741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339-1551

(860) 464-3203

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Town Council

council@ledyardct.org

Meeting Minutes

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Special Meeting

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

WORKING DRAFT

7:00 PM

Town Hall Council Chambers -

Hybrid Format

In-Person: Council Chambers Town Hall Annex

Remote: Information noted below:

Join Zoom Meeting from your Computer, Smart Phone or Tablet:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83930087371?pwd=yK7lctbTzWUbaRjQZQJR1qjNumF0un.1

Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 839 3008 7371; Passcode: 344293

CALL TO ORDER

IC.hairman Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers,

Town Hall Annex Building.

Chairman Rodriguez welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. She stated for the members of

the Town Council and the Public who were participating via video conference that the

remote meeting information was available on the Agenda that was posted on the Town’s

Website - Granicus-Legistar Meeting Portal.

II.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

III.

Councilor William Barnes

Councilor April Brunelle

Councilor Jessica Buhle

Present:

Councilor Kevin Dombrowski

Councilor Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

Chairperson S. Naomi Rodriguez

Councilor Tim Ryan

Councilor Tony Saccone

Councilor Gary St. Vil

IV.

BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

CONSENT CALENDER

MOTION to reappoint Mr. Ethan Foltz (D) 894 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, as a regular

member of the Ledyard Farmers’ Market Committee, for three (3) year term ending May 9,

2028.

*1.

*2.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT:

MOTION to reappoint the following Members to the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens

Commission for a three (3) year term ending June 28, 2028.

Ms. Lauren Hawes, (U) 8 Warbler Way, Gales Ferry, as an Regular Member

Ms. Paula Crocker (U) 1500 Route 12, Gales Ferry, as a Regular Member

Ms. Stephanie Bacon (D) 6 Patricia Court, Gales Ferry, as an Alternate Member.

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Buhle

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Kevin Dombrowski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Jessica Buhle

SECONDER:

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan,

Saccone, and St. Vil

AYE:

Administration Committee

MOTION to adopt the proposed “Resolution Supporting the Town’s Continued Participation in

the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification Program And Establishing A Sustainable CT Ad

Hoc Committee” as contained in the draft dated June 11, 2025.

DRAFT 6/11/2025

TOWN OF LEDYARD

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THEIR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION

IN THE SUSTAINABLE CT MUNICIPAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

AND ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABLE CT AD HOC COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, On March 11, 2020 the Ledyard Town Council adopted a “Town of Ledyard Resolution

Supporting the Participation in the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification Program”; recognizing

that Sustainable CT is a comprehensive, statewide, action-oriented voluntary certification program,

built by and for municipalities, with the vision that: “Sustainable CT communities strive to be

thriving, resilient, collaborative, and forward-looking”.

WHEREAS, Sustainable CT is designed to boost local economies, help municipal operations

become more efficient, reduce operating costs, and provide grants and additional support to

municipalities.

WHEREAS, the Town of Ledyard continues to embrace an ongoing process of working toward

greater sustainability, selecting which actions it chooses to pursue from the voluntary menu of

actions provided by Sustainable CT; and

WHEREAS; The Town of Ledyard has implemented a number of programs which included a

streetlight assessment that resulted in the purchase of the streetlights from Eversource and

converting them to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs saving both energy and taxpayer dollars;

constructed the Multi-Use Pathway from Ledyard High School to Ledyard Center to expand safe,

connected, active transportation for pedestrians and bicyclists; extending the sewer line providing

infrastructure for both affordable housing and business development; improvements to the Linda C.

Davis Food Pantry providing an equitable community food action plan to ensure that all community

members can access sustainable, nutritious food; improvements to the Town Green providing

handicap access to one of the best Farmers’ Markets in the State for residents to purchase fresh

produce from local farmers and featuring many community organizations providing information to

residents regarding fuel assistance, mental health services, public safety services, and many other

commodities and programs; regionalization of shared services with the Town of Preston by

providing Emergency Dispatch Communication Services, Tax Assessor Services, Public Works

Mechanic Services, and the shared purchase of a streetsweeper to maintain the required MS4

(Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) Permit Certifications.

WHEREAS, the Director of Land Use & Planning is authorized to serve as the Town of Ledyard’s

Sustainable CT contact person for the Sustainable CT Municipal Certification process and

authorizes him/her to complete Municipal Registration on behalf of the Town of Ledyard;

WHEREAS: it is recognized that the town is minimally staffed; and supplemental support is needed

to continue efforts to reach the Sustainable CT Goals of the community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that to focus attention and effort within the Town of

Ledyard on matters of sustainability, and in order to promote local initiatives and actions toward

Sustainable CT Municipal Certification, the Ledyard Town Council establishes a Ledyard

Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee to be comprised of five members appointed by the Ledyard

Town Council.

Those members shall, as much as possible, be representative as follows:

· One member from the Planning & Zoning Commission or Inland Wetlands & Water Courses

Commission

· One member from the Economic Development Commission or Conservation Commission

· One member from the Town Council Land Use Committee

· Two members from the Community-at-Large

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, each member shall serve for a term of two (2) years. Members

shall commence to serve their terms immediately upon appointment and shall serve until their

successor has qualified or they have been reappointed or removed by the Town Council.

Any vacancies on said committee shall be filled by the appointment of the Ledyard Town Council,

with priority given to maintaining as much as possible the structure above; and

Any member of the Committee who is absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings

and any intervening duly called special meetings shall be considered to have resigned from the

Commission and the vacancy shall be filled as hereinbefore provided, except that the Commission

may vote to waive the requirements of the section in each case where illness or other extenuating

circumstances make it impossible for a member to meet the attendance requirements of this action.

It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Committee to notify the Town Council when a

member has not properly performed his/her duties.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said Ledyard Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee is authorized

to:

(1).

Work with the Land Use Director and the Mayor to engage staff; and or, contract with

consultants, or a Sustainable CT Fellow through Southeastern Connecticut Council of

Government (SCCOG) Program.

(2).

(3).

Review the Sustainable CT Tool Kit and Guidelines; and to oversee the preparation and

submission of Application at the appropriate time.

Develop initiatives, goals, and recommendations to achieve Points required to complete the

process to obtain the Sustainable CT Certification to include:

Building our community and our local economy;

Equitably promote the health and well-being of current and future residents;

Encourage and participate in regional collaboration and other forms of partnership.

Improve the services and quality of life for our residents, while focusing on

sustainability, efficiencies, and reducing the impact of inflationary costs for residents.

(4).

(5).

(6).

(7).

Work with the Public Works Director on Food Waste Composting and other waste

management initiatives.

Work with the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure the Town’s Plan of Conservation

and Development supports the proposed Sustainable CT Initiatives.

Work with the Board of Education to ensure that Ledyard’s educational facility needs are

considered and met in developing a plan and implementing Sustainable CT initiatives.

Prepare and present to the Town Council for approval a Capital Improvement Plan to

support and move the Sustainable CT Plan forward.

(8) Identify funding sources, including grant funding, and other grassroots funding options such as

In Our Backyard (IOB) Grants, to support the goals and initiatives; complying with the

town’s Grant Policy.

(9) Work with the Finance Director on the application and administration of any grant funding

received; and the preparation of bid specifications and advertisement for Requests for

Proposals to facilitate approved Sustainable CT Initiatives, in accordance with Ordinance

#200-001 “Purchasing Ordinance for the Town of Ledyard”.

RESOLVED, that the first meeting of the Sustainability CT Ad Hoc Committee must be held within

90 days of passing this resolution and that the Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee shall meet as

frequently as needed, but no less than quarterly; and shall select a Chairman, Recording Secretary,

and Fiscal Officer from its body.

RESOLVED, that the Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee shall report annually to the Ledyard Town

Council on the progress of its activities toward the Sustainable CT Certification, with reports and

presentations being publicly available.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the adoption of this Resolution reaffirms

the Town of Ledyard’s March 11, 2020 initial desire and commitment to continue their work in

achieving the Sustainable Development CT Certification.

Adopted by the Ledyard Town Council on: June 25, 2025

_____________________________

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman

********************************************************************************

The above is a certified a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Town of Ledyard at a meeting of

its Town Council on ___________, 2025 and which has not been rescinded or modified in any way

whatsoever.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF: The undersigned has affixed his signature and corporate seal on this

__________day of ___________ 2025.

_______________________________

Patricia A. Riley, Town Clerk

(SEAL)

******************************************************************************

Revision: “Town of Ledyard Resolution Supporting the Participation in the Sustainable CT

Municipal Certification Program” Adopted: March 11, 2020

History:

Due to other competing demands on staff the Town of Ledyard was unable to continue their

Application process to obtain the Sustainable CT Certifications. However, the Town has continued

to take on and has completed a number of initiatives that have contributed to building its community

and our local economy; to equitably promote the health and well-being of current and future

residents; and has developed, fostered and participated in regional collaboration and other forms of

partnership with other communities in the area.

The 2025 adoption of this Resolution reaffirms the Town of Ledyard’s desire and interest to achieve

the Sustainable CT Certification to continue to improve the services and quality of life for its

residents, while focusing on sustainability, efficiencies, and reducing inflationary costs for its

residents.

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Dombrowski

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Kevin Dombrowski

SECONDER:

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan,

Saccone, and St. Vil

AYE:

MOTION to approve Mechanic II job description as presented in the draft dated May 16, 2024.

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Buhle

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

MOTION to approve proposed updates to Fiscal Assistant II Finance Department position as

presented in the draft dated February 19, 2025.

Moved by Councilor Brunelle,, seconded by Councilor Saccone

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

April Brunelle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan,

Saccone, and St. Vil

AYE:

MOTION to approve proposed updates to the Fiscal Assistant II Finance and Human Resources

job description as presented in the draft dated November 15, 2023.

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Dombrowski

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Kevin Dombrowski

SECONDER:

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan,

Saccone, and St. Vil

AYE:

MOTION to approve proposed updates to the Assistant to the Tax Collector Job Description as

presented in the draft dated May 2025.

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Garcia-Irizarry

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Kevin Dombrowski

RESULT:

MOVER:

Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

SECONDER:

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan,

Saccone, and St. Vil

AYE:

Finance Committee

MOTION to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Good Neighbor Firefighter

Safety Program in the amount of up-to $10,000 to purchase rescue and general equipment.

Moved by Councilor Saccone, seconded by Councilor Buhle

VOTE:

9 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Tony Saccone

RESULT:

MOVER:

Jessica Buhle

SECONDER:

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, Rodriguez, Ryan,

Saccone, and St. Vil

AYE:

MOTION to authorize the transfer of $60,000 from Acccunt # 10114301-53300 (Professional

Services) to Account # 21014301-53306 (Plan Conserve & Development) to provide engage

professional services for the updating of the Ledyard Plan of Conservation & Development and

its Affordable Housing Plan.

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Dombrowski

VOTE:

3 - 6 Motion Failed (Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Garcia-Irizarry, Dombrowski, St. Vil

not in favor)

MOTION FAILED

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Rodriguez, Ryan, and Saccone

Barnes, Brunelle, Buhle, Dombrowski, Garcia-Irizarry, and St. Vil

AYE:

NAY:

ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Buhle moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Garcia-Irizarry.

VOTE: 9 - 0 Approved and so declared. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

_____________________________________

Transcribed by Roxanne M. Maher

Administrative Assistant to the Town Council

I, S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman of the Ledyard Town Council,

hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and

correct copy of the minutes of the Special Town Council

Meeting held on June 25, 2025.

____________________________________

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman