741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Ty Lamb

Regular Meeting

Monday, December 16, 2024

7:00 PM

Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Lamb at 7:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Secretary William Barnes

Secretary Douglas Kelley

Alternate Member Vincent Godino

Chairman Ty Lamb

Present

Secretary Ammie Chittim

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Secretary Kelly Lamb

Excused

Alternate Member Karen Parkinson

Non-voting

III.

IV.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Mr. Godino was appointed as a Voting Member.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 18, 2024, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Ty Lamb

RESULT:

MOVER:

William Barnes

SECONDER:

Barnes Kelley Godino Lamb Chittim

Geer Lamb

AYE

EXCUSED

VI.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT

Town Council Liaison - Councilor Tim Ryan.

No report. Tim Ryan, Town Council was not present. Chairman Lamb told Councilor Ryan that he

would like a member to be present for the January meeting to start discussions regarding the

Ledyard 250-year anniversary plans.

VII. CHAIRMAN REPORT

General Report.

Chairman Lamb and Mr. Barnes are working on getting the last ARPA contract completed.

Chairman Lamb will be visiting Christina Hostetler, Town Hall Assistant tomorrow to have last

PO signed.

Chairman Lamb attended both the Town Finance and Town Council meetings this last month,

where he helped push through the bid waivers. An additional 10k was requested to be transferred

to the ARPA account which will help supplement this project. The Commission has most of the

funding needed for this project.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Financial Report.

Caretaker services have been reassigned back to the Town due to the circumstances.

Chairman Lamb has completed his workbook to keep track of all POS and balances (they are all

tied together in one place).

DISCUSSED

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE

RESULT:

Correspondence.

Budget Work Sessions preliminary Schedule Fiscal Year 2025/2026-Department Heads &

Committees 12/14/24. -

Letter from the Finance Committee to Chairman Lamb to Departments to meet with Mayor

Allyn III, to discuss Budgets. Chairman Lamb will schedule a meeting for budget discussions in

January.

Discussion/clarification about emails from outside meetings - can this be construed as a

meeting? Chairman Lamb is suggesting that information be funneled to him. He is still seeking

information on this.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sawmill Committee - Mr. Barnes.

Penstock Repair- after years of effort the RFP has been conducted. Work could not start until

there was a State permit, with Mr. Godino's help the permit was received in a day. RFP did not

receive 3 bids, so will need to go through a 2-step approval process. Chairman Lamb followed

up on this with the Finance Committee last week. The Finance Committee and Town Council

approved one of the bidders. Savy and Sons is the approved vendor. The amount is higher than

the first contact a few years ago (46k). There is 42-44k in ARPA, will need to take a couple of

thousand out of the Capital account. Still waiting for an updated signed proposal. Terms were

adjusted at the Finance Committee meeting. The payment plan was changed from 30 days to 45

days. Mr. Barnes spoke to Savy and Sons and they are agreeable. Chairman Lamb has started

working on the PO, that needs to be completed before the New Year to qualify for the ARPA.

Much appreciation was expressed to Mr. Godino for his help getting this permit in motion!

Additionally, appreciation was expressed to Mr. Gonang with all his specifications.

Additional ARPA contract: Supplemental structural assessment that Ms. Ackley performed. This

has taken longer than expected, hoping to get it completed soon. Chairman Lamb asked if there

is an encumbered PO, Mr. Barnes said yes. This is approximately 5k. Chairman Lamb will

investigate this more and has requested Ms. Ackley’s details to assist in the investigation.

Mr. Ganong put together a list of Capital needs, he reiterated that this should be available and

ready by the end of December or the beginning of January for the budget sessions.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.

In November the high risk of Fire was mentioned. On the November 25, there was an incident with a

Garbage truck spewing smoke. At the intersection there was so much smoke, you could not see

anything. Someone from the Garden Club was concerned about the smell of smoke, Fire dept shows up

due to a neighbor calling. Thankfully there was no fire, the smoke was due to the garbage truck.

On December 9, much needed driveway repairs were completed by Public Works.

Mr. Kelly in the past reported approximately 15 dangerous trees. Need and Cost is higher than the

budget allows, decisions need to be made on which are higher risk. Chairman Lamb and Mr. Lamb and

Mr. Kelly have discussed partnering up with other Town resources due to the Health & Safety issue

(Public Works, Parks & Recreation).

In the Great Oak Garden - Tree specimen that was a donation from the Graves family that bought and

restored the house in the early 20th century. If any portion of this tree comes down it will affect the

house and garden, there was an estimate of $1,500 for removal. There is a large Oak at the entrance of

the driveway and 10 dead Ash Trees. Mr. Godino commented that he knows of some Tree companies

that could possibly assist. H&H is recommended for an investigation.

Weather Delays: Work from the Quiet Corner will be delayed until late December. Siding is primed,

windows are painted and ready to be installed.

An estimate was completed by Mr. Kelley for a cellar structural assessment at a cost of $1,225. This

work is a guide on the integrity of the house’s structure. The west side has a large portion of particle

board against the timber work, will need to take this down to be able to see what it looks like.

The basement had some water leaks based on the recent heavy rainstorms. Drainage is part of the plan.

An official release of the use of caretakers was received from the Town.

Ms. Chittim met with Mr. Kelly at the Nathan Lester House to discuss the native artifacts in the attic.

Identification of religious aspects of these items was made, and their special handling. The Historical

Society is in possession of these items, which are housed at the NLH. Chairman Lamb stated that it

should be the Society who follows up on what should be done with these artifacts and not the

Commission.

There is a possibility of a January Celebration since the Society cancelled their annual gathering. Hoping

to put together a private gathering at the beginning of January in its place.

Chairman Lamb suggested a quarterly historical group meeting for all interested, including the

community to discuss historical matters. Potentially this could evolve into a 250-year anniversary

celebration. Chairman Lamb suggested holding the first meeting during quarter one of the new year.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Research/Preservation - Ms. Chittim.

Ms. Chittim said there was no new news for the month. Ms. Chittim and Mr. Kelly met to discuss future

gatherings. Chairman Lamb will also meet with Ms. Chittim.

Ms. Parkinson said that the Ledyard Historic Commission will not be assigned the Spicer Ruins Site

until the A2 survey is completed. Still working on the survey of the 4.4 acres with the Land Use

Committee. Ms. Parkinson is researching Grants to apply for. The present Grant she is investigating is a

50/50 Grant.

Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairperson reached out to Ms. Parkinson to say that she had spoken

to Mr. Gardner who is a local Surveyor who could survey it for 2.5k. There is some left-over ARPA

money that Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairperson thought could be utilized for this. This

happened at the last Finance Committee meeting, where Ms. Parkinson presented this request and was

approved to be contracted with a work order with Mr. Gardner before the end of the year. Chairman

Lamb said he will need some documentation from Mr. Gardner with the price to request a Purchase

Order.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Center School - Mr. Geer.

Chairman Lamb spoke with Mr. Geer and reported that all is well with the Schoolhouse.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Social Media - Ms. Lamb.

No report.

OLD BUSINESS

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

American 250 Anniversary - Chairman Lamb had requested a Town Official to attend the meeting to

assist in this discussion. Ms. Parkinson said CT Humanities is coordinating an event, Norwich is also

planning something, but no other local town has planned anything to date. Mayor Allyn III should be

contacted; he would have received information on this subject.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

Election of Officers -

Chairperson.

Vice-Chairperson.

Secretary.

Motion to ELECT Ty Lamb as Chairperson.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

William Barnes

SECONDER: Doug Kelly

AYE:

4 Barnes Kelly Godino Chittim

ABSTAIN

EXCUSED

1 Lamb

2 Geer Lamb

Motion to ELECT William Barnes as Vice-Chairman.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Doug Kelly

SECONDER: Vincent Godino

AYE:

4 Kelly Godino Chittim Lamb

ABSTAIN

EXCUSED

1 Barnes

2 Geer Lamb

Motion to ELECT Kelley Lamb as Secretary.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Ty Lamb

RESULT:

MOVER:

Vincent Godino

SECONDER:

Barnes Kelley Godino Lamb Chittim

Geer Lamb

AYE

EXCUSED

FY 2024-2025 Budget Preparation.

Need to layout a Capital Plan. Chairman Lamb will attend budget meetings for the upcoming

Fiscal budget and a 5-year fiscal plan. Helps with strategic vision for the future. Mr. Parkinson's

experience as a grant writer should be utilized. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Barnes have several ideas on

approach. Chairman Lamb said that budgets should be exact, he will discuss this in more detail

during the January meeting. Chairman Lamb and Ms. Chittim will be discussing vision plans.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

None.

XII. ADJOURNMENT