investments and were sitting idle in the bank. However, he stated because of Mr. Bonin’s
work the Town’s Capital Account earned $43,000 in 2022 (for a partial year) which was
.74% of the town’s revenue for that year, and saved taxpayers money. He went on to note
that in 2023 the interest earnings was $576,000; in 2024 the interest earnings was
$1,010,000, and to date for 2025 interest earnings was $623,000. Mr. Eilenberger stated that
Mr. Bonin has saved Ledyard’s taxpayers more than $1.5 million by the revenue that has
been received through the interest earnings on money that had been previously sitting
stagnate in the town’s bank accounts. He stated that he understands that a salary increase of
over 10% seemed like a lot. However, he stated that he believed that by explaining to
residents the amount of revenue Mr. Bonin has brought into the town; his education and
background, and the need to bring the Finance Director’s salary in-line with the market rate
for the position that residents would understand. Mr. Eilenberger went on to state at their
May 21, 2025 meeting the Finance Committee spent hours working on the Fiscal Year
2025/2026 Budget. He stated that both Councilor Buhle and Saccone signed off on budget.
However, he stated Councilor Buhle basically lied at the Finance Committee Meeting rather
than say what she was going to do with the salaries. Thank you.
Ms. Wendy Hellekson, 14-L Lakeside Drive, Ledyard, stated that while she was many
things to in this town, that tonight she was speaking as a private citizen to speak about truth.
She stated that every morning during her school day she was reminded about what makes
this town special. She stated that every person that she encounters was kind, helpful, and
generous. Therefore, she stated that was the reason the recent budget vote was confusing and
disappointing. She stated out of the roughly 1,100 eligible voters, only about 700 voted
against moving the budget forward, noting that this was s not the mandate that some may
claim. She stated what they were hearing from the voters was the result of a campaign that
was driven by lies and fear. She stated when they live in a time when some say that there was
no more truth, noting that too, was misinformation. She stated the truth was that the town
started the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget preparation with a $2.4 million dollars shortfall.
The truth was that 700 people voted based on fears and that should not dictate the future of
the town’s 15,000 residents.
Ms. Hellekson went on to state that she would also like to tell them that Google was not
where they could always go to get the truth. She stated that Google was a filing cabinet with
the most used documents at the front, noting that it did not matter if the documents were
right or wrong, noting that they were just the documents that were looked at the most. She
stated that the truth lied in the investigation and verification of information in Ledyard, and
like many places, has been assaulted by false information. She stated that anyone could say
anything on the Internet. Therefore, she asked that they please be aware of what they were
reading and reposting on social media. Thank you.
Mr. Steve Munger, 12 Nutmeg Drive, Gales Ferry, noted that he would begin his comments
this evening the way he has started his comments every time he has addressed the Town
Council. He stated that he appreciate everybody on the Town Council for their dedication to
the town even though he disagreed with about 90% of what they do, as he has repeatedly said
at prior meetings. He proceeded to address the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget; and he noted
as others have said, it was tough on both sides (General Government and Board of
Education). He stated that he no longer had kids or grandkids in the school system. However,
he stated that he loves kids which was why he fought to allow Ledyard kids, who were
