741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Ledyard Beautification Committee  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairperson  
Kathrine Kohrs  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, January 7, 2025  
5:00 PM  
Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Kohrs at 5:00 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Committee Member Carol Ann Schneider  
Chairman Kathrine Kohrs  
Present  
Committee Member Jennifer Bingham  
Committee Member Lauren Hawes  
Committee Member Sarah Martic  
Excused  
Late  
Committee Member Carol Christiansen  
Committee Member Jennifer Eastbourne  
Also in attendance:  
Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairperson  
Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director  
III.  
PUBLIC COMMENTS  
No public present but Ms. Hawes asked a question for a resident - are the Gales Ferry Village  
signs overseen by the Ledyard Beautification Committee? Some of the signs need to be  
repainted. Chairperson Kohrs answered that the signs are under the Ledyard jurisdiction, but the  
gardens may fall under the Committee and added that she would like to revisit the sponsor list.  
Chairperson Kohrs said that one of her neighbors is in the Garden Club and would like to  
collaborate with the Committee. The Garden Club is looking for a new location for their  
community Garden. Mr. Johnson said that the Boy Scouts are interested in putting in a public  
garden behind the Senior Center. Chairperson Kohrs reiterated that the Nathan Lester House is  
looking for assistance with their gardens. This might be a good idea for a spring cleanup project.  
IV.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from December 3, 2024, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Carol Ann Schneider  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Jennifer Bingham  
SECONDER:  
4
2
Schneider Kohrs Bingham Hawes  
Christiansen Martic  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
V.  
1.  
OLD BUSINESS  
Future Projects Discussion.  
Chairperson Kohrs thanked Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director for attending the  
meeting and said she would like to start off by discussing the Earth Day Event.  
Earth Day Event - Chairperson Kohrs reviewed last year's event for Mr. Johnson.  
- The "Trash to Treasure" recycling event should be repeated and made even bigger this year.  
Chairperson Kohrs suggested that the event be geared towards children and put in the Parks and  
Recreation catalog. Free sign up. Chairperson Kohrs suggested collecting and asking for  
recyclable donations such as milk and egg cartons then holding an open art night where children  
will create the treasures. Ms. Eastbourne suggested holding the event during one of the "Friday  
parents' night out" events. Possibly the one scheduled for April 4th. The plan is for the  
participants to make their treasures that night and bring it back to the event on April 26. The  
Committee will not hold the treasures at the Senior Center. Possibly the Committee could host  
another event without Parks & Recreation on April 19 or 20 where the parents stay and assist  
their children (not a drop-off event). Ms. Bingham suggested holding it on Earth Day (April 22)  
after school and reminding participants to attend the Earth Day event on April 26. Possibly hold  
this event in collaboration with the Gales Ferry Library. Maybe the Schools can collect the  
recyclables for the Committee? Ms. Eastbourne said that the Middle School Junior LBC Club  
could possibly take the lead on this. She added that often Mr. Rahl, Special Education Teacher is  
looking for leadership projects such as this to do with the Special needs students. Ms.  
Eastbourne will contact Mr. Rahl.  
- A Town Wide cleanup initiative including a "fill the dumpster". Last year the dumpster was  
donated. Mr. Johnson said that there is a dumpster at the Town Green that could be used.  
Chairperson Kohrs will assess the size of that dumpster.  
-Possibly hold some of the events inside since last year was cold and windy. The inside events  
could include a SCRRRA demonstration, composting information and activities and the trash to  
treasure event.  
- It was suggested to hold the event at one of the schools. Mr. Johnson said that the Committee  
would be charged to reserve a spot at one of the schools and suggested holding it at the  
Community Center or the Senior Center instead. Mr. Johnson said he believes that the Senior  
Center is available on April 26, 2025, from 1:00-4:00.  
- Sandwich boards and balloons were suggested to direct residents to the Senior Center.  
- Food - Last year there was a shaved ice food truck present, but it was too cold and windy. Mr.  
Johnson suggested cotton candy.  
- Arc - Ms. Schneider will contact Arc to ask if they could hold a demonstration on April 26.  
- The "pickers" will be available for residents to pick up from the Senior Center during normal  
business hours up to a month in advance.  
- Trash to Treasure judging. Maybe ask Mayor Allyn III to be the judge.  
- Chairperson Kohrs will reach out to the Agricultural Science program to see if they would want  
to participate in the event.  
- Nature Center? Owls?  
- Recycling bingo.  
- Ms. Eastbourne said the Girl Scouts may be interested in participating, possibly hold a  
recycling relay race.  
- Invite other Town Committees such as the Conservation Commission to have a booth.  
- Beekeepers?  
- Clean up contest. Who can fill the most garbage bags?  
- Advertise the event in the Events magazine?  
Other events:  
- Chairperson Kohrs said she would like to hold the first LBC Junior Club in January. The goal  
is to hold a meeting once a month.  
- Valentine's teacup event - assemble and deliver on the same day, February 8 or 9. Reserve the  
Senior Center for assembly. Ms. Hawes received a large donation of Valentine mugs. Last year  
the Committee used dry oasis, boxwood and baby's breath, it was suggested that the Committee  
explore other options for this year. Ms. Bingham will do some research and send Chairperson  
Kohrs the results. Ms. Hawes will contact Mr. Jannke about asking Honor Society students to  
volunteer.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Any Other Old Business to Come before the Committee.  
None.  
2.  
VI.  
1.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Election of Officers -  
Chairperson  
Vice-Chairperson  
Treasurer  
Secretary  
Motion to ELECT Katherine Kohrs as Chairperson, Lauren Hawes as Vice Chairperson, Carol  
Schneider as Treasurer, and Jennifer Bingham as Secretary.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Kathrine Kohrs  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Jennifer Bingham  
SECONDER:  
4
1
Schneider Kohrs Bingham Hawes  
Martic  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Any Other New Business to Come before the Committee.  
None.  
2.  
VII. ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 5:58 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Kathrine Kohrs  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
4
1
Schneider Kohrs Bingham Hawes  
Martic  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.