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, June 3, 2025

7:00 PM

Council Chambers -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

IC.hairman 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

Alternate Member Robert Graham

IV.

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

AGENDA

None.

CITIZENS PETITIONS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

None.

VI.

PRE APPLICATION DISCUSSION AND/OR WORKSHOP

None.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS/APPLICATIONS

None.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

IWWC#25-5SITE - 19, 29 & 39 Military Highway (PARCEL IDS: 91-1590-19, 29 & 39),

Gales Ferry, CT - Agent, Brian Smith, Esq., Robinson & Cole - Applicant/Owner: C.R.

Klewin LLC for approval of regulated activities associated with construction of a 278-unit

multifamily residential housing development & associated site improvements. (Submitted

2/24/25, Date of receipt 3/4/25, PH orig. scheduled 4/1/25, PH rescheduled to 4/22/25, PH

Cont. to 5/6/25, PH Cont. 5/27/25 with ext. granted, PH must close by 5/28/25, DRD 65 days

after close of PH)

Chairman DeBrodt read the letter from the applicant into the record marked as exhibit #36

requesting an extension of time to July 2nd. Director Burdick and Chairman DeBrodt

confirmed that the application would be continued to the IWWC Regular Meeting of July 1,

2025.

MOTION to continue the public hearing on application IWWC#25-5SITE to IWWC Regular

Meeting of July 1, 2025

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Dan Pealer

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, and Marelli

Thompson, and Graham

AYE:

NON-VOTING

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

IWWC#25-11SITE - 8, 9 & 11 Colby Drive, Ledyard, CT, (Parcel IDS: 68-520-8, 9 & 11) -

Applicant/Agent, Norm Eccleston for Owner, Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut

Inc. for regulated activities associated with construction of a multi-family residential

affordable housing development per C.G.S. §8-30g for 16 single-family and 11 duplex

dwellings & associated site improvements, inc. the extension of Colby Drive. (Submitted

5/27/25, Date of Receipt 6/3/25, DRD 8/6/2025)

Chairman DeBrodt stated that the Commission would be accepting application

IWWC25-5SITE this evening. He asked if the applicant had a presentation this evening, and

they responded yes. Sarah Lufler, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, and Norm

Eccleston, members of Habitat for Humanity introduced themselves and their roles for the

organization. They displayed their Site Plan for the Commission.

Nancy Levesque, Civil Engineer of Benesch, introduced herself and her expertise. She spoke

about the wetlands on the property in relation to the preexisting infrastructure. She described

the function of the water flow and the detention basis. She spoke to the wetlands impacts as

well as the intended maintenance that is planned for the section of the property.

Commissioner Graham asked for clarification on extra water flow if the detention basin

should fill up. They discussed the water flow.

Director Burdick asked Ms. Levesque to point out both basins shown on the plan. Ms.

Levesque spoke about the drainage plans in relationship to the natural topography. Director

Burdick commented that Konover subdivision originally proposed multifamily buildings.

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

document #10. She commented that the applicant has already been in discussion with the

department and there are several revisions to their site plan regarding the easement on the

plan.

Commissioner Graham asked how the applicant will manage the invasive species in the

wetlands area. Staff spoke to various species located in that area. Commissioner Graham

asked if that area is a vernal pool. Director Burdick stated that the area is an old drainage

basis.

Chairman DeBrodt asked if there was a maintenance plan. The applicant stated that the

maintenance plan has not been submitted yet but it is intended to be submitted after receiving

comments from the Land Use Department and Public Works Director.

The applicant and Chairman DeBrodt discussed the Stormwater management report.

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

review area as submitted in the Application #IWWC25-11, plans and all supporting

documents, do not meet the criteria of significant impact activities as defined the Town of

Ledyard Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Regulations and therefore are Class “B” activities.

NON-SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, and Marelli

Thompson, and Graham

AYE:

NON-VOTING

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

IWWC Special Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2025

MOTION to approve the IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2025 as submitted

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, and Marelli

Thompson, and Graham

AYE:

NON-VOTING

XI.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

XII. REPORTS

Wetlands Staff Report of June 3, 2025

Hannah Gienau briefly discussed her staff report with the Commission noting updates on

ongoing cases.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

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

Marelli