12 Van Tassel Drive  
Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Parks & Recreation Commission  
Meeting Minutes - Draft Minutes  
Chairman  
Kenneth DiRico  
Regular Meeting  
Tuesday, March 21, 2023  
7:00 PM  
Parks & Recreation/Senior Citizens  
Center  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order by the Vice Chair, Shaileen English at 7:09 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Lucrezia Finegan  
Commissioner Jessica Cobb  
Commissioner Loretta Kent  
Present  
Commissioner Shaileen C. English  
Commissioner Jessica Buhle  
Commissioner Charles Gallagher  
Commissioner Thomas Olsen  
Chairman Kenneth J. DiRico  
Commissioner Deondre Bransford  
Excused  
Additional attendees:  
Scott Johnson, Parks & Recreation Director  
Gary Paul, Town Council Liaison  
Brian Love, Resident  
III.  
RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS  
Ledyard Little League (Brian Love) asked when fields will be open and if there are any planned  
projects that will prevent field play. Fields are planned to be ready April 1. Fertilizing will be  
planned around the weather, as rain is required. Normal field maintenance is planned and will  
require 48 hours of field rest after. League asks for notification so they can plan when to play.  
There are over 300 registered for Little League this year.  
IV.  
1.  
PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Action Letter 02-22-2023  
Public hearing is scheduled for April 12th at 6:30pm regarding the combination of the Parks &  
Recreation and Senior Commissions. The hearing is open to the public.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
V.  
MEMBER COMMENTS  
Chad asked about timing for turning the water back on at Crandall Field. Overnight  
temperatures need to be above freezing and multiple parties need to be coordinated. Scott will  
coordinate and inform Football. Goalposts will be removed in advance of the season.  
Concession stand improvements for Crandall and other capital improvements reviewed.  
Jessica Buhle: The Regatta Festival is scheduled for June 10, from 11am-3pm, for the Harvard  
Yale Regatta. Regatta starts at 2:15pm. Request for Parks & Recreation to rent a handicap  
portable toilet, to be funded by the Festival.  
VI.  
1.  
REPORTS  
March 2023 Director’s Report  
Report presented verbally. Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday 4/8. Lions will provide the  
Easter Bunny and the Lion, and volunteers have been recruited.  
Motion to approve the March 2023 Director’s Report  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Lucrezia Finegan  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Loretta Kent  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Finegan Cobb Kent English Buhle Gallagher  
Olsen DiRico Bransford  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to approve the Parks and Recreation regular meeting minutes of 02-21-2023  
1.  
APPROVED AS AMENDED  
Jessica Cobb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Jessica Buhle  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Finegan Cobb Kent English Buhle Gallagher  
Olsen DiRico Bransford  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
VIII. OLD BUSINESS  
Boy Scout Skate Park Project Proposal  
1.  
The scout has begun fundraising and has asked for guidance on where to collect the funds. Scott  
let him know the department cannot hold any funds for him.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Pollinator Garden Discussion  
No updates  
2.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Public Hearing for an Ordinance combining Parks & Rec and Senior Commissions scheduled for  
April 12th at 6:30 p.m.  
3.  
Public Hearing for Ordinance combining Parks & Recreation and Senior Commissions -  
scheduled for 4/12.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Any Old Business proper to come before the Commission  
None  
XI.  
1.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Discussion and possible motion to spend up to $2,000.00 from the Parks and Recreation Capital  
Account to assist Ledyard Little League with the installation of a new scoreboard at Pfizer Field.  
Discussion: $2000.00 is solely to cover the installation of the power. Little League will be  
responsible for the electric bill. Funds are available and will not negatively impact the  
department.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Shaileen C. English  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Loretta Kent  
SECONDER:  
6
3
Finegan Cobb Kent English Buhle Gallagher  
Olsen DiRico Bransford  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Discussion regarding recreation space within subdivisions  
2.  
A letter was sent to the Commissioners written by Jessica Cobb regarding the plan for active  
recreation space within subdivision, and who takes ownership of the deeded land. The question  
for the Commission is to determine the costs to the Town/Department for maintenance of  
different types and uses of this type of land. The need for indoor recreation facilities was also  
brought up. The suggestion was made to hire and outside entity to perform a needs assessment of  
the open space. The role of the Commission at this point is to develop estimates for maintaining  
differences types and uses of open space.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
X.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Ms. Jessica Buhle moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Charles Gallagher  
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.  
VOTE: 6-0 Approved and so declared  
Respectively Submitted,  
_______________________________  
Vice Chairman English  
Parks & Recreation Commission