741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Agricultural Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Bruce Garstka

Regular/Joint Meeting

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 PM

Town Hall Annex-Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Garstka at 6:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Farming Community Allyson Angelini

Community-at-Large Representative Katie Yuhas

Alternate Member Steve Martic

Present

Farming Community Bruce Garstka

Farming Community Russell Holmberg

Farming Community William Thorne

Farming Community Michael E. Marelli

Also in attendance was Karen Parkinson and EDC member name????

III.

JOINT DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONS,

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN OF LEDYARD

Agricultural Commission Joint Work Session.

Karen Parkinson gave an update on the Tri-town Trail and the Historic District Commission:

Tri-town Trail Update:

After two years of waiting for a grant extension, it was approved. The Committee is working

with the Hagen Farm family for trail access through the property. There are 17 heirs, so it could

be a lengthy process. The trail is very clean of trash. The counter was destroyed by vandals, but

each October they do a census and collect comments. The information is helpful for writing

grants. Avalonia is working on a water preservation grant to purchase the Rally property which

will give access straight to 214. They would like to make it a preserve in the name of Gabe and

Winnie. Mayor Allyn III supports purchases or easements.

Historic District Commission:

The Spicer Homestead Ruins were discovered at the top of Geer Hill while they were working

on the trail. One goal of the Commission is to preserve that homestead because it appears

untouched since it was abandoned. They have had State Preservation Officials acknowledge that

it deserves recognition and could potentially have federal recognition. The benefit of

preservation is that no one can vandalize it or do digs. It would also allow for signage and

additional education. There are a network of walls and a dwelling. It was once referred to as the

“mansion”, as the house expanded in the early 1700s to accommodate their growing children.

The Commission is also maintaining the Nathan Lester House, the Up Down Sawmill, and the

Ledyard Center Schoolhouse. The Commission is currently full and has great attendance.

Chairperson Marelli gave an update on the Conservation Commission.

Conservation Commission:

On the 27th there is a trail task force that meets 2-3 times a year between committees to

coordinate projects, standardize trail markings, and create connectivity. The Commission has

been working with Avalonia to determine which properties they should focus on for expansion

and connection. The Commission are also working on their Sustainability CT Certification. The

Commission is in the process of reviewing and updating the Conservation Commission’s page

on the Town's website. The Town is also updating their Town website, and a draft should be

coming out soon for comments. The Town’s POCD is coming up, and they are interested in an

outside consulting firm. The Commission has been reviewing for when they seek input.

Improvements to Glacier Park parking area include removing invasives. Bill Geer is going to

regrade to reduce mud holes. The Commission is continuing to work with Avalonia and attended

the Mystic Water Shed Alliance meeting to distribute information. Herring Alewife count is

happening now to collect statistic information on the watershed, which is helpful when seeking

funding. The Commission nominated Maggie Ferretti of the 2026 Mystic Watershed Alliance for

the Aquarian Water Environmental Award. At the June meeting there will be a visitor from

Trouts Unlimited to discuss riparian buffers.

The Inland Waterways and Watercourse Commission:

The Commission is busy, there are several applications which can't be discussed while they are

pending.

America 250:

The Historic District Commission is trying to identify all the homes in Ledyard that were

standing during the American Revolution. The count is between 45-72 currently. The idea is to

have all of them hang bunting and create a linked map where you can drive by and read about

each one.

Economic Development Committee:

They are waiting for the budget to pass to start the Rt 12 project. The Committee is also working

on a new business directory. The Committee is having a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at

10:00 a.m. for a new mini market plaza opening.

Sustainable CT Committee:

Promoting the CT Visit.com state website for tourism. You can create an account and manage

your own listing.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IV.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

None.

COMMENTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

Comments of Commission Members.

Mr. Thorne is hoping AG and Land Use will have a tent at the Farmers’ Market on June 24th.

They need people to come and explain what various Commissions/Committees do. Mr. Thorne

will set up a tent and tables. The Farmer's Market Commission is working with the Ledyard 250

committee to plan a celebration at the July 1st Farmers’ Market. The Commission is collecting

ideas to go with the Red, White, and Blue theme.

Mr. Thorne asked about the property on Shewville Rd between Iron St and Rt 2. It’s labelled as

the Historic Society but he’s unclear who maintains it, as it has fallen into disrepair. Near

Whitehall Preserve. It’s overgrown. Mr. Marelli says it falls under the Conservation

Commission. There is mowing scheduled for the fall after bird nesting has completed. The

Commission alternates fields when mowing takes place under a management plan.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

VI.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence.

None.

VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Informational items.

Mr. Holmberg thinks the members of the AG Commission should be aware that there is a

multi-generational farm that is working to expand and was shut down by the Town. It seems

there was an issue with Wetlands due to land clearing, Agriculture has the right, but they need to

apply for a permit. The Commission will look for ways to support them.

DISCUSSED

VIII. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

RESULT:

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from April 21, 2026, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Bruce Garstka

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

Angelini Yuhas Martic Garstka Holmberg Thorne Marelli

AYE

IX.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT

Town Council Liaison report.

Ty Lamb, Town Councilor was not present.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

OLD BUSINESS

Any other Old Business to come before the Commission.

Mr. Garstka visited the Mayor's Office and was told that the RFP should be going out for Clarke

Farm. It was approved by the Town Council.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

Any other New Business to come before the Commission.

Chairman Garstka and Councilor Lamb met with the BoE and superintendent about improving

outreach with the AgriScience program. They proposed a calendar where farms could list

projects that they are doing and create opportunities for students to engage. Even if it was just

once a month it would improve connections and community.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

XII. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:10 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Bruce Garstka

RESULT:

MOVER:

Katie Yuhas

SECONDER:

Angelini Yuhas Martic Garstka Holmberg Thorne Marelli

AYE

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.