Fairfield Selectpersons Approve Board Appointments, Contracts And Set FY2027 Budget Timeline

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Board of Selectpersons unanimously approved a slate of appointments, contracts and administrative actions at its Jan. 7 meeting, while setting the stage for the town’s upcoming budget season and marking several community updates.

Appointments and reappointments

The board filled multiple vacancies on town boards and commissions, with no opposition recorded.

• Affordable Housing Committee: Thomas K. Philips was appointed to a four-year term ending in November 2029, replacing Janice Bouloubasis, who did not seek reappointment. Urban E. Leimkuhler Jr. was reappointed to another term on the committee.
• Dwight School Building Committee: Jeffrey A. Galdenzi was appointed to serve through project completion, replacing Joseph P. Diiorio, who resigned. The appointment requires approval by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). The appointment of Jason Li to the committee was noted as informational only under the committee’s charge.
• Fire Commission: Trisha P. Pytko was appointed to a term ending in November 2030, replacing Dorothea E. Brennan, who completed two full terms.
• Police and Fire Retirement Board: Clayton D. Risher was appointed to a term ending in November 2028, replacing Bruce Ryan.
• Shellfish Commission: Laura B. Lawlor was appointed to a term ending in November 2030, replacing John C. Short Jr., whose term is expiring.

First Selectperson Christine Vitale also acknowledged the resignation of Mary S. Beyer from the Solid Waste and Recycling Commission and thanked both Beyer and Brennan for their service.

School operations agreement approved

The board approved, pending RTM authorization, a fourth modification to a right-of-repurchase agreement with Rooster River Plaza LLC for Unit No. 1 at 501 Kings Highway East.

Angelus Papageorge, director of operations for Fairfield Public Schools, said the modification extends the town’s ownership interest in part of the building for another four years. He said other options were reviewed, but none proved better, and the cost increase was minimal.

Contracts and purchasing actions

The board authorized the Purchasing Authority to award a $54,550 contract to National Water Main Cleaning Co. of Canton, Massachusetts, for CCTV inspection services at a river pump station.

Purchasing Director Adam Tulin said the firm was the lowest bidder following a scope review. Senior Civil Engineer Megha Jain said the in-house project involves two parallel lines — one active, one inactive — and is expected to take two to three weeks.

The board also approved a three-year extension, through Dec. 31, 2028, with PMA Management Corp. of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, for workers’ compensation third-party claims administration at an annual cost of $105,945. Tulin said the extension was necessary to avoid a lapse in service amid turnover in the town’s risk management role. Risk Manager Joey Barbera said the pricing required a three-year term, with a 90-day notice provision if the town later chooses to terminate.

Tax matters

Tax Collector David Kluczwski was authorized to file a claim on behalf of the town in the Discover Card Merchant Class Action Settlement. Town Attorney Phil Pires recommended filing the claim, Kluczwski said, because the town qualifies as an end merchant in the nationwide settlement.

The board also approved $47,161.76 in tax refunds as recommended by the tax collector and approved meeting minutes from Dec. 10, Dec. 17 and Dec. 22, 2025, with one abstention on the latter.

Budget timeline and community updates

Vitale outlined the fiscal year 2027 budget process, saying a timeline will be posted on the Finance Department webpage in early February. She said she plans to present a proposed budget to the board in late February, followed by three public budget hearings from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 and a Board of Selectpersons vote on March 2.

The Board of Finance is scheduled to begin its hearings March 5, with a public comment session March 28 at Fairfield Warde High School; a vote March 31; RTM hearings April 6–8; an RTM vote May 4; and mill rate setting May 7.

Vitale also encouraged residents to review property revaluation information on the assessor’s webpage and to schedule informal hearings with questions. She also announced a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service proclamation reading, which was held on Jan. 14 at the Fairfield Library.

Other business

Selectperson Brenda Kupchick raised concerns about a lack of special election information on the Registrars of Voters website. Vitale said the registrars are elected officials outside the board’s jurisdiction but said town staff would attempt to share information through other town channels.

The board entered executive session to discuss pending litigation in Donald Garamella / Estate of Catherine Ann Taylor v. Fairfield and, upon returning to open session, unanimously approved an agreement related to the matter. Terms were not disclosed.