Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

January 3, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Lower-level Conference Room, 23 Union Street, Norwich, Connecticut 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 Brandon Hyde Barbara Rothstein Philip Kiley Art Sharron, Alt Robert McCoy, Alt Absent: Douglas S. Lee Jeremiah Lowney Also Present: Peter Davis, Director Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary It was determined there was a quorum. D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Ralph Page and second by Barbara Rothstein the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the December 6, 2012 regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: None F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #12-14 – 326 Washington St and 475 Asylum St rear- Application from Norwich Public Utilities for extension of an overhead electrical service to conduct a Regulated Activity within an Inland Wetland or Watercourse Area. Peter Davis explained the project is in the area of Matlack Road within an area of regulated wetlands and buffer area also. Activities are associated with the installation of an overhead electrical service for Backus Hospital. The regulated activities include clearing existing trees for the overhead line, installation of two utility poles in the regulated area; one additional utility pole on the opposite side of the river in the buffer area; installation of a gravel ac cess drive located adjacent to the lower Backus Hospital parking lot. The gravel will remain. It will be pervious and accordingly, the overall impact is short term during construction. The proposed access road within the  floodplain will not increase elevations. They will take out the unsuitable material to a base and then put geotextile fabric down with gravel on top in order to match the existing grades. The total area of disturbance stated in the application was 4800 sq. ft. whereas Peter Davis and the City Engineer thought a more accurate disturbance would be approximately 3,700 sq. ft. Peter Davis stated the City Engineer reviewed the application and had requested they add some additional erosion control outside the regulated and buffer area, which they’ve done. Art Sharron asked if the utility poles would be standard wooden poles as opposed to having a concrete base. Kyle Haubert, CLA Engineers stated they would be standard 42’ tall wooden poles. The only permanent fixtures would be the poles and access road with no increase in grade. Peter Davis stated their application has been sent to DEEP because they have installation of structures within the channel encroachment line. It’s exempt from local floodplain review because it’s a public utilities installation. Ray Baribeault asked if there should be any conditions. Peter Davis stated that he did not have any recommended conditions. Mr. Davis stated the only area of concern was activity adjacent to the Yantic River on the banks, but they were providing adequate erosion control measures to address the disturbance. The City Engineer reviewed the plan and concurred. Upon motion by Ralph Page and seconded by Philip Kiley it was voted unanimously that the activities proposed were not significant in nature. Upon motion by Ralph Page and seconded by Brandon Hyde the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application. H. NEW BUSINESS: I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline: None J. Other Business: None K. Violations: None K. Adjournment Upon motion by Ralph Page and second by Brandon Hyde, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:11 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary 2