741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Inland Wetland and Water Courses

Commission

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chairman

Justin DeBrodt

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

7:00 PM

Council Chambers -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman DeBrodt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Annex Council

Chambers and on Zoom.

II.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III.

ROLL CALL AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairperson Justin DeBrodt

Commissioner Dan Pealer

Present

Vice Chair Beth E. Ribe

Commissioner Michael E. Marelli

Commissioner James Thompson

Chairperson Greg Lockhart

Alternate Member Robert Graham

Excused

In addition, the following were present:

Land Use Director, Elizabeth Burdick

Zoning & Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau

Assistant to the Director, Anna Wynn

IV.

APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS TO AND/OR CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE

AGENDA

None.

CITIZENS PETITIONS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

Mobby Larson, 53 Harvard Terrace, Gales Ferry, spoke about her concerns about work being

done in the CT DEEP Coastal Boundary Area. She provided photos for the Commission. She

spoke about a berm on Avalonia Conservancy Property that had been cut by town staff

without a DEEP or Wetlands permit. She spoke to her concerns on how this might impact

the wetlands.

Ribe asked how they obtained the photos. Mobby Larson stated that she and other residents

took pictures on the property. Commissioner Pealer asked how Ms. Larson made the

connection between the berm being cut and the changing water levels. She stated that other

residents had told her this was the case. Chairman DeBrodt asked if Ms. Larson has stopped

into the Land Use Department with this information previous to this meeting. She stated no.

Chairman DeBrodt suggested that she take it to the department as they have more history on

the matter.

Director Burdick stated that the department is aware of the situation as well as Avalonia. She

stated that Avalonia will be part of any application. She stated that part of the dam and or

berm had been broken up to alleviate flooding onto a property on Christy Hill. Ms. Burdick

stated that in the same vicinity there has been another egregious violation when a

surrounding neighbor filled wetlands first with boards and dirt and trees on top, and then by

filling a concrete dam.

She stated again that Avalonia is very compliant with all potential permits and work to

correct the situation and that the town is in the process of conducting a watershed study over

the wetlands in that area to provide evidence of why the work needs to be done.

VI.

PRE APPLICATION DISCUSSION AND/OR WORKSHOP

None.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS/APPLICATIONS

None.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

IWWC#25-17AR - 23B Bittersweet Dr. (Map ID: 25-200-23-B) Gales Ferry, CT - Agent,

Chris Casadei, Chris Casadei LLC - Applicant/Owner: Shelly & Nathan Weiss for As of

Right Determination for two existing temporary crossings for timber harvest (Date submitted

9/4/25, Date of Receipt 10/7/25, DRD 12/09/25)

Applicant Chris Casadei, forester certified with the CT DEEP, introduced himself and spoke

to some details of the timber harvest plan. He spoke to his intention of clearing diseased trees

from the property and to save the other the rest of the forest. He spoke to previous timber

harvest activities on the property. He stated that he does not anticipate any erosion and

sediment issues due to the dryness of the watercourses. He spoke about installing stone and

bridge mats.

Commissioner Ribe asked the duration of the project, Chris replied the work would take

place over the course of a month and that they would like to start within the next six months.

Director Burdick asked Chris to describe the crossings and tracking pad used to enter and

exit the property. He described several details of the crossings including bridge mats to

stabilize the area, and small branches and logs. He stated that he would need one load of

riprap and one to two inches of stone to stabilize the edge of the road. They discussed the

various measures they would take to keep mud off the road.

Wetlands Official, Hannah Gienau, read her staff report into the record marked as file

document #5.

Commissioner Pealer asked why they chose the Avery Hill entrance instead of the

Bittersweet Drive entrance. Chris Casadei said it was easier for the trucks and there would be

less residential disturbance. Director Burdick asked if there would be signage at the entrance.

He stated that it is required to put up truck entering signs and depending on the site lines they

can put additional signage.

After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 4 of the

Ledyard Inland Wetland and Watercourse Regulations and Section 22a-40 of the

Connecticut General Statutes, Commissioner Ribe MOTIONED that

IWWC#17AR-23B Bittersweet Drive, Gales Ferry CT-Applicant/Agent, Chris Casadei,

LLC- As of Right Determination for a timber harvest as more fully described in the

Application and supporting documents, is Permitted Use of Right and, therefore, no

permit is needed with the condition of adding signage of logging in progress.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dan Pealer

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli, and Lockhart

AYE:

Graham

EXCUSED:

NON-VOTING

Thompson

IWWC#25-19SITE - Lambtown Rd Extension, Ledyard, CT - Applicant/Agent, Town of

Ledyard for a permit to replace a failed culvert with new custom inlet control. Proposed

work to be conducted within town right of way. (Submitted 9/9/25, Date of Receipt 10/7/25,

DRD 12/9/25)

Steven Maslin, Director of Ledyard Public Works, gave a brief presentation on the work

they would need to perform to repair the pipe. He spoke about the negative impact of

beaver activity on flooding. He spoke to the history of the particular location and previous

measures to handle the beavers. He spoke to the details of the building and site plans

marked has file document #2.

Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau, summarized her staff report marked as

file document 4.

Diane Lamb, 34 Lambtown Road, Ledyard, asked if she could make a public comment.

The Commission stated that they cannot take public comment at this time as it is not a

public hearing. Chairman DeBrodt stated that she could speak to the Land Use Department

with any concerns.

The Commission discussed if the application met the definition of non-significant or

significant impact activity. Commissioner Ribe commented that the application is taking a

bad situation and making it better. The Commissioner compared the application to the

criteria for significant impact activity. Steve Maslin and the Commission discussed the dry

weather patterns being a good time to conduct the activity.

Staff commented that if the Commission wanted to hold a public hearing, they can do that

in the best interest of the public. Director Burdick additionally stated that the Commission

would have to hold a public hearing if they found the application to be significant impact,

but if they find it to be non-significant impact, the public has 14 days to submit a signed

petition requesting a hearing. She stated that it may make more sense to preemptively hold

a public hearing as at least two residents have expressed their desire to speak to the

Commission about the application.

Steve Maslin and the Commission continued to discuss the details of the proposed project.

MOTION that the Commission find that the proposed regulated activities within the

watercourse/waterbody as submitted in the Application #IWWC25-19SITE, plans and all

supporting documents, do not meet any of the criteria of significant impact activities as

defined the Town of Ledyard Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Regulations per IWWC Regs

Section 2 and therefore are Class “B” activities.

NON-SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Beth E. Ribe

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli, and Lockhart

AYE:

Graham

EXCUSED:

NON-VOTING

Thompson

MOTION to table application IWWC#25-19SITE and set a public hearing for the IWWC

Regular Meeting of November 18, 2025

RESULT:

5-0 PUBLIC HEARING SET

MOVER: Ribe

SECONDER: Pealer

AYES: 4 DeBrodt, Ribe, Pealer, Marelli

IWWC#25-20AR-173-175 Stoddards Wharf Rd, (MAP IDs: 50-2360-173 & 50-2360-175)

Gales Ferry, CT-Applicant/Agent, Avalonia Land Conservancy Inc-Owner, DDJJM, LLC for As

of Right Determination to construct a raised trail structure.

Dennis Main, Director of Avalonia, spoke to the application and the construction of the trail

crossing they would like to construct. He stated that there is minimal wet areas on the property

but that they need to construct a small crossing over the stream to connect the paths. He stated

that they would like to construct the crossing to prevent hikers from walking through muddy

and or wetlands. Dennis Main and the Commission discussed some details of the crossing

construction. Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau, briefly reviewed her staff

report with the Commission summarizing information about the property and proposed

project.

MOTION After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section

4 of the Ledyard Inland Wetland and Watercourse Regulations and Section 22a-40 of the

Connecticut General Statutes, I move that IWWC#20AR- 173 & 175 Stoddards Wharf Rd,

Ledyard CT- Applicant/Agent, Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc- for As of Right

Determination for a raised structure as more fully described in the Application and all its

supporting documents, is a Non-Regulated Activity and, therefore, no permit is needed.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dan Pealer

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli, and Lockhart

AYE:

Graham

EXCUSED:

NON-VOTING

Thompson

IWWC#25-22RESUB- 939 Long Cove Rd (Map ID:107-1340-939) Applicant- Rob Hohlfelder,

R+N Holding CO. LLC-Agent, Peter Gardner, L.S, - Property Owners, John H. Almy III &

Marcy Z. Almy, for regulated activities associated with the repair of an existing wetland crossing

and the proposed construction of an additional wetland crossing for 2-lot Resubdivision to create

3 Lots (Submitted 9/29/25, Date of Receipt 10/7/25, DRD 12/9/25)

Agent Peter Gardner of Deiter & Gardner, representing the applicant Rob Hohlfelder, briefly

introduced the application and the proposed project. He stated that the proposed project

requires a wetlands crossing which is why the application is before the Commission. He

reviewed the submitted site plan with the Commission. Staff and Mr. Gardner discussed the

subdivision submission requirements.

Staff, Peter Gardner and the Commission discussed tabling the application to the next Regular

scheduled meeting to allow more time for the applicant.

MOTION to table application IWWC#25-22RESUB to the IWWC Regular Meeting of

November 18, 2025

TABLED

RESULT:

Dan Pealer

Beth E. Ribe

MOVER:

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli, and Lockhart

AYE:

Graham

EXCUSED:

NON-VOTING

Thompson

Discussion of PA 25-73 - New Inland Wetlands Agency Training Requirements 10/1/25.

Director Burdick and the Commissioner discussed newly imposed training requirements

contained in PA-25-73.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2025

MOTION to approve IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2025

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli, and Lockhart

Graham

AYE:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

NON-VOTING

IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2025

MOTION to table the IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2025 to verify

information contained in the minutes

TABLED

RESULT:

Beth E. Ribe

Michael E. Marelli

MOVER:

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli, and Lockhart

AYE:

Graham

EXCUSED:

NON-VOTING

Thompson

XI.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

XII. REPORTS

WEO Staff Report of October 7, 2025

Hannah Gienau briefly discussed her staff report with the Commission.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Ribe moved the meeting to be adjourned, seconded by Commissioner Pealer.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________________________________

Chairman Justin DeBrodt

Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.