New Milford Council Approves $2 Million For Schools, Opioid Recovery Funding

NEW MILFORD, CT — The Town Council unanimously approved nearly $2 million in capital funding for Board of Education projects, authorized two opioid settlement initiatives and approved tax abatements for commercial development during its July 13 meeting.

The council voted unanimously to appropriate $1,964,500 from the Board of Education's Capital Reserve Account to fund school technology upgrades, music and athletic equipment, districtwide furniture purchases and facility improvements. The allocation includes $450,000 for technology, $22,500 for band and music programs, $20,000 for athletics, $46,000 for furniture and $1.426 million for facilities projects.

Mayor Pete Bass said the town recently received favorable results from its bond and bond anticipation note sale, attracting eight bids with an interest rate of 2.66 percent, which he said was lower than rates received by some other AAA-rated municipalities. He also updated the council on concerns about a deteriorating culvert beneath the railroad tracks on West Street, saying delays in approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have slowed permanent repairs. Bass said the town has completed emergency work while coordinating with Northern Construction Services and the Sewer Commission to protect sewer infrastructure beneath the culvert.

The council unanimously approved two tax abatement requests under the town's economic development ordinance.

Tax Assessor Brian Lastra said a proposed masonry construction garage and storage building at 31 Still River Drive qualifies for a five-year abatement that will allow the owner to continue paying taxes at the current assessment while making improvements. Bass said the project is expected to increase the property's annual tax revenue after the abatement period and generate additional tax revenue from new personal property immediately.

The second abatement covers planned improvements at 401 Danbury Road, including a new driving range, a pro shop, a rebuilt cart barn and clubhouse improvements at an existing golf course. Lastra said the project is expected to increase the property's assessed value from approximately $1.5 million to $2.17 million while also generating additional personal property tax revenue. Bass said the temporary tax relief is intended to improve business cash flow during construction and help businesses qualify for financing. The council approved both abatements unanimously.

The council also approved two expenditures from the town's opioid settlement fund.

Members unanimously authorized $12,000 to create a contract administrative support specialist position that will assist the Opioid Settlement Committee with program administration and evaluation. Health Director Amy Bethge said the contract employee will work remotely and in the New Milford office as needed while reporting to the Health Department.

The council also unanimously approved a $7,500 allocation to support the New Milford Community Homeless Shelter's winter operations. Committee member Jim Eckles said the funding will help cover operating costs, including insurance and equipment needed to operate the temporary winter shelter. During public comment, Community Homeless Shelter President Arthur Hopkins spoke in support of the grant, saying the volunteer-run shelter provides a safe place for people experiencing homelessness during the winter months and that the funding will help purchase supplies and reimburse churches for heating expenses.

The council did not take action on a proposal to broaden eligibility for the opioid settlement-funded redemption housing voucher program.

The discussion centered on expanding the definition of a "New Milford nexus" to include people with significant ties to the community even if they are not current residents. Bethge said the proposed clarification recognizes community connections beyond residency, while Opioid Settlement Committee member Tony Morrissey said the settlement funds are intended for substance abuse abatement rather than being limited by municipal boundaries.

Council member Katie Francis cited overdose statistics showing that some New Milford residents died outside town while others who were not town residents died within New Milford. She questioned how the voucher program would determine eligibility and how long assistance would last. Morrissey said vouchers generally cover one month of recovery housing, although facilities often extend stays to support recovery and help participants obtain treatment, renew driver's licenses and return to work.

Bass questioned whether New Milford should expand eligibility if neighboring communities do not offer similar assistance. After discussion, he asked Bethge to work with other municipalities in the regional health district to explore a coordinated approach. Francis withdrew her motion, and Council Member Maryjane Lundgren withdrew her second, leaving the proposal without action.

The council unanimously accepted several grants, including $3,800 from the Connecticut Community Foundation for evening senior center programming, a $32,035 Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board grant supporting the Summer Youth Employment Program, a $2,000 United Way Coastal and Western Connecticut grant for Youth Agency child care scholarships, and $21,956 from the Connecticut Secretary of the State to offset early voting expenses. Council Member Tom Esposito praised the town's grant writer during the discussion.

Members also unanimously accepted donations to the Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Department of Public Works and the mayor's fireworks fund. The council appointed Michael Boucher to the Film Commission for a term ending Jan. 31, 2028, and approved the minutes of its June 22 meeting.

During public comment, Heidi Norcross presented the New Milford Celebrates America 250 Committee's Community Declaration of Independence, signed by more than 175 residents, for preservation by the town as part of the nation's semiquincentennial celebration. Water Witch Hose Co. 2 Chief Sean Delaney updated the council on fire department operations, reporting that volunteers had responded to 355 calls through the end of June and another 45 calls since July 1. He also announced that the department is seeking a $414,000 federal grant to purchase 43 self-contained breathing apparatus air packs and invited residents to the Aug. 9 ribbon-cutting for the renovated Lanesville Fire Department station.

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.