741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Cemetery Committee

Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

4:00 PM

Council Chambers - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairperson, William Vidal at 4:02 p.m.

Due to technical difficulties the meeting was not recorded.

ROLL CALL

II.

Committee Member Vincent Godino

Alternate Member Paul Krug

Present

Committee Member William Vidal III

Committee Member Kimlyn Marshall

Committee Member Jessica Staley

Alternate Member Martha Reynolds

Absent

Also in attendance:

Naomi Rodriguez, Town Councilor

Kristie Lundgren , Resident.

III.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Paul Krug was appointed as a voting member.

IV.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Special Meeting Minutes from February 27, 2024, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Vincent Godino

RESULT:

MOVER:

Paul Krug

SECONDER:

Godino Krug Vidal, III

AYE

Marshall Staley Reynolds

ABSENT

FISCAL REPORTS

Fiscal Report.

Opening balance; $2,000.00. The Committee should make suggestions on how to use the

remaining balance.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

COMMITTEES

Flags.

VI.

The flagging procedures have been taken over by Ms. Reynolds. She has bundled the appropriate

number of flags for each Committee member to place in their respective cemeteries. The

Committee members in attendance will secure them from Mr. Godino at the conclusion of the

meeting.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Adopters - Mr. Godino.

The Committee has gained a new adopter to assist in the maintenance of the cemeteries. The

Lions Club will care for the Hibbard Stoddard Cemetery. Our current meeting attendee, Ms.

Lundgren, will maintain the Robert Stoddard Cemetery. Mr. Godino noted the Main Town

Cemetery near the end of Route 214, which is a bit larger and has not been maintained for almost

two years, is still available for adoption. Mr. Godino will continue to look for additional

adopters.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Veterans.

Mr. Vidal reiterated the use of online resources to confirm and update the Committee’s current

list of Veterans. Mr. Godino passed along Mrs. Reynolds’ suggestion of providing preaddressed

postcards to the sextants to make it easier to receive updated information if they were willing to

do so. Mrs. Lundgren suggested the use of library resources.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

VII. OLD BUSINESS

ROW - Right of Way continued.

Mr. Vidal noted that the right of way access to Bailey Cemetery from Route 117 was overgrown

and not accessible. The resident was more than agreeable to allow the Committee to gain access

from his yard. However, the discussion led to who is responsible for maintaining the access way.

The responsibility is believed to be on the property owner, but Mr. Godino suggested to the

Committee to think about a way to save remaining yearly funds in an account strictly for usage

of smaller projects such as this. Another option, is it possible for the current account to maintain

a running tally of unused funds?

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Metal Medallions continued.

Mr. Godino will provide an updated inventory of the current markers the Committee has once

the flagging of the large cemeteries is completed. Based on the inventory numbers, the

Committee discussed purchasing a few along with the flags.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Cemetery Book update.

This project is still ongoing. Mr. Vidal was able to visit several more cemeteries with the

information provided by Mr. Godino. He reported progress towards completion but there are still

several cemeteries to be visited, remapped, and updated with current markers, directions, GPS

locations, etc.

Mr. Godino will ask Ms. Godino about the cover illustrator and for some insight as to how to

proceed. Mr. Vidal wondered if there was a Committee logo that could be used. The committee

is quite partial to using the current illustration if possible.

Mr. Vidal requested information on access to the Cemetery committee website to make changes

to the posted listings. Mr. Godino suggested starting with the Mayor’s Assistant. Mr. Vidal will

follow up with her to gain access.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Committee Position Fulfillment -

Chairperson

Vice-Chairperson

Vote for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Position.

The position is currently being filled by Mr. Vidal. The Committee decided to table this vote

until the next meeting when more members are available.

Flagging - as discussed earlier, these duties have been assumed by Ms. Reynolds.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any other Old Business to Come Before the Committee.

None.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

Any other New Business to Come Before the Committee.

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council was present

to express the Town’s appreciation for the volunteer service the Cemetery Committee was

providing. It was noted there are over 200 volunteers across the many Committees,

Commissions, and Boards that support the Town in many ways.

As done last year, the Committee discussed setting the first date for flagging the two large

cemeteries and postponing it to the following week in case of inclement weather. This pattern

will be repeated until the flagging is completed. It was decided to start the flagging on May 4th,

2024, at 9:00 a.m. The Committee will meet at and begin with the Avery Stoddard Cemetery

then travel to the Gales Ferry Cemetery. Mr. Godino will remind Ms. Staley to request the

presence of the Boy Scouts and any other groups available to volunteer. With the additional help,

the anticipated time to completion would be less than three hours.

Mr. Godino was notified by Steve Masalin, Public Works Director, of a large dead ash tree and

additional overhanging limbs that could cause potential damage to the cemetery if they were to

fall. Mr. Godino noted he received a quote from H&H Landscaping for approximately $2000.00

for the removal of the dead tree and limbs due to the size of the tree and their proximity to the

Cemetery.

Motion to ACCEPT and award the job to H&H Landscaping for the removal of the dead ash tree

and limbs from the Roach Cemetery at the cost of $2000.00.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

William Vidal, III

RESULT:

MOVER:

Paul Krug

SECONDER:

Godino Krug Vidal, III

AYE

Marshall Staley Reynolds

ABSENT

IX.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 4:54 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

William Vidal, III

RESULT:

MOVER:

Paul Krug

SECONDER:

Godino Krug Vidal, III

AYE

Marshall Staley Reynolds

ABSENT

The next Committee meeting is on June 11, 2024.

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

Town.