[1:59] Mhm.

[3:54] » Mhm.

[5:35] » I'd like to call this meeting to order. If you could please stand for the

[5:38] pledge.

[5:40] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to I

[5:45] pledge allegiance to which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with

[5:50] liberty and justice for all.

[5:58] » Thank you. It's good to have everyone here, August 18th.

[6:02] Board of Selectmen meeting. Is there any public comment?

[6:05] Any public comment? Any public comment? Hearing no public

[6:09] comment. First on the agenda, the Waterford

[6:12] Utility Commission to consider and act on a request from the Director of

[6:16] Utilities, Jill Stevens, for an additional appropriation of $200,000 for

[6:20] a new project, water distribution system emergency capital reserve for fiscal

[6:25] year '27, identified in the general fund balance.

[6:29] » So. >> Second.

[6:31] » Hi Jill, how are you? >> I'm well, and you?

[6:35] » Good, thank you. Um

[6:37] how about we just how about we just go ahead right into you what this is,

[6:41] um and why why it was set up with the Board of Finance.

[6:45] » Okay. >> Thank you.

[6:45] » Yeah. Um after the Quinley Way water main break last summer,

[6:50] um and I went through the emergency appropriation process, the Board of

[6:54] Finance rightfully suggested that we set aside some capital funds for emergency

[6:59] water repairs that are tripped through the threshold in the interlocal water

[7:03] agreement. This isn't for anything other than

[7:07] uh a break like the Quinley Way Quinley main um sorry, Quinley Way main break.

[7:12] It's not for maintenance or anything that Veolia or New London would usually

[7:17] um cover for us during the uh the term of the interlocal agreement.

[7:22] It's simply to fix any breaks in the distribution system, any main breaks.

[7:27] » Okay. Uh Richie, any questions on this? >> No, I have I have none. Thank you.

[7:31] » Okay, thank you. Greg, do you have any questions on this?

[7:34] » Yeah, they're older notes, I guess. >> Okay, go ahead.

[7:36] » A couple weeks ago, but um

[7:41] if we We talk about material cost, right? And

[7:46] there's a threshold there. >> Correct.

[7:47] » Um greater than $5,000, correct? >> That's as with the cost escalation that

[7:52] that every year goes up based on the engineering and

[7:55] » So the initial was 5,000, but then it's been adjusted to Do you know where we

[8:00] are? >> Yep.

[8:00] » Yes, $15,658. >> So since we contracted annual increases

[8:06] have amounted to 15,600 from 5,000. >> It's based on the engineering news uh

[8:12] the engineering record news index. It's a It's a construction cost escalation

[8:16] factor that's used commonly. >> party that's referenced and that's used

[8:19] as the >> Yep.

[8:20] » the benchmark. Starting I guess initially that was $5,000 once upon a

[8:24] time. >> Yep.

[8:27] » Um when we I know we're looking at a new

[8:31] contract, a water contract. I I don't know where we're at with that. I know we

[8:35] doing the study, right? >> Correct.

[8:37] » on options and how to proceed with that. >> That's correct.

[8:40] » about proceeding with that. Um one question is kind of where are we

[8:44] with that? And would this threshold be something that would carry

[8:48] over into any potential new contract, whether it be with New London or another

[8:51] party? >> Um that's a great question and one I I

[8:54] don't have an answer for yet until we have uh we would enter into

[8:58] negotiations. It depends on what direction that we

[9:01] take with the study. If we determine that we're going to take over

[9:04] operational control of our system, then there would be no third party that we

[9:07] would have to spend that money on. We would be responsible for 100% of all of

[9:12] the operation maintenance um repairs, emergency or otherwise, if we don't

[9:18] [clears throat] use a a contract operator. If we use a contract operator,

[9:22] then something like this could be built into the contract. Um but that is

[9:26] something that the commission will make a decision on and then bring it forward

[9:31] through the appropriate channels after the study has been completed. Um it's at

[9:37] the end of the term um for the study that we're looking at getting a document

[9:42] from RLW likely in the next couple of weeks um and that will be a draft that

[9:48] goes to the commission for them to review. And after that once the

[9:53] report is accepted, it will be made public.

[9:57] » So, it'll be presented to Utility Commission in a couple weeks and

[10:02] » Yes, and then the it's for as a draft. So, then the commission will review it.

[10:07] There'll be some back and forth with the consultant and some decisions that need

[10:11] to be made um which will

[10:14] be made public >> But if it's a study

[10:18] I mean, the findings of a study are kind of

[10:21] the findings what >> Once it's out of draft, once it's once

[10:25] it's out out of the draft form and Nick, you might want to

[10:29] help with that explanation. Um, where this is in preparation for

[10:35] negotiations with a contract. So, that draft study is something that the

[10:40] commission go goes back and forth with the

[10:43] consultant and and our attorney and once the study is complete, it is released to

[10:48] the public. I think I said that correctly.

[10:54] » So, before it's released, basically the

[10:56] commission will have made a decision on what they want to pursue.

[11:00] » No, the commission will make it will not make a decision on the outcome of the

[11:03] study. That's for the consultant to give them a give the town advice on what the

[11:08] our options are, what the capital costs are associated with that.

[11:12] » Is any negotiating going on before the ROW's

[11:18] study some >> No, we've had conversations with the

[11:21] city of New London to see if they're interested in continuing which they are

[11:24] um and they understand that we are in the process of completing the study and

[11:28] once the study is complete, then if New London is the option that we decide to

[11:32] pursue, then negotiations will begin. >> Um, can you remind me again when the

[11:37] current contract's up? >> June 30th, 2028.

[11:44] » Uh, thank you. Um, I'm just going to go through my notes

[11:48] here and make sure I don't have anything else. I may not.

[11:58] Um, I'm all set. Thank you. >> Sure.

[12:02] » Rich, any other follow-ups? >> I have none. Thank you.

[12:04] » Okay. Um, thank you, Jill. Hearing no other

[12:07] questions, all those in favor, please say I.

[12:09] » I. >> I.

[12:11] Oppose, abstentions? Thank you. Thanks again, Jill.

[12:14] » Thank you. >> Uh, recreation and parks to consider and

[12:17] act on a recommendation from Shay David, purchasing agent on behalf of the

[12:20] director of recreation and parks for surplus of the below asset, which has

[12:23] outlived its usefulness to the town and has been replaced according to the fleet

[12:27] management plan. Asset number 101451, a 2016 Toro Groundsmaster 10-ft mower,

[12:34] serial number 316000766.

[12:39] Um, engine hours, 1,997. >> So moved.

[12:44] » Second. >> And if you can remember, this was what

[12:47] tabled um, last meeting.

[12:50] All right. Um,

[12:53] how about we uh, follow-up? Uh, do you have a follow-up to this, Rich?

[12:57] » Um, 1997 or 2,000 hours uh, for a 10-year-old machine,

[13:05] not a whole lot, really. What's what's uh, what do we consider the life

[13:10] expectancy at? >> Uh, typically with the with our mowers,

[13:13] it's anywhere from 8 to 10 years and uh, usage is hard to tell cuz you have a

[13:20] hard usage, you know, hard wear and tear on a machine versus um, soft, but 2,000

[13:26] with the 10-ft mowers is actually right about 2,000 to 2,500.

[13:31] Um the 2,500 you typically rarely see because that means you're putting into a

[13:35] lot of the at that point after 2,000 hydraulics and other issues arise that

[13:40] typically um set off the cost of the replacement

[13:44] cuz you'll get some money for that. Um >> Have we had a lot of maintenance on this

[13:48] particular unit? >> Most of our equipment yes, most of our

[13:51] equipments require quite a bit of maintenance unfortunately. Um just part

[13:55] of the the nature of the um of the work and the responsibilities. There's

[13:59] uh all preventive maintenance is scheduled through um public works and we

[14:04] make sure we manage it that way and make sure everything goes out. Um they check

[14:08] it thoroughly. >> What about extraordinary repairs? Any

[14:11] any history of excessive parts replacement?

[14:14] » Um not on 60, I don't believe there was any on this one in particular.

[14:22] » No other questions, thank you. >> Mr. Craig.

[14:26] » Um I did a little bit of homework on these. I mean

[14:30] to Rich's point, I think 2,000 is kind of on the lighter side. I

[14:35] I looked up what a what what model is this? I didn't see it in the back of

[14:38] » It's a Ground Master. >> Yeah.

[14:40] » Uh >> 4,500 or

[14:42] » Uh it's a could be I'm not sure if it's a 4,500D

[14:49] or 4,200D. >> So, I saw a 4,500D with 3,000 hours it's

[14:53] for sale for about $40,000 online.

[14:57] » Yeah. >> Um

[15:00] New new unit, how much would a new unit cost?

[15:03] » A new unit for a 10-footer from Toro >> tight.

[15:08] » is about $103,000.

[15:11] 107 right in there for the last time. So, what we've done

[15:16] uh as part of our long-range vision for trying to decrease our costs as

[15:22] we've moved on from Toro to Ventrac, which we've discussed a few different

[15:27] times about its capabilities. Um I do believe that this will 100% cut

[15:33] our costs cuz as the Ventrac is a multi-functioning piece. So if the

[15:38] actual base goes, like what happens with some of these Toros,

[15:43] we're only replacing the base which base which is 20 to 30 grand.

[15:47] Not 107,000. We may have an attachment that goes with

[15:51] it, uh a 9-ft mowing deck attachment that may

[15:55] go with it that have to be replaced, but we're not talking about $107,000

[15:58] each cycle anymore. Um we've made this much more manageable

[16:02] and actually much more effective and efficient.

[16:05] In in our field, uh

[16:07] capability and reliability is everything.

[16:10] » Guys, I know with like residential mowers, I mean you can get a a new deck,

[16:14] right? I went through this years ago. I I bought a tractor uh

[16:18] 10 12 years ago for 1,200 bucks. >> Sure.

[16:21] » If you can believe that back then and >> Yeah.

[16:23] » uh a couple years ago to get You know, I mean unfortunately I bought

[16:27] a stamp deck, not a a fab deck, but so I had issues with it and to get a new deck

[16:31] it was going to be almost what the original replacement cost was. So I

[16:35] » That's typically what happens when the fleet management plan comes around, you

[16:38] know, it it it's if it doesn't need replacement, we don't replace it. If

[16:42] it's on the cusp and someone else can use it or we're going to get more value

[16:46] for it, it's the right time where those costs offset each other.

[16:49] » But I you know, when I was looking into this,

[16:53] it seemed like 4,000 to 7,000 hours is kind of

[16:58] the lifespan. >> Was that Was that for a commercial or

[17:01] was that just for your home? >> No, commercial. Commercial uh

[17:05] 4500D that I saw the price of.

[17:09] » Yep. >> Um

[17:10] I I I think I um

[17:15] I'm hesitant with replacing things with the replacement cost of everything right

[17:18] now in our our economy. >> I get that.

[17:21] » So, I'd like to see it kind of sold on for a couple years, maybe until

[17:25] something changes. Um

[17:27] » Just note, this has already been replaced.

[17:29] » Okay. >> I know, but then there'll be another

[17:31] replacement one in a couple years. >> But so as far as getting rid of the hold

[17:36] on to it. >> and in the hopes that you don't pull the

[17:39] trigger on them. >> The the only

[17:42] um other consideration would it be that we

[17:45] do it would be an offsetting price to the current

[17:50] price. You know, it's sort of why would a seller

[17:53] if it's going to sit there and not if I have enough guys to run all

[17:57] the machines. Um >> I hope that you get more staff

[18:00] eventually, too. >> I don't have a problem holding on to it.

[18:02] I just want to explain what might be >> I I I,

[18:05] you know, there we could use a couple more passes here and there.

[18:08] » Sure. >> So, I don't I said I think it's

[18:10] necessary to take out of inventory. I'd rather see it manned and have a little

[18:13] more life and then we can reset the conversation in

[18:16] » Could I um >> Could I could I possibly entertain a

[18:20] different thought is that um in speaking with um

[18:25] Fire Chief Haley or Fire Manager Haley um talking about using some of the

[18:32] surplus as mowers come along to go to them to help with some of their

[18:36] maintenance at their buildings. >> Well, that's a great point.

[18:40] » So, it it may be something. >> they own a a lot. Um by Hunts Brook that

[18:47] I don't think they've touched this year. >> He's just it's just in conversation.

[18:51] That could be a a good resolution as well to help

[18:56] uh new operations that are coming transition better into our operations.

[18:59] » be more willing to support a transfer within [snorts] the town than a surplus

[19:03] of this machine. >> Okay.

[19:05] » It'd be probably my response to your thought. I think it's a good thought.

[19:08] » Yeah. That transfer would need to be to a

[19:11] private organization. >> It couldn't go to it's

[19:15] » It would be going to sending it over because fire services does not have this

[19:19] type of equipment. So, if you want it to cover

[19:23] the surrounding area, the firehouses, that

[19:26] would be giving it to a volunteer company not part of the town.

[19:30] » Or well, it could also be through fire services through Director Haley. So, see

[19:35] » His department is not set >> internally with Parks and Rec, and Parks

[19:39] and Rec can provide services to the firehouses, too. Similar in a fashion to

[19:43] how they do the Board of Ed currently. As an idea.

[19:47] » Yeah, there's Yeah, I'm sure that's a different discussion rather than as it

[19:50] comes along. I don't know what they're doing now to maintain their property.

[19:54] Um so, it's >> privately.

[19:56] » They do a lot of I think uh contractor or do it privately, but as they're

[20:01] coming I don't want to speak out of turn. I

[20:03] mean, this isn't really my my wheelhouse. This is, you know, Chief

[20:06] Haley's. Um but I know that they're working on as

[20:10] this now becomes town-owned fire departments. These are now town

[20:14] properties that need to um be maintained

[20:18] um under the

[20:21] uh ordinances. Recreation and Parks maintains some of the grounds.

[20:25] Um understanding where our current responsibilities and capabilities we

[20:29] just discussed. He's got guys there on shift, on call that are sometimes

[20:34] available and willing and wanting to do some of that work.

[20:38] Um so, we had just talked about when mowers might become available.

[20:43] Not a solid arrangement or agreement, just a discussion.

[20:47] » Yeah, I think it's a conversation uh you know, maybe for for Rob to have with his

[20:51] staff. Maybe there's a a way forward there. Um but I think in that spirit um

[20:56] excuse me, the first selectman should have with department heads.

[20:59] Um if he wants to. Um I would support that. Um and in that spirit, I would

[21:04] prefer I'm going to vote tonight to keep this in town inventory.

[21:08] Um, just because I think it's a valuable asset that could be leveraged somewhere.

[21:12] If not in Parks and Rec, maybe to your point, somewhere else, too.

[21:14] » Is this the type of machine that you would use on a small a small piece of

[21:17] property? I mean, the the fire companies don't have huge

[21:21] properties for the most part. >> This one in particular, no, cuz it's a

[21:24] 10-footer. Um,

[21:26] it could have been used, yes, but would it hit all the areas very well? No, but

[21:31] just throwing it out there for uh any spaces.

[21:34] If it's going to be uh if it's going to be held on to,

[21:37] that's all. Um,

[21:40] » But >> if we we we have the replacement for it,

[21:42] so I don't we we'd only use it if say something else goes down, potentially.

[21:47] Um, >> I guess um

[21:50] just just to keep the conversation going a little bit. Um,

[21:55] the only firehouse we own is Oswego. >> Correct.

[21:59] » And the amount of land there, it's seven strips of land. And to have this with

[22:03] the bays only cut down down to three now,

[22:06] there's no place to put, I mean, a 10-ft wide mower.

[22:10] » Mhm. >> I get the point of if we can get the

[22:13] funding a good amount back for this unit that can be applied to our next mower.

[22:19] » Mhm. >> But to Greg's point,

[22:22] just what is what's left in the inventory coming up? Is there anything

[22:26] smaller coming up in the next year or so that's

[22:30] that would be conducive for, you know, one

[22:33] » I got a 54-in deck or >> something smaller that we have.

[22:36] » I think we just went through those this year. The only things we have coming up

[22:40] are trailers and uh maybe one of our backhoes at one point, but our our

[22:45] mowers are this we've pretty much gone through this last cycle.

[22:48] » This is all Ventracs now that we're on. >> In the next 5 years, we have no mowers

[22:52] coming up for replacement in the that was approved last year.

[22:57] » Got you. Okay.

[22:59] » I'm still going to support keeping it in the inventory rather than surplus at

[23:01] this point. Okay. All the same. >> Okay.

[23:06] Um well, we have any other questions, Rich, on this?

[23:09] » I have none, thank >> We have We have a motion and we have a

[23:11] second. Um to

[23:16] surplus this this specific unit. Um all those in favor, please say I.

[23:21] » I. >> I. Opposed?

[23:23] » I. >> Thank you.

[23:26] All right, thank you for that, Infillo. >> Thank you. Yeah, sure.

[23:28] » Um to consider uh recreation parks,

[23:31] consider and act on awarding a contract for grass seed and fertilizers to Tom

[23:35] Irwin Inc. through cooperative purchasing.

[23:38] CRCOG bid number 789 for fiscal year 2027.

[23:44] » So moved. >> Second.

[23:47] » Um Rich, any questions on this?

[23:49] » none on this one. >> Greg, any questions on this?

[23:52] » Uh yeah, what is the last page in the back

[23:56] up represent? Is that the total scope? >> Uh that is

[24:00] » Providing for materials or >> Yeah, well, I was just kind of giving an

[24:03] idea. This is our fall um expense.

[24:08] Uh should it be should everything be approved? Um we will have another one in

[24:12] the spring. Anytime it's over $35,000 annually, um we come forward uh to

[24:21] justify waving it through as a state service contract or

[24:25] uh a cooperative contract. Helps that you know, we I think we've

[24:29] had these conversations. I think last year was the

[24:32] first year we did this. Came through and had um

[24:36] the request for the to use off the state contract.

[24:40] » Does um CRCOG um

[24:44] Sourcewell the bid through? >> Sourcewell is CRCOG, yeah.

[24:49] » All right. Did we look at any other consortiums or

[24:52] » Uh we look I look locally cuz I like to you know, that's one of the things we

[24:56] do. So, we'll look at John Deere Landscapes, Lesco, which we do use for

[24:59] some products, but when it comes down to our organic and granular, we have gone

[25:05] with Tom Irwin for the last 13 plus years.

[25:08] Um it's more than a product at this point.

[25:12] We've got to build a relationship where there's seminars, there's dashboards

[25:16] that help entering

[25:19] um your information to deep every year as far as what you use and how you use

[25:23] it and when you put it down. Um so, there's a lot of resources other

[25:28] than just the product, but we know the product works and that's the

[25:32] risk I don't want to get away from. >> I understand. Um

[25:38] I guess if we are looking at other consortiums, it's kind of

[25:42] you know, supplemental to what CRCOG provides.

[25:45] » Yep. >> it it would be good maybe to

[25:48] you know, just have that on record and backup, but if the CRCOG put it out to

[25:52] bid and you know, they they awarded it, I mean

[25:54] » CRCOG source, well, we sometimes look into Massachusetts. There's a lot of

[25:57] different ones we'll look at just to see where pricing sits so that we're

[26:01] comfortable. >> I mean, I'd just run it by some other

[26:03] consortiums or directly solicit a number to us some of

[26:06] those vendors you had just mentioned. >> Okay.

[26:08] » Or like vendors. >> Yeah.

[26:12] » Um but I don't have any other questions.

[26:15] » Rich, any follow-ups? >> All set, thank you.

[26:17] » Okay, hearing no other questions, all those in favor, please say I.

[26:20] » I. >> I.

[26:22] Thank you, Ryan. >> Thank you.

[26:26] » Uh public works to consider and act on authorizing the first selectman to sign

[26:30] on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, the Connecticut Department of

[26:33] Transportation, C DOT, Connecticut DOT, master municipal agreement for

[26:38] rights-of-way projects. So, we'll

[26:40] » Second. >> Uh Nick, thanks for joining Gary on this

[26:45] one. >> Sure.

[26:49] » So, can you give us an um just a a short, a brief

[26:54] um

[26:56] piece of information regarding this this request.

[27:00] » Yes. >> Thanks, Nick.

[27:03] » Nick Cappello, town attorney. Uh

[27:06] the it's it's essentially the long and short of it, a state requirement, state

[27:09] statutory requirement that in order to get state funding

[27:14] uh for these road projects and these rights-of-ways,

[27:17] there's a whole process of um filing a letter,

[27:21] an authorization letter, and and then um you you must have this

[27:27] master municipal agreement in place um

[27:31] that and ours lapsed, that's why it's being redone.

[27:36] Uh Gary can actually uh speak to operationally

[27:41] how it works um in the management of Waterford's road

[27:45] roads, but essentially um

[27:48] in order to get the state funding, and then there's all as you saw from it,

[27:52] there's requirements in the agreement about, you know,

[27:55] the for contractors and other people

[27:58] involved in the project uh in order for them to comply with various

[28:02] state requirements, but the bottom line is you you don't get the

[28:06] state's money unless you have a master municipal agreement with

[28:10] um with the state. So, it lays out the terms and conditions

[28:15] for for getting, you know,

[28:18] the state funds. Because actually they won't fund these road projects without

[28:24] this core agreement in place. >> Okay. Thank you, Gary.

[28:28] » Uh that is correct. Uh the only thing I'd like to add to that that is we

[28:33] currently have one now that's that's in the works, which is the Niantic

[28:38] Niantic River Road Sidewalks. That is funded through uh the state uh using

[28:45] state funds. So, we need to have the service agreement. Currently, that's

[28:48] $3.2 million that the state's going to

[28:51] has committed to us. We have a commitment letter. From the commitment

[28:55] letter, then we go to a project authorization letter. After everything

[28:59] has been done, after all the permits have been issued and all the agreements

[29:03] have been signed, then they'll give us a the last letter is a project project

[29:08] authorization letter. To get that last letter, you need to have this.

[29:13] I look at it, it's it's It is the boilerplate. Just like we have

[29:17] construction contracts, they have all how are we going to react with the the

[29:22] contractor and what methods that we use and for that interaction or what we

[29:27] require our contractors to have, you know, on the books, equal opportunity,

[29:32] all the state requirements. So, this is just what it is is is it really is a

[29:39] boilerplate that but as Nick says, this is not signed, those funds are those

[29:43] funds will not be committed. And those are any state or or federal funds that

[29:48] could be used on in the right-of-way. Could be for roads, could be for

[29:52] sidewalks, could be for drainage, but any project that could be funded by the

[29:56] state or the federal government. The funds flow down through CTDOT. Used

[30:00] to be CONNDOT, but now the CTDOT. They flow down through them

[30:05] to the town, so um

[30:08] I've used this before. I think the town's used it before. It's not onerous.

[30:12] It's it's not anything that we haven't done before.

[30:15] » So, help me to understand, Naugatuck River Road is not a state

[30:19] highway. So,

[30:21] how does the state get involved with the funding? It's good that they do,

[30:25] » uh That's

[30:27] and because there are state funds were allocated to the different COGs for the

[30:33] the local Council of Governments to uh work on projects within the local

[30:38] through through the local road networks through the town's network. So, the flow

[30:42] of money comes from the state and federal government down to the cog down

[30:48] through the cog's recommendations back up to the state then into the town. So,

[30:52] we we are using state funds for that for that project.

[30:55] » so is is Crossroads a similar situation? >> If if if we use money for for the the

[31:01] remainder of Crossroads, yes, we have several years ago about 6 years ago we

[31:05] did the pavement uh the pavement resurfacing on Crossroads and put those

[31:09] bike lanes in. That that was using federal money

[31:14] federal to state money. That was using state money uh to do that and that was

[31:18] in a tune of $800,000 I do believe for for that project. So,

[31:24] it is as as as [snorts] as Nico said, this is what's required under under the

[31:29] state statutes to use con- con. dot. ct. money

[31:33] which is state money or the federal money that flows through con. dot.

[31:37] » Thank you.

[31:40] » Greg? >> Um

[31:44] So, you had mentioned one road project that this pertains to currently

[31:49] or prospectively. Are there any others? >> Uh currently that we have right now in

[31:57] public works, no. Uh

[31:59] we are talking about not this round but the

[32:03] next round of of projects and it's uh it's in the cog's uh transportation

[32:10] plan is the remainder of Crossroads which would be from uh Parkway South all

[32:14] the way down to Route 1. Uh that portion is is in the cog's transportation plan

[32:19] also in the state's I don't want to misquote it. It's

[32:23] state's bicycle way plan. And so, uh that would be an opportunity to use

[32:29] uh those state funds for uh the resurfacing of that road and

[32:33] improvements to the sidewalks and and anything else all the way down to Route

[32:37] 1. All the way down to Route 1 right here.

[32:38] » Correct. >> Um

[32:41] Are you going to put a a bike lane down? It's pretty tight.

[32:44] » Uh well, you can go from bike lanes down to shared, you know, share the road. So

[32:48] like you could use a right-hand turn lane there.

[32:50] Yeah, I don't don't know. Again, the right way is it gets to Route 1 gets

[32:53] really narrow. It's tight. Really tight really quick. Uh but there's other ways

[32:58] of doing it. We can, you know, you can have a bike lane that then with signage

[33:02] and that narrows down to share the road. Uh which is the, you know,

[33:07] signs on the side and the uh

[33:10] the icons uh that are painted in the road.

[33:14] » Anything we can do to keep cars from idling there just moving they could

[33:18] probably have the impact that state and federal government was looking

[33:21] for. >> Right. Right. So So uh that that'd be

[33:24] the next one. Uh there there are only these funds uh at least through the cog

[33:29] can only be used on a major roads on a national road network.

[33:34] And Cross Roads is on it.

[33:37] Uh there's several others in in town that are on that uh that list.

[33:43] Uh Foxhall Street is not on that uh highway list but that doesn't mean that

[33:48] we can't apply as we get further along with the preliminary design on that to

[33:52] to apply for state federal uh road funds for that.

[33:56] » Do we have the opportunity to apply for state and federal road funds for every

[34:00] project? >> Uh not for everyone because they

[34:03] estimate that there's certain criteria of traffic flow and and vol- traffic

[34:08] flow traffic volume and that. So the the pavement on the smaller roads of a

[34:11] Quaker Hill uh that would not that wouldn't even get

[34:15] a point anywheres. >> Maybe Old Norwich though.

[34:18] » Uh Old Norwich uh could have been one but we but we went

[34:23] and did that ourselves. Right? Because we were working on uh the Niantic River

[34:28] Roadside Works using funds for that. Any projects we have here we do compete with

[34:33] the entire uh cog.

[34:36] The 11 12 communities in cog, all the communities that cog. So we So we do

[34:40] complete. Uh the cog did approve several years back a sidewalk up in Basra.

[34:46] So So it's they they rate them all that the projects they have.

[34:51] And then there's again there's not unlimited amount of money, but the money

[34:55] that's available to the cog then um

[34:59] gets gets approved, gets spent.

[35:02] » Yeah, I mean if there's federal state money available for cuz we're going to

[35:05] need infrastructure help in this town. Uh this is the reality we're going to

[35:09] face with housing and >> Absolutely.

[35:11] » if we have the growth that we're looking to have, um we're going to need

[35:13] infrastructure behind it and we're going to need to keep up with it and make

[35:16] certain specific improvements in certain areas.

[35:19] » Correct. >> Uh so every little bit I'm sure is going

[35:21] to help. >> Yes, and

[35:23] the the um prior agreement expired in February of '25. This is a 10-year

[35:28] agreement. Um we don't know um

[35:34] what what might become you know uh down the road, so it's it's prudent

[35:38] to have it in place uh just because we may not in the moment be able to foresee

[35:43] what projects what monies might be available for a

[35:46] project 3 to 5 years down the road, so it's would seem prudent to have this

[35:51] agreement in place to be in a position to utilize those funds.

[35:55] » So we haven't had the uh the opportunity in the last 18 months to apply for any

[35:59] of this this these funding. >> Correct. Um

[36:05] » It's all my funding, Rich. >> Say again?

[36:08] » No.

[36:12] » We also don't want to jeopardize getting the money for Niantic River Road.

[36:16] If this is not in place, that money may go away.

[36:19] And that project will come to a standstill.

[36:23] » I was going to ask you just about 32. 32 is a state project, has nothing to do

[36:28] with this agreement, correct? >> Correct.

[36:31] » Cuz they mentioned this during our when when we met with DOT here, but I didn't

[36:36] know if this had anything to do with it. Okay.

[36:38] » But if they were to there's a little connection spot between Old Norwich Road

[36:43] and Route 32 where they did that study, and that might go on to some of the

[36:47] municipal road. And I think maybe that's where they this would be pertinent to

[36:50] that third Route 32 project. >> Cuz we just paved Old Norwich Road.

[36:55] » They're doing going to do 32 >> Correct.

[36:57] » at some point. And there's a little gap there that we didn't pave and and I

[37:01] think they're looking at reconfiguring it, right?

[37:03] » Correct. >> Correct.

[37:04] » And they're going to pave that section. That's not

[37:07] Okay. Thank you.

[37:10] Rich, any other follow-ups? >> I have none. Thank you.

[37:12] » Any other follow-ups, Greg? >> No, I mean, can we just put it on our

[37:15] calendars in 10 years when this expires and make sure we're throwing darts at

[37:20] every available project that even comes close to meeting the

[37:24] criteria? >> Um

[37:27] that That's all I have to say.

[37:30] » I think this was back in the day when we first applied for this 4 years ago, it

[37:34] was bike lanes. That was the initiative from the state of Connecticut DOT and

[37:38] COG. So, this is why even Niantic River Road we were like,

[37:42] "Oh, really? All right, this might qualify." And when two people passed

[37:45] away on the road, we were like, "Pedestrian

[37:49] conscious at the time." And this is how slow municipal government works, Gary.

[37:53] Cuz now we're 4 years later um and still plugging away.

[37:57] » I would like to take a moment here

[38:01] to talk about fatalities on roads. Bloomingdale Road,

[38:05] you know, the Coast Guard cadets run on that road, so does UConn College, and a

[38:09] lot of other pedestrian use there. And I'd like to see if we can

[38:15] you know, maybe next time we do Bloomingdale Road, or

[38:19] even outside of that, get a sidewalk project going to see if we can get money

[38:22] for that for Bloomingdale Road. >> Runners don't run on the sidewalk

[38:25] anyway, it seems. Every time you see them, they're in the

[38:28] street. >> Yeah, well, they're running

[38:30] » Sidewalk or not. >> They'll run three wide, you know, on

[38:33] Bloomingdale. That's not a good road to do that. A lot of dog legs.

[38:36] » Yeah. >> And hills.

[38:40] » Yeah. Can you I can

[38:41] » Cuz it's a big It's a big lift for the town to put a sidewalk through there,

[38:44] you know, and I think it's going to provide benefit to

[38:48] you know, the Coast Guard Academy, too. >> Right.

[38:53] Good point. Um any other follow-ups? Rich?

[38:56] Any other follow-ups? You? Okay, good. Thank you. And thanks for the

[38:59] explanation for this 10-year plan. I appreciate it. Um so, all those in

[39:04] favor, please say I. >> I. I.

[39:07] » And Gary, thank you. Appreciate it. Uh no appointments or resignations,

[39:13] no new business, no old business, but I do have correspondence that I think they

[39:17] have gone to everyone. They went to me. Um it was about

[39:23] It was anonymous. We still added it, and I and it was still accepted by

[39:29] um Was this your department that ended up getting this directly, the finance

[39:33] department? The Flock camera letter. It wasn't addressed to anyone except

[39:38] town representatives. Um and I just figured just put it all on

[39:43] um on mine, start the conversation. I mentioned it to the chief. Police chief.

[39:48] He got a copy of it as well. So, the police commission, who's responsible for

[39:53] Flock cameras and that nature, are going to start talking about that maybe at the

[39:56] next meeting. So, I did want I just wanted to have this on cuz I know you've

[40:00] talked about Flock, I think. >> Yeah.

[40:02] » I know Rich, you've talked about Flock cameras, too.

[40:05] So, just to have this kind of out here. Here's a letter that everyone got in the

[40:09] region, not just our town. So, this was a

[40:13] a pretty thorough uh correspondence. >> Yeah, I'm I'm happy to go publicly

[40:17] against Flock. You know, I'm happy to speak to a public.

[40:21] » Yeah. So, you got the correspondence. I will keep you guys in mind even if

[40:26] there's something that the police commission and the chief does have

[40:29] information, I'll have them share. I'll have them come to the next meeting so we

[40:32] can talk about it, but this will be a transparent conversation with our town.

[40:36] And or at least with me. So, okay. I wanted to give you that

[40:40] update. I do have a tax refund. You just looked

[40:44] at it before the meeting. There's only a couple of names. If you guys could just

[40:47] take a quick peek at that.

[40:57] Pretty small. >> So, this is one page, right?

[41:00] » Yeah.

[41:05] So, thanks for that and I'll entertain a motion for a tax refund in the amount of

[41:09] $5,952.83.

[41:12] » So moved. >> Second.

[41:14] All those in favor, please say aye. >> Aye.

[41:16] » Aye. >> Aye.

[41:18] » Good. Thank you for that.

[41:22] And I do have a board of selectmen meeting

[41:26] minutes for the August 4th. Were you guys able to take a peek at the minutes?

[41:31] » I have no comments. >> Any questions or comments? Or I'll How

[41:34] about I entertain a motion to accept the meeting minutes?

[41:36] » So moved. >> Second.

[41:37] » Thank you. Now, is there any questions on that at all?

[41:39] » I have none. >> I have none.

[41:40] » No. Okay, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? Good.

[41:45] Thank you very much. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

[41:47] » So moved. >> Second.

[41:48] » Thank you. All those in favor? >> Aye.

[41:50] » Have a great night, everyone.

BOS 2026/08/18

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