Town Council - Regular Meeting

Special Meeting of March 10, 2026

Regular Meeting of March 10, 2026

Special Meeting of March 12, 2026

Review and Possible Action on Bid for Towing, Maintenance and Repair of Police Vehicles

The Council is asked to consider award of a contract to Belltown Motors for this work in accordance with Chief Woessner’s memorandum. As described in the Chief’s memo, two proposals were received and the Belltown proposal was most favorable to the Town. Belltown is recommended for a one-year contract.

Proclamation for Retiring Public Works Employee Henry Tarryk

Sub-Committee Reports & Updates

Matters Related to the WPCA Restructuring

The Council is asked to review an ordinance effecting the changes approved by the Council at its Special Meeting on March 12. Additionally, the Council will be asked to discuss and consider potential actions related to assignment of Joint Facilities memberships and other organization matters related to the Town Council’s role as the WPCA along with review of some current projects and activities to determine plans. Once an initial version of the ordinance is deemed acceptable to the Council, a public hearing will need to be set. In order to move the matter ahead quickly, the Council could establish the public hearing and ordinance consideration for a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 7. If approved that day, the ordinance would be considered officially in effect on April 28 in accordance with the Town Charter.

Consideration of Actions Regarding Acquisition of 292 West High Street

The Council is asked to consider actions related to the potential purchase of 292 West High Street for an open space buffer around the wastewater treatment plant. The Board of Finance reviewed the matter at a Special Meeting on March 16 and approved a resolution authorizing the sale and the appropriation of funds from the General Fund Reserves. Based on the previous consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission for the statutory 8-24 review, this item will need to be presented to that body again at its meeting on April 1 to issue its opinion. The Council could then take action on the proposed resolution at its first meeting in April for a Town Meeting action on April 28.

Discussion of Tax Relief Programs

The Council is asked to continue its discussion of methods for tax relief. Under state statutes, a number of mandatory and optional programs exist for granting of relief. The attached material includes Office of Legislative Research Reports outlining the current mandatory and optional programs. The report related to optional programs has been marked to indicate those that have been adopted by the Town and showing a Town Code section reference. The report also shows programs the Council could consider, which includes those programs approved in the last few years since the Council last looked at these programs. Also included is an excerpt of the Town Code showing the current optional programs in place as well as excerpts from the statutes and the most recent Public Act regarding optional programs.

Review and Possible Action on Police Department General Orders

The Town Council is asked to consider updates to two General Orders from the Police Department and one new General Order. As described in Chief Woessner’s memorandum, the orders are being updated or created based on directives from the Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

Review and Possible Action on Amendment to the Town’s Pension and Retirement Income Plan

In follow up to its approval of a revised collective bargaining agreement with the Police Officer’s union, the Council is asked to consider the formal amendment of the Town’s pension plan to implement the changes approved in the collective bargaining agreement. As a reminder, these changes include the following: 1. Changing the final earnings calculation from 60 consecutive months to 48 consecutive months with an allowance to substitute up to six months impacted by payment of Worker’s Compensation in lieu of pay. 2. Changed eligibility for retirement back to 20 years from 25 years for all members. 3. Provided a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 1% annually beginning at age 62. 4. Provided for a Service Purchase of up to 5 years at the employee’s expense for prior military or police service. 5. Pension contribution increases for Officer’s hired before 2017 from eight percent (8%) of their earnings to ten percent (10%), matching the rate for more recent hires.