Minutes - Inland Wetland and Water Courses Commission

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 2, 2026

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

Chairman Dan Pealer

Present

Vice Chair Beth E. Ribe

Alternate Member Robert Graham

Alternate Member Justin DeBrodt

Alternate Member Sarah Bowen

Michael E. Marelli

In addition, the following were present:

Zoning & Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau

Assistant to the Director of Land Use & Planning, Anna Wynn

Certified Soil Scientist of BL Companies, Sagan Simko (via Zoom)

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#26-6RESUB - 84 Silas Deane Road (MAP ID: 42-2220-84) & 58 & 59 Seabury

Avenue (MAP ID: 42-2200-58) (MAP ID: 42-2200-59), Owner/Applicant - 84 Silas Deane

Road, LLC - Agent, Dieter & Gardner, LLC for regulated activities associated with a

proposed 23-Lot Resubdivision, including the construction of a new public road, stormwater

drainage system and installation of a dry hydrant (Submitted 3/26/26, Date of Receipt 4/7/26,

Site Walk 4/24/26, Tabled 5/5/26, DRD 6/10/26)

Land Use Attorney William Sweeney of TCORS, 43 Broad St, New London, CT, acting as

agent on behalf of 84 Silas Deane LLC, introduced himself and the premise of the proposed

resubdivision. He spoke to details of the access strip. He spoke about connection of open space

to Avalonia Land Conservancy

Licensed Land Surveyor, Peter Gardner of Dieter & Gardner, 1641 CT-12, Gales Ferry, spoke

about the application and presented plans to the Commission marked as file document #15. He

stated that most of the wetlands are located on the protected open space and will be untouched.

He spoke about the structure of wetlands located on the property.

Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Geinau, reviewed her staff report with the Commission

marked as FD#17. She and the Commission reviewed the Town Engineer’s report marked as file

document #16 and concurred that the plans would incorporate last two outstanding comments

before filing. Commissioner Ribe and Mr. Gardner confirmed what sheet number included

information concerning the dry hydrant location.

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

watercourse/waterbody as submitted in the Application IWWC#26-6RESUB, 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.

RESULT:

4-0 NON-SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ACTIVITY

MOVER: Ribe

SECONDER: Pealer

AYES: 4 DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli

After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 6 of the

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

Statutes, Vice Chairman Ribe made MOTION to APPROVE Application

IWWC#26-6RESUB, submitted by the Agent, Peter Gardner, Applicant and property owner,,

84 Silas Deane LLC, Steven A. Rice, for regulated activities for a 23-Lot Resubdivison &

associated site improvements as more fully described in the application & supporting

documents, dated March 26, 2026 and plan set entitled “Plan Showing Shewville Heights

Open Space Resubdivision Property of 84 Silas Deane LLC, 84 Silas Deane Road, Shewville

Road, and 58 & 59 Seabury Avenue, Ledyard CT, February 2026, Revised 5/18/26” with the

following conditions:

1. Revise final Plans and Stormwater Management Report to address Town Engineer

Memorandum dated 6/1/26 prior to filing of final plan set.

2. Soil erosion and sediment controls shall be installed prior to the start of work and

maintained in good working order until any disturbed soils are permanently stabilized with

vegetative cover.

3. Prior to the start of any work at the site, the Ledyard Wetlands Enforcement Officer shall

be notified and shall conduct an inspection to verify soil erosion, and sediment controls have

been properly installed prior to the start of work.

4. Any future proposed changes to the proposed site plan submitted as part of this

application shall be reviewed and approved by the Wetlands Official and/or the IWWC.

5. Individual proposed lots 65, 75, and 77 with regulated activities shall be subject to

administrative review and approval by the IWWC and/or Wetlands Official.

APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Beth E. Ribe

SECONDER:

Pealer, Ribe, DeBrodt, and Marelli

Graham, and Bowen

AYE:

NON-VOTING

IWWC#26-7SITE-1947 Center Groton Road (Map ID:67-430-1947), Ledyard

CT,-Applicant, EG Home LLC-Agent, William Sweeney, Esq.- Property Owners, 1947

Center Groton Road LLC, for regulated activities associated with construction of a 72-unit

multifamily development & associated site improvements. (Submitted 4/1/26, Date of receipt

4/7/26, Site walk 4/24/26, Tabled 5/5/26, DRD 6/10/26)

Land Use Attorney, William Sweeney of TCORS introduced himself and presented the overview

of the application. He invited Mr. Chris Bennet of EG Homes, Vice President of Operations, to

speak to the Commission. Mr. Bennet gave his presentation which included information about

EG Homes LLC, energy efficiency aspects of the proposed project, architectural drawings and

floor plans. Attorney Sweeney invited Ms. Aron Shumacher, P.E. of BL Companies to present

on the utilities plans in relationship to the wetlands. Mr. Shumacher presented several sheets to

the Commission and talked about the stormwater management system, included rain gardens

and other features of the proposal.

Attorney Sweeney concluded the presentation and stated that the proposed project does not have

significant impact on the surrounding wetlands. Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau

presented her staff report to the Commission marked as file document #31. The Commission and

Ms. Gienau discussed the report prepared by Certified Soil Scientist Sagan Simko. Mr. Simko

opined via zoom and confirmed based on his findings there will be no significant impacts to the

wetlands.

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

watercourse/waterbody as submitted in the Application IWWC#26-7SITE, 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.

RESULT:

4-0 NON-SGINIFCANT IMPACT

MOVER: Ribe

SECONDER: Pealer

AYES: 4 DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli

After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 6 of the

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

Statutes, Commissioner Marelli made a MOTION to APPROVE Application

#IWWC26-7SITE, submitted by the Agent, William Sweeney Esq., Applicant, EG Home

LLC, Property owner 1947 Center Groton Rd, LLC, for regulated activities include the

construction of a 72-unit multifamily development & associated site improvements as more

fully described in the application & supporting documents, dated April 7, 2026, and a plan

and a plan set entitled “Land Development Plans for Proposed Multi-Family Residential

Development, Issued for Permitting, 1947 Center Groton Road, Ledyard, CT 06339,

Prepared by BL Companies, Dated 4/1/26, Revised to 5/4/26.” with the following

conditions:

1. Revise final Plans and Stormwater Management Report to address Town Engineer

Memorandum dated 6/1/26 prior to filing of final plan set.

2. Applicant shall address any relevant comments submitted by Groton Public Utilities prior

to the filing of final plan set.

3. Soil erosion and sediment controls shall be installed prior to the start of work and

maintained in good working order until any disturbed soils are permanently stabilized with

vegetative cover.

4. Prior to the start of any work at the site, the Ledyard Wetlands Enforcement Officer shall

be notified and shall conduct an inspection to verify soil erosion, and sediment controls have

been properly installed prior to the start of work.

5. Any future proposed changes to the proposed site plan submitted as part of this

application shall be reviewed and approved by the Wetlands Official and/or the IWWC.

APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS

Michael E. Marelli

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dan Pealer

SECONDER:

Pealer, Ribe, DeBrodt, and Marelli

Graham, and Bowen

AYE:

NON-VOTING

The Commission discussed for the sake of time reordering the agenda.

MOTION to move OLD BUSINESS item C. after NEW BUSINESS item A.

RESULT:

4-0 AGENDA AMENDED

MOVER: Marelli

SECONDER: Pealer

AYES: 4 DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

IWWC#26-15SITE - Hyde Mill Pentway, Applicant/Owner, Town of Ledyard, Agent, WMC

Consulting Engineers, for regulated activities and associated site improvements for

replacement of the existing Hyde Mill Pentway culvert over Whitford Brook south of the

Bush Pond Dam. (Submitted 5/26/26, Date of Receipt 6/2/26, DRD 8/5/26)

Town Engineer and Director of Public Works, Steve Maslin, presented the overview of the

project to the Commission. He invited Michael Fanning, P.E. of WMC Consulting Engineers

Inc, 87 Holmes Rd, Newington, CT, to present the plans to the Commission. Mr. Fanning

reviewed marked up copies of the plan set entitled “Improv. To Whitford Brook Watershed

Bush Pond Existing Overall Site Plan” marked as file document #4. Mr. Fanning stated that

next week they will have to present their application for the Town of Stonington. He stated

that after local approvals they will have to apply to the State for a Flood Management

Certification. Commissioner Ribe asked how big the culvert is currently. Mr. Fanning stated

that it cannot be seen at the moment. Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau, stated

that she did not have time to prepare a staff report as the application was only recently

submitted. She advised the Commission to make a ruling of significant or non-significant

impact at this meeting and table their decision until the next regularly scheduled meeting to

wait for the appeal period. The Commission reviewed the definitions of significant impact

defined in the Ledyard Wetlands & Watercourses Commission Regulations.

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

watercourse/waterbody as submitted in the Application IWWC#26-15SITE, 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.

RESULT:

4-0 NON SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

MOVER: Pealer

SECONDER: Marelli

AYES: 4 DeBrodt, Pealer, Ribe, Marelli

MOTION to table application IWWC#26-15SITE to the IWWC Regular Meeting of July 7,

2026

TABLED

RESULT:

Beth E. Ribe

Dan Pealer

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Pealer, Ribe, DeBrodt, and Marelli

Graham, and Bowen

AYE:

NON-VOTING

Sustainable CT - Train Municipal Representatives Action 8.3.b: Discussion of content

learned through CT DEEP Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency Comprehensive Training

Program

Staff introduced the Sustainable CT program and certification process for the Commission. Staff

stated that the purpose of this action and discussion is to demonstrate during a public meeting

what knowledge was gained through the training program and how it helps support their

regulatory function.

Commissioner Graham stated that the CT DEEP Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency

Comprehensive Training Program explained the delineation of wetlands soils and the ways in

which the soil scientist determine them. He stated that this helps support his understanding while

reading various reports for applications. Chairman DeBrodt stated that the program was broken

down simply and was accessible to members who were just joining the Commission.

Commissioner Marelli stated that he felt the training did a good job of addressing

misconceptions about what is qualified as a wetlands versus a watercourse. Commissioner Ribe

said the training could use additional material and substance in the modules that discussed how

wetlands agencies should handle applications and how to operate as an regulatory body as

required by State Law. Staff asked if the training has given the Commission a better

understanding of the function of the wetlands. The Commission agreed and stated that is has

made them more aware of potential issues when reviewing submitted site plans. They

commented that the knowledge gained through the training has supported them asking better

questions. Commissioner Pealer stated that he sees benefit in alternate fields taking the training

to see how they overlap. Chairman DeBrodt stated that the training helped provide visual cues

for wetlands especially during site walks. Commissioner Pealer commented on comparison

photos of wetlands vs non wetlands soils which assisted his understanding of the function of

soils. WEO Hannah Gienau commented that CT only identifies wetlands by soils unlike Rhode

Island that uses plant types etc. Commissioner Marelli commented that training is a good starter

but that DEEP should start designing a complementary program to the training to address more

of the legal aspects of wetlands agencies.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2026

Chairman DeBrodt stated that he would abstain from voting due to being absent at the

meeting. Commissioner Pealer asked that a typo be corrected and that “agneda” be corrected

to agenda.

MOTION to approve the IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2026 as amended

APPROVED AS AMENDED

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

Pealer, Ribe, and Marelli

DeBrodt

AYE:

ABSTAIN:

NON-VOTING

Graham, and Bowen

XI.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

XII. REPORTS

Wetlands Report of June 2, 2026

Wetlands Enforcement Official, Hannah Gienau, stated that she would provide a written copy

of her report to the Commission via email.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

Chairman DeBrodt commented before adjournment that he had reached out to Town Council

Administrative Assistant, Roxanne Maher, to have Mr. Graham become a regular member.

He said he would follow up.

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