Commission on the City Plan

MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, June 17, 2014 – 7:00 PM 23 UNION STREET NORWICH CONNECTICUT LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM REGULAR MEETING AGENDA ITEMS A, B & C – CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Ralph Page, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Art Sharron, Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, Les King, John Mathieu,and Daniel Daniska. A quorum was present. Also Present: Peter Davis, Director, Deb Delaporta, recording secretary D: APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Art Sharron and seconded by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the May 20th, 2014 Regular Meeting. E: COMMUNICATIONS: Peter Davis informed the Commission that there was a FAVORABLE recommendation from IWWCC for the Floodplain Application Referral for SP#1401/CAM #14-01 for 44 Falls Ave. Mr. Davis also stated he had received a City Council Referral for an Ordinance appropriating $9,500,000 for improvement to the City’s natural gas system. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. OLD BUSINESS: 1: SP #14-01/CAM #14-01; 44 Falls Ave Application of City of Norwich Public Utilities for upgrade of Water Pollution Control Facility, within a 100 year designated floodplain. Coastal Site Plan review (CAM) required. Mr. Davis read the Exhibit List, along with the CT DEEP letter (Exhibit K)and the Advisory Report of FAVORABLE recommendation(Exhibit L) and then asked Ellen Bartlett from Green Site Design LLC to do her presentation on the Project. Ellen set up two boards, one showing what is there now, and the other with the proposed changes. She explained the facility was built in 1950 as a primary treatment plant, and then upgraded in the early 70’s to a secondary treatment plant. The facility needs to be brought up to today’s standards with significant upgrades, and is in need of a nitrogen system and a larger system to increase the capacity from 17,000,000 to 33,000,000 gallons. Ms. Bartlett stated that the project will be done in phases because it has to continue running the entire time. Two older shallow sedimentation tanks will be removed, and one will be rehabbed after 3 new ones are installed. There will be a new head works facility installed which will be the operation core of the project. There will also be a new odor control facility. The administration building is being torn down, and replaced on the same foundation, but raised 1 ½ ft to meet the 100 year floodplain regulations. A new lab will be built next to it, which will be raised as well. Three sedimentation basin tanks all need to be at the same elevation to work hydraulically so they are being rebuilt 5 ft higher than floodplain so excavation needs to be done. Michael Lahan asked what will happen with the materials being removed, and Ellen stated CT DEEP will allow it to be put at the top of the landfill and capped. This project will improve water quality at the outlets, and environmentally improve outflow at the Yantic and Thames Rivers. John Mathieu asked about heavy rains, and Ms. Bartlett explained the larger capacity will help since it is going to be almost double. Frank Manfredi asked how long it will take to complete and Ellen stated about 2 yrs because it has to be done in phases. Les King asked if the new buildings will be red brick, like the existing buildings, and Ellen stated yes. She also stated that the tanks will be changing over to ultraviolet ray to 1 improve disinfectant and eliminate the use of chlorine. Michael Lahan asked if that meant no chlorine at all, and that will be the case. The force main will be redone, and all piping replaced. Ralph Page asked the start date, and Ms. Bartlett stated it is now in the hands of the DEEP, which is doing the 100% review of the project. Michael Lahan asked who is paying for this project, and Ellen stated DEEP is providing a lot of the funding. Mr. Davis explained that the Flood Impact Statement was to make sure there is no adverse impact to the function of the floodplain. The Flood Impact Study was submitted to Public Works, which they reviewed and concurred that there would be a small gain in compensatory. Peter Davis stated that increasing the number of structures is a good thing, and will make a huge improvement on the environmental side, the functional side and environmental results. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi, seconded by Ralph Page, the motion carried unanimously to approve SP#14-01. Mr. Manfredi also made a motion to approve CAM #14-01, seconded by Ralph Page, motion carried unanimously to approve. H: NEW BUSINESS: None I. EXTENSIONS: None J: BOND RELEASES: None K: ZOING MATTERS: None L: OTHER BUSINESS: 1. City Council Referral relative to NDPU gas project bonding Peter Davis stated that the CCP received a request for review and comment on an ordinance for improvement to the City’s natural gas system. The Council is looking for an advisory opinion which is consistant with POCD plan for improvements and upgrades of the utility infrastructure to benefit public health and economic development. Art Sharon made a motion to send a positive recommendation, seconded by Frank Manfredi. Motion passed unanimously. M: ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by Les King, and second by Frank Mandredi, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 PM. 2