TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - July 17, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, John Blondin, Adam Reed, Carol Heffler, Audrey Delnicki, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller
ALTERNATES PRESENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Planner
Donna Thompson, Recording Secretary
THE FOLLOWING ARE MOTIONS MADE DURING THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AGENCY/ CONSERVATION COMMISSION – MADDEN ROOM
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: none
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: none
BONDS: none
MINUTES: 7/10/2013 minutes approved by consensus
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Folger and Warren accompanied State Forester Rob Rocks on a walk through the Town’s open space property off Dart Hill Road and Debbie Drive. There is approximately 10 to 12 acres of Black Walnut trees at this location. Folger wanted Mr. Rocks’ opinion on what to do in regard to either thinning the trees, using them for nuts or timber, etc. The walk through was to evaluate the area. The trees are sized from saplings to 20-30 inches in diameter. Folger is considering future plans for the area. Bittersweet is taking over the understory dramatically and it will be a challenge to control it. Mr. Rocks provided good observations and suggestions for what to do. It could be a nice recreation area – the quantity of Black Walnut trees is unique and
impressive. Folger would like to reach out statewide looking for someone to perhaps lease the area to harvest the nuts and possibly be a steward for the trees as well.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: During the heavy rains last Wednesday a cul de sac in an industrial area of Edwin Road collapsed sending, asphalt, the slope and construction equipment into Stoughton Brook.
The storm on July 10th was classified as a 100 year storm event due to the duration.
Spring Pond located behind the Veteran’s Memorial Park Pool overflowed its banks, causing flooding in the pump house and mud filling up the lap pool. There may be an application in the future to make changes to the outlet structure of the pond to lower the water level a little bit.
PUBLIC HEARING: 7:15 pm
Continued from 7/10/2013
Appl.# 13-23P – Amoun Pita & Distribution – 361 Pleasant Valley Road - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a entrance drive and storage yard for an existing industrial site and associated improvements on property located southerly of Pleasant Valley Rd and easterly of Jeffrey Drive, Industrial (I) Zone.
Karen Isherwood, Professional Engineer, presented revised plans incorporating previous recommendations from town staff and commissioners. Ms. Isherwood added cape cod curbing along the existing edge of the paved parking area near the lower building and eliminated a section of gravel to add a Storm Tec 450I unit (an inlet structure made to retain sediment and oils), which will discharge into the lower water quality basin. Additional guardrail will be placed along the east side of the gravel expansion. The roof runoff will be redirected by pipe to a recessed area and then through another pipe to behind the building. The larger northeast basin will handle 100% of the water quality volume required for only the new gravel areas, not the existing gravel area or pavement. DEEP indicated that no additional permits
are needed – the fact that there is not a drain in the floor of the garage means they do not need a permit for it. Test pits have been added to the plans and will be done.
Ms. Isherwood then addressed the eleven recommendations from Town Engineer, Jeff Doolittle, stating that all the recommendations would be accommodated. Number 11 in regard to providing an easement for swales and water quality structures that are not on 361-363 Pleasant Valley Road will be addressed as a lease agreement instead of an easement due to owner preference.
Folger recommended that all swales be stone lined and requested a landscaping plan. Isherwood will work with town staff to design the landscaping plan.
Commissioners were concerned about the condition of two old abandoned culverts near the Podunk River. A condition will be specified to have the culverts cleared of all obstructions so as to be free flowing. The culverts are then to be inspected and approved by town staff.
Ms. Isherwood assured the Commission that all town staff and commissioners’ concerns would be addressed, with revised plans provided. The application will be going to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on August 20, 2013.
Commissioners concerns were satisfactorily addressed by either Ms. Isherwood or with the conditions to be stipulated for approval of this application.
Motion to: close public hearing for Appl. #13-23P at 8:20 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion to: based on the record as a whole, move a finding that it is deemed a significant activity with no prudent & feasible alternatives; that this application represents an optimum solution to the conditions on the site
Was made by: Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion to: approve Appl. #13-23P, with the following conditions:
- The final approved copy of the entire set of plans and this letter reproduced thereon must be submitted to the Planning Department. This must be completed within 65 days of approval prior to any construction activity on the site. Plans submitted to Planning & Zoning Commission shall be considered having met this requirement.
- The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use.
- The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on July 17, 2018. It is the landowner(s)/applicant(s) responsibility to track expiration dates and notify the Commission of a renewal request at least 65 days prior to expiration.
- A bond shall be collected in the amount of $30,000 for establishment of the stormwater system. A bond shall be collected in the amount of $20,000 to ensure adequate erosion control is constructed and maintained through the construction process. A bond shall be collected in the amount of $10,000 to ensure proper establishment of habitat plantings as mitigation.
- All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
- A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
- All the swales must be stone lined.
- Habitat plantings and a plant list must be provided and approved by town staff.
- The three proposed water quality basins must be sized to treat 100% of the water quality flow for the entire site plus the additional impervious; and the proposal to do so is clearly indicated on the plans, which will be reviewed by town staff.
- The proposed water quality basin to the northeast is to be moved up the slope so it is closer to the proposed swale.
- Connect the outlet from the water quality basin at the northeast to the southeast water quality basin via a swale or pipe so the final outlet from both basins is over the long level spreader in the southeast basin. This would replace the proposed level spreader discharge from the northeast basin.
- The southeast water quality basin must have a bottom that is 6-8 feet wide for ease of construction and maintenance as proposed by town staff.
- The outlet structure in the small water quality basin to the south of the building (#365) must direct that water down to a plunge pool adjacent to the level spreader on the southeast basin.
- A maintenance plan for all the water quality structures is to be included, showing access and stating who is responsible for the maintenance of these basins.
- An overall approval condition is incorporation of Jeff Doolittle’s 7/17/13 memo to Jeff Folger, Senior Environmental Planner, with specific requirements to be put in place as an approval condition.
Establishment of maintenance procedures to ensure contaminated wastewater and materials from inside the building is contained and collected, and disposed of offsite.
A structure must be installed at the overhead door opening that will prevent automotive fluids or wash water from escaping the building.
- The twin culverts within the Podunk River channel must be cleaned of debris that has accumulated in front of and on top of the culverts.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Delnicki
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: August 28, 2013
| 
