741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Conservation Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Mike Marelli  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, July 9, 2024  
6:30 PM  
Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Marelli at 6:34 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Roberta Levandoski  
Commissioner James Harwood  
Commissioner David Holdridge  
Commissioner Betsy Graham  
Commissioner Michael E. Marelli  
Alternate Member Dave Cohen  
Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb  
Commissioner Barbara Kil  
Present  
Excused  
Dave Cohen was appointed as a voting member.  
III.  
1.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from June 11, 2024, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Betsy Graham  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
David Holdridge  
SECONDER:  
6
2
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Graham Marelli Cohen  
Edgecomb Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
IV.  
1.  
CORRESPONDENCE  
Correspondence.  
None.  
V.  
1.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
Public Comments.  
None.  
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Informational Items.  
1.  
Sweet Water Meadow Farm - Chairman Marelli gave an update on the Sweet Water Meadow  
Farmland development update. He reviewed the newly submitted plans and reported that there  
will be 4 buildings with 80 units in each one making a total of 320 units. The only part of the  
development that pertains to conservation is that behind the units is wetlands. This area is from  
Smith Brook to Smith Farm to Smith Cove (on the Southeastern side). Chairman Marelli said all  
runoff from the development's roofs and parking lots will go into an onsite treatment center. In  
other words, the water will not run into storm drains, wetlands or the river. There will be a  
Planning & Zoning meeting held on August 6, 2024, for public comments. Chairman Marelli  
said there will also be a large repairing buffer between the hardscape and the wetlands. Ms.  
Robinson asked if Smith Brook/Pond and Cranberry Brook/Pond are one in the same. Chairman  
Marelli confirmed that they are.  
100 Stoddards Wharf Road - a new plan was submitted for 18 houses on three lots.  
Glacier Park - new direction signs were put into place by Mr. Cohen.  
Cashman stated that their plan is not to build a quarry but rather an excavation site, which is  
allowed in Ledyard.  
Farmers market - the Commission received an invitation for the market on Wednesday July 10,  
2024. A Community relations tent will be set up to answer any questions regarding Town  
Commissions/Committees/Boards. A representative from the Commission was requested.  
Chairman Marelli said he will attend the market.  
Chairman Marelli will be meeting with State Forester, Eric Hansen to look at cost sharing and  
trail coordination with the Burton and Pike-Marshall properties.  
Chairman Marelli said that DEEP reported that there may potentially be a dam removal on  
Trading Cove Pond/Brook in Montville.  
Ms. Graham said on July 10, 2024, there will be a three-hour DEEP boat launch training for  
volunteers. She added that there was a combined Ledyard and North Stonington Park &  
Recreation program that included kayaking and learning about invasive plants.  
DEEP & Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is looking for sites in Southeastern  
Connecticut/Long Island Sound to qualify for available funding. Water pollution from impaired  
septic systems and sewer treatment systems does not qualify since that would fall under the  
Clean Water Act. Improvements to impaired infrastructure such as storm water, tidal flushing,  
salt marsh, fishway, shellfish sites, and culvert projects may qualify. The due date is July 12.  
The Lantern Hill Valley Alliance is now in the process of applying for a 501c3.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
VI.  
1.  
OLD BUSINESS  
Property Walks.  
Burton - Chairman Marelli and Mr. Cohen cleared the blue trail but the yellow trial needs  
additional work. There are two large trees down on the trails which will require at least two  
people working at the site, for safety reasons.  
Glacier - Chairman Marelli said the Glacier parking lot needed brush clearing from around the  
signs, the parking area and the path. Chairman Marelli and Mr. Cohen took care of it.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Financial Reports.  
2.  
3.  
No changes since last month, the recent POs have not been reflected in the reports yet.  
Pollinator Pathways Project continued.  
Request for planting funds must be available before September 1, 2024.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Field clearing at White-Hall Property.  
No new information.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
Areas of interest and goals for 2024 continued.  
No comments.  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
None.  
VII. NEW BUSINESS  
Review and Discussion of SCCOG Open Spaces Plan Draft continued.  
1.  
The Regional Open Space Plan from SECOG - Their survey response period was extended. A  
discussion on responding to their survey was held. Members will review the plan and prioritize  
individual responses for the August meeting. One document to represent the Commission will be  
submitted. The survey contained a list of 15 items to be prioritized into top five, middle five and  
the last five. Ms. Graham will call to find out the deadline for submittal and to ask if they will  
accept the Commission's submittal in August.  
DISCUSSED  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
RESULT:  
2.  
None.  
IX.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:26 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
David Holdridge  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Betsy Graham  
SECONDER:  
6
2
Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Graham Marelli Cohen  
Edgecomb Kil  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.