741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Community Relations Committee For

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Meeting Minutes

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

6:30 PM

Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format

In -Person: Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Information Noted Below:

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

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86337941765?pwd=SivwAdJvR6lyubpchob2NaKVOpbz4G.1

Or by Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; +Meeting ID: 863 3794 1765; Passcode:

519849

CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Councilor Brunelle at 6:31 p.m.

at the Annex Meeting Room - Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Brunelle welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. She 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

April Brunelle

Gary St. Vil

Gary Paul

Present:

Excused:

In addition, the following were present:

S. Naomi Rodriguez, Town Council Chairman

Roxanne Maher, Administrative Assistant

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee Minutes of January 17, 2024

Moved by Councilor Brunelle, seconded by Councilor St. Vil.

VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None.

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Discuss ideas and preparations for the 2025 Black History Activity/Contest.

Councilor St. Vil provided an update regarding the 2024 Black History Month

Activity/Contest noting that they had a great response to both the Poster and Essay

Contest this year. He stated the judging was held on March 15, 2024 noting that because

they received so many outstanding submissions that there were some ties providing more

than one winner for several of the grade levels. He thanked the Contest Judges for

participating in the process, noting that the Judges were: Library Commission Member

Mr. Ralph Hightower, Police Sergeant Michael McKinney, Board of Education

Chairman Alex Rode, Town Council Chairman and himself. He stated that the winners

would be presented their awards at the Town Council’s March 27, 2024 meeting.

Poetry Slam:

Councilor Brunelle stated a Poetry Slam was held on February 19, 2024 at Lucille’s

Restaurant in Ledyard Center, noting that it was a great event. She stated that the

Library’s Program was also a great success.

CONTINUE

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.

The Community Relations Committee noted for the past two-years they chose three

subjects/service areas to feature at the Farmers’ Markets. They reviewed the Farmers’

Markets 2024 Schedule to try to coordinate their Outreach Event Topics with the

Farmers’ Market Weekley Themes. They agreed to request space at the following

Farmers' Markets:

2024- Outreach Events

June 5, 2024 - Earth Day - Feature the Town’s Land Use Commissions

ü Agricultural Commission to advocate for Ledyard farmers and the agricultural

community serving as a resource for the changing environment of modern farming.

ü Conservation Commission to protect our environment; blaze and provide picturesque

hiking trails, maintain and protect our open spaces such as Whitehall Park, Mount

Decatur, etc.

ü Economic Development Commission to attract and encourage responsible

development.

ü Planning & Zoning Commission to develop regulations to limit urban sprawl and

oversee local compliance in accordance with state statutes, address blight properties

and work to update the Plan of Conservation & Development.

ü Inland Wetlands & Water Courses Commission to protect our wetlands, and

watershed areas.

ü Ledyard Beautification Commission keeps Ledyard beautiful and a welcoming

community by cording events such as Earth Day Clean-ups, and mobilizing

volunteers to plant flowers and design creative streetlight banners.

ü Parks & Recreation works to maintain and provide wonderful, safe parks for both

kids and adults alike to live an active healthy lifestyle.

August 21, 2024 - Old Folks Day

ü Ledyard Senior Citizens Center provides programs for seniors to be engaged and

active in their community including rides to medical appointments, shopping,

day-trips, etc.

ü Brian Dagle Healing Hearts Foundation to provide support for the loss of family

members, friends, and depression.

ü Home heating fuel through Thames Valley Council for Community Action

(TVCCA) and other assistance programs.

ü Utilities - Electric/Water Assistance.

ü Homeowners Assistance program that provided no interest loans to help people

replace their furnace, roof or septic system, etc.

ü Home meal delivery available for those who cannot get out to grocery shop through

Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA).

ü The Linda C. Davis Food Pantry located in Ledyard Center.

ü United Way located in Gales Ferry was a great resource.

ü Police Department “Green and/or Blue Envelope” for drivers with Autism or

Hearing Impaired.

September 11, 2024 Hometown Heros

üTo promote the many organizations and committees that are operated with

volunteers from the community.

üTo provide information on how people could get involved and volunteer to serve on

the Ledyard or Gales Ferry Fire Department, or on

committee/commission or board or become a Police Officer, etc.

town

Representative from the Police Department.

Representative from the Ledyard Center Fire Company.

Representative from the Gales Ferry Fire Company.

ü Chairman from each of the town’s committees/commissions/boards.

**POST MEETING NOTE 3/21/2024:** The Farmers Market could accommodate

the Community Relations Committee’s reservation request for August 21, 2024.

However, they did not have space available on June 5, 2024; or September 11, 2024.

“From: Ledyard Market <ledyardfarmersmarket@gmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2024 7:58 PM

To: Roxanne Maher <council@ledyardct.org>

Cc: April Brunelle <ABru@ledyardct.org>; Gary St. Vil <GSVil@ledyardct.org>; Gary

Paul <gpaul@ledyardct.org>; Naomi Rodriguez <NaomiR@ledyardct.org>

Subject: Re: Community Relations Cmt- Booths at 2024 Farmers Market

Hello All!

I believe the market will have room on August 21.

Opening and closing days are already full. Would you like to try for some other

dates?

Pam

From: Roxanne Maher

Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2024 1:48 PM

To: Ledyard Market <ledyardfarmersmarket@gmail.com>

Cc: April Brunelle <ABru@ledyardct.org>; Gary St. Vil <GSVil@ledyardct.org>; Gary Paul

<GPaul@ledyardct.org>; Naomi Rodriguez <NaomiR@ledyardct.org>; Roxanne Maher

<council@ledyardct.org>

Subject: Community Relations Cmt- Booths at 2024 Farmers Market

On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 1:48ꢀPM Roxanne Maher <council@ledyardct.org

<mailto:council@ledyardct.org>> wrote:

Good Afternoon Chairman Ball:

Again this year the Town Council’s Community Relations Committee would like to

host some Community Booths at the Farmers Market and was hoping that the

Market could accommodate them with space on the following Markets Dates:

June 5, 2024 - Earth Day

August 21, 2024 - Old Folks Day

September 11, 2024 Hometown Heros.

Please let the Community Relations Committee know if the requested dates are

available.

Thank you,

Roxanne”

Chairman Rodriguez stated that April was National Volunteer Appreication Month.

She suggested the Town Councilors work to attend their Liaison Assignment

Committee’s meetings next month to thank all of the town’s volunteers for the

service they provide to the Town. She stated that she would draft a “Thank You”

flyer to provide to the volunteers and she also encouraged the Town Councilors to

try to do something special to show their volunteers that they were appreciated,

noting that it could be a simple gestor such as baking them cookies.

Councilor Brunelle noted that April was also Arab-American Month; and she

suggested that perhaps the Community Relations Committee could do something

each month to recognize and acknowledge the diverse members of the community.

She noted examples such as: June being Pride Month recognizing Lesbian, Gay,

Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community; and September as National

Hispanic Heritage month. Councilor St. Vil urged caution, noting that if they were

going to do something each month, as Councilor Brunelle suggested, that they would

need to make sure they do not miss anyone.

Councilor Brunelle stated that they would keep this on their agenda.

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

Long Pond on Lantern Hill Road (Showcase the Lantern Hill Waterfront Park, (2)

Provide some history regarding Long Pond; (3) Provide information regarding the

importance of preventing invasive plants from being transferred from different bodies of

water, and (3) Engage residents)

Winthrop Park near the Gales Ferry Community Center (Town Council April 10, 2024

meeting Mr. Kelly expressed concerns regarding the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, engage

residents etc.).

Chairman Rodriguez noted the Community Relations Committee had been working with

Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Director Scott Johnson, Jr. to coordinate a program

to visit all of the Town’s Parks to showcase to the residents the variety of parks Ledyard

offered, which include both water access venues and land activities venues such as Town

Green (Upper & Lower) Highlands Lake, Blonders Pavilion, Erickson Park, Lantern Hill

Waterfront Park, just to name a few, noting that many of these facilities were available

to be rented for events.

Chairman Rodriguez went on to note that getting residents out to visits their parks would

also provide an opportunity to engage with residents to learn about the issues that were

of concern to them. She stated listening to their residents would enable them to begin a

dialogue regarding their concerns and to work to find solutions.

Councilor Brunelle stated that they would keep this on their agenda.

CONTINUE

Discussion regarding ideas to increase communication/transparency with residents.

RESULT:

Chairman Rodriguez noted the town was currently using the following sources to

communication with the public:

Town website

Ledyard News

Mayor’s News

Events Magazine (quarterly)

Meeting Portal

Councilor Brunelle noted after the Community Relations Committee’s January 17, 2024

meeting that she created a short video that was posted on the town’s website to show

residents how to sign-up for the Notify Me” . She explained all residents had to do was

visit the town’s website at www.ledyardct.org <http://www.ledyardct.org> and click on

the “Notify Me” tab that was located in the middle of the screen; and then follow the

prompts to enter in their information. She stated residents could sign up for email and/or

text messages. (please see below):

Chairman Rodirguez stated the “Notify Me” information (as shown above) was included

in the Town Council’s Article that was published in the February 2024 Events Magazine.

She noted the article also included the following dates regarding the upcoming Fiscal

Year 2024/2025 Budget:

April 15, 2024 Public Hearing

May 20, 2024 Annual Town Meeting

May 21, 2024 Referendum Vote on the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher noted she obtained the following subscriber

information from the MIS Department:

Notify Me - 181 Residents were signed up

Town News - 200 Residents were signed up

Tax Department Notifications -31 Residents were signed up

Ms. Maher also noted that in addition to the communication sources Chairman

Rodriguez noted (see above) that all the town’s Legal Notices such as Public Hearings,

Town Meetings, Referendums, Adoption of Ordinances, and Land Use Decisions were

published in the Newspaper. She suggested in response to residents comments regarding

the lack of transparency and the lack of communication regarding town events that Town

Councilors ask what sources the residents were using to obtain their town information

(i.e. newspaper, town website, social media, etc.) noting that perhaps the town could

include the media sources residents were using. She also suggested that Councilors could

direct residents to use the many town sanctioned media sources that were currently

available.

Chairman Rodriguez stated in attending her Liaison Assignments that Committee

members have stated the Town’s website was hard to navigate. She questioned whether

the website format could be changed. Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher stated

that periodically the MIS Department does work to make the Town’s website more user

friendly, and she stated that they were open to suggestions.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee

None.

CONTINUE

VII. NEW BUSINESS

RESULT:

Discuss starting a relationship with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council to help foster

communication and mutual points of interest.

Chairman Rodriguez stated that she was working to connect with the Mashantucket

Pequot Tribal Council; and she noted that she would provide an update at the

Community Relations Committee’s April 17, 2024 meeting.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Discuss changing the name of the Community Relations Committee to “Community

Relations for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)”.

Councilor St. Vil noted the Community Relations Committee Mission Statement that

was adopted by the previous Committee at their September 21, 2022 meeting as follows:

“The Community Relations Committee is tasked with being both an

advocate and a resource for the community by listening, communicating,

and engaging with the community, educating ourselves, standing up to

discrimination and racism in all forms.

We do this by encouraging dialogue, promoting unity and understanding,

and learning from one another as we continue to build a strong

community together, making sure no-one is left behind.”

Councilor St. Vil stated that he was in-favor of renaming the Community Relations

Committee because it would more accurately reflect their role, as provided in their

Mission Statement.

The Committee questioned the process to rename the Community Relations Committee.

Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher explained because the Town Council’s

Standing Committees were established by their Rules of Procedures; that they would

need to draft an Addendum to the “Resolution Establishing the Rules of Procedure for

the Twenty-seventh Town Council” that the Town Council adopted at their

Organizational Meeting on December 4, 2023.

MOTION to recommend the Town Council approve an Addendum - 2024 to the

“