741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Historic District Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Vincent Godino  
Regular Meeting  
Monday, September 18, 2023  
7:00 PM  
Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The Regular 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  
Alternate Member Kelly Lamb  
Commissioner Earl Lamb  
Excused  
Alternate Member Kenneth Geer  
Non-voting  
III.  
APPOINTMENTS OF ALTERNATES  
Kelly Lamb was appointed as a voting member.  
IV.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from June 19, 2023, and special Meeting  
Minutes from July 31, 2023, as written.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Douglas Kelley  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Melissa Dyson  
SECONDER:  
5
1
Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb  
Lamb  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
V.  
1.  
FISCAL REPORTS  
Financial Reports  
There is an issue with the Finance reporting, the numbers below are partial.  
Donations - Nathan Lester House = $11,281  
Sawmill = $6,343.  
ARPA - Nathan Lester House spent = $13,000, remaining = $27,000  
Sawmill spent = $4,745, remaining = $120,260.  
Capital = $37,000.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
VI.  
CORRESPONDENCE  
None.  
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS  
Sawmill Committee - Mr. Barnes  
1.  
- Tail race: A proposal has been submitted to the Town to be released for RFP. A meeting will  
be held with any vendors who are interested. Hopes to have a contract award by the end of  
October. This timeframe would allow work to be completed before the Sawmill opens in the  
spring. If three bids are not received it will need to go through the Town Council.  
- Beth Ackley: Recommendations on follow along activity, she is in the process of revising to  
reflect the budget that is remaining. There may be a possibility of Grant money for ADA work at  
the Sawmill.  
- Chris Cobb volunteered at the Sawmill. Mr. Cobb took off the old pulley for evaluation and  
realized that the pulley was comprised of at least fifty parts. He was able to cut each part to the  
correct size and reassemble it so it could be reinstalled. Another individual, Jack Dessormier, has  
been working on a video for the Sawmill.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Nathan Lester House - Ms. Dyson/Mr. Kelley  
2.  
- It was decided to continue the exhibition of the 1940's Fog of War movie set at the Nathan  
Lester House. The exhibition has been well received and the feedback has been positive. Some  
visitors have even asked if the exhibit will remain after the movie is released.  
- Sharon Primett, Nathan Lester House Caretaker has been working on the front fence. She has  
sanded and primed the fence; it now needs to be painted.  
- John Kelley has completed his work on the house. He repaired the cellar bulkhead, replaced the  
front threshold and has given some advice on how to address repairs to the fence.  
- The potential of switching the entrance and exit was discussed with the garden Club. Switching  
the exit and entrance allows for the house to be seen upon entrance and would allow for easier  
access to the overflow parking. The possibilities of adding additional gardens were also  
discussed. The NLH Subcommittee would also like to enhance the current entrance, to make it  
more noticeable. Mr. Kelley has been cleaning up the driveway and removing any small dead  
trees that need to be come down. The Garden Club said would be happy to consult with the NLH  
Subcommittee.  
- The October Fall Festival will be held on Saturday October 7, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30  
p.m.  
- The Subcommittee is planning to decorate the NLH for the Yuletide celebration following a  
1940's theme.  
- Eight dead trees were removed from along the exit driveway of the NLH property. After the  
trees were cut, Public Works cleared the downed trees from the property.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Research/Preservation - Mr. Lamb  
No updates.  
3.  
4.  
Center School - Mr. Geer  
- The Center School was open at the beginning of September, Mr. Lamb volunteered to open the  
school for tours.  
- Looking to coordinate having the Center School open for tours during the next car show event.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Social Media - Ms. Dyson  
5.  
The issue encountered when trying to access the Historic District Commission Instagram page  
has been resolved.  
DISCUSSED  
VIII. OLD BUSINESS  
RESULT:  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
1.  
None.  
IX.  
1.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
None.  
X.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 7:42 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Melissa Dyson  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
William Barnes  
SECONDER:  
5
1
Barnes Dyson Kelley Godino Lamb  
Lamb  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.