Conservation Commission

CITY OF NORWALK CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLAND AGENCY OCTOBER 8, 2024 PRESENT: Steve Klocke, Chair; Paul Vinett; Heather Breslin; Ed Holowinko; Kathryn Knight (arrived after the roll call) STAFF: Alexis Cherichetti OTHERS: Mike Anderson; Wayne D’Avanzo I. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Klocke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. It should be noted that this meeting was held on Zoom.com with all participants calling in, separately. II. ROLL CALL Ms. Cherichetti called the roll. III. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members of the public that spoke. IV. RECEIPT & DISCUSSION a) #S24-645 – 36 Range Road – Anderson – Corrective Action grading, filling and landscaping within and adjacent to a wetland and a watercourse Ms. Cherichetti began the presentation explaining the corrective action and that the application had been filed by the deadline. She also noted that the property includes part of Farm Creek Brook where work had been done. She explained the timeline of the receipt date and that a public hearing would be scheduled for the future. It is the commission’s first look at the application. Mike Anderson said that although he had not prepared for the meeting since he thought it was a public hearing, he did discuss what had been completed. Ms. Cherichetti showed the commissioners a recent survey. She also showed them where a turf and gravel area were within the upland review area. She shared the description of the intended project as well as a sketch of the plans to be done. Conservation Commission October 8, 2024 Page 1 of 4  There was a discussion about the pond which has a concrete bottom. Ms. Cherichetti explained in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, people would construct a dam on a stream which would create a “pool”. Mr. Anderson said he would discuss the work in the upland review area and then the remediation work in the wetlands. He showed them a sketch of the current conditions. Ms. Cherichetti said that the commission would need a series of site plans to fully understand what they were approving. Mr. Klocke suggested that Mr. Anderson hire an engineer. Ms. Cherichetti suggested a landscape architect or engineer could help with the plans. Mr. Klocke said he would like to see what is at the current site in three dimensions and suggested designing the undoing what had been done. The area would have to go back to something more natural. He said that the astroturf would have to be removed from the wetlands to return it to a natural condition. Mr. Anderson showed them the site plan. He also noted that there were invasive species in the area, which Mr. Klocke said that the landscape architect/engineer should be able to help with. Mr. Klocke said that the turf inside the wetlands was not appropriate. Mr. Anderson described the remediation plan. There was a discussion about the walking path that was proposed within the wetland. Mr. Anderson had concerns about the ecosystem that had developed in this area and now having to change it. Mr. Klocke said that Ms. Cherichetti could recommend landscape architects who could help with a plan that the commission could approve. What Mr. Anderson had provided was not adequate. Ms. Cherichetti said she would meet with Mr. Anderson to discuss what the commission is expecting from this meeting. There was a concern about the treehouse as well. There was a discussion about the upland review area and what had been there when he moved in and then what is currently there. There was a discussion about protecting the buffer area. Mr. Klocke explained further what the commission would need to see from him. There was a discussion about the determination of intermediate vs. significant application in the state’s statutes. Ms. Cherichetti said that staff usually made that determination and explained how. Mr. Klocke explained that the remediation plan was not headed in the right direction. Mr. Anderson said he would work with Ms. Cherichetti At this point, Ms. Cherichetti said she would not recommend scheduling a public hearing until additional information had been submitted. She also said that the commission has 65 days to make a decision or commence a public hearing. Mr. Anderson said that he had been under the impression that this meeting would be a public hearing and that some of the neighbors would arrive at 7 pm. b) #S24-646 – 52 Wilson Avenue – Rohnke – Removal of trees and deposition of woodchips in upland review area of wetland and watercourse Conservation Commission October 8, 2024 Page 2 of 4  Ms. Cherichetti began the presentation with an introduction of the application. Kevin Rohnke said that he would try to be brief. Ms. Cherichetti then oriented the commissioners as to the location of the property on an aerial map. She then reviewed the application. There was a 300 year old tree on the property. Mr. Rohnke said that they are removing trees to help give more light to the older tree. She described the mitigation plan. Mr. Rohnke said they were also building a bluestone patio. They also discussed the types and numbers of plantings. Ms. Cherichetti said that she would draft a resolution for the next meeting. Mr. Klocke asked if anyone was on the call for the public hearing Mr. Anderson had mailed notice of, but there was no one. V. DISCUSSION &/OR DECISION a) #S24-644 – 189 Perry Avenue – Moch/Carter – Corrective Action expansion of driveway and installation of drainage adjacent to a watercourse Ms. Cherichetti gave a brief overview of the application that had been heard at the last meeting. At this point, they reviewed the draft resolution. Wayne D’Avanzo said he was available for questions. *** MR. KLOCKE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION MEMORANDUM DATED OCTOBER 3, 2024 FOR #S24-644 AS WRITTEN. *** MS. BRESLIN SECONDED THE MOTION. *** STEVE KLOCKE; HEATHER BRESLIN; ED HOLOWINKO; KATHRYN KNIGHT APPROVED. *** NO ONE OPPOSED THE MOTION. *** PAUL VINETT ABSTAINED. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) September 24, 2024 meeting minutes *** MS. BRESLIN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2024. *** MS. KNIGHT SECONDED THE MOTION. *** STEVE KLOCKE; HEATHER BRESLIN; ED HOLOWINKO; KATHRYN KNIGHT; PAUL VINETT APPROVED. *** NO ONE OPPOSED THE MOTION. *** NO ONE ABSTAINED. Conservation Commission October 8, 2024 Page 3 of 4 VII. CONSERVATION INITIATIVES There was a discussion about the Manresa site and the opportunity for community resources. The nature of the contamination at the site was discussed. VIII. COMMENTS OF STAFF a) Report of the Senior Environmental Officer Ms. Cherichetti said that she would send a spreadsheet of current violations for the commissioners to review. IX. COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS a) Report of the Commission Chair There were no comments from the commissioners. X. ADJOURNMENT *** MS. KNIGHT MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. *** MR. KLOCKE SECONDED THE MOTION. *** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm. Respectfully submitted, Diana Palmentiero Conservation Commission October 8, 2024 Page 4 of 4