Chair Report: May 5th Special Meetings Review and May 10th Preview

Good Afternoon and a pleasant Mother’s Day Weekend neighbors! From the Council Chair, providing a review of the May 5th Special Meetings and a Preview of the May 10th Meeting.

On Thursday, May 5th the Council convened to set a new budget after the failed referendum on May 3rd. The Bi-partisan proposal negotiated by the Chair and Vice Chair was presented to the council with a reduction of $395,208 from the original budget. $92,317 was removed from the Town Budget and $302,891 was removed from the Board of Education Budget.

The new budget total is a proposed increase of 2.57%, which was clarified by the interim town manager as not being the tax increase. With this budget, residents would expect a reduction in the mill rate of approximately -.53 mills, or a decrease in property taxes of 1.43%. Additionally, the motor vehicles will be capped at a rate of 32.46 mills per the new state law passed by the CT legislature. These taxes will vary per resident depending on the assessed value of their vehicle.

The vote for this proposal to be sent out to a second referendum on May 17th, from 6AM to 8PM at the Recreation Center was passed by a vote of 5-2. The vote to approval a resolution authorizing the form of the ballot for the referendum was passed on a 4-3 vote retaining the language of the first budget referendum after a vote to reincorporate information about the mill rate failed on a 3-4 vote.

Following this meeting there was a presentation by our Town Engineer Chuck Eaton on several proposed miracle field sites. The Board of Education, Miracle League of Northern CT, Recreation Department and Sports Leagues were invited to attend and provide input. Dave Garritt of Tolland Soccer Club also shared a presentation with information and input with the council and will be incorporated into the meeting minutes alongside commentary from any invited attendees who could not make it.

After discussion and input from various stakeholders, a location at Crossfarms identified in the Mr. Eaton’s report as Option 5 was seen as the most optimal location, with an opportunity for adjustments with the assistance of sports leagues potentially relocating a shed in the area to avoid grading issues.

On Tuesday, May 10th the council will be convening for a regular meeting to conduct three items of new business. First, the council will be reviewing a request for a proclamation recognizing a resident for winning the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing.

Following this discussion, the town will be considering a resolution to apply for a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) grant $20,000 to have Architectural Plans and Specifications developed by a historical architect to address several improvements needed at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum.

This resolution will be followed by another resolution the council will be considering to authorize the interim Town Manager to negotiate an agreement with the Miracle League of Northern CT based on the discussions at our May 5th special meeting. If approved, the resolution would allow the town through the Manager’s office to begin working with the Miracle League, Legal Counsel and the Town Council to develop a suitable agreement.

The minutes of the May 5th meetings will be published next week.

To view the meeting agenda and packet for May 9th, please visit:

Agenda - https://ecode360.com/documents/TO1208/public/658480589.pdf

Packet https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3921/f/uploads/may_10_2022_council_packet.pdf

To view the Town Manager’s monthly report, please visit https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3921/f/uploads/may_10_2022_town_managers_report.pdf

Thank you everyone for taking the time to review the Town Council’s business. I hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful Mother’s Day. Be sure to visit any local shops for quick gifts and enjoy a Mother’s Day Meal at any of our restaurants. To submit any questions or comments to the Tolland Town Council, please email towncouncil@tolland.org.