741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Community Relations Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Kevin J. Dombrowski

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

WORKING DRAFT

6:30 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

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

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Or by Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; +Meeting ID: 850 5146 1883; Passcode:

999032

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 the following were present:

Mary McGrattan, Town Councilor

John Rich, Police Chief

Roxanne Maher, Administrative Assistant

III.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

IV.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee Minutes of June 21, 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 update.

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.

· 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. He stated in addition, the Library would be

hosting a Scavenger Hunt explaining that they would be providing folks who stop by

the booth with clues for them to visit the Library that evening to look for the items.

· 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 and

for the Police Department to talk with young people who may be interested in a

career in law enforcement or becoming a police officer.

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 noted that the Committee discussed hosting an Informal Gathering at the

new Lantern Hill Waterfront Park some time in October, 2023. He stated the property was

being very generously leased to the Town by Mr. and Mrs. Graham; and that the Parks &

Recreation was making some non-permanent improvements such as a gazebo, boat launch

for small boats, and some picnic tables. He stated it would be great to do something for the

residents to see the new park and to hear about the history of the property.

Councilor Marshall stated that he thought visiting the new waterfront park was a great idea.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion regarding the possibility to schedule joint meetings with the

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to discuss items of mutual interest.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

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

Drive.

No Action.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee

None.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

MOTION to adopt a proposed “An Ordinance Concerning Liability Pertaining To First

Responders Providing Emergency Assistance” as contained in the draft dated July 17, 2023.

DRAFT: 7/19/2023 Ordinance #

AN ORDINANCE

CONCERNING LIABILITY PERTAINING TO

FIRST RESPONDERS PROVIDING

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Be it ordained by the Town Council of the Town of Ledyard: “An Ordinance

Concerning Liability Pertaining To First Responders Providing Emergency

Assistance” is hereby enacted.

Section 1: Authority

Pursuant to provisions of Connecticut General Statutes 52-557(b) “Good

Samaritan Law”.

Section 2. Exempt from Liability

The Good Samaritan Law exempts the Town of Ledyard from liability; and its

agents from liability, including paid and volunteer firefighters, police officers,

emergency medical services personnel in providing emergency services to people in

need.

This includes protection from civil liability for damages as a result of forcible

entry believing that a person inside is in need of assistance or first aide.

Section 3 . Severability.

If any section, or part of a section, of this Ordinance shall be held by a court

of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such holding shall not be deemed to

invalidate the remaining provisions hereof.

Section 4.

Effective Date

In accordance with the Town Charter this ordinance shall become

effective on the twenty-first (21st) day after such publication following its final

passage.

Adopted by the Ledyard Town Council on: _______________

________________________

Kevin J. Dombrowski, Chairman

Approved / Disapproved on: ___________

__________________________

Fred B. Allyn, III, Mayor

Published on:

Effective Date:

_________________________

Patricia A. Riley, Town Clerk

***************************************************************

Background: There has been some incidents for which the Town received a bill for

damages due to the breaching of a home in responding to an Emergency 911 Call and

concern for the wellness of the individual and concern that the individual could have

been unconscious and laying on the floor.

In accordance with the “Good Samaritan Law” the town decided to adopt an

Ordinance to clearly state that the town as a non-profit and their agents were exempt

from liabilities.

Moved by Councilor Paul, seconded by Councilor Marshall

VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared

MOTION to set a Hybrid (In-Person & Video Conference) Public Hearing date on September

27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to be held in the Council Chambers, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway, to

receive comments and recommendations regarding a proposed “An Ordinance Concerning

Liability Pertaining To First Responders Providing Emergency Assistance” as contained in the

draft dated July 17, 2023.

Moved by Councilor Paul, seconded by Councilor Marshall

Discussion: In accordance with Chapter III, Section 5 “Public Hearing on and

Passage of Ordinances” of the Town Charter; a public hearing was required to be held

prior to the adoption of an Ordinance.

VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared

Any other New Business proper to come before the Committee.

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Marshall moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilor Paul

Saums.

VOT2E-:0 Approved and so declared. The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Paul

C o m m i t t e e

Community Relations Committee

C h a i r m a n

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.