Ledyard Finance Committee To Consider Higher Bulky Waste Fees, Over $45K In Tax Refunds

LEDYARD, CT — Ledyard's Finance Committee will consider increasing bulky waste disposal fees and approving more than $45,000 in tax refunds to Wahlburgers when it meets Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The committee will also consider a resolution governing how transfer station fee revenue is distributed for facility improvements and continue discussions about opioid settlement funding and strategies for limiting an increase in the fiscal 2027-28 mill rate.

Under the proposed disposal rates, a small pickup load would cost $55 for bulk waste or $120 for shingles. A medium load, described as a small dump load, would cost $200 for bulk waste or $500 for shingles. A large dump load would cost $400 for bulk waste or $1,000 for shingles.

The committee is separately scheduled to vote on a draft Sept. 29 "Resolution Regarding Transfer Fee Revenue Distributions for Transfer Station Improvements." The agenda identifies a 2026 bulky waste cost history and the draft resolution as supporting documents.

Another pair of agenda items concerns tax refunds to Wahlburgers.

One motion calls for approval of two tax refund transfers totaling $19,192.94: $12,491.44 covering the 2023 through 2024 grand lists and $6,701.50 covering the 2023 through 2025 grand lists. The agenda says both amounts exceed $2,400 and are being presented in accordance with Tax Collector Department procedures.

A separate motion calls for a $26,390.46 refund to Wahlburgers. Together, the three proposed refunds total $45,583.40.

The committee will continue discussing potential uses for Ledyard's share of National Opioid Settlement payments. The agenda lists extensive supporting material, including proposals and recommendations from Ledyard Youth Services, the Ledyard Prevention Coalition and Ledge Light Health District, along with Ledyard overdose data, national settlement documents and presentations from Community Speaks Out and the Governor's Prevention Partnership. No specific new opioid expenditure is proposed for a vote on the Oct. 7 agenda.

Members will also continue developing options for minimizing an increase in the fiscal 2027-28 mill rate. The agenda identifies uncertainty over whether the state will provide the additional funding Ledyard received for its current fiscal year budget and the possibility of reductions in other revenue, including motor vehicle revenue.

A related item calls for discussion and possible action on the fiscal 2027-28 Budget Letter of Directive. The agenda includes a draft letter and information about the town's budget process as supporting material.

Other business includes discussion of scheduling regular quarterly joint Finance Committee meetings between the Town Council and Board of Education and continued consideration of potential grant opportunities.

The committee is also scheduled to consider approving minutes from its Sept. 16 regular meeting and Sept. 23 special meeting and receive the finance director's fiscal 2025-26 report and fiscal 2026-27 financial reports.

The hybrid meeting begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall Annex Building, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway. Remote participation is available through Zoom.