Chair Report: May 23rd Meeting Preview

Good Afternoon neighbors. I hope you’ll join me in honoring Captain Dennis Carlson and supporting their family at either the American Creamery today where 100% of all ice cream sales go to the family, or by visiting the Country Butcher from 4pm-8pm this evening for a memorial event.

Please see below a preview of our regular town council meeting to be held on May 23rd.

On Tuesday, May 23rd, the Town Council will first conduct two public hearing items. The first public hearing item will be on a resolution for a supplemental appropriation for one bridge improvement project over the Willimantic River at South River Road, which is to be funded 100% by state and federal funding. The town provides the funding upfront and will then receive reimbursement for the project.

The second public hearing item is a review and revision of Ordinance 60, the Local Tax Relief Program for Permanently Disabled and Senior Residents. The program will be revised from a general tax freeze to a benefit program which provides a proposed $300 in the initial year of joining the program, and then $100 for every subsequent year that they enroll in the program.

Following these hearings are three new items of business before the Town Council to consider. The first of these new items is a resolution to declare a 2005 Ford Crown Vic as obsolete and may be disposed of as obsolete/surplus equipment or materials.

The second new item is a resolution for two ARPA Subcommittee Funding items. The first is an appropriation of up to $1,500 to support the Tolland Boy Scouts ongoing renovation project of the gazebo at Crandall Park. If funds are available from the general fund budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, the ARPA funding will be cancelled. The second funding item is for up to $400,000 for the use on the ADA sidewalks on the Town Green and improvements for the veteran’s area project. Both projects are included with an engineering design by our contracted engineering firm.

The third new item of business is a reappointment of five members to the Technology Advisory Board for a term to start 5/28/2023 through 5/28/2025.

To review the agenda and packet, please visit:

May 9th Meeting Agenda – https://ecode360.com/TO1208/document/727383910.pdf

May 9th Regular Meeting Packet – https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3921/f/uploads/2023-05-23_regular_meeting_packet.pdf

Town Manager’s May Report - https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3921/f/uploads/2023-05-09_mnanger_report_with_attachments.pdf

Thank you for taking the time to review this report and the attached links above. While this has been a difficult and tragic week for our Public Safety Team, I am heartened at the number of residents and businesses owners who have opened their hearts to support them and the family of Captain Dennis Carlson persevere.

If you would like to submit any questions or comments to the Town Council regarding town-related topics, please email us at towncouncil@tollandct.gov.

I also hope you will join multiple elected officials for our rescheduled ‘Open House’ on Wednesday, May 31st from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Tolland Fire Training Center - https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3921/f/uploads/town_open_house-may_31_2023.png .