DRAFT MINUTES

DRAFT MINUTES

THESE DRAFT MINUTES HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY STAFF AS A RECORD OF WHAT OCCURRED AT THE MEETING. AT THE NEXT MEETING, COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL REVIEW THESE MINUTES AND MIGHT MAKE CORRECTIONS BEFORE APPROVING THEM. READERS SHOULD RELY ON THE APPROVED VERSION FOR A COMPLETELY ACCURATE RECORD.

Minutes of December 17, 2025, meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council) held in person at 79 Elm Street, Hartford and via Zoom.

MEMBERS PRESENT: (In-person) Keith Ainsworth (Acting Chair), Cinzia Lettieri, Timothy Bishop, Aimee Petras, Denise Rodosevich, (Remote) Linda Bowers, Christopher Donnelly, and William Warzecha.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Aresta (Council - Executive Director), Ryan Carboni (Council – Environmental Analyst), Eric Hammerling (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)), Laschone P. Garrison (DEEP), Robin Rittgers, (DEEP), Rebecca Dahl (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)), and Justine Phillips-Gallucci (OPM). Members of the public that spoke: Louise Washer, Attorney David Sherwood, Nancy Ruther, Timothy Boyd, and Linda Rizzuto.

1. Call to Order: Establishment of a Quorum

At 9:30 AM, Ainsworth called the meeting to order, took attendance, and confirmed that there was a quorum of Council members present.

Rodosevich made a motion to revise the agenda to move item number 5 -the review of pesticide information, to agenda item number 2; seconded by Petras. The motion was approved unanimously

New 2. Review of Pesticide Information “Pesticides in Connecticut”

Donnelly made a motion for the Council to consider the draft Pesticides in Connecticut document as an official document for posting on the Council’s website, subject to any necessary minor modifications; seconded by Petras. 

Aresta noted that in May 2025, the Council reviewed the draft paper and took no action at that time. He added that Carboni recently reviewed the draft document and there are a few minor modifications proposed to the draft document to update some references and clarify the content. Aresta reviewed the suggested revisions to the content of the document. Carboni discussed suggested language to address changes regarding the regulation of neonicotinoids in the state because of legislation that was recently passed. Donnelly noted that some of the data gaps identified in the document exist because of certain mandates that DEEP has been given for the regulation of pesticides in the state. The motion was modified to allow for the inclusion of new information provided by Carboni. The motion was approved unanimously.

3. Approval of minutes of November 19, 2025

Petras made a motion to approve the draft minutes from the Council’s meeting on November 19, 2025; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously with Bishop and Donnelly abstaining because they were not present at the November 19 meeting.

4. Citizen Comment Period

• Louise Washer expressed support for the Council’s adoption of the Pesticides in Connecticut paper.
  
  
• Attorney Sherwood, who represents the Steep Rock Association, commented on potential environmental impacts associated with the development of a telecommunications facility, the subject of Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Docket 543, in the Town of Washington. Attorney Sherwood summarized potential environmental issues with the proposed facility and site and requested that the Council consider providing additional comments to 1) encourage the CSC to follow the recommended best practices / federal guidance for telecommunications towers; 2) encourage the CSC to apply model regulations for guidance when evaluating wetlands impacts; 3) request that the Applicant fly another balloon to assess visibility, and 4) request a field survey of potential wildlife that might exist on the proposed site. 

Ainsworth noted that he will recuse himself because Nancy Ruther consulted with him on a legal matter that might be discussed. Bishop temporarily served as Acting Chair.

• Nancy Ruther commented on noise that might be generated by a battery energy storage system (BESS), the subject of CSC Petition 1699. Ruther suggested that the Petitioner should do further testing with the multiple sound sources simultaneously, in both day and night conditions, to ensure that the cumulative sound effects are at or below the applicable standards.
  
  
• Timothy Boyd commented on existing and proposed noise at the Guilford High School.
  
  
• Linda Rizzuto commented on the potential health and safety concerns if there were a fire at the proposed BESS facility in Guilford.
  
  
• Diane Hoffman expressed support for 1) the Council’s adoption of the Pesticides in Connecticut paper, and 2) the speaker that discussed the Shepaug River area. 

Ainsworth resumed as Acting Chair.

5. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received 

• Carboni reported that the Council received a complaint regarding the idling of a commercial vehicle at a condominium complex in Vernon. Council staff provided information on Anti-Idling Compliance and Enforcement within DEEP’s Air Management Bureau.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council was copied on four emails from residents near the proposed solar facility in Plymouth, the subject of CSC Petition 1696, with concerns regarding water quality, noise, visibility, property values, and consistency with compatible land uses. He added that Council staff has developed draft comments regarding CSC Petition 1696, which will be discussed later in the meeting.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding the Coventry Water Pollution Control Facility project in Coventry. He added that Council staff directed the individual to the Scoping Notice in the Environmental Monitor for additional information that includes details regarding the scoping process, an engineering study for the proposed project, and four maps. 
  
  
• Aresta reported that the Council received correspondence from Attorney Sherwood regarding CSC Docket 543. He added that the Council submitted comments regarding the proposed facility on or about August 27, 2025, whereby the Council recommended that the Applicant assess the possibility of relocating the proposed facility and/or access road to minimize impacts to wetlands and vegetation (core forest), such as the cleared portion of the proposed site located south of the proposed access road. He also noted that the Council forwarded correspondence from Mr. Klemens to the CSC to ensure that the CSC was aware of the correspondence, and it was part of the record. Aresta suggested that he could review the information that Attorney Sherwood provided and the materials in the record for this proceeding, and if appropriate, draft comments for the Council's consideration at the next meeting. Ainsworth summarized the requests made by Attorney Sherwood and commented on the visual impact of telecommunications towers. 

6. Executive Director’s Report

• Annual Report
  Aresta reviewed data for several indicators, including Asian tiger mosquitoes, transportation fuel, osprey, and inland state park beach closures. Carboni noted that the draft preliminary findings of the review of programs and measures of local governments on the expenditure of funds from the surcharge on miniature alcohol beverage containers (Nips) for fiscal year (FY) 2025 has been completed. Carboni added that a new chart was added that identifies the percentages the combined expenditures of both categories for four categories: personnel, equipment, education, and other. Bishop noted how the Town of Fairfield is proposing to use the Nips funds. Lettieri suggested distributing information on how the Nips funds are being expended to better inform municipalities. Aresta indicated that Council staff will post the paper online and distribute it to each of the municipalities in the state and the Legislature’s Environment Committee.  
  
  Lettieri made a motion to adopt the preliminary findings document; seconded by Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

7. State Agency Actions 

a. DEEP

• Notice of Scoping for Town of Coventry Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), Coventry
  Aresta reported that on November 19, a Scoping Notice for the Coventry Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) was published, which included information for addressing operational problems with the WPCF in Coventry. He summarized the two proposals to address the operational problems and added that draft comments have been developed that strongly recommend that an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) be completed for the proposed action. Rodosevich suggested that the Council’s recommendation or conclusion to prepare an EIE for the proposed action be added at the end of the first paragraph.
  
  Bowers made a motion to approve the draft comments with the additional language suggested by Rodosevich; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Release-based Regulations Working Group – update
  Aresta reported that DEEP held another working group meeting on December 9, and there was a discussion of the requirements for Permitted Environmental Professionals (PEP); a review of the Release Response Contractor General Permit; and an update on the REACT (release, environmental assessment, and cleanup tracker) database.
  
  
• DEEP Stakeholder Process to Explore New Nuclear Capacity in Connecticut – update
  Aresta reported that DEEP held its first of six public meetings on December 10 to increase awareness and understanding regarding new nuclear development and plans to implement an advanced nuclear reactor site readiness funding program, pursuant to Section 34 of Public Act No. 25-173, which would distribute five million dollars in grants to communities interested in evaluating potential sites for nuclear energy.
  
  
• Connecticut Climate Action Plan Stakeholder Convening – update
  Aresta reported that DEEP held a Connecticut Climate Action Plan Stakeholder Convening/Workshop on December 11 for stakeholders to discuss different implementation strategies that focused on three key sectors - transportation, buildings, and natural and working lands.