By Gigi Simko
(December 21, 2023) — The regular meeting of Haddam’s Board of Selectmen on December 11, 2023, was called to order by First Selectman Robert McGarry at 6:30 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 21 Field Park Drive, Haddam. Selectmen Kate Anderson and Peter Baird were present.
First Selectman McGarry provided the following updates:
- On December 1, 2023, signalized one-way traffic went into effect on the Swing Bridge. Two 63-hour closures are anticipated this winter, one in late December and another in January.
- Higganum Cove overlook is complete.
- Homeland Towers has submitted an application to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for a tower site to be located in Haddam Neck.
- He and Chris Corsa, Assistant Director, Public Works Department, completed 12-hour Local Traffic Authority training, as required by the last legislative session.
Selectman Anderson shared that she attended the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities convention on November 28, 2023 and learned about potential Department of Energy and Environmental Protection funding for bike trails.
Scott Larson from the Haddam Neck Fire Department made a presentation to purchase a tanker to replace the current one that is 26 years old. The purchase of the tanker, as well as a van and roof replacement, were referred to the Board of Finance.
Motions were made to hire or appoint the following individuals to the respective position or committee. All motions carried.
- Meghan Foreman as the Fire Department Administrative Assistant
- Neal Perron as the Senior Van Driver
- April Leiler as the Animal Control Officer
- Ryan Thompson as the Board of Finance Alternate
- Marjorie Debold, Mary Lou Heger, JoAnn Woickelman, Mary Lou Pierce, Gloria Maynard, Robert Waller, Wayne Rutty, Kay Burgess, R. Thurston Clark, Elizabeth Hartke, Kim Gionfriddo, Mike Farina, Ron Pellrin, Mark Lundgren and Becky Rice to the Committee on Aging
- Scott Martinson as the Town of Haddam’s Health Director
- Peter Baird, Susan DeCarli, Tim McCane, Dorothy Gillespie, Ed Schwing, Tim Teran and Dante Ursini to the Higganum Cove Committee
- Dorothy Gillespie as the Planning and Zoning Alternate
- Gail Reynolds and Phillip Gaudreau to the Salmon River Watershed Partnership
- Gail Reynolds, Kristin Battistoni, Joanne Nesti, Sarah Neal, Teresa Resnick, Helen Hastings, Mary Nork, John Nork, Linda Talbott and Melissa Oddo to the Sustainability Committee
- Chris Corsa, Haddam Fire Department Chief or their designee, Haddam Neck Fire Department Chief or their designee and Haddam Ambulance Chief or their designee to the Street Naming Committee
- Chris Corsa as the Tree Warden
- Rich Carella of Updike, Kelly & Spellacy and Nick Grello of Zangari Cohn Cuthbertson Duhl & Grello P.C. as the Town Attorneys
Selectman Anderson made a motion to authorize the First Selectman to enter into and execute all documents necessary to have the Town receive the State Department of Economic Community Development Financial Assistance Agreement for $1.5 million entitled “Financial Assistance Proposal to The Town of Haddam for Former Cutaway Harrow Remediation Project, Round 16, Project Address: 300 Saybrook Road, Higganum, CT 06441.” The motion carried.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session to discuss 1) Sale of former Rossi property and 2) Sale and lease back of portions of the former Haddam Elementary School. Town Planner Bill Warner and Board of Finance Chair Joseph Centofanti were invited to the Executive session, which concluded at 8:21 pm.
The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at Old Town Hall, 21 Field Park Drive, Haddam. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
