Summary

Town Council approves multiple appointments and budget actions, authorizes winter and police overexpenditures, and continues action on electric Public Benefits Charge resolution

LedyardFeb 26, 20254 min read

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At the Feb. 26, 2025 hybrid Town Council meeting, councilors approved minutes, confirmed several committee appointments and reappointments, authorized potential overexpenditures for winter operations and a police hiring line, approved updates to the elderly tax-relief income schedule, reviewed mayoral budget projections, and continued consideration of a resolution on the electric Public Benefits Charge.

Committees mentioned

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Town Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the Feb. 12, 2025 special and regular Town Council meetings (9-0).
Reappointed Gerald Tyminski and Joseph Gush to the Permanent Municipal Building Committee through March 26, 2028 (consent).
Approved four tax refunds totaling $13,146.20 (combined) in accordance with tax collector procedures (consent).
Appointed Minna DeGaetano to the Retirement Board (term to Jan. 20, 2026); Karen Parkinson to the Historic District Commission (term to Dec. 4, 2026); Lauren Hawes to the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission (term to June 28, 2025); Nathaniel Woody as Alternate to Planning & Zoning (term to Oct. 31, 2026); and Sherry Gruzkowski to the Ledyard Housing Authority (term to March 31, 2028) — all motions approved (9-0).
Authorized potential overexpenditure of winter operations accounts (snow overtime, employee reimbursement, salt and sand) due to higher-than-normal winter needs (9-0).
Authorized overspending the Public Safety Employees line to hire one police officer candidate in FY25 to begin replacement for upcoming retirements (9-0).
Approved a revised Appendix A — Qualifying Income Schedule under Ordinance #200-005 (rev.1) for elderly/permanently disabled property tax relief (administrative update, 9-0).
Received mayoral report and budget timing: Board of Education submitted a $40,667,242 FY2025/2026 budget; mayor to submit General Government budget on March 3, 2025; noted projected General Government increase ≈ $644,000 and BOE increase $2,297,419 (5.98%), with an estimated 3.15 mil impact if unchanged.
Noted project updates: Ledyard Center sewer line installation between High School and Penny Wise Lane completed; STEAP playscape grant application submitted; school roof/HVAC projects ongoing.
Discussion on a draft Resolution to call on the State Legislature to eliminate the electric Public Benefits Charge and address systemic issues; Councilor Ryan to draft resolution for future consideration (item continued).

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Meeting information

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Town Council

Feb 26, 2025, 12:00 AMTown Hall Council Chambersscheduled

Regular Meeting

Agenda

In-Person: Council Chambers Town Hall Annex Remote: Information noted below:
Join Zoom Meeting from your Computer, Smart Phone or Tablet: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88950267229?pwd=4PaiqoC9am2jFC6lbE6dX7cPsPjFTO.1 Audio Only: Telephone: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 889 5026 7229; Passcode: 039130
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS
RESIDENT & PROPERTY OWNERS (COMMENTS LIMITED TO THREE (3) MINUTES
COMMITTEE COMMISSION AND BOARD REPORTS
COMMENTS OF TOWN COUNCILORS
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION to approve the following Town Council Minutes: · Special Meeting of February 12, 2025 · Regular Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications List - February 26, 2025
REFERALS
COUNCIL SUB COMMITTEE, LIAISON REPORTS
Administration Committee
Community Relations Committee for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Finance Committee
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee
Liaison Reports
REPORT OF THE MAYOR:
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION to reappoint the following members to the Permanent Municipal Building Committee to complete a three (3) year term ending March 26, 2028. · Mr. Gerald Tyminski (U) 58 Partridge Hollow, Gales Ferry · Mr. Joseph Gush ( R) 57 Town Farm Road, Ledyard.
Motion to approve four tax refunds in the combined total amount of $13,146.20 each exceeding $2,400.00 in accordance with tax collector departmental procedures. · Patricia Ference $3,112.39 · Jessica Johnson $2,619.98 · Law Office Sean Donohue for Amanda Plante $3,079.65 · Sheela Nerurkar $4,334.18
Administration Committee
MOTION to appoint Ms. Minna DeGaetano (D) 10 Marla Avenue, Ledyard, as a Regular Member to the Retirement Board to complete a three (3) year term ending January 20, 2026 to fill a vacancy left by Mr. Panosky.
MOTION to appoint Mrs. Karen Parkinson (R) 55 Rose Hill Road, Ledyard, as a Regular Member to the Historic District Commission to complete a five (5) year term ending December 4, 2026 to fill a vacancy left by Mr. Barnes.
MOTION to appoint Ms. Lauren Hawes, (U) 8 Warbler Way, Gales Ferry, as a Regular Member to the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission to complete a three (3) year term ending June 28, 2025 to fill a vacancy left by Ms. Cobb.
MOTION to appoint Mr. Nathaniel Woody (U) 770 Long Cove Road, Gales Ferry, as an Alternate Member to the Planning & Zoning Commission to complete a three (3) year term ending October 31, 2026 filling, vacancy left by Mr. Miello.
MOTION to appoint Ms. Sherry Gruzkowski ( R) 26 Saw Mill Drive, Ledyard, to the Ledyard Housing Authority Road, Gales Ferry, to complete a five (5) year term ending March 31, 2028 filling a vacancy left by Ms. Crocker.
Finance Committee
MOTION to authorize overexpenditure of winter operations budget accounts 10140103-51815 (Snow Overtime), 10140103-58300 (Employee Reimbursement), and 10140107-56301 (Salt and Sand) due to higher-than-normal winter operation’s needs.
MOTION to overspend 10120101-51630 (Public Safety Employees) to allow for the hiring of one police officer candidates in FY25 to replace two officers planning retirement in FY26.
MOTION to approve a revised Appendix A- Qualifying Income Schedule in accordance with Ordinance #200-005 (rev. 1) “An Ordinance to Provide Property Tax Relief for Certain Homeowners Age Sixty-Five or Over or Permanently and Totally Disabled (rev.1)” for the filing period of February 1, 2024 - May 15, 2024.
General Business
MOTION to approve a “Resolution to Call on the Connecticut State Legislature to Support Legislation Which Aims to Eliminate The Public Benefits Charges On Electric Bills for Connecticut Residents And to Fix Systemic Issues Which Enables Such Fees And Charges”.
ADJOURNMENT
DISCLAIMER:
Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the Town. The Town Council's Official Agenda and final Minutes will be on file in the Town Clerk's Office.
WORKING DRAFT
Planning & Zoning Commission
Library Commission
Board of Education
Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Commission Fiscal Year 2024/2025
Public Safety Report

Town Council approves multiple appointments and budget actions, authorizes winter and police overexpenditures, and continues action on electric Public Benefits Charge resolution

At a glance

Committees mentioned

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Key decisions

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Meeting information

Town Council

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