Conservation Commission - Minutes - 04/28/2022

MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
April 28, 2022 6:30 PM
Waterford Town Hall
Members Present: Tali Maidelis, Richard Muckle, Geneva Renegar, Dave Ler: sch, 3
Matthew Keatley, Wade Thomas 3 ,
Members Absent: Jessica Patterson i
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Alternates Present: Ivy Plis, Julie Wainscott, Bud Bray =
Staff Present: Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner a)
Leanne Santos, Recording Secretary es
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1. CALL TO ORDER AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
R. Muckle called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. I. Plis was seated for M. Keatley and J.
Wainscott was seated for J. Patterson. M. Keatley arrived at 6:35 and I. Plis was un seated.
2. APPROVAL OF THE April 14, 2022 MEETING MINUTES
Motion: Motion made by T. Maidelis, second by G. Renegar to approve the April 14, 2022
meeting minutes.
Vote: 7-0-0
3. APPLICATION REVIEW
#C-22-4 934 & 940 Hartford Tpke. — Self storage facility, Libby Hill, LLC, Owner & Applicant,
William Sweeney, Agent
Bob Russo, soil scientist and Ellen Bartlett, PE. of CLA Engineers were present for the applicant.
B. Russo noted the wetland boundary was previously delineated by a different soil scientist, but he
reviewed the marked boundary and agrees with it. He referenced the existing conditions plan. The
northeast corner of the site close to Hartford Tpke. has a manmade depression that is holding water.
He reviewed it at staffs request and conducted eight auger holes on site. B. Russo stated he does
not feel the area meets the definition of wetland soil. He noted two other soil scientists had
previously delineated the property and did not identify it as a wetland area.
B. Russo reviewed the site resources. Jordan Brook forms the rear boundary of the property. The
site contains power lines on the east side, and the old Rte 85 roadway bed. Two water lines and a
municipal sewer line pass through the site. A portion of the old roadway will need to be re-graded.
The wetlands are largely wooded swamp associated with Jordan Brook. There are also two wetland
pockets on site that he checked this spring and in his opinion are not viable vernal pools. He noted
the proposal follows the recommendations of the Jordan Brook Watershed Management plan and
includes measures to protect the species of turtle identified by the CT Natural Diversity Database.
E. Bartlett reviewed the proposed development plan for two climate controlled self storage
buildings. All proposed development is located outside of the upland review area, except for
grading. Building A will be a two-story building with a footprint of 6,000 square feet. Building B
will be a two-story building with a footprint of 12,000 square feet. There will be RV parking
available at the rear of Building B. No maintenance or use of the recreation vehicles will take place
on site. She reviewed the temporary sediment basin and permanent stormwater basin design, noting
the final basin treats 5 times the required water quality volume, providing secondary treatment of
stormwater run-off. The basin will contain water in the spring to contour elevation 100. The basin
design provides 24,000 cubic feet of storage above contour 100.

Conservation Commission Minutes
April 28, 2022
p. 2 of 2
B. Russo explained the seasonal high water level within the basin will support a marsh environment
where plants and soil will take up pollutants. There would be no overland discharge from the basin
up to the 100-year storm event. A silt fence barrier is proposed to keep the turtles out of the
construction area. The temporary sediment basin is located in the permanent stormwater basin but
will not be excavated as deep as the permanent basin. He stated there are no direct impacts to
wetlands.
Commissioners asked how the basin will be de-watered during conversion from a temporary
sediment trap to the permanent basin. B. Russo explained measures to de-water if needed.
R. Muckle questioned if the wet pocket in the northeast area of the site provides wetland values or
could it support egg masses. B. Russo explained the soil indicators he found did not indicate poorly
drained or very poorly drained soil drainage classes and the water level is already dropping at the
beginning of the growing season. He does not believe it has the potential to function as a vernal
pool habitat.
W. Thomas questioned the use of the Rational Method for the hydrograph and whether or not the
roof will be metal. E. Bartlett responded the method was used due to the small size of the site
drainage area and she will confirm the roof material that will be used. Staff requested a cross
section of the stormwater basin be provided indicating the permanent pool and storage capacities.
Motion: Motion made by D. Lersch, second by T. Maidelis, to find the proposed activity is
not a significant impact activity and does not require a public hearing.
Vote: 7-0-0
4. NEW APPLICATIONS - None
5. CONSERVATION OUTREACH
The commission continued discussion regarding educational outreach materials and whether they
could be made interactive. Also discussed were ways to promote the outreach program including a
possible website/facebook page or using the Conservation Commission page on the Town Website.
Action items to work on for next meeting include a name for the program and a review of other
municipal websites to see if there are any comparable outreach measures.
6. CORRESPONDENCE - No discussion.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Motion made by T. Maidelis, second by J. Wainscott to adjourn at 7:42 pm.
Vote: 7-0-0
Respectfully Submitted,
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Leanne Santos
Recording Secretary