Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

June 6, 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 Barbara Rothstein Ralph Page Jeremiah Lowney Philip Kiley Robert McCoy, Alternate Art Sharron, Alternate Absent: Douglas S. Lee Brandon Hyde Also Present: Peter Davis, Director Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary It was determined there was a quorum. D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Ralph Page and second by Richard Morell the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the May 2, 2013 regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. IW-URA-08-12 - Requesting 5 year extension on original permit for 29 Coit Lane. Mr. Davis stated he had no issue with the extension since there was no change to the existing permit. Motion by Ralph Page, second by Philip Kiley to extend permit for additional 5 years – unanimous. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. OLD BUSINESS: Peter Davis stated that he had reviewed both applications and the infrastructure has failed at both sites. Normally a catastrophic failure would be treated as emergency repair since the damage to both sites increases day to day.  1. IWWCC #13-04 – 41 Wawecus St - Application from Phelps Dodge Industries, Inc. dba Freeport-McMoRan Copper Products for stormwater improvements to an existing system including maintenance to portions of the system to conduct a Regulated Activity within an Inland Wetland or Watercourse Area. Mr. Davis stated that CCP had approved a special permit for work in the floodplain and a site plan at last months meeting on the proposed project. He stated that due to the failure of the infrastructure, erosion and storm water, the site continues to deteriorate. He showed the plan which will allow storm water to drain into 4 detention basins that will then flow into the Yantic River. There will be 2000 cubic yards of excavation material that will be used (if suitable) to build an access road for future maintenance under a Consent Order by DEEP. The City Engineer has reviewed the E & S Plan and is satisfied. Mr. Davis stated that qualified contractors will be doing the site work under DEEP supervision during June and July which are the low flow months. He stated the 60-90 day repair will have a long term benefit to the site. Ralph Page asked if there was any way to secure the site due to the amount of rain expected in the next few days. Mr. Davis stated there was no vehicle access and any work would need to be done manually. Upon motion by Dr. Lowney and second by Richard Morell, the Commission Voted unanimously to APPROVE the application as presented. 2. IWWCC#13-05 – Application from Barry Ellison, Director of Norwich Public Works to replace existing culvert and reconstruct Montville Road over Trading Cove Brook at the Norwich/Montville town line to conduct a Regulated Activity within an Inland Wetland or Watercourse Area. Peter Davis stated this was a long awaited joint application between Montville and Norwich. The Town of Montville gave IWWCC approval last month. Mr. Davis stated this was reconstruction of a prior bridge due to catastrophic failure. He showed the plan and stated that the City Engineer had reviewed and had no issues. Brian Long and Bob Russo from CLA Engineers presented the plan on behalf of the City. Mr. Long gave a brief history of the site and the storm in 2007 which closed the road and the storm in 2009 that washed out the road. The plan calls for 2 box culverts; a 16 ft. and a 12 ft. to be installed, which meets the 50 year storm event and Army Corp of Engineers approvals. There will be rip rap installed along the embankments since they are severely eroded. Art Sharron asked if there were any effects from the nearby gravel operations. Bob Russo stated that historically there may have been but there are none at this time. He stated that the water quality is extremely high and contains brook trout and freshwater mussels. He stated the plan agrees with DEEP’s request to re-vegetate and stabilize the banks. The design allows for fish passage during construction and low flow periods and the dewatering plan proposed was used on a similar bridge in Sprague. 2 Mr. Davis asked if the Town of Montville had placed any conditions on the project. The applicant stated no. Art Sharron asked if the project would be started this summer. The applicants stated they were still trying to get DOT approval but could not give a start date. Mr. Davis stated this was an unusual circumstance and a sensitive resource and shouldn’t be delayed any longer. Even though construction of a road and new pipe must be installed due to failed infrastructure; the Commission deemed the project insignificant in nature since Montville and DEEP approval was required and the longer the wait the more significant it will become. Upon motion by Richard Morell and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously that the activities were not significant. Upon motion by Richard Morell and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application. H. NEW BUSINESS: NONE I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline: NONE J. Other Business: NONE K. Violations: NONE L. Adjournment Upon motion by Art Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 3