Chair Report: May 9th Meeting Review

Good Afternoon, and a happy Mother’s Day weekend neighbors! Please see below a review of our regular town council meeting to be held on May 9th.

On Tuesday, May 9th the Town Council first read into the record a proclamation recognizing International Firefighters Day, which was on Thursday May 4th. The Council sent a care package in appreciation as well on Thursday.

Following this reading, the Town Council completed five new items of business. The first was a general budget discussion and a consideration of a resolution to establish the mill rate based on the passage of the budget at referendum on May 2nd. Discussions around making proposed cuts on the town’s portion of the budget increase more transparent in future years were had prior to unanimous approval.

The next two items of business set public hearings for Tuesday, May 23rd. The first public hearing is a consideration for supplemental appropriations for a bridge improvement project across the Willimantic River at South River Road, which will be reimbursed 100% by state and federal funding by allowing the Town Manager to accept the reward after funds are allocated by the town up front. The town may or may not issue debt depending on the cash flow and cash on hand. Grant anticipation notes may need to be issued. If this is the case the council will be asked to authorize this action. The council unanimously approved setting the public hearing.

The second public hearing item are revisions to Ordinance 60, Tolland’s local tax relief program for seniors or disabled homeowners. The program is proposed to be revised from a flat freeze based on the home’s assessed value to a credit program with annual increases in the credit. Council members requested the proposed changes be adjusted so that the starting credit is increased from a proposed $250 to $300, and that the reapplication period be conducted every three years instead of every two years.

The intent of these changes will maintain benefit levels for those households under the current plan or expand their credit, simplify implementing the program going forward for staff and improve participation by making the application process easier. The council unanimously approved setting this public hearing as well.

The fourth item of business was a consideration of a resolution to authorize the Town Manager to submit an application for the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Viability Grant. This grant will award up to $5,000 to the Agriculture commission to develop new marketing materials and other projects to support the new farmer’s market on the Tolland Green. The state will offer a 60% match and the town will cover the remaining 40% of whatever is awarded. The Town Council unanimously approved this resolution.

The final item of business is appointing a new member to the Tolland Housing Authority, who was approved unanimously by the Town Council.

To review the minutes and packet, please visit:

May 9th Meeting Minutes – https://ecode360.com/TO1208/document/725858914.pdf

May 9th Regular Meeting Packet – https://www.tollandct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3921/f/uploads/2023-05-09_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. I hope everyone has a great Mother’s Day Weekend, however you celebrate, and consider visiting any of our restaurants or shops for a celebratory meal/gift. 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 ‘Open House’ on Wednesday, May 17th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Tolland Fire Training Center located on Merrow Road. For more details, please visit https://www.tollandct.gov/home/news/tolland-open-house-may-17-2023 .