Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes October 1, 2020 CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION VIRTUAL/REMOTE MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Present: Chairman Richard Morell, Vice Chairman Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde, Robert McCoy and Swarnjit Singh Bhatia. Absent: David Poore. Also Present: Dan Daniska, Assistant City Planner and Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Douglas Lee put forth a motion to APPROVE the September 3, 2020 regular meeting minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Dan Daniska stated that he received notification on September 4th of the pond treatment at 289 New London Tpk to be held on or around September 10th and that he received the official registry for the Official Soil Science Society for New England, which was available online. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. F. OLD BUSINESS: G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. SHOW CAUSE HEARING: Unauthorized Land Disturbance in Norwichtown Brook Watercourse & FEMA Floodway – 27 Pleasant Street Norwich, CT 06360. Assessor’s Map 67, Block 1, Lot 52, Zone R-20. Dan Daniska stated he sent out a letter to the homeowner, Michael Richardson, on the 21st due to Facebook pictures of a disturbance in the Norwichtown brook. Dan Daniska stated that up until the rain that had occurred a few days prior the brook was completely dry during which time the homeowner sunk catch basin style grates into the ground with the assumed intention of rebuilding the mortar and stone wall. Discussion ensued on the possibility of a public hearing. Dan Daniska showcased photos of the area previous to the demolition and its current state. Dan Daniska reported a response from the City Engineer stating the work may have changed the hydraulics of the creek and may require a study and approval from DEEP. Michael Richardson, homeowner, stated he was attempting to  reinforce the collapsing wall and asked what the city would recommend he do moving forward. Douglas Lee referenced four clauses in the City’s cease and desist order as recommendations and discussed the clauses further. Michael Richardson continued that he was attempting to repair the wall after a flood had damaged the area and that he had been very conscientious of the surroundings and wildlife. Michael Richardson discussed his history with the brook and management of its welfare. Brandon Hyde stated he felt the homeowner was attempting to do what is best for the watercourse by stabilizing the erosion and was simply unaware of the proper action to take. Brandon Hyde suggested perhaps the City could work with the homeowner to stabilize the costs involved in the cease and desist order clauses. Swarnjit Singh Bhatia stated that he agreed and that he felt it was unfair to put restoration costs on the homeowner if the City could revise the situation internally with the assistance of its engineer. Swarnjit Singh Bhatia stated it was important to ensure the course of the water would be properly channelized and suggested that residents may not have the proper information on who to request approval from in these situations. Discussion ensued regarding clause three of the City’s cease and desist order. Brandon Hyde made a motion to modify clause three in the City’s cease and desist order and to allow the recipient to work with the City in a timely fashion so that the area can be stabilized appropriately. Robert McCoy seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Receipt of Applications Dan Daniska stated he received two applications; IWWCC #20-13 - 2 Sabrinas Court for a single-family home and IWWCC #20-14 - 18 Farmview Drive for a rock pool installation. Douglas Lee made a motion to table the applications until the next regular meeting. Peter Chalecki seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. H. OTHER BUSINESS: Dan Daniska stated he received an updated application regarding the road disturbance at 868 Scotland Road that had been discussed earlier in the year and would have a full report for the next meeting. I. VIOLATIONS: None. J. ADJOURNMENT: Swarnjit Singh Bhatia made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 PM. Brandon Hyde seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary