Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

May 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Lower-level Conference Room 23 Union Street, Norwich, Connecticut A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Present: Richard Morell, Chairman Douglas S. Lee, Vice-Chairman Brandon Hyde Art Sharron Robert McCoy, Alternate Absent: David Poore Michael Lahan, Alternate Also Present: Deanna Rhodes, IWWCC Agent, and Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary Rich Morell stated there were four members in attendance and all were seated. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Douglas Lee to APPROVE the minutes of the April 6, 2017 regular meeting with a recommended correction that the word “who” be changed to “whose appointment”. Seconded by Robert McCoy. Motion carried unanimously. In reference to the wetland reappointments Linda Lee Smith stated that she would email everyone with the procedure for renewing their re-appointments. Mr. Hyde arrived at 7:06 p.m. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Follow-up letters sent to 201 & 209 Harland Road and 7 Cuprak Road Kaiser Pond, 89 St. Regis Avenue Deanna Rhodes stated the members had received copies of the three letters that were sent out to the property owners. Ms. Rhodes stated 201 Harland Rd had cleaned up their yard, 209 Harland Rd had cut and removed the tree, and 7 Cuprak Rd had removed the large stump out of the wetlands. Ms. Rhodes stated she would send out closing letters to the property owners as they appear to have rectified the violations on each of their properties. Deanna Rhodes stated she had received an email that came from DEEP for an invitation to CT National Estuarine Research Reserve informational meeting on May 16, 2017. Ms. Rhodes asked the board if they had any recommendations for any waterways in Norwich they could recommend. Discussion ensued and the board couldn’t recommend any areas. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None F. OLD BUSINESS: Update on Cease & Desist for Unauthorized land disturbance in regulated upland review area on property located at 55 Terminal Way (Assessor’s Map 124-2-22). Property owned by WISP Partners. Deanna Rhodes spoke to Mike Driscoll about how they should handle this issue. She sent a letter after the last meeting updating WISP Partners/Josh Prottas of their decision, and hasn't heard back from them or the Oyster Company. G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC Application #17-03: 400 Washington Street. Application for removal of silt from the stream, replace water diversion pipe from Bobbin Brook to pond and pond dredging for removal of sediment. Application of Lowthorpe Association Inc. Deanna Rhodes stated they had received application IWWCC #17-03 which encompasses 3 projects. The projects consist of cleaning the silt out of the stream, restoring Bobbin Brook broken pipe (working in the wetlands) and pond dredging. All three projects are regulated activities. Rich Morell asked for verification on the location of the pond. Ms. Rhodes showed the location of the pond. Ms. Rhodes sent the information to DPW for Pat McLaughlin’s review of the pipe and drainage into the pond. The silt will not be removed this year from the brook. A motion was made by Douglas Lee to TABLE the application until the next regular scheduled meeting of June 1, 2017 in order to comply with the required 30 day petition period. Seconded by Art Sharron. Motion carried unanimously. H. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Staff Report: a. IWWCC Permits Issued by Agent for Disturbance within the Upland Review Area: None b. Complaints Received and Being Investigated: Deanna Rhodes stated there was a complaint regarding a property on Crown Street right next to the Thermos. She explained there was tree clearing being done by a gentlemen who had just purchased the property. She explained the property is just under an acre, he excavated almost all of the trees and he also excavated out the side of the hill. Ms. Rhodes stated there is a trailer there in addition to his paving company. Ms. Rhodes told him he needed to immediately stop and install hay bales as an erosion and sediment control measure before soil is washed down the hill toward the river. Ms. Rhodes informed the Commission that the proposed paving company use isn't allowed. The property is further than 100' from the wetlands and not in the special flood hazard area. It is within the CAM district. A discussion ensued if the matter should be a wetlands violation due to the proximity to the river. Ms. Rhodes suggested it be handled as a zoning violation as opposed to wetlands. Douglas Lee stated that the board usually restricts their dealings to only within the 100' upland review areas. 2  Ms. Rhodes stated she reached out to the local Soil and Conservation District, she was told the City isn’t a member. They quoted her prices for their services. Ms. Rhodes stated they are experts in erosion control and sediment and in the future they should ask for money in the budget to pay the annual fee. Brandon Hyde stated he would like an update next month on the issue. He's also concerned about some of the asphalt coming down the hill and the contaminants making their way into the water because it’s not stabilized. Ms. Rhodes stated she is going to notify the Coastal Area Management because they may want to review the site plan. Ms. Rhodes stated she will give a report next month. c. Other: 1. Ms. Rhodes is still working with the City Park and Recreation as the football program’s trailer hasn't been moved yet. Ms. Rhodes stated where they want to move it would be out of the special flood hazard area and the wetlands regulated area, but they want to cut 6 ft. into the bank of the hill and needs City approval to do so. Ms. Rhodes stated they could move it onto the other side of the parking lot, but they don't want it located there. I. VIOLATIONS: None J. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Art Sharron to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m. Seconded by Douglas Lee. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, _|Çwt _xx fÅ|à{ Linda Lee Smith Administrative Secretary 3