Ledyard Beautification Committee Approves Spending For Daffodil Planting Day

LEDYARD, CT — The Ledyard Beautification Committee unanimously approved spending $500 on daffodil bulbs for an Oct. 17 planting day and continued planning for a mural project, seasonal gardening programs and improvements near Juliet W. Long School.

The committee voted 6-0 at its Sept. 1 meeting to buy the bulbs. The planting day is scheduled for Oct. 17, with Oct. 24 set as the rain date. Commissioner Lauren Hawes made the motion, Chairperson Kathrine Kohrs seconded it, and all six members present voted in favor.

Mural Project Could Start At School

Commissioners also discussed a possible community mural project.

Commissioner Yvonne Walsh said the owner of Village Market had expressed interest in a mural but wanted more information. Committee members agreed that a school could be a good place to begin the project and discussed asking students to suggest mural concepts reflecting school values and the Town of Ledyard.

No vote was taken.

Native Fruit Trees Suggested Near Middle School

Aric Wellman, an environmental and agricultural science teacher at Ledyard Middle School, suggested planting native fruit trees near the school. The minutes say committee members supported the idea, but no formal action was taken.

The committee also continued discussing a gardening class. Members had not received a response from the Ledyard Garden Club, and Walsh planned to speak with the librarian about possible dates and space.

Kohrs said she would contact Full Heart Farms about potentially teaching a class. Members also discussed holding a winter planning program rather than rushing to organize a fall session, along with offering recurring seasonal classes and inviting landscapers to make presentations.

Veterans Day Signs Draw Interest

Committee members said the Back to School Bash drew residents interested in Veterans Day signs.

Commissioner Mechelle Barber said the school's military liaison was interested in receiving flyers. Hawes suggested she could also serve as a liaison with Fleet and Family, while Kohrs was working on setting up a link through Thirty Marketing.

Barber also reported that Ledyard Rotary had asked whether the committee had applied for its grant. She said an application had been submitted but the committee had not received further communication.

Members discussed making it easier for residents to suggest beautification projects by posting meeting dates on the committee's Facebook page and sharing a Google form for submitting ideas.

Flagpole Near Juliet W. Long School Discussed

Hawes reported that the Football Club uncovered a bright yellow flagpole while removing trees on a field near Juliet W. Long School.

The club wants to restore the flagpole area with a new flag and crushed stone beneath it. Hawes suggested using money associated with the Veterans signs to purchase a flag, veterans dedication plaque or bench.

Kohrs said woodworking students at the high school might be able to build a bench. The committee discussed the idea but took no vote.

Kohrs also reported changes in committee membership. Carol Christiansen's term had expired, and Julie Harty was removed because of lack of attendance. Hawes volunteered to contact Town Councilor April Brunelle, the committee's liaison, about filling the vacancy.

The committee met at the Town Hall Annex, 741 Colonel Ledyard Highway, beginning at 5:08 p.m. It adjourned at 5:51 p.m. on a 6-0 vote.