2021-07-06
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATER COURSES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
OF
JULY 6, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
The Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission Meeting was called to order by Chairman
Peter Nieman at 7:00 p.m. on July 6, 2021 in the Berlin Town Hall Doc McIntosh Room (# 113),
240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT. Additionally, the meeting was accessible remotely through Zoom.
ATTENDANCE:
Chairman Peter Nieman, Commissioners: Gary Pavano, Michael Cassetta, David Rogan, and Steven
Biella (Alternate). Attending Remotely: Robert Izzo and William Jackson. Absent: Rick White.
Staff - Jim Horbal. Applicant- Caleb Uliasz.
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS: None.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the June 1, 2021 meeting were previously distributed for review.
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2021 meeting,
seconded by Commissioner Pavano. The motion was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Application 20-12W - Proposal by The Preserve SM, LLC to construct a 76 Unit Residential
Development with associate improvements within regulated wetland areas on Lot 1, Block 10, West
Lane.
Mr. Horbal received an e-mail from Attorney Tim Sullivan requesting to withdraw The Preserve
SM, LLC application, without prejudice, due to the delay in securing the DEEP preliminary
comments letter concerning the Natural Diversity Database request.
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to accept the withdrawal of The Preserve application,
without prejudice, due to the delay in securing the DEEP preliminary comments letter concerning the
Natural Diversity Database request, seconded by Commissioner Cassetta. The motion was
unanimously approved.
REGULAR MEETING:
Application 21-06W - Proposal by Eagle Scout Candidate Caleb Uliasz to construct a pedestrian
bridge over an intermittent watercourse on Lot 65A, Block 54, 250 Kensington Road (Marjorie
Moore Village).
Eagle Scout Candidate Caleb Uliasz had explained last month that he is proposing to construct a
pedestrian walkway over an intermittent watercourse located along the northerly boundary of
Marjorie Moore Village (which is located to the rear of the Town Hall Complex). The stone dust
IWWCC Meeting Minutes – July 6, 2021 Page 2 of 3
walkway will be constructed by the Public Grounds Department, then he will be constructing the
pedestrian bridge. Once completed, this pathway will provide access from the Town
Hall/Library/Community Center to the Percival Pool Sports Complex.
Mr. Horbal added that Town Staff is satisfied with the proposal and anxious to begin the project.
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to approve Application 21-06W, with Standard Conditions,
seconded by Commissioner Pavano. The motion was unanimously approved.
Application 21-07WF - Proposal by Town of Berlin to perform roadway reconstruction activities
within a Floodplain, Floodway and Upland Review Areas on Porters Pass, Christian Lane, and
Deming Road.
Mr. Horbal explained that the Town recently received an approximate 4 million dollar grant to be
used towards the Reconstruction of Porters Pass, Christian Lane, and Deming Road (west of the
Berlin Turnpike). Work will involve the removal and replacement of the roadway surface, curbing
and shoulders. Minor intersection and drainage system upgrades will also occur. Although there will
be no widening and/or filling adjacent to either field-located wetlands at Willow Brook and/or
Webster Brook, the actual roadways lie within 50 feet of adjacent floodway and wetland areas. Staff
is recommending a Public Hearing be scheduled on the basis of Public Interest. (A full presentation
will take place at the August meeting).
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for Application 21-07WF, for
the August 3, 2021 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Cassetta. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Application 21-08WF - Proposal by Town of Berlin to construct sidewalks, and associated
improvements, along portions of Farmington Avenue and Norton Road within a Floodplain,
Floodway, and Upland Review Areas.
Mr. Horbal explained that the Town has received funding from the State of Connecticut -
Department of Economic and Community Development to construct sidewalks throughout the
community. The primary goal of this project is to fill in the gaps and connect various segments of
existing sidewalks in an effort to create a pedestrian-friendly community. Two of the segments
proposed with this project involve the construction of walks along the south side of Farmington
Avenue between Patterson Way and Lower Lane along with a section of Norton Road between Cole
Lane and Winesap Road. The Farmington Avenue section involves activity along the Mattabassett
River Upland Review Area, Floodplain, and Floodway, and the Norton Road work contains a section
that falls within an Upland Review Area adjacent to house #100. Staff is recommending a Public
Hearing be scheduled on the basis of Public Interest. (A full presentation will take place at the
August meeting).
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for Application 21-08WF, for
the August 3, 2021 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Pavano. The motion was unanimously
approved.
IWWCC Meeting Minutes – July 6, 2021 Page 3 of 3
Application 20-13WF - Proposal by Dave Olson to work within a Floodway, Floodplain, and
Wetland and Upland Review Area on Lot 4, Block 115, #155 Toll Gate Road.
Mr. Horbal spoke with the Building Department regarding Mr. Olson's request to build a small
bridge/walkway on the property, and their comments were to build a handrail of some type.
The Commissioners agreed that Mr. Olson could continue with his efforts to restore his property
and would still like to see his final restoration plan by the previously set deadline of September 15th.
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to approve the permit modification and request a final
description of the restoration work by the September 15, 2021 deadline, seconded by Commissioner
Pavano. The motion was unanimously approved.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mr. Horbal reported that he recently received a letter stating that they would be treating Paper
Goods Pond. The Grounds Department has a State Permit to work on this project.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Cassetta made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Pavano. The motion was unanimously approved.
Lecia Paonessa,
Recording Secretary