Darien Selectmen To Get Updates On Great Island, Ukraine Sister City Partnership

DARIEN, CT — Darien's Board of Selectmen is scheduled Monday to receive an update on the Great Island project, including the latest plans for early public access, parking, pedestrian circulation and infrastructure improvements at the waterfront property.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, June 29, via Zoom. The meeting is virtual, and public comment is listed on the agenda.

The Great Island item is expected to include updates from the Great Island Parking Design Committee's most recent meeting and discussions about early access plans.

According to materials included in the agenda packet, a current concept features 87 visitor parking spaces, including six ADA-accessible spaces, pedestrian paths, a boardwalk connection designed to minimize impacts on tree roots and sensitive coastal areas, bicycle parking and upgraded stormwater management using pervious paving.

The presentation also outlines plans for new underground utility connections, limited Dark Sky-compliant lighting focused on pedestrian crossings and accessible parking areas, and a project schedule that anticipates design work continuing through this year, construction in 2027 and an early-access opening later that year.

Another major agenda item calls for discussion and possible action on a proposed fiscal year 2027 pay plan for non-represented and permanent part-time employees, as well as salaries for the registrars of voters for their next two-year terms.

The board also is scheduled to receive an update on the Darien-Ukraine Sister City Partnership. Darien has explored a relationship with Sloviansk, a city in the northern part of the Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.

First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky visited Ukraine in May. In his recent newsletters to the community, he expressed a desire to form a Sister City Committee of roughly seven to 10 Darien residents who are interested in helping activate the partnership.

"I think this is the right approach, and I would like to help form that committee by the end of July; I will also serve as a member," Zagrodzky wrote in his newsletter.

The selectmen are also expected to consider transferring $33,000 from the assessor's full-time salary account to professional services and seasonal and temporary staffing.

According to agenda materials, the transfer would fund temporary assistance needed to complete the 2026 Grand List following the assessor's retirement earlier this year, including services from the Stamford assessor and Tyler Technologies.

The meeting will begin with the Advisory Commission on Coastal Waters' annual review. The agenda also includes the first selectman's report, board liaison reports, approval of meeting minutes, an inventory of charter and ordinance changes, and an update on the town's agreement with Post 53.

The full agenda can be found here.