2016-05-03
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATER COURSES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 3, 2016
A meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission was called to order by
Chairman Mike Cassettaat 7:05 p.m. on May 3, 2016in Room 8 of the Town Hall.
ATTENDANCE:
Chairman Michael Cassetta, Commissioners: Peter Nieman, Marc Laviana, David Rogan, Gary
Pavano, Brian Rogan, and Jim Paldino. Staff: Jim Horbal.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the January 5, 2016 meeting and the April 5, 2016 meeting werepreviously
distributed for review.
Commissioner Laviana made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2016 meeting,
seconded by Commissioner Nieman. The motion was approved.
Commissioner B. Rogan made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 5, 2016 meeting,
seconded by Commissioner Paldino. The motion was unanimously approved.
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Robert and Sheila Claypatch and Philip Quedens were present for the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Application 16-01WF–Proposal by the Town of Berlin Public Works Department to replace the
High Road culvert within both a regulated watercourse and flood hazard zone adjacent to #999 and
#1060 High Road.
Charles Hornak, P.E., Cardinal Engineering, was present for the Applicant. He gave a brief
presentation (application information below).
This application is for permission to conduct a regulated activity within the Sebethe
(Mattabesset) River and the adjacent inland wetland, in the Town of Berlin. Local Flood
Management approval is also necessary.
The project consists of the replacement of the High Road Bridge over the Sebethe
(Mattabesset) River, in the Town of Berlin. The Sebethe River at High Road has a drainage
area of 8.8 square miles. The bridge is located in aFEMA Zone AE and there is a
designated floodway. The 2-to 500-year flows were determined using the USGS-
Streamstats hydrologic method, adjusted by a factor based on the USGS gage-regression
estimate ratio for the Mattabesset River basin. The FEMA flows are shown in the 2011
FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Hartford County.
The existing culvert has a span of 17 feet and is located approximately 3,000ft upstream of
the Paper Goods Pond. The bridge roadway width is 28feet. High Road is classified as an
urban local road, with an average daily traffic of approximately 400. The culvert consists of
a corrugated metal arch with a localized collapse at the upstream-end outside the travelway.
Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission Minutes –May 3, 2016 Page2of 4
The stub abutments present extended spalling areas; the north stub abutment is undermined
for approximately one third of its length. A scour hole has formed at the downstream end of
the culvert.
According to the structure evaluation performed by WMC Consulting Engineers in May
2014, the existing bridge is rated 3 for the substructure and 5 for the channel and channel
protection. The existing bridge is scour critical.
This project includes the complete removal of the existing bridge. The Town of Berlin
proposes to replace the existing structure with a 3-sided precast concrete arch bridge built
on a concrete foundation founded on rock. The arch will have a span of sixteen (16) feet -
similar to the existing, and a rise of 8 feet above the streambed.
The proposed structure has cut-off walls and head walls with wing walls upstreamand
downstream. If necessary, any rip-rap protection will be buried and covered with streambed
material. The riparian vegetation disturbed during construction will be re-established using
non-invasive plants, native to the immediate watershed. The proposed structure will not
increase the 100-year elevations compared to the existing structure. An ACOE Category I
General Permit is necessary.
The proposed project requires removing the existing concrete footings (approximately
82c.y.) and excavating and placing back 37c.y. stream-bed material. New concrete footings
(approximately 100c.y. of concrete) will provide the arch foundation.
Approximately 100ft of roadway on each side of the bridge will be reconstructed. Roadway
safety improvements will be included as a part of this project. The existing roadway
alignment and profile will be maintained. The bridge will be closed during construction and
a detour plan will be provided.
The proposed arch meets the DOT criteria and the FEMA “zero increase in 100-year
WSEL” for the Encroached Conditions (with floodway). It will pass the 100-year (design)
flow with 7.5ft of freeboard.
Turbiditycontrolcurtainswillbeinstalledduringconstructionandsedimentationcontrol
systemswillbeprovidedatthetoe-of-slopeofthedisturbedareas (see permit plans).All
disturbedareas willbestabilizedandrestoredaftercompletion oftheproject. Unconfined
in-streamactivitieswillberestrictedtotheperiodofJune 1through September30.AllBest
ManagementPracticeswillbeincorporated,asrequired.
Additionally, TheWetlands/WatercoursesandSoilReport (submitted with application)
document theexistingvegetation, soilsandhydrologyofwetlandsattheprojectsite.
Wetlandareasareafloodplainandstreambuffer.Thevegetationfiltersstormwater run-
offbeforeitentersthe Sebethe (Mattabesset)River.Thefunctionandvalueofthe
adjacent wetlandswillremainthesameafterconstruction.
Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission Minutes –May 3, 2016 Page3of 4
A Request for NaturalDiversityDataBaseState Listed Species Review was filed, and
according to Connecticut DEEP, there are no records for State Special Concern Species in
the vicinity of this project. There are no known amphibian breeding pools on, oradjacentto,
theprojectsite.
The Town of Berlin is shown on the Tree Cutting Time of Year Restriction Map, issued by
CT DOT. This map refers to areas of protection of the Federally Threatened and State
Endangered Species Northern Long-Eared Bat. In the area of this project, tree cutting is
permitted in the period between September 1 and April 14.
The open bottom arch has cutoff walls and headwalls with wingwalls upstream and
downstream. Theriparianvegetationdisturbedduringconstructionwillbere-established
usingnoninvasiveplants,nativetotheimmediatewatershed.
Turbiditycontrolcurtainswillbeinstalledduringconstructionandsedimentationcontrol
systemswillbeprovidedatthetoe-of-slopeofthedisturbedareas.Alldisturbedareas
willbestabilizedandrestoredaftercompletion oftheproject(seeattachedplans).
Unconfined in-streamactivitieswillberestrictedtotheperiodofJune 1through September
30.AllBestManagementPracticeswillbeincorporated,asrequired.
Mr. & Mrs. Claypatch, 999 High Road, and Mr. Quedens, 1060 High Road, had a few questions
for Mr. Hornak.
Commissioner Niemanmade a motion to close the Public Hearing forApplication 16-01WF.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Laviana. The motion was unanimously approved.
Commissioner D. Rogan made a motionto approveApplication 16-01WF with Standard
Conditions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Paldino. The motion was unanimously
approved.
REGULAR MEETING:
Application 16-02WF –Proposal by Coleroy Enterprises to construct an Industrial Building
expansion alongside both a wetland and flood hazard zone at #100 White Oak Drive.
Bart Bovee, MBA Engineering, and Mr. Edward Cole were bothpresent for the Application.
Mr. Cole distributed some pictures showing the clean-up that recently tookplace on the property,
and a letter (for the records) stating that items from the wetlands area are being removed. Equipment
will be coming in for the construction, and they will use it to remove the larger items.
Commissioner Niemanmade a motion toapproveApplication 16-02WFwith Standard
Conditions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner B. Rogan. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission Minutes –May 3, 2016 Page4of 4
Application 16-03WF –Proposal by DeGroff Holding Company, LLC to construct parking and
discharge drainage into both a wetland and flood hazard zone at #176 White Oak Drive.
Bart Bovee, MBA Engineering, was present forthe Applicant.
Mr. Bovee had previously sent an email requesting to table the application, as his client is
resolving concerns regarding outside storage of chemicals and the cleaning of trucks. Perhaps an
addition to the existing building will help solve some of the issues.
Commissioner Pavanomade a motion to table Application 16-03WF. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Nieman. The motion was unanimously approved.
Other Business to Come Proper Before the Commission:
Estates of Berlin:
Mr. Horbal reported that the Developer has applied for an excavation permit with the Planning
and Zoning Commission and depending on their action, they might be back in June or July. Some of
the Commissioners commented that things seem in order on site. They have sedimentation control
measures in place, even though the frog pond it still cloudy looking. Once the vegetation is
established, it should clear up.
Correspondence:
Mr. Horbal had previously distributed a brochure regarding on-line training sponsored by the
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection agency.
Good of the Order:
ChairmanCassetta introduced William Jackson as the newly appointed Alternate for the Wetlands
Commission. He is an Environmental Consultant and Soil Scientist in the area. Welcome!
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Niemanmade a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40p.m. Themotion was
seconded by Commissioner Laviana. The motion was unanimously approved.
Lecia Paonessa
Recording Secretary