Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes May 3, 2018 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 Lee, Vice Chairman Art Sharron Brandon Hyde Peter Chalecki Absent: Michael Lahan, Alternate David Poore Robert McCoy, Alternate Also Present: Deanna Rhodes, IWWCC Agent, and Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary Richard Morell stated there were five members in attendance and all were to be seated. Brandon Hyde arrived at 7:02 p.m. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Peter Chalecki to APPROVE the minutes of the April 5, 2018 regular meeting. Douglas Lee second. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Deanna Rhodes stated she had a Thames River Basin flyer for a floating workshop that she will email to members. The cost is $25.00. Please let her know if you’d like to attend. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None F. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Illicit Discharge and Connection Stormwater Ordinance. Deanna Rhodes said the working group had another meeting recently. Dave Poore also attended. Deanna said the Ordinance would be submitted to the City Council in June and that it needs to be in process for approval by July 1, 2018 to meet the MS4 requirements. Deanna informed them that many other communities have concerns about regulating stormwater issues on private properties without rights to access. This is to be addresses in the proposed ordinance. G. NEW BUSINESS: Receipt of New Applications 1. City of Norwich – Norwich Golf Course Authority – 685 New London Turnpike Deanna Rhodes said the Norwich Golf Course submitted a wetlands application for the locations of the drilling test wells. Deanna said they are not located in the wetlands, but falls within the regulated areas. This request is before the board to request administrative approval. Art Sharron asked Deanna for more clarification on the test drilling. Deanna said it is her understanding that the golf course is seeking water to irrigate rather than purchasing potable water from NPU to keep their costs down. A discussion then ensued. The Commission members said there aren't many golf courses running off public water supply. Richard Morell then spoke about two locations near Great Plain Brook that they would be encroaching. Deanna said the wetlands will be flagged and erosion and sediment controls will be installed. Motion was made by Art Sharron to have Deanna Rhodes to approve the test wells application administratively. Brandon Hyde second. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Review Discuss Map showing potential properties for passive recreation. Deanna Rhodes said Linda Lee Smith had mailed copies of the Potential Water Access property map prepared by NPU to all the members as agreed upon at last month’s regular meeting. Deanna also then handed out reduced sized copies of the PPCD Open Space Plan for their review. A discussion then ensued and members made suggestions for conservation, passive recreation and potential priority acquisition as follows: • That a viewing platform be placed near the canoe area at the Shetucket Water Trail in Occum. • That a property just south of the sewer pump station on Taftville-Occum Road (#224) be investigated as a potential acquisition as a link to the island in the Shetucket River. • That a formalized trail be established in the City owned property adjacent to Roosevelt Avenue for viewing of the dams • That a platform be installed for viewing and fishing at the field on Hamilton Avenue • That more people be made aware of the City owned property at Trading Cove on Lucas Park Road. Deanna will look into whether there’s a formal right of way to access the site and whether there’s room to establish off street parking. • That the interior lot on Asylum Street (#343) be a priority for open space acquisition due to its location in vicinity of Uncas Leap and the Upper and Lower Falls. • That the ownership of an area off of Wawecus Street near Clinton Avenue (the site of picnic tables) be determined. If not already owned by the City or State, it should be a priority for consideration for acquisition. • That off-street parking be established adjacent to the Fairview Reservoir to utilize the trails on the property. • That a trail be established or better publicized at the reservoir adjacent to Ouellette Park. 2 H. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Staff Report: Deanna Reported the following: a. IWWCC Permits Issued by Agent for Disturbance within the Upland Review Area: 1. IWWCC 18-02A 52 Baltic Rd., Webster Wadja Deanna Rhodes explained she sent Richard and Douglas the application for a septic system replacement. They agreed it could be done administratively. It has been advertised and is still within the 15 day comment period. 2. Other: The site improvements at 15 Connecticut Ave for the approved Comcast project needs to be modified to include a curtain drain. Brandon Hyde noted they have crushed gravel and that the sheet water comes down the hill. Deanna Rhodes has already received approval to handle this application administratively once it is submitted. b. Complaints Received and Being Investigated. 1. 455 New London Turnpike – Large Agricultural Garden in Floodway (Ford Brook) Deanna Rhodes reported on her meeting onsite with the property owners, City Engineer, ZEO and David Poore. A representative from the Army Corps came and they informed all that it was within their jurisdiction (and CT DEEP) to handle that matter. A discussion then ensued and Deanna stated she will keep the IWWCC informed when she has any updates or receives correspondence. 2. 437 New London Tpke. - Structures within Upland Review Area Deanna Rhodes said the owner must seek variances from zoning for the structures before submitting an IWWCC application. An enforcement has not been started as he has been working with the City to resolve. 3. 22 Town St. – Illegal Dumping of Debris near Yantic River Deanna Rhodes said she had received a complaint that behind 22 Town Street they were dumping construction material seemingly from a construction project related to installing an upstairs apartment and other misc. nail salon debris. The Blight Officer investigated the complaint and alerted Ms. Rhodes to the location near the Yantic River. It was determined after Ms. Rhodes performed an inspection following a phone call to the property owner, that the area had been largely cleaned up, but since the other side of the Yantic River (Stop & Shop area) had visible trash along the slopes, it would be difficult to force further enforcement on this property until that is cleaned up, as well. The City’s Blight Officer will be sending letters to the owners of the plaza and Stop & Shop to address. c. Other: Richard Morell asked if Deanna Rhodes heard anything from Town of Preston Inland Wetlands meeting. Deanna Rhodes said no. 3 I. VIOLATIONS: 1. Update - Langhammer Properties off Laurel Hill Road accessed through Norwich State Hospital Site – Non-permitted Wetlands Crossing for Timber Harvest Deanna Rhodes reported that Dan Coley will fly his drone to check whether the corduroy crossing in the wetlands had been removed before the leaves come out on the trees. She will report back next month. J. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Art Sharron to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Seconded by Peter Chalecki. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee-Smith Recording Secretary 4