Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Special Meeting Minutes February 5, 2024 CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION ZOOM MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Chairman Richard Morell stated that all members present would be seated and voting during the meeting. Present: Chairman Richard Morell (ZOOM), Douglas Lee (ZOOM), Chris Seery (ZOOM), Peter Chalecki (ZOOM) and Brandon Hyde (ZOOM). Absent: None. Also Present: Chris Casadei (ZOOM); Katherine Rose (ZOOM), Recording Secretary; and Dan Daniska (ZOOM), City Planner/Wetland Agent C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Douglas Lee put forth a motion to APPROVE the January 11, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki, Douglas Lee and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: None. E. OLD BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #24-01: 318R Old Canterbury Turnpike. Proposed land disturbance activities within a wetland/watercourse for a timber harvest. Application of Chris Casadei, Property of Paul Wagner + Kelly Wagner + Rebecca Wagner. Map 12, Block 1, Lot 12. Zone R-80. Chris Casadei, the forester overseeing the timber harvest, stated the work was to occur on the former Benson Tree Farm at the end of Old Canterbury Turnpike on the Occum side. Chris Casadei stated they would utilize an existing network of skid roads that go through the property. Chris Casadei stated a few temporary crossings which would consist of portable timber mats and that they would corduroy the approaches as needed. Chris Casadei stated they planned to let the wet ground conditions improve before beginning. Richard Morrell asked for more information on the timber mats. Chris Casadei responded the mats were composed of 8-by-8’s and would be 16-foot long and four foot wide. Chris Casadei stated the mats would be put in place using their equipment and would help keep them out of any channels. Casadei stated they may also lay branches perpendicular to the trails to keep the equipment lifted, which was typical for such an application. Chris Casadei stated the roads to be utilized were already in place and were not new disturbances. Brandon Hyde joined the meeting at 12:06PM. Dan Daniska noted there were some comments from the city engineer and staff that he would like to be addressed. Chris Casadei stated he reviewed both memos. Dan Daniska asked what the operating hours for the project would be. Chris Casadei responded it would be general city working hours and nothing would start too early. Douglas Lee made a motion to APPROVE IWWCC #24-01 with the following comments and notes from the plan review memo.  That the approval is valid for FIVE YEARS and will expire on 02/05/2029.  If deemed necessary, a bond, in an amount to be determined by the City Engineer, be submitted for Erosion and Sediment Control and Site Restoration.  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.  That the Forester visit the site weekly to check progress and E&S controls, and that the IWWCC Agent contact them to schedule periodic inspections. The forester should email a brief report weekly to the IWWCC Agent after site inspections have occurred.  Anti-tracking pads should be included on the proposed map anywhere that trucks will be entering the site.  A Right of Way permit from the Department of Public Works will be required prior to any work commencing in the city right of way.  REASON: The proposed project is permitted as of right and the proposed erosion and sediment controls are sufficient to protect the wetlands located throughout the project. Peter Chalecki seconded. Douglas Lee, Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki and Brandon Hyde voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. F. NEW BUSINESS: None. G. OTHER BUSINESS: None. H. VIOLATIONS: Dan Daniska reported that he had not witnessed any movement in regard to the tree that was dropped on Ford Avenue. Dan Daniska stated he was working with the homeowner where the tree fell as well as those that cut the tree down. Dan Daniska stated he should have an update at the next meeting. I. ADJOURNMENT: Doulas Lee made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 PM. Brandon Hyde seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose - Recording Secretary