Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

DRAFT CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION June 5, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 23 Union Street, Norwich, CT Agenda Items A, B & C – Call To Order, Roll Call, Determination Of Quorum: Chairman Raymond Baribeault called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Raymond Baribeault, Chairman Richard Morell, Vice Chairman Ralph Page Barbara Rothstein Douglas Lee Arthur Sharron, Alt. Robert McCoy, Alt. Brandon Hyde, Alt. (7:10p.m.) Absent with notification: Jeremiah Lowney Also Present: Michael Schaefer, City Planner Roberta Lane, Recording Secretary A quorum was present and all members present voted except for Brandon Hyde. D. Minutes: Upon motion by Richard Morell and second by Barbara Rothstein, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the May 1, 2008 regular meeting. E. Communications: 1. Connecticut NEMO Newsletter – Winter/Spring 2008 2. College of Agriculture Journal - Spring 2008 3. Connecticut Wildlife magazine – May/June 2008 The Commission voted unanimously to ACCEPT the Communications. F. Public Hearings: None G. Old Business: 1. IW-URA- 08-09 – 24- 26 Town St . – Application of Monitha, LLC - for cooler/storage addition to gas station. Mr. Schaefer presented this application for the addition of a refrigerated storage unit off the rear side of an existing Sunoco gas station/convenience store that backs up to the Yantic River and is located within the upland review area and the floodplain. The area has alluvial soils and is densely vegetated with trees and shrubs. He stated that there would be no new clearing and there would be minimal grading activity. The addition would extend approximately 6 feet from the existing building where a flat shelf and cooler are presently located and are to be moved. He stated that the activity would cause no adverse effects to the Yantic River or any wetlands. Upon motion by Ralph Page and second by Arthur Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application. H. New Business: 1. IW-URA- 08-10 – 140 Dudley Street – Application of Rose Iams - for excavation and grading associated with the construction of a 624 sq.ft. addition to a single-family home. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE this application until the July 3, 2008 meeting. 2. IW-URA-08-11 – 290 Salem Tnpk – Application of Dime Bank – filling for extension of existing parking lot and construction of a stormwater basin. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE this application until the July 3, 2008 meeting. I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline. None J. Other Business: 1. Administrative Permits Issued: None K. Violations: 1. IW-VIOL – 07-01 - 81 Corning Rd- Kudlach- update Mr. Schaefer advised that there is nothing new to report this month. 2. IW- VIOL – 07-02 - 150 Plain Hill Rd – Rothstein - update Barbara Rothstein recused herself from this discussion. Mr. Schaefer introduced Mr. Robert Russo, soil scientist from CLA Engineers Inc. and representative of the applicant to present revisions to last month’s wetland restoration plan. Mr. Russo presented a letter dated June 5, 2008 to the Commission outlining the revised modifications to wetland restoration plans for the site and also presented a revised site plan. He discussed the applicant’s plan to leave the steep slope as is instead of re-grading it since there has been no material coming off the slope for the past few months. He also discussed re-grading and seeding the flat area at the top to keep it stable and also to control the water runoff. Mr. Russo discussed filling the bottom of the slope with boulders. He also recommended removing the sediments from the wetland topsoil and re-using them in the uplands. The Commission discussed with Mr. Russo as to whether it would be more beneficial and more cost effective to take the fill from the steep slope or to move it from the affected wetland area on the side of the site. They also discussed the benefits of installing a chain link 2 fence versus using existing boulders on the property. Mr. Russo presented the 5-year maintenance plan that was depicted on the revised plan; however the Commission noted that the plan was marked incorrectly showing bi-annual inspections instead of semi-annually inspections after the first two years. Mr. Russo took the plan back and advised he would get a corrected revision to the Commission. Mr. Schaefer inquired what the time frame would be for the completion of the revised plan. Mr. Russo stated that the work could be completed in a couple of weeks. After much discussion, the Commission agreed to vote on the amended plan. Upon motion by Douglas Lee and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the amended plan with the following modifications: 1. Provide a plan to protect the slope during grading. 2. Benching and terracing instead of??? 3. Provide a plan for use of boulders versus chain link fence for safety and security. 4. Correct the wording on the site plan from bi- annual inspections to semi-annual inspections after the first 2 years. 5. Work to start within 30 days of approval of the plan. 3. IW-VIOL - 08-01 – 44 Yantic Flats Rd – Stanton LaPierre - update Mr. Schaefer advised there is nothing new to report at this time. The owner has until June 15th to remove the fill from the floodplain. 4. IW-VIOL - 08-02 – 114 Wawecus Hill Rd – Richard A. Wildowsky, Jr. & Mary E. Wildowsky; LaBossiere Builders, LLC of Danielson, Connecticut (136 Wauregan Rd., Danielson, CT. 06239) – update Mr. Schaefer advised that he visited the property on May 29th and noted that the owner is in compliance with their permit and grass is growing at the site. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to release the landowner from the Cease and Desist order and remove the violation from the list. L. Adjournment: Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:40pm. Respectfully submitted, Roberta Lane Recording Secretary 3