City Council

Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee June 25, 2024 - 6PM 1. Chair Holly Robinson called the meeting to order at 6:05p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Present were Committee Members Antonio Iadarola, Public Works Director & City Engineer, City of Danbury & Town Engineer, New Fairfield; David Day, Public Utilities Superintendent, City of Danbury; Peter Hearn, New Fairfield; Jeff Main, CLA and Parks, New Fairfield; Ken Gucker, Alternate, Danbury; and Joseph Mortelliti, Outside Counsel, City of Danbury. Absent: Ann Marie Mellas, Alternate, New Fairfield. Present from the public were multiple individuals. 2. Minutes A motion was made by Member Main, and was seconded by Member Day, to accept the meeting minutes from the last meeting. The motion carried unanimously. *correction to the minutes is identified during public speaking. 3. Public Speaking Chair Robinson provided an overview of project and the status. She noted the RFP applicants being reviewed tonight is for review and design, not for actual construction. She did note that all concerns that have been presented to the committee have been provided to the applicants for consideration. Dawn Greenstein, New Fairfield – Discussed the concerns of the 108 Lakewood residents including; increased security and police patrol needs, bald eagle nesting & wildlife displacement, privacy concerns, and water contamination. (Inaudible) – New Fairfield - Asked about lighting at night. (Inaudible) – New Fairfield - Asked about water safety. Jennifer Pappas – New Fairfield – *Asked that the minutes be amended to reflect that the FOI was made with the Town of New Fairfield, not New Milford. Jennifer asked about how many times the trail has been proposed and noted the need to acknowledge why it was rejected in the past. She noted security concerns, water protection, asked about the cost of all the RFPs for a project that might not come to fruition. She asked about parking, and a final cost. Christina McCartney – New Fairfield – Expressed her support of the trail and the need to discuss and address concerns by the residents. Marty Gucker – New Fairfield – Asked about the tax impact on New Fairfield residents. He expressed his support for the trail. Member Iadarola confirmed that the property is owned by Danbury and that New Fairfield collects taxes from Danbury. Kelly Linquist - New Fairfield – Spoke on her concerns about the eagle nests and how they will be affected by all phases of the project. Tina Fox – New Fairfield – Discussed the crime and blight taking place in the area already and is concerned for an increase due to the trail. She also expressed concern with safety and privacy. Dika Mikades – New Fairfield – Explained her concerns with increased crime and noise and its affect on the elderly residents. Diane Gucker – New Fairfield – Spoke in favor of the trail due to her experience with trails throughout the country. She noted that most people who use trails are not noisy and do not litter. Chair Robinson explained that M&J Engineering, PC was not able to make the meeting to present and that the committee would move ahead on the agenda before the first presentation. 5. Update: Surveyor and Wetlands Specialist Member Iadarola noted that surveying is almost complete. The consultant is waiting on the wetlands specialist to finalize delineation and then they will add them to the map. Alt. Member Gucker asked how much of the area is being surveyed? Member Iadarola confirmed that the scope of work included identification of any wetlands and sensitive areas on the East side of the reservoir. He added that the City of Danbury regularly monitor and maintain the area by the fence. 6. Next Meeting Date Chair Robinson asked that the next meeting be on July 30th and will take place in Danbury at 6pm. Alt. Member Gucker asked about the time requirements for the RFPs, Chair Robinson noted that if there is no action to be taken by July 30th, then the July meeting can be moved. A motion was made by Member Main, 2nd by Member Iadarola, to set the next meeting date for July 30th. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Member Iadarola, 2nd by Member Day, to go into a brief recess pending the arrival of the presenter. Motion carried unanimously. The committee went into recess at 6:35pm. A motion was made by Member Iadarola, 2nd by Member Hearn, to reconvene the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting reconvened at 7:07pm. 4. RFP (Full Design Services) Presentations & Q&A: Barton & Loguidice, LLC – Contractors (Mark, Kevin & Oscar) provided an overview of their experiences and discussed the process and similar projects they have worked on. They identified key areas that they will be addressing, including; environmental issues, access to information for public outreach, placement of the trail, safety and crime prevention, disruption from traffic and construction, emergency access, and fencing near the reservoir. Chair Robinson asked whether these specific communities (Danbury & New Fairfield) will be factored in to the design of the trail. Contractors explained that they would take into consideration specific concerns and needs, and provided examples of how they have worked with local law enforcement for other projects and used what they learned in the design. Chair Robinson asked if existing recreational opportunities will be used to help with a successful design? Member Hearn asked about the scope of their survey. Kevin stated that there would be specific areas that would be reviewed in greater detail including wildlife habitats. Member Hearn asked about litigation in other projects; Mark discussed the need for good communication and to use contractors that have good references and are willing to answer questions. Kevin noted the need for regular oversight. Alt. Member Gucker asked about a buffer between the roadway and the reservoir, he noted the need to keep the public informed and asked for an electronic copy of their presentation; Kevin discussed the options for public input throughout the process, and Mark spoke on their work with the EPA and many municipalities to address road runoff into waterways and noted that they would provide options to help. Member Day asked the representatives what they anticipate as the biggest challenge with the project; Kevin noted the time that it takes to provide and receive complete public comment and engagement; Mark mentioned the fence and finding the best way to keep the reservoir water safe. A motion was made by Member Hearn, 2nd by Member Iadarola, to enter into Executive Session. The Committee entered into Executive Session at 8:21pm. The Committee returned from Executive Session at 8:22pm. The Committee discussed whether Executive Session needed to be added to the agenda. A motion was made by Member Main, 2nd by Member Iadarola, to add Executive Session to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Executive Session A motion was made by Member Main, 2nd by Member Hearn, to enter into Executive Session. The Committee entered into Executive Session at 8:27pm. The Committee reconvened at 8:29pm. A motion was made by Member Main, 2nd by Member Day, to recommend Barton and Loguidice (B&L) as the consultants for the comprehensive design phase of the trail. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Adjournment A motion was made by Member Iadarola, and seconded by Member Hearn, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted; Holly Robinson, Chair Antonio Iadarola, David Day, Peter Hearn, Jeff Main