741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339-1551  
(860) 464-3203  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Town Council  
council@ledyardct.org  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman S. Naomi  
Rodriguez  
Regular Meeting  
Wednesday, March 12, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Town Hall Council Chambers  
In-Person: Council Chambers Town Hall Annex  
Remote: Information noted below:  
Join Zoom Meeting from your Computer, Smart Phone or Tablet:  
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84184448782?  
pwd=PptGwMZGKZjcaeSRU3ZzMLl3Mk4qPW.1  
Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 841 8444 8782; Passcode: 086268  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
IC.hairman Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers,  
Town Hall Annex Building.  
Chairman Rodriguez welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. She stated for the members of  
the Town Council and the Public who were participating via video conference that the  
remote meeting information was available on the Agenda that was posted on the Town’s  
Website - Granicus-Legistar Meeting Portal.  
II.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
ROLL CALL  
III.  
Councilor William Barnes  
Councilor April Brunelle  
Councilor Jessica Buhle  
Councilor Carmen Garcia-Irizarry  
Chairman S. Naomi Rodriguez  
Councilor Tim Ryan  
Present:  
Councilor Tony Saccone  
Councilor Gary St. Vil  
Councilor Kevin Dombrowski  
Excused:  
IV.  
PRESENTATIONS  
Board of Education Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget  
Superintendent of Schools Jason Hartling thanked the Town Council for the opportunity  
to present the Board of Education proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget this evening.  
However, he stated that before he gets into the budget he wanted to thank Councilor  
Buhle for her help with the LEAF Cajun Cookoff that was held on March 2, 2025 at  
Barkin Barley in Gales Ferry. He also thanked Councilor Garcia-Irizarry and everyone  
who helped put the event together, noting that it was a great idea, and they had an  
awesome turn-out.  
Superintendent Hartling proceeded by providing an overview of the Board of Education’s  
proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget, noting that it was in the amount of $40,667,242.  
This was an increase of $2,297,429 or 5.98% over the current Fiscal Year 2024/2025  
Budget.  
Mr. Hartling noted in accordance with the Town Charter the Budget was submitted to the  
Mayor’s Office on Monday, February 24, 2025. He also noted that he forwarded a copy of  
the Board of Education’s proposed Budget and their Capital Plan to the Town Council to  
ensure they all had the correct budget numbers that were approved by the Board of  
Education.  
Mr. Hartling explained that the Board of Education went through a Comprehensive Strategic  
Planning Process, noting that Chairman Rodriguez joined them during their discussions as  
the Town Council’s Representative.  
· Mission Statement  
Ledyard Public Schools provides every child with the experiences, supports, and  
opportunities necessary for life and success in our diverse and evolving world.  
· Strategies  
ü Enhancing partnerships within and beyond the schools;  
ü Providing opportunities for all students; and  
ü Ensuring active and engaged learning.  
· District Priorities  
Mr. Hartling reviewed the School District’s Priorities as follows:  
· Continuing opportunities for students in alignment with the strategic plan;  
· Successful launch of the new literacy program (in compliance with the State of CT  
mandate) to benefit our students;  
· Ongoing professional growth and support of our educators and staff;  
· Continue enhancements and evolution of our intervention model;  
· Continue to address and ameliorate achievement gaps and the number of students below  
basic on the Smarter Balanced Achievement Consortium English Language Arts and the  
Math (SBAC).  
· Key Budget Changes  
Mr. Hartling provided an overview of Key Changes in the Education Budget as follows:  
· $113,500 Security Enhancements.  
· $710,619 Inflationary Adjustments include the following:  
ü $68,980 Miscellaneous Adjustments.  
ü $77,000 Transportation - Ledyard has the lowest Transportation Contract in the region  
ü $44,800 Utilities - Due in part to the Public Benefit Charge - Public Utilities  
Regulatory Authority (PURA).  
ü $482,569 Special Education - Mr. Hartling explained that Ledyard’s Student  
Services was an ongoing area of challenge, noting that this was a statewide issue. He  
stated the costs or outplacement services continues to skyrocket for support such as  
Speech, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy. However, he stated the biggest  
Special Education driver was transportation. He explained that although  
transportation was part of their general role, that special education transportation was  
broken out because it needed to be included their special education total costs. He  
also addressed new students or students who have been recently identified for special  
education.  
· Increased literacy intervention capacity with High Dosage Tutoring.  
· 4.0 FTE Paraeducators to support regular and special education programing - This was  
actually equivalent to 6 staff personnel, because they do not work a full schedule.  
· 3.0 FTE Elementary STEM Teachers & Materials - Mr. Hartling explained that Ledyard  
had secured about $1 million dollars in Department of Defense Education Activity  
Grants (DODEA), which was a springboard that provided a lot of the curriculum work  
and professional learning that the Board of Education was required to do; and has been  
doing over the last several years. However, he stated that the DODEA Grants were  
sunsetting; and now they would have to continue with that curriculum work and  
materials. He noted that he wanted to be explicitly clear, these were all things that they  
would have had to do regardless of whether they had received the DODEA Grant  
funding. He stated that receiving the DODEA Grant provided a savings for their  
taxpayers over the last several years.  
· Budget Prioritization/Recommendations  
Mr. Hartling stated as they have in past years, the following budget requests were prioritized  
and color coded and he reviewed the following:  
Board of Education Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget Recommendations:  
Green Recommended to be Included in the Budget  
$668,939  
REQUESTESTIMATLEODCCAOTSIOTN  
TYPE  
3.0 FTE$E1l9em3,8en9t6ary SCTuErMriculum Salary  
Elementa$ry4,S5T00EMEMlematenritaalrsy Equipment  
Increase TEAM Mentor Paymen$t9t,o98$3750Cauryreicaurlum Salary  
General C$u4r,7ri0c0ulumCuSrruipcpuluiems Supplies  
Central Office$3S,u1r2g0e CCapuarrciictuylum Salary  
Inter$v1e5nt,0io0n0RCeusroruicrcuelusm Supplies  
Math Learning Center K-5 (student books, manipulatives, interv$e1n7ti,6o2n reCsouurricceusl)um Supplies  
Curriculum Associates iReady/Ready Classroom 6$-484(,2E6L6AC&urMricauthlu)m Supplies  
Textbook - General Instruction (increase$o1v6e,r7p7r2ioCruyreraicr)ulum Supplies  
DreaCmuBrroixcu$l2u5m,728Supplies  
Fore$fr5o,n7t3P6latCfourrmricKul-u5m Supplies  
Ignite -Literacy In$te5r0v,e0n0t0ionCuPrrroicguralumm Professional Services  
Various Athletic E$x3p1e,n4s5e0InLcHreSaAsetshletics  
Other  
Blue Reduction to Budget  
-$139,915  
REQUESTESTIMATLEODCCAOTSIOTN  
TYPE  
Initial Purchase reduction for Grade 4-5 Teachers & In-t$e,r6v8e2n5tioCniusrtriIcpualdusm Equipment  
Reduction from Year 1 cost of mandated-L$4it8e,r0a0cy0 ProgCraumrriculum Supplies  
Discontinue Usage-$o1f5L,0e0x0ia SofCtwuarrieculum Supplies  
Reduction in non-dedicated amb-u$l1a,n3c5e0seLrHviSceAthletics  
Expected Hea-t$in2g5,O00il0DecreMasaeintenance Supplies  
Reduction in initial costs for program-$f1r5o,m00p0rior yLeMarS  
Reduction in initial sup-p$l4ie,5s0-0UnLiMfieSd ArtSsupplies  
Remove/D-$i1s9co,0n0ti0nue CDAiBstErictwide Other  
Professional Services  
Equipment  
Yellow Considered for Inclusion in the Budget  
$1,250,384  
REQUESTESTIMATLEODCCAOTSIOTN  
TYPE  
BMS System$P3a5rt,s00G0HMS a&inJteWnaLnce Supplies  
Late$B1u6s7L,5H82S & LTMraSnsportation Professional Services  
Advanced Email Filtering/A$t1t4ac,4k0P0reTveecnhtnioonlogy Professional Services  
Behavior$I7n2te,7rv7e2ntSitoundiesntst S(2er)vices Professional Services  
BCBA$2S1t0u,d0e0n0t Services Professional Services  
Math$1C9o0a,c0h00(2) Elementary Salary  
1.0 FTE Instructio$n8a6l ,C2o8a6cChuLrMricSulum Salary  
1.0 FTE ELA Inte$rv8e6n,2ti8o6niCsturMriSculum Salary  
1.0 FTE Math Inte$r8v6en,2ti8o6niCsturMricSulum Salary  
Art Display 200 Hallway (L$o1c1k,0er00ReLmHoSval) Other  
1.0 FTE$E6n4g,6li3sh2 TLeHaScher Salary  
1.0 FTE Math$e6m4,a6t3ic2sLTHeaScher Salary  
Content F$a6c,i8l8it8atorLSHtSipendsSalary  
Assistant Mai$n7te5n,0an0c0eMDairienctetonrance Salary  
Attendance H$o7m8e,0V0i0siStoturd(e2n)t Services Salary  
Red Considered for Inclusion in Future Budget  
$870,558  
REQUESTESTIMATLEODCCAOTSIOTN  
TYPE  
1.0 FTE Band Teacher (add$6.45,063J2WELle&mGenHtaSr)y Salary  
Transition Kindergarten Te$a5ch7e,5r;20estGMFSA3 Salary  
Transition Kindergarten Te$a5ch7e,5r;20estGMHAS3 Salary  
General Interv$e5n7t,i5o2n0istL; MesSt MAS3alary  
Direc$t1o4r0o,0f0C0urricuClurmriculum Salary  
Expand Pre-K (3 Teachers; 6 Pa$r3a4p5ro,0fe0s0sionaSltsu)dent Services Salary  
2 Elementary World La$n1g2u7a,1g6e6TeacCheurrsriculum Salary  
Grade Level F$i1e5ld,5E0x0pLerMieSnce Professional Services  
Disc$G5o,7l0f 0CouLrHseS  
Equipment  
· Per Pupil Expenditure  
Mr. Hartling stated although he did not like to make comparisons that he wanted to  
present the following chart below regarding other towns in Southeastern Connecticut (see  
graph in attached presentation)  
Mr. Hartling stated that their Teachers, Staff, and every Member of the Team were working  
incredibly hard and incredibly efficient to get the gains that they were getting; noting that  
they did not have enough funding in Ledyard to do what they needed to do for the student  
profile and based on the academic needs to keep moving forward. He stated that they were  
not in a situation where they have a lot of extra cash swinging around, noting that the Teams  
in the schools were wearing a lot of hats.  
Mr. Hartling stated the next lowest Per Pupil expenditure was Groton, who had $3 million  
more than Ledyard to support their students. He stated just imagine what Ledyard could do  
with an extra $3 million dollars.  
· Student Enrollment  
Mr. Hartling stated Student Enrollment was projected to stay relatively stable, noting that  
this was subject to change. He stated if they put 1,000 more housing units in town, that  
may change the enrollment scenario.  
Mr. Hartling went on to explain that they were seeing an ongoing need profile of about  
21% of our students being identified as having a disability, which continues to have a  
strain on the system. He stated that this also impacted their ability to deliver services or  
the cost of delivering services, noting that this was a statewide trend. (see graph in  
attached presentation).  
v Budget Expenditures:  
Mr. Hartling explained that $939,000 of this budget request included increases related to,  
agreed upon contractual increases for six (6) bargaining units, and non-Union employees.  
· 70.7 % Salary and Wages  
· 3% Utilities  
· 3.1 Supplies  
· 3.79% Special Education  
· 7.2% Transportation  
· 2.4% Other Purchases Services  
· 1.9% Purchases Property Services  
· 3.9% Professional Technology  
· 2.2% Insurance and Benefits (This does not include Healthcare costs.)  
v Projected Revenues:  
Mr. Hartling reviewed the Board of Education’s Funding Sources as follows:  
Revenues  
Revenue ProAgrcatumal 2022/2023 Actual 2023/2025 Town Budget 2024/2025 (Munis)` Proposed 2025/2026  
Difference  
State/Federal Revenues  
FPL 503 (Impac$t1A,5id5)8,207  
Agri-Science- O$p1e,r0a5ti1n,g239  
Education Cost Sharin$g1(1E,4C7S5),245  
$1,804,635  
$1,019,200  
$1,050,000  
$850,000 $1,331,385  
$1,164,411  
$481,385  
$12,016,278  
$14,512,104  
$114,441  
$11,547,735  
$14,371,570  
$11,904,119  
$13,804,199  
$112,079  
$707,905  
Sub Total State/Federa$l1R4e,0v8en4u,6e91  
Tuition Revenues  
Non-Resident Regular Educ$a4ti3o,n470 $71,867 $44,772 $62,680 $17,908  
Non-Resident Spec. Ed$u1c2a6t,i7o3n6 $60,559 $82,086 $25,500 -$56,586  
Agri-S$c7i2e8n,c3e55 $829,361 $764,176 $411,563 -$352,163  
Sub Total T$u8i9ti8o,n561 $961,787 $891,034 $499,743 -$391,291  
Total Education$R14e,v9e8n3u,2e5s2  
$15,333,357  
$14,695,233  
$15,011,847  
$316,614  
Mr. Hartling stated that Ledyard had some additional sources of revenue that were not typical  
for most communities, such as the revenue they receive for the Agricultural Science Program  
and from Impact Aid. (see pie chart in attached presentation ). :  
· 63.1% Town Appropriation (Tax Revenue).  
· 0.2% Non-Resident Tuition.  
29.5% Excess Cost Sharing - Mr. Hartling noted the State pushed through $40 million for  
Special Education; which the Governor signed off on in during the last two weeks. He  
stated the State's formula to address high-cost students with disabilities was confusing.  
He explained that the way it worked was that the Town had to spend 4.5 times your per  
pupil expenditure and then the State would reimburse the town for the amount over that.  
He · stated Ledyard’s per pupil expenditure of $17,888 X 4.5= 80,496; noting that  
they budget 72%. However, he stated that instead of receiving grant funding based on  
72% of their per pupil cost, they were only receiving grant reimbursement based on about  
64% of their actual costs. He went on to state that this happens statewide; and therefore,  
the formula adjustment would only bring them back to where they were from a parity  
standpoint. He stated the other piece of this was that Ledyard had less students. He stated  
that they work hard to keep their costs down, however, he explained that was part of the  
risk relative to Special Education, noting that it was complex and that they worked to  
build all associated costs into their Special Education Per Pupil Expenditure. He stated  
that State Senator Cathy Osten has been receptive to Ledyard’s concerns relative to that.  
He stated had the Legislature not fixed it; that they would have had to look for other  
ways to fill that gap within the current fiscal year budget.  
· 2.9 % Impact Aid - Mr. Hartling stated Ledyard has been working to maximize their  
Impact Aid by increasing awareness regarding the value of completing the request  
forms to identify eligible families.  
· 4.3% Agri-Science - Mr. Hartling noted the State has changed the funding stream for  
Agricultural Science Progrm explaining they removed them from a Tuition-Based  
system to relying on State Grant funding. He stated that they were prohibited from  
charging anything over 58%; or had to charge 58% less for the Agri-Science Tuition this  
fiscal year, noting that the State tried to subsidize the difference with Grant Funding. He  
stated that this was going to be an interesting calculus as we move forward because it  
was not funded in future years. He stated that the Legislature still had some work to do  
because the language was unclear. He stated right now the language reads that they have  
to spend any of that extra grant money (about $800,000) in new spending just for the  
Agri-Science Program this year; which was not a reasonable situation. Therefore, he  
stated that the Legislature was supposedly contemplating a fix for that language, noting  
at this point the Board of Education was suggesting that they would have about  
$316,000 in Revenues based on educational activities.  
Mr. Hartling stated that this concluded his presentation and that he would be happy to answer  
questions.  
The Town Council and School Superintendent Hartling discussed in further detail the  
following:  
· State Funding - Councilor Saccone noted Mr. Hartling’s comment regarding the State’s  
budget cuts to save money in Hartford was pushing costs down to Municipalities. He stated  
that the General Government was experiencing the same types of reductions in state funding.  
· Non Resident Tuition - Councilor Garcia-Irizarry stated the projected revenue for  
Non-Resident Tuition appeared to be half the amount that was budgeted in the current year’s  
budget (fy 25/26). Mr. Hartling explained for a period of time Ledyard had a lot of  
non-resident students, including students with special education needs, noting that this  
number has continued to decline. He stated that Norwich Free Academy convinced the City  
of Norwich if all their students attended their school that the costs would be less. Therefore,  
he stated that Ledyard lost Norwich students, who were not Agri-Science students, noting  
that other school districts were also seeing the same trend.  
·
Healthcare Costs - Mr. Hartling noted that after over 24 years the Mayor made the decision  
to shift on paper the Board of Education Healthcare Costs from the Town Budget to the Board of  
Education Budget without any prior discussion. He stated moving the Board of Education  
Employees Healthcare costs to the Board’s side of the ledger does not save taxpayers any  
money. He stated that it only moves the expense from one part of government to another,  
making the Board of Education’s increase appear larger, while reducing the Mayor’s Budget  
proposal to the Town Council. He stated that this change creates unnecessary division and  
confusion when looking at our financial picture and it creates a distraction as our community  
tries to understand the upcoming budget challenges.  
Mr. Hartling went on to explain by moving the Board of Education’s Employees Healthcare  
Expenses to the Education side of the ledger that they could anticipate an increased cost of  
about $100,000 to take on the fiduciary responsibility of the program, because they do not  
have a staffing model to handle the work that has been being managed by the General  
Government Staff for 24 years.  
Mr. Hartling went on to state that the Board of Education would have to hire Healthcare  
Consultants to adequately examine the Healthcare Plan to ensure that they were acting in the  
most responsible way for both their employees and the Town of Ledyard. He stated that there  
would also be the legal fees to renegotiate with their labor contracts; and that it would  
require the addition of one Full-Time Staff person in the Central Office. However, he stated  
it would be the Town Council’s decision and that the Board of Education would do what  
they needed to do, noting that they would need to increase the Education Budget by $100,000  
to support the change.  
Mr. Hartling stated that he was disappointed that the Mayor moved the $6 million Healthcare  
Costs for the Board of Education’s Employees to the Education side of budget ledger without  
any discussion, noting that he learned about the change from someone who told him that they  
saw it on a Facebook posting. He stated at the end of his remarks, that he would like to talk  
to the Mayor about this change.  
· School Nurses - Mr. Hartling stated that Ledyard had an amazing group of School  
Nurses noting the great service they give the kids in our schools each and every day. He  
asked if the Town Council was going to move the School Nurses over to the Board of  
Education’s budget that they not do it as part of the Annual Budget Process. He stated  
moving the School Nurses to the Education side of the budget ledger during the budget  
process would not allow the Board of Education to appropriately negotiate with that  
bargaining unit. He requested that the School Nurses not be moved to the Board of  
Education’s side of the budget next year (fy 26/27) during the Annual Budget Preparation  
Process because it would create confusion in the community relative to budgetary numbers.  
Councilor Ryan stated at the end of his remarks that he would like to offer the Mayor the  
opportunity to talk about the change in where the Board of Education Employees Healthcare  
Expenses would reside in the budget. Councilor Ryan continued by stating just to be clear,  
the Healthcare Costs for Board of Education Employees and the School Nurses expenses  
were costs to operate Ledyard Public Schools. Mr. Hartling stated that was correct. However,  
he stated that these expenses have been carried on the General Government side of the  
budget ledger as “In Kind” expenses. He stated every year the Board of Education gets a full  
accounting of every dollar the town spends and that they were built to their Public Schools  
Accounting, including up until this year, a part of the Children's Librarian. He stated all these  
expenses were factored into Ledyard’s Per Pupil Expenditure Accounting.  
Councilor Ryan questioned, based on Mr. Hartling’s explanation, whether the Board of  
Education’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget in the amount of 40,667,000 included  
the Healthcare Costs for the Board of Education Employees; which provided coverage for  
the teachers, school staff, etc. Mr. Hartling stated the Board of Education’s proposed Fiscal  
Year 2025/2026 Budget in the amount of 40,667,000 does not include the Healthcare Costs  
for the Board of Education’s Employees; because for the last 24 years it was carried on the  
General Government side of the budget ledger. He stated recording it on the Board of  
Education’ side of the budget leger was a net 0 change in terms of the total budget. He stated  
to bifurcate the healthcare expenses, and move those responsibilities to the Board of  
Education was in the Town Council’s purview. However, he stated that the Board of  
Education would need to add Full-Time Employees to manage those processes that were  
currently handled by General Government Staff.  
Councilor Ryan stated for the benefit of those who were attending tonight’s meeting  
remotely via Zoom; or watching the video of this meeting later, that for the past 24 years the  
total Healthcare Costs for the Schools’ Employees have been recorded on the General  
Government side of the budget ledger; and the management of the benefits for Board of  
Education Employees has been done by General Government Staff. Mr. Hartling stated that  
was correct.  
Councilor Ryan stated that it was his observation that moving the Board of Education  
Employees Healthcare Costs to the Education side of the budget ledger had nothing to do  
with the Healthcare Costs; but actually had to do with the Board of Education’s Budget  
Presentation. He stated although he tried to find the Board of Education’s proposed Fiscal  
Year 2025/2026 Budget on-line, he could not find it.  
· Excess Cost Sharing (ECS) Grant Funding - Councilor Ryan noted the discrepancy in  
Excess Cost Sharing (ECS) that each municipality receives; and their Per Pupil  
Expenditures. He noted as an example that New London received more ECS funding than  
Ledyard does.  
Mr. Hartling explained that the Excess Cost Sharing (ECD) formula contemplates a series of  
factors, which included the poverty level, special education costs, and other factors.  
Councilor Ryan noted the Per Pupil Expenditure Graph (page 4 above) that Mr. Hartling  
presented earlier this evening. He stated that Stonington’s ECS Funding was about $200,000,  
and their Per Pupil Expenditure was about $23,000. He stated that it would be interesting to  
see the breakout of what was coming out of the tax appropriation versus ECS; versus other  
revenue sources; and how that compared to other School Districts. He stated a large portion  
of Ledyard’s School Budget was funded by tax appropriations. Therefore, he stated the  
hypothesis; or what Mr. Hartling would like them to understand, was the proportion of the  
School Budget that was being paid by Ledyard’s taxpayers was disproportionately to other  
towns. He stated that he was not trying to insinuate it was; but that he was curious as to what  
it was, noting that he would like to see that data.  
· Bifurcating Healthcare Costs - Chairman Rodriguez noted that Mr. Hartling stated that  
in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget the Healthcare Costs would be bifurcated.  
Therefore, she questioned whether the General Government and the Board of Education  
would each have their own funds to pay for the Healthcare Benefits for their employees.  
Mr. Harting explained that the Board of Education would have to look at the design of the  
Healthcare Plan; and have conversations between the Board of Education their collective  
bargaining units. He stated with taking on that new responsibility, that the Board of  
Education would have a different level of fiduciary responsibility relative to Healthcare. He  
also stated that he would have to have a conversation with the Mayor about what would  
happen for the General Government Employees Healthcare. He stated that there would be no  
obligation for the Board of Education to include the General Government Employees.  
Councilor Saccone stated that he would hope that the Board of Education would work to try  
to save taxpayers money and to include the General Government Employees if they had a  
better deal on healthcare costs. Mr. Hartling stated the Board of Education had 400 plus  
employees that they were supporting; and one Human Resources Staff Member, noting that  
the staffing levels looked the same across town. He stated if they were going to move  
responsibilities, that he was going to have to provide more support to his Team. He  
apologized, noting that he was a little frustrated, because these types of conversations happen  
over months and months of planning to ensure that they have effective collaboration between  
both sides of government to save taxpayers money. He stated that they already spent more  
time talking about moving the Healthcare Costs for Board of Education Employees to the  
Education side of the ledger than they have spent talking about the 40 million dollars of  
educational programming that they wanted to provide for the kids.  
· Staffing - Councilor Buhle noted during the Finance Committee’s January 21, 2025 Joint  
Budget Work Session she asked about the number of staff each salary line in the Board of  
Education’s budget included. She noted “Recommended to be Included in the Budget”  
identified in the Green Box (page 3 above), included 3.0 Full-Time Equivalent STEM  
Teachers (elementary). She stated that she would assume that this would provide one teacher  
at Gallup Hill; and two teachers at the Gales Ferry School. Mr. Hartling stated that was  
correct.  
· Enrollment & Teacher/Student Ratio - Councilor Buhle stated that there was a two to  
one comparison between the Gallup Hill School and the Gales Ferry School, noting that  
there was 946 students at Gallup Hill and Gales Ferry School put together; with 46.8% of  
the students at one school and 45.8% students at the other School. Therefore, she stated it did  
not seem fair to have two STEM Teacher at Gallup Hill School and one STEM Teachers at  
the Gales Ferry School.  
Mr. Hartling explained that one of the factors that does not come out in those numbers was  
the added responsibilities for the Pre-K Program. He stated that Gallup Hill School has  
programming for ages 3, 4, 5, and now 6 year olds; and that they had to provide those  
children with services. He went on to explain that because they do not have Universal Pre-K  
that some kids come in the morning and some kids come in the afternoon; and therefore, they  
had to have staff to absorb that.  
Mr. Hartling continued by explaining because the Gallup Hill School was a Title One School  
they received Federal Funding that also required the School District to allocate more  
resources for additional coverage with special teachers, which was the reason they had two  
physical education teachers, and two art teachers. However, he stated when they look at it  
based on the number of students that it does feel inequitable. He went on to note that the two  
literacy interventionists at Gales Ferry School, and five literacy interventionists at Gallup  
Hill School, stating that staff was placed based on needs.  
· School Lunch Program - Councilor Buhle stated that all students should have the  
opportunity to eat lunch at school, and should not be hungry throughout the day. Whether or  
not that was because their parents put money on their Lunch Card Account; or if they were  
unable to put money on their Account. She noted during their Budget Work Sessions that  
Mr. Hartling stated that a couple of Ledyard’s Schools would potentially qualify for Free  
Lunch. Therefore, she questioned whether it was possible to break that out, or whether it had  
to be District-Wide; and how far away Ledyard was from being a community that qualified  
for Free Lunch for all students.  
Mr. Hartling stated when they did the equation last year that Ledyard was closer to qualifying  
for Free Lunch for all students. However, he noted because the State was changing those  
guidelines that Ledyard was moving farther away from that as a possibility. He went on to  
address the confusion that happens because many parents have students in multiple schools,  
stating that it was not uncommon for a family to have an elementary school student, a middle  
school student, and a high school student.  
Councilor Buhle questioned the cost to provide Free Lunch for the District and whether they  
could provide Free Lunch to just one School; or if they would have to provide it for the  
whole School District. Mr. Hartling stated that they could look at providing Free Lunch at  
the Gallup Hill School and Ledyard Middle School, noting that those two schools may  
qualify for the Free Lunch Program. Councilor Buhle stated although she understood the  
concerns regarding the confusion for families that have students in more than one school that  
they should make sure that our students were fed without concern or without worry.  
Mr. Hartling stated any student who comes up to the counter with a lunch, whether they had  
money on their account; or owed $350 on their account, that the student would receive a  
lunch, noting that was a State requirement; and there was no alternative lunch for those who  
do not have money on their lunch account. He stated their School Principals spend time  
every week calling parents to get them to pay their child’s lunch account. He stated that last  
year they were able to use other funds in the Food Service Account for bad debt, noting that  
it was a special dispensation by the State, because this was a problem in the State. Therefore,  
he stated people were receiving Free Lunch when there was no Free Lunch. He stated that  
their support to encourage parents to fill-out the Free and Reduced Lunch Form would help.  
· Board of Education Charging the Town to use the School Facilities - Councilor Buhle  
questioned the Board of Education charging the Town to use space at the Schools for things  
like the Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting at the Middle School and the Parks &  
Recreation to use the basketball courts. She questioned whether there was a Board of  
Education Revenue Line that showed the inflow of the money from the Town. Mr. Hartling  
noted the Board of Education’s Policy for Organizations to use space at the Schools,  
explaining for the Planning & Zoning Commission to use space at the Middle School that  
they were not paying for the space, but that they were paying for the staff to support the  
technology needs. He stated that the town was not charged for the custodian because they  
were already there. He stated there was not a Revenue Line for the money the Town paid to  
the Board of Education because it would go back to offset the overtime line, noting that it  
was not a revenue per-se.  
· Healthcare Expenses - Councilor St. Vil addressed the Healthcare Expenses from a  
funding and management strategic perspective, noting that what he heard was that moving  
the Board of Education Employees Healthcare Expenses from the General Government side  
of the budget ledger to the Education side of the budget ledger was a net zero; and that he  
also heard that this shift was going to increase costs by $100,000. Therefore, he stated it was  
unclear how moving the expense from one side of the ledger to the other side of the ledger  
would impact the total budget.  
Mr. Hartling stated that he apologized if he misspoke when he responded to Councilor  
Ryan’s question regarding the Healthcare Expense line earlier this evening. Mr. Hartling  
provided clarification, stating that moving the Board of Education Employee’s Healthcare  
expenses from the General Government side of the ledger to the Board of Education side of  
the ledger would not save the town a single cent, Period. However, he stated that it would  
cost the Town more money, both in the short and the long term, because the Board of  
Education would: (1) Need to staff up appropriately to manage certain responsibilities that  
they have not had to do in the past 24-years; (2) The ongoing challenge of what will  
healthcare look like for the entire town. He stated when the Town Council moves $6 million  
to the Board of Education’s Budget that State Law was going to expect the Board of  
Education to do something with that allocation; noting that they would have to look into the  
Plan design and take on the Fiduciary Responsibility.  
· Gifted Student Programs- Councilor St. Vil noted that much of their budget  
conversations involved the costs and the documentation requirements related to Special  
Education. He questioned whether the Board of Education’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026  
Budget included changes to budget line to provide resources or expand services for their  
Gifted Students, such as advanced placement classes and extracurricular type of activities.  
Mr. Hartling explained that State Law required School Districts to identify Gifted Students.  
He stated funding has remained stable for the Advanced Placement Classes and other pieces  
for their Gifted Students at the High School, however the Board of Education’s Fiscal Year  
2025/2026 Budget does not include a specific line to increase those sections of the Advanced  
Placement activities.  
Mr. Hartling went on to state although it was a long-term goal, that currently the School  
District does not have a Gifted and Talented Student Program. He noted that there were  
enhancements explaining that their STEM Activity at the  
V.  
RESIDENT & PROPERTY OWNERS (COMMENTS LIMITED TO THREE (3)  
MINUTES  
Mr. Chris Jelden, 3 Whalehead Road, Ledyard, stated he wrote these comments and  
read them at last night’s Board of Education meeting. He stated after watching and  
hearing some of the online discourse that it seemed more important to provide his  
comments now than even just 24-hours ago. He stated that he wanted to begin by  
expressing his gratitude to everyone on the Board of Education and the Town Council  
for all the work they do. He stated that you are volunteers giving your time and energy,  
often sacrificing personal and family commitments to serve their town. He stated that  
he did not doubt that each of you care deeply about Ledyard, our schools, our students,  
and our financial wellbeing. He stated being that it was Budget Season that his  
comments tonight were either going to come at exactly the right time, or they would be  
tough to hear.  
Mr. Jelden stated in December, 2024 he attended his first Board of Education meeting.  
Afterwards he reached out to both the Board of Education and the Town Council,  
because he was concerned about how these groups were working together. He stated in  
response that he was reassured that communication channels were in place, emails  
were shared, meetings were held, and information was being passed along to all  
members all the time. But in the months since, things have not appeared to improve. If  
anything, he stated that he has only seen more missed connections, frustrations on  
display, and ongoing dysfunction between these two important bodies. He stated that  
the reality was, it does not matter if all these communication channels were in place,  
and they should be working, however, he stated they were not always working. He  
stated that his challenge to each member of the Board of Education and the Town  
Council was that even if you think you have done all you can, even if you feel like you  
were at your wits end. He suggested that they just Stop and Try Again. Pick up the  
phone and make the phone call, send the text, send a follow up text. Assume the best  
in the others, who have also chosen to step up and serve Ledyard, even when you do  
not fully understand the decision made, or question being asked; or if you find yourself  
frustrated with how things have happened in the past. He stated if you are questioning  
the actions or the intent of the others who have been elected to serve, trust that the  
person on the other side was acting in what they believed was in Ledyard’s best  
interest. He stated you won't always agree, but you can choose to approach each other  
in good faith. The truth is, most Ledyard residents do not have the time to dive into the  
granular details of town governance, but when they do take time to attend a meeting; or  
watch a video stream, they should not see two groups that were in conflict with each  
other, pointing fingers. He stated they should see people who were elected to Office  
fighting the same fight for the best interest of the town. That was how our town would  
be best served, and how all your efforts would create the very best for Ledyard. Thank  
you.  
Chairman Rodriguez thanked Mr. Jelden for his comments noting they were wise  
words.  
VI.  
COMMITTEE COMMISSION AND BOARD REPORTS  
None.  
VII. COMMENTS OF TOWN COUNCILORS  
Chairman Rodriguez commented on the following: (1) Black History Month Celebrations -  
Chairman stated that she wanted to express her gratitude and happiness for the Black History  
Month celebrations that occurred last month. She stated that they have received many  
positive comments regarding these events from the Poetry Slam, the Poster/Essay Contest,  
and the Gospel Concert. She stated the concert was a huge hit, it was well attended, and it  
personified community; (2) Agricultural Commission Joint Meeting April 15, 2025 -  
Chairman Rodriguez stated that Agricultural Commission Chairman Bruce Gartska asked  
that Town Councilors stress to their Liaison Committees to please send a representative from  
each commission and committee to the Joint Agricultural Meeting on April 15, 2025 at 6:00  
pm in the Town Hall Annex. It is important to have continued communication between  
commissions and committees; (3) Earth Day - Chairman Rodriguez stated that the  
Beautification Committee will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 1:00 -  
4:00 p.m. at the Ledyard Senior Center. She stated that the Beautification Committee may  
need Mayor Allyn’s help again this year as a Judge for the Trash to Treasure Contest. She  
also noted that Bruce Gartska would bring his two donkeys Olivia and Clarissa, who happen  
to be the cover girls on the Dime Bank 2025 calendar. She noted that all were invited to  
attend; (4) Prides Corner Nursery and Farm Charitable Donation - Chairman Rodriguez  
stated at the Town Council’s February 12, 2025 meeting, Mayor Allyn stated that Prides  
Corner Nursery and Farm would like to make a donation in the Name of the Town of  
Ledyard to a charitable organization of the Town’s choosing. She stated after further  
consideration; the Town Council was not going to act on the request. She stated the owner of  
Prides Corner Nursery and Farm may make a donation in their name to a charitable  
organization that they so choose.  
Councilor Barnes thanked all the residents that have been coming to all the different  
meetings, to speak their mind. He stated although they may not always agree that he  
appreciated their participation in their local government.  
Councilor Ryan stated that he appreciated the Board of Education and their Staff for  
attending tonight’s Town Council meeting to have a conversation regarding their proposed  
Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget. He also noted that Saint Patrick's Day was Monday, March  
17, 2025 and he reminded everybody to be responsible over the weekend and the following  
week.  
Councilor Garcia-Irizarry thanked the Board of Education and Superintendent Hartling for  
attending tonight’s meeting and presenting their proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget;  
and for answering all their questions. She stated that it was helpful to review the whole  
budget presentation.  
VIII. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
MOTION to approve the following Town Council Minutes:  
·
·
Special Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2025  
Regular Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2025  
Moved by Councilor Barnes, seconded by Councilor Garcia-Irizarry  
VOTE: 8 - 0 Approved and so declared  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
William Barnes  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Carmen Garcia-Irizarry  
SECONDER:  
IX.  
X.  
COMMUNICATIONS  
Communications List - March 12, 2025  
Chairman Rodriguez stated a Communications List has been provided on the meeting portal  
for tonight’s meeting, and she noted referrals were listed.  
REFERALS  
XI.  
COUNCIL SUB COMMITTEE, LIAISON REPORTS  
Administration Committee  
1.  
Councilor Buhle stated the Administration Committee met earlier this evening and discussed  
the following: (1) Proposed Ethics Commission; (2) Proposed Ordinance regarding the  
flying of Third-Party Flags; (3) Moved forward a number of reappointments and new  
appointments; and (5) Began discussions to establish a Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee.  
.
RESULT:  
Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion  
2.  
Councilor Brunelle stated members of the Community Relations Committee for Diversity,  
Equity & Inclusion attended the following Black History Month Activities: (1) Poetry Slam  
that was held at Lucille's Restaurant in Ledyard Center; and (2) Black History Month  
Celebration and Concert that was held on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the New  
Life Christian Church, on Route 117. She noted that singer Lisa Claton performed and that  
both events were well attended.  
Councilor Brunelle went on to note that March was Women’s History Month and that the  
Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion was sponsoring a Linda  
Davis Woman of the Year Award. She announced that nominations were being accepted until  
March 31, 2025 and should be submitted to abru@ledyardct.org  
<mailto:abru@ledyardct.org>.  
Councilor Brunelle stated the Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity &  
Inclusion would be meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.  
.
RESULT:  
Finance Committee  
3.  
Councilor Saccone stated although the Finance Committee did not have any items on  
tonight’s agenda that the Committee has begun their work on the Fiscal Year 2025/2026  
Budget noting that Budget Work Sessions were held on Thursday, March 6, 2025; and  
Monday March 10, 2025. He stated the Committee would be holding their last Budget Work  
Session on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. He stated the Budget Work Sessions were open to the  
public and he encouraged residents to attend, noting that the Work Sessions would be held in  
a Hybrid format providing residents the option to attend in-person or remotely via Zoom. He  
noted that the Budget Work Sessions were a good opportunity for residents to meet the  
Town’s Department Heads and learn about the projected expenses for the coming year. He  
stated that difficult decisions were going to be made, noting that this was going to be a tough  
budget to prepare based on the projected decrease in revenues and increase in expense due to  
inflationary costs. He asked residents to attend their meetings, stating that these were their  
tax dollars.  
.
RESULT:  
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee  
4.  
Councilor St. Vil stated the LUPPW Committee met on March 3, 2025 and were continuing  
to work with the Historic District Commission to obtain a Historic Designation of the Spicer  
Homestead Ruins. He explained that there were a number of steps that the Historic District  
Commission needed to complete before the request would be coming before the Town  
Council.  
.
RESULT:  
Permanent Municipal Building Committee  
5.  
6.  
Councilor Brunelle stated the PMBC met on March 3, 2025 noting that she attended via  
Zoom. She stated the PMBC was continuing to address the following: (1) School Roof  
Replacement Projects; and (2) Juliet W. Long School Heating Ventilation and Air  
Conditioning Project (HVAC) - The PMBC was currently seeking new bids for the HVAC  
Project.  
Public Safety Report  
Councilor Saccone stated the Commission met on March 3, 2025 and discussed the  
following: (1) Juliet W. Long Fire Alram System; and (2) Statewide Radio System - Ledyard  
was waiting for the State to issue the town a channel before they could get on the Statewide  
800 Megahertz Radio System. Councilor Saccone stated once they receive their channel the  
town could move forward with using $208,000 grant they received two-years to upgrade  
their public safety radios.  
Ledyard Center Fire Department  
7.  
Councilor Saccone stated the Gales Fery Volunteer Fire Company would be electing new  
Officers at their meeting tomorrow night ( March 13, 2025).  
Councilor Saccone went on to note that unfortunately there was a garage fire in the Gales  
Ferry Village. He stated thankfully no one was hurt, but that the garage was destroyed. He  
thanked the Firefighters for a job well done, noting that they protected several houses in the  
area from any additional spread of the fire.  
Retirement Board  
8.  
Chairman Rodriguez stated the Retirement Board would be meeting on March 18, 2025 at  
10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.  
Ledyard Farmers’ Committee  
9.  
Chairman Rodriguez stated the Farmers Market Committee met on March 5, 2025 and  
reviewed contracts.  
Board of Education  
10.  
Councilor Garcia-Irizarry stated the Board of Education met on March 11, 2025 and  
discussed the following: (1) Juliet W. Long Solar Panel Installation work was supposed to  
begin yesterday (March 12, 2025); (2) Juliet W. Long Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning  
(HVAC) Project - The Permanent Municipal Building Committee has scheduled a special  
meeting to review Bids for the project. The PMBC was hoping to receive the required three  
bids this time; (3) Board of Education Vacancy - The Board of Education would be voting to  
fill the vacancy left by Ms. Hill; (4) Reviewed and resigned several Bylaws related to  
discrimination and harassment based on guidance from the Federal Government to comply  
with Title 9.  
Inland Wetland and Water Courses Commission  
11.  
12.  
Councilor St. Vil stated the IWWC met on March 4, 2025 and reviewed part of an  
Application that would result in a site walk at the former Sweet Hill Farm on March 29,  
2025; that would be followed by a Public Hearing on April 1, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the  
Ledyard Middle School.  
Economic Development Commission  
Councilor Buhle stated the EDC met on March 4, 2025 and discussed the following: (1)  
Route 12 Corridor Study - Councilor Buhle stated the EDC would be holding a Public  
Engagement Meeting in early April. The location and official date would be determined,  
however, they were considering the Ledyard Senior Center; (2) Southeastern Connecticut  
Enterprise Region (seCTer) - Councilor Buhle stated seCTer Executive Director Paul  
Whitescarver gave a presentation regarding how seCTer could help local business obtain  
Federal Grants from the Government Agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency  
(EPA) or the Department of Transportation, by submitting letters of support. She stated that  
Mr. Whitescarver also talked about how small business could obtain loans and grants in the  
amount of $10,000 to $25,000; (3) Potential Development - Councilor Buhle stated the EDC  
discussed water issues for potential upcoming Developments, with regard to which water  
utility would be able to service the new Developments (Ledyard Water Pollution Control  
Authority (WPCA) or Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority (SCWA)); (4) Business  
Directory - Councilor Buhle stated that EDC reviewed their Business Directory and Business  
Directional Signage.  
REPORT OF THE MAYOR:  
XIII  
Mayor Allyn, III, reported on the following: (1) Library Director - Mayor Allyn stated with  
the departure of Ms. Jennifer Smith to take a Library Director position in her hometown that  
they received a number of Applications to fill the position. He stated they had eleven  
candidates and interviewed three candidates. He noted the town hired Ms. Amber LaValley,  
who comes from Westerly, Rhode Island. He stated Ms. LaValley would be joining Ledyard  
on March 31, 2025; (2) Curbside Trash Collection - Mayor Allyn stated the Curbside Trash  
Collection Bid Opening was held on March 6, 2025, noting that he apologized that he had to  
leave the Budget Work Session early to attend the Bid Opening. He stated because only two  
bids were received that a Bid Waiver request would be included on the March 19, 2025  
Finance Committee Agenda. He stated that the town would have a new Trash Hauler starting  
on July 1, 2025, noting that this would involve a lot of logistics, because one Trash Hauler  
would be picking up the current trash containers and the new Trash Hauler would be  
distributing the new trash containers, which was about 12,000 containers; (3) New Police  
Officer - Mayor Allyn stated the Ledyard Police Department welcomed their newest Police  
Officer, Connor Gleason on March 6, 2025. He stated that Officer Gleason was retired from  
the US Army noting that he was a sharp young guy and the Department was looking forward  
to having him join their Police Force; (5) Read Across America - Mayor Allyn stated that he  
read to the classes at Juliet W. Long School and the Gales Ferry School on March 6, 2025,  
noting that March 6th was a busy day; (6) America 250 Committee - Mayor Allyn stated  
their America 250 Ad Hoc Committee met on March 11, 2025 and were developing plans for  
events and activities that would take place throughout 2026. He stated they were looking at  
doing a couple larger events, and then a number of smaller events scattered through the year.  
Therefore, he stated the America 250 Committee would be looking for more volunteers to  
assist with various groups on projects, as well as soliciting some donations and grant  
funding, to support some of the activities; (7) Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region  
(seCTer) - Mayor Allyn stated at seCTer’s Economic Development Meeting that Placer-AI  
gave a presentation regarding their company. He noted that Placer-AI had Agreements with  
about 25 million cell phone users throughout the country; which allowed them to track  
everything that the cell phone users does in terms of where they go, how long they spend  
there, whether it was at home, or at work, or at Dunkin Donuts, or Starbucks, or wherever.  
He stated Placer-AI gathered all that data in almost real time. He noted the data included all  
sorts of different overlays, such as traffic counts, etc. He stated the information they  
reviewed the day of their presentation was from March 8, 2025, noting that it was incredible.  
He stated that seCTer was considering getting Placer-AI, and if they do; it would be  
available to seCTer Members, noting that Ledyard’s Economic Development Commission  
could utilize the data collected by Placer-AI to attract potential businesses to move into town  
based on traffic patterns and number of people; (8) Police CALEA Accreditation - Mayor  
Allyn congratulated Police Chief John Rich and Captain Kenneth Creutz for the Ledyard Police  
Department passing the CALEA Accreditation with flying colors. He stated not only was  
Ledyard randomly chosen out of the entire State of Connecticut as the first town to undergo  
the CALEA Accreditation they were Awarded the Tier 2 and the Tier 3 Accreditation. He  
stated tomorrow they would be receiving those accolades, and he congratulated both  
gentlemen for a great job; especially for being the very first Police Department in the State  
out of the gate; and for doing a Blue Ribbon job.  
Councilor Garcia-Irizarry addressed the Curbside Trash Collection March 6, 2025 Bid  
Opening and she requested clarification regarding the number of bids the town received.  
Mayor Allyn stated the town received two bids, one from their current Curbside Trash  
Collection Contractor, and one from another Contractor. However, he noted that per  
Ordinance #200-001 “An Ordinance for Purchasing” they needed to receive three bids;  
therefore, a bid waiver would be required.  
Councilor Buhle noted that some residents had more than one trash container, therefore, she  
questioned how residents could obtain an additional trash container from the new hauler.  
Mayor Allyn explained that they met with low bidder, CWPM, today, noting that they  
discussed following items: residents requesting additional trash or recyclable containers; and  
residents were each allowed two bulky trash pick-ups a year. He stated that CWPM was  
currently providing services for Stonington, Bozrah, Franklin, and Groton.  
Chairman Rodriguez questioned whether CWPM was Casella. Mayor Allyn stated “No” and  
he reviewed the process to pick-up the current the trash containers and to distribute the new  
trash containers, noting that there were about 12,000 trash containers that had to be  
picked-up and 12,000 trash containers that had to be distributed. He explained that CWPM  
would notify each household that they would be providing services beginning on July 1st and  
that they would be delivering new trash and recycling containers; and that the current  
Contractor would also notify all households about the pick-up of their trash containers.  
Councilor Barnes stated residents had to pay a deposit to obtain a second trash or recycling  
container and he questioned how the deposits would be handled. Mayor Allyn stated the  
deposits that residents paid for a second trash or recycling container were being held by the  
town and not the trash contractor. He also stated that each trash container would have a serial  
number and would be scanned when delivered to each house, so that they would know where  
each trash or recycling container was located. He also noted the Curbside Trash Collection  
was a three-year contract; with three option years, noting that it could be a total of six-years.  
He stated because the process to change Contractors was still in the infancy, that they were  
still working out the details with regard to deposits for second trash or recycling containers,  
etc.  
Councilor Garcia-Irizarry questioned whether CWPM could put the Southeastern  
Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) sticker on the recycling  
containers so residents would know what they can and cannot put in the recycling container.  
She stated having the information accessible for residents would be helpful, noting that she  
sees all kinds of stuff sticking out of the containers that should not be in the recycling bins  
when she drives around town. Mayor Allyn stated that he would ask CWPM if they could put  
recycling stickers on the containers. He went on to state that bagging the recyclables before  
putting them in the container was a problem.  
Councilor Saccone questioned whether CWPM would provide smaller trash and recycling  
containers for elderly and disabled residents. Mayor Allyn stated that CWPM does have  
smaller carts that they could provide to some households.  
.
RESULT:  
XIII. OLD BUSINESS  
MOTION to approve a “Resolution to Call on the Connecticut State Legislature to Support  
1.  
Legislation Which Aims to Eliminate The Public Benefits Charges On Electric Bills for  
Connecticut Residents And to Fix Systemic Issues Which Enables Such Fees And Charges”.  
Councilor Ryan presented and read the following Resolution for discussion this evening:  
DRAFT: 3/11/2025  
003-2025/Mar_______  
A RESOLUTION  
TO CALL ON THE CONNECTICUT STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT  
LEGISLATION WHICH AIMS TO ELIMINATE THE PUBLIC BENEFITS CHARGES  
ON ELECTRIC BILLS FOR CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS AND TO FIX SYSTEMIC  
ISSUES WHICH ENABLES SUCH FEES AND CHARGES.  
WHEREAS: The Ledyard Town Council recognizes the significant financial burden that  
"public benefit" charges on electric bills place on the residents and businesses of our town;  
and  
WHEREAS: These charges, often included as line items on electric bills, are imposed on  
consumers without sufficient transparency or direct accountability, resulting in increased  
energy costs for households and businesses; and  
WHEREAS: These charges also circumvent the legislative process regarding decisions  
causing these fees, effectively allowing utilities to impose costs without direct legislative  
oversight; and  
WHEREAS: All public benefit-related initiatives should be proposed, debated, and  
approved through the legislature with proper votes on their funding via the state budget  
process, rather than being implemented by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority  
(PURA) board; and  
WHEREAS: The Ledyard Town Council is committed to advocating for measures that  
ensure affordability, fairness, and accountability in utility billing for our residents; and  
WHEREAS: The Ledyard Town Council supports legislative measures that align with our  
commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the well-being of our residents; and  
WHEREAS: The Ledyard Town Council supports the following proposed legislation that  
endeavor to protect the consumer and make electricity more affordable for Connecticut  
residents and businesses by recommending changes to the general statutes and augmenting  
the way fees are implemented and assessed:  
· S.B. 647 - An Act Concerning Protections for Consumer Access to Affordable  
Electricity  
· S.B. 598 - An Act Prohibiting Electric Distribution Companies from Collecting Fees  
other than Fees for the Purchase or Delivery of Electricity  
· H.B. 5923 - An act establishing a task force to study electric distribution company  
accountability and electric distribution competition and infrastructure  
· H.B. 5404 - An act concerning the composition and conduct of the public utilities  
regulatory authority (PURA)  
NOW, THEREFORE; BE IT RESOLVED; That the Ledyard Town Council hereby  
expresses its strong support for Connecticut Senate Bills #598 and #647, as well as  
Connecticut House Bills #5923 and #5404, all proposed during the 2025 session, and urges  
the Connecticut General Assembly to take swift and decisive action to pass this legislation  
during the current legislative session.  
That the Town Council calls upon Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department  
of Energy and Environmental Protection to support the aforementioned legislation and work  
collaboratively with the legislature to implement policies that promote transparency and  
affordability in utility billing.  
That the Town Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to Senator Catherine  
Osten, Representative Greg Howard, Representative Brian Lanoue, Representative Kevin  
Ryan, Governor Ned Lamont, the Connecticut General Assembly Committee on Energy and  
Technology, the Connecticut General Assembly leadership and the Connecticut Department  
of Energy and Environmental Protection to convey the Town Council's position on this  
matter.  
That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.  
Adopted by the Ledyard Town Council on: ______________  
S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman  
Councilor Ryan noted in reviewing the Town of Southington’s Resolution, which he used as  
an example, that it included a number of statements that made sense to include in Ledyard’s  
Resolution. However, he stated that there were statements that he did not think conveyed  
Ledyard’s goal which was to address the process that allowed the Public Benefit Charge to  
be implemented without action by the State Legislature. He stated that this was the first draft  
and that they could discuss other statements or Bills that the Town Council would like to  
include.  
Councilor Ryan went on to note that Southington limited their endorsement to only one Bill.  
However, he stated because there were a number of Bills that had common goals and were  
currently circulating in the State Legislature that he included several Bills in the draft  
Resolution, explaining that he wanted the document to come across to not only help to fix  
the current Public Benefits Charge, which would sunset in April anyway, but more  
importantly, to start to address the root cause that allowed the Public Utilities Regulatory  
Authority (PURA) to implement the Fee in the first place.  
Chairman Rodriguez stated that she read the draft “Resolution to Call on the Connecticut  
State Legislature to Support Legislation Which Aims to Eliminate The Public Benefits  
Charges On Electric Bills for Connecticut Residents And to Fix Systemic Issues Which  
Enables Such Fees And Charges” when it came in this morning. She noted in looking up the  
Bills listed in the proposed Resolution that they directed her to other similar Bills. Therefore,  
she stated that she would need more time to review the proposal. She thanked Councilor  
Ryan for his work in drafting the proposed Resolution, noting that it was well done.  
Councilor Buhle stated the proposed Resolution was well written and that she was happy to  
discuss any Bills that the Town Council would like to call out in the proposed Resolution.  
Councilor Ryan stated that he wanted to be clear that the proposed Resolution was not  
intended to be exclusive to only the Bills he listed. Councilor Buhle stated that she  
understood, and that she wanted to clarify a comment that she made at the Town Council’s  
February 26, 2025 meeting regarding the Public Benefit Charge sunsetting in April, 2025  
because she did not want the public to think that because the Town Council signed a  
Resolution that the Public Benefit Charge they were seeing on the electric bills was  
discontinued, when it was already going to sunset as it was scheduled to do. She stated that it  
was her personal opinion that Eversource was capitalist when they were making a profit and  
it benefited them, and Socialist when they take a loss that benefits them.  
Councilor Buhle went on to state that she understood that the goal of the proposed  
Resolution was to prevent the implementation of these types of Fees in the future; without  
due process. Therefore, she stated that she supported the proposed Resolution; however, she  
stated that she also needed time to read through the Bills that were listed in the draft  
Resolution noting that they needed to address the underlying systemic problem. She went on  
to state that if they read all of the Bills that some of them are targeted toward charges that  
exist today; noting House Bill #54 as an example.  
Councilor Ryan stated that he agreed with Councilor Buhle’s comments, however, he stated  
the objective was to address the root cause. He stated as they all know the Public Benefits  
Charge on their electric bills would be ending in April, 2025. Therefore, he stated the most  
important thing to do in the State Legislature was to get them to address the root cause; and  
as the Town’s Legislative Body the Town Council should do whatever they could to get this  
message to the State Legislature.  
Councilor Barnes stated that the draft Resolution was well written, noting that he read  
through the titles of the Bills listed in document, and stated that he thought he would support  
most of them. He noted Councilor Buhle’s point about the timing of the Resolution relative  
to the Public Benefit Charge on their electric bills sunsetting in April, 2025. Therefore, he  
suggested that the Town Council move quickly in approving the proposed “Resolution to  
Call on the Connecticut State Legislature to Support Legislation Which Aims to Eliminate  
The Public Benefits Charges On Electric Bills for Connecticut Residents And to Fix Systemic  
Issues Which Enables Such Fees And Charges” because if they send it to the State after the  
Public Benefit Charges has sunset that their action may be less impactful. He went on to note  
the importance to submit the Resolution to the State Legislature to try to prevent other Fees  
from being implemented the same way the Public Benefits Charge was.  
Councilor Ryan stated that Councilor Buhle and Councilor Barnes made an excellent point,  
noting that there was a lot of momentum at the State level and a lot of public interest  
regarding these initiatives that they should capitalize on, if the majority of the Town Council  
was comfortable supporting the proposed Resolution.  
Chairman Rodriguez stated the proposed “Resolution to Call on the Connecticut State  
Legislature to Support Legislation Which Aims to Eliminate the Public Benefits Charges on  
Electric Bills for Connecticut Residents And to Fix Systemic Issues Which Enables Such Fees  
And Charges” would remain on the Agenda for action at their March 26, 2025 meeting.  
Councilor Ryan asked Town Councilors to email or call him if they had any questions or  
suggested changes to the draft Resolutions, noting that he would incorporate them for  
discussion at the Town Council’s March 26, 2025 meeting.  
Councilor Barnes addressed the State’s new formula to calculate personal property tax for  
motor vehicles to commence with the October 2024 Grand List; and he questioned the  
process for the Town Council to address that. Chairman Rodriguez stated that a proposed  
Resolution to adopt a Modified Formula would be included on the Finance Committee’s  
March 19, 2025 Agenda. She stated once the Finance Committee reviewed the proposal they  
would forward to the Town Council for action.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
XIV. NEW BUSINESS  
General Business  
MOTION to approve a proposed “Resolution Authorizing A Lease Agreement Between the  
Town of Ledyard And Lease Servicing Center for a Pelican Three Wheel Mechanical Sweeper”  
as presented in the draft dated March 9, 2025.  
1.  
DRAFT 3/11/2025  
Res. 003-2025/Mar 12  
RESOLUTION  
AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN  
THE TOWN OF LEDYARD AND  
LEASE SERVICING CENTER; INC FOR A  
PELICAN THREE WHEEL MECHANICAL SWEEPER  
Master Lease Purchase Agreement dated as of 3/3/2025; between Lease Servicing Center, Inc.  
dba NCL Government Capital (Lessor) and Town of Ledyard (Lessee) and Schedule No. 001  
thereto dated as of March 3, 2025.  
BE IT RESOLVED by the Ledyard Town Council of Lessee as follows:  
1. Determination of Need: The Ledyard Town Council, the governing body of Lessee (Town of  
Ledyard), has determined that a true and very real need exists for the acquisition of the Equipment  
described on Exhibit A of Schedule No. 001 to the Master Lease Purchase Agreement dated as of  
3/3/2025; between Town of Ledyard (Lessee) and Lease Servicing Center, Inc. dba NCL  
Government Capital (Lessor).  
2. Approval and Authorization: The Ledyard Town Council, the governing body of Lessee (Town of  
Ledyard), has determined that the Agreement and Schedule, substantially in the form presented to  
this meeting, are in the best interests of the Lessee for the acquisition of such Equipment, and the  
Ledyard Town Council hereby approves the entering into of the Agreement and Schedule by the  
Lessee and hereby designates and authorizes the following person(s) to execute and deliver the  
Agreement and Schedule on Lessee’s behalf with such changes thereto as such person(s) deem(s)  
appropriate, and any related documents, including any Escrow Agreement, necessary to the  
consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Agreement and Schedule.  
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVD: that the Ledyard Town Council, the governing body of the Town of  
Ledyard, authorizes the Mayor, Fred B. Allyn III, to enter into the Lease/Purchase Financing with  
Lease Servicing Center, Inc. dba NCL Government Capital to finance their one (1) Pelican  
Three-Wheel Mechanical Sweeper from C.N. Wood Enviro LLC in the amount of $289,990.00 with  
five (5) annual payments of $66,414.63.  
·
·
The Town of Ledyard has entered into a five-year Lease/Purchase Agreement with Lease Servicing  
Center, Inc. dba NCL Government Capital to purchase a Pelican Three-Wheel Mechanical  
Sweeper (“Lease”).  
On January 24, 2025, the Town of Ledyard and the Town of Preston entered into a Memorandum  
of Agreement (“MOA”) that outlines the responsibilities for both towns to share the use, expenses  
and storage of the sweeper.  
·
The Town of Ledyard hereby acknowledges and agrees to the full financial responsibility for all  
Payments due under the Lease regardless if the Town of Preston makes their portion of payments to  
the Town of Ledyard per the MOA.  
_____________________________  
Fred B. Allyn, III, Mayor  
Town of Ledyard  
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION: The signature below from the designated individual from the  
Ledyard Town Council, the governing body of the Lessee is evidence the adoption of this Resolution.  
Adopted by the Ledyard Town Council on: _________________  
S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman  
Ledyard Town Council  
*************************************************************************************************************  
I CERTIFY that the above resolution has in no way been altered, amended or revoked, and is in full force  
and effect.  
AND I DO FURTHER CERTIFY that Mayor Fred B. Allyn, III is the Mayor of the Town of Ledyard, and  
has been since May 1, 2017.  
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Town of Ledyard this  
______ day of ____________________, 2025.  
______________________________  
Patricia A. Riley, Town Clerk  
Town of Ledyard  
(Seal)  
Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Ryan  
Discussion: Mayor Allyn, III, stated at their August 14, 2024 meeting the Town Council approved to  
purchase a new Elgin Pelican Sweeper through the Sourcewell Lease/Purchase provider over a  
term of five (5) years at $66,467.49 per year. He noted that during that meeting Public Works  
Director/Town Engineer Steve Masalin explained that this would be a shared Agreement with  
the Town of Preston, noting that Preston First Selectwoman Sandra Allen-Gothier had confirmed  
that Preston was on-board with the shared arrangement.  
Mayor Allyn went on to note that Mr. Masalin explained that the Five-Year Lease/Purchase  
Annual Payment would be $66,000 a year, which included about a 4.7% annual interest rate. He  
stated the Town of Preston would pay approximately $22,000 toward the annual lease payment;  
and Ledyard would pay about $44,000. He stated that Mr. Masalin planned to use the Beverage  
(“Nip”) Container Surcharge Account for this Lease/Purchase. He stated at the time the Street  
Sweeper was being delivered later this month (March, 2025) that the Beverage (“Nip”)  
Container Surcharges Account would have an approximate balance of $75,000; which would  
most likely cover their payment for the first two years.  
Mayor Allyn continued by stating in parallel with the Lease/Purchase of the Street Sweeper that  
Mr. Masalin secured a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Town of Preston that  
outlined the details of the shared arrangement and was available on the meeting portal with  
tonight’s Agenda packet. He stated the manufacturer stated that the Street Sweeper would last  
about 10-years; however, he stated the town kept the last Street Sweeper in-service for 22-years.  
Therefore, he stated that Ledyard would then have about ten years during which time the town  
could accumulate funding from the Beverage (“Nip”) Container Surcharge Revenues in  
anticipation of having to replace the piece of equipment, noting that they received the Nip Bottle  
Revenue disbursements from the State twice a year. He explained when the Street Sweeper was  
disposed of that the proceeds would be shared based on each town’s purchasing contribution. He  
noted as an example if they sell the Street Sweeper for $10,000 that 33% of that would go back  
to Preston and the other 67% would come back to Ledyard.  
Councilor Ryan questioned how the maintenance and repairs on the Street Sweeper would be  
handled in the Shared Agreement. Mayor Allyn stated that Ledyard would garage the Street  
Sweeper and handle the maintenance and repairs, noting that Preston would reimburse Ledyard  
for time, material, and preventative maintenance on a pro-rated basis.  
Councilor Saccone stated that during the five-year lease that Ledyard would be paying about  
$44,000 a year and Preston would be paying about $22,000 a year to purchase the Street  
Sweeper. Mayor Allyn stated Councilor Saccone was correct, and he noted as he previously  
explained that Ledyard would be using their Nip Bottle Revenue to pay their share of the cost for  
the Street Sweeper.  
Councilor Buhle stated that initially she did not want to use the Nip Bottle Revenue for the  
Street Sweeper. However, she stated that she has learned that to maintain its MS4 (Municipal  
Separate Storm Sewer System) Permit Certifications, that the town had to sweep the streets, even  
if they did not own a Street Sweeper. Therefore, she stated because it was not optional that she  
now agreed that purchasing the Street Sweeper was a responsible and good use of the Nip Bottle  
Revenue funds.  
VOTE:  
8 - 0 Approved and so declared  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Jessica Buhle  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Tim Ryan  
SECONDER:  
8
Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan, Saccone, and  
AYE:  
St. Vil  
1
Dombrowski  
EXCUSED:  
XV. ADJOURNMENT  
Councilor Buhle moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Garcia-Irizarry.  
VOTE:  
8 - 0 Approved and so declared. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.  
_____________________________________  
Transcribed by Roxanne M. Maher  
Administrative Assistant to the Town Council  
I, S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman of the Ledyard Town Council,  
hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and  
correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Town Council  
Meeting held on March 12, 2025.  
____________________________________  
S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman  
DISCLAIMER:  
Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the Town.  
The Town Council's Official Agenda and final Minutes will be on file in the Town Clerk's  
Office.