741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Conservation Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Mike Marelli  
Regular Meeting  
6:45 PM  
Tuesday, July 11, 2023  
Mayor's Office  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chairman Marelli called the meeting to order at 6:46 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Roberta Levandoski  
Commissioner James Harwood  
Commissioner David Holdridge  
Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb  
Alternate Member Jessica Buhle  
Commissioner Michael E. Marelli  
Commissioner Amy Stephenson  
Commissioner Betsy Graham  
Present  
Excused  
Alternate Member Barbara Kil  
Kathleen Edgecomb and James Harwood were present via Zoom.  
Also present:  
Town Councilor Mary McGrattan  
Town Councilor Naomi Rodriguez  
Jessica Buhle was appointed as a voting member.  
III.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes for June 13, 2023, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Michael E. Marelli  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
David Holdridge  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Buhle Marelli  
Stephenson Graham Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
IV.  
CORRESPONDENCE  
None this month.  
V.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
No residents were present.  
VI.  
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Chairman Marelli said that on July 13, 2023, the Rotary Club is hosting a seminar on rain  
gardens.  
Maggie Favretti of Mystic River Alliance will attend the August 8, 2023, Conservation  
Commission meeting.  
There is still no word on Pfizer 154 Stoddard's Wharf Road.  
Avalonia reported that they are moving forward with 148 Stoddard's Wharf Road.  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
Property Walks.  
1.  
2.  
3.  
No walks were taken.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Financial Reports.  
The figures haven't changed since last month's report.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Pollinator Pathways Project continued.  
Ms. Buhle will visit the Sawmill grounds.  
Chairman Marelli visited Highland Lakes.  
Ms. Buhle asked if anyone had seen any Monarch butterflies but no one had.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Ledyard Conservation Banner purchase.  
4.  
Ms. Buhle received quotes from Thirty Marketing for a banner to be used at the Farmer's Market  
and other events such as the Regatta:  
3'x6' banner would cost $75.00  
3'x10' banner would cost $110.00  
Thirty Marketing could custom make any size. Ms. Buhle suggested a size of 18"x 10', she will  
ask for an additional quote for that size. She will also ask about the turnaround time to be sure a  
banner will be available for August 3, 2023. Usually, the banners have grommets that can be  
tied.  
Motion to APPROVE spending up to $110.00 for a Conservation Commission banner to be used  
for various Commission events.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Kathleen Edgecomb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Michael E. Marelli  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Buhle Marelli  
Stephenson Graham Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Ledyard Conservation business cards or badges.  
5.  
Chairman Marelli said the Town would be able to provide a sheet of ten business cards. The  
cards would include the Commissioner's name, the Town seal, contact information and  
Commission's name. Chairman Marelli said it could be useful at events and when discussing  
volunteer work with residents. He told the Commissioners if anyone is interested, they could go  
to the Mayor's office to request cards to be made.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Field clearing at White-Hall Property.  
Still a work in progress.  
6.  
7.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
New signage at White-Hall Property.  
Mr. Harwood went to see the signage. He suggested cutting back some of the brush around the  
sign so it can be seen from the roadway rather than move the sign. Chairman Marelli will  
investigate and start clearing.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
8.  
Chairman Marelli reported that the idea of acquiring the parcel 113 acres at 148 Stoddard's  
Wharf is moving along. A positive step is that Avalonia Land Conservancy is getting an  
appraisal of the property.  
Ms. Buhle asked if the Commission will be participating in the Farmer's market this summer.  
Ms. Buhle proposed August 2 as the target date.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
Transfer of 538R to Avalonia.  
1.  
538R is the Town owned open space property behind Outback Stables and bordering the Pike  
Marshall Preserve. The property is not contiguous to any Town property. Chairman Marelli said  
the property would be able to complete the trail from Burton to Pike Marshall and is 1,000' along  
the wetlands. Mr. Holdridge asked is Avalonia if proposing putting a trail on this property,  
Chairman Marelli answered yes.  
Chairman Marelli said he has been trying to set up a meeting with the High School athletic  
department to inquire about turning it into a cross country trail.  
Chairman Marelli added that there is a large amount of paperwork involved in the transfer.  
Motion to RECOMMEND transferring ownership of 3.2 acres of town-owned land at 538R  
Colonel Ledyard Highway to Avalonia Land conservancy.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
David Holdridge  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Michael E. Marelli  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Buhle Marelli  
Stephenson Graham Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
None.  
2.  
IX.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:20 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
David Holdridge  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Michael E. Marelli  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Buhle Marelli  
Stephenson Graham Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Respectively Submitted,  
_______________________________  
Chairman Marelli  
Conservation Committee