741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Ledyard Beautification Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairperson

Kathrine Kohrs

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

5:00 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Kohrs called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Committee Member Carol Ann Schneider

Committee Member Jennifer Eastbourne

Chairman Kathrine Kohrs

Present

Committee Member Lauren Hawes

Committee Member Jennifer Bingham

Excused

Absent

Committee Member Carol Christiansen

Committee Member Sarah Martic

Lauren Hewes and Jen Eastbourne were present via Zoom.

Also in attendance:

Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairperson

III.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None present.

IV.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from October 1, 2024, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Carol Ann Schneider

RESULT:

MOVER:

Lauren Hawes

SECONDER:

Schneider Eastbourne Kohrs Hawes

Bingham

AYE

EXCUSED

ABSENT

Christiansen Martic

FINANCIAL REPORTS

Ledyard Beautification Committee Financial Reports.

No funds have been spent this fiscal year.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Future Projects Discussion.

Holiday wreath project for the Senior Housing -

Chairperson Eastbourne said she has coat hangers which were an issue getting last year.

The Committee needs a new place to cut greenery, last year pine and boxwood were used. Ms.

Schneider said she would check with Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director to see if any

of the Town parks have greenery available for cutting.

Also needed:

Ribbon.

Wire.

A date to work on the wreaths.

A place to work on the wreaths. The Senior Center worked out well last year.

A delivery date.

Last year the wreath making workshop was held on November 12 and the wreaths were

delivered on December 2nd.

The Committee decided to make and deliver the wreathes all in one day, either December 7 or 8.

Ms. Schneider will check if the Senior Center is available for either of those dates. Ms.

Eastbourne said she could ask St. Luke's Church if the Committee could use their meeting hall if

the Senior Center isn't available.

Earth Day/Spring Festival - One event or two? Ms. Eastbourne liked the idea of combining the

two into one event. Possibly hold it the first weekend in May. Ms. Eastbourne also suggested

asking students to attend a meeting to help plan the event. Ms. Hawes suggested having a contest

between schools. Connecting with the school Art teachers to hold an open "art" night at each

school for the "trash to treasure event" was another idea. Possibly each school could get a

dumpster, and the winner is the school who fills it up faster. The Committee is tentatively

planning a week-long event for activities and awareness during the week of April 28 and

culminating on May 3rd with a big event.

Ms. Eastbourne announced that the Cemetery Association is doing a cleanup on November 23,

2024, at the Winthrop Cemetery from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. if anyone is interested in

participating.

DISCUSSED

Any Other Old Business to Come before the Committee.

RESULT:

Veterans Day sign initiative. Chairperson Kohrs said she was a bit frustrated with the around

time from 30 Marketing. She added that although she communicated with them early on, she

didn't hear back from them until much later, which was stressful. It would have been better to

have more lead time for promotion. Chairperson Kohrs said considering the time constraint it

went well there was a total of 21-22 signs purchased. Someone had told her they wished they had

known because they would have purchased a sign. Ms. Hewes asked if it would be an annual

event, Chairperson Kohrs said that is the idea. There was some feedback stating that the signs

would look better if they were spread out more. Maybe Veteran's pictures could be displayed on

the signs next year and possibly a ceremony. Ms. Eastbourne said that she received some

positive feedback. She also asked about getting the signs to the Veterans. Ms. Eastbourne said

she will give Chairperson Kohrs the contact information of the Veterans who have signs to pick

up. Ms. Eastbourne added that Chairperson Kohrs did 90% of the work and it was a lot for one

person. It would have been better to have more groups share the event, Ms. Kohrs asked the

Senior Center to share on their page, but it wasn't done. She had the same experience with some

other Town groups.

Tips discussed for next year:

Plan even further ahead than seems necessary to allow more lead time.

Spread the signs out more than they were this year.

Advertise more, flyers posted locally.

Place a sample sign at the Town Hall for advertising.

Get businesses involved.

Post on The Town Website.

Solar powered lights near each sign.

Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairperson said she thought the event was wonderful. She

enjoyed driving down the street and seeing the signs, she was even able to read the names. She

thought it was a great starter point.

The Committee will receive $7.00 for each sign which will be earmarked for a Veterans themed

project.

DISCUSSED

VII. NEW BUSINESS

RESULT:

Wicked Tulip bulb giveaway.

Chairperson Kohrs said she will look into the Wicked Tulip bulb giveaway.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other New Business to Come before the Committee.

None.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 5:33 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT: