CLINTON, CT — The Town Council directed town staff to seek additional proposals for independent oversight of the Clinton Landfill Closure Project after reviewing estimates totaling $162,645 for stormwater, road and construction monitoring.
Town Planner Abby Piersall told the council that the Planning and Zoning Commission had requested additional information to help with its review of the landfill project. The recommendation before the council was to use existing funds to hire a licensed environmental professional and/or professional engineer for third-party oversight.
The proposals already received include $5,000 from CHA Consulting to review stormwater design; $9,950 from Tighe & Bond for inspections of local roads and a road condition survey; and $147,695 from CDM Smith for construction oversight, including review of material logs by a licensed environmental professional, weekly site inspections and monthly reports.
Project records indicate construction could generate an average of 50 truck trips per day, increasing to as many as 100 on peak days.
Council members asked Piersall to obtain additional quotes for comparison. Council member Chris Passante requested that proposals for construction oversight include the possibility of independently testing material brought to the landfill.
Members indicated general support for using third-party oversight, but the council did not authorize the proposed spending at the meeting. Piersall said the town attorney would review remaining questions and provide guidance to the council at a future meeting.
The council also received an update on the Waterside Lane Bridge project, which drew comments from two residents at the beginning of the Aug. 19 meeting.
Waterside Lane resident Patrick Duff spoke about the bridge's historical significance and safety concerns. Duff said he supported closing the gate at night because of safety concerns. Alan Felgate, also of Waterside Lane, addressed the bridge and emphasized maintaining the town's small-town character.
In her written report, Town Manager Michelle Benivegna said minutes from a June 4, 2024 meeting concerning the bridge had been added to the town website after they were recently provided by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Benivegna said the town continues to pursue a design exception that would allow a reduced lane width over the bridge. The request is undergoing review and a signature process with upper management at the state Department of Transportation, according to her report.
The town is participating in the Federal Local Bridge Program, which provides funding for eligible bridge replacements. The Waterside Lane project is currently in the design phase.
Council member Brian Roccapriore separately asked Benivegna to follow up on the Town Beach gate closure.
Benivegna also announced in her written report that Rebecca Mead will begin work as Clinton's economic development coordinator Sept. 8.
According to the town manager's report, Mead works with the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, where she supports regional economic development initiatives and business programs. She also serves on the Chester Economic Development Commission.
Finance Director Robert Tait presented the council's monthly financial report. The town projects an unassigned general fund balance of about $14.22 million as of June 30, 2027, representing 21 percent of the 2026-27 budget.
The town's contingency account began the fiscal year with $170,000 and stood at $152,000 after an $18,000 Town Council action Aug. 5.
The Board of Education's non-lapsing fund has a balance of $930,964. Of that, $60,000 has been appropriated for network switches and $549,285 for boilers, leaving $321,679 available.
The town also received the final $517,131 state construction grant for the new Morgan School in July. The financial report says $552,498 remains to be financed through bonds to close the project.
Tait reported that final 2025-26 invoices and adjustments were still being processed, pushing the final year-end transfer request to the council's Sept. 2 meeting.
Benivegna reported that the town's costs for the Aug. 29 fireworks display, including Department of Public Works and public safety support, are expected to be slightly above the $10,000 budgeted for the event.
Any additional town funding needed will come from the Community Events budget line, according to her report.
The fireworks are scheduled for Aug. 29 as part of Dock Days, which also includes the second annual boat parade at the Town Marina.
The council unanimously appointed Norman Campion, a Republican, to the Housing Authority for a term ending June 30, 2031.
The council also approved its Aug. 5 meeting minutes, with Michael Shove abstaining.
Council members entered executive session at 8:06 p.m. for a personnel matter and invited Amy Jennings to participate. The motion was unanimously approved. The council returned to public session at 8:45 p.m.; the minutes record no subsequent action on the personnel matter. The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
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