741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Community Relations Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Kevin J. Dombrowski

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

6:30 PM

Council Chambers Town Hall Annex

Building - Hybrid Format

Remote Meeting Participation information will be provided on the Granicus/Legistar Meeting

Portal

In -Person Council Chambers

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: 823 5688 2498; Passcode:

468837

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

Bill Saums

Gary Paul

Present:

John Marshall

Excused:

In addition, the following were present:

John Rich Police Chief

Nicole Cruz-Glacken Resident

Ann Holland Resident

Roxanne MaherAdministrative Assistant

III.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

None.

IV.

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Review and discuss the National League of Cities “Responding to Racial Tension in your

Municipality”

<https://www.nlc.org/resource/responding-to-racial-tension-in-your-city-a-municipal-action-

guide/>

Councilor Paul noted Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) distributed

to its member towns a “National League of Cities” Action Guide, as part of their

Communities Advancing Racial Equity (CARES) Program. He asked whether the

Community Relations Committee would like to add this Guide to their next agenda

for further review and discussion.

Councilor Saums stated that he has attended a few workshops sponsored by various

groups regarding Racial Equity Programs. He stated that he would be interested in

looking at the information the National League of Cities “Responding to Racial

Tension in your Municipality” has provided.

The Committee agreed to add the National League of Cities (NLC) “Responding to

Racial Tension in your Municipality” their September 21, 2022 Agenda for

discussion.

The Full National League of Cities “Responding to Racial Tension in your Municipality”

Guide was available at:

<https://www.nlc.org/resource/responding-to-racial-tension-in-your-city-a-municipal-action-

guide/>

CONTINUE

RESULT:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee Regular Meeting Minutes of

June 15, 2022.

Moved by Councilor Saums, seconded by Councilor Paul

VOTE: 2- 0 Approved and so declared

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Bill Saums

RESULT:

MOVER:

Gary Paul

SECONDER:

Saums and Paul

Marshall

AYE:

EXCUSED:

VI.

OLD BUSINESS

Continued discussion regarding Black History Month and update on the 2023 Black History

Activity/Contest.

Councilor Paul stated he would like the Committee to start working on preparations

for next year’s February, 2023 Black History Month Activity. He noted last year’s

(2022) program was the first Black History Activity the Community Relations

Committee held and he commented that although they got off to a late start with

rolling out the program that it was a success thanks to all the work Councilor

Rodriguez did to get the project off the ground.

Councilor Saums noted that Councilor Rodriguez was interested in applying for

Grant Funding to further support the Black History Month Program.

Ms. Nicole Cruz-Glacken, 5 Allyn Lane, Ledyard, suggested in the “Chat Box” that

the town raise the Pan African Flag in front of Town Hall and have speakers during

Black History Month.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion and possible action to develop a “Community Relations Commission

Mission Statement”.

Councilor Paul presented the following draft Mission Statement for the Community

Relations Committee to review in preparation for discussion at their September 21,

2022 meeting:

“The Community Relations committee is tasked with being both an

advocate and a resource for the community by listening,

communicating and engaging with our community, standing up to

discrimination and racism of all forms by encouraging dialogue and

promoting unity and understanding, learning from one another as we

continue to build a strong community together, making sure no-one is

ever left behind.”

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.

Councilor Paul stated the Community Relations Committee was currently scheduled

to host a Booth at the August 31, 2022 Farmers’ Market to provide information

regarding Mental Health services along with a number of other services that are

available to the public. He stated the Community Relations Committee would discuss

preparations for the August 31, 2022 Booth in more detail later this evening (Old

Business Item #6).

Councilor Paul went on to note that he spoke with Public Works Director Steve

Masalin about scheduling a time to present information regarding the services the

Public Works Department provides to the town. He noted the importance to get

information out to residents pertaining to things such parking regulations during

snow events as well as mailboxes.

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.

The Community Relations Committee discussed the following potential venues to

engage residents about issues that are of concern to the Community.

* Nathan Lester House

* Up-Down Sawmill - The mill operated in the fall and would be a good

opportunity to talk with residents after the Sawmill demonstration.

Councilor Saums commented on the good participation the Community Relations

Committee received at the July 20, 2022 Informal Conversation with residents at the

Park on East Drive. He stated that he believed the good turnout was because they had

a topic for the discussion, noting that residents previously brought concerns regarding

safety issues at the Park to the town’s attention. He also noted that letters were sent to

the residents in the area of Park; and that the letters were followed-up with a mailing

of flyers the week before the event.

Councilor Saums suggested in working to plan/schedule future Informal

Conversations to engage residents that they identify the subject matter that would be

the topic of conversation.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion regarding the possibility to schedule joint meetings with the

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to discuss items of mutual interest.

Councilor Saums stated he and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal (MPTN) Council

Member Crystal Whipple have been communicating in an effort to identify potential

dates for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council and Town Council Community

Relations Committee to get together. He stated Thursday, September 8, 2022 has

been proposed and he questioned whether this date would work for the Community

Relations Committee. Councilor Paul stated that he believed that September 8, 2022

would be a good date.

Councilor Saums stated Ms. Whipple would be sending an Invite to the Town

Council for a “Meet and Greet” at the MTPN Community Center. He suggested

during their Informal Gathering that it would be nice to share a meal; and he

suggested the Community Relations Committee bring grinders.

** POST MEETING NOTE 8/18/2022:** Freedom of Information Act Tom Hennick

regarding the posting of an Informal Social Gathering:

“From: Hennick, Thomas A <Thomas.Hennick@ct.gov>

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 5:06 PM

To: Roxanne Maher <council@ledyardct.org>

Subject: RE: Town of Ledyard - Meeting Portal - Social Gathering

Invite

Hello Roxanne,

Hope you are doing well.

I would suggest that while the notes and questions council members

type onto their copies of the online agendas would clearly be “public

records” under the definition in state statutes, they also would likely

be records that would not have to be released because they are

personal notes, which can be withheld (see exemption below) under

FOI.

(b) Nothing in the Freedom of Information Act shall be construed to

require disclosure of:

(1) Preliminary drafts or notes provided the public agency has

determined that the public interest in withholding such documents

clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure;

As for the second issue, I don’t believe that council members

attending an event sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal

Council would be a meeting that needed to be noticed unless the

council members sat down and conducted official council business. It

doesn’t sound like that’s the case.

Feel free to follow up if needed.

Tom

________________________________________________________

___

From: Roxanne Maher <council@ledyardct.org

<mailto:council@ledyardct.org>>

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 12:50 PM

To: Hennick, Thomas A <Thomas.Hennick@ct.gov

<mailto:Thomas.Hennick@ct.gov>>

Cc: Kristen Chapman <mayoral.asst@ledyardct.org

<mailto:mayoral.asst@ledyardct.org>>; Roxanne Maher

<council@ledyardct.org <mailto:council@ledyardct.org>>; Fred

Allyn, III <mayor@ledyardct.org <mailto:mayor@ledyardct.org>>

Subject: Town of Ledyard - Meeting Portal - Social Gathering Invite

Good Afternoon Mr. Hennick:

I hope you are doing well and that you were enjoying the summer.

I am looking for guidance regarding the following two items:

(1) Ledyard has transitioned to a new on-line meeting portal that allows

Town Council Members and other Committee Members to review the

on-line Agendas and to type a note or highlight text on attachments to

remind themselves of questions they may like to ask during the

Meeting. They would also be able to type the response to their

question in the same place. These “Notes” would only be available to

that person (Using their log-in & password).

The Question is whether these notes would be subject to a Freedom of

Information Act Request (FOI).

Or would their notes be considered nothing more than if the person

jotted down a note on a “sticky” or on their paper Agenda (if we were

still using paper) and then throwing the note away after the meeting.

(2) This is a somewhat of a repeat question. A few months ago, I asked

you about the Town Council’s Subcommittees hosting “Informal

Conversation” at various venues (such as parks or the Town’s historic

properties ) to provide residents an opportunity to discuss any issues

that were of concern to them. At that time you advised that the

Informal Gathering would not need to be posted as a Meeting as long

as they were not making any decisions.

The Question: Would the same apply, If the Mashantucket Pequot

Tribal Council invited members of the Town Council or members of a

subcommittee to an Informal Gathering at MPTN Community Center

as a “Meet & Greet” more as a social event.

And if during their casual conversations with each other some ideas

were exchanged regarding some areas they may want to consider

working on jointly, would the town be required to post this as a

meeting.

As always, I appreciate you taking the time to review our questions,

and look forward to receiving your response/guidance.

Thank you,

Roxanne

Roxanne M. Maher

Administrative Assistant to

the Ledyard Town Council

(860) 464-3203

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

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Continued discussion to present information to bring awareness to October being

“Depression and Mental Health Month”.

Councilor Paul stated in preparation for the Community Relations Committee’s

Booth at the August 31, 2022 Farmers’ Market, focusing on Mental Health

Awareness and the many other services that are available to those who qualify, that

he met with the Mayor’s Executive Assistant/Social Services Coordinator Kristin

Chapman, Youth Services Coordinator Kate Sikorsky-Maynard, and Ledyard

Visiting Nurse Director/Municipal Agent Karen Goetchuis. He stated he was amazed

with the many local and regional services and programs that were available. He also

noted that Councilor Rodriguez contacted Brian Dagel Foundation - Brian’s Healing

Hearts - Family Suicide Prevention Group located at 461 Main Street in Niantic. He

stated information regarding these Organizations and how to obtain services would

be available at the August 31, 2022 Farmers’ Market. He stated that he has also

gathered literature that would be available for folks to pick-up at the Community

Relations Committee Booth.

Councilor Paul went on to state during the winter months when it gets darker earlier

there tends to be more isolation with the shorter daylight hours and colder weather.

He stated whether it was kids or adults that were suffering from mental health

(depression, anxiety, suicide, etc.) that the person, or their parent/caretaker, may not

know where they could get help.

Councilor Paul continued by noting that depression could also be exasperated

because individuals may also find that they were having financial difficulty keeping

up with expenses to provide for their family due to inflation, etc. Therefore, he

addressed the importance for residents to know that there were programs to help such

as:

ü Mental Health Resources

ü Brian’s Healing Heart Suicide Prevention

ü Youth & Family Counseling Services -

ü Ledyard Visiting Nurses - Home Health Care

ü Home Heating Fuel Assistance

ü Utilities - Electric & Water Assistance

ü Meal Delivery for Home Bound Individuals

ü Renters Rebate Program

ü No Interest Home Improvement Loans

ü Linda C. Davis Food Pantry

ü United Way of Southeastern Connecticut located in Gales Ferry

ü Special Needs Family Registry

ü Blue Envelope & Green Envelope Program for drivers with special needs

Councilor Paul stated some people just do not know about the assistance programs

that were available; or some people may be too proud to ask for help. Therefore, he

stated that they need to make sure they were all doing their part to get information out

to the residents and to make people aware of the confidential application process. He

stated Ledyard does a great job in working to help their residents in-need.

Chief Rich stated that the Police Department would be at the August 31, 2021

Farmers Market to offer support the Community Relations Committee booth and to

publicize the Programs that they offer to help support mental health issues and those

in the community that have special needs, such as the Special Needs Family Registry

and the Blue Envelope and Green Envelope Program for drivers with special needs.

He continued to state that he has been working with the Groton Town Police

Department, Waterford Police Department and Southern Connecticut State

University Center for Excellence in Autism Spectrum Disorders to provide a Mock

Traffic Stop Program that would be directed toward individuals with Autism. He

stated the Mock Traffic Stop Presentation would be held on October 1, 2022 at Fitch

High School to help those in the autism spectrum see what a traffic stop looked like

and for police officers to learn what communication may look like with someone on

the spectrum, and learn strategies to effectively communicate. He stated the

Presentation would also raise awareness of how the various stimuli that were

involved with the police vehicle and the situation of a traffic stop could play into the

interactions between driver and the police officer He stated since the Police

Department announced the October 1, 2022 Mock Traffic Stop Presentation on their

Social Media Site that several families with individuals on the Autism Spectrum were

interested in attending and they have contacted the Police Department to discuss the

program.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee

None.

VII

NEW BUSINESS

Review comments received at the July 20, 2022 Informal Conversation with residents at the

Park on East Drive.

Councilor Saums complemented Councilor Paul for his organization of the Informal

Conversation at the Park on East Drive that was held on July 20, 2022. He stated they

had a great turn out and a good conversation with the residents, noting at times it was

somewhat emotional, but all-in-all he believed everyone felt good about their

conversation.

Councilor Paul stated about 15 residents attended the event along with many Town

Councilors and Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. He stated the idea was

to discuss important issues regarding safety concerns at the Park. He noted at times

the conversation was a bit contentious, but overall, it turned out to be a positive

event. He stated what he found interesting was that while the group was standing in a

circle that people were raising their voices and that was when the conversation

became contentious. However, he stated as they broke up and engaged one-on-one

with each other the conversations became more civil. He stated they discussed a

number of good ideas to bring back to their respective committees such as the

possibility to install surveillance cameras. He stated neighbors were encouraged to

continue to talk to each other and to become more involved in the process as well. He

stated they learned a lot about the Park and a lot about each other.

Councilor Paul went on to note that the Public Works Department has done a lot of

work at the Park on East Drive, however, he stated more work needed to be done. He

also stated that he appreciated Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr.

attending the event and for letting the residents know that he was available should

they have questions or concerns. Councilor Paul stated he appreciated Mr. Johnson’s

his input, noting that Parks & Recreation would be holding their September 20, 2022

meeting at the Park.

The Community Relations Committee briefly discussed the suggestion to install

surveillance cameras at the Park on East Drive relative to legal issues, requirements

to monitor the cameras, and options such as posting signs to alert the public that

surveillance cameras were in-use.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Review and discuss National Faith and Blue Weekend - Tool Kit