741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Historic District Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman Ty Lamb  
Regular Meeting  
Monday, March 18, 2024  
7:00 PM  
Town Hall Annex -Hybrid Format  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The Regular Meeting was called to order by Chairman Lamb at 7:00 p.m.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
Commissioner Douglas Kelley  
Alternate Member Vincent Godino  
Chairman Ty Lamb  
Present  
Commissioner Kelly Lamb  
Commissioner Ammie Chittim  
Commissioner William Barnes  
Alternate Member Kenneth Geer  
Alternate Member Karen Parkinson  
Excused  
Non-voting  
Amy Chittim was present via Zoom.  
Bill Barnes was present via Zoom for the Sawmill Committee report portion only.  
III.  
IV.  
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES  
Vin Godino was appointed as a voting member.  
RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS  
New agenda point.  
No residents or property owners were present.  
V.  
1.  
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from February 26, 2024, as written.  
Motion to AMEND minutes to add appointment of Vin Godino as a voting member and to add  
his vote as AYE to all motions.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Ty Lamb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Douglas Kelley  
SECONDER:  
5
2
Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb Chittim  
Barnes Geer  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
VI.  
1.  
TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT  
Town Council Liaison - Councilor Tim Ryan.  
This agenda item was added by Chairman Lamb.  
No report - Councilor Tim Ryan was absent from this meeting.  
VII. CHAIRMAN REPORT  
General Report.  
1.  
Chairman Lamb thanked the new Regular members Amy Chittim and Kelly Lamb for stepping  
up to the Commission.  
The Commission is invited to the Agricultural Commission Joint meeting on March 19, 2024.  
Further discussion about various Commission meetings during "Any Other New Business".  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Financial Reports.  
2.  
Chairman Lamb asked Mr. Godino to meet with him to assist him in getting more familiar with  
the POs and the reports.  
There is a request for an EB Extermination PO.  
There is a Holdridge invoice that Chairman Lamb will need to confirm who made the purchase,  
NLH or Sawmill?  
Phase I and II of the School House windows have been completed and payment sent.  
NLH contract - comments have been sent to Quiet corner Restoration.  
ARPA has approximately $120,000.  
REP maintenance, is this Historic Commission's or a mistake? Chairman Lamb will inquire with  
Matt Bonin, Finance Director.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE  
Chairman Lamb asked to Commission to give him any correspondence so it could be added to  
the agenda.  
IX.  
1.  
COMMITTEE REPORTS  
Sawmill Committee - Mr. Barnes.  
Mr. Barnes said in a report by Mr. Ganong they found which is believed to be the valve for the  
bypass at the Sawmill Pond. It will eventually need to be repaired but finding it was the first  
step, more to follow.  
The Sawmill will open in April for Sawmill Operations, the volunteers have been busy preparing  
for opening.  
Mr. Barnes will schedule a meeting with the State to inquire if a permit is needed to line the inlet  
conduit to operate the Sawmill.  
Ms. Chittim asked if anyone from the Sawmill knew of a person who has the equipment to cut  
through a five-foot diameter tree that fell on the Tri-Town Trail. Mr. Godino said he could give  
Ms. Chittim a contact that was used by the Cemetery Committee.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Nathan Lester House - Mr. Kelley.  
2.  
Mr. Kelley reported the past weekend's events;  
The first Ledyard Garden Club cleanup of the year.  
The Trail Life group camped out from Friday, March 15 -16.  
The Community egg roll sponsored by Bishop Seabury Anglican Church was held on Saturday  
March 16 and was very well attended (approximately 200 people).  
The bid for the work on the East Side of the NLH has been awarded and pending final  
arrangements work will begin in early April.  
The Fox Sisters movie filming staging has been completely removed from the lower lever of the  
NLH. The upper-level removal has not yet been completed. The house will be staged in a more  
traditional manner.  
Mr. Kelley has been speaking with Sharon Primmett, Nathan Lester House Caretaker to reiterate  
the NLH needs and have complied a priority list;  
Short list:  
Repaint the Dining Room.  
Paint the downstairs floors (already painted but in poor condition).  
Service kitchen needs clearing and reorganizing.  
Improvements to entrance lawn;  
Fence - repairs, completion of painting and pulling sod back from the fence to prevent moisture  
from creeping up on the wood.  
Augment the paving stone walkway with pea gravel on both sides. Also, add period appropriate  
plantings here.  
Reestablish the Official Nathan Lester House Committee in April.  
Chairman Lamb said he met with the NLH Caretakers to discuss upcoming events. He also  
spoke with Mary McGratten and set up a date for the Rotary Club event at the NLH on May 9,  
2024, at 7:00 a.m.  
Chairman Lamb said that he and Mr. Kelley are taking a field trip to the Weston History and  
Culture Center for a private tour sometime in April and will let the other Commissioners know  
when the date is decided.  
Ms. Parkinson mentioned that June 1-2 is CT Trails Day and there may be an influx of people at  
the NLH on those dates.  
She also mentioned that in her Spicer research she found out that Nathan Lester married a Spicer  
therefore there is a strong connection between the Spicer ruins and the NLH.  
Mr. Kelley said that the question they are asked most often during NLH events/tours is about the  
relations of the Lester family. He said it is important to understand what all of the relationships  
are.  
Mr. Godino said the mower needs maintenance ASAP. Usually it costs around $200-$250.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Research/Preservation.  
3.  
Chairman Lamb said this is his last Research & Preservation report.  
There is good progress being made at the GOSA site with the Lambtown Historical site. Ms.  
Ericson will be the lead on this project. She has created a 3D rendering of the park garden  
including benches, native plants and local apple trees, such as wolf apples. It was said that wolf  
apples are very large and good for baking.  
GOSA would like to sift through the dirt in the Lambtown Historical site. Ms. Chittim said that  
Chairman Lamb is welcome to use her sifter.  
The Spicer Site roadmap - Ms. Parkinson said she needs to schedule a walk with the Land Use  
members to decide how to do the mapping. The Commission doesn't need much, just the land  
where the farmhouse, gardens, animal pens and the little barn were. Drone pictures may be  
helpful. Discussion to be had on developing roles and responsibilities for this project.  
Outstanding signs - the Nine Mile House, the Watrous Place and the Latham Place.  
After Spicer and Lambtown are completed Chairman Lamb would like to start suggesting some  
spots for the Rogerene Park.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Center School - Mr. Geer.  
4.  
5.  
Chairman Lamb spoke in Mr. Geer's absence. He said the window project is finished and are  
now starting to organize a Ledyard District class visit (five classes and 100 students). May have  
some original students present.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
Social Media.  
Ms. Kelley said she was able to host a couple of community questions regarding old  
photographs.  
Recent postings;  
The Egg roll event.  
Before and after windows for the Schoolhouse.  
Before of the Nathan Lester House.  
Historic photograph of the water house on Lambtown Road.  
Future posting of before photographs of the Sawmill.  
There are now 135 members on the Commission's Facebook page. A 16.7% increase since  
February, with engagement up 90%.  
DISCUSSED  
RESULT:  
X.  
1.  
OLD BUSINESS  
Any Other Old Business to come before the Commission.  
None.  
XI.  
1.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Vote to appoint a Secretary.  
Kelley Lamb was nominated as the Secretary.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Ty Lamb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Douglas Kelley  
SECONDER:  
5
2
Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb Chittim  
Barnes Geer  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Motion to ADOPT the Ledyard Historic District Commission - Rules of Procedure, as presented.  
Chairman Lamb pointed out some of the changes:  
2.  
Section 3A - Changed to read "There shall be standing Committees and Liaison Assignments".  
Change from "Sawmill Liaison" to "Sawmill Committee".  
Social Media Policy - dropped the "updated November 2019" from "The Social Media Liaison  
shall adhere to the Town of Ledyard Management Information Systems (MIS) Social Media  
Policy updated November 2019".  
Shortened Commission to LHDC throughout.  
Added "March 18, 2024" to last paragraph for listed amendment dates.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Ty Lamb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Douglas Kelley  
SECONDER:  
5
2
Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb Chittim  
Barnes Geer  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
Any Other New Business to come before the Commission.  
3.  
Chairman Lamb offered positions as Liaisons;  
Ms.Chittim accepted the position as the new Research and Preservation Liaison.  
Ms. Lamb accepted the position as the new Social Media Liaison.  
Chairman Lamb named the Commission's partners and said it was important for members to  
reach out occasionally to the partners to keep communication lines open.  
Partners;  
Garden Club - Mr. Kelley  
Ledyard Beautification Committee - Chairman Lamb and Mr. Kelley. Chairman Lamb will  
occasionally attend LBC meetings.  
Tri Town Trail - Ms. Parkinson  
GOSA - Chairman Lamb  
Ledyard Historical Society - Mr. Godino attends the Society's meetings.  
Volunteers;  
Victoria Ericson - Coordinator / Point of Contact for the Lambtown Pollinator Garden (GOSA  
property).  
Alyssa Siegel-Miles - Consultant for the Lambtown Pollinator Garden (GOSA property).  
Strategic Plans - Chairman Lamb would like to challenge each lead to formulate strategic plans  
and visions for their areas. In a few months the Commission will discuss the plans/visions.  
Grants and partnerships may be able to help achieve goals. Mr. Kelley said he would like to  
partner with the Schools, for field trips and education. He said it's important to hook in students  
or interest in history will die.  
Ms. Parkinson suggested that the Commission reviews GO "Get Outdoors" Groton, which is a  
partnership with GOSA, Groton Public Schools and Parks and Recreation to get students  
outdoors for educational hikes. Maybe Ledyard can start something similar?  
Ms. Chittim announced that she will be going on maternity leave for eight weeks and will return  
at the end of May. Chairman Lamb wished her luck with her family.  
Chairman Lamb wanted the Commission to discuss and vote on how to disperse the $4000.00  
donation funds received from the Fox Sisters filming.  
Mr. Kelley was in favor of giving a portion to the Garden Club and the Historical Society since  
they are yearlong supporters of the NLH. He also thought the caretakers should receive a portion  
for their disruption and their assistance in getting the NLH ready for filming. All agreed.  
$500.00 Garden Club  
$500.00 Ledyard Historical Society  
$500.00 Caretakers  
Motion to APPROVE donations received from the Fox Sister donation to be dispersed in the  
amount of $500.00 to the Garden Club, $500.00 to the Ledyard Historical Society and $500.00  
to the NLH Caretakers (tenants).  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Kelly Lamb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Vincent Godino  
SECONDER:  
5
2
Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb Chittim  
Barnes Geer  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 8:23 p.m.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Kelly Lamb  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Vincent Godino  
SECONDER:  
5
2
Kelley Godino Lamb Lamb Chittim  
Barnes Geer  
AYE  
EXCUSED  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.