Waterford Town Center Ad-Hoc Committee - Minutes - 08/19/2021

MINUTES
WATERFORD TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT
AD-HOC COMMITTEE
August 19, 2021
Town Hall: 5:30 PM
Members Present: Miriam Furey-Wagner, Library Board of Trustees; Traci Santos, Recreation and
Parks Commission; Melissa Chiappone, Recreation and Parks Commission;
Jennifer Bracciale, Representative Town Meeting;
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Robert J. Brule, First Selectman; Abby Piersall, Planning Director; David
Campo, Town Clerk; Ryan McNamara, Assistant Director, Recreation & Parks;
Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner; Anna Scanlon, Recording
Secretary
Others Present: Chad Frost, Architectural Consultant Kent+Frost; Fran Violante, Resident,_,
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1. CALL TO ORDER 3
The meeting commenced at 5:30 PM i =
2. DISCUSS COMMITTEE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES c g =
In a unanimous vote Miriam Furey-Wagner was voted as the Chair of the committee. 2 Ny _
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3. DISCUSS WORK COMPLETED BY CONSULTANT TO DATE 4 e
Mr. Frost summarized the survey work completed at the pond vicinity and reviewed an initial concept
plan for trails around the pond and connections to the library, the gazebo and playground areas.
Committee members discussed potential elements of the conceptual plan including: connected walkways,
an outdoor event space at the library, a walking book trail, fitness trail, locations for benches, picnic
tables, and outdoor grill locations and a possible warming hut or fire pit near the pond.
The committee discussed opportunities for pond improvements including dredging to improve water
quality, adding a circulation system to filter water through a bio-filtration area north of the pond to
improve aeration and updates to provide fishing and skating potential. Suggestions included natural
plantings to better define portions of the pond edge in the wetter areas and the installation of artwork or
plantings at the north end of the pond for a focal point.
Possible improvements to the playground to provide shade and seating at the perimeter and connectivity
to the gazebo and Veteran’s Memorial were discussed. Plantings were suggested to screen the Recreation
& Parks maintenance facility.
The location of the trail around the pond and types of trail surfaces were discussed. Recommended
surface types include concrete and stone dust for the perimeter and woods trails, and ipe wood for the
boardwalk and pond overlook area. Trail widths and boardwalk dimensions were discussed. Information
on types of lighting and signage was requested.
Potential improvements at the library were suggested to improve traffic circulation, pedestrian access and
provide outdoor event space overlooking the pond. Mr. Frost reviewed options for additional parking
spaces.

Suggested improvements along the Rope Ferry Road frontage included reconstructing the stone wall
further back from the sidewalk and tree plantings to improve pedestrian access and pond visibility were
discussed.
The consultant will update the concept plan to incorporate feedback and suggestions from the committee
for review at the next committee meeting.
4, DISCUSS SEPTEMBER 9'TM PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Mr. Frost will refine the concept plan for additional feedback from the committee prior to the Public
Presentation on September 9, 2021.
5. FINALIZE PROJECT TIMELINE AND COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
The following schedule was agreed upon with the time for all meetings be 5:30 PM:
September 2, 2021 — Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting Review of Revised Concept Plans
September 9, 2021 — Public Presentation
September 23, 2021 — Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting
October 14, 2021 — Tentative date for the Public Presentation
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
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“Anna M. Scanlon
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WATERFORD TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT AD-HOC COMMITTEE
MINUTES | AUGUST 19, 2021