Council on Environmental Quality Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the October 22, 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, Timothy Bishop, David Kalafa, Denise Rodosevich, and Christopher Donnelly
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Aresta (Council - Executive Director), Ryan Carboni (Council – Environmental Analyst), and Laschone P. Garrison, (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)).
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 September 24, 2025
Bowers made a motion to approve the draft minutes from the Council’s meeting on September 24, 2025; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously with Rodosevich abstaining because she was not present at the September 24 meeting.
Donnelly made a motion to revise the agenda to add Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Petition 1693; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Citizen Comment Period
There were no citizen comments.
4. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received
- Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry about whether a property at 784 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport was available for purchase or transfer. He added that Council staff contacted the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) regarding the status of the property and provided contact information to the DAS for agency staff to respond to the individual directly.
- Carboni reported that the Council received a complaint/inquiry from an individual that was concerned that the Greenwich Planning and Zoning Department was unaware of the coastal jurisdiction line and coastal management regulations applicable to the development of a site in Greenwich. He added that Council staff contacted DEEP and secured contact information for an individual to address concerns regarding coastal zone regulations and provided that information to the complainant.
- Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding the expansion of a parking lot in Stamford. He added that Council staff directed the individual to Stamford’s Zoning Board and provided the individual with information on noise ordinances, a list of state certified foresters, and the construction stormwater general permit.
- Aresta reported that the Council received an email with a letter/report regarding potential environmental impacts associated with the development of the proposed site for Docket 543 in Washington. He noted that during a previous Council meeting, the Council approved comments regarding Docket 543 that included a recommendation to assess the possibility of moving the access road and facility compound to minimize impacts to wetlands and core forest. Ainsworth suggested forwarding the materials to the CSC noting that the Council received the materials from a recognized expert in the field and a former member of the CSC, and to the extent that these materials have not been received and considered by the CSC, the materials are being provided for the Siting Council’s consideration.
Donnelly made a motion to forward the materials to the CSC as suggested by Ainsworth; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
5. Executive Director’s Report
- Land transfer notice in Newington
Aresta noted that the DAS proposes the sale/transfer of an approximately 28-acre parcel that is part of the former Cedarcrest Hospital campus located in Newington. He added that a letter was sent to the OPM and copied to the DAS and DEEP noting that the parcel had a previous land transfer notice back in 2013 and that DEEP recommended that a portion of the larger property be preserved. Ainsworth suggested that the Council inquire regarding the status of the parcel that was recommended by DEEP for preservation.
- Climate Risk Mapping Tool
Aresta reported that the Connecticut Insurance Department is providing a free risk mapping tool to help Connecticut residents make informed decisions about risks and their insurance needs. He added that the climate risk mapping tool provides property-specific data through interactive maps highlighting key risks such as flood, fire, wind, air quality and heat.
- Draft legislative recommendations
Aresta noted that legislative recommendations for the 2026 legislative session have been drafted that track the language in the 2024 annual report, including recommendations to reduce ozone and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, promote nature-based solutions, protect watershed land and water resources, promote land preservation efforts, and increase resources for DEEP and other environmental agencies. He added that the draft legislative recommendations also include a provision to have another agency undertake the review of Nips funds. There was discussion regarding environmental and social impacts and how certain environmental issues might impact specific communities and groups within the state. It was suggested that the transmittal letter for the legislative recommendations highlight the potential impact environmental issues can have on specific communities and groups within the state.
Rodosevich made a motion to include specific language for three bills related to land preservation, CSC review of solar facilities, and stormwater with the legislative recommendations; seconded by Bowers. There was discussion regarding the process for distributing the draft legislation and soliciting input from Council members on the specific language for the three bills mentioned. This item was tabled to the next meeting on November 19.
- Nips survey/Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Carboni reported that Council staff is continuing to collect data regarding the use of funds from the surcharge on Nips, and that the Council has received responses from approximately 55 percent of municipalities. He added that Council staff will present preliminary data regarding the Nips survey to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee on Tuesday, October 28 at 9:30 AM.
6. State Agency Actions
a. DEEP
- Notice of Intent to Amend Regulations Concerning Radioactive Materials and Sources of Ionizing Radiation
Aresta reported that DEEP proposes to amend regulations concerning radioactive materials and sources of ionizing radiation, which will halt the repeal of existing regulations concerning ionizing radiation that is set to occur when the emergency regulations expire. He added that DEEP is undertaking this action because of uncertainty in federal rulemaking, and that repealing and replacing the existing state regulations now could create conflicts with the forthcoming federal requirements and impose unnecessary burdens on the regulated community.
- Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for a Regional Composting Facility and Recycling Infrastructure, Manchester
Aresta reported that DEEP is proposing to provide funds to the town of Manchester to construct and operate a food scraps collection and processing facility and an aerated static pile composting facility. He summarized some of the project details and noted that draft comments have been developed seeking the provision of information regarding an approximately 5-acre parcel, noise, flood hazard concerns, and clarification of certain information. Rodosevich suggested adding some language to the draft comments to highlight the recommendation in the Council’s annual report regarding the importance of waste diversion and composting for reducing GHG emissions.
Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft comments regarding the EIE for a Regional Composting Facility and Recycling Infrastructure in Manchester with the addition of the suggested language; seconded by Donnelly. The motion was approved unanimously.
b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC)
No comments recommended:
- Petition 1691 (energy, Monroe)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Eversource Energy to replace a temporary fence at the Stevenson Substation in Monroe with a permanent fence.
- Docket 544 (telecom, Norwich)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from AT&T and Arx Wireless Infrastructure, LLC to construct and operate a wireless telecommunications facility in Norwich that would consist of a 135-foot monopole structure and equipment within a fenced compound. Warzecha commented that the City of Norwich and residents would prefer an alternate location rather than the proposed site.
- Petition 1692 (telecom, Manchester)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from AT&T and Marcus Communications to 1) extend the existing lattice tower’s height from 170 feet above grade level (AGL) to 250 feet AGL to allow for the relocation of Marcus’s equipment and to facilitate AT&T’s collocation on the tower, and 2) install equipment within the fenced compound.
- Petition 1693 (telecom, New Britain)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from AT&T to install a “small cell” wireless telecommunications facility on a new approximately 45 foot-tall utility pole within the public right-of-way in New Britain.
7. Other Business
Aresta noted that the Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2025, at 9:30 AM and the annual report subcommittee will meet on November 12.
Donnelly and Ainsworth commented on a recent press article regarding the population of lobster in Long Island Sound.
Ainsworth noted the Council’s appreciation for Kalafa’s service on the Council.
Petras made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 AM; seconded by Kalafa. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was concluded.
A recording1 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.)
1 Passcode: 7dUavZk?
https://ctdeep.zoom.us/rec/share/VUcGcb26b0XFdUY4YTTX6ggmn78IrRRjabPQ40nG0fdSZ2v99ca9hmHQJLx1F0ht.Hy-rkwKIzyEU5b1m