Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes August 3, 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 (ZOOM), Douglas Lee (ZOOM) and Peter Chalecki (ZOOM). Absent: Michael Lahan. Also Present: Brian Long, City Engineer (ZOOM) and Dan Daniska, City Planner/Wetland Agent C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Douglas Lee put forth a motion to APPROVE the July 13, 2023 special meeting minutes. Brandon Hyde seconded. Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Dan Daniska reported that the pond located at 289 New London Turnpike was treated three times in the past month or so. E. OLD BUSINESS: None. G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #23-03: 76 Mohegan Road Request to install a detention basin to provide storage for peak flow runoff conditions. Repair and replacement of an associated existing drainage outlet. Project located in the Regulated Area/Upland Review Area. Property and Application of the City of Norwich. Assessor’s Map 77, Block 1, Lot 1. Zone R40. City Engineer Brian Long stated during the construction of the new parking lots for the recently renovated recreation department tennis courts there had been heavy storms that inundated areas such as Bliss Place, Rogan Terrace and Backus Hospital. Brian Long stated the flooding within the watershed showed the need for assistance from a higher altitude. Brian Long stated it would not be feasible to install pipes large enough to carry the water downhill, so the next best option is to prevent water flow as much as possible. Brian Long stated they selected an air of land large enough to hold a detention basin that would store a sizable amount of water during larger storms. Brian Long explained that the disturbance with the wetlands would be the reconstruction of an existing outlet, which stems from a 2x2 stone box culvert that carries some of the drainage connected in from the upper section of Mohegan Road. Brian Long stated the work would be redirecting a good portion of the drainage basin that comes down from Mahan Drive. Brain Long stated the construction of the detention basin would achieve a fairly significant amount with peak flow reduction and assist with recent flooding issues in the area during heavy storms. Brian Long stated the project was put out to bid but has not been awarded yet. Brian Long stated it is anticipated that construction could begin immediately with completion before winter. Richard Morrell asked if the culvert would be rebuilt as is. Brian Long stated that was not an option and it would be put under the playground at the tennis courts. Brian Long stated all the existing drainage system will be tied into the detention basin and would use flowable fill to fill up. Peter Chalecki asked, to clarify, if the outlet of the basin would or would not be connected to piping. Brian Long stated the outlet of the basin would be connected to the existing channel intermediate watercourse that the stone box culvert currently outlets to. Brian Long stated the basin would be an open detention pond seeded with a New England wetland mix, and would be enclosed by a four foot chain-link fence. Brandon Hyde made a motion that the application was not a significant activity and did not require a public hearing. Douglas Lee seconded. Brandon Hyde, Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. 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 to APPROVE To APPROVE IWWCC APPLICATION #23-03 with the following conditions: ● That the approval is valid for FIVE YEARS and will expire on 08/03/2028. ● 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.  Peter Chalecki seconded. Brandon Hyde, Douglas Lee, Peter Chalecki and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. I. OTHER BUSINESS: None. J. VIOLATIONS: None. K. ADJOURNMENT: Brandon Hyde made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 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