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 the November 19, 2025, meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council) held via Zoom.

MEMBERS PRESENT: (Remote) Keith Ainsworth (Acting Chair), Linda Bowers, Aimee Petras, William Warzecha, Cinzia Lettieri, and Denise Rodosevich.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Aresta (Council - Executive Director), Ryan Carboni (Council – Environmental Analyst), Eric Hammerling (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)), Matthew Pafford (Department of Administrative Services (DAS)), Brianna Vetel (Department of Public Health (DPH)), and Rebecca Dahl (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)). 

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.

2. Approval of minutes of October 22, 2025
Warzecha made a motion to approve the draft minutes from the Council’s meeting on October 22, 2025; seconded by Petras. The motion was approved unanimously with Lettieri abstaining because she was not present at the October 22 meeting.

3. Citizen Comment Period
There were no citizen comments.

4. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received

• Carboni reported that Council staff followed up on a complaint received in September regarding potential erosion related to a tree clearing operation in Newtown. He added that a representative from DEEP’s Land and Water Resources Division spoke with town officials who reported that a notice of violation had been issued to the developer for exceeding disturbances limits; however, Newtown officials indicated that no impacts had occurred to any watercourse.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding drinking water quality and the potential degradation of surface water in a small brook behind a residence. He added that Council staff provided information for the Town of Bethel’s Water Department, the local health department, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health regarding drinking water; and the Town’s Department of Public Works and DEEP regarding surface water.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry from a legislative aid, on behalf of a State Representative, on the use of funds from the surcharge on Nips for two municipalities. He added that Council staff provided data for fiscal year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025, and a copy of the legislative findings report from last year.

5. Executive Director’s Report

• Annual Report
  Aresta reviewed a draft schedule for the preparation and release of the 2025 annual report. He also reviewed data for several indicators, including beverage container redemption rate, hypoxia, and projected electric vehicle adoption. Carboni reviewed the key findings of the data collection efforts of the municipal use of funds from the surcharge on Nips for FY2025. Lettieri questioned if the report on the expenditure of Nips funds will include information for each individual municipality. Aresta noted that the data in the report will be presented in aggregate; however, that might change for next year’s report.
  
  
• Federal Local Bridge Project - Old Colony Road Bridge over Bungee Brook
  Aresta reported that the Council received a press release regarding a proposed bridge replacement project for the Old Colony Road Bridge over Bungee Brook in the Town of Eastford. He reviewed some of the environmental conditions at the bridge site and noted that draft recommendations have been developed that address wildlife, drinking water, and wetlands.
  
  
• Draft legislative recommendations
  Ainsworth noted that there was a vote to table the draft legislative recommendations and draft legislation at the last meeting and a motion is needed to take this item off the table to discuss it. 
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to remove this item from the table; seconded by Lettieri. The motion passed unanimously.
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to withdraw the prior motion and make a new motion to submit the suggested legislative recommendations that includes changes to Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Sections 7-131n, 16-50K, 22A-329, 8-2, and 8-25 to the General Assembly; seconded by Warzecha. Rodosevich suggested changing the names of 1) the Erosion and Sedimentation Manual to Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, and 2) Stormwater Management Manual to Stormwater Quality Manual. There was discussion regarding the requirement for soil and water conservation districts to assist municipalities in the review of stormwater management plans. The motion passed unanimously. Ainsworth noted that Council staff will forward the proposed legislation to the Environment Committee at the legislature and will try to schedule a meeting with Council members and members of the Environment Committee.
  
  
• Website Accessibility
  Aresta provided an update on the status of addressing the accessibility guidelines for the Council’s website and noted that the accessibility guidelines would apply to webpages that are current and needed for the public to access the Council’s services.
  
  
• Review of Council’s comments regarding draft General Permits
  Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed four recently adopted General Permits. He summarized the review process and noted that the Council’s comments for four general permits issued since June 2025  were generally well received with a combined average score of 1.25. He also reviewed a few topics that were consistently not addressed by DEEP in the General Permits. Aresta noted that the Council’s comments for certain topics might need to be reworded to ensure that DEEP better understands the Council’s intent.

6. State Agency Actions 
a. DEEP

• CT Climate Action Plan (CAP)
  Aresta reported that DEEP is seeking feedback on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. He summarized the early stages of the CAP process and noted that draft comments have been developed that address key measures in the transportation, residential and commercial buildings, electric power, and natural lands sectors.
  
  Lettieri made a motion to approve the draft comments regarding the CAP; seconded by Petras. The motion was approved unanimously.

b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) 
Comments recommended:

• Petition 1694 (solar, Portland)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Greenskies Clean Energy to construct and operate a 4.0 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in Portland. He summarized some of the environmental characteristics of the proposed site and project and noted that there are some questions regarding the designation of the wetlands and whether the proposed facility would be constructed within or near the designated wetland areas. He added that draft comments have been developed that address wetlands, wildlife and vegetation. Ainsworth suggested adding a phrase to the Council’s comments for the Petitioner to apply Connecticut’s soil-based designation criteria in the determination of wetlands on the proposed site. Warzecha suggested adding a sentence to the draft comments for the Petitioner to assess the orchard area on the proposed site for the potential presence of chemicals and pesticides to protect worker safety.
  
  Bowers made a motion to approve the draft comments for Petition 1694 with the suggested changes identified by Ainsworth and Warzecha; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Docket 546 (telecom, North Haven)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Crown Castle Towers and AT&T to construct and operate a wireless telecommunications facility in North Haven. He summarized some of the environmental characteristics of the proposed site and project and noted that there is another existing tower located near the tower that would be removed. He added that a draft comment has been developed that questions whether the Applicants considered this existing tower and/or site and if it would minimize the potential visual impact.
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft comments for Docket 546 as drafted; seconded by Lettieri. The motion was approved with Ainsworth voting no.
  
  
• Petition 1695 (solar, Morris)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Lodestar to construct and operate an approximately four MW solar PV facility in Morris. He summarized some of the environmental characteristics of the proposed site and project. He added that draft comments have been developed that address farmland soils, vegetation, wetlands, and watercourses. Bowers suggested adding emphasis to key statements or recommendations in the Council’s comments by using bold formatting. Aresta responded to an inquiry from Rodosevich regarding the potential direct impacts to edge forest on the proposed site and indirect impacts to core forest.
  
  Petras made a motion to approve the draft comments regarding Petition 1695 with the addition of the suggested bold formatting; seconded by Lettieri. The motion was approved unanimously.

No comments recommended

• Docket 545 (telecom, East Lyme)
  Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Cingular Wireless and Arx Wireless Infrastructure to construct and operate a monopole tower and compound. He reviewed the existing land uses near the proposed telecommunications facility.

c. Military

• Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) Environmental Assessment – Groton
  Carboni noted that the Council received a letter regarding the CTARNG’s planned environmental assessment for proposed alterations and additions to the existing Aviation Support Maintenance Group facility located in Groton. He added that draft comments have been developed that recommend an assessment of potential impacts on state-listed species and the impact of sea level rise on the proposed project.
  
  Warzecha made a motion to approve the draft comments for the environmental assessment for the CTARNG facility in Groton; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously.

7. Other Business
Aresta noted that the Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 9:30 AM and it will be an in-person or remote meeting.

Aresta also noted that DEEP will be hosting a Climate Action Plan Stakeholder Convening on December 11, 2025, at 9:30 AM, and he would share the registration link with Council members.

Lettieri made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:08 AM; seconded Petras. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was concluded.

A recording of the meeting is available online and by email request of the Council (email to: CEQ@ct.gov). (Disclaimer: The transcript associated with the meeting recording is computer-generated and may contain typos that have not been edited.)

https://ctdeep.zoom.us/rec/share/sNeChN8GimYt2sYTcIZamsYXuyxErc6RHZ9BBft6hCclrbVdNV3hiLHtlKUzOzS6._Z-v5Zv3hZx5bWjZ