741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Mike Marelli

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

6:30 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Marelli at 6:30 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Vice Chair James Harwood

Present

Commissioner Dave Cohen

Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb

Commissioner Roberta Levandoski

Chairman Michael E. Marelli

Commissioner Barbara Kil

Excused

Commissioner Betsy Graham

Also in attendance were:

Eric Treaster

Dave Schroeder

Doug Kelley

Karen Parkinson, Historic District Commission Chairperson

III.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from March 10, 2026, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Michael E. Marelli

RESULT:

MOVER:

James Harwood

SECONDER:

Harwood Cohen Edgecomb Levandoski Marelli

Kil Graham

AYE

EXCUSED

IV.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence.

None.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Public Comments.

Karen Parkinson, Historic District Commission Chairperson introduced Dave Schroeder, who

gave a presentation on a proposal to get the Town to change the Gales Ferry Development

District back to the Gales Ferry Design District. His group is looking for support from the

Conservation Commission to re-establish the area as a Historic District Village, which will give

the Town some tools to use when reviewing proposed developments. The group is meeting with

Planning and Zoning Commission on May 14, 2026, for a preliminary discussion about its

proposal and will come back to Conservation with more details.

VI.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT

Town Council Liaison Report.

No report.

VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Informational items.

- A low hanging branch at Burton Park has been cut down, waiting for the Public Works

Department to take away the dead wood. The 15-foot trunk is still standing but poses no danger.

Chairman Marelli contacted H&H Landscaping, which cut down the branch and most of the tree

at no charge.

- Chairman Marelli will attend the Ledyard Agricultural Commission meeting on April 21, 2026.

- 20 houses are being proposed for Silas Deane Highway which will include some open space

that may connect to existing open space.

- The Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed is holding its 2026 Spring Fest May 2, 2026, at

Coogan Farm in Mystic. The Commission will set up an informational table

DISCUSSED

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

RESULT:

Property Walks.

Mr. Cohen said he cleaned up trash at Glacier Park and suggested now is the time to improve the

parking lot there. He will contact Bill Geer to look at the lot and make recommendations.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Financial Reports.

No change from last month. The Commission's general fund has $2,489; White-Hall has

$16,714; and the Trail maintenance fund has $14,116.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Pollinator Pathways Project continued.

No report.

POCD

The Town has updated the POCD over the next few years and the Commission will review its

goals. Including promoting Townwide connectivity to open spaces, protecting water sources,

advocating for riparian buffer and storm water regulations, raising the profile of open space, and

other items that will be included in the updated POCD.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Ledyard Trails Task Force.

There was a discussion on how the Commission can contribute to the Ledyard Trails Task Force

by linking trails, sharing workloads, creating greater public awareness and creating multi-use

trails. Avalonia and the Historic District Commission are excited to be part of the Task Force.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Mystic River Watershed Protection.

No report.

Sustainable CT Certification spreadsheet discussion.

During the March meeting, Mr. Harwood asked the Commissioners to look at spread sheet he

sent around and identify items the Commission has accomplished to earn points to get the Town

certified as a sustainable municipality so it can participate in the Community Match Fun, which

will provide up to $6,000 in matching money for crowd-source funding projects. The

Commissioners reviewed the spreadsheet and identified things that the Commission has

accomplished which will earn points, including creating management plans for Burton and

White-Hall properties, setting up informational tables at various events to educate public on

conservation goals, etc. Commissioners are gathering info, including meeting minutes and other

documentation.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

The Commission will nominate Maggie Favretti for the 2026 Aquarion Environmental Award.

The submission deadline is May 8, 2026. Ms. Edgecomb will write up submission and submit it

to Aquarion.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 8:26 p.m.