Planning & Zoning Commission (linked)

Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Sustainability and Resiliency 
February 13th, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director  
Mark Wujtewicz - Planner  
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio  
Nick Campbell - FHI Studio  
Jane Adams - Harbor Management Commission 
Jim Bartelli - Director of Utilities 
Gary Schneider - Public Works Director  
Jill Stevens - Assistant Director of Utilities 
Discussion Notes 
What are Waterford’s strengths? 
 
Schools have geothermal 
 
Wastewater and Sewer system Is built out, no plans for expansion 
 
Where municipal sewer exists - required to tie In 
 
What are the issues in Waterford that need to be addressed? 
 
Reject rates for recyclables Is approaching 25%, should be around 15%  
 
Most roadways are concrete drainage set up, can't do road diet due to strict 
development of concrete curbs 
 
None of the pump stations within the flood risk zones are cast In place stations If 
pump station floods, the controls/control panel are the concern. Changing the 
location of the controls Is an addressable fix. Raising the wet well Is the only other 
option 
 
What needs does your organization have that the Town could respond to? 
 
Not enough staff, not enough funding for anything green 
 
Aggressive preventative maintenance plan 
 
MS4 permit process Is a big Issue and Waterford lacks the staff to address It 
 

2 
What plans does your organization have over the next several years that could impact the 
Town? 
 
Have an honest discussion of the town buildings and the maintenance/staffing 
components, two schools that are unoccupied 
 
There is a proposal to enhance water pressure In quaker hill area where the state 
minimum Is not met for pressure. proposal In this year's CIP, different methods to 
accomplish that goal. rehabilitation of existing systems, Issues with pipe, replaced 
some but did not receive funds to replace the rest of It 
What is your vision for Waterford, in what ways could or should it change over the next ten 
years? 
 
Each department puts together capital project together Individually, no tying plan 
back to proposed capital project schedule. Waterford needs to set priorities and 
limits of dollars/budgets, need to break down silos so that funding streams can be 
created and a unified work plan/development can move forward 
What could the Town do in the next couple of years to support your organization and/or your 
vision? 
 
Utilities: aggressive preventative maintenance plan, ongoing project  
 
Building and pump stations are okay. Infrastructure not within the paved roadway 
that are not accessible, 50 year old system, need to strongly consider/realign the 
Infrastructure 
 
Need the leadership of the POCD to Implement a greater vision than It currently 
has, where the aesthetic experience of the water Is actively preserved by the town, 
without Impeding some of the water development that could occur. Benefits to 
having shellfish and oyster farming, town should actively embrace how It wants to 
maintain the visual experience of the coast line. Suggestions for limiting 
Impermeable surfaces around buildings/structures, that would seem to help with 
Infiltration and runoff of fertilizer and other pollutants 
 
Each department puts together capital project together Individually, no tying plan 
back to proposed capital project schedule, setting priorities and limits of 
dollars/budgets. Need to break down silos so that funding streams can be created 
and a unified work plan/development can move forward 
 
Rain barrels/composting, trying to use the resources with care to reduce runoff.  
 
There is not a lot of regional coordination, few contracts out there regionally to 
handle storm cleanup, etc. Hazard mitigation plan spearheaded by SECCOG, not 
connected with the other towns to make It a full regional plan. 
 
Encourage onsite retention of stormwater to reduce MS4 permits.  

3 
 
Include EV space requirements In regulations, best environmental practices should 
be used to ensure that developers are making their buildings better  
 
MS4 Is a big Issue and lack the staff to handle It/address It 
 
Need maintenance plans for facilities, and need enforcement of the green 
building/Infrastructure plans 

 
Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Public Facilities and Infrastructure/Land Use and Transportation 
February 13th, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director  
Mark Wujtewicz - Planner  
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio  
Nick Campbell - FHI Studio  
Karen Barnett - Planning and Zoning Commission 
Jim Bartelli - Director of Utilities Commission 
LT. Ferland - Waterford Police Department 
Tom Giard - Superintendent of the Schools 
Ryan McNamara - Director of Recreation and Parks Department 
Jill Stevens - Utilities Commission 
Discussion Notes 
What are Waterford’s strengths? 
 
Waterford provides a lot of services not seen In other communities, trash pick up, beaches 
for example, sidewalk maintenance 
 
Good school system, vast majority of kids take the bus 
What are the issues in Waterford that need to be addressed? 
 
Where the sidewalks ends before the beaches, connecting down from Great Neck to the 
beaches and access 
 
Not a tremendous amount of housing where large populations of children would walk. 
heavy traffic with distracted driving, makes road crossings difficult 
 
Geometry of local roads with state roads that require state attention/push the state to 
restructure some of these, would require taking properties/structures, major concern Is 
Intersection of state and local roads 
 
There Is no capital Improvement plan for town facilities 
 
Many neighbors spoke up about lack of ability to walk the parkway, Issue of who 
maintains the sidewalks. no destination to walk to, low traveled pedestrian road 
 
Accessibility to some areas of Town Is a challenge for police and emergency services 

2 
 
Overall lack of staff and resources available to accomplish major projects and 
mainetnance 
What needs does your organization have that the Town could respond to? 
 
Traffic light outside of Park Lane Middle School 
 
Enrollment down 6% In schools, loose about 20 kids per year 
 
Some locations such as beaches and parks need connectivity to Internet locations for 
elimination of cash transactions 
 
Vacant school properties: once they cease being a school they get turned over to the 
town, no plans for the board of ED to do anything 
 
Lack of staff and resources for consistent maintenance  
What plans does your organization have over the next several years that could impact the 
Town? 
 
Community/parks and recs: community center has not been updated since 2005. AV, 
nuances need to be reconfigured. looking at changing the footprint of the garage In 
the center of town In conjunction with civic triangle plan, swap presences to have 
different uses In the center of town 
 
Nevins Cottage, should work closely with the Historical Society 
What is your vision for Waterford, in what ways could or should it change over the next ten 
years? 
 
Staffing Issues: growth and development for the growth of Waterford. expand the police 
unit with the creation of a dedicated traffic unit to enforce traffic rules. Accidents on route 
85 with the overpass, lots of minor accidents from front to rear. 395 and 85, multiple 
Interchange 
 
Need a vision for the Town's municipal buildings, seems like there Is no plan 
 
Several plans for connector roadways to connect Clark Lane to 85, connect the parkways 
Into Broad Street, just plans and nothing has been progressed. 
What could the Town do in the next couple of years to support your organization and/or your 
vision? 
 
Need more funding available for basic maintenance of buildings 
 
Would like to see more bike lanes or bike paths 
 
Pump stations could be used as hubs for Internet and broadband  
 
 

 
Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Open Space, Environment and Conservation 
February 14th, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director 
Mark Wujtewicz - Planner 
Maureen Fitzgerald - Environmental Planner, Conservation Commission 
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio 
Nick Campbell - FHI Studio 
Karen Barnett - Planning and Zoning Commission 
Jane Adams - Harbor Management Commission 
David Lersch - Waterford Land Trust 
Katie Lund - Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR) 
Tali Maidelis - Conservation Commission 
Deb Moshier-Dunn - Save the River, Save the Hills 
Maggie Redfern - CT College Arboretum 
Larry Tytla - Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission 
Jamie Vaudrey - Niantic River Watershed Committee (NRWC) 
Discussion Notes 
What are Waterford’s strengths? 
 
Access to the Niantic River and Jordan Cove 
 
Waterford Land Trust 
 
Various commissions and regional committees dedicated to Improving water quality 
What are the issues in Waterford that need to be addressed? 
 
Diminution of water quality and species over the years, would like to see more ambitious 
projects to improve water quality for shellfish - anything to Improve water quality 
 
Desire to clean the tributaries 
 
No body that addresses the cumulative Impact of docks 
 
More attention to not breaking up the wildlife corridors, protect ecosystem over the small 
sections. Protect animals as well as the flow of nutrients, is there enough natural area to 
filter the nutrients 
 
Many chain based moorings, there are modern alternatives that are less destructive 

2 
What needs does your organization have that the Town could respond to? 
 
POCD to articulate landward and waterward view scape of the visual carrying capacity, 
 
Conservation commission Is only advisory, the lack of any dedicated money on the towns 
part during development, there Is no line Item for open space 
What plans does your organization have over the next several years that could impact the 
Town? 
 
We encourage more education for private property owners, encourage native planting to 
stitch the landscape back together. Encourage plants that are beneficial to the 
ecosystem. Idea of a pollinator pathway, by connecting habitats together 
What is your vision for Waterford, in what ways could or should it change over the next ten 
years? 
 
Areas to save: Clam Lane and Pember Roads In Waterford that parcels next to them that 
filter water Into Niantic, one Is industrial zoned, two sellers who are motivated In the area, 
and a lot of parcels along Stony Brook. Pember Road Is maintained by CTDOT, unclear 
about future of Woodlands Land Trust property, and parcels would go a long way to 
protecting riparian buffers. 
 
Need wetland/marsh area protections - opportunity to recognize significance of those 
areas In flood management, SECCOG creating a flooding mitigation plan that Identifies 
the climate component/significance  
 
Mechanism exists through the Waterford Land Trust to accomplish the same goals that 
have not been met by prior POCD - how can these be accomplished 
What could the Town do in the next couple of years to support your organization and/or your 
vision? 
 
Maintain access to the Niantic River and Jordan Cove, there Is public access to both of 
those resources. Declining water quality/eel grass, water quality down brooks. Accessible 
coastal water Is Important to protect 
 
Shellfish commission, public water access to the river that are open to shellfishing by the 
public, lot of NIMBY where locals don't want people parking. Diminution of water quality 
and species over the years, would like to see more ambitious projects to Improve water 
quality for shellfish - anything to Improve water quality  
 
Beaches being destroyed by pollution, wakes from boats, evaluation of many factors Ie, 
human Interaction, human use, number of boats. Desire to clean the tributaries  
 
After storms and high tides, tides have Increased substantially, protect areas by 
protecting the forests 
 
Nobody that addresses the cumulative Impact of docks - one Is fine, many are not. 
Proliferation of boat lifts, need a big picture analysis of the waterfront 

3 
 
Protection of open spaces Is critical, want to encourage/allow development but needs to 
be balanced and in specific locations to I not break up the wildlife, protect ecosystem 
over the small sections. Protect animals as well as the flow of nutrients, need natural 
areas to filter the nutrients 
 
Promote the use on native plants in residential and commercial landscapes, these will be 
beneficial to the environment, and help with bird migration, Land Trust Is small and limited 
In its ability to do things, Land Trust could use more support 
General Discussion 
 
There is a diversity of trees In Waterford, we have seen more animal life, coyote, bears 
 
If we keep forests Intact, and protections of core forests will keep the animals In the 
forests and not In our backyards as much, Waterford should look at their zoning and 
rezone things to protect clean water  
 
Like POCD to articulate landward and waterward view scape of the visual carrying 
capacity, when Individuals discuss the coastline, that It Includes the broad vista of what 
they are seeing, and that the POCD could Incorporate a statement of objective that does 
not undermine development. Not residential, but more along the line of what Is going on 
waterward, aquaculture, perhaps In articulating a vision of what to maintain, It would not 
be desirable to have surface cages or nets, where It does not visually Impair the vista on 
the water 
 
Trying to seed the Niantic River with oysters, commercial aquaculture Is a non-starter 
 
Along Waterford harbor. aquaculture In the Thames River has not been as Impacted as In 
the Niantic. POCD should articulate what should be maintained In terms of the visual 
capacity and beyond 
 
Eel grass and shellfish can co-exist, our policies say we can't have aquaculture In eel 
grass, and the process of putting cages on the bottom harms the river ecosystem, the 
spreading of scallops and oysters In the Niantic River, aquaculture Is part of the 
development, the visual piece Is Important but how do you do It sustainably so that 
people are not overloaded by the appeal of the fishing equipment 
 
Waterford Harbor Management has a mandate to preserve eel grass, any development 
would be vetoed by harming eel grass.  
 
Eel grass Is going to be In other areas where there are other uses that It spreads naturally 
and we are restoring eel grass to bring together an eel grass commission. no easy Issues, 
but this Is when we can Improve water quality In streams and on the coast 
 
There are two different sets of rules based on who drew a line down the center of the river, 
need regional rules that are uniform 

4 
 
There is some opposition to expansion of aquaculture in the community, feeling that why 
should one Individual or one business profit from the river 
 
We can all agree that there are valuable resources on the water, competing uses on how 
they are preserved and how they are used and how to balance use and Impact on the 
water resources 
 
Need to err on the side of conservation around tributaries and waterways  
 
Good diversity In the forests of Waterford, there Is forest fragmentation, how do we 
encourage more education for private property owners, Is that just the level of potential 
development or encourage native planting to stitch the landscape back together. 
vegetation and breeding bird surveys have benefited from stitching of the land back 
together, how do we encourage plants that are beneficial to the ecosystem. Idea of a 
pollinator pathway, by connecting habitats together 
 
Engineering ways to minimize docks and pilings, hard engineering to prevent erosion  
    
Need to be sensitive along the shore to any development that Is happening 
 
Should leave native plants and species Intact whenever possible 
 
Conservation commission Is only advisory, the lack of any dedicated money on the towns 
part during development, there Is no line Item for open space- need to add one 
 
Goals from the 2012 POCD have not been achieved, no one acted on them, agency to 
help open space In town, people don't want Increases In their taxes, potential to create a 
greenway trail to encourage support for conservation, could have wildlife 
 
Route 11 corridor as potential greenway- the proposed pathway of the road that was 
never built 
 
Upgrading access to properties Increases appeal of land/property value 
 
State law allows for reduction In property taxes - public act 490 
 

 
Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Housing and Community Services 
February 14th, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director 
Mark Wujtewicz - Planner 
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio 
Nick Campbell - FHI Studio 
Tom Girard - Superintendent of Schools 
Dani Garman - Senior Services 
Christine Johnson - Library 
Discussion Notes 
What are Waterford’s strengths? 
 
Offer a lot of programming at community centers that are comprehensive 
programs that are above and beyond what neighboring towns are capable of 
offering. looking at non-traditional areas, e-sports, beyond the big 4 
(NBA/NFL/MLB/NHL) 
 
Schools are an attractive lure for people. Good school system, 17 different 
languages spoken 
 
Waterford allows multi-family housing, and Is not concentrated In just the town 
center 
 
Waterford Is an Inclusive community but not a lot of diversity 
 
Top rated ADA accessible beach 
What are the issues in Waterford that need to be addressed? 
 
Not a lot of senior housing available, some new market rate units are coming 
online, though not necessarily affordable 
 
No set requirement for affordable units In new developments, left to the developer 
to decide 
 
Lack of diversity 
 
Need more rental units 
 
Quaker Hill feels disconnected, focus has been on the Civic Triangle 

2 
 
Housing: young residents want to raise families and live In the community but are 
unable to, not a lot of rental opportunities In Waterford, not a lot of affordable units 
for young adults 
 
20 years of flat budgets 
 
More programming for jobs right out of high school, more thought and planning 
about what they should do, looking at more workforce development 
What needs does your organization have that the Town could respond to? 
 
Library: library Is not ADA compliant, have a large enough facility but do not provide 
equal service, not very walkable, better connections for folks to get around. library 
cannot create a space for teenagers to enjoy, It Is not as attractive as It could be.  
What is your vision for Waterford, in what ways could or should it change over the next  ten 
years? 
 
The creation of a town authority/program to manage acquired property to provide 
affordable housing units through Waterford, Is Identified In the Affordable Housing 
Plan for Waterford. 
 
Vision for Crystal Mall - potential housing units, mixed use facilities 
 
Expand ability for residential units in certain commercial areas  
 
Need more options for affordable housing, working with P&Z to finalize language for 
accessory dwelling units. ADU's are built primarily for family members 
What could the Town do in the next couple of years to support your organization and/or your 
vision? 
 
Waterford needs senior housing, to keep seniors, locate services close to them 
 
Consider requirements for affordable housing component on any new large scale 
development 
 
Identify Industries In the area that we have and tailor programs to meet those needs 
 
Vision for Crystal Mall - potential housing, mixed use facilities, certain commercial 
areas In Waterford that allow for residential, should there be more zoning districts that 
allow residential 
 
Allow residential uses, but only single units of commercial/retail. when we rezoned 
civic triangle, we allowed for multi-family with commercial component, with the Idea 
being to expand services/uses allowed In civic triangle to encourage support for 
Waterford 
 
Regional job workforce, some starting salaries are too low, need for workforce housing 
to encourage pipeline 
 
 

 
Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Sustainability and Resiliency, Energy Usage 
February 15th, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director 
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio 
Kevin Girard-Energy Task Force and Waterford RTM  
General Discussion Notes 
 
Energy Task Force was developed in October 2022 as a response to the need for better 
information regarding energy usage in the Town. (Some issues surrounding Natural Gas 
installations at two sites. 
 
Waterford should consider utilizing solar, geothermal, and heat pump technology with 
any new municipal project, Town should be making better use of renewable energy 
sources 
 
Better education is needed for residents regarding green energy technologies 
 
Zoning is prohibitive of solar in some applications 
 
Town could provide information to residents- EPA and Energy Administration handouts 
 
High demand for EV charging stations, could be installed at Town Parks, beaches, library, 
etc. 
 
Waterford should do whatever it can to keep Millstone going, it is a job producer, taxpayer 
and energy source 
 
More scientific information should be shared with residents, very political 
 

 
Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Economic Development Meeting 
February 15th, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director 
Mark Wujtewicz - Planner 
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio 
Ivy Mellow, Ivy’s Simply Homemade 
Mary Millaras, Millaras Piggery  
Kristyn Neal, Dream in Color Marketing 
Paul Whitescarver - Southeastern CT Enterprise Region, SeCTer 
Discussion Notes 
 
Waterford is supportive of businesses and asks people what they want. Town staff always 
patronize local businesses whenever possible 
 
Grant process went smoothly, but if there had been a more streamlined process for 
getting the funds at the end that would help 
 
Town could use more social media interaction with businesses, maybe an online list of 
Waterford’s businesses/websites on the Town’s website. Many people do not know all of 
the businesses that are in Town 
 
Adaptive reuse would be suitable for many properties, do not develop greenspace when 
there are existing properties that could be repurposed 
 
Town should continue the communication and promotion of businesses 
 
Civic Triangle Plan to connect the municipal uses and develop language for zoning 
changes to enable such improvements. Want residents to be able to spend money in 
Waterford and not have to leave Town to get an ice cream or go for a sandwich 
 
Aesthetics of businesses are important, business owners need to maintain properties, 
there are design guidelines and a design review board 
 
Mago Point – location suitable for village type improvements  
 
Waterford is not eligible for many of the funds communities like New London or Groton 
qualify for 
 
More home occupations, working to expand the list of allowable home occupations due 
to rise in this type of use 

2 
 
Childcare services, there is a shortage across the state 
 
Affordable housing needed and could be mixed use model 
 

 
Stakeholder Meeting Summary 
Cultural and Historic Resources Meeting 
February 23rd, 2023 
Attendees: 
Jon Mullen - Planning Director 
Mark Wujtewicz - Planner 
Rory Jacobson - FHI Studio 
Rob Mooney - O'neill Theater 
Robert Nye - Municipal Historian 
John O'neil - Historic Properties Commission, Design Review Board 
Jeanne Shelburne - Friends of Harkness 
John Steffian - President, Friends of Harkness 
Kristen Widham - President, Waterford Historical Society 
Discussion Notes 
• 
Waterford lacks a sense of Identity, there Is disconnect between the different villages, 
need more cohesion, need a reason to visit the different areas 
• 
Zoning changes could be pursued to promote more village type uses and create more of 
a vibrancy 
• 
Need better education to residents about what Is allowed In the districts, many residents 
are fearful that they will be unable to do certain things to their properties. Living In a 
historic district Is not viewed as a benefit In Waterford the way It Is In other communities, 
there Is no sense of historic pride 
• 
Signage and Identifying features of historic areas Is lacking 
• 
Could consider more community events to engage residents 
• 
Historical Society Is working with elementary schools to provide activities to engage local 
students 
• 
The Town should Invest In the historic structures that It owns, many are falling apart 
• 
Town should consult a historical consultant when making building changes, renovations 
• 
Challenging to get volunteers 
• 
Should consider using historic bridge structure (from Mago Point Bridge) to create public 
artwork, similar to what was done in Stonington 

2 
• 
Waterford needs a grants writer to pursue funding, there Is a lot of money out there, just 
need to be able to tap Into It. Also need better website development for the Town that 
connects all the different resources, social media presence, etc.  
• 
Zoning changes for Mago Point area have eased up regulations, allowing for things like 
Food Trucks. Zoning really can Influence a lot 
• 
Design guidelines for each village could be helpful, Town Beautification Committee has 
evolved Into the Historic Properties Commission 
• 
Waterfront public access Is one of Waterford's best assets