741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Finance Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

5:00 PM

Town Hall Annex Building - Hybrid

Format

In -Person Location goes here

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

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by Audio only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 868 6959 4296; Passcode:

929499

CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Councilor Saccone at 5:00

p.m. at the Council Chambers Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Saccone welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. He stated for the Town

Council Finance 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

Tony Saccone

Jessica Buhle

Tim Ryan

Present:

Excused:

In addition, the following were present:

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairman

Carmen Garcia-Irizarry, Town Council

Fred Allyn, III, Mayor

Matthew Bonin, Finance Director

John Rich, Police Chief

Christine Dias, Administrator of Human Resources

Joe Gush, Chairman Permanent Municipal Building Committee

Wayne Donaldson, Board of Education Director of Grounds & Facilities

Jim Harwood, Conservation Commission

Roxanne Maher, Administrative Assistnat

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the following Finance Committee Minutes:

Regular Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2025

Special Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2025

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Saccone

VOTE:

2 - 0 Approved and so declared

Jessica Buhle

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Finance Director’s Report

Finance Director Matthew Bonin reported that today he filed the American Rescue Plan

VI.

Act (ARPA) Report with the US Treasury. He explained that the Town was required to

annually file a report which goes through the end of March. He stated that all of the

ARPA Funding the town received has been obligated. He noted as he reported at the

Finance Committee’s April 2, 2025 meeting, that the US Treasury would be going

after cities and towns that did not properly obligate their ARPA Funding by the

December 31, 2024 Deadline. He stated that Ledyard was in good shape.

CONTINUE

Financial Reports

RESULT:

VII.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Discussion regarding potential uses for the funding received from the National Opioid

Settlement Payments.

Councilor Saccone stated that at their April 9, 2025 meeting the Town Council

allocated

$12,500 from the National Opioid Settlement Funding to support the Fiscal Year

2025/2026 administration of the DARE Program in Ledyard Public Schools.

CONTINUE

Continued discussion regarding the status and possible changes to Capital Improvement Plan

RESULT:

(CIP) and Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Fund based on the American Rescue Act Funding

(ARPA) and the process to approve ARPA Projects and expend ARPA Funding.

Councilor Saccone noted that Finance Director Matthew Bonin provided an update

regarding the ARPA Projects during his report earlier this evening.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion regarding upcoming potential Grant Opportunities.

Councilor Buhle noted the Town’s $1 million 2025 Small Town Economic

Assistance Program (STEAP) Application; and she stated because of the number of

Applications that the State received that the STEAP Awards would be announced

later this month, which was not as early as she had hoped for.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any Old Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION to waive the reading in its entirety the “Resolution Amending the Resolution

Entitled “Resolution Appropriating $8,550,000 for Various School Improvement Projects;

And Authorizing the Issue of Bonds And Notes in the Same Amount to Finance Said

Appropriation” To Increase the Appropriation And Borrowing Authorization To

$9,800,000”.

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: None.

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to approve a “Resolution Amending the Resolution Entitled “Resolution

Appropriating $8,550,000 for Various School Improvement Projects; And Authorizing the

Issue of Bonds And Notes in the Same Amount to Finance Said Appropriation” To Increase

the Appropriation And Borrowing Authorization To $9,800,000”.

Res. 300-2022/Apr 16(a)

RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RESOLUTION

ENTITLED “RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $8,550,000 FOR VARIOUS

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF

BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID

APPROPRIATION” TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION AND BORROWING

AUTHORIZATION TO $9,800,000

WHEREAS, on February 22, 2022, the voters of the Town approved a

resolution entitled “RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $6,725,000 FOR VARIOUS

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF

BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID

APPROPRIATION” (the “Original Resolution”) for various school improvement

projects, including in part HVAC upgrades at Juliet W. Long School (the “Project”); and

WHEREAS, on October 17, 2023, the voters of the Town approved a resolution

entitled

“RESOLUTION

AMENDING

THE

RESOLUTION

VARIOUS

ENTITLED

SCHOOL

APPROPRIATING

$6,725,000 FOR

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND

NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION” TO

INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION AND BORROWING AUTHORIZATION TO

$8,550,000” (the “Amending Resolution”, and together with the Original Resolution, the

“Resolution”) increasing the appropriation and borrowing authorization of the Original

Resolution by $1,825,00 for an aggregate of $8,550,000; and

WHEREAS, after opening bids received for the Project, the building committee

has determined that an additional $1,250,000 will be needed to complete the Project; and

WHEREAS, in order to proceed with and finish the Project, the Resolution will

need to be further amended to increase the appropriation and borrowing authorization.

RESOLVED,

(a) The Resolution adopted February 22, 2022 and amended October 17, 2023

by the voters of the Town, entitled “RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $8,500,000

FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE

ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID

APPROPRIATION” (the “Resolution”), which is hereby ratified, confirmed and

adopted, is amended by increasing the appropriation and bond authorization by

$1,250,000 to a total of $9,800,000.

(b) The title of the Original Resolution is hereby replaced in its entirety by the

following:

“RESOLUTION

APPROPRIATING

$9,800,000 FOR

VARIOUS

SCHOOL

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND

NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION”

(c)

In each of Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Resolution, the amount of EIGHT

MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($8,550,000) is hereby

deleted, and the amount of NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND

DOLLARS ($9,800,000) is hereby inserted in its place.

(d)

Sections 4 through 9 of the Resolution are hereby ratified, confirmed,

adopted and incorporated into this resolution.

(e)

This resolution shall become effective after approval at referendum vote.

(f) If the above Sections (a) through (e) are enacted, the Amended Resolution will

read in its entirety as follows:

“RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $9,800,000 FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL

IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF BONDS

AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION

RESOLVED,

1. That the Town of Ledyard appropriate NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED

THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,800,000) for various school improvement projects,

including: replacement of the roofs at the Central Office, Gales Ferry School, and Juliet

W. Long School; installation of solar equipment at Gales Ferry School and Juliet W.

Long School; upgrades to the building management systems at Gales Ferry School; and

electrical and HVAC upgrades at Juliet W. Long School. The appropriation may be

spent for design, engineering and construction costs, equipment, materials, legal fees, net

interest on

borrowings and other financing costs, and other expenses related to the project or its

financing. The Permanent Municipal Building Committee shall be the School Building

Committee for the project and is authorized to determine the scope and particulars of the

project. The Permanent Municipal Building Committee may reduce or modify the scope

of the project, and the entire appropriation may be spent on the project as so reduced or

modified.

2. That the Town issue bonds or notes or obligations in an amount not to

exceed NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,800,000) to

finance the appropriation for the project. The amount of bonds or notes or obligations

authorized to be issued shall be reduced by the amount of grants received by the Town

for the project. The bonds or notes or obligations shall be issued pursuant to Sections 7-

369 and 10-289 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended,

and any other enabling acts. The bonds or notes or obligations shall be general

obligations of the Town secured by the irrevocable pledge of the full faith and credit of

the Town.

3. That the Town issue and renew temporary notes or interim funding

obligations from time to time in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds from the sale

of the bonds or notes or obligations for the project or the receipt of grants for the project.

The amount of the notes or obligations outstanding at any time shall not exceed NINE

MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,800,000). The notes or

obligations shall be issued pursuant to Sections 7-378 and 10-289a of the General

Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended. The notes or obligations shall be

general obligations of the Town and shall be secured by the irrevocable pledge of the full

faith and credit of the Town. The Town shall comply with the provisions of Section 7-

378a of the General Statutes with respect to any notes or obligations that do not mature

within the time permitted by said Section 7-378.

4. That the Mayor, the Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of

them, of the Town shall sign any bonds or notes or obligations by their manual or

facsimile signatures. The Treasurer shall keep a record of the bonds or notes. The law

firm of Pullman & Comley, LLC is designated as bond counsel to approve the legality of

the bonds or notes or obligations. The Mayor, the Director of Finance and the Treasurer,

or any two of them, are authorized to determine the amounts, dates, interest rates,

maturities, redemption provisions, form and other details of the bonds or notes or

obligations; to designate one or more banks or trust companies to be certifying bank,

registrar, transfer agent and paying agent for the bonds or notes or obligations; to provide

for the keeping of a record of the bonds or notes or obligations; to designate a financial

advisor to the Town in connection with the sale of the bonds or notes; to sell the bonds

or notes or obligations at public or private sale; to deliver the bonds or notes or

obligations; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the

bonds or notes or obligations.

5. That the Town hereby declares its official intent under Federal Income Tax

Regulation Section 1.150-2 and, if applicable, pursuant to Section 54A(d) of the Internal

Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that project costs may be paid from temporary

advances of available funds and that (except to the extent reimbursed from grant

moneys) the Town reasonably expects to reimburse any such advances from the

proceeds of borrowings, including qualified tax credit bonds, in an aggregate principal

amount not in excess of the amount of borrowing authorized above for the project. The

Mayor, the

Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of them, are authorized to amend such

declaration of official intent as they deem necessary or advisable and to bind the Town

pursuant to such representations and covenants as they deem necessary or advisable in

order to maintain the continued exemption from federal income taxation of interest on

the bonds or notes or obligations authorized by this resolution, if issued on a tax-exempt

basis, including covenants to pay rebates of investment earnings to the United States in

future years.

6. That the Mayor, the Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of

them, are authorized to make representations and enter into written agreements for the

benefit of holders of the bonds or notes or obligations to provide secondary market

disclosure information, which agreements may include such terms as they deem

advisable or appropriate in order to comply with applicable laws or rules pertaining to

the sale or purchase of such bonds or notes or obligations.

7. That Building Committee for the project is vested with the following powers

and duties: (i) to approve design and construction expenditures for the project; (ii) to

recommend to the Mayor the execution of any contract with architects, engineers,

contractors and others in the name and on behalf of the Town to complete the project;

and (iii) to exercise such other powers as are necessary or appropriate to complete the

project. Committee members shall not receive any compensation for their services.

Necessary expenses of the Committee shall be included in the cost of the project. The

records of the Committee shall be filed with the Town Clerk and open to public

inspection during normal business hours. Upon completion of the project, the

Committee shall make a complete report and accounting to the Mayor, the Director of

Finance, the Treasurer, the Town Council, the Board of Education and the Town.

8. That the Board of Education is authorized to apply for and accept state grants

for the project. The Board of Education is authorized to file applications with the State

Board of Education, to execute grant agreements for the project, and to file such

documents as may be required by the State Board of Education to obtain grants for the

costs of financing the project. Any grant proceeds may be used to pay project costs or

principal and interest on bonds, notes or temporary notes.

9. That the Mayor, the Director of Finance, the Treasurer, the Board of

Education, the Building Committee for the project, and other proper officers of the

Town are authorized to take all other action which is necessary or desirable to complete

the project and to issue bonds, notes or other obligations to finance the aforesaid

appropriation.”

Approved by the Ledyard Town Council on: April 16, 2025

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: Mr. Joe Gush, 57 Town Farm Road, Ledyard, Chairman, Permanent

Municipal Building Committee, provided some background regarding the Committee’s

request for the Town Council to take the necessary actions to increase the “Board of

Education $8,550,000 Roof Replacement and Various School Projects” by an additional

$1,250,000; bringing the total requested Bond Authorization to $9,800,000 to proceed

with the Juliet W. Long Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System Project

(HVAC).

Mr. Gush continued by noting the following:

The PMBC and Ledyard Public Schools solicited bids for the Juliet W. Long School

HVAC project several times, and each time the project has come in higher than the

estimated cost based on a number of issues which included the need to redesign the

HVAC System to meet the State’s new guidelines for the project to be

eligible/qualify for the grant reimbursement.

The original cost estimate for the Juliet W. Long School HVAC System was based

on the initial designed Split System; which recirculated the in-door air. However, the

State changed the design requirements for the HVAC System to be a full air

conditioning system with outdoor CO2 (carbon dioxide) monitoring and outdoor

intake. Mr. Gush stated to meet the State’s Grant Eligibility Requirements the

HVAC System for the Juliet W. Long School HVAC System was redesigned as a full

air conditioning system with outdoor CO2 monitoring and outdoor intake.

With the redesigned HVAC System the bids came at about $3.6 million, which was

higher than the amount designated for the Project. Therefore, Mr. Gush stated that he

and Board of Education Director of Facilities & Grounds Wayne Donaldson met with

the Engineer and the Architect in Farmington, Connecticut to see if the design could be

modified to lower the cost. The estimated costs for the redesigned HVAC System was

$2,225,000.

In soliciting Bids for the Juliet W. Long HVAC System a second time only one bid in the

amount of $3.1 million was received. Mr. Gush noted that the Permanent Municipal

Building Committee (PMBC) later learned from the Architect that the reason only one

bid was received was because the contractors did not think they could complete the

project within the required timeframe, noting that they would need two summers for the

project.

The PMBC and Ledyard Public Schools solicited Bids a third time for the Juliet W.

Long School HVAC Project. This bid

allowed Contractors the ability to complete the project over the summers of 2025 and 2026;

and to work during school holidays and breaks, and with limited work while school was

in session.

With the third solicitation of Bids, the town received the required three bids, in

accordance with Ordinance #200-001 “A Purchasing Ordinance for the Town of

Ledyard”. However, the low bid in the amount of $2,673,520 that was received from

Nutmeg Companies Inc., was higher than the estimated project cost of $2,225,000.

The Juliet W. Long School HVAC Project would need to be completed by December

31, 2026. Mr. Gush explained that the State provided an extension from the original

date of December 31, 2025, for the town to be eligible to receive 61.78% grant

reimbursement. However, he stated their grant eligibility was only for a cost of up to

$2,225,000. Therefore, he stated any costs over/above $2,225,000 would not be eligible

for the grant reimbursement, noting that the Town would be responsible for those costs.

He also noted that if they were not able to commence the HVAC Project this summer

(2025), that due President Trump’s Tariffs and other escalation costs the project could

come in higher.

Nutmeg Companies, Inc., indicated that work could be completed by November 2025 if

work could begin this summer (2025).

The PMBC has requested a supplemental authorization in the amount of $1,250,000 be

presented to the townspeople at the May 20, 2025 Annual Budget Referendum, in an

effort to get this project underway at the end of this school year (2025); and to the finish

line.

Mayor Allyn, III, stated based on the assumption of a 4% Interest Rate for 20-years for

the additional $1,250,000 that they would be looking at an additional cost of $91,000 a

year, which represented about .007 of a mil increase in taxes for the next 20-years.

However, he stated that these numbers were based on assumptions, and they do not

know what the Interest Rates or Bond Market would look like when the town was ready

to move forward with the Bonding. He stated in looking at the big picture that this was

not a huge amount of money spread out over 20-years.

Chairman Rodriguez stated that she knew how important this HVAC Project was, noting

that Parents have been expressing concerns that the Juliet W. Long was so hot because

they did not have air conditioning; and that their children were practically having heat

stroke, and they were throwing up when they got home from school. Therefore, she

stated that this project was well overdue and that it needed to move forward. She went

on to comment that she remembered how hot the School was during the months of May

and June, and sometimes September, when her son went to school.

Mr. Gush stated that he agreed with Chairman Rodriguez’s comments, noting that there

was a real need to install the HVAC System in the Juliet W. Long School. However, he

stated that in accordance with the town’s procedures the Permanent Municipal Building

Committee (PMBC) cannot proceed with the Project without the townspeople’s approval

to increase the Bond Authorization by $1,250,000.

Councilor Buhle noted that the Permanent Municipal Building Committee (PMBC)

requested the Bond Authorization be increased by $1,250,000. However, she noted that

the Tabulation Spreadsheet was showing a shortfall of $1,138,000 million; which

included 10% for the Owners Representative and Contingency Costs. Therefore, she

questioned the $112,000 difference; and whether they rounded the cost up in their

requested additional appropriation.

Mayor Allyn addressed the $112,000 that Councilor Buhle noted, and he explained there

were other costs such as the Builders Risk Policy, and Connecticut Interlocal Risk

Management Agency Insurance, (CIRMA) Coverage during the construction.

Councilor Buhle questioned the cost for the Owners Representative. Board of

Education Director of Facilities and Grounds Wayne Donaldson stated the cost was

about $50,000 - 60,000. Mr. Gush noted when the Town Council amended Ordinance

#100-015 (rev 1) “An Ordinance Establishing a Permanent Municipal Building

Committee” that it included a requirement to have an Owner's Representative for

Projects that cost over $500,000. Finance Director Matthew Bonin explained that the

purpose of having an Owners Representative was to have an independent third-party.

He stated if they had the Architect acting as the Owner's Representative that they

would not be an independent third-party.

Mayor Allyn addressed having an Owners Representative noting that the HVAC

System that was installed in the Police Headquarters Facility when the building was

constructed in 2016 has been disastrous. He stated if they had an Owner's

Representative and a Commissioning Agent that the town probably could have

saved tens of thousands of dollars in repairs to get it to work properly. He stated

Owner's Representative, and a Commissioning Agent was like an insurance policy

for all of us to know that the project was being done properly. Councilor Buhle

stated that $50,000 was not a lot of money, however, she stated to make sure their

project was completed correctly and efficiently, that it makes sense to have the

Owners Representative.

Mr. Gush stated in working with Finance Director Matthew Bonin that he suggested they

request an additional appropriation of $1,250,000 because of the uncertainty of inflation

and the tariffs that the project could come in more than expected, noting he was airing

on side of caution. Mayor Allyn explained if the project comes in higher than the

approved Bond Authorization that they would have to go back though the Referendum

Process again, noting that this was already the third time the townspeople were being

asked to vote on these Various Board of Education Projects. He explained that if they do

not spend the full amount that the Town would not Bond (borrow) more than the amount

that was spent.

Councilor Saccone questioned how much State Grant Reimbursement the Town would

receive for the Total Projects Cost of $9,800,000. Mayor Allyn stated that the Town

expected to receive a 61.78% Grant Reimbursement which was about $5,282,190 for the

total combined cost of the Board of Education Various Projects. However, he explained

for the Juliet W. Long HVAC System that the State would only provide 61.78%

reimbursement on the estimated project cost of $2,225,000. He stated any cost over the

estimated $2,225,000 for the HVAC Project, that the Town would be responsible to pay.

Councilor Saccone questioned whether the Juliet W. Long School HVAC System was

designed so that they would not have the same humidity problems that occurred with the

Middle School and Gallup School HVAC Systems. Board of Education Director of

Facilities & Grounds Wayne Donaldson stated that the Juliet W. Long School would not

have humidity issues. He explained that the HVAC System would have a

dehumidification built into the system. He went on to explain that the System would use

a heat pump system, noting that the hot gas generated from the heat pumps would reheat

the air. He stated when you dehumidify, you have to super chill the air to get the water

out of it; but then it was too cold to put into the rooms, so they reheat the air a little bit to

bring it to an acceptable temperature to go back in the rooms. He went on to explain that

the Juliet W. Long HVAC System has been designed with a fresh air input that would

take care of the carbon dioxide that we naturally produce. He stated that the HVAC

System was designed as a 100% input of fresh air, noting that there was a recirculating

wheel on the roof that would take the heat coming out and being exhausted and transfer

that into the incoming air to try and make it as efficient as possible. He also noted with

the Solar Array System that was being installed on the roof that it would offset a lot of

the operational costs.

Councilor Buhle noted that Mr. Gush stated that they were planning to install the HVAC

System over two summers (2025 & 2026). However, she stated that Mr. Donaldson

mentioned that Nutmeg Industries was saying the HVAC System would be completed by

November of 2025; therefore, she questioned the actual schedule. Mr. Donaldson stated

the Contractor provided a time schedule for the work to completed sometime in

November,

2025, because the System was designed as a heat pump system which would

supplement or replace the existing boilers; and that they anticipate having functional air

conditioning before the end of the school year for those hot days in May (2026).

Councilor Garcia-Irizarry noted when they were doing the construction work on the

Gales Ferry School that they could not have the contractors working on the

roof/overhead when the kids were in the building. Therefore, she questioned whether

Nutmeg Industries would be working at the Juliet W. Long School when the kids were in

the building. Mr. Donaldson explained that most of the work would hopefully be done

during the summer. However, he stated that there would be some work that would

continue into the school year, explaining that Nutmeg Industries would work a second

shift, and would be on-site at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. He also explained that

depending on the enrollment for next school year that the School would have 2 or 3

rooms, that they could use as supplemental classrooms to allow for quiet work during

the day.

Mr. Donaldson continued by addressing working overhead with materials on the school

roof and he explained that the Contractor could not lift any materials onto the roof when

the kids were in the building. Therefore, he stated the Contractor would do some

preparation work and would lift materials on to the roof on the weekends; after hours; or

very early in the morning before the students arrive.

Councilor Buhle stated that there were a lot of residents and parents who were not

paying attention to all of the details that have been delaying the Juliet W. Long

HVAC Project, noting that they were just not seeing action. Therefore, she stated that

she thought that they were ready to see action; and that they need to move forward on

this Project. VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to waive the reading in its entirety the “Town Council Resolutions Approving

Bond Resolutions And Calling Town Meeting” to be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30

p.m. in the Council Chambers, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard to consider said

Resolution; and adjourn to a vote at a referendum to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025

between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Lower Level - Registrar’s

Office, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway.

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Brunelle

Discussion: None.

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to approve the “Town Council Resolutions Approving Bond Resolutions And

Calling Town Meeting” to be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council

Chambers, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard to consider said Resolution; and adjourn

to a vote at a referendum to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 between the hours of 6:00

a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Lower Level - Registrar’s Office, 741 Colonel Ledyard

Highway.

Res: 003/2025/Apr 16 (b)

TOWN COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

APPROVING BOND RESOLUTIONS AND

CALLING TOWN MEETING

RESOLVED,

That the resolution entitled “RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RESOLUTION

ENTITLED “RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $8,550,000 FOR VARIOUS

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF

BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID

APPROPRIATION” TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION AND

BORROWING AUTHORIZATION TO $9,800,000” is hereby approved and a copy

of said resolution shall be attached to and incorporated into these minutes.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That the Ledyard Town Council recommends that a town meeting, adjourned to

referendum, adopt the above resolution entitled “RESOLUTION AMENDING THE

RESOLUTION ENTITLED “RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $8,550,000 FOR

VARIOUS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE

ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE SAID

APPROPRIATION” TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION AND

BORROWING AUTHORIZATION TO $9,800,000” in accordance with Chapter VII,

Sections 7 and 12 of the Town Charter.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That the Chairman of the Town Council is authorized to call a hybrid (In-Person & Video

Conference) Zoom <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89828041846?

pwd=55NUbF7GikcnhMJhLvnxAaCOcqakPo.1>

or by audio only telephone 1-646- 558-8656; Meeting ID: 898 2804 1846; Passcode:

767185 Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the

Council Chambers, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway, in the Town of Ledyard to consider

said Resolution.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That the Town Council, pursuant to Section 14 of Chapter III and Section 9 of

Chapter VII of the Town Charter, hereby designates for submission to the voters at

referendum to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and

8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Lower Level - Registrar’s Office, 741 Colonel Ledyard

Highway in the Town of Ledyard, in the manner provided by said Sections, action on the

aforesaid Resolution to be presented to said Special Town Meeting, and directs the

Town Clerk to give notice of such referendum vote.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That the Chairman of the Town Council cause notice of the time, place and

purpose of said Special Town Meeting and Referendum to be posted and published in

accordance with the provisions of the Town Charter.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That the aforesaid Resolution shall be placed upon the ballot under the following

heading:

“SHALL THE TOWN OF LEDYARD APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL

$1,250,000 (INCREASING THE APPROPRIATION AND BORROWING

AUTHORIZATION TO AN AGGREGATE $9,800,000) FOR VARIOUS

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND AUTHORIZING THE

ISSUANCE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO

FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION?”

Voters approving the Resolution will vote “Yes” and those opposing the Resolution shall

vote “No”. Voting will be held at the usual polling places in the Town. Absentee ballots

will be available from the Town Clerk’s office.

Approved by the Ledyard Town Council on: __________

_________________________

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman

Moved by Councilor Saccone, seconded by Councilor Brunelle

Discussion: It was noted that this Resolution was to set the Special Town Meeting to be

held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. which would adjourn to a Referendum on

the voting machines on Tuesday, May 20, 2025; along with the Annual Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Budget.

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Saccone

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

AYE:

Ryan

EXCUSED:

MOTION to authorize overspending Account #10110101-5310 (Legal Fee) thru June 30,

2025.

Moved by Councilor Saccone, seconded by Councilor Brunelle

Discussion: Mayor Allyn, III, noted that this Legal Fee Account was for Land Trust

Issues, and he noted that as the Finance Committee was aware the Mashantucket

Pequot Tribal Nation was actively seeking to take four other parcels In-Trust.

Moved by Councilor Saccone, seconded by Councilor Buhle

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tony Saccone

RESULT:

MOVER:

Jessica Buhle

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to adopt a “Fair Housing Resolution - Town of Ledyard” as contained in the draft

dated April 14, 2025.

DRAFT: 4/14/2025

Res:004-2025/Apr ____

FAIR HOUSING RESOLUTION

TOWN OF LEDYARD

WHEREAS, All persons are afforded a right to full and equal housing opportunities

in the neighborhood of their choice; and

WHEREAS, Federal Fair Housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of

race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, veteran status, or national origin,

be given equal access to all housing-related opportunities, including rental and

homeownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding

housing location; and

WHEREAS, Connecticut fair housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of

race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of

income, familial status, veteran status, learning disability, physical or mental

disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression be given equal access

to all housing-related opportunities, including rental and home ownership

opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Ledyard is committed to upholding these laws, and

realizes that these laws must be supplemented by an Affirmative Statement publicly

endorsing the right of all people to full and equal housing opportunities in the

neighborhood of their choice.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town of Ledyard hereby

endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent,

purchase, obtain financing and enjoy all other housing-related services of their choice

on a non-discriminatory basis as provided by state and federal law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the chief executive officer of the Town of

Ledyard or his/her designated representative is responsible for responding to and

assisting any person who alleges to be the victim of an illegal discriminatory housing

practice in the Town of Ledyard and for advising such person of the right to file a

complaint with the State of Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and

Opportunities (CHRO) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD) or to seek assistance from the CT Fair Housing Center, legal services, or other

fair housing organizations to protect his or her right to equal housing opportunities.

Adopted by the Ledyard Town Council on ___________

___________________________

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Chairman

**********************************************************************************

I Patricia A. Riley, Town Clerk of the Town of Ledyard, do hereby certify that the

above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the

Town Council held on April 23, 2025, and that such resolution has not been

modified, rescinded, or revoked, and is at present in full force and effect:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF: The undersigned has affixed his signature and corporate se

__________day of ___________ 2025.

___________________________

(Town Seal)

Patricia A. Riley, Town Clerk

Moved by Councilor Buhle, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: Mayor Allyn, III, stated the "Fair Housing Resolution" was a

“housekeeping” type of items that the Town Council was required to annually adopt a

"Fair Housing Resolution" for the Town to be incompliance with state regulations

and to be eligible to apply for and receive certain Grant Funds to support fair

housing.

VOTE:

2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

Discussion scheduling Regular Quarterly Joint Finance Committee Meetings between the

Town Council and Board of Education.

The Finance Committee discussed the importance for the Finance Committees of the

Town Council and Board of Education to meet on a regular basis in an effort to have

open conversations regarding the many issues that face both the community and the

school district as they work to collaborate and find solutions for the town.

Councilor Saccone stated that he would contact Board of Education Finance

Committee Chairman Ty Lamb to obtain some dates that they would be available.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

MOTION to authorize the resubmission of the 2025 COPS Law Enforcement Technology

and Equipment Grant Application in the amount of up-to $240,000 through the 2026

Congressionally Directed Spending initiative, to replace the Ledyard Dispatch Emergency

Communications CAD/RMS System.

Moved by Chairman Buhle, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: Councilor Buhle, attending remotely via Zoom, provided some

background explaining at their April 10, 2024 meeting the Town Council approved to

submit the 2025 Grant Application COPS Law Enforcement Technology and

Equipment Grant Application in the amount of up-to $240,000 under the 2025

Congressionally Directed Spending initiative, to replace the Ledyard Dispatch

Emergency Communications CAD/RMS System. She explained that Ledyard’s

Project/Grant Application received approval through the Appropriations Committee

and that they were waiting for Congress to approve the Continuing Resolution to

allocate the funding. However, she stated in March, 2025 Senator Richard

Blumenthal's Office provided an update regarding the Continuing Resolution that

Congress passed, noting that the Resolution did not fund the Congressionally

Directed Spending Program for Community Projects that had been submitted for the

current fiscal year (fy 24/25). She went on to note that Senator Blumenthal’s Office

explained that should Ledyard choose to resubmit their request in 2026 for the

$240,000 COPS Technology Grant that Ledyard’s Application would have top

priority at the top of the list.

Councilor Buhle went on to explain on April 14, 2025 she and Chairman Rodriguez

were notified that the Application Period for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Congressionally

Directed Spending Program for Community Projects had opened but that it would

close on April 20, 2025. Therefore, she stated because of the short Grant Application

submission period they needed to act quicky to authorize resubmitting Ledyard’s

2025 COPS Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment Grant Application in the

amount of up-to $240,000 for the 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending Program.

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Jessica Buhle

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

Any New Business proper to come before the Committee

None.

MOTION to authorize the transfer (carry over) of all remaining funds the Conservation

Commission CNR Fund #21090305-58922 (Trail Maintenance) from Fiscal Year 2023/2024

to Fiscal Year 2024/2025, in accordance with Ordinance 300-018 “An Ordinance

Establishing a Conservation Commission for the Town of Ledyard”.

Moved by Councilor Saccone, seconded by Councilor Buhle

Discussion: Mr. James Harwood, 10 Eska Drive, Ledyard, Conservation Commission

Member, explained that in accordance with Ordinance #300-018 “An Ordinance

Establishing a Conservation Commission for the Town of Ledyard’ that annual

surpluses from the Conservation Commission’s operating budget, starting with the

end of the Fiscal Year 2018 budgetary year, were to be appropriated to the CNR

Account #21090305-58922 (Tree Removal from Trails). He stated that Finance

Director Matthew Bonin explained that once the Annual Audit for the Fiscal Year

2023/2024 was completed that the funds could be transferred.

Councilor Saccone questioned the balance of the Conservation Commission CNR

Fund #21090305-58922 (Trail Maintenance). Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated

the current balance was 3,083.75.

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tony Saccone

RESULT:

MOVER:

Jessica Buhle

SECONDER:

Saccone and Buhle

Ryan

AYE:

EXCUSED:

ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Buhle moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilor Saccone

VOTE:

2 - 0 Approved and so declared, the meeting was adjourned at 5:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony Saccone, Sr.

Committee Chairman

Finance

Committee

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

Town.