741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Ty Lamb

Regular Meeting

Monday, February 26, 2024

7:00 PM

Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Lamb called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner William Barnes

Commissioner Douglas Kelley

Alternate Member Vincent Godino

Chairman Ty Lamb

Present

Alternate Member Kelly Lamb

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Excused

Mr. Barnes attended via Zoom.

Also in attendance:

Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council

Dr. Ammie M. Chittim

Karen Parkinson

*Due to Technical issues the meeting was not recorded.

III.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Kelly Lamb was appointed as a voting member.

IV.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from January 23, 2024, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Douglas Kelley

RESULT:

MOVER:

Kelly Lamb

SECONDER:

Barnes Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb

Geer

AYE

EXCUSED

FISCAL REPORTS

Financial Reports.

Chairman Lamb discussed the current balances of the following accounts:

Sawmill Donation account

ARPA account

Capital account

General Fund

NLH Donation account

A bid waiver request for the NLH east side siding project and the request to transfer ARPA

amounts from the Sawmill to Nathan Lester House account was approved by the Finance

Committee. The bid waiver and the transfer request will be on the Town Council's agenda on

February 28, 2024.

Also before the Town Council is the review and approval of potential new members, Dr. Ammie

M. Chittim, Mrs. Karen Parkinson and Mrs. Kelly Lamb.

Chairman Lamb has requested that the Town Finance Committee considers additional AARPA

projects.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

VI.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sawmill Committee - Mr. Barnes.

Lack of response to correspondence from the State regarding pre-application to line the head

gate of the Sawmill. The application was sent a couple weeks ago. A reminder was sent today,

no response yet.

Chairman Lamb will follow up with Mr. Geer on starting the Sawmill project at the end of

March/April. This starting time frame would be on schedule for completion before the opening

of the Sawmill season.

The structural assessment update from Beth Ackley should be ready soon. Priority State approval

of the lining work. Permit needed, need to find out requirement.

If the siding of the Sawmill project is approved, Chairman Lamb and Commissioner William

Barnes will formulate a detailed plan. The RFP should be straight forward.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.

Covid has unfortunately forced a delay in some of the in-person actions planned for the Nathan

Lester House. Further work and review have been handled regarding the bid for work on the East

side of the house with Mr. Godino and Chairman Lamb.

The Committee's “Lessons Learned” meeting to review successes and areas of improvement

during filming of both movies at the NLH will be rescheduled for within the next week. Also, on

the docket are:

Plans to revive the Lester House Committee, which went on hiatus at the pandemic, and

recruiting new members, along with permanent partners - the Ledyard Historic Society and the

Ledyard Garden Club.

Weather events in the last month have not been a problem, however the caretakers had to add

storm preparation and post-storm assessment to their duties.

Chairman Lamb will meet with the caretakers to discuss opportunities and events for the new

season.

A field trip is planned to visit the History and Education complex, which is a 40-acre site in

Weston, Massachusetts. The visit will be helpful in considering what the Committee may or may

not do for the Town’s Historic sites.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Research/Preservation.

The Lambtown road pollinator garden is in the planning process.

State historic district including Eddie Lamb’s property.

Spicer Site - working on the roadmap project and acquiring the Town Council's approval.

Ideas on approaching Tribal nation, will need to reach out to them.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Center School - Mr. Geer.

Windows Phase I is completed. Mr. Geer reported that the work was well done. Chairman Lamb

was impressed with Mr. Kelley's work.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Social Media.

Chairman Lamb asked Commissioners start thinking of possible photo opportunities.

Mr. Kelley said that he has pictures of historic events and happenings. Also, a series of books for

reference for highlights of properties.

There are several Historic opportunities in the Town's history this year.

The Towns' 200th birthday in the not-so-distant future. There are many historical

commemorations coming up.

Mr. Kelley and Sharon Finlayson, Nathan Lester House Caretaker would like to document how

the NLH has been part of two movies. This would be a great opportunity for the visitors to see

what the NLH/site has been used for. This same idea would be nice for the Sawmill and/or other

Historic sites. Perhaps the Mayor could use the video for future interests.

There are opportunities to advertise in the Town's Ledyard Events Quarterly magazine. Kristen

Chapman, Mayoral Assistant is the point of contact.

DISCUSSED

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

RESULT:

Bid opening for 23110 RFP / Nathan Lester House Exterior Rehabilitation and ARPA fund

discussion.

No comments.

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Review the Ledyard Historic District Commission Rules of Procedure.

No comments.

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

Strategic plans and growth for the Ledyard Historic District Commission.

Mr. Barnes discussed a strategic plan on how to grow the Sawmill volunteer base. As of now

there are 4-5 volunteers, an informal Committee.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 8:00 pm.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Douglas Kelley

RESULT:

MOVER:

Vincent Godino

SECONDER:

Barnes Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb

Geer

AYE

EXCUSED

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

Town.