Ledyard Center Development Study Funded

The Town Council unanimously approved $4,500 for a study of possible economic development opportunities in and around the old Ledyard firehouse in Ledyard Center, a building that now houses town-owned vehicles and other storage.

“We are hoping to come up with an economic development plan that will serve the town for years to come,” said Stephen Eichelberg, chairman of the Economic Development Commission.

Funds for the study, which would be conducted by architectural firm Kent+Frost of Mystic, would come from an account used to market the former Gales Ferry School for commercial purposes.

The EDC has been hoping for years to attract a business to the old firehouse, which became available when the Ledyard Fire Department relocated to Fairway Drive. At one point Dunkin Donuts expressed an interest, but that never materialized. 

Some of the challenges presented by the site include limited parking and the nearby leach field, which would limit potential expansion.

Presented to the Town Council this week, the study proposal received some enthusiastic support. “I very definitely support anything that’s going to bring economic development to our town,” said Councilor Jim Diaz.

Councilor Bill Saums cautioned that commercial growth should not displace town services. He said he hoped plans could include room for the police department to return to Ledyard Center.

“When you start to take town services out of the core, you start to lose that village appearance,” he said.

Fair volunteers thanked

In other business, council Chairman Terry Jones, along with Community Services Committee Chairman David Holdridge, recognized the Ledyard Fair Committee for the success of this year’s fair with a congratulatory resolution from the town.

Ledyard Fair Committee Chairman, Lou Rose and the group of volunteers who helped coordinate the event, stepped to the front of the room to receive their commendations in their official navy blue shirts.

“Their labor of love is hereby recognized by this community,” Jones read. “These people have been doing it for years.” Holdridge added.

This was the 66th running of the Ledyard Fair. Rose has been volunteering for 49 of them. 

The town also recognized emergency service workers and volunteers for their service during the hurricane. The commendation extended to churches in town and residents who helped out.

Emergency Services Manager Sean McGuckin and Ledyard Police Lt. Michael Finkelstein were there to receive the commendations.

Jones announced that there would be a meeting with the Town Council, mayor and the emergency services manger later this month to review the response to tropical storm Irene.

“We want to discuss what went right, what didn’t go so right and what we plan to do,” he said.

There also will be a forthcoming meeting with the public.

“By the time we have that public session, I hope we’ll be able to say what we have determined and what we plan to do,” Jones said.