12 Van Tassel Drive  
Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens  
Commission  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Chairman  
Kenneth J. DiRico  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, October 17, 2023  
7:00 PM  
Parks & Recreation/Senior Citizens  
Center  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chairman Kenneth DiRico called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at the Ledyard Senior Center.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Jessica Cobb  
Present  
Commissioner Loretta Kent  
Chairman Kenneth J. DiRico  
Commissioner Charles Gallagher  
Commissioner Norma Sokolski  
Commissioner Margaret Anne Harding  
Commissioner Paula Crocker  
Commissioner Lucrezia Finegan  
In addition the following were present:  
Scott Johnson  
Naomi Rodriguez  
Carol Schneider  
III.  
RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS  
None  
PRESENTATION / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
None.  
Marjorie Winslow Resignation  
RECEIVED AND FILED  
RESULT:  
IV.  
MEMBER COMMENTS  
Discussion on how best to have the meetings run more smoothly, with the combining of the two  
commissions. It was suggested that a limit of 3 minutes be put on each person speaking with a  
total allotted of 30 minutes. If there is time at the end of everyone speaking, a person may speak  
for a second time. It was noted that usually at the meetings there are not a lot of guests who  
wish to speak. It was suggested that we follow Roberts Rules and that we consider having  
assigned seats.  
V.  
REPORTS  
Director’s Report  
PARKS RECREATION AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION  
Director’s Report October 2023  
Please note this update for your review.  
1. Commission Meeting:  
The regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Tuesday,  
October 17th, 2023, at 7:00 PM, in the Ledyard Senior Center. Please  
contact the office immediately if you will not be able to attend.  
2. Judge Crandall Upgrades:  
After meeting on site with Public Works and the Overhead Door  
contractor we made some changes that will save money and eliminate  
some of the prep work. We are now looking at hand operated openers  
instead of motorized openers to save money. In addition, we will be  
mounting the doors to the inside of the window frame to prevent having to  
take siding off and remove the speaker.  
3. Ericson Park Walking Path:  
The path at Ericson has been refurbished and a section of the path was  
relocated to allow for the anticipated extension of the parking lot.  
4. Food Pantry Deliveries:  
We have started delivering meals to homebound seniors with the help of  
the Ledyard Rotary Club.  
5. Senior Center Railing:  
The ADA door openers were raised so they are no longer a hazard. Before  
people were getting their fingers caught between the railing and buttons.  
6. Events Magazine:  
We have submitted info for the Winter Events magazine that will be  
delivered the week of November 20th.  
7. Roof Projects:  
We are using the Garland Company to facilitate the roof repairs. This  
company is under contract and is working on roofs for Public Works.  
Because they are under contract, we don’t have to go out to bid saving  
time.  
8. Rain Gardens:  
We have installed 2 of the 4 rain gardens. To complete the 2 gardens that  
have been planted we need to spread a layer of wood chips.  
Action Items:  
· Public Works is working on a community garden in back of building and will  
continue work and hopefully can start the garden next spring.  
In addition, Mr. Johnson also noted that Trunk or Treat is next Friday, October  
27th at 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. for sensory and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for everyone else.  
RECEIVED AND FILED  
RESULT:  
VI.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to approve the Parks, Recreation and Senior Citizens Commission minutes 09-19-23  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Lucrezia Finegan  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Jessica Cobb  
SECONDER:  
8
Cobb Kent DiRico Gallagher Sokolski Harding Crocker Finegan  
AYE  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
Boy Scout Skate Park Project Proposal  
1.  
2.  
3.  
No discussion  
NO ACTION  
RESULT:  
Discussion and possible motion to schedule a park tour  
Park Tour-Continue until December and build into the schedule for spring or summer  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Review Outstanding Items of Business from the former Parks & Recreation Commission and  
former Senior Citizens Commission.  
Action Items-All carryover action items have now been completed.  
COMPLETED  
RESULT:  
MOTION to appropriate the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the amount of  
$29,827 to Account 20360101-57300-G0014 (New Equipment - Park & Rec - AARPA)  
4.  
In addition, authorize the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Center to expend the $29,827  
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically designated for Senior Citizens Centers as  
outlined in their ARPA Senior Center Plan dated October 17, 2023.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Norma Sokolski  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Lucrezia Finegan  
SECONDER:  
8
Cobb Kent DiRico Gallagher Sokolski Harding Crocker Finegan  
AYE  
Discuss Working Groups  
5.  
Assigned two working groups:  
Administrative-Ms. Finegan, Mr. DiRico, Ms. Crocker and Ms. Harding  
Facilities-Ms. Finegan, Mr. DeRico, Ms. Cobb, Ms. Kent, Ms. Sokolski  
Ms. Crocker offered to gather all of the notes and comments for the rules and regulations and  
organize them prior to scheduling the first working group meeting.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Loretta Kent  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Norma Sokolski  
SECONDER:  
8
Cobb Kent DiRico Gallagher Sokolski Harding Crocker Finegan  
AYE  
Discussion regarding recreation space within subdivisions  
6.  
Ms. Cobb stated that there was no process in place for open space subdivision property to be  
used. There needs to be a plan for park space and justification. The Town Council would have  
to make policy. Mrs. Rodrigues suggested that Ms. Cobb attend a Town Council Meeting and  
read the letter that was written in a 3 minute talk. Pheasant Run has open spaces and would like  
to make a park out of piece of land. It would need to be deeded as open space and go through  
Town Council and Land Use.  
NO ACTION  
Discuss the need for Pickleball infrastructure and how to meet the demand  
RESULT:  
7.  
NO ACTION  
RESULT:  
8.  
Any Old Business proper to come before the Committee  
None  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
Rules of Procedure for Ledyard Parks, Recreation and Senior Citizens Commission Powers and  
1.  
Purpose.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
2.  
Any New Business proper to come before the Committee  
IV.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Ms. Finegan moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded Ms. Sokolski  
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.  
VOTE: 8-0 Approved and so declared  
Respectively Submitted,  
_______________________________  
Chairman DiRico  
Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records  
of the Town.