741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Conservation Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Mike Marelli  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, April 9, 2024  
6:30 PM  
Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to by Chairman Marelli at 6:31 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Roberta Levandoski  
Commissioner David Holdridge  
Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb  
Commissioner Betsy Graham  
Commissioner Barbara Kil  
Present  
Commissioner Michael E. Marelli  
Alternate Member Dave Cohen  
Commissioner James Harwood  
Excused  
Betsy Graham was present via Zoom.  
Also in attendance:  
Naomi Rodriguez, Town Councilor  
Jessica Buhle, Town Councilor joined the meeting at 6:35 p.m.  
David Cohen was appointed as a voting member for James Harwood.  
Naomi Rodriguez, Town Councilor asked for a few moments to recognize April as National  
Volunteer Appreciation Month and thanked members of the Commission for the work they do  
for the Town. She presented each member with a gift certificate to local businesses, including  
Valentino’s. She said there are more than 200 residents who volunteer their time, “Ledyard  
cannot function without you”. Councilor Buhle also thanked Commission members for their  
time and brought chocolate chip cookies to share.  
The Commission welcomed Dave Cohen, the new alternate member to the Commission.  
III.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from March 12, 2024, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
RESULT:  
Michael E. Marelli  
David Holdridge  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
7
1
Levandoski Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Kil Marelli Cohen  
Harwood  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
IV.  
1.  
CORRESPONDENCE  
Correspondence.  
Chairman Marelli spoke with Maggie Jones, who said she is finishing her report on White-Hall  
but as of yet no report has been submitted.  
The Town is looking for articles for the Spring/Summer newsletter. Ms. Edgecomb will submit  
an article to the town about the Commission’s rain gardens project. Submissions are due on  
April 22, 2024.  
Aquarion Water Company is looking for volunteer nominees for its Environmental Champions  
Awards. Winners will receive a $5,000 grant for an environmental non-profit group of their  
choosing. Application is due May 3, 2024.  
Motion to NOMINATE Betsy Graham for the Environmental Champions Award.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Michael E. Marelli  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Barbara Kil  
SECONDER:  
7
1
Levandoski Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Kil Marelli Cohen  
Harwood  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
V.  
1.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
Public Comments.  
None.  
VI.  
1.  
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Informational Items.  
The Commission will participate in the annual Regatta Day Festival on June 8, 2024, from 10:00  
a.m to 2:00 p.m to celebrate the Yale-Harvard Regatta. The rain date will be held on June 9,  
2024.  
The Town funded the Commission at the same level as last year.  
Chairman Marelli continues to work on a list of Town-owned open spaces.  
Chairman Marelli attended the March 25, 2024, meeting of the Mystic River Watershed  
Alliance.  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
Property Walks.  
None.  
1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
Financial Reports.  
No changes since last month.  
Pollinator Pathways Project continued.  
No comments.  
Field clearing at White-Hall Property.  
Two to three acres need to be cleared but the Commission is having a hard time finding someone  
to do the work. The meadows should be cut back every one to two years. Ms. Graham will reach  
out to Groton Open Space Association to see if they can recommend someone.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Areas of interest and goals for 2024 continued.  
No comments.  
5.  
6.  
7.  
Request for Budget item continued.  
The Commission is waiting for more information.  
100 Whalehead Road property.  
Chairman Marelli will post medallions along the path to discourage hikers from crossing into  
private property. He will also mark the trail better with blue paint and put up a sign pointing to  
the parking lot. The property owner will put up no trespassing signs.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
8.  
Forestry report on Burton Property - State DEEP completed a thorough field visit to Burton  
property. The Commission will now take this report and come up with a plan to work with  
abutting property owners - Ledyard High School and Avalonia Land Trust. The plan is to  
maintain the property and keep it open to the public. The Commission will investigate applying  
for grants to maintain the property. Items that need to be addressed are removal of invasive  
species and annual maintenance to keep out invasive species. Native trees also need to be  
planted. Chairman Marelli will contact Avalonia and see they will work with the Commission on  
a forestry plan. There is money in the budget for trail maintenance.  
Motion to APPROVE renewal of CT Land Conservation Council membership and to make a  
$150 donation to the Council.  
DISCUSSED  
David Holdridge  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Michael E. Marelli  
SECONDER:  
AYE  
7
1
Levandoski Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Kil Marelli Cohen  
Harwood  
EXCUSED  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
Discussion on the New England Fisheries Management Council's Herring Management Plan.  
1.  
Ms. Graham drafted a letter that Chairman Marelli will take to the New England Fisheries  
Management Councils Herring Management meeting on April 17, 2024 on the proposed  
changes. He will also speak in support of the changes. Commission members can also send  
letters individually.  
Motion to APPROVE sending a letter to the New England Fisheries Management Council to  
support the CT DEEP’s suggestions regarding protecting Atlantic Herring Amendment 10  
Scoping Document to support conservation and ecosystem restoration to preserve river herring.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Kathleen Edgecomb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Roberta Levandoski  
SECONDER:  
7
1
Levandoski Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Kil Marelli Cohen  
Harwood  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
2.  
Ms. Levendoski suggested that the Commission considers a Town wide composting program.  
Preston and Groton already participate in composting programs. The Ledyard Town Council will  
hear a presentation from SCRRA on the program at its meeting on April 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
IX.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:56 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
David Holdridge  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Betsy Graham  
SECONDER:  
7
1
Levandoski Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Kil Marelli Cohen  
Harwood  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.