New Milford Council Approves $864K in Capital Spending, Land Use Promotion

NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Town Council approved nearly $864,000 in appropriations for park improvements, public works equipment, police and fire vehicles, and other municipal projects during its July 27 meeting. The council also approved a promotion within the Land Use Department, appointed a member to the Opioid Settlement Committee and adopted several changes to its rules and procedures.

Council members unanimously approved appropriating $66,760 from the town's Landfill Settlement Fund for improvements at Lynn Deming Park, including new entrance signage, park amenities, roof and gutter repairs at the bathhouse, and a water bottle filling station.

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The council also approved a series of appropriations totaling $797,194.77 from the town's surplus fund for municipal equipment and infrastructure. The spending includes $300,000 for a new Department of Public Works plow truck, $137,000 for environmental compliance work at the Century Brass property, $120,000 for an undercarriage vehicle wash system for the existing public works wash bay, $74,069.77 for a New Milford Police Department vehicle, $50,000 for a public works pickup truck, $50,000 for a Facilities Department vehicle, $42,000 to replace the deputy fire marshal's vehicle, $18,125 for a new HVAC controller at the ambulance barn and $6,000 for security camera upgrades at Lynn Deming Park. Most of the appropriations were approved unanimously, while the votes for the plow truck, undercarriage wash system and changes to council rules included Councilman Ari Rosenberg abstaining.

The council unanimously approved promoting the current assistant land use enforcement officer to land use officer.

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Members also unanimously appointed Toni Sterling of Greenwoods Counseling to fill a vacancy on the Opioid Settlement Committee for a term ending Jan. 28, 2028.

The council unanimously accepted donations to the New Milford Public Library and New Milford Police Department. The library will receive $271.25 from the Women's Club of Greater New Milford to purchase books, while the police department accepted a donation from the Hometown Foundation to support its K-9 program.

Council members approved three amendments to the Town Council Rules and Procedures. The changes require council members to use the "reply all" function on council emails, clarify that the mayor serves as the town's chief executive officer responsible for supervising town departments and employees as provided by the town charter, and adopt an additional recommended procedural change. Rosenberg abstained on each of those votes.

The council also voted unanimously to reschedule its Aug. 10 regular meeting to Aug. 24 because of scheduling conflicts. Members additionally approved holding a town meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 24, before the council meeting, to consider the surplus fund appropriations.

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Earlier in the meeting, the council approved its consent agenda, with Rosenberg abstaining. The agenda included approval of the July 28, 2025, meeting minutes. Council members also discussed an animal control issue at Rosenberg's request and a Freedom of Information matter involving Hillary Ram and Rosenberg, although no motions were recorded on those items.

The meeting adjourned unanimously at 9:47 p.m. The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 24.