741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Cemetery Committee

Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

4:00 PM

Council Chambers - Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Vidal at 4:04 p.m.

Due to technical difficulties the meeting was not recorded.

ROLL CALL

II.

Commissioner Martha Reynolds

Commissioner Kristie Gardiner-Lundgren

Commissioner William Vidal III

Commissioner Christian Allyn

Commissioner Paul Krug

Present

Alternate Member Vincent Godino

Also in attendance were:

Bruce Garstka

Paul Billing

Sue Billing

III.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Vin Godino was appointed as a voting member.

IV.

FISCAL REPORTS

Fiscal Report.

The Committee have purchased the Veterans flags. The Commission requested $5,000 for the

2027 fiscal year's budget, $4,000 was proposed in the Mayor's Budget. Awaiting the Town

Council vote for the increase to be approved. Chairman Vital said he would check on the current

budget amount remaining after purchasing the Veteran's flags.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

COMMITTEES

Flags.

Ms. Reynolds brought flags for each person to put at their assigned cemetery location. Ms.

Reynolds met with John Proctor to take flags to Avery Stoddard Cemetery, 320 flags in total.

May 23rd, the Saturday before Memorial Day is the tentative day to plant the flags for the

Veterans. A discussion was held to assign cemeteries to flag from the unassigned list.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Adopters.

Kristie Lundgren has agreed to become the adopter of Maintown Cemetery.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Veterans.

Ms. Reynolds shared two envelopes with lists of deceased Veterans in each, one from 2021 -

2022 and another from 2023 - 2024. The lists were received for the Town Clerk's Office.

Chairman Vidal discussed going through the lists and finding the names in the cemetery books

to identify the cemetery where each Veteran is located. Suggestion to research the background of

three Civil War Veterans associated with Thomas Main.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

VI.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2026, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Martha Reynolds

RESULT:

MOVER:

William Vidal, III

SECONDER:

Reynolds Gardiner-Lundgren Vidal, III Allyn Krug Godino

AYE

VII. OLD BUSINESS

Cemetery Book update.

Ms. Reynolds recommended placing the new book that Chairman Vidal is currently working on

at local churches, libraries, and schools in town. Chairman Vidal is continuing to work on the

updated cemetery book. Chairman Vidal also noted improvements on the website.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Restoration continued. **All restoration work MUST be fully completed by May 19, 2026, and

payment requests must be submitted within 90 days of May 19, 2026**

Rocky’s Landscaping and Kenneth Geer Stone Wall Construction have completed restoration

projects at Maintown, Episcopal Churchyard, and Robert Stoddard Cemeteries.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Neglected Cemetery Grant Reimbursement timeline discussion. Payment request(s) must be

submitted no later than 90 days from the end of the grant period. The end of the grant period is

May 19, 2026.

Restoration must be completed within 90 days of May 19th, 2026, as detailed in the approved

State Grant. Chairman Vidal will communicate with Christina Hostetler, Town Hall Assistant to

discuss reimbursement requests to the State.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Any Other Old Business to Come Before the Committee.

None.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Election of Officers-

Chairperson/Treasurer.

Vice-Chairperson/Secretary.

Motion to ELECT Mr. William Vidal as Chairperson/Treasurer and Mr. Allyn as Vice

Chairperson and Secretary.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Martha Reynolds

RESULT:

MOVER:

Christian Allyn

SECONDER:

Reynolds Gardiner-Lundgren Vidal, III Allyn Krug Godino

AYE

Any Other New Business to Come Before the Committee.

Mr. Paul and Sue Billing stated they are seeking information regarding the application process

for state grants for neglected stones. Ms. Gardiner-Lundgren provided a copy of the grant

information. Mr. Paul and Sue Billing also requested to adopt a cemetery when a location is

available. Mr. Godino stated he will review the current adopter list and check for any

opportunities or current adopters seeking a replacement.

Mr. Bruce Garstka stated he is seeking information regarding any planned social events for

adopters, Committee members, Cemetery Associations, and the public. Ms. Lundgren mentioned

that she spoke with Pam Ball, Farmer's Market Chairperson, who said the Committee could

reserve a booth on September 9, 2026. The event could be advertised on the Commission's

Facebook page.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 5:11 p.m.