[1:13] like to call um the signature to order
[1:16] for Tuesday, September 22nd. Apologize,
[1:18] I'm a little under the weather, so I'm
[1:20] off to that. And the pledge of
[1:22] allegiance
[1:26] to the flag of the United States of
[1:28] America and to the republic for which it
[1:31] stands. One nation under God,
[1:33] indivisible, with liberty and justice
[1:36] for all.
[1:39] » Roll for
[1:43] » here
[1:49] » mayor
[1:50] >> here.
[1:52] >> Mayor
[1:52] >> here.
[1:54] >> We have a corner. We move on to item
[1:56] three, approval of agenda. I actually
[1:59] have something to add. Um coming up our
[2:02] conversation at the last meeting about
[2:04] open space. Actually, drafted a letter
[2:06] for members of the plans on the
[2:08] commission and other land use commission
[2:10] that I will hand out to everybody now.
[2:12] And I would just like to see if we can
[2:13] add it to the agenda as anformational
[2:15] item under 18B.
[2:17] Nobody objects.
[2:18] >> Some move. Second.
[2:25] » Motion by Deputy Marada, seconded by
[2:27] Councelor Gonzalez. Any discussion about
[2:30] adding the letter to planning and zoning
[2:31] as an agenda as aformational item 18B to
[2:35] the agenda?
[2:38] Seeing none, all those in favor? I
[2:41] >> any oppos?
[2:43] Motion carries unanimously.
[2:47] Moving right along. Uh next we have
[2:49] awards and proclamations. Um
[2:51] unfortunately Steve Parker wasn't able
[2:52] to make it tonight. We're gonna leave
[2:54] that we're going to table it and leave
[2:56] it on the agenda for our next council
[2:57] meeting so we can honor him then if
[3:00] anybody unless anybody has any
[3:01] objection.
[3:03] Seeing none. So we're going to move
[3:05] right along to public participation in
[3:08] general. If you'd like to speak in
[3:09] public participation, please step up to
[3:11] the microphone and state your name and
[3:12] address for the record. If you are
[3:14] online using Zoom, please use the raise
[3:16] hand function and we will alternate
[3:18] between in the room and over Zoom.
[3:24] » Yeah, if you're if you like to speak,
[3:25] come on up.
[3:32] Should have state your name and address
[3:34] for the record, please.
[3:35] >> Good evening. My name is Antonio, 273 ML
[3:39] in Newington.
[3:44] We just pledge to the flag liberty,
[3:48] freedom for everybody. I do not know why
[3:51] I'm denied a meeting with the right
[3:53] people to expose the problem which I
[3:56] have uh my house because my house was
[3:59] double the price the tax and I have
[4:03] issues there for years which they don't
[4:06] make me leave my house comfortable.
[4:09] So and I want to talk with the right
[4:11] people. I was here left months and then
[4:16] I have the end that said yes we will
[4:18] have a meeting but yesterday
[4:21] nothing happened and I would like to
[4:23] have because you know I have the right
[4:24] to express myself and to expose the
[4:28] evidence which I have it so to be
[4:30] correct. If you want to raise my text
[4:33] correct my problem which been have many
[4:35] years on my property.
[4:39] wide weight the night of the meeting
[4:45] and
[4:46] 51 50 whatever 49 is not enough for me
[4:50] to explain I need a meeting with the
[4:53] right people
[4:58] can it be done
[5:00] >> we don't do a back and forth during
[5:01] public participation this is just
[5:03] opportunity for that but we will make
[5:04] remarks on what you say afterwards we
[5:06] just we don't do it back and forth at
[5:07] the table like that
[5:08] >> no That's the reason. So I need a
[5:10] meeting with the private people to
[5:13] expose all the problem I've been have
[5:15] and the reason
[5:18] I have you know whatever have to say
[5:21] because I don't want to come here and b
[5:23] you people you have so so many things to
[5:25] do and probably you see me here like a
[5:29] somebody come to the no I have serious
[5:32] problem which that I encounter every day
[5:36] and then I would like to they could be
[5:38] corrected
[5:40] and I have the right to do this because
[5:42] you know the tax is double on my house
[5:46] and the problem is not corrected
[5:50] and I see maybe I don't know the Mr.
[5:53] mayor the Daniel or the people they
[5:55] signed the those paper whatever. So I
[5:57] got to talk to somebody in order
[6:01] to up this problem because I be back
[6:04] next month. I'll be back next week. Yes.
[6:06] I don't want to do that. I want the
[6:08] problem to be fixed.
[6:17] Can somebody maybe call me sending me a
[6:19] letter something? We'll I'll address it
[6:22] on once we're done with public
[6:23] participation. I will address your
[6:24] concerns. Like I said, we can't do a
[6:26] back and forth here.
[6:27] >> That's Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, that's what
[6:28] I'm telling you. I will we will address
[6:30] what your concerns are. I promise
[6:32] is six months now. How long we could be?
[6:37] You know, every month, every month, and nothing is done.
[6:40] >> Okay. Sure.
[6:41] >> Thank you very much. And I'm sorry about
[6:44] inconvenience.
[6:45] No, no, no. Thanks for coming and
[6:46] hanging out.
[6:52] Anybody else in the room or over Zoom
[6:54] that would like to speak in public
[6:56] participation?
[7:01] Seeing none. Um, we did have one email
[7:04] from last week or from the previous
[7:06] meeting. Um, are you reading that?
[7:08] >> Uh, I can read it if you want.
[7:09] >> All right, Lauren, we'll read it into
[7:10] the record. We did have one email that
[7:12] came in um after the 24hour uh notice to
[7:18] the council before the last meeting. Uh
[7:20] this is from Cindy Trezick of 78 Wells
[7:23] Drive North Newington Town Council. I am
[7:26] writing to address the need to keep some
[7:28] open space in Newington. While I agree
[7:30] that we need more affordable senior
[7:32] housing, putting 13 units and a tiny
[7:34] 2acre parcel of land will not put a dent
[7:37] in what is needed. However, it will
[7:40] definitely reduce the area that my
[7:41] neighbors and I have used for years.
[7:43] There's a group of us who run our dogs
[7:45] there every day, sometimes multiple
[7:47] times a day. There are so many abandoned
[7:50] buildings in Newington right now that
[7:51] are blighting our town. Why can't some
[7:54] of those buildings/spaces be renovated
[7:56] into something that could really benefit
[7:58] the seniors and put a dent in the
[8:00] affordable senior housing that's needed?
[8:02] In doing so, this will help make the
[8:04] town look so much better as parts have
[8:06] definitely become an eyesore. Cedar
[8:09] Street is so busy already. Do we really
[8:11] want to add any more traffic to this
[8:13] area? Bear sightings are reported all
[8:15] over Facebook with people complaining
[8:17] about wildlife on their properties.
[8:20] We're taking away all of their natural
[8:21] homes, resources. Where are they
[8:24] supposed to go besides on our
[8:26] properties? I've seen deer grazing and a
[8:28] fox running through there around the
[8:30] same time every day. I'm sure there's
[8:32] also other wildlife that I haven't seen.
[8:34] Newington is not the town I moved into
[8:36] almost 30 years ago. Newington can and
[8:39] should do better. That's the conclusion.
[8:42] >> Thank you. Thank you.
[8:45] >> We had no other email correspondents
[8:47] come in for this meeting. That was it.
[8:50] That will conclude public participation
[8:52] which moves us on to remarks by
[8:55] counselors on public participation. Mr.
[8:56] Pisiferado, thank you so much for coming
[8:58] out. Um, we really appreciate your input
[9:00] on that. Uh, I'm sorry that you haven't
[9:02] had that meeting yet. We will ensure
[9:04] that that meeting happens. Um, we'll get
[9:05] you in a room with whoever you need,
[9:07] whoever you want to, but we'll make sure that meeting happens in
[9:09] the next several weeks. Okay.
[9:11] >> Thank you.
[9:12] >> You got it. Uh, Deputy Mayor.
[9:15] >> Yes. Um, Mr. Pitzer, I was going to say
[9:18] exactly the same thing that that Mayor
[9:19] Trister said that first of all, thank
[9:22] you for coming. It's never an
[9:24] inconvenience. We always want people to
[9:26] come.
[9:26] >> They don't want to bug us. No, no,
[9:28] there's nobody here. It's your show.
[9:30] >> It's not a bother. This is this is what
[9:32] we do. This is part of our job is to
[9:34] listen to what you have to say.
[9:36] >> So, we will definitely work on that and
[9:38] get you connected with who you need to
[9:39] be connected to.
[9:40] >> So, this is we go on and so
[9:44] >> yeah,
[9:44] >> I would really appreciate it.
[9:46] >> You did the right thing tonight. So, we
[9:48] will we will work on that for you.
[9:49] >> Thank you. Thank you.
[9:50] >> Thank you.
[9:51] >> So, it's good tonight.
[9:54] You should go. council.
[9:58] >> Thank you, Mayor. Mr. Chris Barto, thank
[9:59] you for coming. I met with you, you'll
[10:01] recall just last month or so ago,
[10:05] you are one
[10:06] >> and we communicated quite a bit over the
[10:08] last month. Um, and I connected you with
[10:10] staff, but we want to make sure that all
[10:12] the resources that you need to help
[10:14] answer the questions that you have are
[10:15] in front of you and particularly if you
[10:17] think there's an issue that it is
[10:18] resolved. And so let's ensure that that
[10:21] happens over the next um uh week or so
[10:24] and ensure that you you are able to get
[10:26] that audience. Um but again, just as you
[10:29] have over the last month with me, you
[10:31] can do with any other member of council.
[10:33] We can meet anytime. We can have
[10:34] conversations over the phone every time.
[10:37] You have my cell, please call or text me
[10:38] anytime and we'll just make sure we get
[10:40] this resolved for you. Okay?
[10:42] I have to meet under people and do a job
[10:47] with any one of you. I say the same
[10:50] thing to anyone.
[10:52] Then they said, "Oh, I'm not the one."
[10:54] So they give you guys upstairs. Oh, I'm
[10:56] not the one. This is another way of
[10:58] house. No, go back upstairs.
[11:02] >> We'll take care of it. We'll get on it.
[11:04] You got it. You got it.
[11:06] >> Any other remarks from council?
[11:10] >> All right. Seeing
[11:12] You can go you want to stay. We got some
[11:15] other stuff.
[11:18] >> Thank you for coming.
[11:19] >> You enjoy your
[11:24] » That's the best.
[11:26] >> All right. No other remarks from
[11:28] counselors on public participation.
[11:29] We'll move on to consideration of old
[11:31] business boards and commission review
[11:33] subcommittee recommendations. Are we
[11:35] making a vote on this? I didn't see a
[11:36] resolution.
[11:37] >> Oh, there should have been one on the
[11:38] package.
[11:39] >> I have one. Maybe I'm not seeing it.
[11:43] >> Yeah, just a number.
[11:47] >> Okay, very good.
[11:50] Very good.
[11:53] All right. While you're doing that, why
[11:54] don't we move ahead to item 10,
[11:56] resignations, because I know we have one
[11:58] there.
[11:59] Council, do you want to read that um
[12:02] resolution? Resolve that the Newington
[12:04] Town Council hereby accepts the
[12:06] resignation of Rose Ser Ruby Lions as a
[12:08] public member of the ethics commission
[12:10] in accordance with the correspondence
[12:12] received on September the 8th, 2026 and
[12:14] effective September 22nd, 2026.
[12:17] >> Second motion by councelor Flor, second
[12:19] by councelor Gonzalez. Any discussion?
[12:23] Just as with anybody, we thank her for
[12:25] her service. Thank you for your service.
[12:27] >> All those in favor?
[12:29] >> Any oppose or abstain?
[12:32] Motion carries unanimously.
[12:36] » Okay, we got another one. Oh, we have
[12:38] another resignation.
[12:40] >> Oh, okay.
[12:41] >> Matt, you want to do that one, too?
[12:42] >> Sure.
[12:43] >> Resolve that the Newington Town Council
[12:45] hereby accepts the resignation of Pamela
[12:47] Canary as a member of the Lucy Robbins
[12:49] Wells Library Board in accordance with
[12:50] the correspondence received on September
[12:52] the 8th, 2026 and effective September
[12:55] 22nd, 2026.
[12:56] >> Second by council, second by councelor
[12:59] Gonzalez. Any discussion on this?
[13:02] >> Thank you for your service. Thank you
[13:04] for your service. All those in favor?
[13:07] >> I.
[13:07] >> Any oppos?
[13:10] Motion carries unanimously.
[13:13] Reco, would you like to do a tax refund?
[13:16] >> Resolve that property tax refunds in the
[13:18] amount of $4,12646
[13:22] are hereby approved in the individual
[13:24] amounts and for those named on the
[13:26] request for refund of an overpayment of
[13:28] taxes certified by the revenue
[13:30] collector, a list of which is attached
[13:32] to this resolution.
[13:33] >> Second motion by council Draco, second
[13:36] by council das.
[13:39] Any discussion?
[13:42] Seeing none, all those in favor?
[13:44] >> I.
[13:45] >> Any oppos?
[13:47] Okay. Unanimously.
[13:51] Wait another minute.
[13:54] Where's the other one? Have to hold this
[13:56] one.
[14:17] Thank you. Welcome.
[14:18] >> Thank you, Lauren.
[14:19] >> Thanks.
[14:24] » We go. Council player, you want to read
[14:26] that? Sure.
[14:28] >> Resolved. The Newington Town Council
[14:30] hereby accepts the recommendation.
[14:32] >> Wait a second. I'm sorry. Let me just
[14:33] make it clear on the record. We are back
[14:35] on old business looking at item A,
[14:37] boards and commissions review
[14:38] subcommittee recommendations.
[14:40] >> Sorry.
[14:41] >> Resolve. The Newington Town Council
[14:43] hereby accepts the recommendation of the
[14:45] boards and commissions review
[14:46] subcommittee and therefore dispands the
[14:48] affordable age restricted housing study
[14:50] committee authorized by resolution
[14:51] number 20006-117.
[14:55] The Newington housing needs study
[14:56] committee authorized by resolution
[14:58] number 2014-54.
[15:01] and the PMBC ordinance review
[15:03] subcommittee authorized by resolution
[15:05] number 2024-46.
[15:09] >> Second by council ploy was second by
[15:12] councelor Gonzalez. Any discussion on
[15:15] this
[15:19] counc mayor um just um for the public's
[15:23] clarity on that question that I asked at
[15:26] the last meeting with I think it was the
[15:28] housing needs study committee. Can you
[15:29] just speak to the question was if we
[15:31] would still need this to build our next
[15:33] iteration of our affordable housing
[15:36] plan. I imagine I think you received
[15:38] clarification on that. You just share
[15:40] that.
[15:42] >> So this study committee was actually
[15:44] specific to a certain parcel in uh
[15:47] Newington and it is not the same as any
[15:52] subcommittee or uh committee that would
[15:54] be required by state. Also, the statute
[15:57] that you had referenced two meetings ago
[15:58] has been repealed.
[16:00] >> Oh, well, there you go.
[16:01] >> So, we're good.
[16:02] >> Okay, we're good.
[16:03] >> Thank you,
[16:04] Dr.
[16:06] >> Yeah. And then just to add a little bit
[16:07] more context for the other two, too. So,
[16:08] the affordable age restricted housing
[16:10] subcommittee was something that was
[16:12] enacted back in like 2006. Um, and had
[16:15] like a streamline purpose due to the new
[16:19] Samaritans housing project that was up
[16:20] at that time. uh since then they you
[16:22] know they completed kind of their charge
[16:24] and they haven't met since I think 2017
[16:26] um so we felt like it was a good thing
[16:28] to kind of get off the books and then
[16:30] the same thing for the permanent
[16:31] municipal building committee ordinance
[16:33] review subcommittee the ordinance has
[16:35] been adopted so there's no real need for
[16:37] the review committee anymore so just to
[16:40] give the public rationale as to why to
[16:42] as well
[16:45] >> council thank you
[16:49] » all right had a motion by councelor CL
[16:52] seconded by councelor Gonzalez. Any
[16:54] further discussion?
[16:56] Seeing none, all those in favor?
[16:58] >> I
[17:00] absent
[17:02] carries unanimously.
[17:05] >> All righty.
[17:06] We did resignations, tax refunds.
[17:10] Next is item 12, minutes of previous
[17:13] meeting. I would entertain a motion to
[17:15] approve the meeting from the September
[17:17] 8th regular meeting, unless anybody has
[17:19] any changes.
[17:20] I have one
[17:23] >> on page two. The third bullet
[17:26] stories is possessive. I think it's
[17:28] stories plural.
[17:32] Under counselor Gonzalez stated, I can
[17:34] imagine the stories you have to tell. We
[17:37] have it written as a possessive.
[17:39] >> Thank you.
[17:41] >> I would entertain a motion to approve
[17:42] the minutes of September 8th with
[17:45] councelor deassa's amendments.
[17:47] >> Second.
[17:47] >> No, I would entertain. Who wants you to
[17:49] move?
[17:50] >> Second.
[17:51] >> I'll move it.
[17:52] >> Second.
[17:53] >> All right. Motion by Deputy Mayor Rada,
[17:54] seconded by Councelor Pl. Any discussion
[17:56] on approving the minutes with the
[17:57] amendment?
[17:59] >> Seeing none, all those in favor?
[18:02] >> Any opposed or abstain?
[18:04] All right. Motion carries unanimously.
[18:07] That means us right on to new business.
[18:10] Uh item A, referral 824 referrals for
[18:12] emergency radio tower site, Cedar Street
[18:14] ROI parcel. I'm going to give us a quick
[18:17] up on that.
[18:19] Yes. So, as you uh I'm I'm sure are
[18:21] aware, the uh tower site location in the
[18:25] town has been a topic of discussion for
[18:27] several years. The whole time I've been
[18:29] here, we have contracted with a
[18:31] consultant, Blueing, who has been
[18:33] helping us determine the proper location
[18:35] for a new radio tower, which will house
[18:38] our public safety infrastructure. Um,
[18:41] and that site has now been determined
[18:43] between our consultant and staff. And so
[18:47] it is at the point now where we can send
[18:49] it to the PNC for their 824 review so
[18:52] that we can apply for all the things
[18:54] that we need to in order to put down the
[18:56] pad and have the tower start being
[18:58] built. Uh we are hopeful that this will
[19:00] be in in the works. So over the next
[19:03] couple of months we'll be moving to
[19:05] design phase and then we should be able
[19:08] to start construction phase sometime in
[19:10] 2027.
[19:15] » Councelor B. Thank you, mayor, and thank
[19:16] you, Lauren, for teeing that up. Um,
[19:18] it's uh it's really great to see this
[19:20] continue to move along um in in a
[19:22] productive direction, and um I know
[19:25] myself and council Draco have been a
[19:26] part of the most recent conversations
[19:28] quite a bit. Um in in particular, the
[19:31] conversations that selected this site.
[19:33] Um so, I know we both feel comfortable
[19:35] um proceeding with this site. Um but
[19:37] there's just one question um that I had.
[19:39] I I know one particular item that
[19:41] council Draco and I followed up on for a
[19:42] little while was just a a visual of uh
[19:46] the actual tower from the town center
[19:48] just so we could kind of get a rendering
[19:50] a sense of that update.
[19:52] >> So that will be part of the design
[19:53] phase. I know that that is that is in
[19:55] the plan to provide you all with that
[19:57] kind of panoramic picture of what it'll
[19:59] look like depending on where you are in the town. So we're we are that'll be
[20:04] in the works,
[20:05] >> but it is dependent on which way we go
[20:07] with the design. Sure.
[20:09] >> Excellent. Thank you so much.
[20:11] >> Sure.
[20:12] >> Any other questions or comments from
[20:14] council?
[20:16] >> You did request a waiver. Oh, Council
[20:17] Draco, go ahead.
[20:18] >> I'm just curious. Um, you said that
[20:21] estimated completion would be 2027,
[20:24] spring, summer.
[20:25] >> We're hoping to start the construction
[20:27] phase in in 2027. It really just depends
[20:30] on what the cost is going to be and and
[20:33] when we can get those documents out. So
[20:36] in terms of the rental of the current um
[20:39] >> the lease that we have runs through
[20:41] August 31st of next year I believe is
[20:43] the day. Um so we have some time. We do
[20:47] still have that that active lease. We do
[20:49] still have a current tower. Obviously
[20:52] timing being everything we are going to
[20:54] do everything we can to have one tower
[20:57] up and then sunset the old tower and not
[21:00] have any any you know wiggle room there.
[21:02] So that that would be our goal. But I
[21:04] don't want to promise you the end of
[21:05] August and then be here in July and say,
[21:08] you know, things are slower than we
[21:10] Yeah.
[21:18] » Any questions or comments?
[21:20] A waiver was was requested so we can
[21:23] make approvals on this tonight.
[21:24] Councelor Floyd, would you please read
[21:25] the first uh resolution?
[21:27] >> Sure. First part of it. Resolved. The
[21:29] Newington Town Council in accordance
[21:31] with the Town Council rules of procedure
[21:33] section 14 voting adopted September 8th,
[21:36] 2026, hereby moves to allow action on
[21:39] new business agenda item 13A to
[21:41] authorize Lauren Ry, acting town
[21:43] manager, to submit to the town planning
[21:45] and zoning commission for its report in
[21:47] accordance with section 8-24 of the
[21:50] Connecticut General Statutes, a review
[21:52] of the proposed emergency radio tower
[21:54] site, Cedar Street, RO parcel.
[21:57] >> Second. Motion by councelor floor. It
[21:59] was seconded by deputy marada. Um
[22:02] because we are waving our rules. Um I
[22:04] will open up the floor for public
[22:05] participation specifically on the
[22:07] waiver. Um if you'd like to speak about
[22:09] the waiver, please step to the
[22:11] microphone and state your name and
[22:12] address for the record. Or if you're on
[22:13] Zoom, please use the raise hand
[22:15] function.
[22:21] » Go right ahead. Miss Lions,
[22:24] Rose Lions, 46 Elton Drive. I didn't
[22:27] look at the new rules and procedures.
[22:29] Could Lauren just explain how the waiver
[22:32] is supposed to go? I'm a little bit
[22:34] confused. I thought you waved it and
[22:35] then once you went to vote, then the
[22:37] public participated. I asked this
[22:39] question about a month ago and I'm not
[22:42] quite sure of how it goes. So, if you
[22:43] could just explain that, I'd appreciate
[22:45] it.
[22:48] » Thank you, Miss Lions. We were supposed
[22:50] to vote before I opened up the floor.
[22:52] Oh, sorry.
[22:54] >> I know. I thought we changed that. We
[22:56] had we talked about it in our meeting
[22:59] but I don't think we changed it. I think
[23:00] we just kind of clarified.
[23:02] >> I didn't see that in the draft change in
[23:04] the change meeting. Yeah,
[23:07] >> I think you got it right
[23:09] >> to get rid of the fact that the the
[23:12] publication would be on the proposal
[23:14] itself.
[23:15] >> Just remind
[23:18] the waiver but to be on the
[23:20] >> agenda item itself. So, it's a motion
[23:23] and a second for the waving of the
[23:25] rules. And then you would take a vote to
[23:27] approve waving the rules.
[23:28] >> Then you'd open it up.
[23:29] >> Then you would have a motion and a
[23:31] second on the item.
[23:33] >> And then you open it up to public
[23:34] discussion and then your discussion and
[23:37] then a vote on the item.
[23:38] >> Interesting.
[23:40] >> Which is what it was before, too. We
[23:42] just kind of did it differently
[23:44] >> all the time.
[23:46] >> Rut
[23:48] backtrack. So, I would backtrack and
[23:49] just call for a vote on waving the
[23:51] rules.
[23:52] >> Okay.
[23:52] >> And then move on to the item itself
[23:54] >> and then do it all over again. All
[23:56] right.
[23:56] >> Yeah.
[23:57] >> Stricken last 45 seconds for the record.
[24:00] >> We had a motion by councelor and it was
[24:03] uh it was seconded by Debbie Natada. Any
[24:05] discussion on waving the rules?
[24:08] Seeing none. All those in favor?
[24:10] >> Any oppose or abstain?
[24:13] Motion carries unanimously.
[24:15] And council report, would you read the
[24:17] second half? Sure.
[24:20] >> Be it further resolved that the
[24:21] Newington Town Council hereby directs uh
[24:24] Lauren Ryan's acting town manager to
[24:26] submit to the town planning and zoning
[24:27] commission for its report in accordance
[24:29] with section 8-24 of the Connecticut
[24:31] General Statutes a review of the
[24:33] proposed emergency radio tower site
[24:35] Cedar Street RO parcel.
[24:37] >> Second by council second by council
[24:40] Gonzalez.
[24:42] >> Now I'm now I will open it up for public
[24:44] participation on this item if any folks.
[24:46] Thanks, Rose.
[24:49] >> All right, Miss Lions.
[24:54] » Rose Lions, 46 Elton Drive. Thank you.
[24:57] After 20 years of back and forth and
[24:59] back and forth, I thought we had it
[25:00] straight and then I thought we I was
[25:02] mixed up that maybe it got changed, but
[25:04] hopefully going forward, we'll all be on
[25:06] the same page. Thank you.
[25:09] >> Thank you.
[25:13] Anybody else in the room or over Zoom
[25:15] that would like to speak in public
[25:16] participation?
[25:18] All right. Seeing none, now I will with
[25:20] a motion in a second. I'll open up for
[25:22] any council discussion on this. Any
[25:24] discussion from counselors? Deputy
[25:26] mayor.
[25:27] >> Uh yes, my suggestion is that we strike
[25:31] and so that it reads that the Newington
[25:33] Town Council hereby directs Lauren Ryan.
[25:36] >> Okay, I support that. Everyone okay with
[25:40] the change to the to the resolution?
[25:42] >> Yes.
[25:43] >> All right. Very good. Any other remarks
[25:47] from councel?
[25:49] >> All right. Seeing none. We had a motion
[25:51] in a second and a change was addressed.
[25:54] Uh all those in favor?
[25:55] >> I. Any oppose or pin? All right. We got
[25:59] through that. Motion carries
[26:01] unanimously. Again, I pause this letter.
[26:05] All righty. I don't know what our excuse
[26:08] is.
[26:11] » Uh, next up on the agenda is item B in
[26:14] under new business open space protection
[26:16] ordinance development subcommittee.
[26:19] >> All right. Uh, council, do you want to
[26:21] kick that off? Tee that up?
[26:23] >> Yeah, absolutely. I'm happy to. um you
[26:25] know, our caucus, um after the
[26:27] conversations that have happened over
[26:28] the um last couple of weeks, um and
[26:31] plenty of other conversations we've had
[26:33] around the community for for a long time
[26:35] now, um you know, have kind of
[26:37] recognized that while a lot of great
[26:39] work has happened at the council level
[26:41] in the past on open space, that work has
[26:44] not always um continued with subsequent
[26:47] councils, there hasn't been as much of a
[26:50] um sustained focus on this issue that
[26:53] our entire community agrees is of the
[26:56] most essential importance importance
[26:58] particularly when we have the scale and
[27:01] rate of development that we've seen uh
[27:03] in the last few years um before we were
[27:05] on council. And so, um, we wanted to
[27:09] pull together a council subcommittee
[27:11] where, you know, members could work
[27:13] together to find changes to be made, uh,
[27:16] at a council level in ordinance or
[27:18] resolution to improve the way that we
[27:21] treat open space parcels in our town. um
[27:24] uh to create limitations and barriers to
[27:27] um changing open space parcels and their
[27:30] status as open space parcels in our
[27:32] community so that future councils don't
[27:34] have the authority that frankly we
[27:36] currently do um to alter those parcels.
[27:40] Um thankfully we would never take that
[27:41] authority. We we also want to take the
[27:43] authority away from future councils as
[27:45] well. Um and um we also have a land
[27:48] acquisition fund that um you know we
[27:51] make routine investments in um every uh
[27:54] budget. Uh but we don't have a clear
[27:57] plan this you know councils haven't set
[28:00] in policy a clear plan for continuing to
[28:02] deposit into this fund um so that it can
[28:05] be used sustainably and so that we can
[28:07] actually use it to to acquire these open
[28:10] space parcels when they come up. We've
[28:11] also discussed at great length the
[28:13] importance of further protecting our
[28:16] open space parcels not just um with you
[28:19] know votes from this table um not just
[28:22] with work at the zoning commission
[28:23] though I'm grateful for for the mayor's
[28:25] letter um but also um setting a new
[28:29] standard and uh putting a new layer of
[28:32] protection with conservation on these
[28:34] parcels and that's something that the
[28:35] open space committee has already been
[28:37] discussing that we discussed that way in
[28:40] leadership Um and you know and and we're
[28:43] glad to work together with them to to
[28:45] move that forward. Um and there are
[28:47] other things as well. Um you know folks
[28:49] are aware that the town um holds the
[28:53] development rights for Eddie Farm. That
[28:54] is a model that we think might be worth
[28:57] exploring on other parcels um as well as
[28:59] rights of first refusal for parcels that
[29:01] remain undeveloped over long periods of
[29:03] time. um you know and that that that uh
[29:06] you know should sit as open space in the community's hands if we you know
[29:11] had the resources to do that. So um
[29:14] there's a lot of opportunities to to to
[29:16] work on this at a council level. The
[29:18] open space committee has stepped up.
[29:20] We're asking um the you know other folks
[29:23] to step up. Um, I'm glad the the mayor
[29:26] and we'll talk about it, I'm sure, more
[29:28] informational items when it comes up,
[29:29] but that that he wrote that letter to
[29:31] the zoning commission so that they can
[29:33] step up. But we also as a council need
[29:35] to take responsibility for the work that
[29:37] we can do to be full advocates for open
[29:41] space in our community. Um, because
[29:43] nobody should be advocating the
[29:45] responsibility to preserve this
[29:47] essential resource that once it's gone
[29:50] can never ever ever be regained. So, um,
[29:53] I'm excited for us to continue to
[29:55] discuss this and hopefully set up this
[29:56] subcommittee so that we can do some
[29:58] really important, strong, sustained
[30:00] work, um, as a council to protect open
[30:04] space.
[30:06] >> Council, any other comments or remarks
[30:09] from the other council
[30:13] discussing it now?
[30:14] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
[30:17] >> Counc.
[30:19] >> Yeah. I um certainly as you as you're
[30:23] aware we've talked so many times before
[30:25] um support any kind of work um that
[30:29] contributes to the preservation,
[30:30] protection, acquisition of open space.
[30:33] Um but what I really want to ensure is
[30:36] that any new commission would complement
[30:40] rather than overlap responsibilities
[30:42] with other land use commissions. Um and
[30:45] there needs to be like a clear
[30:47] delineation to avoid any you know
[30:49] duplication and um regarding the open
[30:54] space committee um I've watched it from
[30:58] the inception and in the beginning it
[31:00] was like really gunho and the cedum and
[31:02] we were able to get the mark cap and
[31:04] blah blah blah and then um
[31:09] it kind of over the years kind of became
[31:13] dormant and
[31:14] Not that it was inactive, but it seemed
[31:17] that there um they didn't feel
[31:20] there because there wasn't much open
[31:22] space left. There wasn't any money. Um
[31:24] you know, regarding the land acquisition
[31:26] fund, actually it was always there, but
[31:28] councils unfortunately in budget
[31:30] crisises kind of ignore the fact that it
[31:33] was legis legislated or in our budget to
[31:36] put money in there every year, but it
[31:38] was so thankfully we got that going
[31:40] again. But um the momentum of the open space committee
[31:46] actually we went to from meeting um
[31:50] monthly to actually quarterly because it
[31:52] didn't seem that there was quite enough
[31:54] to do and part again part of this was
[31:59] um
[32:01] staff advised us kind of at the time
[32:04] um that we were sort of the charter the
[32:09] way the the commission was set up was
[32:11] kind of we were at the not the whim but
[32:14] at the direction of the town council and
[32:17] some of us kind of pushed back and said
[32:18] no we we as a com as a open space
[32:22] commission we're allowed to make
[32:23] proposals and recommendations but yet
[32:25] there was push back saying no you really
[32:27] should be at the direction of the
[32:28] council and and and implementing you
[32:30] know their concerns or whatever so
[32:34] it became it's not as effective as it
[32:37] could have been and actually John I mean
[32:39] this letter is absolutely super. I mean,
[32:41] um I was just reading it through, but
[32:43] this is the type of thing that I think
[32:45] um staff was expecting
[32:50] this type of detail to come from the
[32:52] town council to the open space
[32:54] committee.
[32:55] >> And in my estimation, it should have
[32:58] been the open space committee coming up
[33:01] with some of these ideas and going back
[33:02] to the council and say, "Hey, would you
[33:04] support us on this, that, and the other
[33:05] thing?" So, this is an absolutely great
[33:06] step. and actually you know the open
[33:08] space foundation you know we should look
[33:09] at something for them too. But in any
[33:11] event, um because there was hesitancy to
[33:15] be proactive, now the open space, the
[33:18] current open space committee, um the ch
[33:21] the leadership and the membership is
[33:23] starting to be proactive. And like two
[33:25] of those things that um are part of the
[33:27] charges for this open space committee,
[33:30] identifying town parcels, um identifying
[33:33] private um or
[33:36] consideration of bright first, whatever.
[33:38] The current open space committee
[33:39] certainly has been doing an awful lot of
[33:41] work on that uh with Eric's help, with
[33:44] Charlie's help, with um
[33:46] >> Monique.
[33:47] thank you. Mon'nique's help.
[33:49] So, we've got like a really good start
[33:51] on that. And in fact, in one of our
[33:53] executive sessions tonight, you know,
[33:55] you'll hear more about it. So, my only
[33:59] that I the only thing that I'd like to
[34:00] do is in order to avoid duplication or
[34:04] stepping on people's um toes, I would
[34:08] like this to maybe go to the open space
[34:11] committee for their review to see
[34:14] whether they feel if there's any
[34:16] duplication or any clarification to
[34:20] so that the commissions can be set up to
[34:22] make ensure that they're working
[34:24] cooperatively
[34:25] um rather and you know duplication of
[34:27] efforts particularly since it's going to
[34:28] take staff's time I would imagine a
[34:30] staff leazison would be involved
[34:31] probably the same one if before we vote
[34:33] on this or move on this if I think this
[34:36] just for review not only for um courtesy
[34:39] sake because it's it is their topic but
[34:43] also to go maybe even to GDC but
[34:45] certainly to the open space committee
[34:46] and see whether they feel that hey you
[34:49] know we want to do this or we should be
[34:51] doing this maybe their charge should
[34:53] change
[34:54] >> to incorporate some of this or if they
[34:56] say no, you know, I think this is a good
[34:58] idea. Um, let's work together or I would
[35:02] like their input on it before we vote on
[35:04] it. That's
[35:06] >> a for sure
[35:08] >> both for TBZ and for open space, but
[35:10] particularly open space.
[35:12] >> Council PL.
[35:13] >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I'll just say I
[35:14] mean ditto to a lot of what council
[35:17] Draco said and you'll you'll see that in
[35:19] the resolution there's a there's a a a
[35:21] call out of the open space committee um
[35:24] and the work that they've done and the
[35:26] you know purpose our purpose in setting
[35:28] up the subcommittee is just to
[35:30] complement that work. It's not to
[35:32] subsume it. It's not to replace it. It's
[35:34] not to I know we had a conversation in
[35:36] agenda setting about um ensuring that
[35:38] it's not um to approve the work of the
[35:41] open space committee. Um and I'll also
[35:44] just say that the open the chair of the
[35:45] open space commission um who's doing
[35:47] excellent work leading that commission
[35:50] is aware of this resolution supports
[35:52] this resolution um is is very excited
[35:54] about it. Um and um and so you know
[35:57] thankfully we're not voting on this this
[35:59] evening. We have a couple of weeks. I'
[36:01] I'd certainly welcome
[36:02] >> forward it on
[36:03] >> for us to forward it on and you know for us to receive their feedback on it
[36:08] um you know so that we can ensure that
[36:09] you know they they they um they're aware of it. I know at least
[36:13] that the open space committee chair
[36:15] supports it. Um
[36:17] >> what about conservation maybe too? I'm I so one thing I would ask and and and
[36:22] we're just having this conversation out
[36:23] in the open, but you know the the
[36:25] commission call or the subcommittee
[36:28] specifically mentions the open space
[36:29] committee because the the intention of
[36:31] the subcommittee is to work on things
[36:34] for which the only possible overlap may
[36:37] be with the open space committee. Right.
[36:39] You mentioned there's a couple things
[36:41] already that this subcommittee would
[36:42] partner with the open space committee
[36:44] on. But there aren't things here that
[36:46] involve zoning changes. there aren't
[36:49] things here that involve um you know um
[36:53] jurisdiction of the conservation
[36:54] commission and so I you know
[36:59] certainly those commissions um are
[37:01] important to our preservation of open
[37:05] space in town as evidenced by the
[37:06] mayor's letter. Um but I think the most
[37:10] important folks to get feedback on is
[37:12] open space. I'd support having the
[37:14] discussion with open space, at least
[37:15] passing it along to them, ensure that
[37:17] they're aware of it that if they have
[37:18] any notes to send those to us and we'll
[37:20] integrate them. Um, beyond that, I don't I don't know. I don't I just
[37:24] don't want to muddy people's
[37:26] >> That's true. Um, and again, I think this
[37:28] letter
[37:30] is well.
[37:32] >> Um, no, fine. as long as um yeah
[37:35] with that
[37:38] >> I'm going to come at it from the angle
[37:39] of one of the council members tasked
[37:42] with removing duplicative and and
[37:44] cleaning up all kinds of boards and
[37:45] commissions because there are I think
[37:48] charges three, four and five do feel
[37:50] duplicative at this time with open space
[37:53] and one almost feels duplicative with
[37:56] TPZ and open space as you've addressed
[37:58] kind of and I guess I would like
[37:59] clarification on what
[38:02] two would be tasking like the charge the
[38:05] second charge would be looking for us to
[38:08] do it says developing policy changes to
[38:11] increase regular funding mechanisms
[38:13] including federal state and private
[38:15] grants into the land acquisition fund.
[38:16] So I guess I'm just looking for what the
[38:19] drive behind that would be and the task
[38:21] to the council members would be for
[38:24] that.
[38:25] >> So thank you mayor. I'll just say for number two, it'd be up to first of
[38:29] all any of the changes that would come
[38:30] out of this update would be up to the
[38:32] members that serve on it. I will provide
[38:33] recommendations to the whole council for
[38:36] us to all then consider. Um, you know,
[38:38] number two, I think speaks to the fact
[38:40] that our only regular funding source
[38:42] into the land acquisition fund right now
[38:44] is our budgeted funds, right? And um,
[38:47] you know, we like council Draco said in
[38:52] recent years, we have contributed um,
[38:55] regularly to that fund in ways that
[38:57] other councils maybe haven't, but um,
[39:00] you know, there's only we've only been
[39:01] able to contribute so much to the fund.
[39:04] And as we've seen with this exercise
[39:06] with the uh with the land acquisition
[39:08] grant that we've been pursuing, the
[39:10] money can only stretch so far and and
[39:12] we'd like to stretch it further so that
[39:15] we can have the conversation about
[39:16] larger parcels um and you know and and
[39:19] using those resources in in really
[39:21] meaningful ways. So I think that's what
[39:23] number two kind of speaks to. and three,
[39:25] four, and five. I'd just say, you know,
[39:27] um the open space committee um has has
[39:30] considered some of that work and and
[39:32] discussed it. Um of it is to say though
[39:36] that a lot of the actual changes that
[39:38] would come from those recommendations
[39:40] would be made at a council level, right?
[39:42] So I think it's relevant that council um
[39:45] thinks about them as well um and works
[39:48] together with the open space committee
[39:50] um to you know put our own focus and
[39:53] staff's focus on those critical issues
[39:56] so that we can actually drive them
[39:57] forward right and that they don't
[39:58] languish um or or that we lose focus um
[40:01] because they are really really important
[40:03] um and so you know this would be an
[40:05] interesting experiment I think we don't
[40:07] have um subcommittees and I think you're right to point it out that
[40:11] regularly would um partner with other
[40:14] commissions or committees of the town in ways other than you know kind of
[40:18] informally. Um and so this will be an
[40:21] interesting experiment. But I think this
[40:23] issue really warrants that because um
[40:26] you we have a commission um with a
[40:29] history of advocacy and organizing
[40:32] around this really essential issue
[40:33] that's thankfully been formalized over
[40:36] the the the years and integrating that
[40:40] feedback um really onetoone could come
[40:43] up could bring some really good policy
[40:46] changes to this table um and actually
[40:49] continue to drive that issue forward.
[40:50] So, I think it could be really exciting.
[40:52] It is kind of novel, but um I I'd like
[40:55] that this committee would be able to
[40:56] think about that as well.
[40:57] >> I'm not disagreeing with you, and I know
[40:59] that open space would bring everything
[41:00] to the council table for consideration.
[41:02] Um the current open space does have two
[41:04] council members as as members of that.
[41:07] So, I don't
[41:09] it would come to council either way.
[41:11] Like, we have council who are updated on
[41:13] it at that point and it would come to
[41:15] the full council to continue to move
[41:17] forward. So, I guess I was I I just
[41:20] don't want to
[41:22] feel disrespectful to the members doing
[41:24] all of the work there, including our
[41:26] council members who are on the open
[41:28] space as well. So, I just I hesitate
[41:33] there besides the whole task with
[41:36] removing duplicative courts and
[41:38] commissions.
[41:40] >> I agree. I agree. I think it makes a lot
[41:42] of sense to, you know, have those
[41:43] conversations over the next few weeks
[41:44] and, you know, sort of tighten it up. We
[41:46] have, you know, a little break before
[41:48] our next council meeting so we got some
[41:49] time to review it and put some stuff out
[41:50] there and uh come with a a perfect
[41:53] resolution. So, we have it all ready to
[41:54] go. Excellent. Any other comments or
[41:57] will you send it out?
[41:59] >> I can send it.
[42:01] >> Thank you.
[42:03] >> All righty. That'll conclude new
[42:05] business and move on to town manager
[42:08] report
[42:10] you got for us.
[42:13] Let me turn my mic on first. There is a
[42:16] lot going on in town over the next few
[42:18] weeks.
[42:21] Uh waterfall festival is this Saturday.
[42:24] Hopefully it still happens. Obviously
[42:26] the weather is a little iffy, so we'll
[42:28] see if that gets postponed or not. But
[42:30] that is Saturday from 10 to 3. The food
[42:33] scraps pilot program at the um transfer
[42:37] station will start this Saturday also
[42:40] September 26. We're very excited. We've
[42:42] gotten um we've gotten a lot of inquiry
[42:45] about it. So, we are really hopeful that
[42:47] this is going to be a utilized program
[42:49] and also a very successful program. And
[42:51] the highway department will also be
[42:53] sending out a news slash later this week
[42:54] just to notify residents directly that
[42:57] it is up and running.
[42:59] Also, um basketball, youth basketball
[43:01] registration opens um next Wednesday,
[43:05] September 30th, and the registration
[43:07] deadline is Friday, November 20th. Uh
[43:11] the deadline is firm. I've been asked to
[43:13] say the deadline is firm and that they
[43:15] strongly encourage parents to register
[43:18] early to ensure their spot in the
[43:20] program. There will be a virtual public
[43:23] information session held by the
[43:24] Connecticut DOT next week also. That's
[43:27] October 1st and that is regarding the
[43:31] rectangular rapid flashing beacons that
[43:34] they plan on installing on Robins and
[43:36] Flaggler. So, these are upgraded
[43:39] um notification signs. They're going to
[43:42] be larger and they're going to have a
[43:44] flashing beacon. Other towns have them.
[43:46] So, Newington is getting a couple as
[43:48] well.
[43:49] The town hall will be hosting a
[43:52] Halloween event on October 10th. That's
[43:54] Parks and Wreck who was running that.
[43:56] And that will be in the gym. Uh 5 to
[43:59] 8:00 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. It's
[44:01] the first time that they are going to be
[44:02] running a Halloween program. They're
[44:04] very excited to bring this to the town.
[44:06] and then watch it grow every year. Uh we
[44:09] also have completed our broadband
[44:12] infrastructure upgrades. So this is
[44:15] allowing public I know and and huge huge
[44:18] kudos to the IT department specifically
[44:21] uh Scott Charlo who kind of took this
[44:24] project on and got it to completion. We
[44:27] have upgraded public Wi-Fi to 23 town
[44:32] locations. So that includes town
[44:35] buildings, some areas of downtown as
[44:37] well as parks, and that allows everybody
[44:40] to tap into public Wi-Fi, and it's goes
[44:43] a long way to creating equity in our
[44:46] community. So, we're very proud of this project, and we've gotten a lot
[44:50] of positive feedback so far from
[44:52] residents. And then last but not least,
[44:54] the GFOA has uh given the town again the
[44:58] certificate of achievement for
[44:59] excellence in financial reporting for
[45:01] our fiscal year 24-25.
[45:04] So huge, you know, congratulations to
[45:06] the finance department, including our
[45:07] former finance director, Janet Murphy.
[45:10] Um and we look forward to receiving this
[45:12] again next year. That's it.
[45:15] >> Thank you.
[45:16] >> Questions for Lauren Draco?
[45:18] >> Yeah, I'm just this GFOA thing. Um, does
[45:22] that also look at the board of ed um
[45:24] budget?
[45:25] >> It considers our entire audit. Yep, it's
[45:27] our entire audit.
[45:28] >> Thank you.
[45:29] >> Yep.
[45:30] >> Thank you, Lauren. Um, I just also uh
[45:33] want to mention as well, uh, we have
[45:36] Candlewick Park opening tomorrow.
[45:38] >> Yes, that's right. 6 PM Candleick Park
[45:40] of Ribbon Cutting. That's right. I did
[45:42] announce that at the last meeting, but
[45:43] then it got No, but then it got moved.
[45:45] It got rescheduled. Um, and it will be
[45:48] happening tomorrow evening. Awesome.
[45:50] Thanks for all your great questions.
[45:52] >> Thank you.
[45:53] All righty. Moving on to council
[45:56] committee liaison and committee reports.
[45:58] Any updates from counselors on your
[46:00] committee work? Yeah, deputy mayor.
[46:02] >> Yes. I just want to report on um
[46:06] the September 10th meeting of the board
[46:08] of fire commissioners. Um first of all
[46:11] um
[46:14] Tony Palas Palasi, I hope I'm
[46:17] pronouncing his name correctly.
[46:19] um has completed uh fire officer three
[46:23] and fire instructor three which is high
[46:27] level awesome
[46:28] >> um
[46:30] awards well it's not even awards it's
[46:32] this is tremendous amount of work and
[46:34] training that went into that so kudos to
[46:37] him um
[46:40] the uh kickball game that took place on
[46:43] the 12th between the fire department
[46:45] police department well 12 fire
[46:47] department Anyway,
[46:49] that's that's okay. It was all in good
[46:51] fun. Um
[46:53] on um October 10th, there is going to be
[46:57] a picnic with um the police department.
[46:59] Invitations are going to go out to um
[47:02] town council. Um it's 11 already. I
[47:04] haven't seen it, but they it's um fire
[47:08] department fire department police
[47:11] department combined picnic.
[47:12] >> And there's going to be a cornhole
[47:14] tournament. So, anybody that's
[47:16] interested or thinks that they
[47:19] cornhole aicionados can take part in
[47:22] that. Um, and uh then the cadet pancake
[47:26] breakfast um will take place in October.
[47:29] Um
[47:31] date to be announced and related to the
[47:34] cadet program um three new applications
[47:38] for the cadet program
[47:39] >> nice have been handed into the fire
[47:41] department. So, they're moving right
[47:43] along.
[47:44] Thank you,
[47:47] Counc.
[47:48] >> Um, yeah, the library uh board had met.
[47:51] Um, they started their meetings back up
[47:53] last week. Um, they uh had a few
[47:56] updates. Um, they recently uh qualified
[47:59] for uh a new grant that is quite sizable
[48:01] in their in their words. Uh, which is
[48:03] always great. Uh, they have a book sale
[48:05] coming up October 16th, the weekend of
[48:08] the 16th through the 18th. And they, uh,
[48:10] fingers crossed will be at the waterfall
[48:12] festival. um so long as the weather
[48:14] holds off there. So that's good. Um they
[48:16] have a few job openings opening up. So
[48:18] if anyone knows someone who is qualified
[48:21] and would like to work at a library, you
[48:22] know, please spread the word. Um other
[48:25] than that, the uh we said it a few
[48:28] times, but it's coming up. The senior
[48:30] center is having their bingo night
[48:32] October 2nd. Um so definitely I'll
[48:35] definitely be there. Um it should be a
[48:37] good time. They have like great prizes
[48:39] lined up and it's always a fun time. And
[48:41] then the parks and recck board is um
[48:44] they're still, you know, added trying to
[48:47] provide more uh programs for the town,
[48:49] but they are something notable is that
[48:51] they are trying to start up the uh
[48:52] Morgan Square concerts again. So fingers
[48:54] crossed that they they can make that
[48:56] happen because yeah, that would be a fun
[48:57] time. I haven't seen that in my time
[48:59] here in town. So I would love to see
[49:00] that. That's all I got.
[49:03] >> Thank you, councelor
[49:07] Ford.
[49:07] >> Thanks, Mayor. Um a few things. Um,
[49:09] council Draco and I attended uh the town
[49:11] planning and zoning commission um
[49:13] meeting. Um, there was a public hearing
[49:16] on a signage piece of signage for over
[49:20] street apartments um that a lot of
[49:22] residents shared feedback on um in the
[49:25] meeting um and the zoning commission um
[49:27] opted to continue that discussion into
[49:30] their next meeting. Um so encourage
[49:32] folks to to keep an eye on that. Um the
[49:35] um e economic development commission met
[49:38] as well um last week and we um learned
[49:42] from them that they have begun reviewing
[49:45] vacant parcels throughout town. Um
[49:47] identifying uh parcels um that uh could
[49:51] be right for redevelopment and actually
[49:53] reaching out to property owners and
[49:55] engaging with them on hey what do you
[49:57] need? How can we help? What can we do?
[49:59] Uh what resources might you need from
[50:01] the town or support from the town, etc.
[50:03] Um and so um I'm glad that there are so
[50:06] many commission members who have been
[50:07] involved with that. Um and that that
[50:09] work is happening. Um and obviously we
[50:12] support that. Um and then I also just
[50:13] want to mention a couple things. One
[50:15] that um many of us here attended the
[50:18] grand opening of John Wallace Middle
[50:20] School and got to see the amazing
[50:22] renovation work that was done there.
[50:24] It's like a completely brand new school.
[50:26] Um and also got to see them open a time
[50:28] capsule from the class of 2001 which was
[50:31] pretty cool. Um and um also that um not
[50:35] a phase celebrated a one-year
[50:37] anniversary and had a massive vendor
[50:40] fair in market square um just I don't
[50:42] know last weekend or so that was very well attended. They had lines like
[50:47] out the door. It was pretty amazing. Um
[50:49] and I could see so many people leaving
[50:51] Nana or leaving the vendor fair and then
[50:53] like going to Rooster or going to TJ's
[50:55] or going to the pet shop or going like
[50:58] just going to so many of the other
[50:59] businesses downtown. So that was really
[51:02] excellent to see. Um and also just want
[51:04] to mention um that we have a brand new
[51:06] business, two brand new businesses to
[51:08] welcome. Um one um I believe is called
[51:11] AMR and they are um in the um space that
[51:16] um was formerly held by Mom and Pop
[51:19] Sushi and before that a long time ago it
[51:21] was the Chamber of Commerce was what I
[51:23] mostly remember it as. But they're now
[51:25] in that space um and I think are holding
[51:28] classes and other things as well. So
[51:30] definitely check them out. That has been
[51:31] a a a you know vacant site for um a
[51:35] little bit. Um and so um it's great to
[51:37] have them there. Another small business.
[51:39] And also um Bora Bora Smoothie just
[51:41] opened up on the turnpike in the former
[51:43] vacuum village lot. This is their second
[51:45] location in the entire state of
[51:46] Connecticut. The other one is is in New
[51:48] Haven. Um and um they've been very
[51:50] popular. I went in and there were vines
[51:53] and um it's going to be quite a um an
[51:56] attraction. So, um, lots of stuff going
[51:59] on. Um, and then I'd just be remiss if I
[52:02] didn't mention as well that, um, most of
[52:03] us members of council also attended two
[52:06] really, um, uh, impactful, very
[52:09] emotional ceremonies, um, to recognize
[52:12] the 25th anniversary of 911. Um, one in
[52:15] the morning, um, at the firehouse and
[52:17] then later that evening. Um, and I know
[52:19] our our mayor spoke at the at the, uh,
[52:22] evening ceremony as well. Um it was very
[52:25] moving to um memorialize the families
[52:29] that have been impacted continue to be
[52:31] impacted by the tremendous losses of
[52:32] that day and also all of our public
[52:35] safety personnel and the very personal
[52:37] stories that they have of that day as
[52:39] well. So um we just continue to hold
[52:41] them in our prayers every single day.
[52:44] >> Councelor Council Drego. Yeah, I was
[52:46] just going to um mention thank you
[52:48] councelor Pard um the 911 ceremony that
[52:52] was and to thank the Newington Volunteer
[52:54] Fire Department for um sponsoring both
[52:56] of those celebrations. But what really
[53:01] um
[53:02] was surprising to me at least or eye
[53:05] opening is the number of people from
[53:08] Newington um who were on site or there
[53:11] that day um including you know our some
[53:14] of our first responders who whether they
[53:18] were given the okay or not hopped in
[53:19] their cars to you know go down and and
[53:22] serve in any way they can. And also um
[53:26] our mayor witnessed it first time, I
[53:29] mean firsthand because he was actually
[53:31] living in the vicinity that day. So um
[53:34] it wasn't just a far away event. It it
[53:37] impacted people um our neighbors. So and
[53:40] it was moving and um it was quite an
[53:43] event.
[53:46] >> I agree.
[53:49] Bring that up.
[53:51] >> All right. Any more updates from
[53:52] counselors?
[53:55] All right, seeing none and move back
[53:57] public participation. Speaking of public
[53:59] participation, please step to the
[54:00] microphone and state your name and
[54:01] address for the record or use the raised
[54:03] Zoom. We'll alternate between in the
[54:04] room and over Zoom.
[54:06] We got one on Zoom. Go right ahead. Miss
[54:10] Lions.
[54:13] » Hi, Rose 46 Elton Drive. Um, I've been
[54:18] listening but had to stop and go out of
[54:20] the room for a few minutes. I'm just
[54:22] wondering if you mentioned whether or
[54:24] not the letter that you've been
[54:25] referencing is going to be attached to
[54:27] the minutes of tonight's meeting so that
[54:29] we can the public can look at it in case
[54:32] we have any comments to be made. Uh, as
[54:34] you all know, I'm not happy with the
[54:36] decision that was re reached regarding
[54:38] the Mil Street Extension building of
[54:40] senior housing, but I am happy to see
[54:43] that the open space acquisition is being
[54:46] brought to the forefront. I was sitting
[54:48] with Gail many times during Save Cedar
[54:52] Mountain meetings and Save Mil Pond Park
[54:54] meetings and open space. And I
[54:57] especially think back to the time when
[54:59] Carol Wowitch, who was first on one of
[55:01] on the first committee, I believe, tried
[55:02] to get a land trust established and she
[55:06] could get no support to do that. And I'm
[55:09] happy to see that you're going forward
[55:11] with what you plan on doing. At least I
[55:13] hope that it seems like if you're going
[55:15] to be doing some land acquisition and
[55:17] making some funding available. I do wish
[55:21] that some of the money from National
[55:23] Welding had been put into the land
[55:24] acquisition. Um maybe going forward you
[55:28] can also make some provisions where a
[55:31] certain amount of money not just what
[55:32] you have line in the line item on the
[55:35] budget but if town property is sold
[55:36] maybe a percentage should go back into
[55:38] land acquisition.
[55:40] And I get chills up my spine when I hear
[55:44] Marap property
[55:47] being said about Mr. Cohen's property
[55:49] that we bought from him several years
[55:51] ago. And I know Gail that's what we
[55:53] refer to it as. But if there's anything
[55:56] that should be named in this town, I
[55:57] think we should even give it the
[55:59] Newington Cedar Mountain property or
[56:02] something. Marap, just like I say, sends
[56:04] chills up my spine, especially after the
[56:07] torture that we went through buying that
[56:09] property. With that being said, thank
[56:11] you very much. Have a good night.
[56:14] >> Thank you.
[56:18] » Anybody else in the room or over Zoom
[56:20] that would like to speak in public
[56:21] participation?
[56:25] » All right, seeing none, we move on to
[56:27] remarks by counselors. I'll just address
[56:29] yes, we will be adding the letter to the agenda after the fact and we're
[56:33] going to discuss it further in in a
[56:34] couple minutes. Any other remarks from
[56:37] council?
[56:39] All right, seeing none brings us
[56:41] toformational items. Item A, update from
[56:43] library renovations additions project
[56:45] building committee. Um we got a letter
[56:47] you want to then go ahead.
[56:49] >> Yeah. Uh so the library additions
[56:51] renovations commi committee lark as we
[56:54] call it continues to meet monthly just
[56:56] to review um the current iteration of
[56:58] the plan and also their plan to bring a
[57:01] recommendation back to your body to send
[57:03] the project referendum and this is
[57:06] around the time when they would normally
[57:08] come back and give you that update.
[57:10] However, with everything that they have
[57:11] been doing for the last year, they feel
[57:14] that at this time it's more important
[57:15] for them to go out and continue to get
[57:18] community buyin and community opinion so
[57:20] that they can tailor the plan to what
[57:22] that community input is. So they are
[57:25] going to um they actually meet again
[57:28] this week and they intend to take on a
[57:31] public information public survey uh
[57:34] phase of of their planning and then use
[57:36] that to refine their plan and then come
[57:39] back to you at a later date. And so they
[57:41] did want to just give you an update and
[57:42] let you know that they have not stalled
[57:44] the project. They are still very active,
[57:46] very much working and this is where they
[57:48] are today.
[57:49] >> Excellent.
[57:50] >> Thank you.
[57:50] Excellent. That's exciting.
[57:55] All right. And we'll move on from that
[57:57] to added item B. Uh the letter to town
[58:00] planning and zoning. Um I'm not going to
[58:02] read the whole thing. Or should I read
[58:04] it?
[58:06] >> Um I I think you can summarize it. I did
[58:08] already send it to Sue so that I can get
[58:10] attached to the minutes of the meeting.
[58:11] >> Perfect. So yeah, it's you know it that
[58:15] we've been having this discussion about
[58:16] open space for
[58:18] a while now and I think you know we we
[58:21] wanted to sort of take it a little step
[58:23] further and start to really engage with
[58:24] some of the other stakeholders. So we
[58:26] felt that it was good to have some you
[58:27] know we had some ideas and some things
[58:29] that we wanted to um you know work with
[58:31] our other boards and commissions on. So
[58:32] it was a good time to uh send him a
[58:34] letter bring that up. So you know we're
[58:36] going to open that conversation up.
[58:38] Council Gonzalez,
[58:39] >> just really quickly, I wanted to say
[58:40] thank you um for taking the initiative
[58:43] and and writing that letter. Um I fully
[58:46] support it and I know that we've heard
[58:48] very recent, bless you, from the
[58:50] community how important open space is to
[58:52] them as well and I think um this can do
[58:55] nothing but help the community, the
[58:57] residents are us and and open space and
[59:00] it's just a good thing altogether. So
[59:02] thank you very much. I will clarify and
[59:04] thank you for bringing that out that
[59:05] when I I sent the letter to actually
[59:07] Eric to send to the land use commissions
[59:09] I sent to TP open space and conservation
[59:12] so they all have a copy of it as well
[59:14] >> already
[59:15] >> well that was that's yeah
[59:18] >> councelor
[59:19] >> yeah um I just want to echo um councelor
[59:22] Gonzalez's comments I I really thank you
[59:24] mayor for taking leadership and
[59:26] initiative to um take the organizing and
[59:31] um work great work that's happened
[59:33] throughout the community over the last
[59:35] uh weeks and frankly over the last many
[59:37] years and actually bring it to this
[59:39] table and um you know not just commit at
[59:43] a council level to the work that we're
[59:44] going to do but also as you said
[59:46] collaborate uh and open the hand to
[59:48] collaborating with other commissions and
[59:51] boards that um are doing excellent work
[59:53] or or should be doing excellent work in
[59:55] these areas. Um, so I I read through the
[59:58] letter. I think there's some um really
[1:00:01] um amazing recommendations and frankly
[1:00:04] ones that should have been made by the
[1:00:06] zoning commission I think a long time
[1:00:08] ago. um they seem fairly straightforward
[1:00:11] to me, not being a member of the
[1:00:13] commission, but um I I'm excited for
[1:00:15] them to take up some of this work and
[1:00:18] consider how to, you know, integrate it
[1:00:20] into our zoning regulations um so that,
[1:00:24] you know, they can protect our open
[1:00:25] space parcels to the fullest extent
[1:00:27] possible. So, thank you so much,
[1:00:30] >> Council Mrego. Yeah, what's great about
[1:00:34] this is um
[1:00:36] these have been, you know, some
[1:00:37] suggestions or words thrown about the
[1:00:40] past
[1:00:42] months, years, whatever. Um but these
[1:00:45] are concrete. It's not like, you know,
[1:00:48] Newington values open space. We we're
[1:00:50] also blah blah blah. Well, yeah, but
[1:00:54] this is concrete steps to protect what
[1:00:58] we have. Unfortunately, you know, you
[1:01:01] don't have a budget thing in here to let
[1:01:03] us buy more space, but that will come, I
[1:01:06] guess.
[1:01:07] >> That's for us, not for them.
[1:01:09] >> But that's what that's
[1:01:13] um this is going to in my mind um
[1:01:17] protect what we have. And we found the
[1:01:19] past couple months um it's even though
[1:01:23] we think we have these these parals,
[1:01:25] these parks, whatever, they're
[1:01:27] vulnerable. So some of these items if
[1:01:29] they can be implemented would certainly
[1:01:31] help in that respect. So again concrete
[1:01:35] actions um that can be implemented
[1:01:37] without um too much
[1:01:41] um too many problems in my opinion. So
[1:01:44] thank you.
[1:01:45] >> Thank you councel.
[1:01:48] >> All right
[1:01:50] concludeformational items
[1:01:53] say item 19 executive session. Council
[1:01:57] employer, would you please read the
[1:01:58] double resolution?
[1:01:59] >> Sure.
[1:02:03] » Resolve that the town council in
[1:02:04] accordance with Connecticut general
[1:02:06] statutes um section 1-26
[1:02:09] hereby moves to go into executive
[1:02:11] session and invites Mayor John Trist,
[1:02:13] acting town manager Lauren Ry, acting
[1:02:15] town planner Eric Hinckley, acting uh
[1:02:18] >> I would just add that Charlie is not in
[1:02:21] attendance tonight, so we can strike him
[1:02:24] from the message.
[1:02:24] >> Thank you. So, acting town planner Erica
[1:02:26] Kinckley and the members of the town
[1:02:29] council to discuss the potential
[1:02:30] acquisition of real estate, be it
[1:02:33] further resolved that the town council
[1:02:34] in accordance with Connecticut general
[1:02:35] statute section 1-260 will hereby move
[1:02:38] to go into a separate executive session
[1:02:40] at the closing of the discussion of
[1:02:42] potential acquisition of real estate and
[1:02:44] invites Mayor John Trister, Jamie
[1:02:46] Trevetton, and the members of the town
[1:02:47] council to discuss town manager search.
[1:02:50] Second
[1:02:52] by council floor. Second by council.
[1:02:55] Any discussion?
[1:02:58] Seeing none. All those in favor?
[1:03:01] >> Any oppose or abstain?
[1:03:03] All right. Motion carries unanimous.
[1:03:04] We're in executive session. Folks want
[1:03:06] to take a quick two minutes. Yeah. Two
[1:03:08] minutes. Whatever you need.
[1:03:12] All right.
[1:52:31] Hope I get the update. Yeah, sure.
[1:52:44] All right, we are back from executive
[1:52:46] session. Thanks to those folks that hung
[1:52:48] around and waited. Um, we have two more
[1:52:50] items on the agenda to get to. Number 20
[1:52:52] on the agenda is town manager search
[1:52:54] update. Um, we just wanted to give an
[1:52:56] update on kind of where we're at in the
[1:52:58] process. Um we posted the job on it had
[1:53:01] been posted for a couple of weeks and
[1:53:02] received a some several several
[1:53:05] applicants came back in um who were now
[1:53:07] going to sort of make the next step of
[1:53:09] uh sorting through and figuring out
[1:53:10] which way we want to go. Um be on the
[1:53:13] lookout. We are planning some sort of a
[1:53:15] public input or sort of thing coming up.
[1:53:17] So be on the lookout for what's coming
[1:53:20] with that. Um but that's the update for
[1:53:22] now and we'll have more to update at our
[1:53:23] next council meeting.
[1:53:26] All right, with that I'll move on to
[1:53:28] item 21 and I'd entertain a motion to
[1:53:29] adjurnn. So move
[1:53:30] >> second.
[1:53:31] >> Motion by council for second by
[1:53:32] councelor Gonzalez. Any discussion on
[1:53:34] adjournment?
[1:53:35] Seeing none. All those in favor.
[1:53:37] >> I.
[1:53:38] >> Any oppos?
[1:53:40] All right. Motion carries unanimously.
[1:53:41] We are return 8:52 p.m.
[1:53:45] >> All right. Scott, what do you need from
[1:53:46] us?