Conservation Commission - 441 (07/13/2023)

MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
June 8, 2023 6:30 PM
Waterford Town Hall
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Members Present: 
Tali Maidelis (6:40pm), Rich Muckle, Wade Thomas,'" 
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Matthew Keatley, (1 vacancy) 
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Members Absent: 
Dave Lersch, Geneva Renegar (notified) 
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Alternates Present: 
Ivy Plis (2 vacancies) 
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Staff Present: 
Maureen FitzGerald, Environmental Planner 
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1. 
CALL TO ORDER AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES 
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The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. I. Plis was seated for the vacant seat. 
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2. 
APPROVAL OF THE May 25, 2023 MEETING MINUTES
Motion: 
Motion made by M. Keatley, second by W. Thomas to approve the May 25, 2023
meeting minutes.
Vote: 
4-0
3: 
APPLICATION REVIEW — No pending applications reviewed
4. 
NEW APPLICATIONS — No new applications
5. 
VIOLATIONS
47 Great Neck Road: Unauthorized Activity Within Inland Wetlands & Watercourses
Review of Required Corrective Actions Due 6 1 2023
Staff reviewed photographs of the restoration area to date, showing boulders have been placed and the
status of soil pile removal from the 50 ft. wide wetland buffer area. A request for an extension of time to
complete the restoration to July 1, 2023 was forwarded in an email by the agent, Gerry Karpuska, who
prepared the restoration plan.
Motion: 
Motion made by M. Keatley, second by W. Thomas to grant an extension of time until
July 1, 2023 to complete the restoration work per the approved plan.
Vote: 
4-0-1; T. Maidelis abstaining
577 Vauxhall Street Extension: Unauthorized Activity Within Inland Wetlands & Watercourses
Review Proposed Restoration Plan submitted 5 31 2023
Raymond Lenhart, owner, was present to discuss his proposed wetland restoration plan and request for a
permit modification for the wetland area impacted by construction of a stone and paver patio. He
requested permission to maintain an 18 ft. x 18 ft. pad of crushed stone and paver stones within the
wetland area. He stated the stone and paver fill is an increase of 300 sq. ft. of fill over the original
wetland permit granted for the lot. He would like to modify the permit to maintain the patio and the stone
lining along the shoreline. The original permit authorized a 6 ft. wide stone-lined walkway through 25
feet of wetland to the shoreline. The walkway constructed is only 4 ft. wide. He requested applying the
unused wetland fill footprint to extend the walkway along the edge of the shoreline. The portion of the
stone patio constructed on the property of the City of New London would be removed and placed on his
property.

Conservation Commission Minutes
June 8, 2023
p. 2 of 2
Commission members reviewed photographs of the patio area and noted that skunk cabbage is growing
up through the crushed stone. Staff stated the area of wetland fill for the patio and shoreline stabilization
is approximately 400 sq. ft. of wetland area over the original permitted 150 sq. ft. of fill for the walkway.
R. Muckle stated the proposed patio is still a significant amount of fill in a wetland. R. Lenart replied it is
8% of the conservation area. R. Muckle asked what is the status with the City of New London. R. Lenart
noted he is trying to purchase the property from the City. He said New London does not want the patio
on their property.
R. Lenart reviewed with each Commissioner photographs of the site where he wishes to relocate the stone
and paver pad from New London property onto wetland on his property. The Commission discussed the
possibility of leaving the stone pad in the wetland and removing the pavers to place on the authorized
walkway, expressing concern with the disturbance to the wetland resulting from removal of the stone pad.
R. Lenart stated there is no liner under the stone and that is why the skunk cabbage is growing through.
Staff noted that the stone pad and pavers still need to be removed from the City of New London property.
The Commission cannot approve fill on someone else’s property.
M Keatley noted the fill is a violation and if it is to be removed from the City property, it should be
removed from the wetland on the subject property.
Motion: 
Motion made by W. Thomas, second by M. Keatley to require the stone and pavers to be
removed from the wetland, allow the pavers to be placed on the originally approved
walkway, allow the stone-lined shoreline stabilization to-remain on the subject property
at a width not to exceed 4 feet from the edge of water and require that the restoration
work be completed by November 1, 2023.
Vote: 
5-0
6. 
OTHER BUSINESS
Request for walking trail maintenance, Kathryn Court Conservation Easement Area
The Commission reviewed the proposed route of a 4 ft. wide walking trail through the Kathryn Court
Open Space/ Conservation Easement area requested by the Kathryn Court Executive Board.
Motion: 
Motion made by W. Thomas, second by T. Maidelis to find the construction and
maintenance of the trail through the Conservation Easement area consistent with the
language and intent of the Conservation Easement Agreement.
Vote: 
5-0
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CORRESPONDENCE
To: J. Stankiewicz — 407 Boston Post Rd.: Notice of Compliance. Correspondence accepted
8. 
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: 
Motion made by T. Maidelis, second by I. Plis to adjourn at 7:25 pm.
Vote: 
5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Maureen FitzGerald
Environmental Planner