741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Finance Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman Gary St. Vil

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

5:00 PM

Town Hall Annex Building - Hybrid

Format

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Participation: Information Noted Below:

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

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by Audio only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 875 0513 9543; Passcode:

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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

Tim Ryan

Present:

Jessica Buhle

Excused:

In addition, the following were present:

Fred Allyn, IIMI ayor

Matthew Bonin Finance Director

Jeff Erhart Gales Ferry Fire Chief District #2

Jason HartlingSchool Superintendent

Roxanne Maher Administrative Assistant

MOTION to amend the Agenda to change New Business Item # 3 from a MOTION to a only

a Discussion as noted below:

(3)

Discussion regarding MOTION to recommend the Town Council the appropriation of

the receipt of additional Impact Aid Revenues. and transfer $157,133 from Account

#10188210-59300 (Transferred Funds) to Account #22570101-58250 (BOE CNR

Reserve Fund);

In addition, appropriate $157,133 to Account #225670101-58250 (BOE CNR Reserve

Fund).

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: None.

VOTE:2- 0 Approved and so declared

A motion was made by Ryan, seconded by Saccone, that this be Approved and so declared. The

motion carried by the following vote:

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Ryan

Buhle

AYE:

EXCUSED:

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Finance Committee Regular Meeting Minutes of September 17,

2025.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Finance Director’s Report - Fiscal Year 2025-2026

VI.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin reported that the Annual Audit for Fiscal Year Ending June 30,

2025 was underway. He stated last week LawsonAllenClifton LLP were on-sit at the Town Hall.

However, he stated a lot of the work they do can now be done remotely, noting they have access

to the Munis Financial System. He stated the Annual Audit was now being handled by the

Auditors.

CONTINUE

Financial Reports - Fiscal Year 2025-2026

RESULT:

VII.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin noted the following:

· Pre-Audit Finals - Mr. Bonin stated attached to tonight’s Agenda on the Meeting Portal were the

“Pre-Audit Final Reports” explaining these Reports were done after the Finance Department

completed their Year-End Adjustments. He stated the Annual Audit work was being handled by

Auditors LawsonAllenClifton, LLP.

· Projected Surplus Report - Mr. Bonin stated that he provided the Finance Committee with

hard copies this evening of the Projected Surplus for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025. He

stated that this Report was based on the Year-to-Date Budget verses Actuals for the

Revenues Report and the Expenditures Reports. He noted the following projections

ü General Government Projected Surplus - Just under a $200,000 Surplus for the General

Government- Mr. Bonin stated that this number included not having to use the Mil Rate

Stabilization Fund, as had been budgeted.

Councilor Saccone questioned the dollar amount that they has planned to use from the Mil

Rate Stabilization Fund. Mr. Bonin stated that it was about $1 million.

o Agri-Science (Vo-Ag) $250,636 Revenue Overage. Mr. Bonin explained that

the Projected Surplus Report already takes into consideration the transfer of

the $250,636 to the Board of Education Capital Account; as approved by the

Town Council at their September 10, 2025 meeting.

o Impact Aid $157,133 Revenue Overage - Mr. Bonin stated the Projected

Surplus does not take into account moving the Impact Aid Revenue overage,

should the Town Council take an action to do that.

ü Board of Education Projected Operating Budget Surplus for Fiscal Year

2024/2025 - Just under $213,000. Mr. Bonin stated in accordance with “A

Resolution Creating a Funding Mechanism for Making Annual Appropriations to

a Capital Reserve Fund for the Board of Education” - Adopted on September 28,

1988; that these funds would be transferred to the Board of Education’s Capital

Account. Mr. Bonin

explained that this transfer of surplus funds; which would come off of the Fund

Balance, would take place in the next fiscal year (fy 25/26), because the transfer

had to done after the Annual Audit has been completed.

Fund Balance - Councilor Ryan questioned whether the net results would mean that

the Fund Balance for the start of the current fiscal year (25/26) would be slightly less

than the previous year. Mr. Bonin stated that Councilor Ryan’s comment was correct,

noting with transferring the Board of Education’s $213,000 Operating Surplus from

Fund Balance to their Capital Account, that the Fund Balance for the current fiscal

year (fy 25/26) would be less than the prior year.

Board of Education Surplus - Councilor Saccone stated with the transfer of the

Board of Education’s Operating Budget Surplus of $213,000 that they would receive

a total of $463,636 in their Capital Account. Mr. Bonin stated that once the Annual

Audit was completed that the Board of Education would have received $250,636

(Agri-Science (Vo-AG Revenue Overage) plus the $213,000 (BOE Operating

Surplus) totaling $463,636. He stated although he did not expect the surplus number

would change, that they had to wait until the Annual Audit has been completed for

the Board of Education’s Operating Surplus to be transferred to their Capital

Non-Recurring Account (CNR).

Undesignated Fund Balance - Councilor Ryan stated post Audit, if the numbers

hold, that thew town’s Undesignated Fund Balance would be equivalent to the

previous year. Mr. Bonin stated correct, explaining that there was a town goal to

increase their Undesignated Fund Balance. Mayor Allyn, III noted per the “Town of

Ledyard Fund Balance Reserve Policy” that the Town Council adopted on May 23, 2018

set a goal to increase the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance to 10% by 2037 of the

town’s total operating expenditure budget. He stated that they were trying to meet that

goal in some small incremental manner each year that they can.

CONTINUE

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

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

RESULT:

Settlement Payments.

Mayor Allyn, III, stated that the Town would continue to receive funding from the

Sackler Family Trust - Purdue Pharma Distributor Opioid Settlement through 2034;

noting that recently the Town received notification that three or four more

manufactures would be settling. He suggested as the Finance Committee prepares its

“Transition Memo” to the incoming Committee that they suggest putting this item on

their Agenda twice a year to consider the distribution of funds to non-profits that

were doing the work in their community for Opioid Prevention and Recovery, which

included a variety of different programs such as

· Ledyard Prevention Coalition

· Community Speaks Out

· Connecticut Recovery Support .

· The DARE Program in Ledyard Public Schools

Councilor Saccone questioned whether other towns were doing anything different

with their Opioid Settlement Funding. Mayor Allyn stated he has seen towns do a

number of things with the Opioid Settlement Funding noting as an example that

Groton heavily invested in Community Speaks Out. However, he stated that he

believed that Ledyard was doing a good job to level spread the funding amongst other

Organizations, similar to how they used their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Funding. He noted that the

Organizations that Ledyard has provided funding to has ranged from helping

individuals with addiction, to rehousing people, to helping people obtain some

workforce experience, working with the kids through the DARE Program, and

training other organizations and family members how to administer Narcan in the

event of an overdose. He stated that hopefully the Community Relations Committee

for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion would also work to seek out other partners for the

future distribution of the Opioid Settlement Funding.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated that some towns have not allocated any of the

Opioid Settlement Funding they have received. Mayor Allyn stated as of last year that

95% of Connecticut towns had not yet allocated even $1 of the funding.

Councilor Saccone questioned whether there has been any discussion at the State

level to change how the Opioid Settlement Funding could be used. Mayor Allyn

explained that the Opioid Settlement Funding was a Federal Settlement with the

Opioid Manufactures and Distributors, noting that it was a global legal settlement. He

stated the scope for the use of the funding was limited; however, he stated that

Ledyard was meeting the scope for the use of the funds.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

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

(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.

Mayor Allyn stated all of the American Rescue Act Funding (ARPA) has been

allocated to the various approved projects. He explained the Department Heads were

working to get their projects completed. He stated other than a final accounting, that

there was not going to much for the incoming Finance Committee to do regarding

this Agenda item.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin noted the Ledyard Center Sewer Line Extension

Project, and he explained for Phase II of the Sewer Line Extension Project the town

originally used Undesignated Funds. However, he stated that they were able to restore

some of those funds based on the final costs of Phase I, and Phase III. He stated all of

the ARPA Funding has been allocated; and that there should not be any additional

actions required.

Councilor Ryan requested clarification regarding which government agency

distributed the ARPA Funding. Mayor Allyn stated the ARPA Funding was

distributed directly from the US Federal Treasury.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion regarding upcoming potential Grant Opportunities.

Mayor Allyn, III, stated today Public Works Director/Town Engineer Steve Masalin

had a Meeting with Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) to

discuss

a new Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LoTCIP) Grant

Application to seek funding to replace one of the bridges located on Lantern Hill

Road that did not have a high/good rating. He stated this was a Pre-Application

meeting to see if the Project was eligible to receive the LoTCIP Funding. He stated if

today’s meeting was favorable that it would save the Town about $1.2 million. He

stated Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) has $17 million

available for eligible LoTCIP Projects. He stated that Ledyard already knows that the

Lantern Hill Road Bridge fit their eligibility criteria to be considered for funding.

Councilor Saccone questioned whether the Mayor reminded Mr. Masalin that the

weight limit of the Bridge needed to be 42-tons based the weight of their Fire

Apparatus. Mayor Allyn stated that he did convey Councilor Saccone’s

recommendation to Mr. Masalin and he asked that both of the Lantern Hill Road

Bridges be engineered to bear 50-tons.

Councilor Ryan questioned whether the $1.2 million would pay for Ledyard’s share

of the cost for the Bridge. Mayor Allyn stated the $1.2 million would pay for the total

cost of the Lantern Hill Road Bridge, explaining that this Bridge on Lantern Hill

Road was solely Ledyard’s responsibility. He stated the second Bridge on Lantern

Hill Road, which was currently out of service was the bridge that was shared between

Stonington and Ledyard. He stated the shared Bridge was being funded through the

State Local Bridge Program.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discussion scheduling Regular Quarterly Joint Finance Committee Meetings between the

Town Council and Board of Education.

The Finance Committee agreed that with upcoming November 4, 2025 General

Election to recommend to the incoming Finance Committee Members of the Town

Council and Board of Education to continue their Joint Finance Committee meetings;

and to schedule a Joint Meeting shortly after the two groups were seated sometime in

early December, 2025.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any Old Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION to authorize the submission of a grant request to the State of Connecticut for the

removal of foam and cleaning of the foam system for Gales Ferry Engine 21.

MOTION to recommend the Town Council authorize the submission of a grant

request to the State of Connecticut in the amount of $7,425 for the removal of foam

and cleaning of the foam system for Gales Ferry Engine 21.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: Gales Ferry Fire Chief Jeff Erhart provided some background stating that

the existing Legacy Firefighting Foam has been found to have Per-and

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the product. He stated that changes to State

Laws and awareness

in industry have resulted in new ‘’Clean Foams’’ becoming the industry standard. He

explained that the State of Connecticut has allocated funding to support Departments

in the state, including the payment of hazardous waste contractors to remove the old

foam and clean the foam systems in the apparatus in order to prevent and protect

firefighters exposure and environmental exposure to PFAS.

Chief Erhart continued by stating that Gales Ferry Engine 21 has the Legacy

Firefighting Foam; however, he stated that they cannot use it; and they cannot dump

the Legacy Firefighting Foam on the ground. He stated that he obtained a quote from

one of the few Vendors (Croft) that do this type of work, and that he also confirmed

with Jeff Morrissette, State Fire Administrator, that the quote and level of work was

consistent with what he has been seeing from other Fire Companies have done. He

stated that this was a reimbursement grant noting that the town would have to pay for

the removal of the Legacy Firefighting Foam up-front and then submit a Form along

with the invoices to the State to receive the reimbursement from the State.

Chief Erhart stated in speaking with Ledyard Center Fire Chief Jon Mann that

District #1 also had a Fire Engine with the Legacy Firefighting Foam. Therefore, he

noted that the Ledyard Center Fire Department - District #1 would most likely be

seeking authorization to also submit this Grant Application for the removal of foam

and cleaning of the foam system from their truck.

Councilor Saccone stated that it was his understanding that the State Grant Funding

was running out quickly at the beginning of the fiscal year, and he questioned

whether Chief Erhart found this to be the case. Chief Erhart stated when he talked

with State Fire Administrator, Jeff Morrissette about the availability of the funding

that he did not mention whether the funding was going quickly. However, he stated

that Mr. Morrissette noted that the State Legislation was only providing funding to

Municipalities and funding would not be distributed to independent Fire Companies

or Tax Districts. However, he stated during their discussion, that he explained to Mr.

Morrissette that the Gales Ferry Fire Company was a town related function, and that

they were a town agency; and that Mr. Morrissette understood.

Councilor Saccone stated when they put the Legacy Firefighting Foam in Engine 21

that it cost about $300; noting that it was now going to cost $7,425 to get rid of it.

Chief Erhart explained that once the Legacy Firefighting Foam was removed and the

foam tank and water tank was cleaned that they would put the approved “New Foam”

into Engine 21. He stated that the foam mixed with the water for petroleum based

fires, such as car fires, etc.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated at a cost of $7,425 that they would be

required to seek three quotes in accordance with Ordinance #200-001 (rev 1) “An

Ordinance for Purchasing”. Mr. Erhart stated that he would work to seek additional

quotes, noting that he would ask the State if they had a list of Vendors that does this

type of hazardous mitigation work.

Mr. Bonin explained that tonight’s request was only to apply for the Grant, noting

that once the grant funding has been received they would have to appropriate the

grant funds.

Mayor Allyn stated that this grant was a reimbursement program, noting that the

town would have to pay up-front to have the engine cleaned and then the State would

reimburse the town.

Councilor Ryan stated that this Motion was only to authorize the town to submit the

Grant Application, noting that it does not authorize the Fire Department to spend the

money. He questioned how critical this request was. Chief Erhart stated it was not

time sensitive.

The Finance Committee agreed to remove the following language “in the amount of

$7,425” as a “Friendly Amendment” from the Motion as noted above (page 6).

The Finance Committee asked Chief Erhart to come back when he has obtained the

required three quotes, at which time they would authorize the funding to have the

work done. Mayor Allyn suggested Chief Erhart try to obtain the three quotes for the

Finance Committee’s November 5, 2025 meeting, explaining that because of the

Holidays the Town Council typically only meets once during the months of

November and December.

VOTE:

2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Ryan

Buhle

NAY:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to amend the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Standing Bid Waiver List to include the

following:

Freightliner/Alliance in East Hartford.

MOTION to recommend the Town Council amend the Fiscal Year 2025/2026

Standing Bid Waiver List to include the following Vendors:

Groton Utilities for Emergency Repairs to the Ledyard Water Infrastructure

· Freightliner/Alliance in East Hartford.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion:

Groton Utilities for Emergency Repairs to the Ledyard Water Infrastructure

Mayor Allyn explained that the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) contracts

with Groton Utilities for their water supply and delivery as well as maintenance of

the water infrastructure. He stated when a watermain breaks that Groton Utilities

repairs the

waterline. He stated Groton Utilities was a subcontractor for the Town of Ledyard,

however, repairing a watermain could be sizable work. He stated that he talked with

WPCA Chairman Ed Lynch about what constitutes an “Emergency Repair” noting

that if it was a watermain break that it would obviously be an Emergency Repair.

However, he stated there were other things that might be biddable work and that they

needed to be prepared to do that. He stated that WPCA Chairman Ed Lynch was

going to try to define what constituted an Emergency. He stated that Groton Utilities

was their water provider, noting that they had the equipment, manpower, and

capability, therefore, it probably made sense for them to do a good amount of that

work. He stated that Groton Utilities did a major watermain valve repair on a 16”

watermain at the corner of Lorenze Parkway and Route 117 in the middle of the

night; explaining that this repair was something that they did not have time to solicit

bids for. However, he stated if they were going to add Groton Utilities to the

Standing Bid Waiver List that they needed to define what constituted an

“Emergency”

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher noted on September 25, 2019 the Town

Council updated the July 13, 1994 “Procedures/Policy For Emergency Expenditures

And Appropriations”.

Councilor Ryan noted the Town already had a Policy in place to justify an

“Emergency”. He stated in reviewing WPCA Chairman Ed Lynch’s September 24,

2025 email that his justification to include Groton Utilities on the Standing Bid

Waiver List rests on the fact that Groton Utilities does their own due diligence.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated that Ledyard does not know what Groton

Utilities’ “Due Diligence” is.

Councilor Saccone stated that Groton Utilities can repair a fire hydrant within hours

if not days. He noted when he worked at the Groton Subbase they would wait six-

months before they even started to dig to repair a fire hydrant. He stated that Groton

Utilities has always provided great service for the town’s Fire Departments. Mayor

Allyn stated that Ledyard had a fire hydrant that was poorly placed on the Multi-Use

Pathway at the intersection of Gallup Hill Road and Colonel Ledyard Highway, and

he noted that Groton Utilities was meticulous in moving the fire hydrant across the

street to Colonel Ledyard Highway and placed it behind the guiderail. He stated

Groton Utilities was good at what they do, noting it was their business. Councilor

Saccone agreed with Mayor Allyn, noting that they had to be diligent with taxpayers

money.

Councilor Ryan stated unless they had more information about Groton Utilities bid

process, at this point he did not agree with adding Groton Utilities the Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Standing Bid Waiver List.

Freightliner/Alliance in East Hartford.

Gales Ferry Fire Chief Jeff Erhart stated that Bull Dog has been the Gales Ferry Fire

Company’s main service provider for many years and that they were already on the

Standing Bid Waiver List. However, he stated that they have also used

Freightliner/Alliance in the past for routine maintenance and repairs to their fire

apparatus; along with a few other service providers. He stated that

Freightliner/Alliance has been doing a lot of repair work on their aging tanker truck

and other aging pieces of apparatus. Therefore, he stated that Freightliner/Alliance

has intimate knowledge of the complexity of a couple of the Fire Company’s

apparatus, which was a benefit to help troubleshoot problems quicker and more

efficiently. He stated the Public Works Department also used Freightliner/Alliance

noting that he thought at one time they were on the Standing Bid Waiver List. He

went on to explain that because of their aging fleet that their preventative

maintenance, routine checks, and annual inspections cost on average a few thousand

dollars. However, he stated with the addition of any repairs the cost often exceeds the

$5,000 threshold provided in Ordinance #200-001 “Purchasing Ordinance” which

would then require the Gales Ferry Fire Company to seek a minimum of three quotes.

He stated although he was asking that Freightliner/Alliance be added to the Standing

Bid Waiver List that what he was trying to do was leverage the best work for the least

amount of money. He stated because Bull Dog was on the Standing Bid Waiver List

that they were limited to Bull Dog. He stated because the number of mechanics for

fire service vehicles was limited that if he had a larger list of vendors that he could

better leverage their options for maintenance and repair work.

Councilor Ryan stated by having multiple vendors on the Standing Bid Waiver List

for the same purpose would basically put them back to Square One which was

soliciting competitive bids. However, he stated for the Fire Departments and for the

Police Department for when they have emergency repairs; that it would be good to

have the ability to contract with them quicker.

Councilor Ryan continued by noting Chief Erhart’s October 2, 2025 email in which

he mentioned that the Gales Ferry Tanker was at Freightliner/Alliance in East

Hartford; and that the bills and repairs were going to fall somewhere between $6,000

to $10,000. Councilor Ryan questioned the original cost estimate. Chief Erhart stated

for a number of years they were plagued by a Pump Pressure issue. He stated that

they had a number of agencies look at the Pump Pressure issue explaining that

sometimes they diagnosed the issue and sometimes they could not. He stated that

they still have not been able to figure out the problem factor, noting that he thought it

was an engineering issue in the system. He stated the last thing they have not replaced

was the Pump Controller System, which was an electronic box, noting that the cost of

the device was just under $5,000. He stated while the work was underway there were

a number of other things that needed to be addressed such as the two air brake drums

needed to be replaced because they would not pass the Department of Transportation

(DOT) Inspection. Therefore, he stated that the costs exceeded the $5,000 threshold

which would require them to solicit three quotes, noting that the Tanker has been

sitting at Freightliner/Alliance for some time.

Councilor Ryan stated the rationale noted in the request to add Freightliner/Alliance

to the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Standing Bid Waiver List was because they were

familiar with the Gales Ferry Fire Company’s Freightliner Trucks. Chief Erhart stated

that Freightliner/Alliance can do on the spot emergency repairs.

Councilor Saccone stated that the Gales Ferry Fire Company had used

Freightliner/Alliance in years past. However, he stated the reason they stopped using

them was because they were in Hartford and they would charge $90.00 an hour to

have a driver bring the trucks to Hartford. Chief Erhart stated that the Gales Ferry

Fire Company’s solution to save the cost for the driver, was to have a member from

the Gales Ferry Fire Company drive the Truck to Hartford and then they pick up truck

when the work has been completed.

The Finance Committee agreed to remove Groton Utilities for Emergency Repairs to

the Ledyard Water Infrastructure as a “Friendly Amendment” as noted above ( page

7).

Councilor Ryan stated once the Finance Committee received additional information

from the Water Pollution Control Authority, as noted by the Finance Director, that

they could

VOTE:

2- 0 Approved and so declared

The Finance Committee thanked Chief Erhart for attending tonight’s meeting.

Chief Erhart left the meeting at 5:34 p.m.

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Saccone and Ryan

Buhle

NAY:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to appropriate and transfer $157,133 from Account #10188210-59300

(Transferred Funds) to Account #22570101-58250 (BOE CNR Reserve Fund);

In addition, appropriate $157,133 to Account #225670101-58250 (BOE CNR Reserve Fund)

..end.

Discussion regarding MOTION to recommend the Town Council to appropriate the

receipt of additional Impact Aid Revenues and transfer $157,133 from Account

#10188210-59300 (Transferred Funds) to Account #22570101-58250 (BOE CNR

Reserve Fund);

In addition, appropriate $157,133 to Account #225670101-58250 (BOE CNR

Reserve Fund).

Discussion: School Superintendent Jason Hartling stated as directed by the Town

Council last year (February 29, 2024 letter) the Board of Education submitted a

request dated July 29, 2025 for the $157,133 Surplus Impact Aid Revenue to be

appropriated to their Capital Account to be used for Capital Improvement Projects.

He noted that the Board of Education identified several Capital Improvement Projects

and submitted their List to the Town Council. He thanked Councilor Saccone for his

September 24, 2025 letter in which he challenged the Capital Projects the Board of

Education identified, and he noted the Board of Education was now in a holding

pattern.

Councilor Saccone noted two of the Capital Projects the Board of Education

identified in their July 29, 2025 letter were not funded through the Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Budget. However, he stated three of the projects the Board of Education

identified for the use of the additional Impact Aid Funding were funded in the Fiscal

Year 2025/2026 Budget as noted below:

· $65,000 High School Gym Ceiling Repairs (Not funded)

· $15,000 High School Enclosed Bid nesting locations (Funded)

· $45,000 High School Baseball Filed Renovations (Not funded)

· $10,000 High School Sewer Piping Replacement (Funded)

· $22,000 High School Boiler System Heating Repairs (Funded)

School Superintendent Jason Hartling stated although the Capital Improvement Plan

(CIP) in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget showed that the Town Council approved

these Board of Education Projects that theoretically the funding was supposed to

come from the Board of Education’s Operating Budget, or from “Other”. He stated

because the Board of Education did not have any funding in their Operating Budget

for these Capital Projects that he found that the funding existed in the Board of

Education’s Capital Non-Recurring Fund (CNR). He stated in order to fund these

Projects that they would need to have an allocation; or the Board of Education would

have to swap out other projects that were already approved. He stated there was no

tax levy awarded to the Board of Education in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget to

complete the Projects listed in their July 29, 2025 request.

Finance Director Matthew Bonin noted his September 24, 2025 email to Councilor

Saccone in which he explained the following two projects that were identified in

Councilor Saccone’s September 24, 2025 letter to the Board of Education were not

funded, noting that they were cut late in the budget process

· $65,000 High School Gym Ceiling Repairs

· $45,000 High School Baseball Filed Renovations

Mr. Bonin stated along with his email that he also provided a letter dated February,

29, 2024 from former Town Council Chairman Rodriguez which explained the

application of the Board of Education’s Budget surplus to the BOE Capital Account

as follows:

“As been done in prior years these yearend surplus funds will be applied toward the

tax levy needed to support the Board of Education's Capital Projects, as presented in

your request for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget”.

Mr. Hartling stated that he did not see Mr. Bonin’s September 24, 2025 email.

Councilor Saccone noted that Mr. Mr. Bonin’s September 24, 2025 email was

attached to the Agenda Packet on the meeting portal for tonight’s meeting and he

read the email as follows:

“From: Matthew Bonin <finance.director@ledyardct.org>

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 3:17 PM

To: Tony Saccone <tsac@ledyardct.org>

Cc: Roxanne Maher <council@ledyardct.org>; Fred Allyn, III

<mayor@ledyardct.org>

Subject: RE: Additional Impact Aid Funding Request - Finance Committee letter

dated 9/24/2025

Good Afternoon Tony,

As discussed - here is the backup.

There are two projects identified in your letter that were not funded - they were cut

late in the budget process (see attached red lined projects).

I’ve also attached a letter from FY 24 that explains the application of the BOE

surplus to the BOE. This is nothing new. While this letter pertains to the FY 22/23

surplus - it’s how we treated last year’s surplus as well.

There were $114,500 of BOE projects funded in the FY 25/26 budget. The funding

source was the FY 24 audited surplus - NOT TAX LEVY but they are still considered

funded. These funds were transferred to the BOE in March of 2025 with no assigned

capital projects. The budget process assigned those projects.

Please reach out with any questions.

Regards,

Matt”

Superintendent Hartling stated that there was a fundamental misunderstanding

between the Board of Education and the General Government. He stated the Board of

Education’s Capital Non-Recurring Fund (CNR) was under the control of the Board

of Education; and he explained that they allocated funding from their CNR Account

for emergency capital projects such as the Gallup Hill School Water Heater, noting

that the

Board of Education does not have a Capital Sinking Fund. He stated those CNR

Funds was not money that the Town transferred to the Board of Education. He stated

the Board of Education already took action to transfer their Fiscal Year 2024/2025

Year-End Balance to their Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Account. He stated the lack

of communication was where they were getting hung up.

Councilor Saccone addressed Mr. Hartling’s comment that “The Board of Education

already took action to transfer their Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Year-End Balance to

their Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Account”; and he noted that the Year-End

Balance would not be available until the Annual Audit for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 has

been completed. Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated that Councilor Saccone’s

comment was correct. Mr. Hartling stated there was a change in the State Law that

permitted the Board of Education “To have a Non-Lapsing Account” which was

their Capital Non-Recurring Account (CNR). He noted at their February 28, 2024

meeting the Town Council voted to set-up a new, stand alone, Board of Education

Capital Fund for Non-Bonded Board of Education Capital Items to reside outside of

the Town’s Capital Nonrecurring Fund (CNR Fund 210). He stated this Town

Council action transferred the responsibility of the BOE CNR Fund to the Board of

Education. He stated that this was a good conversation for a joint Finance Committee

meeting. He stated as he and Councilor Saccone discussed on the telephone that they

were trying to see where the Tax Levy Allocation was; noting that they were trying to

spend money that was already transferred over to the Board of Education.

Councilor Ryan stated during the past four budget years that he recalled the Town

Council taking an action to transfer fund Year End Balances to the Board of

Education’s Capital Non-Recurring Account (CNR) which was based on their

Audited Operational Budget Surplus per the “Resolution Creating a Funding

Mechanism for Making Annual Appropriations to a Capital Reserve Fund for the

Board of Education” adopted on September 28, 1988. He stated during the previous

years that he has never heard that the Board of Education could take that action

themselves.

Mr. Hartling explained that the Board of Education could transfer their Year-End

Fund Balance to their Capital Non-Recurring Account (CNR) because the following

two things happened: (1) Town Council transferred the Board of Education’s Capital

Non-Recurring Fund from the auspices from the General Government to the Board of

Education (2/28/2024) so now the Board of Education manages those funds through

their actions; and (2) State Law changed permitting local Board of Educations to

maintain a Non-Lapsing Account. He stated these two things changed the way the

Town Council and Board of Education interacted with the Board of Education’s

Capital Non-Recurring Account. He stated the past practice was that the Board of

Education would present a Project and the Town Council would allocate the funds for

the Project. However, he stated with the Board of Education’s Capital Non-Recuring

(CNR) Account that the Board of Education now has to vote to allocate the funding

for a Project. He stated the Board of Education did not request the Town Council

transfer the responsibilities of BOE CNR Account to the Board of Education; and

therefore, the Board of Education has had to adapt to the process as best they could.

Councilor Ryan questioned the State Legislation Mr. Hartling referred to. Mr.

Hartling stated that he would get back to Councilor Ryan with the Legislation that

permitted Board of Educations to have Non-Lapsing Account. Councilor Ryan

requested

clarification regarding the process relative to the Board of Education’s Year-End

Surplus. Finance Director Matthew Bonin explained because of the “Resolution

Creating a Funding Mechanism for Making Annual Appropriations to a Capital

Reserve Fund for the Board of Education” adopted on September 28, 1988; that each

year the Board of Education’s Surplus was moved over the Board of Education’s

Capital Non-Recurring Account. He stated it was more of a formality for the Town

Council to vote to transfer the Board of Education’s Budget Surplus to their Capital

Non-Recurring Account (CNR).

Mr. Bonin continued by addressing the Town Council’s February 28, 2024 action to

set-up a new, stand alone, Board of Education Capital Fund for Non-Bonded Board

of Education Capital Items to reside outside of the Town’s Capital Nonrecurring

Fund (CNR Fund 210). He explained that moving the Board of Education’s Capital

Non-Recurring Account to the Board of Education was merely an accounting move

so that the Board of Education’s purchase orders and invoices for capital projects did

not fall on his plate; explaining that it was not to relinquish the oversight. Councilor

Ryan stated that there needed to be more discussion on this. Mr. Hartling stated he

appreciated the dialogue about removing things from the town’s plate. However, he

stated when they move funds to be under the Board of Education that they then have

a fiduciary responsibly to allocate them; and he explained that State Law does not

permit the Town Council to appropriate the funds they previously sent to the Board

of Education. Therefore, he stated that it creates a challenge, and that it was a matter

of how they communicate so that everyone was clear on how they were moving

forward. He stated that he did not believe there was a mechanism that says: “You can

allocate the funds and the accounting responsibilities to the Board of Education, but

that the Town Council could still maintain control”. He stated they could work

together to figure this all out. Councilor Saccone stated they could discuss this

subject during the Joint Finance Committee Meetings between the Town Council and

Board of Education. However, he stated the item on tonight’s Agenda was the

additional Impact Aid Funding that was received for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.

Councilor Saccone continued by stating it was his understanding that once the Impact

Aid Funding was received it was not required to be allocated to the Board of

Education, because the Board of Education’s budget had been already approved.

Superintendent Hartling stated that he did not disagree with Councilor Saccone’s

comments, noting that it was not a State Law to do that. However, he stated that it

has been the practice of the Town of Ledyard to use the extra Impact Aid Funds for

the purpose of Capital Projects. He stated the town has been disciplined to do that

because the Board of Education does not have a Sinking Fund; and they do not have a

mechanism to fund Capital Projects, noting as they saw with the Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Budget they cut the funding for the Board of Education’s capital items. He

stated that he was happy to see that the Town Council increased the Impact Aid

Revenue in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget which was based on information that

was received later in the budget process. He stated trying to get the capital projects

completed was part of the larger picture, noting that it was not easy to do especially

because the town was not flush with cash to do those things. He stated the Board of

Education continues to push capital projects down the road; and that he was trying to

figure out how to get these projects accomplished for the schools and their

community. He stated in 2018 that it was additional Impact Aid Funding, and

additional Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Funding that paid for the installation of the

High School Artificial Turf Field. He stated this was the practice for the last

nine-years and that it was within the Town Council’s preview to change that practice.

POST MEETING NOTE: In accordance with the “Resolution To Approve An

Appropriation In The Amount of $616,163 Over The Approved $1,923,087 For The

Ledyard High School Track And Multi-Use Field” approved on December 23, 2019

the funding sources for the turf field were as follow:

“That the source of funds in a combined total amount not to exceed TWO

MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED AND

FIFTY DOLLARS ($2,539,250) to finance the Ledyard High School Track and

Multi-Use Field shall be allocated as follows: SIX HUNDRED SIXTEEN

THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE DOLLARS ($616,163) from

Account #22101010-59300 (Mill Rate Stabilization Fund-Transferred

Funds) and ONE MILLION, NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE

THOUSAND, EIGHTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($1,923,087) from Account

#10188210-59300 (General Fund Transferred Funds) providing that the

Mayor, the Director of Finance and the Treasurer, or any two of them of the Town,

shall certify that there are available unappropriated general fund resources in

excess of the proposed appropriation.”

Councilor Ryan questioned whether the Board of Education intended to use the

anticipated un-audited $213,000 Board of Education’s Fiscal Year 2024/2025

Surplus for Capital Projects that were not funded. Mr. Hartling stated the Board of

Education has not made any appropriations for those $213,000 because the numbers

were not yet final. He stated the Board of Education has been disciplined to only use

their Year-End Budget Surplus for their approved capital projects and/or their

approved expenditures that were above and beyond, such as the Gallup Hill School

Hot Water Tank Replacement which cost about $35,000 -$40,000. He stated the

Board of Education does not have the funds to swing should they have a significant

capital project outlay or emergency. He stated this has been going on for a number of

years, noting that in the past the Board of Education would come to the Town

Council to access the CNR Fund. However, he stated this process has been

eliminated because the Capital Non-Recurring Fund has been transferred over to the

Board of Education. He noted as an example that last year the Board of Education

budgeted $350,000 for maintenance and repairs; however, they spent over $400,000

for emergency repairs, noting that they do not have a Sinking Fund or the resources

for building emergencies. However, he stated this was a bigger discussion for the

community.

Councilor Saccone stated during the two-years he has served on the Town Council

that what he has heard from the community was to hold the line on taxes; while their

buildings, vehicles, and especially the school buildings were deteriorating. He stated

that he understood what Mr. Harting was saying and that he was on the Board of

Education’s side; however, he stated the community does not want to hear that. He

stated the bigger conversation with the community should be that “They have to

support $500,000 a year for capital projects, with most of those funds going to the

schools, because they had the majority of the buildings in town”. He stated the bigger

picture was to talk to the taxpayers, however, he commented that they do not want to

hear it.

Mr. Hartling stated outside the significant bond projects that the Board of Education

has funded their capital improvements with the limited amount of budget surplus they

have at the end of the each year; or if they received any additional Impact Aid

funding, which was difficult to predict. He stated should the Town Council choose

not to fund the Board of Education’s Capital Improvements with the additional

Impact Aid Funding then they would need to look at other opportunities; and that

this would need to be a community conversation. He stated that they could figure it

out if they sit in a room and work together, which was all he could ask for.

Councilor Saccone asked Mr. Hartling to submit a Prioritized List of Capital Projects

for the use the additional $157,133 Impact Aid Funding that was received for Fiscal

Year 2024/2025. Mr. Hartling stated that the Board of Education has discussed

providing another list of Capital Projects for the use of the additional Impact Aid

Funding, because there was the perception that the following projects, which the

Board of Education submitted in their July 29, 2025 letter, were funded:

· $15,000 High School Enclosed Bid nesting locations

· $10,000 High School Sewer Piping Replacement

· $22,000 High School Boiler System Heating Repairs

Mr. Hartling stated that he would work with the Board of Education to vote on

another set of projects for the use of the additional $157,133 Impact Aid Funding to

submit to the Town Council.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

MOTION to appropriate $8,000 to Account #20810201-50000-24207 (Cemetery Committee

- Grant Expense) to recognize the grant awarded by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy

and Management entitled “Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program”.

Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Saccone

Discussion: Mayor Allyn, III, explained that at their February 12, 2025 meeting the

Town Council authorized the Town to submit a Neglected Cemetery Grant in the

amount of $5,000 through the "Municipal Certification of Resolution ~2025 Office of

Policy and Management Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program". He stated

because the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) did not receive a lot of Grant

Applications the town was notified that they would be receiving $8,000. He stated

Cemetery Committee Chairman William Videll prepared the Grant Application;

which included their intended use of the Grant Funding; and that he also provided a

revised Plan to incorporate the additional $3,000. He noted the Cemetery Committee’

Plan for the use of the funds included removing brush, fixing gravestones, repairing

fences and a number of other maintenance items.

Mayor Allyn went on to explain with the receipt of the $8,000 Grant funding that this

action was to move to the funding to the Cemetery Committee Account so that they

could start to do the work. He stated the funding needed to be fully expended by May

18, 2026.

Councilor Saccone questioned whether the Cemetery Committee would be doing the

work themselves or whether they would be using contactors for the work. Mayor

Allyn stated that the Cemetery Committee and other volunteers would be doing some

of the work and that they would also use contractors for some of the work. He noted

as an example that Ken Geer repairs gravestones; and that it was his understanding

that the Cemetery Committee would hire Mr. Geer to use a polymer to glue some

damaged gravestones back together and upright them.

Councilor Saccone stated that Town Historian Kit Foster told him that Ledyard was

in the Guiness Book of World Records, because they had the most cemeteries (53) in

town; which included individual cemeteries, than any other town in the country.

Mayor Allyn stated that Ledyard does have a lot of cemeteries, noting that there was

one cemetery off of Pumpkin Hill Road with unmarked gravestones. He stated that

they believe it was a Quaker Cemetery, because there were small lumps of stone in

ground, explaining that the Quakers did not believe in having large ornate

gravestones.

Councilor Saccone asked the Mayor to remind the Cemetery Committee about the

Cemetery inside the former American Styrenics Property in Gales Ferry. Mayor Allyn

stated that American Styrenics/Dow Chemical used to meticulously take care of that

Cemetery when they were in Gales Ferry. He went on to state that there was only one

Cemetery in town that has not yet been adopted, which was located behind the

Mashantucket Pequot Fire Department/Safety Facility. He stated the Mashantucket

Pequot Tribal Nation put a road in to access the Cemetery and trimmed back trees

noting that they did a nice job. He stated the Cemetery Committee was looking for a

group to adopt that Cemetery. Councilor Saccone questioned who owned the

Cemetery behind the Mashantucket Fire Department/Public Safety Facility. Mayor

Allyn stated technically no one owned a Historic Cemetery, therefore he stated the

Cemetery Committee was looking to find a group or organization to care for the

Cemetery. Councilor Saccone stated he would look into the Cemetery located behind

the Mashantucket Pequot Fire Department/Safety Facility.

Councilor Ryan stated that the list of how the Cemetery Committee planned to use

the original $5,000 Grant Funding was attached to the Agenda packet on the meeting

portal. However, he stated that he did not see the addendum of how they were going

to use the additional $3,000 Grant Funding. Mayor Allyn stated that Mr. Videll did a

good job

identifying how the additional $3,000 would be used. Councilor Ryan stated that it

was great to receive additional grant funding.

how the additional $3,000 would be used. Councilor Ryan stated that it was great to

receive additional grant funding.

VOTE:

2- 0 Approved and so declared

RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

Tim Ryan

RESULT:

MOVER:

Tony Saccone

SECONDER:

Any New Business proper to come before the Committee

None.