Newtown Board Of Finance Approves Flood Grants, Police Funding And Budget Transfers

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Board of Finance approved more than $1.6 million in grants, budget transfers and appropriations on Jan. 12, including funding tied to flood mitigation, public safety equipment and environmental remediation, as the town moves into the early stages of its 2026–27 budget cycle.

Among the largest actions, the board unanimously accepted a $481,986.50 federal Natural Resources Conservation Service grant, along with $32,132.50 in remaining FEMA funds, for a $514,119 streambed restoration project intended to address flooding linked to the August 2024 storm and the collapse of a Housatonic Railroad culvert. The project is designed to restore the river to pre-storm conditions and protect nearby properties and the Aquarion well field.

The board also unanimously accepted an $842,175 NRCS buyout grant for properties at 228 and 230 Berkshire Road that are considered at risk for future flooding. Town officials said the normally required local match will be covered through a donation from the property owners, allowing the project to proceed without a direct cost to taxpayers.

In public safety-related actions, members approved acceptance of a $4,500 U.S. Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program grant for fiscal year 2027. The grant will offset part of the $14,300 total cost of replacing police vests, with the remaining balance funded through the Police Department budget.

Several budget transfers were also approved unanimously, including:

• $105,808 to cover police overtime, funded through transfers within the Police Department budget.
• $5,000 for a Senior Services wage adjustment tied to a departmental reorganization.
• $1,500 to cover tax assessor overtime related to the 2025 revaluation process.

The board approved a $20,000 special appropriation for legal services related to non-monetary claims, offset by insurance payouts, and accepted a $200,000 state grant awarded to the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank for environmental assessment of the former Charles Batchelder Co. site on Swamp Road. The assessment is intended to support future redevelopment planning, potentially including solar or industrial uses, with no local match required.

In capital planning, the board approved an amendment to the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan to include $460,000 for replacement of expired AirPaks for the Fire Department. Members noted that additional replacements will be needed later in the decade and discussed improving long-term equipment tracking.

Finance Director Glenys Salas reported that the town’s unassigned fund balance is projected to improve to about 10.2 percent by the end of fiscal year 2026, citing favorable revenues and tighter budgeting in several enterprise funds. First Selectman Bruce Walczak also updated the board on stalled property transactions, infrastructure projects and efforts to expand audiovisual access in municipal meeting spaces.

The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.