COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MEETING DRAFT MINUTES - January 28, 2026

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 January 28, 2026, meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council) held via Zoom.

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

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Aresta (Council - Executive Director), Ryan Carboni (Council – Environmental Analyst), Jordan DiDomenico (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)), Rebecca Dahl (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)), and Justine Phillips-Gallucci (OPM). Members of the public that spoke: Diane Hoffman and State Representative Joseph Gresko.

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. Chair’s Report

Ainsworth reported that DEEP recently issued a draft report regarding Connecticut's Climate Progress and that comments are due by February 6, 2026. Ainsworth also noted that he and Lettieri met with representatives of the Environment Committee and discussed the proposed legislative changes that address the review of solar projects, the park replacement statute, and stormwater/erosion and sediment control.

3. Approval of minutes of December 17, 2025

Ainsworth noted that the date of the next meeting under item 8 “Other Business” should be revised to January 28, 2026. 

Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft minutes from the Council’s meeting on December 17, 2025, as corrected; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously.

4. Citizen Comment Period

Diane Hoffman expressed support for the Council’s meeting with representatives of the Environment Committee.

5. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received

• Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Petition 1696 and the potential impacts of the proposed project on bats and wildlife near the proposed site. He added that the individual was also concerned about public safety. He noted that Council staff provided information for DEEP’s Wildlife Division and suggested that concerns regarding public safety could be provided to the CSC for their consideration.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received a complaint/inquiry regarding the use of herbicides to address hydrilla in the Connecticut River. He noted that Council staff provided information regarding the United States Army Corp of Engineers’ (USACE) project, including links to the USACE website and email addresses for the project managers.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council was copied on an email that was sent to local and state officials regarding a proposed telecommunications facility in North Haven. He noted that Council staff responded that the Council would review the application materials when they are filed with the CSC and might provide comments, if appropriate.

6. Executive Director’s Report

• Annual Report
  Aresta reviewed data for several indicators, including heating degree days, cooling degree days, growing degree days, temperature, and precipitation; shellfish areas; land preservation; bats; electric conservation; and water levels. There was general discussion regarding the amount of land conserved in the state by land conservation organizations and for farmland preservation.
  
  
• Federal Local Bridge Program
  Carboni reported that the Council received a press release from the Town of Killingly for the proposed replacement and/or rehabilitation of the Peep Toad Bridge, the Cotton Bridge Road Bridge, the North Road Bridge, and the Wright Road Bridge in Killingly. He added that Council staff reviewed the areas where work on the four bridges was proposed and developed comments that address wildlife (state and federally listed species), trout stocking activities, and wetlands.
  
  Warzecha made a motion to approve the draft comments for the bridges in the Town of Killingly; seconded by Lettieri. The motion passed unanimously.
  
  
• Year in Review
  Aresta provided a summary of the publications and comments developed by the Council in 2025.
  
  
• Legislation and Testimony
  Aresta noted that the legislative session will begin on February 4 and that the “joint favorable” (JF) deadline for the Environment, Energy and Technology, and Planning and Development Committees will be between March 23-25, 2026. He reviewed the proposed process for reviewing proposed legislation and potentially developing testimony during the 2026 legislative session. Ainsworth suggested that the Council can provide comments for draft bills during the legislative session to support and promote legislation, or to identify language or concepts that need refinement or need to be opposed. Rodosevich suggested that there might be a need for a special meeting to consider legislation and testimony. Donnelly and Ainsworth suggested that it is important to make comments about important bills, even if it’s to provide general support of a concept.
  
  Rodosevich  made a motion to authorize the Council’s Executive Director to develop comments on legislation consistent with clear positions of the Council within the last two years, and to issue those comments without further authorization of the Council; seconded by Warzecha. The motion passed unanimously.
  
  
• Accessibility Update
  Carboni provided an update on the status of the accessibility efforts for the Council’s website, including the notice templates used by state agencies for the Environmental Monitor.

7. State Agency Actions 

a. DEEP

• Updated Forest Resource Management Plan for Nye-Holman State Forest (N-HSF)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed the draft forest management plan (FMP) for the N-HSF. He added that the N-HSF contains approximately 906 acres of hardwood and softwood forests within the towns of Tolland, Ellington, and Willington. He summarized the proposed forest management activities identified in the FMP and noted that draft comments have been developed that address cultural resources; old-forestland management; watercourses, wetlands and vernal pools; forest health; storms; pesticides; core forests; and wildlife. Rodosevich suggested that the draft comments include a paragraph up front to summarize and highlight the key points in the letter. 
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft comments for the FMP with the inclusion of a summary paragraph; seconded by Petras. The motion was approved with Donnelly voting no.
  
  
• Notice of Intent to Revise the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality 
  Carboni reported that DEEP proposes to revise the State Implementation Plan (SIP) to comply with the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone. He summarized the proposed changes and added that the revisions will also address the attainment demonstration for Connecticut’s Southwest nonattainment area. 
  
  
• General Permit for the Discharge of Dewatering and Remediation Wastewaters and Comprehensive General Permit for Discharges to Surface and Ground Water
  Aresta noted that the Council reviewed and provided comments for the two draft General Permits previously and that the most recent version of the revised General Permits were reviewed again. He added that comments were developed for both General Permits to better protect drinking water sources, clarify certain provisions, and improve the enforceability of the General Permits. Aresta noted that comments for both General Permits were submitted to DEEP on January 22, 2026.
  
  Representative Gresko noted his appreciation for the information shared during the meeting.

b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC)

• Docket 543 (telecom, Washington (New Preston))
  Aresta reported that on August 27, 2025, the Council submitted comments to the CSC that included recommendations that the applicant 1) assess the possibility of relocating the proposed facility and/or access road, and 2) enhance the proposed wetland restoration plan. He added that Council staff reviewed the record in this proceeding and noted that the applicant relocated a portion of the proposed access road, minimized the impacts on wetland areas, and expanded a proposed wetland enhancement area. He noted that additional draft comments have been developed that address the proposed wetland mitigation efforts and the visibility of a proposed tower at any alternate sites being considered by the applicant in this proceeding. Rodosevich expressed support for additional comments.
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to approve the additional comments for Docket 543; seconded by Bishop. Ainsworth and Donnelly commented on the potential impacts to core forest and forested habitat. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Docket 547 (telecom, East Windsor)
  Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Verizon Wireless to construct a 150-foot tall tower within a fenced compound in East Windsor. He summarized some of the conditions of the proposed facility site. 
  
  
• Docket 548 (telecom, Brookfield) 
  Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Homeland Towers to construct a 175-foot tall tower within a fenced compound in Brookfield. He summarized some of the conditions of the proposed facility site.

8. Other Business 

Aresta noted that the Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at 9:30 AM and it will be a remote meeting.

Rodosevich suggested that the Council provide comments in support of DEEP’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make Connecticut more resilient because of climate change. Donnelly noted that the draft report is primarily focused on DEEP’s efforts even though there are other entities involved in addressing climate change in the state.

Rodosevich made a motion to develop comments in support of DEEP’s efforts on climate change; seconded by Donnelly. The motion was approved unanimously.

Bowers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:07 AM; seconded Petras. 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.)