Conservation Commission - 1204 (01/22/2026)

err erm
JAMES SIPPERLY 
VE D) |
CERTIFIED SOIL SCIENTIST
CONNECTICUT WETLAND SCIENTIST 
NOV 0-7 2025
401 SALEM TURPIKE 
| 
loeneaacceamenri 
|
BOZRAH, CT 06334 
presdten 
bal
860-334-7073 
Lowe er
james.sipperly.js@gmail.com
Maureen Fitzgerald, Environmental Planner 
November 2, 2025
Town of Waterford
15 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06385
RE: INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY PERMIT
MODIFICATION FOR CONGREGATION BETH EI, INC. OF NEW LONDON
33 KENYON ROAD, WATERFORD, CT
Dear Ms. Fitzgerald:
On January 25, 2024 the Waterford Conservation Commission approved application C-
23-08 at 33 Kenyon Road to construct a new synagogue and associated site
improvements.
The synagogue leaders for various reasons did not construct the building and have not
performed any work on the site except to periodically mow the site to keep the invasive
mugwort from spreading.
Recently, after considering the previous site layout it was decided that the approved site
design was not the best alternative for the site.
As aresult, the project team met with the synagogue leaders and developed an improved
concept design and site plan details. The revised plans were substantially changed to
warrant a permit modification.
The permit modification is for the construction of a 3,720sqft new synagogue, parking
areas, sidewalks, waste and recycling receptacle enclosures, utility services, stormwater
infiltration area, exterior lighting, placement of fill and grading within an inland wetland
100 foot upland review area and placement of fill in and stormwater discharge to an
inland wetland.
The acreage of the site is 2.58 acres. There is approximately 0.21 acres of wetlands on the
site. With this modification it is proposed that 0.01 acres (470sqft) of wetlands will be
altered. Because of the negligible amount of inland wetland alteration, no wetland
mitigation is proposed.

The inland wetlands and watercourses delineation is shown correctly on a site plan
entitled:
“Congregational Bethel EL, 33 Kenyon Road, Waterford CT, dated October 2025, scale
as shown, prepared by Summer Hill, Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, P.C.”
The wetland area is classified as a forested wetland/bog general classification. The
wetland area has functions that include: groundwater recharge and discharge, sediment
stabilization, nutrient removal and transformation, product export, and wildlife diversity.
The vegetative over-story includes maples, locust, black cherry and poplar. Shrub species
include, winterberry, spice bush, silky dogwood. The herbaceous layer includes sensitive
fern, poison ivy, wild grape, Joe Pye weed, jewel weed and skunk cabbage.
The main body of this vast wetland area that extends north — northeast towards Pladgett
Place and Vauxhall Street Extension is of high value for vegetative diversity, wildlife
habitat and visual aesthetics.
The upland area of the site has been maintained as a lawn/field type of landscape.
Limited trees are located in the upland portion of the site and are comprised mostly of
maples and butternut and locust. Golden rod, grape vine, black berries, green brier,
milkweed multi-flora rose, New England Aster and bittersweet make up the rest of the
vegetative upland species.
There will be no clearing of vegetation other than that is necessary to install the storm
waier infiltration basin.
The proposed 470sqft inland wetland filling is needed to provide the access to the side
parking area. This wetland is the result of the existing artesian well near wetland flag 11
that is the groundwater source creating this wetland.
An additional parking area is being considered behind the proposed building to the north.
The edge of the parking lot is relatively close to the existing wetland area demarcated by
flags 24 -34, Because of this, Henry Thomas, a Landscape Architect and I developed an
intense planting plan along the edges of the parking lot. The plants include all native
species of selected shrubs, trees and groundcover. The revised plans depict the locations,
numbers and types of trees and shrubs.
With any proposed project, a comprehensive erosion and sedimentation control plan, well
designed and properly installed and maintained is the key to a successful project. This
site plan meets those requirements. Regular inspections should occur, especially prior to
storm events predicted of more than 1.5” of rain.
After reviewing the erosion and sedimentation control plans and the storm water design
features, it is my professional opinion that the proposed construction activities will not
have a significant adverse effect on the adjacent inland wetlands and/or watercourse on or
off the site.

J and our planning team plan on attending your meeting on November 13, 2025 to present
the permit modification application and answer any questions you or the commission
may have.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact me at the
telephone number referenced above.
Very truly yours,
James Sipperly
James Sipperly
Certified Soil Scientist, Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England
Connecticut Wetland Scientist, Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists