HADDAM, CT — The Haddam Board of Selectmen unanimously approved hiring Summer Shore as the town's social services director and appointed her municipal agent for the elderly during its Nov. 9 meeting.
The board also approved five appointments to town and regional commissions, authorized $692.98 in property tax refunds and reviewed updates from Regional School District 17 and Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services.
First Selectman Sean Donlan moved to hire Shore as social services director. The motion passed unanimously following a brief discussion.
The board then unanimously approved Shore's appointment as municipal agent for the elderly on a motion by Donlan, seconded by Selectwoman Kate Anderson.
Donlan thanked outgoing social services director Becky Rice for her work over the past several years.
He described an occasion when Rice and her daughter helped shovel snow outside apartments at High Meadow on Rice's day off so residents could leave their homes.
Donlan wished Rice well in her future endeavors.
The selectmen unanimously approved five appointments to municipal and regional commissions.
Michael Farina was reappointed to the Connecticut River Gateway Commission.
Debra Siepmann was appointed to the Committee on Aging Commission.
Mark Stephens, Tom Worthley and Curt Chadwick were reappointed to the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Alexander Amendola was appointed to the Conservation Commission.
The board received an October update from Regional School District 17 covering the school board's financial audit, staffing, student support programs and curriculum planning.
According to the report, independent auditor CliftonLarsonAllen issued an unmodified opinion on the district's fiscal year 2025 financial statements, with no federal or state compliance findings and no spending beyond the approved budget.
However, auditors identified weaknesses involving financial procedures, documentation and internal controls.
The district attributed delays in completing the audit partly to undocumented accounting procedures, difficulties locating financial information and competing staff responsibilities.
The school board directed Superintendent Jeffrey Wihbey's administration to prepare a written improvement plan with specific actions and deadlines.
The district aims to complete its fiscal year 2026 audit by June 30, 2027, or earlier, while addressing the identified weaknesses.
Planned improvements include an accounting procedures manual, stronger financial reporting and internal controls, and a transition from outsourced financial services to an internally staffed finance department.
A new financial accounting and reporting manager was scheduled to begin work in November.
The district also reported that it had approved a $37,000 budget transfer to support a new director of facilities, safety, security and transportation position.
Regional School District 17 reported an average daily membership of 1,639 students, approximately 60 percent from Haddam and 40 percent from Killingworth.
The district is planning a pilot partnership with Cornerstone Counseling to provide school-based counseling services for eligible middle and intermediate school students.
Haddam-Killingworth Middle School also presented its Cougar Way initiative, which establishes shared behavioral expectations and promotes a supportive school environment.
District officials reviewed student behavior interventions, employee retention, screen time recommendations and a proposed 2027-28 school calendar.
The school board's first quarterly financial report indicated a favorable budget position, although health insurance expenses remained under review.
The district also presented its 2026-27 continuous improvement plans, with principals from all five schools outlining academic and operational priorities.
Additional information is available through the Regional School District 17 Board of Education.
The selectmen also received a quarterly report from Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services describing new programs, community events and family support services.
Two 10-week programs for middle school students were scheduled to begin in November.
LIFTED is a movement-based program for boys that combines physical activity with emotional regulation, resilience and decision-making skills.
EmpowerHERed is designed for girls and focuses on confidence, identity, relationships, self-awareness and personal well-being.
The agency also reported increased demand for youth diversion services and continued work connecting at-risk students and their families with counseling and community resources.
Other programs include Built to Impact for boys in grades four and five, Be You at the Barn, Pony Kids and family activities.
A new virtual Parenting Impact support group will address challenges facing caregivers of children in grades four through eight.
Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services reported that approximately 1,300 people attended its Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat event at Haddam-Killingworth High School.
Nearly 40 decorated trunks were provided by families, businesses and community organizations.
The agency's 33rd annual Pumpkin Run drew more than 360 registered runners and walkers.
The report also outlined the agency's Holiday Giving Program, which provided gifts to more than 150 children last year.
Families seeking assistance this holiday season were encouraged to register by Nov. 16.
The program connects eligible families with donors who provide gifts, clothing and other necessities for children through age 18.
Registration and donation information is available through the HKYFS Holiday Giving Program.
The selectmen unanimously approved $692.98 in November property tax refunds.
Anderson moved to approve the refunds, with Donlan seconding.
According to the tax collector's report attached to the minutes, the refunds included $98.37 in real estate taxes, $51.87 in personal property taxes and $542.74 in motor vehicle taxes.
The largest individual refund was $509.59 in motor vehicle taxes.
Donlan encouraged more residents to volunteer for town boards, commissions and community activities.
He said Haddam depends heavily on volunteers, but some longtime participants are aging and can no longer contribute as much time as they once did.
The town's annual tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Higganum Town Green.
Planned activities include photographs with Santa Claus, hot cocoa, letter writing to Santa, storytelling and music.
The selectmen unanimously approved minutes from their Oct. 13 and Oct. 22 meetings.
Donlan introduced both motions, with Selectman Peter Baird seconding the Oct. 13 approval and Anderson seconding the Oct. 22 approval.
The Nov. 9 meeting began at 6:30 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 21 Field Park Drive.
Donlan, Anderson and Baird attended.
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. following a unanimous vote.
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