12 Van Tassel Drive  
Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens  
Commission  
Meeting Minutes - Draft Minutes  
Chairman  
Kenneth J. DiRico  
Special Meeting  
Tuesday, February 20, 2024  
7:00 PM  
Parks & Recreation/Senior Citizens  
Center  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chairman DiRico called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Jessica Cobb  
Present  
Commissioner Loretta Kent  
Chairman Kenneth J. DiRico  
Commissioner Norma Sokolski  
Commissioner Margaret Anne Harding  
Commissioner Paula Crocker  
Commissioner Lucrezia Finegan  
Commissioner Carol Ann Schneider  
Commissioner Charles Gallagher  
Absent  
In addition, the following were present:  
Scott Johnson, Parks, Recreation & Senior Center Director  
Gary Paul, Town Council Liaison  
Jessica Buhle, Town Councilor  
III.  
RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS  
None  
IV.  
1.  
PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Director Scott Johnson shared the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Work Session Schedule.  
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Work Session Schedule  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
V.  
MEMBER COMMENTS  
Ms. Harding asked if we could have Mahjong? Also requested we inquire about crafts, pottery  
kilns, macramé. Mr. Johnson stated he can look into that.  
Ms. Harding asked the status of the ARPA funds and the exercise room. Mr. Johnson answered  
that the next step is the submission of application to the State. The process should be a fairly  
simple procedure. Mr. Johnson stated that Spring/Summer would be the time frame for Public  
Works to do their work.  
Ms. Cobb asked about the two State bills being proposed by Senator Olsten for Stoddards Wharf  
Park cleanup and a generator for the Senior Center. Mr. Johnson stated he had not heard about  
the bills and if a generator was received, the Senior Center could be used as a warming/cooling  
center but not as a shelter as there is no shower. He also stated he will send a letter in favor of  
the Bill.  
Ms. Sokolski asked about the light at the end of the road by the sign. It does not light up good  
enough. After discussion it was decided to try and get a street light at the end of the road. Ms.  
Schneider and Mrs. Sokolski stated that they will reach out to the state, town, mayor, planner  
and Senator Olsten and will discuss again next meeting.  
VI.  
1.  
REPORTS  
Director’s Report  
Directors Report:  
Van Driver will go from full time to part time driver. We will begin to use Schedules Plus to  
schedule the van and transportation. It also sends out Robo-calls to let the citizens know when  
they are going to be picked up. Russell who is retiring from full time employment in March has  
expressed an interest in being a part time driver. Mr. Johnson stated that he is a good van driver  
and would be an asset.  
We are back to being fully staffed. HR is very impressed with the new Assistant Director, Matt.  
He brings a lot of knowledge with him from working for Colchester Parks and Recreation and  
has many good ideas for Ledyard.  
Parks, Recreation and Senior Center is in a much better place right now and have several things  
coming up:  
Fencing Tournament  
5 K Race  
Events Programs  
Mr. Johnson stated that Little League did not take down the nets on the batting cages and they  
broke. He will speak to Little League as they will be responsible for the repair.  
Purchase Order for Doors has been submitted.  
Soccer is looking for auditoriums for meetings.  
The turf manager is planning for upcoming events, and will repurpose seed to Crandall field.  
Ms. Cobb asked if there was any way to change it to grass?  
Mr. Johnson stated probably not as there is not enough of a break for them to be established.  
Mr. Johnson stated that he needs the soccer game schedule for mowing and lining of the fields  
and usually does not receive a schedule until close to the end of the season.  
Russell is retiring and his job has been posted on the Town’s Website.  
Mr. Johnson stated we may lose access to the playscapes during summer camp due to roofing.  
VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
MOTION to approve the Parks, Recreation, and Senior Citizens Commission Special Meeting  
Minutes of January 17, 2024.  
1.  
The minutes were referred to the March meeting as there were minor corrections needed.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
VIII. OLD BUSINESS  
Boy Scout Skate Park Project Proposal  
1.  
Boy Scout Skate Park Project  
CIRMA insurance is not against a Skate Park, although the rates may go up.  
It was suggested that the presenter research additional information and present it here for  
approval prior to going to the Town Council.  
Maintenance for the Skate Park may be an issues with staffing and upkeep.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Rules of Procedure for Ledyard Parks, Recreation and Senior Citizens Commission Powers and  
Purpose.  
2.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
XI.  
1.  
NEW BUSINESS  
MOTION to approve the 2024 Summer Camp Pay Scale Increase  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Lucrezia Finegan  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Jessica Cobb  
SECONDER:  
8
1
Cobb Kent DiRico Sokolski Harding Crocker Finegan Schneider  
Gallagher  
AYE  
ABSENT  
X.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Ms. Crocker moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded  
by Ms. Finegan  
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.  
VOTE: 7-0 Approved and so declared  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.