741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Vincent Godino

Regular Meeting

Monday, December 18, 2023

7:00 PM

Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Godino.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner William Barnes

Chairman Vincent Godino

Present

Commissioner Earl Lamb

Alternate Member Kelly Lamb

Commissioner Douglas Kelley

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Excused

Also in attendance was Tim Ryan, Town Council Liaison.

III.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Kelly Lamb was appointed as a voting member.

IV.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 20, 2023, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

William Barnes

RESULT:

MOVER:

Earl Lamb

SECONDER:

Barnes Godino Lamb Lamb

Kelley Geer

AYE

EXCUSED

FISCAL REPORTS

Financial Reports.

Sawmill: $1,180 spent, $447 remaining.

Nathan Lester House: $2,740 spent, $6960 remaining.

Capital Account: $36,036.

ARPA Funds: $125,800 includes recent contract/cut PO.

Donations:

Sawmill: $7,424.

Nathan Lester House: $11,337.

Misc Center School/Preservation & Research: $1,500.

There are time limits on ARPA funds. The funds must be contracted by the end of 2024 and

spent by the end of 2026.

Chairman Godino sent out a Status of Historic ARPA funds estimates to Matt Bonin, Finance

Director on December 18, 2023.

Sawmill projects-

Mr. Barnes and Chairman Godino: Lining the Penstock is a priority, looking for 3-5 qualified

quotes. There is a need for expert advisors to help write and evaluate the bids. There is a

possibility of a company (Stantec) who has written similar RFP’s. Mr. Barnes referred to the

Town’s ordinance purchasing guidelines.

Tim Ryan, Town Council suggested reaching out to Matt Bonin, Finance manager or Steve

Masalin, Public Works Director.

Continuing to discuss the projects for the Sawmill that are difficult to quote out: The concrete

box conduit and the round steel pipe may need two approaches to repair. Estimate of 40-50K.

The Sawmill is basically three parts for repair work: Mechanical, Water Flow and Intake pipes.

The structure of the material needs to be watertight and last. Pipes go from Concrete to Steel.

There is leakage at the connections between the two. They do not want to dig up the concrete. In

addition, there is a need to be mindful of continuing to be Historically accurate.

Old Sturbridge Village has a similar mill and a member from the Village visits on occasion to

discuss the mills.

Discussion to send the ARPA estimates to Mr. Bonin tomorrow.

DISCUSSED

CORRESPONDENCE

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

RESULT:

VI.

Sawmill Committee - Mr. Barnes.

Supplemental Assessments being done. Utilizing the CT website of Vendors.

Mr. Gonang was watching the water levels with all the recent heavy rain; he was happy to report

that water levels did not affect the Sawmill.

The Sawmill has shut down for the season.

There was a brief discussion on the Black Smith house and Chris Cobb, who is a volunteer.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.

Chairman Godino presented tonight as Mr. Kelley was absent and Ms. Dyson’s position has

expired.

Renovation on the East Side’s RFP will be ready for submission in January. Trying to find a

contractor who is knowledgeable and dependable. The scope of this renovation is siding and trim

replacement due to rot. The windows also need attention. All repairs are mindful of being

historically accurate.

There was a brief discussion of the movie release. As of now there is no update.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Research/Preservation - Mr. Lamb.

Mr. Lamb presented a need to vote on the authorization of the Research and Preservation Group

to pursue the development of a roadmap in conjunction with Land Use to establish the Spicer

Sites as Historic sites and gain administrative control of this new site. This will be discussed

under Any Other New Business.

Land use: Mr. Lamb has been working with Tri-Town and Land Use on site walks and goals on

mapping out areas to be included with the Spicer location.

Signs: Working on three more signs presently- Latham House, 9-mile Spicer, and Watson

House.

Park & Pollination Garden: Due to illness the meeting with GOSHA to get authorization was

missed. Continued work is being done with the help of Ms. Ericson (walk through, developing a

mapping of the area and sign).

Donation Account specific to Preservation & Research: This was brought up by people

interested in donating. Chairman Godino will talk to Mr. Bonin about opening a separate

account.

Gales Ferry Sign: Chairman Godino reported that completion of the replacement will be

approximately $750.

DISCUSSED

Center School - Mr. Geer.

RESULT:

Mr. Geer was absent, no report.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Social Media.

Ms. Lamb has taken over the Social Media Committee. Ms. Dyson is working with Ms. Lamb on

the Facebook and Instagram pages.

DISCUSSED

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

RESULT:

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Review and Discussion of the Commission Rules of Procedure.

The Commission's Rules of Procedure were emailed to all the Commissioners on November 27,

2023, for review. Chairman Godino said if there are any changes, the Commission will need a

month before a vote. In the past the Financial position was eliminated but now the Commission

may want to re-establish that position.

Next month is the election of Officers. Chairman Godino said he will not be seeking the Chair

position again. He would like to possibly stay on as an alternate and help the new Chairperson

settle into the position.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Destruction of Mount Decatur discussion.

Mr. Kelly sent a letter to the Director of Land Use and Planning & Zoning regarding the

proposed destruction of Mt. Decatur. Discussion of its significance: there are five Revolutionary

War Veterans within the Allyn's point Cemetery, which is about 750-1000 feet from the

proposed blast area.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

Motion to Authorize the research and Preservation group to pursue the development of a

“Roadmap” in conjunction with the Land Use Committee of the Town, to establish the “Spicer

Historic District” and to place under administrative control of the Historic District Commission.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Earl Lamb

RESULT:

MOVER:

William Barnes

SECONDER:

Barnes Godino Lamb Lamb

AYE