explaining at their April 10, 2024 meeting the Town Council approved to submit the 2025
Grant Application COPS Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment Grant Application in
the amount of up-to $240,000 under the 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending initiative,
to upgrade their software. She explained that Ledyard’s Project/Grant Application received
approval through the Appropriations Committee and that they were waiting for Congress to
approve the Continuing Resolution to allocate the funding. However, she stated in March,
2025 Senator Richard Blumenthal's Office provided an update regarding the Continuing
Resolution that Congress passed, noting that the Resolution did not fund the Congressionally
Directed Spending Program for Community Projects that had been submitted for the current
fiscal year (fy 24/25). She went on to note that Senator Blumenthal’s Office explained that
should Ledyard choose to resubmit their request in 2026 for the $240,000 COPS Technology
Grant that Ledyard’s Application would have top priority at the top of the list.
Councilor Buhle went on to explain on April 14, 2025 she and Chairman Rodriguez were
notified that the Application Period for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Congressionally Directed
Spending Program for Community Projects had opened but that it would close on April 20,
2025 (correct date April 27, 2025). Therefore, she stated because of the short Grant
Application submission period they needed to act quickly to authorize resubmission of
Ledyard’s 2025 COPS Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment Grant Application in
the amount of up-to $240,000 for the 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending Program.
Police Chief John Rich, attending remotely via Zoom, thanked the Town Council for
scheduling a special meeting this evening to address the resubmission of their 2025 Grant
Application COPS Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment Grant Application in the
amount of up-to $240,000 under the 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending Program. He
explained that this equipment would really modernize and increase the functionality of their
software that allowed them to maintain the records for the Police Department, Dispatch, and
their Police Officers. He stated the upgraded software would include enhanced mapping
capabilities, and would give them the ability to go back into historical data for investigative
purposes. He went on to explain that the software also interfaced with the judicial system for
the online submission of forms and electronic signatures, etc. He stated that it would allow
them to implement “E-Citations and Warnings”, for traffic enforcement, explaining that if a
Police Officer had a car with a printer, they would no longer need to have ticket books and
pens, etc., noting that it would increase efficiency, as well as modernize and further
professionalize their Police Department. He stated that he would be happy to answer
questions.
Councilor Ryan questioned the April 20, 2025 (correct date April 27, 2025) Grant
Resubmission Deadline, noting in reading the email it sounded like Congressman Courtney's
Office wanted responses by April 11, 2025; and he wanted to make sure they were not
missing the deadline.
Chairman Rodriguez stated that Congressman Courtney’s Office reached out to her to see if
Ledyard was still interested in seeking the grant funding, and that she said “Yes, the Town
was interested”. Therefore, she explained the April 11, 2025 deadline was to find out if the
town was still interested, not the deadline for the Resubmission of the Grant Application.
Councilor Ryan stated that he did not see anything about the April 20, 2025 (correct date
