741 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Community Relations Committee  
Meeting Minutes  
Chairman  
Kevin J. Dombrowski  
Regular Meeting  
Wednesday, October 19, 2022  
6:30 PM  
Town Hall Annex - Hybrid Format  
In -Person - Council Chambers - Town Hall Annex Buiilding  
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I
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:  
Mary McGrattan Town Councilor  
S. Naomi Rodriguez  
Town Councilor  
Roxanne MaherAdministrative Assistant  
III.  
IV.  
CITIZENS COMMENTS  
None.  
PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS  
Review and discuss the National League of Cities “Responding to Racial Tension in your  
Municipality”  
1.  
<https://www.nlc.org/resource/responding-to-racial-tension-in-your-city-a-municipal-action-  
guide/>  
Councilor Paul noted the National League of Cities “Responding to Racial Tension in  
your Municipality” was included in the Agenda packet on the meeting portal for  
tonight’s meeting. He stated it was an interesting read, noting that the Guide provided  
the following:  
·
·
How to respond to racial tension in the community.  
Offered checklists and ideas to the town’s administration and to local law  
enforcement.  
The Committee agreed to further discuss the information at their November 16, 2022  
meeting.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
V.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee Regular Meeting Minutes of  
September 19, 2022  
Moved by Councilor Paul, seconded by Councilor Saums  
VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared  
VI.  
OLD BUSINESS  
Continued discussion regarding the October 9, 2022 “First Responders Clam Chowder - Fish  
Fry”.  
1.  
Councilor Saums addressed the First Responders Clam Chowder - Fish Fry that was held  
on Sunday, October 9, 2022. He stated the event was great noting they had great  
weather, great attendance and great food. He provided some background explaining the  
objective of the “National Faith and Blue Weekend”(First Responders Clam Chowder  
Fish Fry) was to pro-actively engage community members, faith-based organizations,  
civic organizations, and law enforcement in activities to connect on a personal level and  
create a safer and stronger community. He stated Chief Rich learned about the national  
program scheduled for the weekend of October 7 - 10 at the Police Chief’s Association  
Meeting. He stated in thinking about putting together an event for Ledyard that Chief  
Rich came up with the idea to incorporate the Police Union Fish Fry with the Ledyard  
Congregational Church Chowder. He stated Chief Rich asked the Congregational  
Church to host the event and to make the Chowder in the Chowder House. He stated it  
was a tremendous amount of work to organize and host the First Responders Clam  
Chowder - Fish Fry in recognition of the “National Faith and Blue Weekend”.  
Councilor Saums went on to state that he was struck by the Welcoming Statement Chief  
Rich gave before the meal was served. He noted that Chief Rich remarked that “In  
Ledyard we feed everyone” and he read the Webster Dictionary’s definition for  
“Community” as follows: “A feeling of fellowship with others as a result of having  
common attitudes, interests, and goals”. However, he stated Chief Rich noted that  
although Webster Dictionary’s definition was close to defining Ledyard as a  
“community” that in his eyes the dictionary’s definition fell a little short. He noted that  
Chief Rich stated in thinking about Ledyard that he would add “People who come  
together, support one another in times of crisis, sorrow or loss, that was what he has  
seen in Ledyard…And that was why it was such an honor for all on the Ledyard Police  
Department to serve this community”.  
Councilor Saums went on to note that Chief Rich also mentioned during his opening  
remarks that Ledyard was one of the greatest communities he has ever been a part of;  
and he thanked the following people: Ms. Tammy Brannon and everyone at the Ledyard  
Congregational Church, the Ledyard Town Council Community Relations Committee  
Gary Paul, Bill Saums, and John Marshall, Police Sergeant Jason Pudvah and the  
Ledyard Police Union, the Ledyard Center and Gales Ferry Fire Companies, the  
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Police and Fire Departments, the Ledyard Boy Scout  
Troop #16; and Parks & Recreation  
Director Scott Johnson, Jr. who provided support for the whole event, Senator Cathy  
Osten for attending the event, Connecticut State Police Troop E Lieutenant Albert  
Gosselin, the Congregational Church’s Chowder House Crew: Jim Ball, Scott Ingalls,  
Alex Dozier, Dolly Haze, and Toby Duncan, Chaplin Bob Petrel, Recruit Matthew  
Burchell, and the One and Only Sergeant Michael McKinney “Big Mac” for preparing  
the food for everyone. Councilor Saums stated in closing Chief Rich asked that everyone  
enjoy the food, company, and the beautiful day. He stated Chief Rich then introduced  
Councilor Gary Paul who played a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace”. Councilor  
Saums stated it was a great event, noting that a lot of people came and stayed noting it  
was great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in October.  
Councilor Paul stated that he agreed with Councilor Saums’ comments regarding Chief  
Rich’s opening remarks. He stated it was refreshing to see the level of community within  
their Police Department and Fire Departments, volunteers and elected officials. He  
stated it was an awesome community event and he was humbled to play his rock version  
of Amazing Grace, noting that their first responders put their lives on the line every day.  
He thanked Councilor Saums for all his work, the Congregational Church, the  
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and everyone who helped out and who attended the  
event. He stated next year that he hoped that they would have more time to prepare for  
the First Responders Clam Chowder Fish Fry Community Event and that the  
Community Relations Committee would be able to be more involved.  
COMPLETED  
RESULT:  
Continued discussion regarding Black History Month and update on the 2023 Black History  
Activity/Contest.  
2.  
Councilor Rodriguez provided an update regarding the status of planning for the Black  
History Month 2023 Activity/Contest and she noted the following:  
·
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)  
Organization - Councilor Rodriguez stated that she spoke to some members of the  
NAACP in New London to discuss Ledyard’s interest in having a Black History  
Month Activity. She stated in speaking to Juliet Parker, who was the NAACP  
Secretary, that Ms. Parker stated that the NAACP was willing to help Ledyard with  
their program. However, Ms. Parker asked that she submit their request in writing,  
noting that Ms. Parker provided her e-mail address.  
·
Superintendent of Schools Jason Hartling - Councilor Rodriguez stated that Mr.  
Hartling was pleased that one of the Contest Judges would be a Board of Education  
Member. She stated Mr. Hartling requested that the information regarding the Black  
History Month Activity and Essay Contest be provided to the Schools in November,  
because the Art Teachers needed time to plan for the projects and to include the  
initiative into schedules.  
·
·
Poster Contest - Councilor Rodriguez stated the Poster Contest for the elementary  
school students would remain the same as last year. She stated the variety of Black  
History Month posters the kids came up with were great.  
Essay Contest - Councilor Rodriguez stated Black History Month Essay Topic was  
going to be “Black Resistance - How African Americans Have Fought Repression  
from America’s Earliest Days”, noting that this was the national theme.  
Councilor Rodriguez stated that she would send a draft of the 2023 Black History Month  
Activity and Poster Contest Information to the Community Relations Committee to  
review and to provide comments before she sent it off the Board of Education to be  
distributed to the Principals’ Offices at each of the schools.  
Councilor Paul stated with the Town Council being seated in December, 2021 and their  
Sub- Committees not holding their first regular meeting until January, 2022 that the  
Black History Month Program (February) came up quick last year. He stated he has put  
some thought into the program; and he questioned whether it would be a good idea to  
transition the Black History Month Activity over to the Board of Education, with the  
Town Council’s Community Relations Committee acting in a supportive role. He noted  
as Councilor Rodriguez explained, with the need to involve Superintendent Hartling, the  
School Principals, and the Teachers that it may be more appropriate for the Board of  
Education to directly handle the essay and posters contest with Councilor Rodriguez’s  
direction. He suggested that perhaps the Essay Contest winner could read their essay at a  
Town Council meeting; and as they did last year, the winning posters could be displayed.  
He stated by the Board of Education taking the lead on the Black History Activity and  
Essay Contest, that perhaps the schools would be able to do more with the students by  
focusing additional programs on Black History Month with thinks like school  
assemblies, etc.  
Councilor Saums addressed Councilor Paul’s suggestion to transition the Black History  
Month Activities to the Board of Education. He stated because the Board of Education  
had a lot on their plate, and a lot of competing initiatives, that perhaps Councilor  
Rodriguez could help with lining up judges, or with establishing the contest the  
guidelines, or with handling things that had specific timelines, etc.  
Councilor Rodriguez stated she would bring Councilor Paul’s and Councilor Saums’  
suggestions regarding Black History Month Activities to Superintendent Hartling.  
However, she stated the Essay Contest and Poster Contest was only part of the Black  
History Month Activity, noting that she was also trying to figure out other ideas for  
Black History Month for the town.  
Councilor Paul requested clarification, questioning whether the other ideas for the town  
that Councilor Rodriguez was trying to figure out would be separate from the essay  
contest and poster contest. Councilor Rodriguez stated Councilor Paul’s understanding  
was correct. She stated in speaking with High School Chorus Director Ms. Cometa that  
the Chorus would be doing a concert for Martin Luther King Day (January 16, 2023).  
She stated that she had hoped that in early February that the High School Chorus could  
sing something at the Town Council meeting.  
Councilor Saums stated he liked the idea that was suggested by Ms. Nicole  
Cruz-Glacken at the Community Relations Committee’s August 17, 2022 meeting to fly  
the Pan African Flag in front of Town Hall. He stated that they would need to talk to the  
Mayor about the idea. Councilor Rodriguez suggested if the Town Hall raised the Pan  
African Flag that they could have a short program at that time. She stated last year New  
London had a short ceremony in which the Pan African Flag was raised by a military  
person, police officer and a town council member. She stated that she would provide  
more information at the Community Relations Committee November 16, 2022 meeting.  
Councilor Paul stated that they discussed some good ideas this evening and that he  
would contact the Mayor regarding the Committee’s ideas.  
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.  
3.  
Councilor Paul stated he spoke with Public Works Director/Town Engineer Steve  
Masalin and that he was available to attend the Community Relations Committee  
November 16, 2022 meeting to provide a presentation/information regarding the services  
the Public Works Department provides to the town. He noted the importance to get  
information out to residents pertaining to Winter Operations relative parking bans during  
snow events and other snow removal policies before the snow started to fall. He stated  
Ledyard’s Public Works Department does a lot of in town and that this would be a good  
opportunity for residents to ask questions.  
Councilor Saums stated he would prepare a flyer to send to MIS Director Regina  
Brulotte to create a link on the town’s website that Councilors could share on their  
facebook pages.  
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.  
4.  
No Action  
Councilor Paul stated as they were moving into the winter months that they would put  
conversations in the park off until the spring. Councilor Saums stated he agreed, noting  
with the shorter daylight hours and colder weather that it would be difficult to gather  
people outside.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Continued discussion regarding the possibility to schedule joint meetings with the  
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to discuss items of mutual interest.  
5.  
6.  
Councilor Saums stated he did not have an update, noting that he would communicate  
with MPTN Council Member Crystal Whipple to discuss possible dates to schedule their  
Informal Gathering.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Continued discussion to present information to bring awareness to October being  
“Depression and Mental Health Month”.  
Councilor Paul stated October was “Depression and Mental Health Month”.  
Councilor Rodriguez stated Ms. Ann Dagle from the Brian Dagle Foundation - Brian’s  
Healing Hearts - Family Suicide Prevention Group, located at 461 Main Street in  
Niantic, was available to attend the Town Council’s October 26, 2022 meeting.  
Councilor Rodriguez noted Ms. Dagle was looking forward to giving a presentation to  
the Town Council and that Ms. Dagle hoped the town would develop a relationship with  
the Brian Dagle Foundation - Brian’s Healing Hearts - Family Suicide Prevention  
Group. She stated Ms. Dagle was pleased to hear that the Town Council would be  
wearing Green to show their support for Depression and Mental Health.  
Councilor Paul thanked Councilor Rodriguez for contacting Ms. Dagle and for inviting  
her to Town Council’s October 26, 2022 meeting to give a presentation regarding the  
work that the Brian Dagle Foundation does. He stated that there was a lot involved in  
operating a town from the financial and fiscal management, having good schools,  
maintaining roads, fire and public safety, providing infrastructure and services, etc.  
However, he stated one of the most important things was to have a Healthy Community.  
He stated there was a mental health crisis going on and that the best thing town leaders  
could do was to talk about it and keep it on the forefront, and show their support for  
folks struggling with these illnesses.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Review comments received at the July 20, 2022 Informal Conversation with residents at the  
Park on East Drive.  
7.  
Councilor Paul stated he visited the Park on East Drive (Christy Hill Park) today and he  
noted the lights looked great. He stated the railroad ties and wood chips have not been  
done yet, but that the improvements were progressing nicely. He stated that he would  
contact Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. to discuss the status of the park  
improvements.  
Councilor Paul continued by noting the e-mail received from Mr. Jamieson noting that  
the residents in the area were happy with the progress that has been made at the Park to  
date.  
CONTINUE  
RESULT:  
Any other Old Business proper to come before the Committee  
None.  
8.  
VII. NEW BUSINESS  
National League of Cities - Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) - Report dated 10/4/2022  
1.  
re: Indigenous Peoples, Rebuild Trust & Repair Relationships  
Councilor Saums stated he attended the on-line webinar noting the first part of the  
presentation was well-done, and that the second part of the presentation was interesting  
explaining that Tribal Members from across the country discussed the things they have  
done in their local and state governments. He stated the presentation was attached to  
tonight’s agenda packet on the meeting portal.  
Councilor Rodriguez noted page 26 “Allotment and Assimilation Era 1887-1934” talked  
about the Federal Government separating the Tribal Children from their families and  
sending them to Boarding Schools where they were prohibited from speaking their  
native language, tribal dress, and traditional practices. She stated those who survived the  
Boarding Schools reported mistreatment, abuse and even death of indigenous children at  
the hands of the school leaders and staff. She stated it was heartbreaking to read.  
Councilor Saums provided an overview of the history noting pages 25 -26 “The  
Treaty-Making Era” (1778 - 1871) was when the Europeans signed the first treaties with  
Indian Tribes in the early 1600s. The Treaties between the U.S government and Indian  
Tribes established a pattern of legal and political interaction starting in 1778 with the  
Delaware Tribe. In 1871, when the treaty-making era formally ended, the U.S. had  
signed more than 350 treaties with Indian Tribes. Even after 1871, there were many  
written agreements between Tribes and the United States which functioned like treaties.  
He stated the treaties morphed from a friendship and reciprocity sort of relationship into  
one-sided type of arrangements.  
Councilor Saums noted during the Removal Era (1830-1850) that President Andrew  
Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. He noted the Indigenous Peoples,  
Rebuild Trust & Repair Relationships Report stated that the policies during the period  
removed many Tribes from their eastern homelands to lands west of the Mississippi  
River to Indian Territory, going into what is now known as Oklahoma. While some  
sections of Eastern Tribes agreed to move west to protect their interests.  
Councilor Saums stated the Reservation System (1850-1891) was between the Removal  
and Allotment Eras, and that Indigenous Peoples, Rebuild Trust & Repair Relationships  
Report noted that this era was when Federal Policy gave way to the Reservation system.  
He stated between 1850 and 1891, there were numerous treaties, statutes, and executive  
orders were made that required Tribes to relocate to distant territories or confined them  
to smaller areas that were “reserved” portions of the Tribes’ aboriginal territories.  
Reservations still exist today; however, Native Americans were not required to remain  
confined on them. He noted during this time, States also passed laws that discriminated  
against Native Peoples.  
Councilor Saums stated as Councilor Rodriguez noted the ”Allotment and Assimilation  
Era 1887-1934 was when the US Government tried to bring the American Indians into  
their colonial civilization and erase Indian history and culture.  
Councilor Saums stated the history provided in Indigenous Peoples, Rebuild Trust &  
Repair Relationships Report showed that things did not really begin to change until the  
Self-Determination Era (1968-present) explaining in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the  
Federal Indian Policy began to support the concept of Indian Self-Determination. He  
stated various laws and executive orders strengthened support for Tribal Governments  
and Reaffirmed Federal acknowledgment of Tribal sovereignty.  
Councilor Saums stated during the Self-Determination Era the country recognized that  
the Indigenous People had their own people, their own culture, their own history and that  
they did exist. He stated it was amazing that the Indigenous People still exist noting that  
the US Government spent 400 years trying to eliminate them.  
Councilor Rodriguez stated her family visited the National Museum of the American  
Indian. She stated they spent hours reading the history, noting that it was very sad.  
However, she stated in the end the American Indian said that they were still here; and  
she commented that she was grateful that they survived. She stated it would be great for  
others to read the “National League of Cities - Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) -  
Report dated 10/4/2022 re: Indigenous Peoples, Rebuild Trust & Repair Relationships”.  
Councilor Saums stated he seen poor behavior occur here in Ledyard during a time when  
there was a proposed development on a piece of town property. He stated a group of  
residents, including himself, were fighting the development of the property because they  
believed there were Indian structures on the property. He stated they had members of the  
Tribe testify about the existence of the stone structures, what they were used for, and  
how far back they went. He stated they could read a lot of information regarding the  
scientific testing of the structures which included the stone chambers, and ceremonial  
walls, noting that the Indians landscaped with stone, and that the stone structures exist  
all the way up into northern New England and that they also exist around the world.  
However, he stated the Developer had Archologies testify that the native stone structures  
did not exist, and that they were built by colonel white settlers. He went on to state  
whether people believed it or did not believe it, that there were native stone structures in  
Ledyard. He stated the fact was that there were two sides who would testify, noting that  
they would bring out all of their resources to prove their side of the argument. He stated  
the Gungywamp-Denison Pequotsepose Nature Center in Groton had all kinds of  
evidence of Native American Indian stone structures. He stated there was a serpentine  
wall, that had no purpose, except for ceremonial. He stated white colonels would not  
build a wall like that.  
Councilor Paul stated he loved history and that he would encourage everyone to continue  
to learn more. He stated he planned to read the “National League of Cities - Race, Equity  
and Leadership (REAL) - Report dated 10/4/2022 re: Indigenous Peoples, Rebuild Trust  
& Repair Relationships”. He stated they were all part of the Ledyard Community and  
that they all had to respect one another.  
CONTINUE  
MOTION to approve the Community Relations Committee 2023 Meeting Schedule.  
RESULT:  
2.  
Community Relations Committee ( 3rd Wednesday, Annex Building 6:30 p.m.  
January 18  
May 17  
September 20  
January 17, 2024  
February 15  
June 21  
October 18  
March 15  
July 19  
November 15  
April 19  
August 16  
December 20  
Moved by Councilor Paul, seconded by Councilor Saums  
Discussion: Councilor Paul stated in accordance with CGS 1-225 each Committee  
must file its meeting schedule for the coming year in the Town Clerk’s Office. He  
stated if there were no objections that the Community Relations Committee would  
continue to meeting on the third Wednesday of each month.  
VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Gary Paul  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Bill Saums  
SECONDER:  
2
1
Saums and Paul  
Marshall  
AYE:  
EXCUSED:  
Any other New Business proper to come before the Committee.  
None.  
3.  
IV  
ADJOURNMENT  
Councilor Paul moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilor Saums  
VOTE: 2 - 0 Approved and so declared. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 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.