Important Updates From First Selectman Beth Heller

Information written by Woodbridge First Selectman Beth Heller

Here is a brief update on topics that were discussed at the October 10th Board of Selectmen meeting. Please follow the links to further details on any items that interest you – and as always please let me know if you have ideas or thoughts you would like to share with me!-- First Selectman Beth Heller

The Selectmen received updates on several ongoing issues and projects:

• Architect David Stein of Silver Petrucelli attended the meeting to update the Board on the Old Firehouse project. We discussed the budget and the potential to lease the second floor to the Amity School District’s Transition Academy program. We requested further information regarding the potential bonding of the project and plan to continue discussion of the project at our November meeting.

• I am pleased to announce that the Selectmen voted to authorize me to sign a cooperative letter of agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Woodbridge for the joint partnership of the farmland preservation program and the Community Farms Preservation Program (CFPP).
This is an important first step in working with the CT Department of Agriculture to become pre-qualified for any future initiative in Woodbridge to apply for State grant funding of cooperative state-local farmland preservation projects. Such projects involve the voluntary application by a landowner for the acquisition and ownership of development rights easements to maintain agricultural land for farming purposes and prevent the conversion of such land to non-agricultural uses. You can learn more about this program by visiting the Department of Agriculture's website.

• The Selectmen also received a new proposal for the former-Country Club of Woodbridge property from Robert Sachs, the developer of Fieldstone Village in Orange. Should it be the Board’s desire to move this proposal forward, I will keep the public informed of any next steps.

Recent Storm and Flooding Conditions

The Selectmen also received an update regarding the severe weather event, September 25-26, that caused flooding in Woodbridge. The State of Connecticut is undertaking an Initial Damage Assessment to estimate the extent of damage/loss sustained by municipalities as well as private property owners (residents and businesses). The Town hosted two Information Sessions to gather details from residents and businesses impacted by the storm.

The estimated cost of flood damages occurring in our town was compiled and sent to the State's Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security for submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The data from Woodbridge will be used to help determine whether damages resulting from this event are significant enough to request a joint Federal/State Preliminary Damage Assessment, and potentially a request for federal recovery assistance. We need to emphasize: THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT FUNDING WILL BE GRANTED. We will keep the public informed of developments -- if you should have any questions, please contact Sheila McCreven by email or phone (203) 389-3404.

In the meantime, the following resource is available to residents and businesses who may need to replace or repair heating and cooling systems, as well as undertake mold remediation:

• EnergizeCT offers a variety of low-cost, no money down, low interest financing solutions -- visit the EnergizeCT website to learn more.

Meetings, Events & Reminders

• The Town Plan & Zoning Commission will re-continue a Public Hearing regarding the adoption of proposed Zoning Regulations for the Town of Woodbridge, on Monday, November 5th 2018 ###/strongavailable on the website.

• Fallapalooza 2018 events continue through October 31st. Visit the Town website for details and updates to information -- come join in the fun!