial view of the property which is 20 - 25 acres which has been in the Hutton family for years. The want to gain better access into the middle of the property. There is existing wetlands on the site which has been flagged which runs on the westerly boundary of the property. What they are proposing is keeping all of the construction of the driveway outside of the 100 foot review area. This will be a stone access drive. No members of the public wished to speak. The meeting continued with a discussion among the Commission and the applicant. Trevor Davis asked Mr. Hutton how many lots they are planning. Mr. Hutton said he does not have any plans as of yet. He will eventually develop it at some point but is taking it one step at a time. Trevor Davis moves to continue to the May 5th Regular Meeting. Jammie Middleton seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to continue with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. David Pritchard moves to schedule a site visit for May 1st. Paul Dyka seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to schedule a site visit for May 5th with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. C. Old Business 1) Continued: Proposed pond rehabilitation/maintenance by removal of accumulated sediment at 97 Poplar Road. Applicant/agent Ameritage, LLC 2021-1 After the site walk, the Commission should now know the condition of the pond on the DeMerchant property. Mr. Bysiewicz proposes to go in (inaudible) low flow, which more than likely be in the summer months. He would excavate sediment in that pond and basically revegetate any disturbed areas up gradient above the high water level would be A motion was made and seconded by David Pritchard and Ken McClellan for approval of the plan for pond rehabilitation/maintenance by removal of accumulated sediment at 97 Poplar Road. The 2 chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to continue with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 2) Continued discussion on the wetlands violation at Founder’s Ridge on Ridgewood Road and offsite impacts on 97 Poplar Road. Applicant/ agent Ted Bysiewicz / Homes in Westfield, LLC Marek explained that he went to the site and decided to wait until the next rainfall. He took pictures before and during the rain on March 18th. There was a steady flow but the water wasn’t clear. There was no grit or residue or silt in the water coming from the pipe. ZEO, Ron Baia said that Mr. Bysiewicz has done everything that was asked of him. He didn’t see a lot of deposits that would be going to the pond. D. New Business 1) Proposed select clearing and reconstruction of a retaining wall within the 100 ft upland review area on property located at 46 & 54 Dorothy Drive. Applicant/agent Linda and Kristen Rzasa 2021-04 A motion to schedule as Old Business for the May 5th meeting was moved and seconded by Trevor Davis and David Pritchard. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to continue with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. E. Agency Review None F. Reports of Officers and Committees None G. Public Open Forum H. Minutes – March 3, 2021 Ken McClellan moves for approval of the minutes of March 3, 2021. David Pritchard seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. I. Communication and Bills None J. Adjournment David Pritchard moves adjournment. Ken McClellan seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to adjourn with 7 aye votes. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. Respectfully submitted, 3 Marek Kozikowski 4