Inland Wetlands Commission

City of Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 9, 2024 Present: Jay Bate, Chair Christine Altman, Vice-Chair Joe Paganini, Member Adrienne Barbe, Member – Remote Staff/Presenters: Nate Nardi-Cyrus – Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Not Present: Randall Stelma, Member Steven Thompson, Alternate 1. Call to Order: Mr. Bate called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in-person at City Hall Auditorium Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT. The meeting was also conducted via Teams online. 2. Roll Call and Announcements: Mr. Bate stated present and serving in person this evening are Commission members Joe Paganini, Adrienne Barbe, and Christine Altman via Teams. 3. Minutes for Approval a. 6/11/2024 MOTION by Mr. Paganini to approve the 6/11/2024 minutes, seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. 4. Old Business: a. Applicant: Dean Benton Location: 919 Guerdat Road (Assessor Map 232 Block 005 Lot 019) Activity: Restoration of wetlands and adjacent upland buffer Mr. Benton was not present at this meeting. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus summarized the history of enforcement and permitting on the property and brought an amendment from the applicant asking to reduce the unmaintained buffer to the pond from >200’ originally proposed to 65’. The Commission discussed and ultimately agreed conditions shall include (1) a buffer of at least 100’, (2) signage approved by the City agent showing the regulated area adjacent to the pond, and (3) a permit duration of 2 years, in addition to standard conditions.  MOTION by Mr. Paganini to grant permit with agreed upon additional conditions, seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. b. Applicant: Audrey Curtis Location: 494 Newfield Road and 446 Newfield Road (Assessor Maps 233/003/004 and 233/003/005) Activity: Restoration of animal bedding dump within and adjacent to wetlands Ms. Curtis and Mr. Church were not present at the meeting, so Mr. Nardi-Cyrus summarized the history of enforcement and permitting on the property. The Commission discussed the proposed work on the site and agreed that: 1) the permit shall be valid for 2 years, (2) staked straw bales be installed at the toe of the slope prior to work beginning, (3) wetlands placards shall be installed and approved by the City agent, and (4) the pile shall be removed by 11/1/24, in addition to the standard conditions. MOTION by Ms. Altman to grant the permit with the agreed upon additional conditions, seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried 5. Enforcement Report: Mr. Nardi-Cyrus explained the status of enforcement actions at 2904 Winsted Road, 242 Clearview Ave, and 87 Eagle Ridge. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus also presented a proposal to abate enforcement at 3350 Winsted Road, in exchange for an agreement between all parties to bring the property into compliance over the subsequent years. The terms of the agreement were discussed, and Mr. Nardi- Cyrus answered questions about the history of the property and the current status. MOTION by Ms. Altman to authorize the Commission Chair to sign the agreement with amendments requested by the Planning and Zoning, seconded by Joe Paganini, unanimously carried Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reported on agent determinations to the Commission. 6. Adjournment: MOTION by Ms. Altman to adjourn at 7:55 p.m., seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried. Nate Nardi-Cyrus ___________________________ Zoning Enforcement Officer City of Torrington, Land Use Office