Conservation Commission - Minutes - 07/25/2024

MEETING MINUTES
RECEIVED FOR RECORD
Conservation Commission WATERFORD, CT
July 25, 2024, 6:30 p.m. fntthidbe
BOE Conference Room, Waterford Town Hall 024 JUL 31 Alk 10
Members Absent: Matthew Keatley (notified), Tali Maidelis (notified), Geneva Renegar':
Alternates Absent: Ivy Plis (notified), Matthew Shea, (1 vacancy)
Staff Present: Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner; Kim Powell, Recording Secretary
Membets Present: Keith Kriet, David Lersch, Chairman Richard Muckle, Wade The pegs, Beeb Gua
“TOWN CLERK
1, CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Chairman Muckle at 6:30 p.m.
2, APPROVAL OF THE July 11, 2024 MEETING MINUTES
Motion: Made by D. Lersch seconded by W. Thomas to approve the July 11, 2024 minutes.
Vote: 4-0
3. NEW APPLICATIONS - No new applications received.
4, APPLICATION REVIEW
C-24-05 430 Mohegan Avenue Parkway & 23B Old Norwich Road: 24 Unit residential housing
development — 1721, LLC — Applicant/Owner, Indigo Land Design, LLC — Agent
Atty. William Sweeney, TCORS Attorneys, representing the applicant 1721 LLC. He introduced
the project team present: Dan DelGrosso, Principal; Joe Wren, Professional Engineer - Indigo
Land Design; Bob Russo, Soil Scientist - CLA Engineers.
J. Wren reviewed the revised plans submitted July 24, 2024. The project will extend from Roberts
Court as a 20 ft. wide private road in a full loop with water and sewer setvice and 24 free-standing
residential condominium units. Units will be individually owned and the common area managed
under a Home Owners Association.
He teviewed the proposed grading and drainage plans. Overland grassed swales ate designed to
collect run-off from a portion of the roof ateas and common land and discharge to the east of the
development. A closed drainage system will collect the remaining run-off and direct it to two
stormwater treatment basins. He noted the post-development stormwater run-off rates and
volumes from the site are less than existing conditions for all storm events. ‘The revised drainage
teport includes summary tables of the water quality volumes treated by the basins.
J. Wren reviewed the wetland location and the upland review limits on the site plans. He explained
the 100 ft. upland review area is preserved on the south boundary of the wetland and a 75 ft.
undisturbed buffer is preserved on the west and northern boundary of the wetland. Grading for
stormwater basins 1B and 1C and the vegetated outlet swale of basin 1C are the activities proposed
in the upland review area. No impervious surface area is proposed within the 100 ft. upland review
atea. All graded slopes in excess of 3:1 will be treated with erosion control blankets. Temporary
sediment traps and stockpile areas are identified. ‘The temporary sediment traps are designed per
the 2024 ESC manual. He noted the plans have incorporated revisions requested by staff. J. Wren
also reviewed sheets 6, 7 and 8 of the revised plan set showing toadway profiles and plan details.
B. Russo, soil scientist reviewed the wetland location and surrounding terrain. He explained that
the wetland is a headwater drainage area cut off by the fill embankments of Rte. 32 resulting in a

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 7/25/20204 — Page 2
small wetland pocket. The adjacent land is heavily vegetated with barberry and multiflora rose
shrubs. Past fill activity west of the wetland is evident with boulders abutting the wetland. The site
was reviewed in Match and April for the presence of vernal pool species and none were observed.
B. Russo noted that an area of rip-rap was added to the outlet from basin 1C for stabilization
against etosion. He explained that the stormwater basins will tend to pond water due to the relative
elevation of the outlets to the basin bottom. Vegetative plantings were selected that tolerate
shallow ponding. He suggested the commission could impose a condition to monitor the basin
hydrology during construction and modify the proposed planting plan if necessary prior to planting.
B. Russo stated the project has no ditect impacts to inland wetlands. The potential construction
impacts and long-term water quality impacts ate controlled by the stormwater basins designed to
treat the water quality volume per the 2024 CT Stormwater manual, and the specified erosion and
sediment conttols including check dams, erosion control blankets and temporaty sediment traps.
He stated that if the plan is followed, the project can be constructed with no wetland impacts.
Atty. Sweeney clarified that the common interest land area will be maintained by a professional
management company.
R. Muckle requested the basins be monitored post-construction for vegetation and stabilization. J.
Wren replied a 2-3 year post construction monitoring requirement is acceptable. R. Muckle
recommended the basin construction and monitoring be bonded.
M. FitzGerald noted the stormwater basin maintenance narrative on sheet 8 needs to be modified
to reflect wet stormwater basin conditions.
Motion: Made by W. Thomas seconded by D. Lersch to prepare a draft permit with conditions as
discussed.
Vote: 4-0.
VIOLATIONS
5.a 12 Perkins Farm Road: Unauthorized Vegetation Clearing, Fence & Lawn Encroachment in
a Conservation Easement Area
Gina Guetti was present as owner of 12 Perkins Farm Road.
Staff provided aerial photos from 2004, 2012 and 2019 showing the pasture limits prior to
development and the mowing limits at the entrance to Perkins Farm Road subdivision. R. Muckle
noted there are two items the Commission needs to decide; the existing mowing extent along the
entrance and toad right-of-way and the mowing of the easement area next to #12 Perkins Farm
Road. Attorney Avena has determined the fence cannot remain in the conservation easement area.
G. Guetti questioned why the fence needs to be removed. Commissionets noted the land is under
a consetvation easement and structures are not allowed. The fence and mowed portion of the
easement converted the area to maintained lawn which is not in keeping with the purpose of a
conservation easement.
Commissioners discussed authorizing control of invasive shtubs and vines within 5 feet of the
western property line of #12. The easement needs to return to its natural state, it will not be a
manicured lawn. If the community would like to propose a maintenance plan for the common land
next to 12 Perkins Farm Road, the Commission would consider their proposal for a natural
landscaping plan.

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 7/25/20204 — Page 3
Motion: Made by W. Thomas seconded by D. Lersch to require the owner to move the fence to
their property line, stop mowing of the easement area adjacent to #12, and allow control of
invasive plants by hand trimming within 5 feet of the western property line.
Vote: 4-0.
The Commission considered the on-going mowing of the easement area bordering Great Neck
Road and along the Perkins Farm right-of-way.
Motion: Made by D. Lersch seconded by K. Kriet to allow continued mowing along the tight-of-
way and street trees bordering Perkins Farm Road and in the two western sections of the easement
areas bordering Great Neck Road, to the extent demonstrated in the 2019 aerial photograph, to
control invasive species and maintain sight lines.
Vote: 4-0.
5.b 90 Foster Road: Unauthorized Grading and Deposition in and Adjacent to Inland Wetlands —
Notice of Violation Issued June 13, 2024
Staff provided current photograph showing the restored wetland area back at grade level and stated
the violation has been addressed.
Motion: Made by D. Letsch seconded by K. Kriet to find the corrective actions have been
implemented and the violation is closed.
Vote: 4-0.
6. CORRESPONDENCE - None teceived.
7. OTHER BUSINESS - No other business was discussed.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Made by W. Thomas seconded by D. Lersch to adjourn at 7:49 p.m.
Vote: 4-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Powell, Recording Secretary