Inland Wetlands Commission

City of Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Special Meeting Minutes August 20, 2024 Present: Jay Bate, Chair Christine Altman, Vice-Chair – Remote Joe Paganini, Member Adrienne Barbe, Member Randall Stelma, Member Staff/Presenters: Nate Nardi-Cyrus – Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Not Present: 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, Randall Stelma, and Christine Altman via Teams. 3. Minutes for Approval a. 7/9/2024 MOTION by Mr. Paganini to approve the 6/11/2024 minutes, seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. 4. Show Cause Hearing a. Applicant: Stephen Zadrozinski Location: 87 Eagle Ridge (Assessor Map 244 Block 006 Lot 173) Violation: Non-compliance with wetlands permit for site restoration Mr. Nardi-Cyrus communicated to the Commission that Mr. Zadrozinski agreed to allow Mr. Alfano to access the property to finalize a restoration approved by the Commission earlier in the year. For this reason, Mr. Nardi-Cyrus recommended that the Commission not make a decision on this show cause hearing and table the matter until the restoration is complete and the Commission agreed 5. Old Business: a. Applicant: Stephen Mazzarelli  Location: Mountain Road (Assessor Map 231 Block 001 Lot 019) Activity: Jurisdictional Determination – Constructed pond improvements Steven Mazzarelli and his site contractor, James Doyle (Innovative Lawn and Landscape), introduced themselves for the record. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus shared aerial photos and plan with the Commission. Mr. Mazzarelli gave a brief history of the pond construction and Mr. Doyle explained the issues with the existing spillway and their proposed enhancements. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus explained what is required from a jurisdictional determination, which is a decision on whether the proposed activity is an agricultural improvement exempt from local inland wetlands regulations. Mr. Nardi- Cyrus gave a more detailed inland wetlands history, starting in 2005 when a jurisdictional determination allowed Mr. Mazzarelli to clear forested wetlands for conversion to pasture/crop land. Then in 2021, the Commission determined the pond was also agricultural in nature, not requiring a permit from Inland Wetlands. Mr. Bate asked what the pond would be used to irrigate. Mr. Mazzarelli indicated he wanted to use the pond to irrigate fruit and Christmas trees when he ramps up the farm after his retirement. Mr. Bate asked if the lot was a farm and Mr. Mazzarelli answered that it was not. A discussion ensued regarding the drainage of the pond onto the adjacent property and how this proposed activity might affect the neighbor. Further questions were asked for the applicant regarding the topography of the land and the depth and characteristics of the pond. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reminded the Commission that their role is not to regulate this activity but to determine if it is within their jurisdiction. Mr. Bate asked what would happen if they left the outflow naturally vegetated and Mr. Doyle indicated it was an aesthetic issue. Mr. Mazzarelli also indicated he is planning to direct future customers cutting Christmas trees over the spillway rather than going closer to the house on the other side of the pond. Further discussion ensued regarding the outlet and the berm on the rear of the pond. Mr. Paganini asked if the applicant had a plan for future agricultural use and improvements, with a timeline for implementation. The Commission agreed that they would need to see a written plan, with a timeline for implementation prior to making their determination. Mr. Mazzarelli and Mr. Doyle said they would provide their plan to Mr. Nardi-Cyrus sometime soon. MOTION by Mr. Paganini to table the jurisdictional determination application, seconded by Mr. Stelma, unanimously carried. b. Applicant: Paul Torres Location: 438 Notting Hill Gate (Assessor Map 220 Block 001 Lot 003) Activity: Patio installation and restoration of formally filled wetlands Mr. Nardi-Cyrus gave a brief enforcement history on the property, related to the construction of a hardscape patio without wetlands permits. Paul Torres explained in more detail about the nature of the patio and the proposed restoration project. The Commission agreed to decide on additional details and conditions for the project at the next meeting. MOTION by Mr. Stelma to accept the application and determine the proposed activity is not significant, seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried  c. Applicant: Lori Dziedzic Location: 1163 Pothier Road (Assessor Map 213 Block 001 Lot 005) Activity: Pond Maintenance and restoration of cleared wetlands Mr. Nardi-Cyrus gave a brief enforcement history on the property, related to an existing pond and associated wetlands clearing without wetlands permits. He also shared a preliminary plan agreed to by the property owners for restoration of disturbed areas of the property. A discussion ensued about where phragmites and other wetland vegetation should be allowed to return and where the existing lawn (which has been there since at least 2012) should remain. Mr. Paganini wanted to see photos of the site prior to the next meeting. The Commission agreed to decide on additional details and conditions for the project at the next meeting. MOTION by Mr. Paganini to accept the application and determine the proposed activity is not significant, seconded by Mr. Stelma, unanimously carried 6. Enforcement Report: Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reported on enforcement actions and agent determinations to the Commission. Mr. Nardi- Cyrus also explained the newest solar project, exempt from local inland wetlands regulatory authority, proposed for a large formally agricultural property on Lovers Lane Road. 7. Adjournment: MOTION by Ms. Barbe to adjourn at 8:09 p.m., seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried. Nate Nardi-Cyrus ___________________________ Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer City of Torrington, Land Use Office