Conservation Commission - Minutes - 09/08/2022

MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
September 8, 2022 6:30 PM
~
Waterford Town Hall pac)
a
Members Present: Dave Lersch, Tali Maidelis, Rich Muckle XG
Members Absent: Matthew Keatley, Geneva Renegar, Wade Thomas. S
Alternates Present: Bud Bray, Ivy Plis 7
Staff Present: Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner =
Leanne Santos, Recording Secretary =
[ony
1. CALL TO ORDER AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
The meeting was called to order at 6:32p.m. B. Bray was seated for M. Keatley, I. Plis was
seated for W. Thomas.
2. APPROVAL OF THE August 25, 2022 MEETING MINUTES
Motion: Motion made by B. Bray, second by I. Plis to approve the August 25, 2022
meeting minutes.
Vote: 4-0-1(T. Maidelis abstained)
3. APPLICATION REVIEW
C-22-7, 48 Great Neck Road, Condominium Development, Adams Builders LLC, Owner &
Applicant, Joe Wren PE (Indigo Land Design, LLC), Agent
J. Wren, (Indigo Land Design, LLC), J. Cowen, (Cowen EcoDesign, LLC), Skip and Gordy
Adams were present for the application. J. Wren reviewed with the commission and staff his
September 2, 2022 written responses to staffs July 28, 2022 application materials review
comments.
J. Wren described the proposed de-watering locations and sediment control measures for the
crossing construction. The soil test pits indicated sandy parent material without shallow seasonal
groundwater or ledge. The crossing is to be constructed during the dry period. Boulders will be
replaced around the footings to protect the channel and maintain the substrate habitat.
J. Wren reviewed the pre-development and post-development drainage areas, noting there will be
a decrease in discharge towards the southern wetland but no increase in peak discharge where the
stream exits the property. J. Cowen addressed the potential impact to the southern wetland from
decreased hydrologic input, noting it may dry up sooner in the year. He stated there was very
minor vernal pool activity in the south wetland. To reduce potential impact, he suggested
diverting flows from the adjacent swale towards the southern wetland. Staff asked if a cut-sheet
of the revision submitted to staff was sufficient for the Commission. The Commission agreed.
Staff recommended the wetland restoration areas and stormwater basin plantings be monitored
for a period of 2 years after construction is completed and that a maintenance checklist be
prepared for the stormwater basins and bio-filtration areas for use by the property manager.
J. Cowen reviewed other recommendations in his report for restoration of temporary wetland
impacts and mitigation through native plantings and control of invasive plant species.

Conservation Commission Minutes
September 8, 2022
p.2o0f3
Motion: Motion made by B. Bray, second by D. Lersch to approve the application with
conditions discussed.
Vote: 4-1 (T. Maidelis voting against the motion)
C-22-9, 21 Gurley Road, Commercial Office and Warehouse Complex, Stone Ridge R E, LLC,
Owner & Applicant, CLA Engineers, Agent
No discussion. The public hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2022.
C-22-10, 184 Boston Post Road, Civic Triangle Pond, Universal Access & Pond Improvements,
Town of Waterford, Owner & Applicant, Kent + Frost Landscape Architecture, LLC, Agent
Chad Frost, (Kent + Frost Landscape Architecture, LLC), Brandon Handfield, PE, (Yantic River
Consultants) and Richard Snarski, (New England Environmental Services) were present to
discuss the application.
C. Frost explained the project purpose is to construct a universally accessible pathway around the
pond and complete environmental enhancements of the area. The pond has accumulated
organics over the years and the intent is to dredge the accumulated muck and restore the pond.
He noted that to improve the wetlands and pond the wetland soils will be disturbed. A lot of the
flagged wetland area is mowed lawn. Higher functioning wetlands occur on the eastern side of
the pond where a boardwalk is proposed to reduce wetland fill. The boardwalk will be supported
by helical piles and mats will be required for construction machinery in wetlands. C. Frost
reviewed the areas of temporary and permanent wetland disturbance shown on Sheet L-5.5.
R. Snarski stated he delineated the State and Federal wetland boundary. He reviewed the
wetland vegetation in and around the pond. The pond supports a warmwater fishery and spotted
turtles and frogs. Pond improvements proposed for the restoration including turtle basking sites
on boulders and logs near the boardwalk for education and a waterfowl nesting platform. A
pollinator wildflower meadow is proposed south of the pond with plantings in solid patches at a
1-2 ft. height. The wetland vegetation disturbed from the boardwalk installation will regenerate.
R. Snarski stated his professional opinion is that this project is an enhancement for the pond and
wildlife.
B. Handfield reviewed the contributing drainage areas to the pond. The existing forebay is
proposed to be expanded to treat 10% of the water quality volume discharging to the pond.
Stormwater will flow through filter berms to a scour pool and over stone weirs before entering
the pond to promote aeration. After construction, the water will be recirculated through the
forebay with a pump. He reviewed sheet L-2.0 and the proposed erosion and sediment controls
for the pond dredging and de-watering. De-watering is proposed using well points that discharge
to a de-watering basin at the southern end of the pond. The dredged organic materials will be
staged within the pond for initial decanting then upgradient of the pond for secondary de-
watering. Dredged underlying soil will be de-watered at the south end of the pond.
The Commission discussed if the application involves significant wetland impact or a public
hearing in the public interest should be held in accordance with Section 9.1 of the Inland
Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations.
Motion: Motion made by D. Lersch, second by B. Bray per section 9.1 of the Inland
Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations to conduct a public hearing based on
public interest.
Vote: 5-0

Conservation Commission Minutes
September 8, 2022
p.3 of 3
C. Frost ask the Commission to clarify that hearing is based on public interest and not due to a
finding of significant impact. Commissioners clarified the hearing is being held in the interest of
the public. The Commission reviewed available dates for the hearing and possibly holding a
special meeting for the hearing.
Motion: Motion made by T. Maidelis, second by B. Bray to schedule the public hearing
date on October 6, 2022.
Vote: 5-0
4. NEW APPLICATIONS
C-22-11, 10 Donna Street, Channel lining/Embankment Stabilization, Rashmi Srestha, Owner
& Applicant.
Staff reviewed the requested regulated activities in the channel and noted that during the
significant rainfall earlier in the week, there was no water in the channel. Staff and commission
members reviewed the plan submitted.
Motion: Motion made by T. Maidelis, second by I. Plis to have staff prepare a draft permit
for the proposed activity.
Vote: 5-0
5. VIOLATIONS
1122, 1124 Hartford Turnpike: Unauthorized fill, grading & deposition of materials adjacent to
inland wetlands. Notice of Violation issued May 26, 2022.
Staff gave update of the restoration.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
19 Nichols Lane, Proposed section 4.1.d yard maintenance, cut and remove overgrowth to
maintain channel flow.
Motion: Motion made by T. Maidelis, second by B. Bray that the activity meets the
criteria for maintenance under Section 4.1.d of the Inland Wetlands and
Watercourses Regulations.
Vote: 5-0
Ts CORRESPONDENCE - none received
8. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion: Motion made by D. Lersch, second by I. Plis to approve payment of The Day bill
in the amount of $100.65.
Vote: 5-0
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Motion to adjourn made by D. Lersch, second by B. Bray to adjourn at 8:43 pm.
Vote: 5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
)
Leanne Santos
Recording Secretary