741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Historic District Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Ty Lamb

Regular Meeting

Monday, August 18, 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.

Due to technical difficulties the meeting was not recorded.

ROLL CALL

II.

Commissioner Douglas Kelley

Chairperson Ty Lamb

Present

Commissioner Kelly Lamb

Commissioner Ammie Chittim

Commissioner Karen Parkinson

Alternate Member Vincent Godino

Alternate Member Kenneth Geer

Commissioner Rebecca Watford

Alternate

Also in attendance was Bill Barnes, Town Councilor.

III.

IV.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Not needed.

RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS

None.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE the Regular Meeting Minutes from July 21, 2025, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Ty Lamb

RESULT:

MOVER:

Douglas Kelley

SECONDER:

Kelley Lamb Lamb Chittim Parkinson

AYE

VI.

TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT

Town Council Liaison - Councilor Bill Barnes.

Bill Barnes, Town Councilor, said he will discuss the Spicer Ruins later on in the meeting.

VII. CHAIRMAN REPORT

General Report.

Ms. Chittim approached Ms. Watford regarding brochure updating. Ms. Chittim will look at the

old one and work with Ms. Watford on the updates.

The Commission will justify the needs and usage of capital funds to the Town and will help

convey the Commission's vision.

The Sawmill used ARPA funds to have the stonework repaired. The head gate doesn't close

completely due to a possible leak.

Chairman Lamb asked the Committee Leads to think about the top three projects for next year to

discuss during next month's meeting.

Spicer Project - Liz Buhler, Town Planner, said the next step would be to have a second

conversation with Mayor Fred Allyn, III, Land Use, Ms. Parkinson and possibly a Town

Councilor. Bill Barnes, Town Councilor, attended the last Land Use meeting and discussed the

Spicer project. The original survey was for only an acre, and a second survey needs to be

completed to expand the acreage, however Ms. Parkinson said the State statue only requires a

map, not another survey. Councilor Barnes felt that Ms. Buhler would be a good conduit going

forward.

Chairman Lamb listed the multitude of projects the Commission has completed and suggested

having a meeting to show the Town what the Commission has been working on, possibly during

the fall festival. The Commissioners agreed.

DISCUSSED

Financial Report.

RESULT:

DISCUSSED

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE

RESULT:

Correspondence.

None.

IX.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sawmill Committee.

The Sawmill alarm system continually needs to be called in and shut down because of false

reports. Chairman Lamb is questioning whether the sensor needs adjusting. Councilor Barnes

mentioned that in the summer birds seem to be the main culprit of false alarms. Chairman Lamb

will get to know the alarm system better with assistance from Mr. Ganong who is the best

resource.

Mr. Ganong has given Chairman Lamb his Capital project list.

Mr. Godino is putting together a summary of the dam project. Mr. Godino's son has volunteered

his time in the estimation of the project.

Mr. Godino discussed Beth Ackley's report with Mr. Gonang. There is work that needs to be

done on the corner and a shed is under consideration. Chairman Lamb said it needs to be

discussed if these projects will be a part of this year's budget or next year's capital.

There were questions from the Town on the Commission's long-standing contractors. Chairman

Lamb mentioned the possibility of creating standing service contracts.

Mr. Godino asked if the ARPA project has been signed for payment since there is still a report

due to finalize the project that needs to be submitted to Department of Environmental Protection.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.

Mr. Kelley gave his August report:

The Museum held an Art Week in late July, combining several educational events with a visit

from landscape artist and educator, Justin Roxo. Justin demonstrated as he painted a view of the

Lester House and barns. This painting is being donated by the artist to the Museum.

Our other focus at the Lester House this past month has been on maintenance and long-term

planning.

The Graves-Hill family materials mentioned last month have shed light on several questions we

have had regarding the structure on the ell, as well as on individual features of the house. This

information will help inform future restoration projects, as well as interpretation of the house to

the public.

Continuing major projects include clearing the fields immediately behind the house and Great

Oak Garden. So far this has all been with volunteer help. The invasive Ailanthus (Tree of

Heaven) have been cut down, reducing their spread as well as depriving Japanese Lantern Fly of

that favored food source. A possible lightning strike to a major tree in that field sent much of it

into the back of the garden, doing substantial damage. Removal has been handled by volunteers.

Another large tree limb came down soon after into the exit drive, and Public Works quickly

handled removal the same day as notified.

Members of the Ledyard Cemetery Committee staged a cleanup of the path to the Lester

Cemetery and a cleanup of the cemetery itself.

Wrought iron railings have been added and installed at the side entrance to the Great Oak

Garden. These augment the new railings the Garden Club installed at the main entrance and

follow the same design. This is a donation to the Museum and Garden. A design for a

coordinating gate is being considered.

Work in the new museum office is largely complete, and donated office furniture and equipment

is being moved in.

We have met again with our long-term partners from the Ledyard Historical Society and Ledyard

Garden Club to clarify and solidify those partnerships. The Garden Club held a workday this past

Saturday, and a group supporting their Hope Garden toured the fields behind the house with our

director. They are in planning stages for the move of the Hope Garden to the Lester House,

which will be one phase of the redevelopment of the two back fields into appropriate new use.

A draft for proposed events rates has been submitted to town officials. A copy will follow

separately. Though rates have been approved, contract language is under review. We are

exploring best methods to handle this income stream, donations, and our planned gift shop,

where we will be able to offer items for the Historical Society and any other merchandise we are

able to manage.

Several new volunteers have come on board, and are already helping to make a difference in our

grounds.

Upcoming events include Trail Renewal Day on 9/13 and Fall Festival on 9/27. Please share our

flyer attached as you are able.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Research/Preservation - Ms. Chittim.

Ms. Chittim had a discussion with the CGA Curator about putting together a coalition of

museums and sharing of displays. It was suggested that a copy of the fall festival flyer is sent to

them for possible participation.

Chairman Lamb and Ms. Chittim spoke with the Mashantucket Tribe about the Great Oak

initiatives and how to be better partners.

Mr. Godino said that the Mashantucket Tribe used to maintain a Ledyard Cemetery but stopped

due to financial reasons. The Committee is trying to find an adopter.

Ms. Parkinson added another thought on Spicer Ruins; she said that the stone walls surrounding

the homestead should be preserved. She added that she would like all Ledyard Stone walls

preserved as part of the Commission's vision. Chairman Lamb will gather information on

working with homeowners to preserve stone walls. Possible ordinances with adjacent towns.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Center School - Mr. Geer.

There will be a Back to School Bash at the Center School on Saturday August 24, 2025 from

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Ms. Watford, Eddie Lamb, Mr. Geer, Chairman Lamb and Helen Burton

will participant in the event.

Mr. Geer made the Commissioners aware that the School's chalk board would not be hanging on

the wall.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

Social Media - Ms. Lamb.

There were 197 followers and 1277 views for the month of July. The Nathan Lester House

Museum Facebook Page has grown to 117 in the last 2 months.

Ms. Lamb asked the Commissioners to continue to post pictures of the Commission's historical

sites and Historical sites around town. Ms. Lamb asked if anyone has anything to contribute to

please send it to her.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

OLD BUSINESS

Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.

None.

XI.

NEW BUSINESS

Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.

Ms. Watford said that there used to be a set of Great Oak Books at the Nathan Lester House that

seems to be missing. The books have not been seen since 2022. Chairman Lamb asked Mr.

Watford if she has any pictures of them. Chairman Lamb will ask the Historical Society if they

borrowed them or have seen them in the past few years.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

XII. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 8:29 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Douglas Kelley

RESULT:

MOVER:

Ammie Chittim

SECONDER:

Kelley Lamb Lamb Chittim Parkinson

AYE

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.