741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Agricultural Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Bruce Garstka

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

6:00 PM

Town Hall Annex-Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Garstka at 6:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Farming Community Allyson Angelini

Community-at-Large Representative Katie Yuhas

Farming Community Bruce Garstka

Farming Community Michael E. Marelli

Alternate Member Steve Martic

Present

Absent

Alternate

Late

Farming Community William Thorne

Farming Community Russell Holmberg

Mr. Thorne was present via Zoom.

Mr. Thorne was appointed as a voting member until Mr. Holmberg arrived at 6:03 p.m.

III.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

None.

IV.

COMMENTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

Comments of Commission Members.

None.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Informational items.

None.

VI.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from July 15, 2025, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT:

Bruce Garstka

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

Angelini Yuhas Garstka Holmberg Marelli

Martic

AYE

ABSENT

VII. CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence.

None.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Any other Old Business to come before the Commission.

Chairman Garstka met with Mayor Allyn III regarding Clark Farm. Mayor Allyn III suggested

that the Commission writes a letter to Town Council with what the Commission would like to

see happen to the parcel. Having the fields mowed, even to a farmer for a no cost lease, would

save the Town money in maintenance costs and help maintain the property. Its possible Bill Geer

will take over part of the haying to assist with the current lease.

The Commission could suggest to Town Council that the Commission takes the lead on this

property and would need to develop criteria for eligibility. Ideally the Commission would have a

lease in place by next spring. Chairman Garstka suggested a 5-year lease agreement, insurance

required, to a Ledyard resident with the highest bid.

Mr. Thorne clarified that there are two parcels and asked about the easement for the power lines.

It is prime agricultural property.

Chairman Garstka said he would reach out to Town Council. Chairman Marelli suggested

reaching out to Councilor Dombrowski. The next Town Council meeting is next week (August

27).

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Any other New Business to come before the Commission.

Chairman Garstka asked if anyone on the AG Committee would like to be a representative on

the Ledyard 250 Committee? It meets on the second Tuesday of the month during the afternoon.

Mr. Thorne said he is potentially interested and will talk to the Kristen Chapman, Executive

Assistant to the Mayor.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 6:23 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Bruce Garstka

RESULT:

MOVER: