741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Conservation Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Mike Marelli  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, May 9, 2023  
6:45 PM  
Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chairman Marelli called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Roberta Levandoski  
Commissioner James Harwood  
Commissioner David Holdridge  
Alternate Member Jessica Buhle  
Commissioner Betsy Graham  
Present  
Commissioner Michael E. Marelli  
Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb  
Excused  
Absent  
Commissioner Amy Stephenson  
Alternate Member Barbara Kil  
Non-voting  
The Owl video was not working correctly. Ms. Buhle was present via Zoom call.  
III.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from April 11, 2023, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Michael E. Marelli  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
James Harwood  
SECONDER:  
6
1
1
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Buhle Graham Marelli  
AYE  
Edgecomb  
Stephenson  
EXCUSED  
ABSENT  
III.  
CORRESPONDENCE  
Chairman Marelli received a letter from Aquarian Water Company, which included paperwork  
for the Grant Application, although it was written on April 7, the Commission received it after  
the deadline of May 5th. A suggestion was made to contact Aquarian since this is not the first  
time the application was received after the deadline.  
The Newsletter from the Eastern CT Conservation District was passed around for Commission  
members to review.  
V.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
None.  
VI.  
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
1. Team Rubicon Volunteers came and worked all day on April 15, clearing the Burton Yellow  
Trail. They cleared 2-3 acres of Burning Bush and Bittersweet. Pictures were posted. Is it  
possible that the Chief Petty Officers from the Groton Subbase might return this Fall? If so, the  
Commission would ask them to continue the work at the Burton Trail.  
2. Chairman Marelli passed around a booklet about the Spicer Ruins on the Clark Farm Property.  
He joined Karen Parkinson from the Tri Town Trail, Bruce Garska, Chairman, Agricultural  
Commission and Ty Lamb, Vice Chairman, Historical District Commission. They discussed how  
they might proceed with Signs and Marking of the site to preserve and protect it.  
3. SCRRRA 2023 Hazardous Materials collection will be in Ledyard on November 4, 2023, at  
Ledyard High School, 24 Gallup Hill Road.  
This was Discussed.  
DISCUSSED  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
RESULT:  
Property Walks.  
1.  
Betsy Graham walked the White-Hall property.  
Mr. Harwood, Mr. Holdridge, Chairman Marelli and Ms. Graham walked the 39 acres owned by  
Pfizer on 154 Stoddard Wharf Road. The understanding is that it's for sale although no price  
listing can be found. The land is unbuildable, it contains numerous wetlands as well as a Town  
access road to reach an old well. The Commission wondered if Pfizer might consider donating  
the land either to Ledyard or Avalonia. There is a flat area there that could possibly be used for a  
parking lot.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Financial Reports.  
2.  
3.  
No change from the April Report.  
Pollinator Pathways Project continued.  
Ms. Buhle, Ms. Graham and Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director, will meet on May  
16th with Jean Pillo, ECCD to finalize plans for Pollinator Gardens and possible Riparian  
Buffers.  
The following six locations are under consideration:  
1. Town Green by the Food Pantry.  
2. Highland Lake where runoff from the parking lot caused erosion.  
3. Sawmill Park.  
4. Blonders Park by Pavillion.  
5. Pfizer Ball Park behind chain back stop - although not likely.  
6. Erickson Park - also not likely.  
There is no set monetary amount from the Grant at this point. However, the funding would only  
pay for the plants or seeds. Volunteers will need to do the prep work and planting.  
Mr. Johnson said that there could be some Parks and Recreation funds available to help with this  
project. An extension can be applied for if the project isn't completed by Fall 2023. The  
Commission could possibly ask for more volunteer help and may need to wait for cooler weather  
to start the planting. The Conservation Commission has money in the budget to assist with  
funding if needed.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Burton Property Maintenance Plan continued.  
4.  
Motion to APPROVE the Burton Property Maintenance Plan.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Michael E. Marelli  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
David Holdridge  
SECONDER:  
6
1
1
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Buhle Graham Marelli  
AYE  
Edgecomb  
Stephenson  
EXCUSED  
ABSENT  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
None.  
5.  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
1.  
Land Use and Juliet Hodge, Town Planner are updating the Town lists of properties, it's possible  
that several more will be turned over to the Conservation Commission. Chairman Marelli has  
been following with Land use for years. Some properties are nearly 100 acres, others are only  
1/10th of an acre. The Commission is looking specifically at 538R Colonel Ledyard Highway.  
This property will provide the connection between Burton Trail and Pike Marshall. Once this list  
is updated Ms. Hodge can adjust the GIS Map.  
The Commission will set up a table at the Yale-Harvard Regatta on June 10, 2023, from 11:00  
a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Chairman Marelli has table and chairs and will ask Town Councilor Gary  
Paul about borrowing a tent. The Commission will have information about native and invasive  
plants this year. Ms. Graham, Ms. Buhle and Ms. Levandowski will collect handouts for  
distribution.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
IX.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 8:26 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
David Holdridge  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Betsy Graham  
SECONDER:  
6
1
1
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Buhle Graham Marelli  
AYE  
Edgecomb  
Stephenson  
EXCUSED  
ABSENT  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.