What’s Happening in Haddam!
By Edward Munster.
This regular meeting of Haddam’s Board of Selectmen, via GoToMeeting.com, was called to order by First Selectman Bob McGarry at 6:30 PM. Also in attendance were Selectmen Sean Moriarty and Kate Anderson and Administrative Assistant Joanne Ricciardelli.
Under Public Comments, Neil Peron pointed out that Injun Hollow Road in Haddam Neck was showing signs of deterioration to which First Selectman Bob McGarry responded that he would bring that to the attention of Chris Corsa, Asst Dir of Public Works.
In the Selectman’s Update, FS McGarry reported on a number of projects: The Phase 2 environmental analysis on the Rossi property is completed and the BOS are awaiting the report. The Town has applied for a Municipal Brownfield grant of $1,800,000 for the cleanup of the Scovil Hoe property.
In Tylerville according to the State the construction of the round-abouts will take place from Spring 2023 through Fall 2024. This work will be done at night to minimize the impact on traffic. The sidewalks along Bridge Road need a DEEP easement. This work will start in the Spring of 2022. Sidewalks in Haddam center may start this year. DOT has signed off on the design.
Road improvements: Drainage work is underway in the area of High Street and Lake Avenue. There are 20 roads scheduled for various improvements in this year’s road plan.
Town Budget: Haddam’s newly appointed Finance Director Ann Harter started her position April 5. The Board of Finance is currently working on the town’s proposed budget. The BOS approved the cost of the Valley Shore dispatch service but is still waiting for estimates for the cost of health benefits and pension costs. The Capital budget is being developed and will be discussed at a joint meeting of the BOS and BOF on March 19. From the American Rescue Plan the Town is expecting to receive $808,000. The plan also includes money for counties and Haddam will get additional monies as a share of that.
Covid-19: Haddam experienced 74 cases in March 2021 which was the largest monthly total yet. To date in April the number of cases is 31 and the total for the year has been 380 cases. The new cases are affecting more younger people on average. The rate of positive test cases, hospitalizations and new cases are trending up for the state of CT as a whole. Vaccines are now available for those age 16 and higher.
Union negotiations are scheduled with both the Clerical union on March 25 and the Teamsters union on March 30.
RSD17 report from Jennifer Favalora: HKMS 7th grade student Lily Austin placed 1st in the Lions International Pease Posted Contest in our region and went on to place 2nd for the state. Lily is the first HKMS student to place at the state level. Many of our staff and educators have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 as a result of coordination between CRAHD and Nutmeg Pharmacy as of early April. The Facilities Committee proposed and the BOE agreed to request proposals for an Educational Facility Assessment, a Demographic Study and a Board of Education Master Plan to assess the condition of the district’s buildings to guide maintenance and improvements over the next decade.
RSD17 Budget: The BOE approved a 2021-22 RSD gross budget of $42,749,049 which will be brought to referendum in both towns on May 4. This year the Killingworth share of the budget is increasing because Haddam’s enrollment is down by 81 students and Killingworth is down by only 28 students. Other budget highlights include that salaries will have only a slight increase of .23% due to a reduction of 5.5 staff and four retirements. The 3.5% increase in cost of health benefits though the CT State Partnership II Plan will be offset by using $208,000 from the District’s Medical Self Insurance fund from when the district was self-insured. There is a significant increase in Special Education of $902,000 (17%) as a result of tuition, transportation and professional services. The RSD Board in making investments in Covid learning recovery. Additional Federal Coronavirus Grant Funding is expected which will be used to invest in reading and math support staff, expand access to summer school programs, add social-emotional programs for grades 4-12 and upgrade technology and connectivity in the schools. Check the RSD website for the Adopted BOE Budget on RSD17.0rg under “District” à “Budget Information”.
Economic Development Commission: Selectman Kate Anderson reported that the EDC will meet at 6:30 PM on April 14. Topics she discussed involved a project proposed by Elm Tree Partners to place 80 one and two bedroom apartments in Tylerville in two phases of 40 each . This has been reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee but has not yet been approved by Planning and Zoning.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 PM.
