741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Karen

Parkinson

Regular Meeting

Monday, May 18, 2026

7:00 PM

Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Parkinson at 7:05 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Douglas Kelley

Commissioner Kelly Lamb

Present

Commissioner Ammie Chittim

Chairman Karen Parkinson

Commissioner Rebecca Watford

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Alternate Member Vincent Godino

Alternate Member Anne Roberts-Pierson

Alternate

Ty Lamb, Town Council was present at 6:25 p.m. to serve as the Commission's Liaison.

Also in attendance was Cory Watford.

III.

IV.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

Resident Dave Schroeder. Chairperson Parkinson said Mr. Schroeder will speak later in the

meeting during Old Business.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from April 20, 2026, as written.

Motion to approve as amended to fix typo in Call to Order, change "8:00" to "7:00".

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Karen Parkinson

RESULT:

MOVER:

Douglas Kelley

SECONDER:

VI.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT

Town Council Liaison - Councilor Ty Lamb.

Councilor Ty Lamb gave his report at the end of the meeting (8:26 p.m.). Councilor Lamb said

that during a recent Town Council meeting it was mentioned that there are not enough people on

the Town Boards and Commissions, he said that is not the case for the Historic Commission.

Councilor Lamb said he had an old action item to combine four subcommittees (Farmers Market

Commission, Conservation Commission, Historic Commission and the Agricultural

Commission) with the schools. Councilor Lamb recently had a meeting with the School

Superintendent in which they discussed having a relationship to present opportunities for

students. One possibility discussed was to create a calendar of opportunities for student

participation. Councilor Lamb asked the Commission to brainstorm ideas to add to the calendar.

Councilor Lamb asked the Commission to think about the Commission's long-term vision.

Councilor Lamb asked the Commission to reconsider putting old action items such as ordinances

for linking all the old Town Villages, a pollinator garden on the GOSHA land and Lambtown

District Park back on the agenda.

DISCUSSED

VII. CHAIRPERSON REPORT

RESULT:

General Report.

Chairperson Parkinson reported that the month was full of meetings such as Gales Ferry Design

District, Conservation Commission, EDC and Planning and Zoning.

A computer has been donated from Captain Computer as well as an offer for technical

assistance. Chairperson Parkinson said a thank you letter should be sent.

Sawmill - Chairperson Parkinson met with Mr. Kelly, Mr. Godino and Sawmill volunteer Alan

Gonang. They performed some online research. A student is looking to do their honors thesis on

dams and preservation of reservoirs. The student will be invited to attend a Commission

meeting.

America 250 - Chairperson Parkinson has been doing price comparison for bunting and found

some for approximately $3.00 per bunting, she will search a bit more.

Memorial Day Parade - Chairperson Parkinson said the Commission needs to be seen and heard

more and what better way than to participate in the parade! Chairperson Parkinson found

someone who does professional reenactments who will walk in the parade with his horse

(Huckleberry). Chairperson Parkinson and 3-4 others from the Commission will walk behind

Huckleberry and hand out flyers about the Commission.

Spicer Exploration - Chairperson Parkinson has been at the ruins for three different weekends.

Ms. Chittim visited it one of the weekends. It was determined that the home was large enough to

be considered a mansion. The foundation for the barn was located. Mr. Kelley said there is a

curved wall leading to the house with three separate piles of rocks in alignment ranging in size

of 5' to 9' diameter. There was also a fourth pile separate from the three in alignment. Ms.

Chittim said a survey should be conducted.

Chairperson Parkinson wants the Historic Homes in Town to look festive during the month of

July for America 250.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Financial Report.

Mr. Godino said he received a report from Christina Hostetler, Town Hall Assistant with all of

the open purchase orders.

Mr. Godino reported that $2,500 of the Capital account will be used for GZA Geoenvironmental

to develop design costs for option 1 and 2 for the Sawmill dam. He was happy to report that they

brought the cost down from the original estimate.

Some funds will be spent on the Schoolhouse and Preservation before the end of the fiscal year.

Ms. Watford said the Schoolhouse door needs to be rebuilt.

DISCUSSED

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE

RESULT:

Correspondence.

None.

IX.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sawmill Committee.

Mr. Godino read portions of Mr. Ganong's report.

- The Sawmill is operating on Saturdays 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

- The pond has plenty of water.

- There have been visitors from Vermont and New Jersey, which is nice to see.

- Mr. Geer delivered logs from Mr. Godino's property.

- Supplies were purchased from McMaster Carr and Holdridge.

- The Holdridge purchase order should remain open since there is still money to be spent.

Chairperson Parkinson reiterated that visitor logs should be used.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.

Mr. Kelley read his report for the Nathan Lester House:

"With open season approaching, our focus this past month has been in making ready for summer

events and in supporting our Historical Society and Garden Club partners, as well as the

Commission at large.

We have met with Tricia Marcek as she continues to work on her Prehistoric Garden in the

Northeast corner of the Great Lawn. Tricia has engaged many local volunteers as well as Public

Works to bring her Master Gardener project further along in this phase.

Review of both the Great Oak Garden and general grounds with Roberta Levandowski has

helped understanding of current and future needs. We have added a white dogwood in the

Northeast corner of the garden which had losses from a fallen tree. The Garden Club also planted

a redbud outside the Garden, behind the ell as a memorial, together with the CT Horticultural

Society.

A meeting with members of the Hope Garden unit of the Garden Club was held May 2 to review

the Garden Shed project.

A donation of a computer from Captain Computer has been received and installed in the office.

The Historical Society and other partners will be able to use this office and equipment -

especially as they continue their inventory of the house and barns. Coordination of WiFi service

continues with Town MIS.

The house and barns will open this coming weekend for the Memorial Day holiday."

Mr. Kelley reported that an archeologist from Mohegan Sun paid a return visit.

Mr. Kelley reported that he is still working on getting Wifi for the NLH.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Research/Preservation - Ms. Chittim.

Ms. Chititm reported that there were drones on the Tri-Town trail and she was able to get

measurements of the foundation of the Spicer ruins. She is still working on the final

measurements. It is possible that the house started as much smaller and was extended. Ms.

Chittim will make comparisons of similar period mansions. Ms. Chittim explained that

comparisons help build the case for local, State and Federal registers which is the goal for

protection to receive grants.

Ms. Chittim has submitted equipment requests.

Ms. Chittim is working on the storyboard to create the digital app.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Center School - Mr. Geer.

The Geer School House will be open on Memorial Day for tours. Mr. Geer will get Ms. Watford

a key. Ms. Watford will clean the floors. Ms. Watford added that she will develop a flow within

the Schoolhouse to make it easier when giving tours to a group of people.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Social Media - Ms. Lamb.

Ms. Lamb said this was her last meeting and added that the Commission will need someone to

take over the social media portion as well as secretary duties. Ms. Chittim said she will assist

with social media over the summer. Mr. Kelley emphasized that it is important that the

Commission has control of social media.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

OLD BUSINESS

Discussion in response to Dave Schroeder's request for HDC assistance with Gales Ferry

Historic District having local zoning recognition, continued.

Mr. Schroeder said that on May 14, 2026, he went before the Planning and Zoning Commission

and gave a presentation. Although it was well received only 3 of the 7 Commissioners were

present. In July there will be a Public Workshop on Village Districts. Houses from 1950s are

now eligible for Historic Registry.

Ms. Chittim said that in order for homes to be on the National Registry they must be at least 50

years old and need to have one of these four qualities:

1. Atmospheric qualities, meaning they retain a historic feel.

2. Association with a famous person, such as Washington.

3. Historically unique architecture.

4. Data association.

In addition, the house needs to be significant to the Town's development with links to history.

The owner (not someone on their behalf) needs to build an argument as to why it should be

placed on the registry. Homes may make the Town or State Registry but not the National

registry.

Mr. Schroeder said the area is divided into two sections; the area immediately surrounding the

two Historic Districts on Hurlbutt Road and the commercial areas between Military Highway

and Route 12 including Job Lot, Mc Donalds, Cartway and Dollar General areas. The historic

homes along the river are being looked at too.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee Discussion: Action Item 5.5. continued.

Chairperson Robinson said this agenda item will be moved to the June meeting. A representative

from the Ad Hoc Committee ?? what is his name?? requested additional Ledyard places that

deserve to be mentioned on the tourism list (created by the State). Additionally, a list of events

for the Nathan Lester House and America 250 events was requested.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other Old Business to Come Before the Commission.

None.

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

Any Other New Business to Come Before the Commission.

Chairperson Parkinson wished Ms. Kelley the best of luck.

Chairperson Parkinson explained that Ms. Chittim will move from Alternate to Regular Member

in Ms. Kelley's absence. Kim Millar will move into Ms. Roberts-Pierson alternate position. Ms.

Roberts-Pierson will become a Regular Member.

Chairperson Parkinson reiterated that she wants volunteer hours recorded.

Chairperson Parkinson wanted a contact email for the Commission to put on brochures. Mr.

Kelley suggested asking the Mayor's Office.

Chairperson Parkinson would like to have updated brochures made for the parade and other

events to get information put out about the Commission. Ms. Chittim commented that it would

be good to modernize the brochure by adding a QR code on the back.

Chairperson Parkinson ended the meeting by thanking the Commissioners and stating that the

Memorial Day Parade is on May 24, 2026, at 1:00. Chairperson Parkinson will be at the Town

Green at 12:30 p.m. The Commission will either be at the front or at the very end of the parade.

Chairperson Parkinson asked for volunteers to walk in the parade.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The Regular Meeting was ADJOURNED at 8:34 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Ammie Chittim

RESULT:

MOVER:

Karen Parkinson

SECONDER:

Kelley Lamb Chittim Parkinson Watford Geer

AYE

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

Town.