741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Mike Marelli

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

6:45 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Marelli at 6:48 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Roberta Levandoski

Commissioner James Harwood

Commissioner David Holdridge

Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb

Commissioner Betsy Graham

Present

Commissioner Michael E. Marelli

Commissioner Amy Stephenson

Alternate Member Jessica Buhle

Alternate Member Barbara Kil

Excused

Betsy Graham was present via Zoom.

Town Councilor Naomi Rodriguez was also present.

III.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from May 9, 2023, as written.

Ms. Graham said the Lantern Hill Valley Park is on the list of possible sites for a pollinator

pathway. The site was omitted from the May 9, 2023, minutes. It has been noted in the minutes

of this meeting June 13, 2023;

The following seven locations are under consideration:

1. Town Green by the Food Pantry.

2. Highland Lake where runoff from the parking lot caused erosion.

3. Sawmill Park.

4. Blonders Park by Pavillion.

5. Pfizer Ball Park behind chain back stop - although not likely.

6. Erickson Park - also not likely.

7. Lantern Hill Valley Park.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

David Holdridge

RESULT:

MOVER:

James Harwood

SECONDER:

Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Marelli

Stephenson Buhle Kil

AYE

EXCUSED

IV.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

VI.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Ms. Graham and Ms. Levandoski collected and distributed information on native plants and

invasive species at the Regatta Day festival held on June 10, 2023, in Gales Ferry. The

Commission now has the materials, which will be used at tables at the upcoming Ledyard

Farmers’ Markets. Chairman Marelli said the two did an excellent job finding source material to

hand out. Although the table was off to the side and did not get a lot of foot traffic. Ms. Graham

added that the table was next to the Mystic River Watershed Association which worked out well.

Chairman Marelli reported that Avalonia Land Conservancy has taken ownership of Pike

Marshall Preserve. He walked the property with Conservancy members and others, starting on

Lambtown Road and hiking to the Burton Property. There will be a walk, at a yet to be

determined date, with Ledyard High School’s athletics department to develop a plan for

cross-country trails for the High School.

Chairman Marelli also met Kevin Rowley, owner of 148 Stoddard’s Wharf and walked around

the 240-acre property. It is not for sale, but preservation groups are interested. It abuts the open

space at 152 Stoddard Wharf.

Chairman Marelli attended the Ledyard Land Use Committee meeting, which is working on a

list of all town properties and who has administrative control. The list is not yet finalized.

Ledyard Land Use is holding a public hearing Sept. 13, 2023, to discuss town-owned 538-R

Colonel Ledyard Highway, which Avalonia Conservancy is interested in owning. The

Conservation Commission will discuss whether to endorse the proposal at the next meeting.

Chairman Marelli will distribute maps of the area.

This was Discussed.

DISCUSSED

VII. OLD BUSINESS

RESULT:

Property Walks.

Chairman Marelli reported that he walked the Burton Property and the trails looked fine.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Financial Reports.

No changes since the last meeting.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Pollinator Pathways Project continued.

Parks and Recreation selected a rain garden for Sawmill Park and riparian gardens at Lantern

Hill Valley Park and Highland Lake Park.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

Ms. Levandoski suggested that the Commission purchases a Ledyard Conservation banner that

can be displayed whenever the Commission is at a public event. To be discussed at the next

meeting.

Ms. Graham suggested that the Commission obtains business cards or some kind of badge to

identify members. Will be discussed further at the next meeting.

The Commission is looking for someone to clear fields at the White-Hall Property. Chairman

Marelli will contact Rocky Landscaping and Ms. Graham will post something on the

Commission’s Facebook page.

Ms. Graham also suggested that the Commission research new signage for White-Hall that can

be seen by traffic in both directions - will be discussed further at the next meeting.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

None.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:17 p.m.

A motion was made by Commissioner Holdridge, seconded by Commissioner Harwood, that this

be Approved and so declared. The motion carried by the following vote:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

David Holdridge

RESULT:

MOVER:

James Harwood

SECONDER:

Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Edgecomb Graham Marelli

AYE