Inland Wetlands Commission

City of Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Regular Meeting Minutes February 4, 2025 Present: Jay Bate, Jr., Chair Christine Altman, Vice-Chair Adrienne Barbe, Member Joe Paganini, Member via Microsoft Teams Steven Thompson, Alternate Staff: Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer Not Present: Randell Stelma, Member 1. Call to Order: Mr. Bate called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in-person at Room 218, 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, Adrienne Barbe. Also present is Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer and Assistant City Planner. Serving remotely is Joe Paganini. Stephen Thompson serving via Teams arrived at 7:05 p. m. 3. Minutes for Approval: a. 1/7/2025 – Regular Meeting MOTION by Ms. Altman to approve the 1/7/2025 minutes, seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. 4. Old Business: a. 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. Miller reminded the Commission that his company had installed a new storm line for the owners, as there was a problem with it, but they also had a problem with their septic field. Since the last meeting, where he asked for an extension, he found them a new Engineer to design the septic system. He found them a contractor through work and people to donate some things for the system. It was tough finding people to do the work because they are all busy. Bill Colby told him the day of the meeting; he will have the drawing in where he incorporates the storm line and the septic system. They will relocate the storm line but will rely on Bill to tell us exactly where to put it. Mr. Miller questioned how he should proceed, as he wants to get it done as soon as possible but this application has run out of time. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus mentioned for the record that Commissioner Thompson had signed in via Microsoft Teams at 7:05 p.m.. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus noted that as soon as he gets a drawing from Bill, even if it is a draft, then they can reapply and the clock restarts, but it is a minimum two-month process. He recommends that Mr. Miller withdraw and resubmit the application as otherwise the permit must be denied, since there is no information on the septic system design. Chairman Bate asked if sewage is sometimes running above ground on the property. Mr. Miller confirmed that it does sometimes. Due to this condition, Mr. Bate set a deadline for the application to be resubmitted by the March 26 agenda deadline, or the issue will go into enforcement. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus stated that having materials in by the deadline for the March meeting on February 26th, would be ideal. A sign off from Torrington Area Health would have to be sought concurrently. Commissioner Paganini asked what remediation must take place to deal with the sewage-contaminated soil. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus stated that there has been material discharged over the course of several years and suggested that once they resubmit, it becomes a part of the conversation. Mr. Miller withdrew his application. b. Applicant: Inland Wetlands Commission Activity: Adopt Newly Surveyed Wetlands onto City Wetlands Map (set new public hearing date) Ms. Altman and Mr. Nardi-Cyrus explained to the Commission that there was an office hiccup in which the announcement of the public hearing didn’t go out on time, so we have to start over. MOTION by Ms. Altman to set the public hearing date for March 4, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Barbe, carried unanimously. a. Applicant: Galen Semprebon, East-West Engineering Location: 53 McDermott Ave (Assessor Map 119 Block 006 Lot 012) Activity: Resubdivision Mr. Semprebon reminded the Commissioner of the application to remove a brick building and create two lots. There are wetlands on the property that encompasses stormwater management and a stream. He noted he was available to answer and questions by the Commission. Chairman Bate asked if there were any changes. Mr. Semprebon said there were no changes. Ms. Altman asked for clarification of work done on the water quality basin in the previous application. Mr. Seprembon said, in 2023, there were requirements for cleaning and periodic maintenance of the water quality basin and piping. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus noted that as part of his memo from 2/4/2025, that permit AD- 23-04-01 be transferred to the new owner by the Commission within 65 days of the sale. Once the administrative permit change comes through to the Commission, they can present the status of doing the work for that basin so it can be brought up to a fully functional condition.  MOTION by Ms. Altman to grant the permit with conditions outlined by Mr. Nardi-Cyrus 2/4/2025 memo. Seconded by Ms. Barbe, carried unanimously. 5. New Business: a. Applicant: AJK, LLC Location: 3350 Winsted Road Activity: Wetland Map Amendment Petition (set public hearing date) Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reminded the Commission that this was the materials recycling facility that had a number of wetlands violations on it. They ended up resurveying the wetlands, and after a site walk, the new map seems to accurately represent the conditions on the ground. This is a formal process to change our map of record related to their wetlands on the site. The applicant doesn’t need to be here tonight, since we are just setting the public hearing date. The Commission would likely want to hear about the site plan process that occurs if the Map is accepted. MOTION by Ms. Altman to set the Public Hearing for March 4, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Barbe, carried unanimously. 6. Staff Report: a. Enforcement Report Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reported on enforcement at 2904 Winsted Road, Fragale Paving. There is an extensive history and longstanding violations on this property. As directed by the Commission, Mr. Nard-Cyrus issued citations, and was told by the property owner that they have been waiting on Bill Colby to provide him something to submit. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus advised the property owner that he would have to seek a new engineer as it cannot be held up indefinitely. The next course of action is to follow up with zoning enforcement. Since they don’t have a site plan, and need a wetlands permit in order to get a site plan we can use zoning to issue a cease and desist and start fining at $150/day. If that goes nowhere the City will have to pursue legal action through Corporation Counsel. b. Agent Determinations: Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reported on agent determinations on 100 Lawton Street for an exterior staircase in the 75- foot URA. Permit was granted as there was no disturbance. 7. Adjournment: MOTION by Ms. Altman to adjourn at 7.27 p.m., seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. Nate Nardi-Cyrus _________________________ Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer City of Torrington, Land Use Office