LAND USE
Subject/Application:
title
Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Background:
Residents have expressed concerns regarding illicit behavior and safety concerns at the Park on East Drive.
Residents have met with the Mayor Allyn, III, Police Chief John Rich, and Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. to discuss some vulgar graffiti that had been painted in the park.
Many town departments have been involved to try to resolve issues, including the Mayor’s Office, Police Department, Public Works Department, and the Parks & Recreation Department.
With the warmer weather activity at East Street Park was expected to increase the Police Department would be step up patrols.
Land Use Director/Town Planner:
(type text here)
Meeting Action Detail:
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 06/05/2023:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Discussed/Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Rodriguez stated that she spoke to one of the Residents and she noted that everything seemed fine at the Park.
Councilor Paul stated that he checked with Police Chief John Rich and that there have been no issues reported. He stated with the warmer weather that they anticipated the activity at the Park on East Drive would increase.
Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Director Scott Johnson, Jr. stated once the new Combined Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission was in-place that they would be scheduling a meeting to be held at Park on East Drive. He stated he would keep the LUPPW Committee informed when the meeting date has been set.
Action: Discussed/Continued
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Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 05/01/2023:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Discussed/Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Paul stated although he did not have a Report regarding the Park on East Drive that the Community Relations Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commission were planning to meet with the area residents at the Park.
Councilor Paul went on to note that the Parks & Recreation Commission with the Community Relations Committee have also talked about touring/visiting the many recreational parks in town such as:
• Aljen Heights Park
• Erickson Park
• Highlands Lake
• Bush Pond - Lantern Hill Waterfront Park (Graham Property)
Councilor Paul stated with the warmer weather that they anticipated the activity at the Park on East Drive would increase. He stated work that was done to improve safety such as the lights, clearing the brush along the entrance, locking the gate, the wood chips around the playscapes and other work that was done looked great!
Action: Discussed/Continued
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Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 04/03/2023:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Discussed/Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Paul stated although he did not have a Report regarding the Park on East Drive that he the Community Relations Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commission were planning to have a meeting with the area residents. He stated in speaking with Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. that he was planning to hold the meeting in May, 2023.
The LUPPW Committee discussed since the Community Relations Committee would be working with the Parks and Recreation Commission whether they wanted to keep this item on the LUPPW Committee agenda going forward. Chairman Dombrowski stated because it originated with the LUPPW Committee and involved safety concerns at that the park that they keep this item on the LUPPW Committee Agenda. The Committee agreed.
Action: Discussed/Continued
_____________________________________________________________________
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 03/06/2023:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: No Action
Minute Note:
No update.
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Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 02/06/2023:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: No Action
Minute Note:
No update.
Action : No Action
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 01/09/2023:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Paul stated he visited the Park on East Drive and he noted the positive progress that has been made with the new lights, etc. He stated in speaking to Chief Rich regarding activity at the Park that the last call was in response to some rambunctious kids at the park in October, 2022. He stated Parks and Recreation and the Police Department have been doing a great job.
Councilor Rodriguez stated that she spoke with Mr. Jamison on January 8, 2023 noting that had the following comments:
• Parks and Recreation was doing a great job with locking the gate every night.
• The new lights were great.
• According to Mr. Jamison, the Police Departments response to the Park was 20-minutes. Mr. Jamison stated that:
o Ledyard needed to hire more police to reduce response times; or
o Request mutual aid from surrounding town’s if the Ledyard’s Police could not respond in a more-timely fashion.
Chairman Dombrowski noted with the winter weather and getting darker earlier that there has been less activity at the Park.
Councilor Marshall noted Mr. Jamison’s comments that Councilor Rodriguez relayed regarding the Police Department’s response time. He stated that Mr. Jamison’s comments were unrealistic and not reasonable.
Councilor Paul stated the purpose of keeping the Park on East Drive on their agenda was to monitor the progress the Park improvements, noting that the discussion was regarding East Drive Park (Christy Hill Park).
Action: Continued
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Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 12/05/2022:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Paul stated he visited the Park on East Drive and he noted the positive progress that has been made with the new lights, etc.
Action: Continued
________________________________________________________________________
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 11/07/2022:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Continued
Minute Note:
Chairman Dombrowski noted in speaking to a resident that they were pleased with that the lights were working and that wood chips for the playscape area had arrived.
Councilor Paul stated he visited the Park on East Drive and he noted the positive progress that has been made.
Action: Continued
___________________________________________________________________________
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 10/03/2022:
File #: 22020 Version: 1
Type: Land Use
Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive
end
Action: Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Paul noted Mr. Jamison’s e-mail dated September 27, 2022 which included photographs of the new lights. He stated the electricity has been connected to the poles and the lights looked beautiful.
Councilor Rodriguez stated they were making progress at the Park, noting that the lights have been installed and turned on and that the railroad ties have been delivered. She thanked Mr. Jamison for moving the ties out of the way of the swing set. She noted Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. talked with the Mayor regarding the special type of paint that was required to cover the graffiti. She stated although progress was slow that it was being made. She stated she looked forward to seeing the Park next Spring, 2023 with the warmer weather.
Councilor Paul stated in his conversation with Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. they discussed visiting the Park to see the lights turned on. He thanked Mr. and Mrs. Jamison for their interest in the Park and continued updates. He stated they were moving in the right direction.
LUPPW Cmt Meeting 9/19/2022
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22020 <https://ledyardct.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5741901&GUID=42D8BE98-A4A3-47E4-9E1B-A36DA8A27DF6> Version: 1 |
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Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive |
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Action: No Action (Continued)
Minute Note:
Councilor Rodriguez noted although the Parks & Recreation Commission had planned to hold their September 20, 2022 meeting at the Park on East Drive that there was a change in plans; noting that the Parks & Recreation Commission would not be holding their September meeting at the Park.
Councilor Paul, Liaison to the Parks & Recreation Commission, noted at tomorrow night’s meeting he would ask the Parks & Recreation Commission whether they planned to reschedule holding one of their meetings at the Park on East Drive.
LUPPW Cmt Meeting 8/1/2022
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File #: 22020 <https://ledyardct.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5741901&GUID=42D8BE98-A4A3-47E4-9E1B-A36DA8A27DF6> Version: 1 |
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Title: Status update regarding security and safety concerns regarding Park on East Drive |
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Councilor Paul noted the Community Relations cancelled their July 20, 2022 Regular Meeting and held an Informal Conversation with residents at the Park on East Drive. He stated about 15 residents attended the event along with many Town Councilors and Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. He stated the idea was to discuss important issues regarding safety concerns at the Park. He noted at times the conversation was a bit contentious, but overall, it turned out to be a positive event, noting that they discussed a number of good ideas to bring back to their respective committees and the neighbors were encouraged to continue to talk to each other and to become more involved in the process as well. He stated although the progress has been slow that they have made some headway with the installation of additional lighting and brush removal. He stated they learned a lot about the Park and a lot about each other.
Councilor Rodriguez stated that she agreed that the Informal Conversation with residents at the Park on East Drive on July 20, 2022 was a little heated at times. However, she stated that they were moving in the right direction. She also noted that Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. stated the Parks & Recreation Commission would hold their September 20, 2022 meeting at the Park on East Drive.
Action: No Action (Continued)