741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chairman

Marelli

Mike

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

6:45 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Marelli called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m. at the Council Chambers, Town Hall

Annex Building.

Chairman Marelli welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Roberta Levandoski

Commissioner James Harwood

Chair Michael E. Marelli

Present

Commissioner David Holdridge

Alternate Member Barbara Kil

Commissioner Amy Stephenson

Commissioner Kathleen Edgcomb

Alternate Member Jessica Buhle

Alternate Member Betsy Graham

Excused

In addition, the following were present:

Councilors Mary McGrattan and Gary Paul

Ms. Kil was appointed as a voting member and acting Secretary

III.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

Resident Lloyd Scott of 14 Heath Spur was present to comment on Open Space in the Coachman

Pike area that is being used as a dump. Chairman Marelli had investigated the property and

determined that there is a 2.25-acre (parcel Lot #30) that belongs to the Town, which about half

of it is considered wetland. Adjacent is 28 Coachman Pike which is thirty-nine acres and belongs

to Mashantucket Trust.

Mr. Scott wondered if that parcel could be purchased by the Town as a park. Chairman Marelli

said he would not make a recommendation for the Town to purchase the land. The land doesn’t

meet the Conservation Commission's criteria, such as linkage to other open spaces, natural

resources, close proximity to any connecting trails or greenways and lastly the land is surrounded

by houses. It was suggested that Mr. Scott could reach out to the Tribe, point out the liter

problem, and see if they have any interest in a public hiking trail. Public Works might be able to

clean up the area that belongs to the Town, by removing trash.

IV.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Betsy Graham was appointed as a permanent member to fill vacancy of Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

COMPLETED

RESULT:

MEMBER COMMENTS

The Commission recommended to the Town Council that the Town enters into a lease

agreement with the Graham property (600 Lantern Hill Road).

Chairman Marelli attended the Rotary Meeting in August where he held an Informational

presentation on the Commission.

VI.

REPORTS

Conservation Commission Financial Reports

The trail maintenance account funds that are not spend during the Calendar year go back into the

same account and is able to accumulate. The funds can be spent on a large purchase such as

building a bridge.

The White Hall trust account doesn’t earn much interest. There is a balance of $22,514. This

account pays for mowing and brush hogging.

July 1, 2022, started a new fiscal year, there will be additional money added but it is not

reflected in these reports.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular meeting minutes from July 12, 2022

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Michael E. Marelli

RESULT:

MOVER:

David Holdridge

SECONDER:

Levandoski Harwood Marelli Holdridge Kil

Stephenson Edgcomb Buhle Graham

AYE

EXCUSED

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Property Walks

The past month’s temperature was too hot to walk. No walks to report.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

White-Hall Environmental Assessment

The assessment will take some time, the reports will not be ready until fall at the earliest. The

report will be assessed through all seasons.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Open Space Acquisition Plan

Last month Betsey Graham asked about the Poquonnock Cove area. Chairman Marelli looked at

Property maps in the area and there is no property ready to be acquired.

The Town has a Coastal Management Plan, the guidelines are set by the State. The Commission

investigated educating property owners on the Cove about the environmental effects of fertilizer

on the water quality

The Town also owns a very small boat launch area.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Collaborative meeting with certain Town Commissions.

The Agricultural Commission will host an informational Summit to network on land use in the

town of Ledyard.

The meeting will be held on October 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

The other Commissions/Boards invited are Land Use, Agricultural, Inland Wetland, Zoning,

Town Planner, Planning/ Zoning and Economic Development.

Background:

The Agricultural Commission suggested coordinating an annual collaborative meeting during the

Commission’s June meeting.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Future use of former Dow property

This property is zoned for industrial Use. While there has been much discussion, the

Commission will not comment at this time.

While the new company will only use around ten acres of the land, the Commission will wait to

see what happens to the remaining property and for a report from DEEP. Dow Chemical has

maintained ownership of the property across the street

There is a group of interested people in Gales Ferry that are concerned about the effects of the

traffic on Route 12.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Chairman Marelli said he would be unable to attend the August 17, 2022 Farmers Market. He

asked the Commission for volunteers, but no one will be available to manage the tent on that

date. Chairman Marelli will send out an email to see if there is a date available in September for

volunteers.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discussion with various parties concerning application of an OSWA grant.

Mr. Holdridge sent letters to Avalonia and Groton Utilities about the Property at 148 Stoddard’s

Wharf Road. Chairman Marelli said that he received a response from Dennis Main at Avalonia

he said Avalonia would be willing to have a discussion with the Commission. Chairman Marelli

didn’t receive a response from Groton Utilities.

The Commission is interested in partnering with Avalonia, CC, Tri Town Trail and Groton

Conservation Commission. It is a large watershed property and a Greenway that could also

connect with TTT.

First the Property owner would need to agree and Groton Utilities would need to be contacted.

Mr Holdridge will speak to Councilor Saums to see who the contact person for the Town of

Ledyard is at Groton utilites. The Commission is not prepared to apply for this Grant this year.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any other Old Business to come before the Commission

Charles Pratt who owns the property that could connect the Kettle Hole trail and the Glacier Park

has not responded to the Commission’s outreach. Councilor Paul is his neighbor and will ask

again.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

COMPLETED

RESULT: