741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, CT 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Administration Committee

Meeting Minutes

http://www.ledyardct.org

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

5:30 PM

Town Hall Annex- Hybrid Format

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Information is Noted Below:

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

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Or by Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 880 0024 0274; Passcode:

468953

CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Garcia-Irizarry at 5:30 p.m. at the Council

Chambers Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Garcia-Irizarry welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. She stated for the Town Council

Administration Committee and Members of 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.

ROLL CALL

Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

Kevin Dombrowski

April Brunelle

Present:

In addition, the following were present:

S. Naomi Rodriguez Town Council Chairman

Jessica Buhle Town Councilor

Roxanne MaherAdministrative Assistant

III.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

IV.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Administration Committee Minutes of November 8, 2023

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Brunelle

VOTE:

3 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT:

VI.

BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

MOTION to appoint Ms. Jessica Cobb (D) 7 Whippoorwill Drive, Gales Ferry, as a Regular

Member of the Planning & Zoning Commission to complete a three (3) year term ending

October 31, 2026 filling a vacancy left by Mr. St. Vil.

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Brunelle

Discussion: Administrative Assistant Roxanne explained with Mr. St. Vil’s election to

the Town Council (November 7, 2023) he has stepped down from the Planning &

Zoning Commission, in accordance with the Chapter III; Section 1; of the Town

Charter. She stated Planning & Zoning Commission Chairman Capon has requested

that Alternate Member Jessica Cobb be appointed as a Regular Member to fill Mr.

St.Vil’s vacancy.

VOTE:

3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Kevin Dombrowski

RESULT:

MOVER:

April Brunelle

SECONDER:

Garcia-Irizarry, Dombrowski and Brunelle

AYE:

MOTION to appoint Ms. Minna DeGaetano, (D) 10 Marla Avenue, Ledyard, as an Alternate

Member to the Retirement Board for Jessica Cobb (D) as an Alternate Member to

Retirement Board for a three year term ending August 26, 2026.

Moved by Councilor Dombrowski, seconded by Councilor Brunelle

Discussion: Councilor Dombrowski stated that Ms. DeGaetano had a background in

finance and that she recently served on the Committee to Review the Budget Process. He

stated that Ms. DeGaetano would be an asset to the Retirement Board.

VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Kevin Dombrowski

RESULT:

MOVER:

April Brunelle

SECONDER:

AYE:

Garcia-Irizarry, Dombrowski and Brunelle

Discussion and possible action on the

MOTION to recommend the Town Council adopt a draft a "An Ordinance Establishing a

Farmers Market for the Town of Ledyard" as presented in the draft dated September 27,

2023.

Councilor Dombrowski provided some background explaining when the Ledyard

Farmers Market Committee was originally established in 2018 it was done using a

Resolution. However, he stated because the Farmers Market Committee has been

very successful, that it was time to convert the authorizing document into an

Ordinance. He explained the difference between the use of a Resolution and the use

of an Ordinance as follows:

· Resolutions were used to establish short-term Committees for specific Projects, and

therefore, the terms all end at the same time, which was when The project was

completed.

· Ordinances were used for long-term ongoing Committees, which at this time, would

be more appropriate for the Farmers Market Committee.

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher explained that the Farmers’ Market

Committee currently has nine Regular Members, but because they have had some

issues regarding members’ attendance that they have not been able to obtain a quorum

at their meetings. Therefore, she stated the Farmers Market Committee has requested

their membership structure be changed to call for five Regular Members and four

Alternate Members, to make it easier to have a quorum at their meetings and to

conduct business. She also noted that because there were farmers from neighboring

communities that the Committee would like to involve to increase their volunteer

workforce, that language was proposed (included) to provide for “Friends of the

Market”. However, she explained per Section 9 of the Town Charter Members of

Town Committees/Commissions shall be electors of the Town.

Councilor Dombrowski stated when the Ordinance was being drafted that

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher discussed the language that was included in

the proposed Ordinance to provide for “Friends of the Market” and because members

had to be electors of the town that he suggested the following language be reviewed

by the Town Attorney:

“In addition, the Farmers Market Committee may, by a two-thirds vote of the

Committee, select and engage “Friends of the Market” who may not be electors of

the town. “Friends of the Market” may attend and participate in Committee

meetings, and at the Markets. “Friends of the Market shall not have any voting

rights or carry any weight or influence the decisions of the Committee.”

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher explained that the Farmers Market

Committee was not trying to circumvent the Town Charter but would like to have the

ability to increase their volunteer workforce in putting on the weekly Farmers’ Market

that takes place from June to September in Ledyard Center attracting over 1,200

visitors each week. Therefore, she stated language was included to clearly state that

the “Friends of the Market will not have any voting rights or influence the

decisions of the Farmers Market Committee”

Councilor Garcia-Irizarry questioned when they expected to receive a legal opinion

from the Town Attorney. Councilor Dombrowski stated that they did not know how

long it would take to hear back from the Town Attorney. Therefore, he suggested that

the Administration Committee not take any action on the draft “An Ordinance

Establishing a Farmers Market for the Town of Ledyard” this evening.

The Administration Committee, by consensus, agreed to defer action on the proposed

“An Ordinance Establishing a Farmers Market for the Town of Ledyard” to their

January 10, 2024 meeting or until they receive the legal opinion.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

MOTION to recommend the Town Council set a Hybrid (In-Person & Video Conference) Public

Hearing date on February 28, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. to be held in the Council Chambers, 741 Colonel

Ledyard Highway, to receive comments and recommendations regarding the proposed “An

Ordinance Establishing a Farmers Market for the Town of Ledyard” as presented in the draft

dated September 27, 2023.

Councilor Dombrowski suggested that the Administration Committee not act to schedule

a Public Hearing date until they have received the legal opinion and were ready to move

the proposed “An Ordinance Establishing a Farmers Market for the Town of Ledyard”

forward to the Town Council.

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher explained that in accordance with Chapter II;

Section 5 of the Town Charter a Public Hearing was required before the adoption of an

Ordinance.

This was No Action .to the Administration Committee due back on 1/10/2024

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Any other New Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Dombrowski moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilor

Brunelle.

VOTE:

3 - 0 Approved and so declared, the meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carmen Garcia-Irizarry

Committee Chairman

Administration Committee