741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Planning & Zoning Commission

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chairman

Wood

Marty

Special Meeting

Thursday, December 5, 2024

6:00 PM

Ledyard Middle School - 1860 CT-12,

Gales Ferry, CT 06335 (aka 1854

CT-12)

REMOTE MEETING INFORMATION

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CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Wood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Ledyard Middle School

Auditorium and on Zoom.

II.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III.

ROLL CALL AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Marcelle Wood

Present

Secretary Howard Craig

Alternate Member Matthew Miello

Alternate Member Beth E. Ribe

Alternate Member James Harwood

Vice Chair Paul Whitescarver

Recused

In addition, the following were present:

Director of Land Use & Planning, Elizabeth Burdick

Land Use Attorney, Matthew Willis

Zoning Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau

Land Use Assistant, Anna Wynn

Chairman Wood stated for the record that Commissioner Miello is seated for Commissioner

Whitescarver who is recused, and Commissioner Ribe and Commissioner Harwood are seated

for the vacant seats.

Chairman Wood outlined the proceedings of the meeting and guidelines of behavior. He stated

that the meeting will go until 10:30pm to provide more time for public comment statements.

IV.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/APPLICATIONS

Public Hearing: PZ#24-8SUP & PZ#24-9CAM - 1737 and 1761 Connecticut Route 12

(Parcel IDs: 76-2120-1737 &61-2120-1761), Gales Ferry, CT - Agent, Harry Heller, Esq.,

Heller, Heller & McCoy - Applicant/Owner, Gales Ferry Intermodal, LLC for Special Use

Permit/Site Plan Approval and Coastal Site Plan Review to modify an existing mixed-use

(commercial/industrial) development for the addition of an Excavation Operation, Major.

(Submitted 07/9/24, Date of Receipt 7/11/24, PH must open by 9/13/24, PH set for 9-12-24,

PH must close by 10-16-24, PH Cont. to 9/26/24, PH Cont. to 10/10/24, PH Cont. to

10/24/24, PH Cont. to 11/14/24, PH Cont. to 11/21/24, 65 Day Ext. Granted, DRD 65-days

from close PH).

Chairman Wood stated for the record that all present Commissioners are voting members on

this application. Commissioner Harwood stated for the record that he has reviewed all videos

and read all exhibits related to the application.

Director Burdick stated that if any public comments were submitted to the office after 12:00

p.m they have not been incorporated into the record yet but will be added the following

Monday.

Chairman Wood stated that public comments will be taken in the order they are presented on

the comprehensive sign up sheet. He called Mr. Eric Treaster to begin his public comment.

Mr. Treaster read his public comment narrative script into the record marked as exhibit #204.

The Commission stated they had no questions at this time. Attorney Heller of Heller, Heller

& McCoy cross examined Mr. Treaster on specific items in his presentation. The discussed

regulation interpretation and language.

Attorney Wilson Carroll of Cohen & Wolf, 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport, CT, interrupted the

cross examination and made arguments for why the nature of the cross examination was

inappropriate as Mr. Treaster is a lay member of the public and not an expert. He asked that

for the sake of time the cross examination be ended so that other members of the public have

a chance to speak. He asked for input from Land Use Attorney, Matthew Willis,

representative of the Town of Ledyard. Attorney Heller made arguments as to how and why

Mr. Treaster had qualified himself as an expert.

Attorney Willis stated that Mr. Heller has the right to cross examine Mr. Treaster, but that

Attorney Carroll is also correct in that the cross examination is not allowing for enough time

for other members of the public.

The audience began to outburst. Chairman Wood laid out the rules of conduct for the public

hearing. The Commission agreed to conclude the cross examination. Director Burdick stated

for the record Mr. Treaster's presentation script will be marked as exhibit #204 for the

record.

Chairman Wood stated for the record that the Commission will consider all other public

comments this evening as non-expert statements.

Chairman Wood called for Dave Denoia. Dave Denoia did not come forward or identify his

presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for the joint public comment statements from Laura Palmese, 52

Military Highway, Gales Ferry and Chris La Casse, 10 Mulberry Drive, Gales Ferry. Chris

La Casse made his public comment statement first in opposition of the application. He spoke

specifically about potential impacts to veterans in the area. Laura Palmese made her public

comment statement next in opposition of the application specifically concerning potential

impacts on veterans in the area as well as health concerns.

Chairman Wood asked that Ms. Palmese submit her cited sources for the record. Chairman

Wood asked Ms. Palmese to clarify specific data used in the resources she provided. She

stated that she is not an expert but she can find the information and put it on the record for

the Commission. Ms. Palmese submitted her documents to staff. Director Burdick stated for

the record that they will be marked as exhibits #205-1, #205-2, #205-3, #205-4 for the

record.

Attorney Heller asked Ms. Palmese if thunder invokes PTSD responses. Ms. Palmese stated

that it can in some individuals. Attorney Carroll stated he had no questions for Ms. Palmese.

Chairman Wood called for Kevin Davis. Kevin Davis, 7 Ramblewood Drive, Gales Ferry,

gave his public comment statement in opposition of the application. Mr. Davis submitted his

transcript for the record, Director Burdick stated that it will be marked as exhibit #206 for

the record.

Chairman Wood called for Bruce Edwards. Bruce Edwards, 30 Bluff Rd W, Gales Ferry,

present in the audience, stated that he would like to defer his statement again to the next

public hearing as his presentation is not complete.

Chairman Wood called for Arlene Allard. Arlene Allard did not come forward or identify her

presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Elizabeth Arnold. Elisabeth Arnold did not come forward or

identify her presence in the audience. The Commission asked if any of the called residents

were present on Zoom. Staff identified that they were not.

Chairman Wood called for Peter Gardner of Dieter & Gardner. Director Burdick stated that

Mr. Gardner had already informed staff that he would not be present this evening and to

defer his public comment statement to the next meeting.

Chairman Wood called for Melissa Sperry. Melissa Sperry did not come forward or identify

her presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Elanor Murrary. Elanor Murray, 26 Devonshire Drive, Gales

Ferry, gave her public comment statement in opposition of the application.

Chairman Wood called for Jolie Isenburg. Jolie Isenburg, 29 Chapman Lane, Gales Ferry,

stated she would like to be deferred to the next scheduled hearing. Chairman Wood deferred

her public comment.

Chairman Wood called for William Thorne. William Thorne did not come forward or

identify his presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Yvette Dionne. Yvette Dionne did not come forward or identify

her presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Nate Weiss. Nate Weiss did not come forward or identify his

presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Steven Trinkaus. Ms. Lee Ann Berry confirmed from the

audience that he is absent from the meeting.

Chairman Wood called for John Fuller. John Fuller of Full Power Radio, WBMW, 758

Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, made his public comment statement in favor of the

application and shared his perspective. He submitted his written statement for the record.

Director Burdick stated for the record Mr. Fuller's letter will be marked as exhibit #207.

Chairman Wood called for Catherine Marshall. Catherine Marshall, 66 Partridge Hollow Rd,

Gales Ferry, gave her public comment in opposition of the application. She submitted her

written statement to staff. Director Burdick stated for the record that Ms. Marshall's letter

would be marked as exhibit #208.

Chairman Wood called for Joel Larose. Joel Larose, 2 Oak Hills Trail, Ledyard, gave his

public comment statement in opposition of the application.

Chairman Wood called for Nate Woody. Nate Woody did not come forward or identify his

presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Ann Barry Finnegan. Ms. Finnegan, 53 Hurlbutt Rd, Gales Ferry,

gave her public comment statement in opposition of the application.

Chairman Wood stated that the Commission will take an 11 minute break.

** 11 MINUTE RECESS **

Chairman Wood called for Daryl Conner. Daryl Conner did not come forward or identify his

presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Gabe Stern. Gabe Stern stated from the audience that his public

comment had been deferred until the next scheduled hearing.

Chairman Wood called for Bob Chester. Bob Chester did not come forward or identify his

presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Mike Cherry. Mike Cherry, 5 Whippoorwill Drive, Gales Ferry,

gave his public comment statement and spoke specifically about 3 to 1 slopes regarding the

regulations.

Chairman Wood called for Deborah Edwards. Deborah Edwards, 30 Bluff Rd W, Gales

Ferry, stated that she had spoken with staff to defer her public comment statement to the next

hearing as she has temporarily lost her voice due to illness.

Chairman Wood called for Diane Buttermore. Diane Buttermore did not come forward or

identify her presence in the audience.

Chairman Wood called for Scott McGregor. Scott McGregor, 22 Winthrop Rd, Gales Ferry,

gave his public comment statement in opposition of the application.

Chairman Wood called for Angela Cassidy. Angela Cassidy stated that her presentation

slides were not complete for this evening and asked to defer. Attorney Heller, staff and the

Commission discussed if it would be appropriate to keep putting off public comments for the

sake of time. Angela Cassidy said that she will give her public comment and will submit her

presentation slides after they are completed. She gave her public presentation.

Director Burdick and Ms. Cassidy confirmed that the letter she read had already been

submitted for the record and is marked as exhibit #117.

Chairman Wood called for Dave Shroeder. Dave Shroeder, 290 Whalehead Rd, Gales Ferry,

gave his public comment in opposition of the application. Director Burdick stated that Mr.

Shoeder's written statement will be marked as exhibit #209 for the record.

Chairman Wood called for Thomas Thomas. Mr. Thomas, 14 Anderson Drive, Gales Ferry,

gave his public comment presentation in opposition of the application marked as exhibit

#203.

Chairman Wood called for Elizabeth Larose. Ms. Larose Oak Hills Trail, Ledyard, gave her

public comment statement in opposition of the application.

Chairman Wood called for Anne Roberts Pierson. Ms. Pierson, 4 Anderson Drive, Gales

Ferry, gave her public comment in opposition of the application which had been marked as

exhibit #143-2. She submitted her written statement for the record and Director Burdick

stated that it will be marked as exhibit #210.

Chairman Wood called for Craig Mateyov. Mr. Mateyov, 7 Harvard Terrace, Gales Ferry,

gave his public comment statement in opposition of the application.

Chairman Wood called for Brian Sauvageau. Staff, the Commission and Mr. Sauvageau

discussed if he would have enough time to complete his presentation this evening. They

agreed that because the meeting would be going to 10:30pm he could present. Brian

Sauvageau, 187 Iron St, Ledyard, completed his public comment presentation that has

previously been marked as exhibit #158.

CONTINUE

Howard Craig

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Wood, Craig, Miello, Ribe, and Harwood

Whitescarver

AYE:

RECUSED:

Discussion & Decision: PZ#24-8SUP & PZ#24-9CAM - 1737 and 1761 Connecticut

Route 12 (Parcel IDs: 76-2120-1737 & 61-2120-1761), Gales Ferry, CT - Agent, Harry

Heller, Esq., Heller, Heller & McCoy - Applicant/Owner, Gales Ferry Intermodal, LLC for

Special Use Permit/Site Plan Approval and Coastal Site Plan Review to modify an existing

mixed-use (commercial/industrial) development for the addition of an Excavation Operation,

Major. (Submitted 07/9/24, Date of Receipt 7/11/24, PH must open by 9/13/24, PH set for

9-12-24, PH must close by 10-16-24, PH Cont. to 9/26/24, PH Cont. to 10/10/24, PH Cont.

to 10/24/24, PH Cont. to 11/14/24, PH Cont. to 11/21/24, 65 Day Ext. Granted, DRD

65-days from close PH).

CONTINUE

RESULT:

AYE:

Wood, Craig, Miello, Ribe, and Harwood

Whitescarver

RECUSED:

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Craig moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded Commissioner

Harwood

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

VOTE: 5-0 Approved and so declared

Respectively Submitted,

_______________________________

Chairman Wood

Planning & Zoning Commission

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.