Inland Wetlands Commission

City of Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Present: Jay Bate, Jr., Chair Christine Altman, Vice-Chair Joe Paganini, Member Adrienne Barbe, Member Staff: Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Not Present: Randell Stelma, Member Steven Thompson, Alternate 1. Call to Order: Mr. Bate called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in-person at Room 215, City Hall, 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 Christine Altman, Joe Paganini, Adrienne Barbe. 3. Minutes for Approval: a. 10/08/2024 – Regular Meeting MOTION by Mr. Paganini to approve the 10/8/2024 minutes, seconded by Ms. Altman, unanimously carried. 4. Old Business: a. Applicant: City of Torrington Location: Sawmill Hill Road Activity: Culvert replacement and road repair Paul Kundzins, City Engineer and Deputy Public Works Director, was not present at the meeting but sent pictures to the Commission. Mr. Nardi Cyrus explained that the work is completed, and everything complies with his final inspection, therefore he recommended approval with standard conditions. MOTION by Ms. Altman to grant permit, seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried.  b. Applicant: City of Torrington Location: Church Street Activity: Bridge and Road Repair Mr. Nardi-Cyrus presented a summary review of the proposed activity consisting of one of two options for contractors to bid on. Option 1 (preference for the City) has no wetland impacts but Option 2 does require minimal activities in the Naugatuck River and recommended to approve with standard conditions MOTION by Ms. Altman to grant permit, seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried. c. Applicant: Jonathan Miller Location: 2480 Newfield Road (Assessor Map 230 Block 001 Lot 001) Activity: Relocation of storm piping connected to 15” RCP originating across Newfield Road. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus explained that this application is part of an enforcement action. There was an emergency piping of runoff from the road. When the applicant came in to get a permit for that drainage system, it unfortunately ran over the reserve area of a septic system that they were required to build as their existing system is failing. He met on site with Torrington Area Health after the last meeting and everyone agreed that either the system would have to be redesigned, or the drainage pipe would have to be replaced. Jonathan Miller, the representative of the applicant, has a meeting with an engineer the last week in November to look at redesigning both systems, perhaps shrinking the septic system with a new gallery for infiltration, while also modifying the route of the pipe. They have until February 4th for the Wetlands Commission to make a decision and will have an update by the December Meeting. MOTION by Ms. Altman to table the application, seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried. 5. New Business: a. Applicant: AJK, LLC Location: 3350 Winsted Road (Assessor Map 242 Block 003 Lot 001) Activity: Report to commission regarding wetlands mapping and restoration Atty. David Sherwood presented for the applicant AJK, LLC. In response to the Cease and Correct order, AJK engaged Clint Webb, soil scientist, who joined the meeting on Teams, and Ian Cole, soil and wetlands scientist, who was not present. Mr. Cole flagged the North end of the site in October and prepared a brief report and sketch of the wetlands boundary. Jeremy Leifert, City Planner for Torrington, and Nate Nardi-Cyrus met Mr. Cole, Atty. Sherwood, and Wes Clow to walk the site, and were satisfied with the flagged wetlands boundaries. The area of current activity is outside of the wetlands. Delineation of the South end of the site should be completed by January or sooner. Atty. Sherwood presented Mr. Cole’s resume and report for the record. Atty. Sherwood reviewed a history of the site according to Mr. Cole’s report and said they would be asking for a Wetlands Boundary Amendment. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus provided context that when AJK was applying to renew their existing permit, the flagged boundary according to the Lenard plan with collaboration of soil scientist, George Malia seemed to show filling activity in the wetlands boundary. The limits of disturbance for the original mine operation extended far into the old wetlands boundary which has since revegetated. There  were likely small wetlands scattered throughout the site long ago and perhaps Mr. Mallia drew the line straight across, though it is impossible to reconstruct an accurate history that spoke to why the wetlands delineation was inaccurate. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus agrees with the new wetlands boundaries. Since this application also will go before Planning and Zoning, it was important to research this potential encroachment first. The history and of the property and current status were further discussed. The Commission asked multiple clarifying questions. Wes Clow asked if the Cease and Correct could be lifted, and after discussion, the Commission members agreed to leave it in place since it wasn’t interfering with current operations on site. 6. Enforcement Report: Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reported on enforcement actions at 2904 Winsted Road and the Commission directed Mr. Nardi-Cyrus to impose fines on Fragale. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus also reported on enforcement actions at 446 Newfield Road, and 87 Eagle Ridge and an agent determinations at 490 Riverside Avenue for a shed in Naugatuck River URA and 2010 Mountain Road for and Agricultural equipment barn in URA 7. Adjournment: MOTION by Ms. Altman to adjourn at 7:44 p.m., seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried. Nate Nardi-Cyrus _________________________ Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer City of Torrington, Land Use Office