Conservation Commission Agenda (linked)

CONNECTICUT LAND USE
LAW FOR MUNICIPAL LAND
USE AGENCIES, BOARDS,
AND COMMISSIONS
The future of Connecticut’s communities
will be shaped by its land use laws and
regulations. Developers, neighbors, and
preservationists all intersect before municipal
land use boards and commissions, advocating
their particular interests and approaches.
Each commission member regularly has
to make critical decisions, all within the
context of complicated statutory and
case law.
This introductory level course will
focus on topics of immediate concern
to all municipal land use agencies, boards,
commissions, and their staffs. The topics
reflect both timely and practical situations,
confronting participants at every level of the
municipal land use process. This course will
provide a broad review of the municipal land
use process, including zoning, planning,
zoning board of appeals, and wetlands
issues. Members of municipal land use
agencies, boards, and commissions, as
well as municipal planners, enforcement
officers, and engineers will benefit from
this full day course.
Registration Form
Connecticut Land Use Law Seminar
Saturday, March 22, 2025
To Register
(Please Use a Separate Registration Form for Each Registrant)
To receive your printed course material, in a timely manner,
please register by February 26th. -
* Visit ctbar.org/LandUse2025 to Register Online
« Mail the Completed Form to:
Connecticut Bar Association, 538 Preston Ave, 3rd Floor,
Meriden, CT 06450
* Call (860) 223-4400
« Fax the Completed Form to'(860) 223-4488
¢ For Multiple Orders, Email LandUse@ctbar.org,
Payment must accompany registration.
Yes, | will attend the Virtual Connecticut Land Use Law Seminar
$60 (includes printed copy of materials)
No, | cannot attend the seminar, but would like to
purchase copies of the seminar materials
$60 per copy (includes shipping and handling)
To receive your webinar link, you must provide your email
address below when you register.
Please PRINT Information Below
Name:
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Meeting code: #SPZ250322

CBA EDUCATION & TRAINING
Planning & Zoning
- CONNECTICUT
* LAND USE LAW
FOR MUNICIPAL
LAND USE
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training conceiing affordable. | housin, ‘and fair ‘housing policies. Note: ‘the .
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Planning and Zoning Section

10:50 a.m. — 11:20 a.m.
Planning Commission
Atty. Amy E. Souchuns, Milford
This session will cover powers of the planning
commission, plan of development, statutory
notice requirements, subdivisions and re-
subdivisions, multi-agency approvals, reasons
for denial, open space, changes in regulations,
bonding requirements, conditional approvals,
and mandating off-site improvements.
11:20 a.m. — 11:50 a.m.
Zoning Commissions
Atty. Marjorie F. Shansky, New Haven
This session will cover enabling legislation,
powers of zoning commissions and
proper purposes and goals of zoning, the
comprehensive plan, proper notices of
hearings, designating and amending zoning
districts, spot zoning, floating zones, the ~
uniformity requirement, dependence upon
other governmental agency action, rendering
decisions, and publications of notices of
decisions.
12:00 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
12:30 p.m. — 1:00 p.m.
Special Permit and Site Plan Review
Atty. Brian R. Smith, Hartford
This session will cover statutory requirements
and the distinction between special permit and
site plan review, and appeals from decisions
on applications for special permit and site plan
approval.
1:00 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.
Nonconformities
Atty. Christopher J. Smith, Hartford
This session will entail a general discussion of
the origin, scope, and issues associated with
nonconformities.
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1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wetlands Law and Procedure
Atty. Michael A. Zizka, Hartford
This session will cover a review of procedures
of municipal inland wetlands and watercourse
agencies, and how wetlands law impacts the
zoning and planning process.
2:00 p.m. ss 2:10 p.m.
Break
2:10 p.m. — 2:40 p.m.
Zoning, Planning and Wetlands
Enforcement
Atty. Charles R. Andres, New Haven
This session will cover analysis and discussion
of Connecticut law concerning enforcement
through the zoning, planning, and wetlands
process.
2:40 p.m. — 3:40 p.m.
Panel Discussion
Atty. Ira Bloom, Westport
Affordable Housing, the Municipal Perspective
Atty. Jason A. Klein, Stamford
Options for Expanding Housing Opportunities
3:40 p.m. — 4:10 p.m.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Atty. Dorian R. Famiglietti, Vernon
This session will cover functions of zoning
boards of appeal, variances, legal requisites
for hardship, including issues of confiscation
and self-created hardships, other statutory
duties of the ZBA, and hearing procedures.

4:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Q&A
2025 ZiPLeR Awards and
Recent Developments as Reported in CT
Land Law and Practice
Available as a video that will be sent to all
attendees.
Atty. Dwight H. Merriam, FAICP, Simsbury
Please Note:
This program is available only to members
of municipal land use agencies and their
support staff.
Refunds of seminar fees will not be granted
for cancellations after the course material is
mailed out.
To receive your printed course material, in a
timely manner, please register by February 26th.
To receive your webinar link, you must provide your
email address when you register.
This is a virtual meeting and will be accessible
via Zoom. Zoom is a cloud-based platform for
video and audio conferencing. It can be
accessed through a browser on any device,
or the Zoom app. :
SEMINAR PROGRAM
9:00'a.m. — 9:10 a.m.
Welcome
Atty. Rick Costantini and Atty. Evan Seeman
Co-Chairs, CBA Planning and Zoning Section
9:10 a.m. — 9:40 a.m.
Public Hearing Procedures
Atty. Peter S. Olson, Bethel
This session will cover a review of statutory
provisions and case law concerning
administrative process, applications;
conducting a public hearing; creating the
administrative record, and making appropriate
findings and conclusions to support decisions.
9:40 a.m. — 10:10 a.m.
Conflict of Interest and Predisposition
Atty. Richard P. Roberts, Hartford
This session will cover statutory provisions
on conflict of interest, rules governing
predisposition and predetermination, court
decisions on coniflict of interest, drawing the
line between cases where disqualification
applies and does not apply, and procedural
problems when a question of conflict arises.
10:10 a.m. — 10:20 a.m.
Break
10:20 a.m. — 10:50 a.m.
Environmental Interventions
Atty. Janet P. Brooks, East Berlin
This session will cover interventions under
Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 22a-19 for the
purpose of raising environmental issues: what
they are, what they do, and what you have to
do when you get one.

= . :
tern Connecticut Conservation District, Inc
2023 - 2024 Annual Report
Provide technical assistance and environmental edugation to promote
sound natural resource management utilizing a watershed approach
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Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meets once amonth
DIRECTORS OFFICERS
Susan Manning, Griswold Chair, Sherwood Raymond, Norwich
Cathy Osten, Sprague Vice Chair, William Jorsz, Baltic
Charlie Hobbs, Ledyard Treasurer, Paul Shaffer, Norwich
Matt Peckham, Woodstock Secretary, Leonora Szruba, Lisbon
Lydia Pan, Mystic
Gwen Haaland, Ashford ALTERNATES
Cindy Wright-Jones, Pomfret Center Laura Hopkins, Stonington
A Message from the Chairman of the Board
Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) has a long history of supporting agriculture in eastern CT, from hobby
farms to large dairy farms, the board and staff at ECCD recognize that agriculture is critical to the health and well-being
of society. Farming is the fiber that holds society together, keeping us well-fed and clothed, providing sustenance for
urban and rural communities alike. \
|
The scope and scale of modern agriculture will only increase as the world's population expands. But modern agriculture,
both small-scale and industrial, as vital as it is to meeting society's needs, presents difficult challenges to our natural
world, impacting soil, air and water quality. Recognizing and meeting these challenges presents an opportunity for
residents of eastern CT to grow CT’s economy while supporting agricultural production locally. The benefits of robust
local agricultural production are manifold. Local production has the potential to provide more healthy, nutritious food
for ourselves and our children. By not over-relying upon food produced hundreds or thousands of miles away, local
production strengthens regional security while reducing transportation costs and impacts to the environment. And from
asocietal perspective, farming locally protects the land from development, enhancing our rural landscapes and
preserving CT’s long history of farming for future generations.
Local farmers are constantly pursuing options that support more conscientious use of their land, but these options are
often expensive and beyond the reach of most farms. Producers need our support in their efforts to implement farming
practices that nurture the soil, not deplete it; that protect air and water quality, not endanger it; and that produce
healthier more nutritious food for all, not the few. 
|
Currently, and over the past few years, ECCD has leveraged funding to construct multi-million dollar infrastructure
projects for agricultural waste management at dairy farms in. eastern CT, including multiple projects in Woodstock,
Lebanon and North Stonington. These projects come at great: expense to the farmers who contribute significant funding
to their construction. Along with ECCD, you can support these farmers by buying locally -- not occasionally, but always.
And encourage others to do the same, before the landscape of eastern CT is void of farms and the shelves in our stores are
without locally grown products. At the same time, you will be protecting the soil upon which we walk, the air we breathe
and the water we drink.
Sherwood Raymond,
Chair

Agricultural Projects
NACD Technical Assistance Grant - With funding from the National Association of
Conservation Districts, ECCD was able to attend multiple NRCS trainings on tools
and practices to continue providing technical assistance, District staff supported
NRCS by conducting farm visits and certifications, Partners including ECCD, CSWC
and NRCS held a local work group workshop to ask community for natural resource
needs,
Reducing Nitrogen in Long Island Sound by Managing Farm Waste at Valley View
Farm °-To improve water quality in Long Island Sound, ECCD and NRCS are
collaborating with Valley View Farm in North Stonington to construct anew free-
stall barn with agricultural waste management and storage facilities.
Manure Management to Reduce Nitrogen Pollution into Long Island Sound?- To
improve water quality in Long Island Sound, ECCD and NRCS are collaborating with
Square A Farm in Lebanon to construct a new free-stall barn with agricultural waste
management facilities.
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Designs are being developed for a free-stall
barnwith agricultural waste management
facilities in.N Stonington,
Square A Farm breaks ground on anew
free-stall barn for agricultural waste
management.
Water Quality & Habitat Improvement Projects
Quanaduck Cove BMP Demonstration Site*- ECCD, in partnership with the
Quanaduck Cove Court Condominium Association and Tipping Rock Association, is
addressing nitrogen pollution from stormwater runoffin Long Island Sound with a
suite of BMPs including downspout planters and two riparian buffers, ECCD staff
also created a BMP Manual for use by community associations.
From Rain Gardens to Riparian Buffers; Pollinator Pathways for Healthy
Watersheds 5 - ECCD staff worked on completing grant requirements with
municipalities and volunteers to install vegetated buffers and rain gardens using
native plants to attract pollinators in the City and Town of Groton, Ledyard, Preston
and Stonington, Outreach included Ledyard & Preston riparian buffer and rain
garden workshops, disseminating educational brochures in English & Spanish and
creating signs.
ECCD staff and volunteers install finalrain
garden inthe City of Groton,
Ariparian buffer was planted in Stonington
for the Quanaduck Cove BMP.
Demonstration Site,
3, Funded in part by CT DEEP through a CWA §319 NPS Program grant
2, Funded in part by CT NRCS through USDA NRCS RCPP grant
3, Funded in part by 6 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Long sland Sound Futures Fund grant with additional funding
provided by EPA.
4.Funded by the CSWC& USDA NRCS RCEP rources
5. Funded by Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation
6, Funded by CT DEEP through FY23 L1S/BIL, EB Mitigation Fund and Mohawk NE Mitigation Fund.
7, Funded by NOAA under its B-WET program,
Water Quality & Habitat Improvement Projects
CT DEEP-EPA 319 NPS: Birch Plain Creek Stormwater Improvements project! -
Groton Estates apartment complex has issues with storm drain runoff discharging
into Birch Plain Creek which drains into Baker Cove, ECCD, City of Groton &
Groton Estates are installing 5 tree filters, 6 rain gardens, 1 hydrodynamic
separator, 5 storm drain filters, 3 interpretive signs and holding 1 educational
workshop to include residents and City stakeholders,
Solar Power Erosion & Sediment Control Inspections - ECCD has an agreement
with CTDEEP to conduct erosion and sediment control inspections at new
commercial solar installations. Current projects include Silicon Ranch in North
Stonington and TriTec Americas sites in Uncasville, Pomfret and Montville,
French River North Grosvenordale Stormwater BMPs Project? - In collaboration
with the town of Thompson, BCCD staff installed rain gardens and educational
signage at Blain Road Intersection in Thompson, CT to reduce nonpoint source
pollution in French River.
Shewville Dam Fishway Construction Project® - ECCD started construction of a
Denali steeppass fishway to pass fish over Shewville Dam in Ledyard, CT. ECCD
anticipates construction of the fishway will be completed by fall 2024. Once the
fishway is constructed, river herring will have access to historic spawning habitat
all the way to Amos Lake.
Green Schoolyard Grant - funded by Community Foundation of Eastern CT, ECCD
currently is installing a Green Schoolyard at Jennings School in New London,
ECCD is creating a Green Schoolyard Action Plan and installing infrastructure to
support the school’s gardening program.
Project Oceanology Outdoor Learning Alliance’ - With funding from NOAA
through its B-WET Program, ECCD collaborated with Project Oceanology to create
outdoor learning spaces in underserved communities throughout eastern
Connecticut, including Thames River Magnet School, Charles H. Barrows STEM.
Academy, Catherine Kolnaski STEAM Magnet School and Charles Barnum Magnet
School.
Rain garden installed at Washington Park. ECCD staff inspect erosion & sediment
controls ata solar sitein Uncasville,
Pergola installed at Catherine Kolnaski
STEAM Magnet School.
City of Groton Public Works staff install
Storm drain filter inserts at Groton Estates.

Partners
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CT Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection, US Environmental Protection Agency,
| Council on Soil & Water Conservation, Cyanobacteria Monitoring
Collaborative, Department of Public Health, local health districts, UConn.
i! Extension System, CLEAR (Center for Land Use Education and Research),
College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CANR), CT Sea Grant,
and other conservation organizations.
| Representation
Board of Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area, Thames
River Basin Partnership, Celebrating Agriculture Steering Committee, The
Last Green Valley, Connecticut Envirothon, Niantic River Nitrogen Work
Group, Long Island Sound Study Citizens Advisory Committee, and
Willimantic Whitewater Partnership.
Partnerships with government agencies and non-profit organizations are
important to ECCD to achieve its mission.
Watershed Committees
Inorder to move forward and implement recommendations in watershed
plans, ECCD created and facilitates several watershed committees. These
include Niantic River Watershed Committee, Little River Healthy Watershed
Collaborative, Baker Cove Watershed Committee and Wequetequock Clean
Water Coalition , These watershed committees are comprised of
representatives from local communities and other stakeholders who are
working together to improve and protect water quality, soil health and
natural resources,
‘Wequetequock Clean Water Coalition conductsits inaugural meeting at
New England Science and Sailing (NESS).
We would like to express our gratitude to the following conservation supporters
for their generous support and outreach efforts!
2023-24 Water Quality Monitoring Volunteers
The Last Green Valley, Inc.
Andrew Tate Memorial Fund
CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Community Foundation of Eastern CT
Long Island Sound Futures Fund
UConn Extension System
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund
ECCD Provides Natural Resource Conservation
Information & Education
ECCDis involved with an equity and
diversity initiative along with the
ather four districts.
Partners ECCD, CSWC and NRCS
held a Local Work Group workshop
to obtain community input.
ECCD staffed table at Celebrating
‘Ag's first year at Brooklyn
Fairgrounds.
ECCDand TLGV held thelr annual
floating workshop in Wequetequock
Cove, featuring Riverhawk Oysters.
Incollaboration with WCWC, ECCD
held awatershed festival with other
conservation organizations.
ECCD partnered with Thompson and
others ona small business center and
public food forest planning project,
The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District wishes to extendits sincere
appreciation to all of our donors listed helow during 2023-24.Your generosity and
cooperative spirit greatly support our efforts in soil & water conservation throughout
eastern Connecticut. Thank you.
Dale Demontigny Charles McLain
David Demontigny Rosemarie McLain
Jecm DeSmet Christopher Thomson
Fidelity Charitable Trust Irene Thompson
Robert Hackemack Richard Thompson.
ECCD wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation for the generous donations made on
behalf of others in the name of conservation.
Elaine and John Siena in Honor of Leo Tucker and Nancy Sneder
Jeffrey B, and Carolyn H, Otto in Honor of Emerson H. and Winifred P. Nutting
Joyce Brewster in Honor of Simon Brewster

Clark Lane Residents
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cau 119 Clark Lane
Planning & Development Waterford, CT 06385
Town of Waterford, cr
First Selectman Robert Brule
Planning and Zoning Department
Inland Wetlands Department
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06385
January 6, 2025
Dear Selectman Brule, Planning and Zoning Department and Inland Wetlands,
Please take notice that the developer of the Clark Lane trailer project and the
Town of Waterford (TOW) officials are permitting carcinogenic exposure of silica
dust and plumes to the students and staff at Clark Lane Middle School and the
residents on both sides of Clark Lane but especially those on the east side of Clark
Lane and directly abutting the ongoing development due to the stone crushing
and processing activities which releases carcinogenic silica. The Center for
Disease Control, the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association
to name a few have confirmed this well-established carcinogenic material is
produced during all rock crushing, drilling and stone processing activity.
On Friday, December 27, two residents had a conversation with Mark Wujtewicz,
Planner for the Town of Waterford, and he informed us that the rocks will be
crushed onsite. At the multiple meetings we had with the Town of Waterford
officials and the trailer park developers this construction activity was never
mentioned to the residents eager to protect themselves and their properties.
Minimal investigation proves that rock crushing, to the extent that this developer
needs to do, to the present rock piles located along all residents boundaries and
the multiple rocks throughout the 16 acres will be a toxic and unhealthy activity
potentially harming residents, their pets, students and staff. At the meetings we
were promised close monitoring of all activities this developer was going to be
doing. We have not seen the monitoring of sound, vibration and silica. We
believe all the Town of Waterford experts should have made the residents aware
of the potential activities from this development in our meetings, they should

2
have disclosed this potential construction site activity and they did not. Presently
all the Clark Lane residents on the east side of Clark Lane are experiencing
excessive noise and severe house vibration throughout the day starting at 6:45a.
Work is being done due to the rock drilling occurring adjacent to their properties.
The excessive daily and loud noise is diminishing our quality of life. It appears the
project workers are drilling, splitting and dropping huge boulders which is
producing vibration, noise and silica dust throughout the day.
The crushing of rocks is a serious and deadly practice for the workers exposed as
well as those in close proximity to the activity due to the excessive silica dust and
the silica plumes it creates. There are innumerable scientific studies attesting to
silica exposure issues and a small example of the studies can be found at the end
of this letter. Due to the unusual close distance the residents, the students and
staff at Clark Lane Middle School are forced to have to this construction site, they
will be heavily impacted by this enormous silica producing activity. The silica dust
is also deadly to the general environment and especially the wetland ecosystem
(Fenger Brook is within 50 feet of this site).
Crystalline silica commonly found naturally in the earth’s crust is generated
through cutting, crushing, grinding and drilling of all types of rocks. Individuals
who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at risk of developing
irreversible and serious silica related diseases including silicosis, an incurable lung
disease that leads to death, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus) and
kidney disease. Once the crystalline silica is inhaled the particles cannot be
removed. There are presently multiple class action lawsuits and billions of dollars
in settlement awards for silica exposure. Children are especially sensitive to this
exposure as it quickly scars and inflames their young developing lung tissue.
We are asking that the rocks are removed from this construction site and crushed
elsewhere as all the residents are too close to this activity and their health and
welfare is being compromised. It is expected the TOW officials who maintain they
care about the health and safety of this community and its residents would never
allow any hazardous activity knowingly compromise lives and families.

3
Based on this level of construction happening in an R-20 zone, directly against our
property boundaries and in close proximity to all of our houses, the
accompanying excessive noise throughout the day, exposure to our Middle School
staff and students and the severity of the health outcome to potentially hundreds
of Town of Waterford citizens we would like this rock crushing stopped
immediately and the boulders removed from the site and crushed elsewhere.
We are scared Town of Waterford citizens. A prompt response is appreciated.
Sincerely,
10% Clark ln Waterton CT
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Concerned Clark Lane Residents

Scientific Studies:
11/9/23 Center for Disease Control :
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/indust
8/23/2023 American Lung association
The Dangers of Silica Dust
12/6/2024 Environmental Health Publishing:
Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica Dust in the United States
https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7384
1/24/2024 American Journal of Industrial Medicine: Volume 67, Issue 3
Accelerated silicosis in sandblasters: pathology, mineralogy and clinical correlates
7/23/2024 Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene:Volume 21,Issue 8
https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2024.2357715
2024 American Lung Association: ‘State of Air’ 2024 Key Findings
https://www.lung.org/research/sota/key-findings
9/29/23 Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health
Occupational: exposure to silica dust in France; an ongoing concern
2006 Centers for Disease Control: Chapter 3. Toxic kinetics, Susceptible
Populations, biomarkers, Chemical Interactions
https//atsdr.cdc.gov
11/9/23 Center for Disease Control :
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/indust
8/23/2023 American Lung association
The Dangers of Silica Dust
12/6/2024 Environmental Health Publishing:
Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica Dust in the United
Stateshttps://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7384