741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Inland Wetland and Water Courses

Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Justin DeBrodt

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

7:00 PM

Council Chambers -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Debrodt called the Regular Meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses

Commission to order at 7:00pm in the Town Hall Annex Council Chambers and via Zoom.

Chair Justin DeBrodt

Present

Vice Chair Paul Maugle

Commissioner Dan Pealer

Commissioner Lynmarie Thompson

Commissioner Beth E. Ribe

Alternate Member Gary St. Vil

Alternate Member Glen Graebner

Absent

ROLL CALL

In addition to the Commission Members, the following staff were present: Juliet Hodge, Director

of Planning and Development, Wetlands Enforcement Officials Len Johnson and Wetlands and

Zoning Official, Thomas Thomas, III.

Chair Justin DeBrodt

Present

Vice Chair Paul Maugle

Commissioner Dan Pealer

Commissioner Lynmarie Thompson

Commissioner Beth E. Ribe

Alternate Member Gary St. Vil

Excused

Absent

Alternate Member Glen Graebner

III.

IV.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None

OLD BUSINESS

IWWC#22-16URA for installation of a multi-use pathway and sidewalk extensions that will

provide connectivity between the Town Center and Ledyard High School.

Steve Masalin, Town Public Works Director introduced the project to the IWWC. Nick

DePalmero from Weston & Sampson was also present to provide details about the project. The

project is being funded in part with a LOTCIP grant and Town ARPA funds.

The multi-use path will be 10ft wide and run along Colonel Ledyard Highway from Rte. 117 to

the High School. There are two areas of wetlands along the route. Some wetlands impacts are

caused by sleep slopes along the trail in the vicinity of wetlands. There will be three sites with

retaining walls to reduce impact on wetlands in these areas with steep slopes. There will be

improvements made to Holdridge Circle, a pedestrian crossing at the light at Rte. 117 and the

intersection of Gallup Hill and CLH will be realigned. The path will be bituminous concrete to

make maintenance easier.

The total project area of disturbance is 3.65 acres. Regulated area disturbance is approximately

18,000sf. Only .82% of total project area impacts wetlands, with only 120sf of permanent

Wetlands impact at the first crossing, and 570sf of permanent impact at the second crossing area

- mostly related to grading. Mr. DePalmero stated there would be 30cy of fill within the wetlands

along Gallup Hill.

Commission members asked about adjacent owners and if any permissions are required to do the

work. Mr. DePalmero said the impact to abutting properties will be minimal. Some screening

may be needed and regrading etc.

Mr. Gardner asked question about the width of the sidewalks that are being extended.

Mr. Masalin stated there was a public meeting to solicit comments and concerns.

With respect to water quality and potential impact to the wetlands from run-off, there will be

new catch basins and a hydrodynamic separator to filter out sediment and other substances.

These will be maintained by the town. Detention/Infiltration basins are also proposed to

naturally filter the water.

Commissioner Thompson asked about other permits/approvals needed.

Mr. DePalmero stated that the NDDB review was completed. One protected species was found

and measures will be taken to protect it during construction. They are waiting on a letter from

the Historic Society and Army Corps of Engineers. No Stormwater permits are needed.

Commissioner Pealer asked about the relation of the trail project to the proposed installation of

the sewer line, and Commissioners discussed whether there would be additional impact caused

by the sewer line being installed in the same area.

WEO Len Johnson provided input. He feels the water quality would be improved with the

drainage infrastructure proposed and the impact to the wetlands would not be significant.

MOTION made to classify Application IWWC#22-16URA as a Class B (Non-significant

Activity)

Motion Passed unanimously.

MOVER

Beth E.Ribe

SECONDER Lynmarie Thompson

RESULT

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Commission discussed the increase of water volume going into the Wetlands and the increased

impact.

Commissioners reviewed the criteria for making a decision.

MOTION made and seconded to Approve Application IWWC#22-16URA. Motion Passed

unanimously.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

Lynmarie Thompson

SECONDER:

DeBrodt Maugle Pealer Thompson Ribe

AYE

St. Vil

EXCUSED

ABSENT

Graebner

VI.

NEW BUSINESS

Application #IWWC22-18URA of Avery Brook Homes, LLC, 1641 Rte. 12, Gales Ferry, CT

06335 for URA activities associated with the siting of new single-family homes with associated

grading and utilities on 9 of 36 lots in a proposed 8-30g Re-Subdivision located on 94,96,98 and

100 Stoddards Wharf Rd, Ledyard CT.

Andrew McCoy and Peter Gardner and were present for the Application on behalf of the owners.

Mr. McCoy stated that all proposed work is outside of the wetlands themselves. There are three

areas of wetlands, one of which was manmade due to excavation activity.

Soil Scientist Ian Cole provided a report stating there would be no negative impacts to the

wetlands. Mr. Gardner described the work being conducted in the upland review area. He stated

that he has been working on this project for a year including work with LLHD and a Hydrologist.

Both have indicated that the project is feasible. The site is surrounded by land owned by the City

of Groton and 2 residences. Mr. Gardner has notified Groton Utilities but has not received

comments yet. There are no stormwater systems or footing drains proposed.

Planner Juliet Hodge explained the 8-30g process and relief from dimensional requirements.

The applicant submitted the LLHD review and the Hydrologist report for the record.

WEO Len Johnson commented that he read all the reports submitted, and admitted that the

development is intense given the size of the lot and proximity to the Wetlands.

Commission members asked whether the location of the wells and septic systems could be

reversed, and indicated that they would like to take some time to review the reports and go on a

site walk.

A revised plan was submitted to LLHD and no comments have been received.

Commission tabled the application until the October Meeting. Commission members and staff

scheduled a Site Walk on Monday 12th at 4:00. Only 2 Commission members will attend.

CONTINUE

VII. STAFF REPORTS

RESULT:

WEO Report August 2022

WEO Len Johnson went over his report. The affordable housing subdivision application had not

been received at the time of the report.

Commission asked staff about the status of the CACIWC membership and asked that the

newsletters be forwarded to the Commission.

COMPLETED

RESULT:

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE

None

IX.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes: August 2, 2022

Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the August , 2022 meeting. Motion

Passes unanimously.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Lynmarie Thompson

RESULT:

MOVER:

Beth E. Ribe

SECONDER:

DeBrodt Maugle Pealer Thompson Ribe

AYE

MEETING REVIEW

Commission members stated that they appreciated the shared screens. They talked about the lack

of staff and issues about taking minutes.

XI.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:04pm. Motion Passed

Unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Pealer, seconded by Commissioner Ribe, that this be

Approved and so declared. The motion carried by the following vote:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Beth E. Ribe

SECONDER:

DeBrodt Maugle Pealer Thompson Ribe

AYE

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

Town.