741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Conservation Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Mike Marelli  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, October 10, 2023  
6:45 PM  
Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chairman Marelli called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Roberta Levandoski  
Commissioner James Harwood  
Commissioner David Holdridge  
Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb  
Commissioner Betsy Graham  
Commissioner Michael E. Marelli  
Alternate Member Jessica Buhle  
Commissioner Barbara Kil  
Present  
Excused  
Jessica Buhle was present via Zoom.  
Jessica Buhle was appointed as a voting member.  
III.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from August 8, 2023, and Special Meeting  
Minutes from September 21, 2023, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Michael E. Marelli  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Kathleen Edgecomb  
SECONDER:  
7
1
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Marelli Buhle  
Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
IV.  
1.  
CORRESPONDENCE  
Correspondence.  
Chairman Marelli received correspondence from the Department of Agriculture station that it's  
changing designation of some agricultural lands which could help Ledyard in the future.  
Chairman Marelli will get more information.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
V.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
Pablo Armijo, University of Connecticut Student was present via Zoom to observe the meeting.  
No comments.  
VI.  
1.  
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Informational Items.  
On October 1, 2023, Chairman Marelli and Mr. Holdridge attended the Tri-town Trail  
re-opening with other Land Use and Conservation Organizations.  
On October 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., there will be an Agricultural Commission Joint meeting with  
Representatives from Land Use and Town Planning departments. Chairman Marelli will  
represent the Conservation Commission.  
Chairman Marelli and Betsy Graham attended the second meeting of Alliance for Mystic River  
Watershed on October 2, 2023.  
Commission members agreed to change the Regular Meeting start time from 6:30 p.m. to 6:45  
p.m.  
Chairman Marelli will investigate whether the Town of Ledyard annually mows Barrett Preserve  
as Ms. Levandowski noticed a line item on proposed 23/24 budget of Avalonia Land Trust. It  
stated that the annual mowing will be done by the Town of Ledyard. If this is the case could  
Ledyard also mow White-Hall for the Conservation Commission? Ms. Levandowski said that  
Barrett Preserve and White-Hall are similar in size.  
DISCUSSED  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
RESULT:  
Property Walks.  
1.  
Chairman Marelli, Mr. Harwood and Ms. Graham (and spouses) started clearing path at Burton  
so Ledyard High School Girls' Cross-Country team could practice.  
Mr. Harwood visited Kettle-Hole Park and reported paths were all clear.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Financial Reports.  
2.  
Chairman Marelli is investigating a $223 payment from the White Hall account on August 8,  
2023. The Commission has no record of approving any such payment.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Pollinator Pathways Project continued.  
3.  
4.  
The Ericson Park and Sawmill plantings were completed on October 6, 2023. Commissioners  
were asked to help with plantings at Highland Park on Friday October 13, 2023. For now,  
Lantern Hill Valley is on hold.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Field clearing at White-Hall Property.  
Chairman Marelli is in discussions with Rocky Landscaping for an annual clearing of the  
White-Hall Property. Currently the growth is too thick to mow. Rocky Landscaping suggested  
waiting until the growth dies down later in the season at which point the property can be  
reassessed and a quote can be given.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
New signage at White-Hall Property.  
5.  
6.  
Chairman Marelli said he doesn't think it needs a new sign but rather cut back what is growing  
over the sign.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
OSWA Grant.  
Chairman Marelli reported that the OSW grant has been submitted for $600,000 to purchase of  
148 Stoddards Wharf Road. He added that the prospect is good it will be approved. The Town  
voted in favor of putting $100,000 of the open spaces funds towards the purchase if the grant  
goes through.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
None.  
7.  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
1.  
None.  
IX.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Michael E. Marelli  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Roberta Levandoski  
SECONDER:  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.