2023-05-02
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATER COURSES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
OF
MAY 2, 2023
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 May 2, 2023 in the Berlin Town Hall, Public Works
Department (Room 120), 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT. Additionally, the meeting was
accessible remotely through Zoom.
ATTENDANCE:
Chairman Peter Nieman, Commissioners: Gary Pavano, David Rogan, and John Russo.
Absent: Rick White, Michael Cassetta, Bill Jackson, and Jim Horbal.
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS: None.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the April 4, 2023 meeting were previously distributed for review.
Chairman Nieman requested that the minutes of the March 7, 2023 meeting continue to
be tabled until the Commissioners that were present that night can vote on them.
Commissioner Pavano made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2023
meeting, seconded by Chairman Nieman. The motion was unanimously approved.
REGULAR MEETING:
Application 23-04WF - Proposal by PDS Engineering & Construction Inc. Collier to
construct a building addition and related parking improvements within both an upland
review area and flood hazard zone on Lot 3A, Block 81, 400 Christian Lane.
Barton Bovee, P.E., H. E. Cole & Son, was present for the Applicant. He displayed a
revised print and reviewed the proposal.
The proposed plan will construction an addition to the rear of the existing building. The
addition will be 7,250 square foot. Majority of the building is to be constructed within an
area that is currently developed as a gravel roadway. The proposed plan also includes the
expansion of the parking lot to meet zoning requirements. The addition building will have
bathrooms that are to be connected to the existing sanitary main located along the southern
property boundary. Water service will be provided through internal connections to the
existing building.
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The site does contain a 100-yr Floodplain elevation of 45.0 through the site from the
potential flooding of the Willow Brook to the north; as well as the associated Floodway. The
building addition will be constructed outside the Floodplain, but will have the Floodplain
extended to the proposed loading dock area, similar to the existing building’s configuration.
The site will have a minor cut for the loading dock and the proposed parking lot is to closely
match the existing grade.
Detention for the site will be provided in the form of retention basin for storage of runoff
from the roof leaders and adjacent parking lot. Stormwater will flow over the parking
through to the stone trench and then into the retention system. The basin is anticipated to
infiltrate and not outlet control structure is provided as the basin is located within the
Floodway. The basin is only sized to decrease the peak flow from the proposed development
and is not included in any floodplain filling compensation. The system is also sized to self-
contain the Water Quality Volume.
Mr. Bovee added that the Applicant, per Staff’s request, will be removing all but one of
the structures located within the floodway. The remaining, more permanent structure, will
be enhanced to allow floodwaters to move through, and relieve, hydrostatic pressures
created during a major storm event.
Chairman Nieman asked the Commissioners if they had further questions. Hearing
none, asked if there was a motion.
Commissioner Pavano made a motion to approve Application 23-04WF conditioned
upon the applicant installing AbTech Smart Sponge Filters (or an equivalent approved by
Staff) in all existing and new catch basins, and the Standard Conditions of approval. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Russo. The motion was unanimously approved.
Other Business to Come Properly Before the Commission
1) Application 20-07WF- Proposal by 550-554 Berlin Turnpike Associates, LLC, to
construct a Multi-Family Development and associated appurtenances within an upland
review area, floodway and floodplain on Lot 13, Block 83, #522 Berlin Turnpike. Request
for Permit Modifications.
Barton Bovee, P.E., H. E. Cole & Son, was present for the Applicant. He displayed a
revised print and reviewed the proposed permit modifications. The initial Wetlands
Approval was in 2020. As part of the Planning and Zoning approval process, the Applicant
was advised to add a small rotary between buildings #2 and #3 which causes a slight impact
to the previously requested disturbance in the wetlands upland review area. This change,
including the reduction of some parking in this area, will have a slight decrease in the area
disturbed within the upland review area. The notes on the revised plan describe the FEMA
flood hazard zone impacts and the 50’ upland review impacts.
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Chairman Nieman asked the Commissioners if they had further questions. Hearing
none, asked if there was a motion.
Commissioner Pavano made a motion to approve Permit Modifications for Application
20-07WF with Standard Conditions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Russo.
The motion was unanimously approved.
2) Enbridge/Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC – Maintenance activity, New Park
Drive to Orchard Road.
Chairman Nieman reported that Algonquin Gas sent a notice to the Town explaining that
it will be performing ‘routine maintenance’ in the vicinity of New Park Drive, Berlin
Turnpike and Orchard Road in the near future.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Rogan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Pavano. The motion was unanimously approved.
Lecia Paonessa
Recording Secretary
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