741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Ledyard Beautification Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Jennifer Eastbourne

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

5:00 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Eastbourne at 5:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Committee Member Carol Ann Schneider

Chairman Jennifer Eastbourne

Present

Committee Member Kathrine Kohrs

Committee Member Jennifer Bingham

Committee Member Carol Christiansen

Committee Member Julie Brousseau

Committee Member Sarah Martic

Absent

Also in attendance:

Naomi Rodriguez, Chairperson Town Council

Kaylee Duggan, student from Stonington High School and Tricia Duggan, Stonington resident

were observing the meeting.

III.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

IV.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from March 5, 2024, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Jennifer Eastbourne

RESULT:

MOVER:

Kathrine Kohrs

SECONDER:

Schneider Eastbourne Kohrs Bingham

Christiansen Brousseau Martic

AYE

ABSENT

FINANCIAL REPORTS

Ledyard Beautification Committee Financial Reports.

No changes since last month.

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Future Projects Discussion.

The Committee decided not to participate in the Memorial Day parade this year.

Some future project ideas;

Possible clean-up after the Regatta Event. Chairperson Eastbourne said she has not been able to

get a hold of Jessica Buhle over the past year. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairperson Town Council

said she would let her know Chairperson Eastbourne is trying to reach her to arrange a Regatta

clean-up.

Juliet W. Long School has an orange mural that could use an update. Ms. Kohrs suggested

painting something similar to the "Groton" mural in Groton but with a Ledyard School theme.

The Committee would need to get permission from the school and find an artist. Chairperson

Eastbourne will reach out to Mark, Westkott, School Principal. It was suggested to ask the High

School Art Department for assistance.

Corner of Military Highway. Would need large heavy concrete planters. A concern is this area is

very hot in the summer and it would be hard to find plants that would survive without watering

(this area is too hard to water). Idea to put something non-living in this area but will need to

check with Steve Masalin, Public Works Director to see what is allowable in this area.

Painted rock snake. Maybe work with the Children's Librarian? It would need to be placed

somewhere that wouldn't interfere with grass mowing. Ms. Bingham said that Warwick, Rhode

Island has a rock snake next to a sidewalk on a main road. It is almost a mile long. Chairperson

Eastbourne will reach out to the Children's Librarian. The Committee could provide the rocks

and paint. Idea to have children paint the rocks at the Farmer's Market or at Summer Camps.

Overview of the Earth Day event: quite a few people participated in the cleanup and the

dumpster was filled. The Committee felt that they achieved their goals for the event. Next year

the Committee could use more time to plan. People didn't want to stick around after filling the

dumpster, the cold weather was partially to blame. Maybe next year the table events can be held

the weekend before the fill the dumpster event. Possibly hold more contests next year. Perhaps

have a "second annual" event flyer displayed at several local businesses.

Decorate a Christmas Tree and hold a vote, could even be a tree outside of local businesses.

Daffodil festival. Mr. Kohrs is following the Meriden festival to see what they do for ideas for

next year. Some of Meriden's events are rides, music, Little Miss Daffodil and an Honor Escort.

Sell daffodils in the fall and collect donations for plantings.

Identify key places to plant bulbs.

Breakfast fundraiser will be held on July 6, 2024.

Commit to a Farmer's Market date. The Market starts on June 5, 2024. Town Committees are

allowed to hold a booth once a month without a fee. The Committee would need to complete an

application. Ms. Martic is on the Farmer's Market Committee; she could be asked to help

navigate the process. Chairperson Eastbourne warned the Committee that the Town tent is very

nice but also very heavy and hard to manage putting up.

Welcome to Gales Ferry sign areas could use some attention.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nip Bottle Tax Surcharge Discussion continued.

No discussion.

Any Other Old Business to Come before the Committee.

None.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Nomination and election of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

Chairperson Eastbourne announced that she has resigned, and this is her last meeting as

Chairperson. She plans to stay on the Committee as a Regular Member. She asked if the

members knew of anyone interested in the Committee to send them over.

Naomi Rodriguez, Chairperson Town Council said someone has applied to both the Parks and

Recreation Commission and the Ledyard Beautification Committee. There will be more

information after the Town Council meeting on May 22, 2024.

Chairperson Eastbourne said it is very difficult to chair a Committee of seven people when only

a few partake in activities, planning and facilitating. She asked that the Committee be cognizant

about activity participant in the side projects. Ms. Schneider added that she believes that the lack

of participation scares away Chairpeople. It was also said that you don't have to be on the

Committee to attend meetings and help with projects and/or events.

None of the current Committee members are interested in becoming the Chairperson or the Vice

Chairperson. The Committee has room for two more members, although one has already been

voted on. The current members will promote the opening and see what next month brings.

Ms. Kohrs will mention on the Committee's Facebook page that they are looking for a new

member.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other New Business to Come before the Committee.

None.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN The Regular Meeting at 5:33 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT: