Inland / Wetlands & Water Courses Agency

Chair Joseph Carta Vice-Chair Ken McClellan Members Fred Terrasi Trevor Davis Inland Wetlands David Pritchard Jammie Middleton Jennifer Greenberg Brian Gartner And Alternates Steven Skultety Jack Pieper Vacant Paul Dyka Watercourses Agency Christine Raczka (’27) Nanette Albright Fresher (’27) Kristen Rzasa Staff James Sipperly, Environmental Planner REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday – February 7, 2024 Meeting held in person only, Municipal Building, Common Council Chambers 7:00pm A video tape of this meeting was recorded. Present: Paul Dyka Jack Piper Ken McClellan Trevor Davis Joseph Carta Fred Terasi David Pritchard Jennifer Greenberg Brian Gartner Absent: Steven Skultety Kristen Rzasa Public: Gary Dasyharsh, David Winkle Staff: James Sipperly, Environmental Planner A. Call to Order 1. Chairman J. Carta called the meeting to order at 7:01pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Election of Officers Chairman J. Carta opened nominations from the floor for Chairman. Motion: To nominate J. Carta as Chairman; moved by K. McClellan; seconded by D. Pritchard Chairman J. Carta asked 3 times if there were any other nominations from the floor. Hearing none he called the vote, the vote was unanimous. Chairman Carta opened the nominations from the floor for Vice-Chairman. Motion: To nominate K. McClellan as Vice- Chairman; moved by F. Terasi; seconded by B. Gartner. Chairman Carta asked 3 times if there were ant nominations from the floor. Hearing none, he called the vote, the vote was unanimous. Chairman Carta opened nominations from the floor for Secretary. Motion: To nominate staff J. Sipperly as Secretary. Moved by J. Carta; seconded by K. McClellan. J. Carta asked 3 times if there were any other nominations from the floor. Hearing none, he called the vote, the vote was unanimously. B. Public Hearing None C. Old Business None Page 1 of 3  D. New Business 1. Request for the proposed renovation of two practice fields, one field to be replaced with synthetic turf, the other field to be reshaped both within the upland review area located at 170 Long Lane. Applicant /Agent: Alan Rubacha/Wesleyan University. W2024-1 Andres Sarda Facilities Manager and Project Manager at Wesleyan University and his project team presented the plans in detail. /this is a design build project designed by Clark Companies and Tighe and Bond are the local engineers. In 2005 there was a field hockey turf field installed. In 2024 the university remains constant in student numbers, however, there are as much as 3 times the number of students participating in all sports offered. There is a grass field south of the existing track where they would like to build a new turf field and modify the existing grass field. The new turf field is made of a new product that has a net O carbon base material and no carbon footprint and requires no watering and is permeable. The project does not have any impact directly to the wetlands. There will be proposed construction activity in the 100’ upland review area, right up to the adjacent wetlands. This is for the proposed detention pond and outlet structure. K. McClellan asked about the soil removal process, stockpiling and regrading of the site. There will be 6-10” of top soil removed for the new turf field and that material will be used to reshape the existing grass field. No fill be brought in and no fill will leave the site. F. Terasi asked about the staging area of the fill and that area was pointed out on the plans. There was discussion as to whether or not this would be considered a significant activity and require a public hearing. The consensus of the Agency is that it would not. Motion: To accept the application and schedule it under old business for the next meeting on March 6, 2024. Moved by K. McClellan; seconded by J. Greenberg; approved unanimously. 2. Request for the proposed construction of a 99,000 SF Manufacturing Building with an Office and Warehouse within the upland review area and a proposed road crossing through a wetland system located at o Middle Street (map – lot 03-0209). Applicant/Agent: Gary Dayharsh/Delta Building Corp. W2024-2 Gary Dayharsh, representing LRE Enterprises explained the project in detail and stated that this Agency previously granted an approval for a similar wetland crossing years ago in 2014. The project did not move forward at that time. This project is to build a 99,000sqft building that will be an office and distribution center for Shelco Filters. There is also a proposed road crossing on the narrow point of the wetlands on site. Staff suggested a site walk and a public hearing because by definition the crossing is a significant activity. It was decided that the commission members will visit the site at their convenience. Motion: To accept the application and schedule it for a Public Hearing on March 6, 2024. Moved by F. Terasi; seconded by K. McClellan; approved unanimously Page 2 of 3 Staff requested that the wetland area where the crossing is being proposed be re-delineated by a soil scientist and that the centerline of the proposed road be staked out in order for commission members who visit the site will be oriented. E. Agency Review None F. Reports of Officers and Committees Staff reported that he visited the Newfield Street housing development and looked at the Phase 1 and Phase 2 site construction. They may need to temporarily disturb a remote wetland area for access to the start of Phase 2 for construction access. A modification application may be submitted for this in the future. G. Public Open forum J. Greenberg spoke as a resident and taxpayer, not as a Commission member. She read a detailed statement about Pameacha Pond that was very detailed and informative. She will forward her statements to the commission and staff and will be made part of the meeting record. H. Minutes November 1, 2023 regular meeting Motion: To approve the minutes of the November 1, 2023 meeting. B. Gartner noted that he was present and not absent. Moved by K. McClellan; seconded by T. Davis; approved unanimously with J. Greenberg and d. Pritchard abstaining. I. Communication and Bills None J. MIWWA regulation amendments This item will be discussed by the subcommittee and be reported back to the full commission. K. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 7 59pm Moved by K. McClellan; seconded by F. Terasi ; approved unanimously Respectively Submitted, James Sipperly, Secretary Department of Land Use Page 3 of 3