Ledyard Council Approves Sidewalk Grant Application, $60K Opioid Prevention Program

LEDYARD, CT — The Ledyard Town Council approved a grant application for sidewalk, lighting and sewer improvements along Colonel Ledyard Highway on Sept. 9 and authorized $60,000 in opioid settlement funds for a household drug-disposal program.

The council authorized the mayor to apply for a 2026 Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program grant for sidewalks and lighting extending north from Town Hall toward the Route 214 intersection. The proposal also calls for extending the sewer line north from the Bill Library toward the same intersection.

The council separately approved using $60,000 from the town's National Opioid Settlement account for the Governor's Prevention Partnership's Prevention Starts With You program. The money would be used to distribute Deterra drug-disposal pouches to all Ledyard households. The council also authorized the mayor's office to conduct messaging for the program.

Council Approves Culvert Work, Equipment Funding

The council approved a $20,700 bid waiver for Savy & Sons of Aniston, Connecticut, to reline a 36-foot culvert beneath Ferry View Drive.

Another motion appropriated $7,500 from a state grant account and authorized spending up to that amount on equipment for the Emergency Operations Center.

Councilors also approved distributing $26,380.99 received from vehicle sales through GovDeals among several capital accounts. The money included $7,000 for Public Works large trucks, $7,800 for small trucks, $3,291.99 for light equipment and $4,101 for pooled vehicles.

Another $1,020 was allocated for Public Works building upgrades, $643 for transfer station improvements and $2,525 for the Board of Education Reserve Fund.

Planning And Zoning, Library Appointments Approved

The council approved appointing Rhonda Spaziani as a regular member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. She will complete a three-year term ending Oct. 31, 2027, filling a vacancy left by Marty Wood.

James Rogers of was appointed as an alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission to complete a term ending Oct. 31, 2027. He fills the alternate vacancy left by Spaziani.

The council also approved Steven Finegan for the Library Commission, filling a vacancy for a term ending Nov. 7, 2027.

Two proposed appointments involving Edwin Murray were tabled. One would appoint him as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission through Dec. 31, 2026, while the other would appoint him as an alternate on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission through Oct. 31, 2027.

License Plate Reader Discussion To Continue

The council discussed Flock automatic license plate readers but did not take final action. The minutes state that the discussion will continue.

Council members also continued preparations for the 2027-28 budget, including discussion of options for minimizing an increase in the mill rate. Among the uncertainties identified in the minutes were the possibility that additional state funding received for the 2026-27 budget will not continue and potential reductions in other revenue, including motor vehicle revenue.

The council also received a final report from the Sustainable CT Ad Hoc Committee.

The Sept. 9 meeting was held in the Town Hall Annex Council Chambers. The council adjourned at 9:23 p.m.