741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Mike Marelli

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

6:45 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Marelli called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Roberta Levandoski

Commissioner James Harwood

Commissioner David Holdridge

Alternate Member Jessica Buhle

Commissioner Betsy Graham

Present

Commissioner Michael E. Marelli

Commissioner Kathleen Edgecomb

Excused

Absent

Commissioner Amy Stephenson

Alternate Member Barbara Kil

Non-voting

The Owl video was not working correctly. Ms. Buhle was present via Zoom call.

III.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from April 11, 2023, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Michael E. Marelli

RESULT:

MOVER:

James Harwood

SECONDER:

Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Buhle Graham Marelli

AYE

Edgecomb

Stephenson

EXCUSED

ABSENT

III.

CORRESPONDENCE

Chairman Marelli received a letter from Aquarian Water Company, which included paperwork

for the Grant Application, although it was written on April 7, the Commission received it after

the deadline of May 5th. A suggestion was made to contact Aquarian since this is not the first

time the application was received after the deadline.

The Newsletter from the Eastern CT Conservation District was passed around for Commission

members to review.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

VI.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

1. Team Rubicon Volunteers came and worked all day on April 15, clearing the Burton Yellow

Trail. They cleared 2-3 acres of Burning Bush and Bittersweet. Pictures were posted. Is it

possible that the Chief Petty Officers from the Groton Subbase might return this Fall? If so, the

Commission would ask them to continue the work at the Burton Trail.

2. Chairman Marelli passed around a booklet about the Spicer Ruins on the Clark Farm Property.

He joined Karen Parkinson from the Tri Town Trail, Bruce Garska, Chairman, Agricultural

Commission and Ty Lamb, Vice Chairman, Historical District Commission. They discussed how

they might proceed with Signs and Marking of the site to preserve and protect it.

3. SCRRRA 2023 Hazardous Materials collection will be in Ledyard on November 4, 2023, at

Ledyard High School, 24 Gallup Hill Road.

VII. OLD BUSINESS

Property Walks.

Betsy Graham walked the White-Hall property.

Mr. Harwood, Mr. Holdridge, Chairman Marelli and Ms. Graham walked the 39 acres owned by

Pfizer on 154 Stoddard Wharf Road. The understanding is that it's for sale although no price

listing can be found. The land is unbuildable, it contains numerous wetlands as well as a Town

access road to reach an old well. The Commission wondered if Pfizer might consider donating

the land either to Ledyard or Avalonia. There is a flat area there that could possibly be used for a

parking lot.

Financial Reports.

No change from the April Report.

Pollinator Pathways Project continued.

Ms. Buhle, Ms. Graham and Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director, will meet on May

16th with Jean Pillo, ECCD to finalize plans for Pollinator Gardens and possible Riparian

Buffers.

The following six 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.

There is no set monetary amount from the Grant at this point. However, the funding would only

pay for the plants or seeds. Volunteers will need to do the prep work and planting.

Mr. Johnson said that there could be some Parks and Recreation funds available to help with this

project. An extension can be applied for if the project isn't completed by Fall 2023. The

Commission could possibly ask for more volunteer help and may need to wait for cooler weather

to start the planting. The Conservation Commission has money in the budget to assist with

funding if needed.

Burton Property Maintenance Plan continued.

Motion to APPROVE the Burton Property Maintenance Plan.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Michael E. Marelli

RESULT:

MOVER:

David Holdridge

SECONDER:

Levandoski Harwood Holdridge Buhle Graham Marelli

AYE

Edgecomb

Stephenson

EXCUSED

ABSENT

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

Land Use and Juliet Hodge, Town Planner are updating the Town lists of properties, it's possible

that several more will be turned over to the Conservation Commission. Chairman Marelli has

been following with Land use for years. Some properties are nearly 100 acres, others are only

1/10th of an acre. The Commission is looking specifically at 538R Colonel Ledyard Highway.

This property will provide the connection between Burton Trail and Pike Marshall. Once this list

is updated Ms. Hodge can adjust the GIS Map.

The Commission will set up a table at the Yale-Harvard Regatta on June 10, 2023, from 11:00

a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Chairman Marelli has table and chairs and will ask Town Councilor Gary

Paul about borrowing a tent. The Commission will have information about native and invasive

plants this year. Ms. Graham, Ms. Buhle and Ms. Levandowski will collect handouts for

distribution.

IX.

ADJOURNMENT