741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Ty Lamb

Regular Meeting

Monday, June 16, 2025

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

Commissioner Douglas Kelley

Alternate Member Vincent Godino

Chairperson Ty Lamb

Present

Commissioner Kelly Lamb

Commissioner Karen Parkinson

Commissioner Rebecca Watford

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Commissioner Ammie Chittim

Absent

III.

IV.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Rebecca Watford was appointed as a voting member,

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None present.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from May 19, 2025, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Ty Lamb

RESULT:

MOVER:

Douglas Kelley

SECONDER:

Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb Parkinson Watford

Geer Chittim

AYE

ABSENT

VI.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT

Town Council Liaison - Councilor Bill Barnes.

Bill Barnes, Town Councilor, presented the Spicer Ruins next steps to the Town Council at their

last meeting. Chairman Lamb said he would like the Town Council to make a motion to agree to

go forward with the process. Councilor Barnes would like to speak with Gary St. Vil, Land

Use/Planning/Public Works Committee on this subject. Ms. Parkinson clarified that an A2

survey is not required, just a map.

Parks Recreation and the Senior Center were approached about stocking of the Sawmill Pond.

This will be at no cost to the Sawmill. When Councilor Barnes Bill finds the date, he will let the

Commission know. Questions have been asked about whether there will be a "kids only" section

for fishing. If so, there will need to be an updated sign.

Mr. Godino mentioned that years ago, some property was given to the Nathan Lester House. The

ordinance was changed, and the property was included. Chairman Lamb said that he would like

to get maps for both historical sites, he will look into this.

April was volunteer appreciation month. Councilor Barnes echoed his thanks to all the

volunteers of the Commission.

DISCUSSED

VII. CHAIRMAN REPORT

RESULT:

General Report.

Chairman Lamb said he is working on the financial reports for the end of the fiscal year.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Financial Report.

ARPA Funds are fully encumbered; part of the amount is contracted to happen in the new fiscal

year (July). Mr. Godino asked if a report as to what was accomplished is required as part of the

ARPA funding.

NLH Donation Account - discussed the service contract for Victoria Erikson. It was explained

that this would be an annual encumbrance that will be discussed each year.

DISCUSSED

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE

RESULT:

Correspondence.

Correspondence from Karen Parkinson to the Chairman of the Historic District Commission was

shared: Request of Bill Barnes, Town Council to make a motion to the Council to appoint the

Historic District Commission to investigate the destination as a “Historic Property” of the

identified Spicer Homestead Ruins.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sawmill Committee.

Chairman Lamb is looking for a volunteer to become a department lead for this Committee.

Ty is working with the volunteers to put together a capital projects list. Working towards a

5-year plan.

Mr. Godino asked Bill Barnes Town Council about the study on the assessment of the Dam and

for a ballpark idea on cost. The estimate is $75,000 (engineering) and the total project is

$300,000. Will need to see if there are grants or other funding to assist with the project. Nature

of the work is to build an auxiliary spill way, add a layer of stone to let water overflow (to

protect the mill). They sent three grant possibilities.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.

Mr. Kelley gave his NLH report:

The Nathan Lester House Museum opened Saturday, May 24, in time for the Memorial Day

weekend. Volunteer restoration and painting of the stair hall, study, and dining room had been

completed, as had volunteer restoration of the fence by John Kelley (estimated savings of

$6,000).

Work continued in the next weeks to complete work in the Ell on the new gift shop space and

bath in time to support new programs and events. The structural support in the museum cellar

was completed by restoration contractor, John Kelley, stabilizing and supporting the

undercarriage of the house to prevent further settling of beams and floor joists. As shared

previously, this work on these timbers has revealed interesting evidence on the early

development of the house, which bears further investigation.

A program of summer story time readings for children has begun, with a different,

history-themed book each week, including related activities, games, and crafts.

An inquiry from North Stonington regarding the barn looms in the NLH has begun a partnership

with their Historic Society and adding the looms to an inventory of such looms.

A small wedding held in the Great Oak Garden on June 7 also made use of the house as a

weather back-up, preparatory staging, and banquet space - since weather interfered. Our guests

offered very positive feedback about the house and grounds. We are most grateful for the hard

work of the Ledyard Garden Club, which has worked to keep the garden in top shape since last

fall.

We continue our partnership with the Ledyard Historic Society and have met with their board to

review points of our partnership and plan for a future, increased partnership. The house hosted

the LHS annual meeting and potluck dinner June 14, and the Commission presented “Making of

the Fog of War Movie.”

Mr. Kelley spoke to Mr. Godino regarding a small cemetery on the grounds of the Nathan Lester

House that possibly needs a little tender loving care.

Chairman Lamb spoke of gratitude to the Commissioners and volunteers that are putting in many

hours in/on our historical sites, that are saving the Commission quite a bit of money.

Karen is working with Victoria Erikson with signage at the Nathan Lester House Trails.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Center School - Mr. Geer.

Nothing to report.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Social Media - Ms. Lamb.

192 followers (up by 12 since last month), month of March 3554 views, April 2264 views, May

7,915 views.

Thank you, Victoria Erikson, for creating the official face book page for the Nathan Lester

House. Mr. Kelley, Ms. Lamb and Mr. Ericson are administrators. Mr. Ericson's posts have

brought a lot of attention to the Nathan Lester House and to the Historical Commission page.

Continue to post pictures of our historical sites and Historical sites around town. Asked if

anyone has anything to contribute, to please send it to Kelly anytime.

In July (7-10th) the Sawmill will have its pipeline; this would be a great time to send pictures.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Research/Preservation - Ms. Chittim.

No additional report.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

Mr. Godino talked to Mr. Ganong (Sawmill) and Mr. Kelley to concentrate on the dam and put

together a long-term Capital plan, he added that more attention needs to be paid to this.

Mr. Parkinson spoke of the need for the Town to have more of a long-term vision for Ledyard.

Ms. Parkinson asked Bill Barnes, Town Council, how the Commission can be more visionary. It

was answered that there is a need to find ways for Ledyard to support the residents already living

here.

DISCUSSED

XII. ADJOURNMENT

RESULT: