741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Community Relations Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Kevin J. Dombrowski

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

6:30 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

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CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Paul at 6:30 p.m. at the Council

Chambers - Town Hall Annex Building.

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

Community Relations 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-Insite Meeting Portal.

II.

ROLL CALL

Gary Paul

Present:

John Marshall

Bill Saums

Excused:

In addition, Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher was in attendance.

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Community Relations Regular Meeting Minutes of April 19, 2023

Moved by Councilor Paul, seconded by Councilor Marshall

VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Gary Paul

RESULT:

MOVER:

John Marshall

SECONDER:

Paul and Marshall

Saums

AYE:

EXCUSED:

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Discuss the 2024 Black History Activity/Contest.

No Action

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Continued discussion and possible action draft a schedule for Public Information Forums to

present to residents the types of services the town offers; how to access services and the

authority residents should direct concerns regarding services.

Councilor Paul presented the attached schedule

Councilor Paul noted he spoke with Farmers’ Market Committee Chairman Lauriann

Hary about the dates the Community Relations Committee would like to reserve

space at the Farmers Market this summer. He stated Ms. Hary indicated that the

Committee could host a Booth during the Market Dates listed in the schedule above.

He stated that he has submitted the Application Form to the Farmers Market

Committee to formalize the process.

Councilor Paul went on to note that he has spoken to all of the participants that the

Community Relations Committee would like to feature at each of the Markets to

bring awareness to the programs and services that were available to residents. He

stated everyone was enthusiastic about participating in the events, noting that the

Community Relations Committee worked to schedule their topics to be in-keeping

with the Farmers’ Market weekly themes.

· July 19, 2023 Mental Health Awareness

Councilor Paul went on to note that many of these groups participated at the

Community Relations Committee’s Farmers’ Market Booths last summer. However,

he stated SERAC would be a new addition to their Mental Health Awareness Booth this

summer. He provided some background noting that SERAC was a non-profit

organization located in Norwich that served 41 communities in Eastern Connecticut,

noting that they provide programs and services to reduce the impact of substance

abuse, problem gambling, and mental health challenges, noting that May was Mental

Health Awareness Month. He stated he spoke with SERAC Representative Mark

Irons (Suicide Prevention Lead) and he noted that Mr. Irons stated that SERAC

would like to participate in July 19, 2023 event, noting that SERAC would like to

have a presence in Ledyard. Councilor Paul suggested that the Community Relations

Committee may want to invite SERAC to a Town Council meeting, as they did last

year with the Brian Dagle Foundation, so that SERAC could inform the community

about the programs they provide. Councilor Paul stated because of the number of

organizations they would be featuring at their July 19, 2023 Farmers’ Market Booth

that he requested space for three tents.

· August 30, 2023 - Library Services

Councilor Paul stated the Farmers’ Market August 30, 2023 Theme was “Back to

School” and that the Committee felt that the Library services would be in-keeping

with that Theme. He stated at their Booth the Community Relations Committee

would provide literature regarding the services the Library offered and refer residents

to stop by the Library Open House. H stated when the Farmers Market closed that the

Library would provide a short Presentation that same evening.

· September 19, 2023- Hometown Heroes -

Councilor Paul stated in preparation for the September 19, 2023 “Hometown Heroes”

he met with both Ledyard Center Fire Chief Jon Mann and Gales Ferry Fire Chief

Tony Saccone. He stated he received a tour of both Fire Stations, and he noted that

both Fire Chief’s were looking forward to participating in the Community Relations

Committee September 19, 2023 Farmers’ Market Booth, noting that it would be good

opportunity for them to talk with residents about becoming a volunteer firefighter. He

also noted that the both Fire Departments would be holding their Annual Open House

in October for Fire Safety-Prevention Month.

· Land Use Processes - Councilor Paul addressed the importance for residents to

understand the Land Use processes relative to the approval of applications, and the

complexities involved as they relate to Regulatory, State Statutes, and the Plan of

Conservation & Development (POCD), etc. However, he stated that the Land Use

Informational Presentation would be deferred until Ms. Hodge could work it into her

schedule. He noted the new Zoning Enforcement Officer Mr. Alex Samalot joined

Ledyard on May 1, 2023 and that he was currently enrolled in the Connecticut

Association of Zoning Enforcement (CAZEO) Certification Program. He stated because

Mr. Samalot was not already CAZEO Certified that there would be a significant

amount of training involved and that Ms. Hodge would be working with him.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion and possible action to identify various town venues to host “Informal

Conversations in the Park” to engage residents in discussions regarding their concerns and

their ideas for potential solutions.

Councilor Paul stated Park & Recreation has been discussing scheduling a tour to

visit the many recreational parks in town in May, 2023. He stated that he would keep

the Community Relations Committee informed as more information becomes

available.

Councilor Paul noted that Councilor Saums was working with the Administrators of

the Ledyard/Gales Ferry Forum on the idea of hosting a “Whining Wednesday” and a

“Thankful Thursday”. Therefore, he suggested they defer this discussion to their next

meeting, when Councilor Saums could provide an update.

Councilor Marshall suggested hosting an Informal Gathering/Conversation at the

Town Green or at another Park some afternoon to talk with residents. He noted the

event could be similar to the July 20, 2022 Informal Gathering they had at the Park

on East Drive. He stated the town had a lot of parks, and it would be good feature

them, noting that the Parks were underutilized.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion regarding the possibility to schedule joint meetings with the

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to discuss items of mutual interest.

Councilor Paul stated that Councilor Saums has been communicatimg with

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal (MPTN) Council Member Crystal to schedule an

Informal Gathering with the MPTN Council. He stated at their April 19, 2023

meeting the Community Relations Committee agreed that because they all had busy

schedules the Informal Gathering could be something as simple as morning coffee.

He suggested the Committee defer this discussion to their June 21, 2023 meeting to

receive an update from Councilor Saums regarding the status of scheduling the

Informal Gathering.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Continued review of status regarding the progress of improvements at the Park on East

Drive.

Councilor Paul stated in communicating with Police Chief John Rich that there has

not been any new developments/complaints at the Park. However, he stated with the

warmer weather that they would expect more activity at the Park.

Councilor Marshall stated with the improvements such as the lights, removing the

brush to open up the entrance area, and more frequent police patrols that perhaps the

Park has lost its appeal and that the problems have moved on.

Councilor Paul stated that he agreed with Councilor Marshall’s comments, noting

with the exposure of the Park on East Drive that they were getting more people to

use their underutilized Parks. He stated with more people using the Park that it was a

good way to police the parks, noting that neighbors look out for their neighbors.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee

None.

VII. NEW BUSINESS