Conservation Commission - Minutes - 06/24/2021

MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
June 24, 2021 ban
6:30 PM 4021 JUL =] 4,
Zoom Remote Access Only ANU]: 5
Members Present: Dave Lersch, Geneva Renegar and Wade Thomas (1 Vacancy)
Members Absent: Tali Maidelis, Richard Muckle and Jessica Patterson
Alternates Present: Ivy Plis and Julie Wainscott (1 Vacancy)
Staff Present: Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner
Katrina Kotfer, Recording Secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
W. Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. I. Plis was seated for T. Maidelis and J.
Wainscott seated for J. Patterson.
2. APPROVAL of the June 10, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
Motion: Motion made by J. Wainscott, second by G. Renegar to approve the June 10, 2021
meeting minutes.
Vote: 4-0-1 (W. Thomas abstained)
3. APPLICATION REVIEW
C-21-04: 198 Shore Road: Stream Channel Stabilization — John Lombardi, Applicant &
Owner; Joseph Theroux, Agent.
The Commission reviewed the draft permit.
Motion: Motion made by D. Lersch, second by I. Plis to approve the draft permit as
prepared.
Vote: 5-0
C-21-6: 394 Willetts Avenue Ext. & 61A Myrock Avenue Install Private Gravity Fed
Sewer Main — Waterford Woods, LLC, Owner & Applicant, Yantic River Consultants, LLC;
Agent.
Brandon Handfield, PE reviewed the project location and installation plans for a gravity sewer
line across 61 and 61A Myrock Avenue properties to serve the recently approved development at
394 Willets Avenue. The sewer extension is approximately 1,500 feet long in a southeast and
southerly direction to connect to the existing municipal main near the railroad line.
Approximately 225 linear feet crosses inland wetlands with a proposed temporary wetland
disturbance of 1,440 square feet. The anticipated installation will proceed from the existing
municipal manhole along the railroad and extend north, bordering the west edge of the
Eversource property. The de-watering area will be installed prior to work in the wetland. The
sequence of construction will involve removing the wetland soil layer and separating from the
mineral substrate layers. After the utility is installed and backfilled, the wetland soil material will
be replaced and seeded.
D. Lersch questioned the dimensions of the wetland excavation area and if a temporary access
road would be constructed to allow construction machinery access. B. Handfield replied the
access easement is 20 feet wide, enough for 2 trucks to pass. A driveable surface will be

Conservation Commission Minutes
June 24, 2021
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installed up to the southern wetland crossing area. The depth of the sewer line through the
wetland area is 3 feet.
W. Thomas questioned if water stops were proposed within the sewer trench backfill to limit
piping of groundwater and if there was a need for de-watering wells. B. Handfield replied a
trench dam could be installed if required, but that there is no outlet for the groundwater from the
trench and it is expected to back up into the fill to its natural elevation. He does not think de-
watering wells or wellpoints are needed due to depth of excavation. The Commission did not
require a trench dam.
J. Wainscott asked if large equipment or wheeled vehicles will be used in the wetlands. B.
Handfield noted the contractor will use smaller equipment to work in the wetland crossing areas
and soil removed will be sidecasted along sewer trench. The work is anticipated to be conducted
this August or September.
D. Lersch noted the wetland disturbance is temporary and wetland functions will be returned
existing conditions with no loss of wetland area. Mowing of the easement will likely occur for
maintenance and inspection of the sewer and this activity should be included in the permit
authorization.
Staff recommended that the wetland excavation and soil replacement work be inspected by a
wetland scientist to verify the wetland hydrology and soils are replaced in kind.
Motion: Motion made by D. Lersch, second by J. Wainscott to have staff prepare a draft
permit with conditions as discussed for review at the next meeting.
Vote: 5-0
4, NEW APPLICATIONS
No new applications were received.
5. VIOLATIONS
54 Rope Ferry Road — Status of Stream Restoration:
Staff updated the Commission the work has been completed. The Commission authorized staff
to issue a letter of compliance to close the violation file.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
No other business was discussed.
7 ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Motion made by D. Lersch, second by G. Renegar to adjourn at 7:25 pm.
Vote: 5-0
Respgctfully Submitted,
I at) Se
Katrina Kotfer ce
Recording Secretary