By Gigi Simko
(November 20, 2022) — The regular meeting of Haddam’s Board of Selectmen on November 14, 2022, at Old Town Hall was called to order by First Selectman Bob McGarry at 6:30 pm. Selectmen Kate Anderson and Sean Moriarty and Administrative Assistant JoAnn Ricciardelli were in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting on October 11, 2022, were approved unanimously.
In his update, First Selectman McGarry stated that the Scovil Hoe purchase will close soon. Weight limits for the Swing Bridge were lowered to 16 tons, which should not affect school buses. During bridge closure, the proposed pick-up point for Haddam Neck students is the Haddam Neck Covenant Church in East Hampton. The Beaver Meadow Road culvert project and the Bridge Road and Haddam Center sidewalks are progressing. Haddam was the only applicant for the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) $320,000 grant.
Townwide turnout on election day was 71.7%. Approximately 140 people attended the special town meeting on November 9, 2022, which Tony Giamei moderated. The following items were approved at the meeting: purchase of the Rossi property, transfer of $1.1 million from General Fund to Capital, re-appointments to Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Authority for Peter Christopher, David Law, Jason Lonergan and Jennifer O’Neal, and Prem Aithal to the vacant RSD 17 Board of Education seat.
Selectman Anderson reported turnout for the Fall Festival was phenomenal. More than $6,000 was raised for the Haddam Fuel and Food Bank. The Haddam Pop-up Market will open on November 18, 2022 and will run five weekends in a row, Thursday through Sunday. Proceeds will also go to the Haddam Fuel and Food Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will visit the market on December 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the former Haddam Elementary School. Tylerville’s tree lighting ceremony is still scheduled for December 2nd at 4:00 pm, and Haddam Neck’s on December 3rd.
Selectman Anderson made a motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $18,017.73. There was no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously.
New business included Selectman Moriarty making a motion to hire Daniel Pucillo for the Public Works Maintainer position. There was no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. Daniel Belanger resigned from the Haddam Parks and Recreation Commission. The vacancy will be posted and volunteers solicited. Jessica Condil resigned from the Director of Senior and Social Services position, but agreed to work part-time until a replacement is hired. Selectman Moriarty made a motion to appoint Steve Bayley to the Board of Finance. There was no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously.
Selectman Anderson asked for an update on cell phone towers. First Selectman McGarry replied that when he spoke with Homeland Towers last month, they claimed it was in the Federal Aviation Administration’s control. He promised to follow up with another call this month.
The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2022, at 6:30 pm. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm.
