Conservation Commission - Minutes - 04/23/2026

MEETING MINUTES
Waterford Conservation Commission
April 23, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Waterford Town Hall
Members Present: 
Keith Kriet, Ivy Plis, Richard Muckle & Wade Thomas
Members Absent: 
David Lersch, Tali Maidelis & Geneva Renegar
Alternates Present: | David DeNoia
Alternates Absent: | Matthew Shea 
= 
s 
Fas]
Staff Present: 
Maureen Fitzgerald, Environmental Planner 
4 
oS ee
Cassandre Grote, Recording Secretary 
& 
% Bs
a 
Som
24 
w 2o
1. CALL TO ORDER 
B% 
Oo 
Oa
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Muckle at 6:31 p.m. 
aM 
0 32
D. DeNoia was seated for G. Renegar. 
me 
on
BAN 
me 
“AG
2. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES 
\ 
w 
8
Motion: 
Made by W. Thomas, seconded by D. DeNoia to approve the March 26°3026
meeting minutes.
Vote: 
5-0
3. NEW APPLICATION —
a.) C-26-03: 156 Butlertown Road: Residential Construction: Replace existing house,
garage, and on-site septic and well; Owner/Applicant - Owen & Gayle O’Neill.
Gayle O’Neill, owner, and David L. Cooley, P.E., DLC Engineering Services, LLC
presented the application. G. O’Neill explained that the parcel had belonged to her
grandmother, and the house has been vacant for twenty-seven (27) years. D. Cooley
noted that the parcel is approximately sixty-two percent (62%) wetlands, which is a
limiting factor for the size and placement of a new house on the lot. D. Cooley described
the plan to build the house in the same location as the current house, install a code
compliant septic system, move the garage closer to the house and reconfigure the
driveway to improve access to Butlertown Road. An existing stone wall borders the
present clearing limits, and partially extends into the wetland area.
The Commission received the application.
b.) C-26-04: 9 Locust Court: Section 4.1 Request to Remove Invasive Species: Owner —
Amy Scott Wadsworth, Applicant — Mark S. Bradley Jr.
Mark Bradley of Bradley Landworks presented the application to remove invasive
knotweed from the north border of a watercourse on the property. M. Bradley
summarized the plan to utilize a mini-excavator to remove as much of the roots as
possible, and transport all cut vegetation off site. M. Bradley noted he will stabilize soils
with hay mulch or matting and the area will be seeded and planted with approximately
twelve (12) native shrubs. The commission requested not using polypropylene netting.
Motion: Made by W. Thomas, seconded by D. DeNoia to find the proposal to remove
invasive vegetation as a permitted use in accordance with Section 4.1.d of the Waterford
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses regulations.
Vote: 5—0
4. APPLICATION REVIEW — No applications to review.

Conservation Commission Meeting
April 23, 2026, Page 2 of 
2
5. VIOLATIONS — No violations discussed.
6. OTHER BUSINESS — Request for Approval to Maintain Portion of Perkins Farm Road
Conservation Easement Area.
Brooke and Gina Guetti, owners of 12 Perkins Farm Road, addressed the Commission. B.
Guetti summarized the request to maintain the conservation easement west of their property.
Mr. and Mrs. Guetti explained that a landscaping company currently maintains portions of
the easement and they would like to request and pay for the same landscaping company to
maintain the area adjacent to their property as well.
The Commission clarified that the areas approved to be maintained are along the roadway
right-of-way and by Great Neck Road for sight line. Chairman Muckle reminded Mr. and
Mrs. Guetti that the Consent Order they signed in 2024 allowed maintenance of 5 feet
beyond their property line. The creation of the conservation easement was a condition of
approval for the original subdivision, and the restrictions of the easement are to maintain it in
anatural state. The restrictions preclude what is being requested. K. Kriet referenced the
definition of a conservation restriction defined in the State Statutes. He noted that the
Commission has indicated they would consider a proposal for a natural management plan,
but not suburban lawn.
Motion: Made by K. Kriet, seconded by D. DeNoia to deny without prejudice the proposed
maintenance plan described in the March 15, 2026 request, as it is not consistent with the
intent of the conservation easement.
Vote: 4-0-1 [R. Muckle abstaining]
B. Guetti questioned what would be an acceptable natural management plan and can they
keep the vines from growing into their yard. The Commission suggested researching
maintained natural areas and to submit a plan for consideration. Vegetation cutting is
allowed within 5 feet of the property line to control invasives. K. Kriet noted he observed a
soccer net and dog training flags in the easement area and requested they be removed from
the easement area.
7. CORRESPONDENCE - Letter received April 10, 2026 re: 12 Perkins Farm Road
Concerns were addressed during discussion of agenda item 6.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Made by W. Thomas, seconded by I. Plis to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
Vote: 
5-0
Respectfully 
Submitted,
(yl
Cassandre Grote
Recording Secretary