Norwalk conservation commission meeting roundup: Manresa hearing set; bond release approved; S23 corrective action tabled

Norwalk’s Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency met Nov. 18 and handled procedural and administrative business alongside a substantive applicant presentation on a Manresa Island map amendment.

Key actions: the commission voted to schedule a public hearing on Jan. 13 to consider the Manresa map amendment petition (filed Sept. 24). The commission also approved a bond release/reduction for S17‑514 (Briarwood Road) after staff inspection noted most plantings established but minor areas appeared mowed. A corrective action/restoration case (S23‑613) was discussed but tabled because staff could not fully present screening materials due to a technical issue; the item will be re‑presented when materials are available.

Administrative items included approval of minutes from Sept. 9 (with abstentions from commissioners not present at that meeting) and a discussion of the 2026 meeting calendar (commissioners agreed to reduce one August meeting and to retain flexibility for special meetings per FOIA). Commissioners also discussed conservation initiatives and the city’s open‑space fund, which staff described as a small seed pot typically used to match grants; commissioners suggested more public outreach (social media, Earth Day presence, printed materials) but staff noted limited capacity and budget.

Staff flagged a change to state training expectations: DEEP is expanding training requirements for inland‑wetlands agency members and staff; commissioners who need to complete the online training or recertification should expect approximately eight hours of self‑paced material and a quiz and will receive links and scheduling guidance from staff.

The meeting adjourned after the listed business.