741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Community Relations Committee For

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Meeting Minutes

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

6:30 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Participation: Information Noted Below:

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

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Or by Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; +Meeting ID: 840 2339 3725; Passcode:

185533

CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Brunelle at 6:30 p.m.

at the Annex Meeting Room - 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

Gary St. Vil

Present:

William Barnes

Excused:

In addition, the following were present:

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairman

John Vincent, Economic Development Chairman

Roxanne Maher, Administrative Asisistant

III.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

IV.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Economic Development Commission - Governance Transparency Presentation

EDC-Transparency & Governance-Final

Attachments:

Mr. John Vincent, 19 Friar Tuck Drive, Gales Ferry, Economic Development

Commission Chairman, thanked the Community Relations Committee for Diversity,

Equity & Inclusion for the opportunity to present the EDC’s Ledyard Academy

Governance Transparency Presentation this evening.

Mr. Vincent began by providing an overview of the Economic Development

Commission’s Background, Mission Statement, Role and Responsibilities as follows:

· Background:

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) was first established in 1979. It is

comprised of 7 volunteer members who are appointed to 3- year terms by the Mayor.

· Role & Responsibilities:

The EDC is responsible for expanding the tax base of the Town of Ledyard and for

advocating, facilitating, promoting, and advising on economic development issues

within the town through marketing, property tax incentives, and infrastructure

improvement.

The role of the EDC is primarily advisory and not regulatory. Therefore, the EDC

focuses on fostering a productive and positive relationship with both large and small

businesses.

EDC Governing Documents:

Connecticut General Statues

o Sec. 7-136 “Municipal Economic Development Commissions”

o Sec. 7-137 “Regional Economic Development Commissions”

o Sec. 32-7 “Financial and Technical Assistance to Municipal and Regional

Economic Development Agencies”

o Chapter 588r “Small Business”

ü Ledyard Town Charter

ü Ledyard Ordinance #300-020 - “An Ordinance to Promote Economic

Development In the Town Of Ledyard”

ü Ledyard EDC Bylaws

ü 2023 EDC Strategic Plan

ü Ledyard 2020 Plan of Conservation and Development

EDC Strategic Plan: (Please see attached)

· Development Challenges:

ü Of the 24,000 acres in town only 1,376 acres were zoned non-residential;

ü Of the 1,376 acres zoned non-residential that 190 acres were currently being used

as residential. Mr. Vincent noted that the town had a lot of commercial space with

residential houses on it.

Of the 1,376 acres that 154 acres were dedicated as Open Space.

298 acres were Unbuildable

All this leaves 239 total acres or approximately 31 parcels that were

Undeveloped.

Currently 17% of the town's Professional Office Space and Rental Spaces were

currently unoccupied.

Mr. Vincent noted that the Economic Development Commission was working on the

following:

Who wants to come to the Town of Ledyard?

How do we get them here?

· Meeting Information

ü The EDC meets at 6:00 pm on the first Tuesday of the month except when that

would conflict with a holiday or an election day

ü EDC meeting schedule, agendas, and minutes can be found on the town’s

Meeting Portal

ü You can sign up to receive email updates at the top of the EDC page on the

Meeting Portal.

ü Meetings are usually held in the Ledyard Town Hall Annex.

ü Ledyard residents and property owners are welcome to attend the EDC Meetings.

ü Each meeting’s agenda includes a “Residents & Property Owners Comments”

item.

ü Meetings are also accessible online via Zoom. The Zoom link for each meeting

can be found at the top of the agenda for that meeting.

· Economic Development Commission Activities

ü Maintain an online Business Directory.

ü Holds Ribbon Cuttings for new businesses.

ü Annual Report that summarizes the work of the EDC as well as other significant

economic activity in Ledyard.

ü Contact new businesses to let them know that the EDC is available to provide

assistance .

ü Reach out to business to offer support and foster a positive relationship with the

Town of Ledyard.

ü Look for opportunities to promote Ledyard businesses.

ü Monitor State of CT Legislation regarding Economic Development

Mr. Vincent provided the Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity &

Inclusion a copy of the Economic Development Commission’s 2024 Annual Report

and their Governance Transparency Presentation. He stated that he would be happy

to answer questions.

The Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion thanked Mr.

Vincent for attending tonight’s meeting and for his presentation. Administrative

Assistant Roxanne Maher noted that the Economic Development Governance

Transparency Presentation would be added to the Ledyard Academy Link on the

Town’s website at www.ledyardct.org <http://www.ledyardct.org> under the Our

Community Tab.

Mr. Vincent left the meeting at 6:39 p.m.

COMPLETED

RESULT:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee for DEI Minutes of March 19,

2025

COM-REL-MIN-2025-03-19

Attachments:

Moved by Councilor Brunelle, seconded by Councilor St. Vil

VOTE: 2 - 0 - Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

April Brunelle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Gary St. Vil

SECONDER:

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Continued 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

Bush Pond on Lantern Hill Road (Showcase the Lantern Hill Waterfront Park, (2)

Provide some history regarding Long Pond; (3) Provide information regarding the

importance of preventing invasive plants from being transferred from different bodies of

water, and (3) Engage residents)

Visit Parks in town.

Councilor Brunelle stated the Committee would continue to keep the scheduling of

“Informal Conversations in the Park” on their Agenda, noting that as the weather

warms up they would work to help to facilitate programs such as:

· Lantern Hill Waterfront Park (Bush Pond)

Councilor Brunelle stated the Committee was working with Ms. Betsy Graham

and Parks & Recreation to engage residents and showcase the Lantern Hill

Waterfront Park. She noted that Ms. Graham would provide some history

regarding Pond and information regarding the importance of preventing invasive

plants from being transferred from different bodies of water.

Councilor Brunelle went on to note that Parks, Recreation, & Senior Citizens

Director Scott Johnson, Jr., was working to make some improvements to the Park

that would include picnic benches, etc., before they invited residents to see the

new Park.

· Visit all of the Parks in Town - No Update.

CONTINUE

Review status of Department Heads Government Training Presentations.

RESULT:

EDC-Transparency & Governance-Final

Attachments:

Link to Ledyard Acadmey-How your Local Government

Works-2025-02-13

Tax Assessor-Presentation-2024-10-24

Governance Training Presentations Reqeusted-Community

Relations DEI-Memo-2024-10-24

Ribe-Town Governance - Presentation-2024-08-24

Town Governance Education- Ribe-ltr-2024-09-13

Town Governance Training- Improve Communication with

Residents-Ribe-email-2024-07-22

Councilor Brunelle noted that Economic Development Commission Chairman John

Vincent presented the EDC’s Governance Transparency Presentation earlier this

evening (see above IV. Informational Items/Presentations)

Chairman Rodriguez stated that Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher has been

working on the Town Council’s Governance Transparency Presentation to be

included in the Ledyard Academy Tab on the Town ‘s website. She stated that it was

a work in progress and should be ready soon.

The Ledyard Academy Link was located under the Our Community Tab.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discuss starting a relationship with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council to help foster

communication and mutual points of interest.

Chairman Rodriguez stated that she and Mayor Allyn, III, would be meeting with

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler and Councilwoman

Crystal Whipple tomorrow (April 17, 2025).

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Research Community Organizations that provide Opioid and Substance Abuse Disorder,

Recovery, and Prevention Programs relative to the use of the Opioid Settlement Funding.

CRSC Proposal - Ledyard CT- OPIOID SETTLEMENT

FUNDING

Attachments:

Substance Abuse Non-Profit Organizations-2024-04-10.pdf

Overdoses in Ledyard-2024-02-20-Map-Key.pdf

Overdoses in Ledyard-2024-02-20-Map-1.pdf

Overdoses in Ledyard-2024-02-20.pdf

Opioid Settlement Funding-Ledyard Prevetion Coalition-Town

Council Approved Revised Proposal-2023-09-28pdf.pdf

Ledyard Youth Serivces OPIOD SETTLEMENT

FUNDS-2023-06-07.pdf

Opioid Fudning-Ledyard Prevetion Coalation OPF proposal

final-2023-06-05.docx

YOUTH SERVICES-IDEAS FOR - OPOID SETTLMENT

FUNDING-2023-04-25.pdf

LEDGE LIGHT-E-MAIL--RECEIVED OPIOID

LTR-2023-04-13.pdf

Final-Distributor-Settlement-Agreement-9321-Exhibit-Updates

Final-Janssen-Settlement-Agreement-rev-7-30-21 (1)

National Opioid Settlement Allocation Notice - Connecticut

Janssen Pmts 1-4 and totals

OPIIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDING -REQUEST USE

RECOMMENDATIONS-LEDGE LIGHT-LTR-2023-04-13.pdf

OPIOD SETTLEMENT FUNDING -REQUEST USE

RECOMMENDATIONS-YOUTH

SERVICES-LTR-2023-04-13.pdf

Councilor Brunelle stated although this item was on the Community Relations

Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’s agenda that they were not currently

working on it, because some of their other Committees have been taking the lead.

She noted the town was working with Organizations to provide opioid and substance

abuse and recovery programs.

Chairman Rodriguez stated at their April 9, 2025 meeting the Town Council

allocated

$12,500 from the National Opioid Settlement Funding (Account

#20810201-58206-24206) to support the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 administration of the

DARE Program in Ledyard Public Schools.

Chairman Rodriguez went on to note that both she and Mayor Allyn attended the

Ledyard Prevention Coalition Meeting, and she reported that Ledyard had a fatal

overdose on February 21, 2025; a fatal overdose on March 8, 2025; and a non-fatal

overdose on March 14, 2025. She noted that Police Chief John Rich and Ledyard

Middle School Principal Ryan Earley also attend the Ledyard Prevention Coalition

Monthly meetings. She stated that a Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been

scheduled for April 26, 2025 at the Senior Citizens Center on Van Tassel Drive,

Gales Ferry.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

2025 Black History Month Program.

Vincent- Playscape Projrects & 2025 Black History Month

Attachments:

Activites-email-2025-02-16

Chairman Rodriguez stated at the Town Council’s March 26, 2025 meeting prizes

were awarded to students for their participation in the Fourth Black History Month

Essay and Poster Contest, noting they had a great turnout. She stated that she, Mayor

Allyn, III, and School Superintendent Hartling were working to schedule a date that

they could all go the Elementary Schools to give the students back their Posters and

to take pictures with the winners. She stated once they secure a date that she would

let Councilor St. Vil know so that he could also participate in the event.

COMPLETED

RESULT:

Discussion and possible action to set a 2025 Schedule for Informal Conversation Forums and

Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives.

Mr. Lamb email dated 2/17/2025 re: Topics for the Community Relations Committee for

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Lamb-Topics for Community Relations Cmt for DEI

Attachments:

email-2025-02-17

Councilor Brunelle noted that she reached out to Mr. Lamb to invite him to attend

their meeting to further discuss the topics he suggested; however, she has not heard

back from him. She stated that she would try to contact him again.

Recognition of Colonel William Ledyard

Councilor Brunelle stated that Councilor Barnes was working on the Recognition of

Colonel William Ledyard, noting that he was trying to include some type of

ceremony during the 205th Celebration of the Signing of the Declaration of

Independence Events planned for the July, 2026. She stated the Committee would

keep this item on their agenda.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Designated Youth Fishing Waterway

Councilor Brunelle stated that Councilor Barnes was working on the Youth Fishing

Waterway idea. She stated the Committee would keep this item on their agenda.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee.

Summer 2025 Farmers Market Booths

Councilor Brunelle addressed the scheduling of the Community Relations

Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’s Booth at this Summer’s Farmers

Market. She stated that she submitted a request for space at the Farmers Market for

three dates. However, she stated that Farmers Market Committee Chairman Pam Ball

has not gotten back to her yet. Therefore, she stated that she would follow up the Ms.

Ball regarding the dates.

Chairman Rodriguez noted that she was trying to coordinate with Mental Health

Organizations to join them at a Farmers Market. However, she stated that she needed

to have the dates to finalize with organizations such as Brian’s Healing Hearts, and

others, noting that these Organizations get booked up early.

CONTINUE

VII. NEW BUSINESS

RESULT:

Linda C. Davis Woman of the Year Award.

Councilor Brunelle stated that she was happy to announce that they had a Winner of

the First Annual Linda C. Davis Woman of the Year Award. She proceed by

announcing the Nominees, noting that they were not in any particular order, as

follows:

· Tricia Mark

· Nancy Chapman

· Mary Casabria

· Kathryn Strout

· Jessica Buhle

· Paula Crocker

· Ellen Granger

· Juliet Hodge

· Sheila Downs

Councilor Brunelle stated that 2025 was the First Linda C. Davis Woman of the

Year Award; and that the Winner would be announced at the Town Council’s April

23, 2025 Meeting. She noted that she would contact the winner stating that she

hoped they would be available to attend the Town Council’s Meeting, because the

Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion would announce

the winner and present the Award.

COMPLETED

RESULT:

Man of the Year Award

Councilor Brunelle stated that she was also thinking to be fair, that perhaps during

another time of the year that they have a Man of the Year Award so they were not

leaving the men out. Therefore, she stated that they could plan ahead; and she asked

that the Committee provide suggestions on the appropriate month or other ideas

regarding the Man of the Year Award.

CONTINUE

RESULT: