Middletown Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency Regular Meeting – June 3, 2026

The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency of Middletown, Connecticut, held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. The commission modified the agenda to hear a violation case first, then conducted a public hearing, adopted updated regulations and a new wetlands map, and accepted an application for a drive-through business for a future public hearing.

Agenda Modification

• On a motion, the commission voted unanimously to move item D (Notice of Violation) to the first item of the agenda.

Notice of Violation – Chamberlain Hill Road

• Environmental Planner James Sipperly reported that the city received complaints about work at the property of Amy and Erik Peterson at 120 Chamberlain Hill Road (the transcript refers to 126; the agenda states 120). The entire site had been graded and filled, and a lawn was being established. Sipperly determined that a pond was being filled.
• The contractor agreed to stop, but the homeowner said the work would continue and the pond would be filled by the end of the week. A notice of violation was sent but returned as refused.
• Sipperly said he was told not to return to the property; the next step will be to arrange service by a marshal or police officer. He stated he will make that happen without a formal motion.
• The chair also raised the ongoing Randolph Road case concerning pallets placed in wetlands. Sipperly said the city attorney will send another letter and may pursue court action if the owner does not comply. A soil scientist had previously recommended a 100-foot wetland delineation on each side of the pallets.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The public hearing on the revised regulations and map was opened and closed with no members of the public speaking.

Public Hearing – Revised Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations and Official Map

• The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment.

Old Business – Adoption of Revised Regulations and Map

• Sipperly explained that the revised regulations update the city’s regulations to align with state model regulation changes. The new official wetlands map is the first such map for Middletown; it was derived from USDA soil surveys and is intended as a guide, not a substitute for a site-specific soil scientist determination.
• A motion was made to approve both the revised regulations and the map. After discussion, the commission adopted friendly amendments to remove the word “official” from the map title and add a prominent disclaimer that the map is for reference only and that wetlands must be confirmed by on-the-ground survey. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business – 797 Washington Street Drive-Through Application

• Staff introduced application W2026-6 from Richard D. Carella/Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC, for site grading and development of a drive-through business at 797 Washington Street. The proposal includes a credit union and a Chick-fil-A restaurant, with two historic houses to be demolished.
• Sipperly stated the project is within the upland review area and will not disturb an adjacent wetland band. He recommended accepting the application.
• The commission voted to accept the application and schedule a public hearing for July 1, 2026, due to the site’s high visibility and anticipated public interest.

Army Corps Hydrilla Treatment Correspondence

• The commission received notice that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will treat hydrilla in Pamecha Pond with an herbicide during June 22–26 and July 13–17, with a possible September follow-up. Sipperly listed other sites where the treatment has been used. The commission discussed potential wildlife impacts but noted the federal project does not require local approval.

Minutes

• The minutes of the April 1, 2026 regular meeting were approved; one member abstained because she was not yet on the commission for that meeting.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.