Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Special Meeting Minutes July 13, 2023 CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION HYBRID MEETING 23 Union Street - Lower Level & via ZOOM NORWICH, CT A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Chairman Richard Morell stated that all members would be voting. Present: Chairman Richard Morell, Brandon Hyde, Douglas Lee (ZOOM) and Peter Chalecki (ZOOM). Absent: Michael Lahan. Also Present: Dan Daniska, City Planner/Wetland Agent; Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary; and Ellen Bartlett, CLA Engineers. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Douglas Lee put forth a motion to APPROVE the May 4, 2023 regular meeting minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: None. E. OLD BUSINESS: None. G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #23-02: 685 New London Turnpike Request to replace an existing golf cart bridge over Trading Cove Brook. Project located in the Regulated Area/Upland Review Area of the City of Norwich and the Town of Montville. Property of City of Norwich. Application of Norwich Golf Authority. Assessor’s Map 128, Block 1, Lot 1. Zone ROS. Dan Daniska reported that the application was for a city project to replace the existing golf cart bridge over Trading Cove Brook, which was situated in a regulated area in both Norwich and Montville. Ellen Bartlett of CLA Engineers stated that the City of Norwich, whom the application was for, owned and operated the golf course but portions are located in Montville. Ellen Bartlett explained that the Trading Cove Brook meandered through the golf course and that the centerline of the brook is the town line. Ellen Bartlett stated the existing wooden golf cart bridge that crosses the brook is located between the 9th green and 10th tee. Ellen Bartlett stated the bridge has been in place since the 1920’s and presently is not in good shape. Ellen Bartlett stated there are currently eight 4x4 wooden pilings supporting the bridge, which are seated in five gallon concrete buckets that are situated in the stream. Ellen Bartlett showed pictures of the existing setup on screen for all to view. Ellen Bartlett stated the project proposes to replace the existing timber bridge with a prefabricated steel bridge which will allow the existing timber posts to be removed as they will not be needed. Ellen Bartlett stated the new bridge would be a clear span over the brook that would allow for better streamflow. Ellen Bartlett stated that all abutments will be also prefabricated and would be put in the same location as the existing abutments. Ellen Bartlett continued that because of this, weather depending, the work should be complete within a standard work week. Ellen Bartlett stated the existing bridge is a safety concern and the new bridge would improve the brook flow as nothing would be obstructing the steam. Ellen Bartlett stated the Montville Wetlands board approved the project and sent it for review to the Army Corp Engineers who determined there would be no impact. Ellen Bartlett stated the Norwich City Engineer suggested installing rip-rap under the bridge at the location of the new 10th tee abutment, which would be done. Ellen Bartlett stated a complete hydraulic analysis of the brook was done and it was determined with or without the new bridge there was no negligible rise in the water surface elevations upstream of the bridge. Ellen Bartlett stated the dewatering basin and staging would all be located on the Montville side of the brook. Ellen Bartlett stated the installation would occur on the Montville side due to the slope and trees on the Norwich side. City Planner Dan Daniska reviewed his memo with a list of conditions to be included in the motion and requested a waiver of reading the conditions list. Brandon Hyde made a motion that the application was not a significant activity and did not require a public hearing. Brandon Hyde noted the work would be an improvement to the wetland area and was already approved by the Town of Montville, as well as reviewed by the Army Core and City of Norwich engineers. Douglas Lee seconded. Brandon Hyde, Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Douglas Lee made a motion to APPROVE IWWCC APPLICATION #23-02 with the following conditions: ● That the approval is valid for FIVE YEARS and will expire on 07/13/2028. ● That the City’s letter of approval be placed on the final revised plan set (cover page preferred), and that all plan sheets include the stamped seal and signature of the licensed professional. ● That all site activities shall be conducted in accordance with the plans, specifications and documents of record. Any deviation from the approved plans or construction sequence shall be cause for enforcement action by the Inland Wetlands, Watercourses and Conservation Commission. ● That the permittee shall notify the Inland Wetlands Agent prior to the commencement of work and upon its completion. ● That all work and all regulated activities conducted pursuant to this authorization shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of this approval. Any structures, excavation, fill, obstructions, encroachments or regulated activities not specifically identified and authorized herein shall constitute a violation of this approval and may result in its modification, suspension, or revocation. Upon initiation of the activities authorized herein, the permittee thereby accepts and agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of this approval. ● That no equipment or materials including without limitation fill, construction materials, or debris, shall be deposited, placed, or stored in any wetland or watercourse on or off site unless specifically authorized by this approval. ● That the General Provisions stated in Section 11.9 of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations are applicable to this permit. ● That the permit shall not be assigned or transferred to another entity without the written permission of the Commission. ● That all erosion and sediment control measures shall be in accordance with the Connecticut Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control. Erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed and inspected prior to site disturbance. It is the permittee's responsibility to schedule the inspection with the Norwich Planning Department. Additional erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed if determined to be necessary by the Designated Agent. The permittee shall take such necessary steps consistent with the terms and conditions of the approval, to control stormwater discharges and to prevent erosion and sedimentation and to otherwise prevent pollution of wetlands and watercourses. ● That this permit will be strictly enforced. The Commission may suspend or revoke this permit, may direct the Commission's Agent to issue a cease and desist order or may require the applicant to modify, extend, or revise the site work or restore the area to its  original condition if it finds that the applicant has not complied with the conditions set forth in this approval or if the applicant exceeds the scope of this approval as set forth herein or if the intended use or actual use of the general site is not as represented by the application or the plan of record. REASON: The proposed erosion and sediment controls are sufficient to protect the wetlands adjacent to the project. Brandon Hyde seconded. Brandon Hyde, Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. I. OTHER BUSINESS: Accept New Application IWWCC #23-03: 76 Mohegan Road Dan Daniska stated the application was a city project to improve the drainage of water retention behind the recreation department tennis courts in an attempt to control flooding and water flow downhill. Brandon Hyde made a motion to table the application until the next regular meeting. Peter Chalecki seconded. Brandon Hyde, Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. J. VIOLATIONS: None. K. ADJOURNMENT: Peter Chalecki made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:17 PM. Douglas Lee seconded. Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose - Recording Secretary