Minutes - Community Relations Committee For Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Community Relations Committee For

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Gary St. Vil

Special Meeting

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

6:15 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

WORKING DRAFT

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Participation: Information Noted Below:

Join Zoom Meeting from your Computer, Smart Phone or Tablet:

https://ledyardct.zoom.us/j/85375536919?pwd=Aelj8amHbatssKEy5vil1mg1cU6kEP.1

Or by Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; +Meeting ID: 853 7553 6919; Passcode:

768284

CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Brunelle at 6:15 p.m. at the Council

Chambers, - Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Brunelle welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. She stated for the Town

Council Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and

members of 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-Insite Meeting Portal.

II.

ROLL CALL

April Brunelle

Ty Lamb

Present:

Adrienne Parad

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee for DEI Regular Meeting

Minutes of March 18, 2026

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Primary Care for All Americans- Framework:

Help volunteers working on the Primary Care for All Americans Initiative to conduct

needed Surveys.

Councilor Parad presented three examples of Resolutions for the Town to support universal

healhcare.

The Committee agreed to review the proposed Resolutions for discussion and possible action

at their June 17, 2026 meeting.

Recognition of Colonel William Ledyard and Commemorate the Battle of Groton Heights.

Discussion and possible action regarding Woman’s History Month (March)

Linda C. Davis Woman of the Year Award

Jewish Americans/Asian Americans (May)

Discuss the Foster Care Community.

Discussion and possible action to identify various town venues to host “Informal

Conversations in the Park” to engage residents in discussions regarding their concerns and

their ideas for potential solutions.

Discussion regarding the Pride Pizza in the Park (June)

Councilor Brunelle announced the Pride Pizza in the Park Event would be held on Saturday,

June 20, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. She noted that she has the following vendors lined

up for the event:

Chet’s Italian Ice,

Face painter

Councilor Brunelle noted that last year they purchased the pizzas from Frieside and that the

Congregational Churched helped with paying for the pizzas.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Native America History Month (October)

Farmers Market Booths to highlight town services.

Councilor Brunelle stated that she would be contacting Farmers Market Committee

Chairman Pam Ball to reserve the dates for t Booths at the Farmers Market this summer.

Councilor Parad stated as the President of Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation

(LEAF) that she had to reserve their Booth several months ago, noting that the Market would

be starting next week, June 3, 2026.

CONTINUE

Coordinate and Support Town Organizations such as:

RESULT:

10.

Linda C. Davis Food Pantry

Citizens Helping Animals in Need (CHAIN)

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Crossover with Board of Education

Organizations for those with Disabilities - Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Month

National Immigrant Community (National Immigrant Heritage Month - June)

Homeless Hospitality Center in New London

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Any Old Business proper to come before the Committee.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Discussion and possible action regarding the Sustainable CT AD Hoc Committee’s request

as transmitted in their May 12, 2026 letter regarding the following:

Host an Equity Training

Develop and Adopt a Statement on Equity.

Councilor Brunelle noted the Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee's letter May 12, 2026 letter

requesting that the Town Council host equity training for municipal staff and elected

officials to help the town achieve a Bonze Certification. She noted in response to Chairman

St. Vil's request that Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Nate Woody would be

attending the Town Council Meeting later this evening to provide more information

regarding the equity training and the process.

The Committee also noted to help the Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee achieve a Bonze

Certification the Town Council would also need to develop and adopt a Statement on Equity.

The Committee agreed to draft a Statement for consideration at thier June 17, 2026 meeting.

It was noted that although the Town did a number of these things when they started the

Sustainable CT process in 2019, that due to Covid 19 Pandemic that thee town's efforts were

halted. Therefore, they would have to repeat some things because per the Sustainable CT

Guidelines they needed to be completed within the last three (3) years. In addition, the

requested actions need to be completed by early August, 2026 to help the Sustainable CT Ad

Hoc Committee meet the August 18, 2026 deadline.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discuss options to improve communications with residents.

Any New Business proper to come before the Committee