Conservation Commission (linked)

Members Absent: Matthew Keatley (notified), Dave Lersch (notified), (1 vacancy)
MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
August 24, 2023, 6:30 PM
Auditorium, Waterford Town Hall
t
Members Present: Tali Maidelis, Rich Muckle, Geneva Renegar, Wade Thomas &
Alternates Present: Ivy Plis, (2 vacancies)
Staff Present: Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner
Kim Powell (Recording Secretary)
. CALL TO ORDER AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Muckle at 6:31 PM. I. Plis was seated for M. Keatley.
. APPROVAL OF THE July 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Motion: Made by W. Thomas and seconded by T. Maidelis to approve the July 27, 2023 minutes.
Vote: 4-0-1 [G. Renegar Abstained] '
. NEW APPLICATIONS — No new applications received.
. APPLICATION REVIEW
C-23-05 268 Niantic River Road — Slope stabilization and protection of pre-1995 residence:
Geraldine & Stephen Kuenkler, Owner/Applicant; Seamus Moran, P.E. of H&H Engineering
Associates, LLC, Agent; received 8-10-2023
S. Moran presented details of the stabilization project to protect the existing residence from an
eroding slope. He reviewed existing site conditions, wetland boundaries and the owner’s past
actions to remove diseased trees and add new plantings to attempt to stabilize the slope. He
explained the proposed construction will involve an excavator digging a 120’ trench to install a
gabion basket retaining wall, 3 baskets high at the highest elevation, up-gradient of the on-site inland
wetland boundary. Silt fence and erosion control matting will be installed upslope of the wetland.
The project should take 2-3 weeks to complete. The gabion wall will not have an underdrain on the
up-gradient side and is not expected to impact the hydrology of the inland wetland. Wetland
boundaries were delineated by New England Environmental Services. Wetland vegetation includes
Japanese Knotweed, skunk cabbage, jack in the pulpit and jewelweed.
Staff provided current photos of the embankment vegetation and reviewed the proposed location of
the retaining wall. Staff noted the wall and terracing is exempt from Coastal Area Management
(CAM) permitting.
Staff distributed copies of an email forwarded to the Conservation Commission from the
neighboring property owner who questions the accuracy of the southern property boundary survey.
She read the email message. Staff noted she had communicated with the Town’s attorney regarding

Conservation Commission Agenda
August 24, 2023
Page 2 of 3
the email. The application is accompanied by a signed and stamped survey plan as required by the
regulations. The Commission’s review of the application should proceed. S. Moran noted the
property owners had an A2-T2 survey prepared by a licensed surveyor,
S. Moran explained the gabions will be placed a few at a time, the entire slope will not be disturbed
at one time. The baskets will be set and back-filled.
Motion: Made by W. Thomas and seconded by I. Plis to have staff prepare a draft permit approval
for the activity.
Vote: 5-0-0
C-23-06_577 Vauxhall Street - Construct a Stone Patio: Raymond Lenart, Owner/Applicant;
received 8-10-2023
Staff reviewed photographs of the proposed patio location and a revised site location map of the
patio based on field located and measured stakes installed by the owner. The owner has requested to
modify the size of the proposed patio to 14 ft. x 14 fi. The patio is proposed to be 6 ft. from the
wetland boundary and 26 ft. from the edge of the water. The Commission requested the revised plan
be signed by the applicant as an amendment to the application.
Staff reviewed email correspondence from the applicant noting the new patio site is for the
relocation of the unauthorized patio materials placed in wetlands on and adjacent to the property
which the Commission has required to be removed.
Motion: Made by W. Thomas and seconded by G. Renegar to have staff prepare a draft permit
approval for a 14 ft. x 14 ft. stone patio for consideration by the commission.
Vote: 5-0-0
C-23-07 7 West Street — Construct a single-family home: Warren Rogers, Owner/Applicant, James
Bernardo, LS, Agent; received 8-10-2023
J. Bernardo presented the application, noting the plan is similar to one approved by the Commission
in 2007 for this property which expired prior to any construction being done. The new plan will
require filling 150 sq. ft. of wetlands area for the construction of a bituminous driveway on the north
side of the house to access West Street. Temporary disturbance of approximately 100 sq. ft. of
wetlands is requested for the installation of a sanitary sewer service to the house. The application
also involves cutting of invasive vegetation, installation of plantings and vegetation management
within 1,000 sq. ft. of wetland swale located on the western property boundary, within the Town
right-of-way.
Staff reviewed photographs of the wetland swale that is maintained in part by the Dept. of Public
Works, She reviewed the location of a catch basin inlet within the swale and explained the permit
allows the owner to plant and maintain the swale. The roof drains are directed to the swale. The
Commission reviewed a draft permit authorization for the proposed activity.
Motion: Made by W. Thomas and seconded by T. Maidelis to approve the draft permit as written.
Vote: 5-0-0

Conservation Commission Agenda
August 24, 2023
Page 3 of 3
5. VIOLATIONS
577 Vauxhall Street Extension: Unauthorized Activity within Inland Wetlands & Watercourses
Notice of Violation & Corrective Actions - Issued 6 14 2023, Restoration required by 11-1-2023.
No further discussion on this matter.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
- July 28, 2023, Section 4.1.a Determination Letter to: Hull Forest Products Inc. - accepted
- Niantic River Watershed Summit Invitation - September 12, 2023 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.-Staff
reviewed the invitation to the watershed summit meeting. RSVP is required and is on-line.
7. PAYMENT OF BILLS
The Day $125.24
Motion: Made by W. Thomas and seconded by G. Renegar to pay the bill from The Day.
Vote: 5-0-0
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Made by W. Thomas and seconded by T. Maidelis to adjourn at 7:27 PM.
Vote: 5-0-0
Submitted By:
Kim Powell, Recording Secretary