741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Vincent Godino

Regular Meeting

Monday, November 20, 2023

7:00 PM

Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Godino at 7:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Commissioner William Barnes

Commissioner Melissa Dyson

Commissioner Douglas Kelley

Chairman Vincent Godino

Present

Commissioner Earl Lamb

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Alternate Member Kelly Lamb

Non-voting

Also in attendance - Ammie Chittim (via zoom)

III.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Not needed.

IV.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting minutes from October 16, 2023, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Douglas Kelley

RESULT:

MOVER:

Earl Lamb

SECONDER:

Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb

AYE

FISCAL REPORTS

Financial Reports.

Sawmill: Spent = $1,158, Remaining = $4,392

Nathan Lester House: Spent = $2,550, Remaining = $7,150

Capital Account: $36,036 which is up from $27,000 because of a $10,000 deposit.

ARPA Funds: $152,811

Donation accounts:

Nathan Lester House - Remaining = $11,000

Sawmill - Remaining = $7,424

Miscellaneous (for Center School and Preservation Research) = $1,500

The Commission could direct the capital funds towards the Nathan Lester House and use the

entire ARPA funds towards the Sawmill. Mr. Barnes stated it would probably be more beneficial

to use the ARPA funds as soon as possible, since they have to be committed by the end of 2024.

Mr. Lamb asked if the Commission has projects assigned to the ARPA funds and when does it

need to be committed? There are a few projects with the Sawmill (Tail race repair and pen stock

approximately 60K) with potentially another 40K for ADA. The Nathan Lester House has about

40K in identified funds use.

VI.

CORRESPONDENCE

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sawmill Committee - Mr. Barnes.

A $27,000 contract has been awarded to Locust Grove Landscaping (Ken Geer) to repair the Tail

Race.

Chairman Godino has approved a Purchase Order for a supplemental proposal of $4,500 to

Cirrus Structural Engineering.

Pen stock:

After the Committee saw the design specs for what all is involved to repair the pen stock, it was

realized it’s complex. Mr. Barnes has reached out to Ms. Ackley to see if she knows of someone

who could assist with the solicitation/review once any RFPs have been received from bids.

Chairman Godino has reached out to a few people who may know something about this repair.

He did some additional research and there are two methods of repair. The first is spray in place

and second is cast in place. Which method would be best will depend on the length and size of

the pipe. Additional assistance would still be required to determine the specifications and

development of the RFP.

Nathan Lester House - Ms. Dyson/Mr. Kelley.

Ornament Day was held on November 18, 2023.

The Yuletide event will be held on December 3, 2023.

RFP for the east side of the property:

Chairman Godino reports that the architect isn’t working out as expected for the RFP. The

Commission received a draft RFP. Matt Bonin, Finance Director made some corrections to the

first part and Mr. Kelley reviewed the technical portion of the report. Both made suggestions to

improve the original report. The list has been returned to the architect; however, it hasn’t been

returned in over a month. Chairman Godino will work with Christina Hostetler, Town Hall

Assistant to edit and update the RFP.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT:

Melissa Dyson

William Barnes

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb

AYE

Research/Preservation - Mr. Lamb.

Dr. Ammie Chittim attended tonight’s meeting. She and her family recently purchased 972

Shewville Road (Latham House). They are in the process of restoring the house and property.

She has been volunteering with the Commission. They have added a two-story addition with the

long-term goal of creating a micro-farm along with historic preservation and archeology. Dr.

Chittim is a registered archeologist who owns her own firm. Mr. Lamb has recommended Dr.

Chittim as a new member of the Historic District Commission.

Attended meetings with Land Use and als with Town Council regarding the Tri-Town Trail.

Members took a private tour of the property; they have been reviewing the plan but have not

voted on it yet. Although the Town Council liked the idea, they suggested taking a portion of the

property (4-5 acres) and having the Historic District provide oversite. Request to have a donation

account set up as there are available funds that could be deposited for future use. Mr. Barnes

mentioned that the trail is well done. The trail could be moved over or left as is. There is an old

foundation and a well. Dr. Chittim was able to lay out almost exactly where the house would

have been. Mr. Barnes does not feel as if the maintenance of this land would be that great of a

cost. Dr. Chittim states that the land could be used as a future dig site and provide further

education. Reports were provided to Dr. Chittim; Phase 1 A area report which is an overall

description of the property and Phase 1 B is where 15-meter grids would be applied. Drones or

shovels could be used to spot cultural disturbances. Once digging begins, there will be a need for

a storage site for anything found on the property. This would be in the future but something that

would need to be addressed. Signage would be required as well as roping off certain areas. Mr.

Lamb stated that a vote would be required to see if this would be the next project for the

Preservation team. The vote will be added to the December agenda. The Tri-Town Committee

would be willing to partner with the Historic Commission to maintain the property.

Signs:

Latham House

Watrous House

9 Mile Spicer

GOSHA - Has been reengaged to assist with getting the mug wort out of the Lambtown Road

area.

How does the Commission want to be involved with the Cashman project? Mr. Lamb will reach

out to the Mayor to see if there is a point of contact to work with. Chairman Godino suggested

writing a letter to Planning and Zoning to be sent prior to the December public hearing. Mr.

Kelley suggested copying the Mayor and Town Council. The Commission doesn’t have the

authority or purview over the site but could make a recommendation based on this site having

historical significance. Mr. Kelley suggested a voting that the Commission drafts a letter to be

shared with the appropriate Town Officials and Commissions. Mr. Kelley will work on a draft to

share with the Commission.

RESULT:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

MOVER:

Douglas Kelley

SECONDER: Melissa Dyson

AYE

Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb

Gales Ferry Sign (ferry landing): A quote has been received from Fast Signs, it was suggested to

make a sign out of PVC that would stand up to water, keeping the same shape and same printing.

The existing posts can be reused. The estimate is for $750.

Motion to APPROVE purchasing a sign from Fast Signs for $750.00, using capital funds.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Melissa Dyson

RESULT:

MOVER:

William Barnes

SECONDER:

Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb

AYE

Center School - Mr. Geer.

No new updates.

Social Media - Ms. Dyson.

No new updates.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Nathan Lester House event fee increase discussion and possible vote.

It was decided that fees for Scouts or campers would remain at $25 dollars. Anything above and

beyond (weddings for example) would remain $100. Mr. Barnes stated if there was a pavilion, it

would be beneficial. Mr. Barnes also stated that there are capital funds and potential ARPA

funds that may be able to be put towards building the pavilion. For now, the fees will remain at

$25 and $100.

Motion to approve the Historic 2024 Calendar meeting dates as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Melissa Dyson

RESULT:

MOVER:

William Barnes

SECONDER:

Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb

AYE

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

The Commission needs to review the Rules of Procedure and it will be put on the December

agenda. Chairman Godino will email the policy to the Commissioners for review prior to the

meeting.