Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes May 2, 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 7:03 PM. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Chairman Richard Morell stated that all members present, other than Dean Nason who was only observing, would be seated and voting during the meeting. Present: Chairman Richard Morell, Douglas Lee (ZOOM), Chris Seery (ZOOM), Peter Chalecki (ZOOM). Absent: Brandon Hyde and Nicholas Fortson. Also Present: Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary; and Dan Daniska, City Planner/Wetland Agent C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Douglas Lee put forth a motion to APPROVE the April 11, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. Richard Morell, Douglas Lee, Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Dan Daniska reported E. OLD BUSINESS: None. F. NEW BUSINESS: Receipt of new applicants. Dan Daniska reported he received two new applications; IWWCC #24-06 for the Greeneville School Replacement and IWWCC #24-07 for the Stanton School Replacement. Douglas Lee made a motion to table both applications until the next regular meeting. Richard Morell, Douglas Lee, Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Dan Daniska stated that he felt the wetland area of disturbance for both projects was minimal in scope. Dan Daniska added that it was being requested that an adjacent wetland area be re-created at both sites. Douglas Lee made a motion that neither application was a significant activity and did not require a public hearing. Peter Chalecki seconded. Richard Morell, Douglas Lee, Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. G. OTHER BUSINESS: None. H. VIOLATIONS: 1. SHOW CAUSE HEARING: Unauthorized Land Disturbance 520 Asylum Street Ext. Norwich, CT  Richard Morell stated that the applicant had been in contact with staff and was suffering from an ailment so they requested an extension, as well as a request for the board to do a site walk to view the work that has been completed. Dan Daniska showed pictures on screen for all to view. Dan Daniska stated that the property owner had a landscaping business and filled in an area with wood chips and cutting debris. Dan Daniska stated that it was a decent sized area. Dan Daniska stated that according to GIS maps most of the property is wetlands due to the size and shape file. Dan Daniska stated that if the affected area was not a direct wetland then it was in the wetland review area. Dan Daniska stated that he told the homeowner in order to dispute the issue they would need to hire a soil scientist, which is why he requested the board conduct a site walk. Douglas Lee stated that he was not against a site walk but a soil scientist would be necessary either way. Dan Daniska stated that the photographs show the disturbance was not a new dumping and that there was a lot of new material there. Chris Seery and Richard Morell stated they did not feel a site walk would be beneficial. Douglas Lee agreed and stated that the violation was clear from the photographs presented. Peter Chalecki made a motion to table the showcase hearing until the next regular scheduled meeting. Chris Seery seconded. Richard Morell, Douglas Lee, Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. 2. SHOW CAUSE HEARING: Unauthorized Deposit of Material 19 + 21 Ford Ave. Norwich, CT Dan Daniska reported at 19 Ford Avenue a tree was cut down and dropped into the wetland area on the neighbor’s property. Dan Daniska stated that the gentleman came into his office the previous day looking for a Haitian translator due to a language barrier. Dan Daniska stated that the gentleman came to the meeting that night earlier with a translator and he explained to them that the tree needed to be cut up and removed by hand. Dan Daniska showed photographs on screen for all to view. Discussion ensued. Peter Chalecki made a motion to SUSTAIN the Cease and Desist Order with the following instructions: 1. Remove by hand: the tree and all related limbs, branches, etc. from the regulated area. No heavy machinery is to be used whatsoever. 2. Submit a City of Norwich IWWCC application + associated fee, with an associated site plan(s) depicting the unpermitted land disturbance activities that have occurred to date and for any/all restoration work to be performed on site. This application must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days from receipt of this Order. The Commission will review the application and plan(s) for completeness at its next regularly scheduled meeting date. Chris Seery seconded. Richard Morell, Douglas Lee, Chris Seery, Peter Chalecki voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously.  I. ADJOURNMENT: Peter Chalecki made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 PM. Douglas Lee seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose - Recording Secretary