Conservation Commission - Minutes - 02/26/2026

MEETING MINUTES
Waterford Conservation Commission
February 26, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Waterford Town Hall
Members Present: Keith Kriet, David Lersch, Tali Maidelis, Ivy Plis & Wade Thomas
Members Absent: Richard Muckle & Geneva Renegar
Alternates Present: 3 0
Alternates Absent: | David DeNoia, Avery Holzworth & Matthew Shea nm S oO
Staff Present: Maureen Fitzgerald, Environmental Planner zt = Bo
Cassandre Grote, Recording Secretary “ ated
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1. CALL TO ORDER ” Bo
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Maidelis at 6:30 p. > 22
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2. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES o 8
Motion: Made by D. Lersch, seconded by I. Plis to approve the February 1b, 2026 meetih
minutes.
Vote: 5-0
3. NEW APPLICATION
C-26-02: 435 Mohegan Avenue Parkway: Mamacoke Brook Restoration; Owner/Applicant
— Connecticut College
Josh Wilson, professional wetlands scientist with BioHabitats, presented the application on
behalf of Connecticut College. He explained the channel is an intermittent watercourse,
identified as “Mamacoke Brook” for the purpose of the project. The channel receives run-off
from Rte 32, and has been significantly degraded and eroded by downcutting and
headcutting. The proposal is to restore the watercourse to function as a more natural channel.
The activity involves 0.7 acres of wetland and watercourse impact and 0.75 acres will be
restored.
J. Wilson explained that the channel restoration has been split into three segments, an upper,
middle and lower section. Activity in the upper section involves installation of Post-Assisted
Log Structures (PALS) to slow flow velocity. These consist of large woody debris staked
into the channel at intervals. No construction equipment will be used in the upper section,.
Materials will be brought in by hand or via small all-terrain vehicles and installed manually.
The plan for the middle section includes installing a series of boulder cascades, pools, and
riffle complexes, and adding material to raise the eroded channel bed. The design is to slow
flows, allow for infiltration and channel migration.
The lower section contains a marsh area, stands of phragmites, and archaeologically sensitive
areas. The plan includes the removal of phragmites with the use of above-ground herbicidal
treatment and the installation of linear waddles perpendicular to the stream flow to allow
water to spread across the marsh. No construction equipment or excavation is proposed.
J. Wilson noted a public information meeting on the restoration project was conducted by the
CT College Arboretum and attended by approximately twenty to twenty-five people. He
noted the project received positive feedback.

Conservation Commission Meeting
February 26, 2026, Page 2 of 2
J. Wilson answered questions from the Commission. The project received funding from the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and requires permit approvals from the Army Corps
of Engineers and the State of Connecticut. He noted that Biohabitats and GreenVest have
successfully completed a number of similar restoration projects throughout the mid-Atlantic
area. He reviewed the proposed restoration in the middle section will involve bringing in
natural boulders 2 feet in diameter to form the cascade structures and addition of armored
plunge pools below the cascades. Larger boulders will be interlocked with smaller rock
material. The project is expected to take at least two construction seasons and would be
monitored for approximately five years.
Motion: Made by D. Lersch, seconded by W. Thomas to find that the Mamacoke Brook
Restoration project does not pose any significant adverse impact.
Vote: 5-0
APPLICATION REVIEW -— No applications to review.
VIOLATIONS -— No violations discussed.
OTHER BUSINESS —
Planning & Zoning Referral: PL-26-04: Crystal Mall Adaptive Re-Use
Kyle Haubert, PE CLA Engineers and Attorney John Casey were present on behalf of
General Dynamics Electric Boat.
Staff reviewed a site plan showing proposed improvements to the current parking areas. Site
improvements include re-milling and paving of the parking area, addition of vegetated
islands, reduction of 1.2 acre of impervious area and addition of permeable pavement.
Hydro-dynamic separators and catch basin filter inserts are proposed to treat stormwater run-
off. Staff noted that no regulated wetland activity is proposed.
Kyle Haubert indicated on a site map the locations of the pervious pavement and tree filters.
Motion: Made by K. Kriet, seconded by W. Thomas to find that the re-development does not
involve regulated wetland activity and incorporates improved stormwater treatment practices.
Vote: 5—0
CORRESPONDENCE —
Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion Notice dated January 7, 2026
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the notice.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Made by W. Thomas, seconded by K. Kriet to adjourn the meeting at 7:17p.m.
Vote: 5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
“We
Cassandre Grote
Recording Secretary