Summary

Historic District Commission approves rules, advances Gales Ferry overlay application; Sawmill and Nathan Lester House updates discussed

LedyardMar 16, 20263 min read

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At the March 16, 2026 meeting the Ledyard Historic District Commission approved prior meeting minutes and adopted the Commission Rules and Procedures. The Commission amended the agenda and approved motions for the Commission to act as the applicant to submit a zoning regulation amendment and a POCD amendment proposing a Gales Ferry Village District (subject to further approvals). Committee reports covered a $2,500 dam cost-analysis quote for the Sawmill (purchase order to be pursued), Nathan Lester House activities including recent filming and hazardous tree removal, and planning for archaeology/outreach and site openings. The Town Council appointment of the Commission as the Spicer Homestead study committee was noted; the Commission discussed revisiting the study parcel acreage. Commissioner Kelly Lamb announced her resignation.

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Historic District Commission

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Budget & TaxEnvironmental

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Key decisions

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Approved the Special Meeting Minutes from February 9, 2026, amended to correct Chairperson Parkinson's name (vote: Aye 5; Excused 1).
Approved a motion to amend the agenda to add that the Ledyard Historic District Commission, as the 'applicant', would submit a zoning regulation amendment and a POCD amendment to establish the area shown on the attached map as the proposed Gales Ferry Village District, subject to approval by Gales Ferry Historic District I and II (vote: Aye 5; Excused 1).
Approved a motion that the Ledyard Historic District Commission, as 'applicant', submit a Zoning Regulation amendment and a POCD amendment to establish the proposed Gales Ferry Village District pursuant to CGS 8.2.j (vote: Aye 4; Nay 1; Excused 1).
Accepted the Commission Rules and Procedures as adopted November 21, 2022 (vote: Aye 5; Excused 1).
Recorded receipt of a $2,500 quote for a Sawmill dam cost analysis; a purchase order will be required and Mr. Godino will seek Mayor Fred Allyn III's signature to proceed.
Noted the Town Council motion appointing the Commission as the Historic Properties Study Committee for the Spicer Homestead ruins (study limited to the parcel in the January 14, 2025 survey); the Commission discussed revisiting the scope to include 4.4 acres at a future meeting.
Commissioner Kelly Lamb announced her resignation and will remain until a replacement is found.

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