Conservation Commission - Minutes - 10/12/2023

MEETING MINUTES RECEIVED FOR RECORD
Conservation Commission — ey
October 12, 6:30 PM 1023 CCT 18 P 2:52
Auditorium, Waterford ‘Town Hall
Members Present: David Lersch, Tali Maidelis, Chairman Richard Muckle, Wade Thomas “
Members Absent: Matthew Keatley (notified), Geneva Renegar (notified), (1 vacancy)
Alternates Present: Ivy Plis (2 vacancies)
Staff Present: Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner
Kim Powell, Recording Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chaitman Muckle at 6:32 PM. I. Plis was seated for the vacancy.
2, APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Motion: Motion made by W. Thomas, seconded by I. Plis to approve the September 14, 2023 meeting
minutes.
Vote: 5-0-0
Motion: Motion made by T. Maidelis, seconded by I. Plis to approve the September 19, 2023 Special
Meeting Minutes.
Vote: 4-0-1, W. Thomas abstained
3. NEW APPLICATIONS
Thete were no new applications.
4, APPLICATION REVIEW
C-23-8 33 Kenyon Road, New Construction; Congregation Beth El Temple, Inc. Applicant, Wayne
S. Garrick, AIA, Agent
James Sipperly, Certified Soil Scientist and CT Wetland Scientist and Michael Ott. P.E. Summer Hill,
Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors, were present for the applicant. M. Ott stated the application will
need to be continued due to the possibility of additional wetland area on the site.
J. Sipperly stated he submitted a report describing the original wetland delineation conducted in 2020.
At the time, the property was mowed by the prior owner up to the woods line. Wetland flags
numbered WL-1 through WL-39 wete installed to delineate inland wetland soils. ‘The wetland is a
forested bog atea off the north and east of the site with a well-defined boundary. He noted that in 3
yeats since the delineation, the site has become overgrown. Additional wetland vegetation is evident.
He reviewed the area in question with Town staff and found it is an area of fill in a little depression on
the site. He will be investigating the area and delineate wetland boundaries this weekend. He
anticipates there may be an additional 2,000 sq. feet of wetland vegetation that will require
modification of the parking area. A revised site plan will be prepared and submitted.
M. Ott presented an overview of the site plan. The building is a single story synagogue with a
detached storage shed and dumpster atea. Driveway access is from the existing curb-cut at Kenyon
Road, utilities are underground. He reviewed the limit of clearing and disturbance marked by a

Conservation Commission October 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
sediment control barrier. He noted the site drains easterly into a large wetland area which discharges
to Green Swamp Brook via a culvert under Vauxhall Street Extension.
Mr. Ott described the stormwater quality swale as designed to contain run-off generated from the
adjacent patking atea, sidewalk and turn-around from a 1.3 inch storm. The toof area and access
driveway ate proposed to discharge as sheet-flow ovet vegetated atea. The swale is not designed for
on-site detention. M. Ott will conduct on-site infiltration testing in the proposed infiltration swale per
stafPs request.
W. Thomas questioned if standpipes could be installed to monitor groundwater ovet the winter,
M. Ott noted he had dug test holes and found silty subsoil.
R. Muckle asked what happens in rainfall events greater than 1.3 inches. M. Ott replied the swale
would overflow to the east to the large wetland area. J. Sipperly noted the wetland functions include
flood storage and nutrient and pollutant retention.
D. Lersch inquited what the total drainage area to the wetland includes and how the site run-off may
affect the high water level in the marsh and the culvert at Vauxhall Street. He noted he has removed
beaver dams from the marsh which caused fluctuation in the water levels. M. Ott stated his first
concern was to address water quality and control discharges. He will review the existing culvert.
5, VIOLATIONS
577 Vauxhall Street Extension: Notice of Violation & Corrective Actions - Issued 6-14-23
Unauthorized Activity within Inland Wetlands & Watercoutses, Restoration required by 11-1-23.
No discussion.
52 Gutley Road: Notice of Noncompliance 9-7-23 Unauthorized Grading & Clearing of Stream
Channel
A notice of non-compliance was issued on September 7, 2023 to the property owner for unauthorized
clearing and grading in a stream channel. A stream restoration plan was required to be submitted
within 30 days of the notice. There has been no response from the property owner. It was the
consensus of the commission to have staff issue a Notice of Violation requiring a restoration plan be
submitted to the Commission by October 26, 2023 and that the owner present the plan at the next
Commission meeting scheduled for October 26, 2023.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
2024 Conservation Commission Meeting Schedule Discussion - The meeting schedule for 2024
was approved. The schedule will be forwarded to the Town clerk according to Connecticut General
Statue 1-21.
49 Niantic River Road — Modify portion of non-enctoachment area to control weeds and seed
as lawn.
Staff reviewed unauthorized vegetation cutting conducted in a non-encroachment area at 49 Niantic
River Road. The homeowners have submitted a preliminary plan for the Commission to consider,

Conservation Commission October 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
requesting a reduction in the non-encroachment width to provide more lawn space. Commission
membets expressed concern with eliminating the non-encroachment buffer bordering the conservation
easement area and wetlands. A request for permit modification is required. Staff will convey the
concerns to the homeowners.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
To: J. Jamroga, 167 Niantic Rivet Road — Fence Installation along Conservation Easement
Boundary
To: A. Clark, Determination of Permitted Use -Timber Harvest; 130R & 88 Old Colchester
Road and 34 & 34R Millets Pond Road
From: CTDEEP Complaint 2023-4748, Waterford Civic Triangle
The Commission received the correspondence. Staff noted she had responded to the DEEP complaint
and the investigation has been closed.
8. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion: Motion made by W. Thomas, seconded by I. Plis to pay the Arbor Day Foundation Annual
Membership invoice of $20.
Vote: 5-0-0
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Motion made by W. Thomas, seconded by I. Plis to adjourn at 7:44 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Ve perth
Kim Powell
Recording Secretary