Town Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, Bloomfield. We'll now rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag to the flag of the United States of America. To the republic to the republic, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty for all.

Thank you. We will continue with uh council roll call. Councelor Cooper present. Councelor Debe and Brown here. Councelor Mahan here. Councelor Oliver here. Uh council Merritt. Councelor Waterhouse here. Councelor Goodwin present. Uh, Deputy Mayor Lloyd here

and Mayor Anthony Harrington here. All are present and accounted for. We now move to announcements and presentations. The first presentation is uh going to be provided by Sabbury's 150th anniversary celebration and town recognition of 1991 Seabberry land donation. now is um and if you just that mic if you it's green. Yeah. Yes.

Hello everyone. I'm Heather Cahill, uh vice president for philanthropy and engagement at Cabberry. You want to Yep. Good evening. I'm Tina Dupont, vice president of marketing and communications.

Oh, thank you for having us this evening. We're here to talk about Seabber's 150th anniversary, which we are celebrating throughout the year of 2026. Uh, but in 1991, Seabbury deeded 70 acres to the town of Bloomfield. Um, and basically that was for public benefit for conserving open land and u making sure that all the residents of Bloomfield were able to enjoy green spaces. Um, so we were hoping that during sometime during this year, the town would recognize uh, Seabbury's historic gift. Um, and we're respectively requesting formal recognition of that land donation as part of our celebration sometime this year. Um, also to celebrate our 150th anniversary, Sbury would like to donate 150 tree seedlings to the town of Bloomfield over the next three years to put wherever they would like. And we would like to use this joint milestone where we did a some type of dedication of a signage uh for this piece of property uh to highlight both of our long-standing the town and um CB's long-standing commitment to partnership service and environmental stewardship. So we were careful if you want to advance to the uh the signage. This slide here just um circles the area of land directly across from our main entrance. Um that really kind of highlights or uh puts a positioning of where that land was donated. In terms of the signage, um I think in your packets you had three different signage uh opportunities, but we're really um we really enjoy this one here. This was option A. So, we were very careful and intentional about um conserving or really patterning the sign off of the branded Bloomfield signs that we see uh in most places that um signify parks. We have a couple of on our property as well. So, we want to carry through that branding uh really and then

put together a text that really kind of um is really within partnership with the town. So, Seabberry Conservation Area, 70 acres preserved in partnership with the town of Bloomfield. The smaller text along the bottom, it just notes that it was gifted by Churchome of Hartford, which is doing business with Seabberry in 1991. So simple and clean. As Heather noted, um once if if we get approval and uh we go through the the normal um process for sign and permitting and production, um we would align with you on a time that's neutally beneficial to organize an event around the installation of this sign, what it represents. um will, you know, do be in collaboration with town residents, our own residents, which obviously are town residents, um and any of the officials from the town of Bloomfield. So, we would really uh find a way to commemorate this uh and celebrate it uh publicly. So, that's really our presentation in a nutshell. It's pretty straightforward.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Appreciate it. Next we have a proclamation arbor recognition of David man. I will read it as follows. Arborday David M. man. Whereas Arbor Day is observed to recognize the vital role trees play in strengthening communities, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life for present and future generations. And whereas David M. Man served the town of Bloomfield with dedication, integrity, and uh vision as a member of the town council for four years, including two years as deputy mayor. And whereas David M. man's commitment to public service extended well beyond elected office through 18 years of service on the Bloomfield Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission, leadership as chair of the design review board, service as an original member of the community awareness task force and contributions to the Democratic town committee, including work to update us its bylaws. And whereas David M. Man was a devoted environmental steward who deeply valued trees and green spaces, serving as a trees for Bloomfield treekeeper, planting and caring for trees throughout town and helping to organize the Bloomfield Arbor arboretum. And whereas David M. Man's legacy is one of the thoughtful leadership, civic responsibility, and enduring care for

the natural and built environment of Bloomfield. Now, therefore, I, Anthony C. Harrington, mayor of the town of Bloomfield, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the town of Bloomfield, and dedicate this day to honor the life, service, and environmental legacy of David M. Man, dated at Bloomfield, Connecticut, this 13th day of April, 2026. And I would just like to add uh I did not serve with Mr. Man, but I certainly uh uh feel I benefited from his involvement and I serve also with the trees for Bloomfield. And I don't know when we'll begin to plan again, but I'm sure it's going to be soon. I'm looking forward to it. And there is another proclamation that goes along with it. And it's the proclamation for Arbor Day um regular Arbor Day recognition. And this states proclamation whereas in 1872 the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing lifegiving

oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our town increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. And now therefore, I, Anthony C. Harrington, Mayor of the Town of Bloomfield, on behalf of the Bloomfield Town Council, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day, and urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, celebrate, and to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations. dated at Bloomfield, Connecticut this 13th day of April 2026. Yes, I think that

congrats.

And and this first proclamation obviously is to say gone but not forgotten. I believe there's going to be a outstanding tribute that will be held uh on that day for uh David man and um so we're looking forward to it. Thank you. And at this time we move to citizen statements and petitions. So statements by members of the public may be oral or written and shall start with the speaker's name and address and shall continue for no longer than 3 minutes unless permitted by the mayor or counselor presiding. If you do not live in Bloomfield, the time limit actually is 2 minutes. Thank you. Do we have any speakers? Oh, I I think we do have Uh Paula Jones by Bear Ridge Drive. Um I hadn't planned to speak but um I did want to first of all acknowledge Seabber's contributions to the community. Um happy 150th. My husband and I over the years have done a lot of work with the Seabberry community. there is a really rocking group of environmentally committed residents there and I want to point out that they established an arboritum um which is great so I think that's also something to celebrate um first of all and secondly I want to thank the mayor for his reading both resolutions um two is unusual typically you do one for Arbor Day um it's part of kind of the ceremony

and what what the foundation is looking for and it helps us get certified as a tree city. Um, another thing that's really exciting is this year we will be we will be recognized on Arbor Day for the second year in a row as a Tree City community. There's only last year there were only 23 in Connecticut. And I just want to point out this is all through a lot of work including support by members of this council. Um, lots of volunteer efforts and I'm just going to say it, not a lot of your taxpayer money. Um, a lot of it's volunteer, a lot of it has been grant generated and um, we've really done a lot of good work and I hope we can continue to do so and I hope people will continue to be involved. So, thank you for that. You're all invited to come out on April 24th to honor Mr. Man, who we miss greatly. And, uh, this is really we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of his passing. So, not a not a better time or a place to honor him. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Uh we also enjoy visiting the homes that we planted trees to make sure they're still doing well and we enjoy that. You're welcome. Uh do we have any virtual? No. Okay. Um, okay. Thank you. Dr. Biffer, you have the floor.

Yes. James Biffer, 17 Terry Plains Road. I brought this concern up at the governance committee meeting, but I see the item is still on the agenda, but I just want you to keep in mind your policy 110 clearly states, and again, this is not a question of uh Mr. Merritt is worthy. He's certainly done a thousand things for the town. That's not the issue. It's not a question of alive or dead. The point is your own policy 110 in section 4C3C says you don't honor anybody under the policy while they're still in office. That's the only thing. You know, if Joe some year when he's no longer on the council, great. But right now, he's still on the council. So, I just want to be sure you're doing it right. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any others that would Oh, hi Miss Hursten. You have the floor. Good evening. Good evening. You have the floor. I am calling in so that I get some items on the record for the town of Bloomfield. Absolutely.

First, I want you to know that as a group of people, you have proven yourself to be untrustworthy. You do not follow the town charter. That is your basic obligation that you took an oath to do. Your violations for that charter is a blatant disrespect to the c to the citizens of Bloomio. You hired an unqualified, unexperienced town manager and allowed him to live out of town in direct defiance of what the charter says. To add insult to injury, you burden us with the prospect of giving him a car to drive in and out of town with. And then you hire an attorney that violates the rules of the charter by giving him a couple of contracts and obligations that prove to be a conflict of interest. You allow this unqualified person to redefine for his frat buddy what the definition of of residency is. And let's hope he's not using that definition for voting. It just seems like you just bend and bold the rules to fit you. I do not want to hear about Avon and Simsbury as a cons as a comparison to Bloomfield because it is not. And I think that we could save some money by taking back all those town cars and the maintenance that we responsible for for them and perhaps using that money along with the stashed funds that you took the $4 million and pay for trash. Because by eliminating trash, that is an additional tax increase. You already took the money for the trash removal and the recycling and now you're keeping it and giving us the burden of doing that in town. I think you are out of control and I'm extremely displeased and I need that on the record all of the times that you have violated your obligation, your oath to the constitution of our town. I find that

vile and repulsive. Thank you. Um, as is always a case, we ask each speaker to provide their address. If you could please provide that. Been at five Christine Sir Kimble Bloomfield for 45 years.

Thank you very much. Are there any other virtual or in-house speakers that would like to share a moment with us? Okay. Okay. So, we're going to ask one time. We're going to ask if there are any speakers a second time and the third time, final time. Uh we will close citizens statements and petitions. We'll move now to reports from council subcommittees. So the first I will respond to uh that is governance policy and economic development. We did have uh a meeting on uh April 8th and uh much of our discussion had to do uh uh with the renaming of the Bloomfield Greenway as the Joe Merritt Greenway. We have received some notification and verification from our uh town council that uh we can move forward in this process. Um and the motion passed three uh zero and one with one abstension. Uh it is going to be discussed later on in this uh council session. So um that concludes uh our discussion. We did have a limited discussion from our our director of leisure uh services regarding uh the progress of uh Rockwell Park. And um

until they have more information to provide, uh we're they're still pretty much in the process of making final uh adjustments and and uh uh getting material together to begin this summer, I believe. Um so unless uh our director would have any further comment at this time, probably not. Okay. So, we will move to finance, budget, audit, and bonding with our deputy mayor, Cindy Lloyd. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, last meeting was on 3:17, a day later because of St. Patrick's Day. Town was closed. We did have that meeting and in some there was a review per the norm of the previous month's financials as well as discussing the fact that we were very near the final submission of our audit. It was in final review stage at CLA our auditors and with the hopes that it would get completed before the end of the month and submitted as it successfully did. So thank you to the finance team and everyone that had a hand in getting that to completion before the end of March. Additionally, it does be a repeating relative to that um that success. We have uh been taken off of the watch list by S&P. And so again, I say thank you to the finance team and kudos. So, not much to report on that except that's a big thing to report for that particular um finance meeting as well. Our next meeting is coming up Monday, May 18th at 6 PM. Look forward to seeing you all there. Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor.

You're welcome. Thank you. and uh public health safety and environment councelor Todd Cooper. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um we I we have nothing to report from our uh meeting that was cancelled on April 8th due to um budget presentations. But thank you. Thank you. And education, workforce, youth development, and community services counselor Michael Oliver.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh yes, we don't really have much to report on right now besides the passing of the robots to help out with uh the board of education. Um uh it was nice to be able to attend with you uh the career day at the high school where um there was different people in town showing up and um different sponsors. It was also a robotics uh program there for like uh people that would be able to have limbs replaced by different mechanisms. So, it it was pretty cool and I enjoyed it and that's all I have to report out on. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Uh moving now to council business. We have the consent agenda. Can we have a motion to accept? Second. All those in favor I I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Uh generally it would be discussion but everyone was basically in favor but if there is any discussion please uh any council members that would like to have the floor. Seeing none. Okay. All those in favor I I I.

Those opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. The motion passes. We now are in uh new business. Just going to try to find is it we're going to this is item 2026 44. consider and take action regarding the addition of Gab Road to the town's list of roads restricted to overweight vehicles. I am searching for Okay, here it is. So, I'll be reading the motion. Is there any additional

This is I signed this and then also that's that's it. So this is uh FY20 2644 adoption of Gab Road to the town's list of roads restricted to overweight vehicles. Please review the attached memorandum dated October 8th from the chief of police, Paul Hammock, regarding the proposed restriction of oversized vehicles on Gab Road. The memorandum provides the town council with detailed information regarding the request to restrict oversized vehicles from using Gab Road. Um, so the motion to be made

if it's to Okay, I'm just going to read it. Uh move to accept the local road safety committee recommendation to restrict oversized vehicles on Gab Road. So move. Is there a second? Any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, uh all those in favor I

vote. Those opposed? Any abstensions? Motion passes. The next is regarding item 202645. Consider and take action regarding town recognition of 1991 Sabberry land donation and approval for entrance signage. Second. Second. Any discussion? I I I wonder what which of the signs you prefer? The first one. That's fine with us. This one.

Is there a I didn't hear correctly. Is there a out of ABC? Is there a choice? There was one. Yes. It was shown on the screen the one that they had preferred. Yeah. Okay. I thought maybe we had a choice. Has been made for they had three but I think they selected the first one. So we have a couple of counselors uh that are asking uh so Council Oliver and then Deputy Mayor Lloyd.

Thank you Mayor Harrington. Uh yes, I would just like to give, you know, my kudos to Seabberry for, you know, being such a big partner in town. You know, donating that much land. It it it it does numerous things, right? It preserves land for space. It gives wildlife, you got trees, and then we as people get to enjoy that space as well. Um, I remember riding my bicycle around at 11 years old on site. I probably shouldn't have been on there. Um, back in 1991. I remember it being built and um, it's just grown in town from, you know, all the way that we have what Heart Haven I think it was at first. It might be called something else now. and um but just the growth in the community is a great thing to see a partnership in town that is involved with us. So we we just want to tell you we appreciate you. Thank you very much.

Great. Great. Uh Deputy Mayor Lloyd.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. All I have to say is ditto. We do thank you for being such a long-standing partner and contributing to the community. And actually, I didn't know uh initially that that land was donated. I thought it was an extension of Samuel Wheeler Park. So, it does um aid the open space. It allows the park to stay in it condition, allowing the wildlife to traverse back and forth. I pull up there sometimes, go grab some food, and just hang out. And the wildlife there is amazing. If anybody hasn't seen it, as well as the um the view of Tala Mountain. So, it's a beautiful space. We thank you so much for contributing to that and helping us to preserve that. and congratulations on your 150 years.

Thank you. Are there any other counselors that would like to take the floor? Okay, I will read the resolution. It's a bit lengthy, so uh just bear with me.

Move to adopt the attach resolution. resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of Church Home of Hartford Incorporated, DBA Seabberry, and designating the donated open space in honor of Seabbury's conservation legacy. Whereas, Church Home of Hartford, Inc., DBA Seabberry, is celebrating its 150th anniversary of missiondriven service to older adults and to the greater Harford community. And whereas Seabberry has maintained a long-standing partnership with the town of Bloomfield, advancing shared values of community service, environmental stewardship, and sustainability. And whereas Seabberry deeded approximately 70 acres of land to the town of Bloomfield in 1991 for conservation and public benefit. And whereas this contribution has preserved vital natural resources, wildlife habitat, and open space for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations. And whereas Seabberry has further expressed its intent and connection with its 150th anniversary to continue its commitment to environmental stewardship through the donation of native trees, seedlings for planting within the town. And whereas it is appropriate for the town of Bloomfield to formally recognize this significant land donation and Seabber's continued conservation leadership. Now therefore, be it resolved by the town council of the town of Bloomfield that the town of Bloomfield formally recognizes and expresses its gratitude to Church Home of Harford Incorporated DBA Seabberry for its long-standing partnership and for the conveyance of

approximately 70 acres of conserved land in 1991. Two, designation of conserved land. The conserved acreage is hereby designated as the it says choose one seabberry conservation area the I believe that is the one that was selected correct so we don't have to mention the others three authorization and implementation the town manager or designate is hereby authorized and directed to A collaborate with Cabbury to finalize the official name of the property b coordinate the installation of a recognition sign across from the main entrance of the Seabberry campus acknowledging the 1991 land donation in Seabbury's conservation legacy. C. Update town records, maps, and public communications to reflect the designation of the property. D. Organize in partnership with Seabberry a public dedication or recognition event. Ang E coordinate with Seabberry regarding the donation and planting of up to 150 native tree seedlings over the coming years which may include white oak, red oak, sugar maple, red maple, American beach, and eastern red bud or other native species as approved by the town in support of Bloomfield's conservation land management and sustainability goals. With each of these designations, there was another name. I did not try to pronounce them. My apologies. Um, four, recordkeeping. The town clerk shall enter this resolution into the official records of

the town of Bloomfield and transmit a certified copy to Church Home of Harford Incorporated, DBA Seabberry. Although do we we already uh made a motion and seconded correct? Okay. So all those in favor I I I those opposed any abstensions. The mayor votes I and the motion passes. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

You're welcome. Now we move to item 2026-46. Consider and take action regarding the review and recommendation in the renaming of the Bloomfield Greenway as a Joe Merritt Greenway. I have a question from the Yes. May you please turn on your mic. You said I should recuse myself. I'm lying. Does that mean I should leave the room while we only voting? Okay. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um now in response to some inquiries from uh our last uh governance meeting and an inquiry this meeting, we did make contact with uh our attorney and found that um it is well within uh the right of council to move forward with this. Uh there are three areas. Um uh one is uh parks that town town owned buildings and recreational facilities. That is this is the area that we are utilizing. The others are commemor commemorative streets and plaques which it does not apply and streets it does not apply. But this area is the area that is open and available for um this to move forward. So um the motion was consider and take action regarding the review and recommendation in the renaming of the Bloomfield Greenway as a Joe Merritt Greenway. We did have a motion. It was seconded. Correct. So, so this is this is the motion here.

So, consider and take action regarding the motion the the review and recommendation and the renaming of the Bloomfield Greenway as a Joe Merritt Greenway. Do we have a motion? No. So, move. Okay. Okay. My apologies. Backing up just a bit. We need to schedule a public hearing for this further discussion. Do we have possible dates? And I believe councelor Mahan. Uh thank thank you Mr. Mayor. I wasn't sure. Were you calling?

So we I'm I'm sorry. Just Just one moment. Who second it? So now we're in discussion. Okay. Councelor Mahan and then Councelor Debean Brown and then Deputy Mayor Lloyd.

Okay. I wasn't I wasn't sure if that was my cue. Thank you. Uh Mayor Harrington. Um so, you know, I don't have a problem with this moving forward to um uh moving forward with this, you know, having the the public uh a public hearing on this issue. Um because you know I I do believe that the public should be able to weigh in and that we should have a a designated time for that. Uh personally the item itself I I do have an issue with us um uh naming something after a sitting elected official no matter what the capacity is. Um, so I I I would like to just caution us against that and and and hopefully we can um hopefully we it and it's not even like there's a sign of uh retirement or anything like that. I don't know. Joe's been talking about retiring for some time, but I don't I don't think Joe's retiring. Um he's waiting for his p he's waiting for his pension. So I he's going to be here a while. Um, so you know, I I think that we we do have to think about this uh think about this a bit more. I do think Joe is is uh welld deserving of this honor. You know, he's done a lot of work, especially with the trails. He is Mr. Trails. He uh he plowed it for for many, many years. Um, but I just I don't I'm not comfortable with uh doing a a renaming while he is still in office.

Thank you. But I'm going to I'm going to vote to move forward to uh public hearing. Okay. Thank you. Uh councelor Oliver and then uh Deputy Mayor Lloyd. Thank you, Mayor. Um yes, I I can you hear me?

Yes. Um, I want to thank councelor Mahan for bringing that up. I wasn't even aware of that he volunteered to to plow the place. Um, and to me that it shows a lot of contribution more than just time, right? And I'm about celebrating people while they're alive. Let them know and honor them, you know, because when they're not here, they don't get to witness the celebration of it. Um, I would have loved for David Man to be here right now and be able to celebrate with us, but you know, we now we have the opportunity to celebrate with someone while they're here and let's do that. And that's just my point of view. Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Councelor Lloyd. I mean, Deputy Mayor Lloyd.

Good enough. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I concur with the sentiments regarding Councelor Merritt and his significant contributions to the greenway and and everything having to do with the trails. Um, I probably can't even keep up with him hiking. So, I just give him credit for all the time, the effort, the commitment, leading the charge. And this is a well-deserved recognition. And as the controversy first arose, I went back to the policy. I read it myself. I did not believe there was a violation. Um, and thank you to our town attorney for digging a little deeper and opining on the situation. um and and that it does seem this is not a street naming. So therefore the prohibition to being a sitting counselor it it does not apply here and I'm very glad to hear that because to councelor Oliver's point we should be able to give him his flowers while he's here to smell them. So thank you very much.

Thank you Councelor Death and Brown. Thank you Mr. Chair. Um just a procedural question. Um, seeing that councelor Merritt recused himself of this vote, um, I don't remember if he voted during our committee meeting. Was he supposed to recuse himself of the vote then as well? Just procedural. We'll have to look into it off hand. I'm not sure. I think that would

He says he did not. I'm not sure that. So, um either way, I'd like for us to just to double check that. Number one,

and number two, I do um I do believe it going to a vote. I I have spoken um during the committee meeting on how I feel about this. Um thanking Joe for all his work on the trails committee cuz not I mean I don't think anybody else wanted to lead the committee and his commitment right to keeping it clean as much as he could. Um however I would I would still have to uh uh abstain from the vote. Um but I'm just trying to make sure that we did it procedurally correct. Um, I will support this going to a public hearing so that we can hear from the public. So, that's all I had to say. So, I don't know if we can figure that out tonight, but I'd like for us to be able to figure that out just to make sure that we're all in order. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

You're welcome. Uh, Council Mahan, is that a legacy hand?

No, no, it's not a legacy hand. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Um I I just you know just doubling back on a couple uh comments that my colleagues made. Um you know I it it's a I don't want us to take this moment that should be a very happy mo moment and um and try to find a a sneaky way to to make it work. Like for example, like uh like our deputy mayor said, uh you know, the trails aren't aren't covered under the policy um or aren't outlined in the policy. I mean, just because something isn't explicitly stated doesn't mean that, you know, we can't or at least um at least I believe because it seems like the town attorney um believed otherwise doesn't mean that we can't uh vote along with the spirit or or interpret this with the spirit of uh though uh of uh what was intended when we put this uh when we put this into place. So, you know, even though the trails wasn't included, I think we should still consider it in the same way that we'd consider a street or a building and in regards to a current elected official. Um, so I I really want us to think hard about this. Like I said, I I do plan on moving forward moving this forward to a public hearing and we'll hear what the public says. And I hope that if the public uh does state how they feel about it one way or the other that we would be comfortable um acknowledging uh acknowledging and and voting alongside that. So um with that, Mayor Harrington, I would just like to call the question.

All those in favor, excuse me. Uh we did have uh one counselor that has not had an opportunity to, for lack of a better term, take a bite of the apple. Um but but we can't the it's been called. So um my apologies, Councelor Goodwin and uh Deputy Mayor Lloyd. Um, all those in favor? I I I. Those opposed? Any abstensions? Mayor votes. Yay. As well.

When will that public hearing? Joe Joe abstains. Uh, uh, councelor Merritt, I'm sorry, abstains. Uh, someone else uh just wanted to know the date of the public hearing. We're working on that. Oh, the 27th. April 27th. The next regular meeting. Thank you. Is there a motion for? Yeah. We'll make a motion to move into public move to public hearing for April 27th.

Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? I.

Those opposed? Any abstensions? Mayor votes eye as well. So, the motion passes. So, the public hearing will be April 27th at our next uh scheduled council meeting. Okay. At this time, we'll now move to a report from the town manager. Okay. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Madame Deputy Mayor, counselors, staff, and citizens of Bloomfield. I will keep tonight's comments brief. I am pleased to report Bloomfield's acceptance into the Connecticut Municipal uh Development Authority, CMDA. Uh we make the 44th municipality in Connecticut to receive membership. I thank Mr. John Coleman and his team for initiating membership with CMDA and this council for having the vision to see the benefit of membership on behalf of our community. Um what does membership mean for those who have not followed uh this path that uh is now achieved a desirable end state uh for housing solutions? Uh CMDA is a critical resource for municipalities seeking practical and effective solutions to complex housing development challenges and increased demands when it comes to vibrant walkable neighborhoods. Um they help municipalities to develop modern and walkable neighborhoods where folks want to live and work without being car dependent in terms of economic growth. They provide flexible customized support that helps municipalities achieve the economic development goals that work for the community and um what it means overall is a stronger Connecticut. They foster partnerships that drive meaningful uh progress and contribute to a more equitable and propo and

prosperous Connecticut. All right. And the best part about this is that our fee to be a part of this organization is $0. Under finance, I'd like to report that the fiscal year 2025 audit is still slated for trial balances to be provided to our auditor CLA on or about the first week of May 2026. We are working with our BOE to receive their financials so that we can meet goal. Uh please be advised our community building leadership team as I had mentioned uh last week uh the name has now been changed and uh I will refer to those who are in leadership positions uh within uh the town as the community serving leadership team. The transition from CBLT, Community Building Leadership Team, to CSLT, Community Serving Leadership Team, reflects our commitment to not only building a stronger community through council's vision, policy, and leadership, but also delivering responsive, and effective services to our residents. While the town council helps shape the future of our community, town administration's role is to execute that vision through daily operations, implementation, and public service. So, um, very happy. So, you're going to start seeing hearing me say CS LT. I may um, stumble from time to time. Um, I have tremendous respect for the, uh, town manager, Mr. Hawthorne who developed the concept of CBLT and and in his honor I'm taking it to another level. So uh tremendous asset he was to the town and please understand that we're just trying to take it to the next step which is what is expected of every leader in the capacity that I sit in. Uh we have a couple of important um endeavors um coming up and I'll go ahead and tell you the the date and time of

these, but these can also be found on our town website. Uh tomorrow, April 14th, 2026 at 5:00 pm, we have a ridding ribbon cutting event at Ivy Rehab 9 Tungstas A in collaboration with the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. On Thursday, April 16th at 20 April 16, 2026 from 10:00 am to 1 pm, uh we have the feed the children resource rally that's going to be occurring. Um that's at um Carmen Arace, right? Carmen Ara and um and once again, team Bloomfield will be out there supporting this initiative. I believe the number that we're trying to take care of that evening is around 400 uh deliverables uh to numerous families and in town in the region and that the town has stepped up through volunteerism. Um they're getting to wear their their dress down clothes on that day so that they can go and unload pallets and and give it to needy citizens. Very appreciative of that. Uh I plan to get out there myself. I know the deputy town manager will be there. will be well represented with the CS uh LT. Okay. So, uh look forward to that. Um Friday, April 24th, 2026, uh 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 uh p.m. is our Arab Day celebration, which um I'm proud to know that this um council and you, Mr. Mayor, in particular, saw fit to uh recognize former deputy mayor, Mr. David Man. and uh and I know made uh Miss Sharon man just feel wonderful tonight. Okay, so uh budget meetings are underway. Uh I know uh that right now is um I just want to make sure people understand because it it seems like um there may be a little confusion uh in terms of what's happening right now with a process and

and what's happening right now is I as a town manager submitted what's known as the town manager's proposed budget. Okay, it is a proposed budget. It is not the town council's adopted budget. This is a starting point. This is not an end, right? And we have to start somewhere. And I know um councelor uh Dee and Brown had asked me last week what direction I receive to um to put this together. And I said, you know, I I understand what it means to engage in an applied task as a senior leader in the army. So I I brought that same uh mindset to this, but I do remember a meeting in which she said personally that she did not want her her taxes to go up. So with that mindset, she's my boss, right? I I used that mindset uh that information to help form this mindset. I wanted to reduce the taxes for Bloomfield as much as possible and I did not want to use any fund balance in the process. What I proposed and in doing so is what's on paper. This council with the assistance of the citizens of this community community will make a decision about what they deem to be the best quality of life for those in Bloomfield, right? Nobody is voting on my proposal. That's not what's going to become law, right, for this for this um budget season. It is a starting point and and I just want to make sure that that's clear because uh some people are are acting as if this has already happened and it's not. It's a starting point. So I I hope everyone will be uh understandable to where we're at. I truly do understand the emotion uh related to some of the

proposals in here. I I've been spending time uh talking to people uh during my off time talking to single moms uh talking to um more senior citizens in town and they've been sharing with me their thoughts and I've been telling them the same thing right and what's most important what I tell them is come here come here and engage in dialogue this is what democracy is all about especially when we start talking about it happening on Main Street USA right and I'm so very privileged uh to receive the the feed feedback uh that I have uh from some citizens who actually put their thoughts in writing and they come across extremely professional and dignified. There's no name calling. There's just understanding that the job is hard and and this didn't just become hard. Uh this was a journey to get here and now we're here. I'm trying to face the reality of what's before us. But the fact of the matter is we can keep everything in place and just pay that um mill rate that comes with it. That is a choice as well, right? We can have everything that everyone desires as long as they're willing to pay uh the price for it. But this council, I'm certain, will collectively make the best decision in the interests of those uh of this town who are deserving of the leadership each of you provide. It's an honor for me to work with the outstanding leadership of of this council and and I'll know we'll get uh to a place that's going to be uh suit the needs of everyone and and I look forward to that because as I say I I enjoy victory and and victory shall be had. So uh in terms of the meeting schedule, uh April 14th is our next day. That's tomorrow. And um uh speaking at the podium will be public safety, public works, building and land use, general government/administration, boards and agencies. On um

April 16th, we'll come back for the uh public hearing um portion of uh the the coun the the budget. Um uh and we'll also have uh the start of uh our deliberations of council and those deliberations will continue on April 20th and uh we're also trying to see about perhaps even one more because we understand the need for us to get this right. Uh so we may even add another deliberation night. So with all of this discussion being had, I'm hoping it's even clear to those who may have bit may have been a bit confused that um my budget is not the final step. It is the first step in in a budget process that has occurred in every year that Bloomfield puts together a budget as far as I go back, right? And I've been in this community or affiliated with this community since 1979. But I'd like to end on a high note and I'd like to say congratulations to Seabberry on 150year anniversary and town recognition of your 1991 land donation. Please send my personal congratulations to your amazing CEO and and and president Miss Renee Berneston and your outstanding leadership team. We are proud to have C. Barry as a sterling example of of a successful Bloomfield business. Okay? You are folks what right looks like. Okay? And that's one of my sayings. If you go upstairs my office, you'll see it hanging from one of my one of my plaques up there. Right? So, uh and thank you for being what right looks like and leading the way. Thank you so much. Um although it it may be a bit uh inappropriate. Um uh I I have a a particular boss who's who's down the to

my left down there and and I just wanted to say to you sir even though this this journey is not over over but congratulations for the recognition that you're receiving this evening um you have been serving for decades right you could have stood on the sideline and just opined about town business but you chose to get involved instead for decades right so you made yourself a regular presence in my office since my arrival and I personally thank you for your mentorship, guidance, and support. As noted by our town attorney, the naming of a trail on your behalf is the least that could be done. Uh he didn't say that. That's me saying it. Um but I'll I'll take liberty with it. What he said was it's legal, right? And I'm thinking that it's the least to be done to to recognize your greatness and selfless service and um and but the community and this council, your peers will decide. and um and I look forward to uh being able to to celebrate that if if the decision is in favor of making it happen. Okay, I will end uh tonight's acknowledgements of a great man and Mr. David Man and the man family. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for the proclamation uh that's uh signed on um with your namesake. Uh I can tell you that Mr. Man upon my arrival made made me feel very welcomed and supported in my position. uh for that I will always cherish its memory and I'm hopeful that trees for Bloomfield will continue to thrive in honor of this great man. Subject to your questions, comments or concern, Mr. Mayor, uh this concludes my report.

Thank you very much. Uh I only have a couple of comments because you pretty much handled everything. I was excited to talk about Ivy Rehab's ribbon cutting ceremony, but boom, gone. Um but I I I do want to say that we are uh anticipating from uh GMAN and York, our consulting firm, uh they uh soon will have and I believe it's May uh that we will have finalization of our uh uh the report that we've been waiting for for so long to determine uh some areas of town that uh may change zoning in terms of commercial or not commercial. Um so we've been waiting and waiting and I believe um quite a number of projects are waiting for that decision to be made. So we're hopeful for more sincere economic development in our town. Um I I wanted to also just uh mention uh that Joe is a very quiet leader except when he's on Facebook. But anyway, uh we love Joe and uh um I'm I couldn't be more proud to be even engaged and involved in in something that would be uh in his honor. Um and I believe at this point we're going to just uh move to council comments. So we will start with uh councelor Cooper. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so I just have a very few things to say. I will start out with uh just a note of congratulations from my colleague Joe Merritt. Uh, counselor Joe Merritt. Um,

you know, I I sit here I I I observe uh Councelor Merritt and um you know, you can learn just by looking at people and how they conduct themselves and um the the advice that they give you uh without letting everybody know that they're giving you advice. And so, you know, I I certainly do appreciate him uh being here. Uh and I think that the uh recognition that he's getting is welld deserved, right? when you're able to the the continuity and consistency that he's shown in working with the trails uh committee is is admirable. It truly is. Um not a lot of people will go to the lengths um that he's gone to to ensure that uh not only was it um funded, but that he also put in the work with his own hands. Uh and so he's done it all the whole gamut as far as uh uh ensuring that it was successful. Um, I also want to circle back around to um our uh report about uh joining the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority. And I want to thank our town manager and and our economic development staff uh for uh getting that pushed through. Uh I think that's very important for the development of this town and uh in conjunction with I think mayor you were probably talking about the plan of conservation development or PLCD and and both of those things coming online at the same time they meet at an intersection um that I am certain um will have um a great impact on this town. And I know a lot of folks have been waiting for some things to be done um just like uh this council and I am sure that you know with the correct leadership and with the uh the the relationships that um our leadership has has garnered with um other officials and and and those folks that we will um have some changes. Uh and I look forward to

it. Uh I'm not leading it, but certainly just want to be a part of it. Uh because I live here, too. I've been a resident of Bloomfield since uh 2007, 19 years. Uh my wife and my family, and of course, it's just my wife and I here now. So, uh I'll leave you with this. I am a town counselor, but I'm also a resident of Bloomfield. And so, this budget is important to me, uh just as it is to you, my residents and neighbors. And thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, sir. Uh, councelor Debean Brown.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so thank you, Mr. Town Manager, for trying not not to raise my taxes. However, um, cutting out the programs that our residents so, uh, need and desire and richly deserve is not, um, is not a desire of mine. Um I am um really hoping that our residents come out and speak on this budget. I am a little bit miffed that some of the information that I requested um I haven't received as yet. Um that information will help to um help me to make sure that I'm making the right decisions. Right. I think it's important that our residents get the services that they desire, that they need that is so vital to our community. I am committed to protecting our most valued and our most vulnerable vulnerable, our youth and our seniors. I'm also very committed to making sure that we have trash pickup and very committed to making sure that our taxes doesn't increase um in in an event that's going to harm uh more. Unfortunately, we started at a tax increase with the phase in um from the revaluation and next year we're going to start at another tax increase. So, I think we need to be very mindful of how we maneuver this year, how we rightsize this year moving into next year. So, I would just make that um statement out there so that our residents do know my position. Um, I think it's important that we honor the work that volunteer members of the council um perform because when we invest our time, that's the only um commodity that we have that we can never

get back. Once you spend time, time is done. So, I don't want us to um mistakenly attribute the value of someone's time based on whether we name a street, a bridge, a roadway, a building for them. I think that kind of like diminishes the investment in which they put in. So, I want to make sure that I'm clear about that. Time is the only commodity that we can never regain and or replenish. And so therefore, I respect the time that people put in to whatever it is, especially Mr. Merritt who's been on the council since the inception of the town of Bloomfield. it seems like. Um so I don't want us to diminish that that the work that Joe has put in and I don't want that to come down um that value to be um on a single vote whether you go here or there because everything leads down a rabbit hole. So it depends on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. Just like Mr. man. Um, David, I met David with a spade in his hand and that's who David was, right? So, we honor him for the work that he does, the time that he committed. I honor each of the counselors for the time that we put into this. Um, so I just want us to be mindful of of how we attribute um value and and I would just say that to my counselors. I'd also say that it's really important that we hear what the community is saying. It's not five people. It's not 10 people. It's a community and we were elected by that community to serve that community. I want my colleagues to keep that in mind. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Appreciate the

time. Thank you. Uh, Councelor Oliver. Council Oliver, we'll move to uh Council Mahan. He may have Oh, Council Oliver.

Yeah, I apologize. I kept hitting the screen and it just wouldn't unmute. Um, you know, I just want to say that we we do expect to see things cut in this budget. Um, I do appreciate the town manager clarifying that it was his budget and not our our choosing. Um, there are plenty of things we need to look at. We need to speak up for the residents and we also need to look at, you know, where we can make cuts in hard places. And, you know, we need to do it as a team. We need to support the town manager in that. And I apologize for for not catching that on my end. Um, you know, as I'm new. Um, but you know, we're here as a team. We we need to figure out what is best for our residents. And I'm wondering if we can send out a questionnaire to the residents in Bloomfield on, you know, uh, 1 through 10, like in different areas on what they would like to see in town stay and and things like that. I don't know if that's something we could do with the expenses, but it's just it's just an idea. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, Councelor Mahan.

Thank you, Mayor Harrington. Um, you know, I'm I'm I'm excited to uh go through this budget process even even though it's uh it's it the current the proposal is a bit challenging and the the um you know items that have been taken out in order to uh mitigate a tax increase or are things that our residents see as non-negotiables that I see as non-negotiables. I'm the reason why I'm excited is because uh I'm seeing a number of residents get engaged uh residents that I've I've never seen get this involved before starting to get engaged, starting to um get a be a part of the process. And I I think that we're going to see even more folks as the uh as the budget presentations unfold uh as as we begin to discuss and go into deliberations, I believe we're going to see even more residents get involved in this process. So, it's it's an exciting exciting time. And what I would encourage is for uh you know if you're listening, if you're involved, reach out to your neighbors. Uh reach out to your family in Bloomfield. Let them know that you know this budget is your budget. Uh how we allocate your tax dollars. Um is a very important endeavor. Um and you should get involved in that endeavor. Um, I saw there was a and I circulated um a petition that's going around. I would encourage residents to also read the petition. If you agree with it, sign it and and keep uh and keep sharing it. Um, uh, I I'm always excited to see more input from our residents and, uh, I I know that as we keep moving forward, um, I'm hoping that we can identify, uh,

better places to cut so that we can keep the, um, the the benefits and perks that we're used to in in Bloomfield. Thank you. Uh, councelor Merritt.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I u I am very honored by uh your sentiments about my uh service in the bike path and the East Coast Greenway. And uh I I just don't it means a lot to me. It really does. And I appreciate you're doing this. Um I uh I've worked that but what I've done in the council for going back 50 years when I started u has been projects like this the greenway. I started out my first term back in 1975 fighting for the uh EMS or ambulance and we didn't have an ambulance service then and uh it was they were meat wagons and professionals um came in came in town and professional ambulance service came late. They didn't arrive quickly and they all they were doing were picking up the body and taking it to the hospital and it really didn't work and they weren't equipped to give medical attention or anything. So we uh East Harford has done a good job and uh we talked to them and uh set up our own ambulance service and wanted to be able to get to people's houses quickly and give them treatment there, not not wait carry them to the hospital an hour later. It it was too late. Uh we were mostly considering heart attacks and so I we we fought for that and successfully set it up and it was the first thing I did in a project

for the town of Bloomfield and I that's what turns me on doing good things for the town and I uh thought the things like I wanted early learning very concerned about our u lack of early learning we provide provided it free at one point couldn't afford it so we cut it out. Um it's but we had some nontown ones that like Bel and I work very hard to try to keep Bel going and succeeded for a while and it finally failed but other places picked it up and we had early learning provided which is very important and we the town finally we got a more event got involved and we we have more of that. So that's good. Um but other things uh like the uh work very hard to get the golf course going and that was I thought really important asset and I think it's was important for the town and has been very successful and then things like the library and which I think we finally got going u and the new library and both of them and so the but the east coast greenway was something that has taken so long and worked on so long like 20 years and it moves so slowly and these things don't happen uh without a subcommittee or a group of people pushing it all the time um because it it's early to sidetrack things. I was talking to somebody today about uh like the park over here. We never would have gotten that park fixed up if we hadn't wanted a committee. And that's what you need. You need somebody advocates pushing all the

time and reminding people. And so we now have a we have a committee for the bike path, the East Coast Greenway and other paths because this is just the start. We're trying to we have a very lousy system of sidewalks in town and we very badly need Shear brought that up and said we we really would like a sidewalk and and I think that's something we're going to be able to do but uh uh but we've we've been able to find a way to use the East Coast Greenway uh as a as a bike path across town so that it goes goes from a center to the high school to 33 park and then goes into the other library on in Blue Hills and and the our new recreation center there. So, it provides a real system of network of uh we're going and we're not limiting ourselves. Uh, in fact, the one to there was a hearing last week with the neighborhood on our bike path going to Bills Avenue. Uh, and people are always concerned. They they always think, "Well, I don't want that in my backyard. I don't want anything in my backyard and that's that's nimi. I mean, that's not my backyard. I put it somewhere else." They're not saying it's a bad thing, but they're worried that criminals are some some bad things are going to come on bikes. They don't. And we we knowing from Simsbury when they uh first put bike paths in way before we did. Um people said, "Don't put that by my house." But the very people that complained the most then built an entry ramp from their house right on the bike path. They loved it. And that same thing happened in Bloomfield. We had few of my neighbors protested. One had a garden

where they wanted to put the bike path even though it wasn't in her land. And uh it it when we when we put it in there um they they they now she loves it. She went out she goes out and sits in her garden and talks to people as they go by. It's a real neighborhood thing. And so anyway, I'm I'm very honored by this and it means a lot to me and I want to thank you. Thank you. We'll move now to uh council comments from Derell Goodwin. Skip me.

Thank you, mayor. I just wanted to again thank all the um folks in Bloomfield for sending your love and prayer to Kentavis and I. I want to report that our daughter got to come home from the NICU today. So, we are a little bit closer to being able to come home in Bloomfield. So, thank you for all of your support um and your encouragement. I also want to thank um many people in the town who have been very thoughtfully responding to your thoughts and feedback about the budget. Um I really do believe that this is something that we are working on together. I want to continue to encourage that the budget process is not done. It's not over. This is the ripe opportunity for people to offer feedback to offer thoughts about how we might collectively move a budget forward that is indicative of what the residents of Bloomfield desires. But I think also um what the town council would put forward keeping in mind those who are the least and the last, those who are pushed to the margins and those who will be most impacted by some of the proposed changes. So thank you for your involvement. Thank you for your voice and I look forward to um the public comments um that more towns people will be able to share their thoughts and opinions. Other than that, thank you Bloomfield.

Thank you uh Councelor Waterhouse. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to say I'm very excited for this next phase for to honor Joe and for it to go to public public comment, public whatever.

Um, but Joe, you've been a constant driver to better this town for the last 50 years, not even through town council, but through our own RTC. You have been a supporter, huge supporter, and that hands down can never be argued. So, I'm very excited to help drive this for you as well. And thank you all for coming out. The budget's not over yet. We do have a lot of work, but I am sure that we will we'll figure it all out. And it will be, you know, it's not easy. Nothing's ever easy, but we will figure it out. Thank you, uh, Deputy Mayor Lloyd.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I shall not be long. Congratulations again to Seberry, and thank you for your generous contribution. I would say Joe, job well done. More work to do and welld deserved as well. There are many non-starters and not the entire proposed budget, but many things that we know we just will not be able to sit well with. So, I look forward to working with everyone to ensuring that our residents are able to enjoy and be benefactors of the services that we need to have in Bloomfield simply as a quality of life issue. for the young, the old, and everyone in between. Thank you.

Thank you. And at this time, I will provide a few uh moments of commentary. Uh, I do want to um there is a committee thrills committee that uh is or has been brought on board by the mayor. It's a ad hoc committee and currently they need more members and tonight what we'd like to do the first thing because there are other seats that they would like to fill but uh as of today uh we're recommending as vice chair of that committee uh Elizabeth Waterhouse. Now it's not necessarily uh a committee that we have to vote on. This is just uh giving providing some information to the community and hopefully uh others will will see interest and uh becoming involved as well. So as far as my comments um I really want to say that I'm excited. Uh I it's nerve-wracking. Absolutely. Um but I think we because there is so much generated interest in our budget uh and we're getting feedback from so many people via email, phone calls, texts. Uh some are very very uh uh good-spirited, some are not, but we take it all in. And when we have our opportunity for uh

community participation on the 16th, uh I'm sure we'll hear hear a lot more. But let me just say what we've heard thus far. Um our seniors are important in this community. Um and we're going to find a way to make the necessary moves to uh support them. our kids. Leisure time, leisure activities is very important in in this community. Trash collection is very important. We just have to find a way to mitigate uh overextending ourselves. And I believe this council um with the differences that we share will get together and make the right decisions for this community. Um, I know it's very easy to go on Facebook and and and make comments that way. I I was very happy that the town manager uh emphasized the fact that this was his initial budget. It's always presented by the town manager and then council takes it and communicates with management and leadership and makes decisions that um hopefully will be the best and most suited Florida community. So, I'm really excited about that opportunity. Um uh if if you know me, I you know, I haven't participated on Facebook. I continue not to uh pursue that avenue, but if you email me or call me uh I will respond to you uh in hopefully a favorable uh fashion. If I can't find that information out immediately, I will

research it and provide it uh to you. So, um, with that in mind, I guess that concludes our council comments. And we will now, uh, move to another area of this meeting and that would be executive session. Is there a second?

All those in favor? Okay. So in this session we will have our town attorney, our town manager, deputy town manager and and Anatasha will be joining us as well. Everyone else I believe is in the process of exiting. We do the vote. Sheila. Yes. Yeah. Uh you can't go. Joe. Joe. Joe

for a moment. All those in favor. Hi. Uh those against I sorry. Oh okay. Uh any abstensions? We have one late comer. Do you have a vote?

Okay. Thank you. So all in favor uh we will move to executive session and I believe attorney Grumby will Wait. Good luck. ladies. Are we good?

What I'm going to say is the flame of Tomorrow.