City Council
Regular MeetingDanbury, CT · January 28, 2025
Minutes
Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee (Meeting #12)
January 28, 2025
Chairman Robinson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Present were
Committee Members David Day, City of Danbury; Antonio Iadarola,, City of Danbury; Peter Hearn, New
Fairfield; Jeff Main, New Fairfield; Absent: Ken Gucker, Alternate, City of Danbury; Ann Marie Mellas,
Alternate, New Fairfield. Also present were Joseph Mortelliti, Outside Counsel, City of Danbury; and Kenton
Higgins, Asst. Superintendent of Public Utilities, City of Danbury; and several members of the public.
A motion was made by member Main, 2nd by Member Hearn, to add outstanding invoices and upcoming costs
to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Member Iadarola, seconded by Member Main, to add Communications to the agenda.
Motion carried unanimously.
Outstanding Invoices:
B&L Invoice # 10726 ($28,140) –
A motion was made by Member Iadarola, seconded by Member Main, to approve the invoice from B&L Invoice
#10726 in the amount of $28,140. Motion carried unanimously.
B&L Invoice #10336 ($32,160) -
A motion was made by Member Iadarola, seconded by Member Main, to approve the invoice from B&L Invoice
#10336 in the amount of $32,160. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Tribune Publication - Invoice: n/a (not to exceed $230) -
A motion was made by Member Main, seconded by Member Iadarola, to authorize the New Milford Purchasing
Agent to purchase advertising in the Tribune not to exceed $230 for the publication of Motion carried
unanimously.
News Times Publication - Invoice: n/a (not to exceed $1,100) -
A motion was made by Member Hearn, seconded by Member Day, to purchase a website ad and a printed ad
in a Sunday edition of Th News Times, both not to exceed $1,100 total.
Mr. Higgins asked for a timeline of the advertising; Member Hearn confirmed the B&L website is accepting
public input until February 7th so advertising would be used to bring awareness to the website prior to that date.
Chair Robinson discussed the advantages of both printed advertising and website ads.
Minutes:
A motion was made by Alternate Member Gucker, seconded by Member Main, to waive the reading of the
minutes and accept the minutes from the December 17, 2024 meeting. Yes – 4, 1 Abstention (Iadarola). The
motion carried.
Communications:
Chair Robinson clarified the duties of the committee and noted that FOIA requests presented to an individual on
the committee takes time to review and gather information to respond.
Member Iadarola spoke on a request made on December 12, 2024; he confirmed that a response was sent. A
follow-up email was provided on December 30, 2024 to express their concerns and opposition to the trail. He
asked that any future communications should be discussed as a committee at regular meetings. Mr. Mortelliti
noted that FOI requests should be made to appropriate departments within the City of Danbury and New
Fairfield, and requests need to be specific and the volume of information can dictate how information is
provided.
Member Main provided a copy of the Town Tribune for everyone.
Member Hearn noted email communications and FOI regulations; Mr. Mortelliti asked that communications
should go to him and he would distribute as needed to prevent an illegal meeting.
Concept website:
Chair Robinson provided an overview of the committee’s tasks and the process thus far. She noted that grant
funding was provided for the exploration of a trail. She noted the need to be cautious with recommending a
final trail plan and identified under 300 comments thus far on the concept website. She identified mostly
favorable responses in support of the trail.
Chair Robinson explained that all concerns that have been presented during public comment have been included
in the RFP for a Design consultant, and any new concerns posted on the website will be added. The next
meeting will provide a detailed report of the information that was gathered on the website.
Public Comment
Mr. Mortelliti explained that public comment is not meant for Q&A.
Jennifer Pappas, New Fairfield, expressed concerns with interactions with a committee member; she identified
continued questions from the community regarding: fencing, parking, access points, pedestrian traffic, long-
term consequences to wildlife and reserve water, costs, police patrol, and FOI information access.
Kelly Linquist, New Fairfield, reiterated concerns regarding the following: eagle nests, lack of buffering,
wildlife, and water protection. She requested that the Committee protect the wildlife. She identified another trail
that limits use of the trail during eagle nesting season.
Schedule
Next meeting is scheduled for: Tuesday, February 25th at 6:30pm in New Fairfield.*
* POSTPONED after the meeting due to a scheduling conflict.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Member Hearn, and seconded by Member Main, to adjourn. The motion carried
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Robinson, Chair
Antonio Iadarola
David Day
Peter Hearn
Jeff Main
Agenda
CITY OF DANBURY Town of New Fairfield
155 DEER HILL AVENUE
DANBURY, CONNECTICUT 06810 4 Brush Hill Road
www.danbury-ct.gov New Fairfield, Connecticut 06812
ELISA ETCHETO Jean Green
LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
PHONE: 203-797-4514
Administrative Assistant to the First
FAX: 203-796-1529 Selectman
e.etcheto@danbury-ct.gov (203)312-5600
MEETING NOTICE
Who: Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee
When: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
6:30PM
Where: Danbury City Hall
155 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury, CT
Purpose: Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee
Meeting #12
*Original agenda Item on file with the Danbury Legislative Assistant & with the Town of New
Fairfield
Committee Members & Representatives:
Holly Robinson, City Council Member, City of Danbury
Antonio Iadarola, City Engineer & Public Works Director, City of Danbury
& Town Engineer, New Fairfield
David Day, Public Utilities Superintendent, City of Danbury
Corporation Counsel Representative, City of Danbury
Ken Gucker, Alternate, Danbury
Jeff Main, Conservation & Inland Wetland Commission, New Fairfield
Peter Hearn, New Fairfield
Ann Marie Mellas, Alternate, New Fairfield
Posted Notices: Town Clerk, City of Danbury & New Fairfield
Information Board, City of Danbury
City Website, City of Danbury & New Fairfield
Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee (Meeting #12)
AGENDA
When: 6:30 PM – Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Where: Danbury
Room 3C, 155 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury, CT
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approve Meeting Minutes from December 14, 2024 meeting
4. Margerie Reservoir Trail - concept website
5. Public Speaking
6. Set Date for next Meeting
7. Adjournment
Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee (Meeting #11)
December 17, 2024
Chairman Robinson called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Present were
Committee Members David Day, Public Utilities Superintendent, City of Danbury; Peter Hearn, New Fairfield;
Jeff Main, CLA and Parks, New Fairfield; and Ken Gucker, Alternate, Danbury. Absent were: Antonio Iadarola,
Member, City of Danbury; and Ann Marie Mellas, Alternate, New Fairfield. Also present were Kenton Higgins,
Asst. Superintendent of Public Utilities, City of Danbury; Bob Fisher, Outside Counsel, City of Danbury; Oscar
Villavicencio, Kevin Grindle, and Leigh Jones, Barton & Loguidice, LLC (B&L).
Minutes
A motion was made by Alternate Member Gucker, seconded by Member Main, to accept the minutes from
the June 25, 2024 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Alternate Member Gucker, seconded by Member Main, to accept the minutes from
the September 24, 2024 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Presentation by Barton & Loguidice, LLC for Trail Design Services:
Mr. Villavicencio presented the Margerie Reservoir Trail design plans to the Committee. He provided a brief
overview of the following: project schedule, funding, objectives, Rt 37 corridor study, trails, proposed design,
preliminary process, and operations. He clarified the website launch with Chair. Robinson. Ms. Jones stated the
public will be able to view the concept details on the dedicated website. Furthermore, the Committee will be able
to review the information before it goes public.
Chair Robinson spoke on the importance of public transparency regarding the trail project. Ms. Jones discussed
the online engagement components, and favors launching the website with the concept plans for public comment.
Chair Robinson spoke in favor of the online public comment section for the concept plans.
Ms. Jones clarified the plan for public input with the Committee. Member Gucker spoke in favor of the proposed
conceptual design. He expressed concern regarding the following: lack of buffering, pedestrian safety, proximity
to residential areas, and increased noise. Furthermore, he requested the applicant host community meetings to
address the public’s concerns. The goal is for the public to embrace the trail project.
Member Day spoke on protecting the water quality of the reservoir and pedestrian safety; including adding a
fence along the boardwalks. Mr. Grindle discussed options for user-friendly and safety trail design including
railings, fences and boulders. Ms. Jones discussed the website timeline and spoke on utilizing social media
platforms for community outreach efforts. The B&L team agreed to provide weekly updates regarding public
interactions on the website to the Committee. Chair Robinson explained the need for a point of contact person for
B&L, Member Gucker identified Member Iadarola’s office as the ideal point of contact.
Ms. Jones suggested offering public comment for at least one month. Chair Robinson suggested that the next
committee meeting take place towards the end of January to allow the public time to submit online comments.
The Committee agreed that the next meeting will be January 28, 2025 at which point a plan design is expected to
be chosen. Chair Robinson suggested a virtual meeting in March for easier public participation.
Member Hearn asked about projected costs associated with project materials. Ms. Jones and Mr. Grindle noted
factors that will need to be decided on at various stages in the process. Mr. Hearn asked for more detailed invoices
from B&L. Member Day asked about a maintenance budget for the completed trail; Mr. Grindle confirmed that
B&L will provide an itemization list and maintenance budget to the Committee based on the final design and
materials of the trail.
Public Comment
Tom Perkins, New Fairfield, expressed concern regarding the following: parking, obstruction of views for
residents, litter, increased crime, project materials, pedestrian safety, and dam infrastructure.
Marty Cooker, New Fairfield, expressed concern regarding the trail design on private property.
Jennifer Pappas, New Fairfield, expressed concern regarding the following: flood zone, wildlife, eagle nests,
water protection, increased crime, pedestrian safety, and lack of transparency. She asked the Committee if the
public will have to pay permit fees for the proposed trail. Furthermore, she requested the Committee reallocate
the funding to the veterans.
Kelly Linquist, New Fairfield, expressed concern regarding the following: eagle nests, lack of buffering,
wildlife, and water protection. She requested the Committee protect the wildlife and water supply.
Schedule
Next meeting is scheduled for: Tuesday, January 28th at 6:30pm in Danbury, CT.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Member Gucker, and seconded by Hearn, to adjourn. The motion carried
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Robinson, Chair
David Day
Peter Hearn
Jeff Main
Ken Gucker, Alternate
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