Town Council - Regular Meeting

Hi. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call this meeting the regular meeting of the Plymouth Town Council. Uh March 3rd, 2026, 700 p.m. Um this is our call to order. Uh fire exit notifications. If you exit the rear of the building or the rear of this room, go to your left, you go through two doors and out to your right out to the parking lot. If you go to your right, you will exit through the police um station uh area. You go out to the right and then turn left. That will get you out of the building safely. Uh item number three is the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you very much. Uh we have a simple invocation this evening. I will be pleased to do it. God bless the town of Plymouth and God bless America. Short and sweet. Uh I also just want to know for the record that I was in communication with Councilman Engel. He has recently had surgery and he's um a little bit uncomfortable and he's probably more uncomfortable trying to navigate um after a hip surgery um with the weather this evening. He reached out to me very early and um asked if it was okay and I had a quorum. So I said that it's fine. So I appreciate his notification. Uh moving to item five. Uh a motion would be in order to accept the many minutes from the February 3rd, 2026 meeting. Is there a motion to accept those minutes?

So

motion sue. Uh Mr. Zigerski, I could take that as a second. You okay with that? Is there any discussion on the minutes from February 3rd? Seeing none, a voice vote. All those in favor of accepting the minutes from February 3rd say I. Is anyone opposed? Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. Thank you very much. I'd like to move to item number six, which is is there anyone who'd like to speak from the public on any agenda item? It's a real thin agenda, so probably no one this evening, but on the agenda items. On the agenda items, public comment. Seeing none, thank you. We're going to move to the mayor's report. I did provide folks a copy of the mayor's report. It's pretty much the same except for the spelling errors that I found when I reviewed it. Um the uh more general information folks are kind of where we are in a couple of things that is going on. Uh the the proposed budget um was provided to the board of finance last Thursday evening. Um I did work in co collaboration with the finance director. We did identify a couple of items that we wanted to change and that happened after I emailed them the the original proposal. uh we had overstated a couple of revenues um and then there was a couple of clerical errors. Basically what happened that we had counted revenues for uh low and state grants in two different locations. So we had overstated our revenue. We made those corrections and provided it back to the board of finance. Uh during that meeting, I also mentioned to the board of finance that um I encourage them to continue to engage the mayor uh

the mayor's office and the uh in the finance uh area of the town. Um we are still working through uh revenues and there's a couple of outstanding items insurance and and benefits and so on that we're still waiting for numbers but we will continue to work with the board of finance uh on on the budget development. Uh, one of the highlights is very important. I want to uh mention um was that I basically covered the larger expense item and revenue changes along with the uh recommendation to use funding from the undesated fund balance to help offset capital expenditures and debt service expenditures. Um that we we discussed that point and others during the meeting. Also, I want to note that the board of finance has scheduled and began meetings with the individual departments in their budgets. It was brought to my attention that the full schedule of the board of finance meetings is not posted on the website. Uh I will get to work on that tomorrow because the uh board has posted and they voted on their own schedule. I'll get that list up. We have not set the tri board meeting date. Um this this uh was something that kind of occurred to me after I published this and sent this to you guys. Um I would like folks to consider um and I asked the board of finance to consider having the public hearing independent of the night of the tri board meeting. I know that there's a lot of questions. There's been a lot of questions have come to the office about how the um you know what what is reval what's you know how does it work you know what's the impact on the budget so I think it might benefit the community to for us to consider having the public hearing separate from the tri board meeting or that used to be how we did it when I was on town council some time ago and when I was on originally u on the

board of finance now over the past several years we've had the public hearing prior to the tribe board meeting. And I think it would be there may be more conversations. There may be more comments from the public, but I'd like you folks to think about that as an option. The date has not been set yet. Um it I know there's a lot of meetings as we move toward the middle of April. Um but let's stay in communication. Give that some thought. Uh it might be something for you to consider. Um, I want to let you know the mayor's office has been working with state and federal representatives regarding grants and other funding that might be available for infrastructure and recreation projects. Uh, we actually met with representative uh representatives from uh Johanna Hayes uh this morning. Uh we are aware of uh lots of opportunities. These are not uh grants that just happen overnight. It's not like you sign the paper and you get the check. uh they're complicated, the process is a little bit convoluted in my opinion. It takes some time. Uh but those meetings have started and we reviewed and identified the three top projects that we are interested in dealing with roads uh renovations uh to buildings, including renovations and or additions to buildings to uh deal with our space issues and the police department issues um as well as recreation uh possibilities as well. So, we just want to let you know that we are also attending a we're scheduled to attend a webinar being sponsored by Senator Blumenthal's office and that is uh a very similar process to help us identify potential grant sources as well as walk us through the processes. This includes community projects as well as human service and recreation projects. Uh we also met with uh myself and the recreation director met with the Army Corps of Engineers. Uh their headquarters is up in um I think it's

New Hampshire. Not sure exactly where they were located, but we did a Zoom meeting and we discussed uh the use the overall use and possible upgrades to the Hancock Brook Dam flood control property. A lot of people don't realize that that property is available. It's underdeveloped. Uh but there's some reasons why you're limited on what you can do because at times that could that whole area could possibly be underwater. But there are some options. So, we've opened up those conversations um as an opportunity to uh increase the recreational area trails, um ATV trails, all those kinds of things. So, those conversations just got started uh and I've asked our recreation director to stay on point for those uh to schedule follow-up meetings. I attended meetings at the state capital in support of legislation to modify the educational cost sharing formula the ECS and that determines the state funding for local public education costs. Um the I might mention this but the u formula is virtually unchanged since 2013 and it's a very uh very hot topic with the leg legislature excuse me. I think uh it's getting some traction and support and support uh to modify that. We don't know if that would happen this term because it's a short session. Uh but we are we are pushing on it and we are also working with uh the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities which we are a member and they are also a lobbying group. I want to give you some updates regarding public works. Uh we received over 40 applications for the highway supervisor position. Our public works director, Joseph Neski, is in the process of screening the applicants and will be coordinating coordinating interviews in person interviews with members of the public works board over the next few weeks. Um, I'd like to say that winter's almost over, but as you all know from this

evening, it is not. Uh, but I hope we've seen the last of the snow. As you might expect, this severe winter has put a strain on our supply and overtime budgets. I will be working with the public works director and the finance department as well as the board of finance to ensure we make the account adjustments or transfers that are necessary to manage our expenses. I do not have a figure on that yet. We're hoping within the next couple of weeks to have a little bit better handle on um you know some of the things that we had to purchase. We had to purchase a lot of additional sand and salt as did almost every community in the east coast. Uh Joe, our public works director, and I met with the Nagatuck Valley Council of Government's staff to complete the pre-application paperwork needed for the state funding, that's Ladip Lot, CIP, uh for the Tory Crossing Road project. Things look very favorable. Um we've we're pretty confident that we're on target uh for the paperwork that's necessary for us to complete the design. The design is about 85% complete. We've been doing some follow-ups with the uh various people that have been invol involved in the pre-esign. We've started meetings with the local uh property owners regarding easements and those kinds of things. And I am still pushing uh as much as we can uh to see if we can break ground for that project um in by late summer or fall. Um that is a target. It has not been confirmed. We have to meet with uh the DOT to put in the formal application after the April meeting of the Ngatuk Valley COG where they have to the council of governments has to endorse this project. This is a nearly 100% funded project. Um so it has some necessary steps to go through. We're working on that. I believe we can we can get it done. Uh we also reviewed all of

the projects planned uh that were funded through the $6 million bond package passed last year and we are on target to issue $3 million of that half of that in May or June of this year. um based on our schedule and the funding needs uh will determine when we need to issue additional bonds. But we believe that the $3 million will get us through uh the the critical projects which is the two bridge repairs and the completion of the farms work uh up in you know up in what we affectionately call the farms. Um and that was all and that's that that package and that proposal was still out on the website. So, if you go out there, you want information about what those projects are, that is still available. Um, and we're working on um making sure that we get those uh scheduled and completed as as planned. I want to announce that Clarence Atkinson, our building inspector, retired as of February 27th. Clarence spent 20 years with the town of Plymouth, and we are grateful for his service. I'm working with local officials from Bristol and Thomas along with various vendors to cover the building inspector activities until a new town inspector is hired. Uh we actually had a series of inspections conducted just this past Monday. Uh up at the uh Nash in the location uh we were able to uh close out the rough permits for electrical and plumbing and they have started sheetrock in that building. So uh Mr. Homestead is at work to say the least. It's a incredible project that's going on up there. I want to provide an update on the mayor's citizen advisory board. We did reach out to all the citizens who requested to be on the board. Uh they have confirmed that they want to remain engaged and we are going to be setting up a meeting date in March as soon as as soon as we

can. Uh so if you have an interest in the mayor's advisory board, um look for more information and again we'll be reaching out as soon as we uh settle a date and time. Uh as always, do not hesitate to contact my office with questions or concerns. Uh many residents have reached out and we'll continue to respond as rapidly as possible. You also have in your packet a brief synopsis from the mayor's executive assistant on some of the issues that we've been handling through the mayor's office and some of the updates about some of the meetings and other ongoing activities that we're working on. Thank you for your indulgence during that report. Uh I'd like to move to item eight. Um I've contacted all of you individually on this. It looks like um we're in pretty good shape. No one no one has an objection. Uh I would entertain a motion to moving the regularly scheduled April town council meeting to the following Tuesday which would be the 14th. This technically needs to be posted as a special meeting because it's a variance from the regular meetings. Uh but um in conversations with our town clerk and some other adviserss uh they have told me that there's you know it's again it's a special meeting so we can't add anything to the agenda but I'll I'll be looking to put you know obviously as much as I can. There are a couple items that were in progress as I mentioned to you when I spoke to you on the phone. Um, I will try to get that out as soon as I can, at least with any of the larger items that might require some, you know, some more thought or some more information on, but um, I would be really happy if I, uh, someone will make a motion to move that meeting, cancel the, uh, cancel the April regular meeting and and schedule a special meeting for April 14th for the town council. Is there any motion to that

effect? Thank you, Joe Green. Second, Mr. Tisha. Thank you. All right. Any questions on that? Uh just for the public's information, uh I had scheduled a family activity during that week some time ago and lo and behold, here we are in the mayor. So I'm that's why I need to move the meeting and I appreciate appreciate it. Questions, comments? All those in favor of moving the regular meeting uh to the 14th of April say I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you everybody for your support. Appreciate that. Uh, we mixed it up a little bit. Let's do town council layers on reports. I'll start uh with Mr. Zigerki. Uh, water pollution control was postponed this month until next month because of the short month. Uh, I attended the board of education meeting with the park and wreck department over the boys and girls club uh before and after school program. I also attended the regular meeting for park and wreck. Uh summer camp is now open, so they have that posted. They'll be taking uh applications for that. Uh they're still hammering out the first week because of the school and getting out and stuff like that, but uh they're planning on running a 7we camp again this year. Uh we also like the mayor said they're talking talks with Army Corps of Engineers about Hancock Dam and different ideas to put down there whether it's walking trails, ATV trails, uh more playing area, stuff like that. So there's going to be more going on. Uh public works, uh there's a lot going on there right now. Uh they went over the budget items that they're looking to put in for this year. Uh they've discussed uh the highway superintendent position. Uh Joe said they had over 100 applicants. They narrowed it down to three. Uh so they should be interviewing those. The applicants that they're interviewing is uh from Walit, Thomas, and Northfield. So they have uh three candidates that they're going to be looking at and hopefully making a choice here by end of the month. Other than that, there's not much else going on.

Thank you, Mr. Zigerski. soon.

Okay. Um I went to the police commission this year. They have this year, I'm sorry, la last month and we have two new police officers that have already started. Um let's see. We have a mess to myself. There we go. Sorry. Um, I also went to the fire department meeting. They're as efficient as always. Um, and everybody's kind of getting ready for budgets and all that stuff right about now. So, um, I also went to the human services meeting. Um, there I I I think I only needed one person on the meeting at the meeting and they're very compassionate bunch of people. So, I was it was fun to go to that meeting and hear what they're all doing. Um, and I've been trying to go to the board of finance meetings when I'm able to and um, just kind of learn how all that process works and all that stuff. So, that's that's it. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Green. Anything?

Uh, really no. Um, economic development commission did not meet and I was not able to make the code enforcement meeting because it's held during the day. Uh just a quick ad on the economic development commission just so you know as well as uh you know uh I did talk with um Vance Taylor our economic consultant our economic development consultant as well as the other members of the econ economic development commission. Um it there was probably a little bit of a snafu on how come that meeting wasn't held. Um so I I I kind of take some responsibility for that. Um there's a little bit of a miscommunication that came out of my you know out of my office uh on that. So um I have reached out to a couple of different people and we will get that meeting back on regular schedule uh as soon as possible because we got a new member and so we've got to reelect officers. So just a little quick addendum to your report. Thank you.

Ron, anything? Yeah, just real quick. Um I met with the uh BVAC Plymouth Volunteer Ambulance. Um they had some issu engine issues on one of their ambulances and um some uh repairs on the one of the ceiling tiles in one of the rooms. They said they'll be taking care of that sometime this week. Um and they're also giving out an appreciation award to Davis Kiz, I'm sorry, Dennis Kizes for extraordinary dedication in support of PAC. Um the board of ed I'm sure as you know have their budget ready with a 3.998% increase. Uh they're also meeting with the Boys and Girls Club of Bristol to team up with them to support the Plymouth community and their resources for childhood programs and youth and school programs for both middle and high school. And I think the vote on it is going to be March 11th. Uh the library um the tea party is March 6th. That's what I got. Oh, I'm sorry. um planning and zoning. Um the meeting was cancelled. Thank you. There's nothing like a library team party.

I hear they're exciting. May 6th. I better write that. If anybody has any teacups they want to give up, they'll uh you can drop them off at the library. Thank you, Mr. Tisher. Something light. Yeah. So then I And that's Camd. Okay. Thank you everybody. Thank you for your reports. I appreciate you guys attending the meetings and bringing us back information from the various uh boards and commissions. It's it's important to help bring that to this meeting. So I appreciate you're you're doing that and making those efforts. Item 10 uh discuss and take action uh on the refund of overp payment of taxes. You have the list. Uh, it includes um all about Seamless Governors LLC for $76.28, Lewis A. Torres for $290.19, Toyota Lease Trust for $36943, and Volkswagen Credit Leasing Ltd for $173.40. Is there a motion to exercise those refunds?

Uh, let's see. That was Sue was first. Thank you. And Joe was second. Any questions on tax refunds? Hearing none. All those in favor of the tax refund motion say I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries. Thank you. Item 11. Uh any public comment on nine agenda items? Anybody from the general public would like to speak? just please identify yourself and the floor is yours. Keith Gollick, 46 Orchard Street, Terryville section of Plymouth. And since it's such a short agenda, if you don't mind, maybe I'll I'll fill a buster and keep you here late. I'm just kidding. But Mr. Mayor, to to your point about uh Randy Olmstead in Ashville, uh what he's building up there is really something incredible. I've been inside there and taken a tour and a self tour and and uh I I hope that our town will support that business when he opens cuz historically the town of Plymouth and its residents aren't always the best at supporting local businesses. and what he's doing up there, even with the limited parking, could really put this town on the map when it comes to uh the music scene in Connecticut, in the local area. Um, I hope I don't lose my train of thought here. Um, what I came to talk about was actually veterans tax exemptions and specifically the 100% total and permanent tax exemptions and uh for widows. A little historical context. Many of you know we've been through this before. In 2020 Florida, the state legislature in their wisdom uh in their intent was to pass a a law that would allow a 100% exemption on the

property tax for a veteran that's rated through the Veterans Affairs, the VA, at 100% total impermanent, as well as their widows. That was their intent. But when it came down to the application and the language and then the interpretation by certain town assessors and assessors associations, the wording in there was dwelling. So they said, "Well, dwelling that that means just the house, doesn't include the property or the outbuildings or everything." So I had talked to Senator Martin. And I talked to all their senators and representatives and all everyone that I talked to said, you know, their intent was 100% exemption on the property, the land and the building and all of that. So they said, "We're going to fix it next year." So that was 2025 legislation session. They met and you know when politicians and attorneys get together to try to fix something, you you may know what happens. They gummed it up even more. What they did is they allowed municipalities now at their vote to grant certain extensions. So instead of going back and fixing it and saying that the entire land that the house was on is exempt, they now allow the municipality to exempt up to 2 acres. Uh they also allow the municipality if they want to to limit the amount of exemption at I think it's like the the median uh assessed value of of properties in town. So if you voted that way then you would get a 100% exemption up to that whatever that the median uh assessment of of the town is. So let's say if it was 200,000 then the veteran that fits that criteria or their widow would receive a 100% exemption up to that amount and then they'd have to

pay taxes on whatever it is above that. So, I worked with the previous mayor, previous town council members, three of them are sitting here tonight, and the town attorney, and we came up with an ordinance in town that was passed in October. And uh lo and behold, the intent was there that we were now going to extend that to up to two acres of land and also allow the widows in there. But when I went to the the tax office because as the ordinance was written and what the intent was I had already paid in in uh by um uh sorry my mind is ging but I I am 100% total permanent disabled veteran uh to to get that out there and there is about 12 of us in the town of Plymouth that that we know of that have come forward and uh have put in for um applications for these exemptions. Well, when I I went to the tax office because I had already paid my first installment of the tax bill and the way the ordinance was written said that it would go in effect with assessment year beginning October 1st, 2024. So that means I had already paid my first installment or basically half of my tax. So, I said I should be entitled to uh a refund on that and then an adjustment on the bill because now the only thing that I should be paying taxes for would be my garage, my outbuilding because they didn't include any outbuildings and I have less than two acres. So, the tax office sent me to the assessor. The assessor I explained to her, I gave her a letter and she got on her cell phone and she talked to someone who I don't know who she was talking to. No idea. I I have an inkling she was talking to our tax collector, but I can't confirm that.

And she basically got off the phone and said to me, "Well, the town council didn't know what they were doing. They inadvertently passed this and that, and they're going to go back and they're going to fix this and fix that." And I fired off an email to the mayor's office and to attorney Hamzy, and Bill got back to me and said, "Yeah, things have gotten all complicated, so you're going to have to go back and revisit it." And now to make matters even more complicated is is just last week up at Hartford, they had another public hearing on a proposed bill because now they got to go back and fix even more things in this bill which could even gum up future things. So, I just want to make sure and I know Bill is aware of it and I talked to the mayor's uh I don't know what kind executive whatever he I I think he's in on the loop of it all. But I just asked that we can get this done. Hopefully the wording fixed so that the intent matches the execution before it comes time for the the next uh tax assessment year and October 1st and all of that so that we all know what's going on and there's there's you know everybody is happy and that whatever they're doing now up if it gets passed this time that it doesn't screw up whatever may be written into in ordinance before that and the last year's the last session the the fix actually got stuck up in Hartford they they slipped it in with the with the spending bill or something and there and so there was no public comment no public hearings on all of this and lately up in Hartford it seems that's the way they're doing business they're they're they got members up there rallying about no kings this and no kings that but but now

they're passing laws and bills without holding any kind of public hearing or anything on it like like they're kings. So that boggles my mind. So hopefully uh I haven't held you all up here too much too long and we can get home. But I just wanted to make sure that everybody's aware and that uh that we could uh sit down hopefully. You know, I'd be willing I wasn't involved to see the language the last time um between the time that we had the public hearing for the ordinance, the proposed ordinance was rewritten and changed. So, when it came time for the town council to vote, I don't think you guys had enough time to really look it over and then really do research to make sure that what you guys were voting on was actually what you were told you were voting on. And no disrespect to to Bill or or or to Joe or to anybody else, but hopefully this time we can get it done get it done right. and and I'd be willing to to sit down and and and help or look double check with Bill and make sure that everything's taken care of because uh as as we get older uh some of us are able to work still, but our bodies have been taking a toll from our service to our government. and uh and we're looking for a little assistance as we get into our older ages, especially for our widows. So, I I thank you for uh your time and letting me sit here and ramble on. And Mr. Mayor, I I know that there was been talk in the past about uh uh creating a maybe a public safety um compound and Councilman Zigerki was interested in that. And I have some great ideas. So, if there is a committee

or commission form, I'm I'd be willing to serve on that. Uh, I have some great ideas. Whether the town's people would agree with them or not is another story, but thank you. I will let you know, Mr. G. Thank you. Uh, for the benefit of the town council, um, some of what Mr. Gick indicated is correct. There are some concerns about the ordinance as it was passed, and you're going to be getting some information about that. uh because I will be asking this council to review that a revised ordinance uh in the future. But as soon as I have more definitive information on that, I will get it to you uh because it's going to require some some some thought. Public comment continue, please.

Melanie Church, 328 Main Street. Um I'm coming forward on a couple things. One is the abatements. Right now, the the police department went into deficit in 2024. Taxpayers have to pay that. Um, my big mouth was here. Thank you.

Anyway, I what I would like to see is it working. Yeah. Um, what I would like to see do away with abatements at least through this year so we can start getting on financial standings instead of just burying the taxpayers. Um, and you know, like I said, that had a total deficit of like $800,000. And you know, you can't keep giving the same people abatements, but it's I think it's time that the homeowners and and the taxpayers in this town get get an abatement and get that taken care of out of that monies that would be given to businesses and others because we never get anything. And I hope also if you do look at the police department, build a complex of three, it's combining three buildings into one and we get more grant money. And it we have to learn to share and uh I passed out what Lennox Mass did. Then I found out there's two here in Connecticut that have gone with the multiple um police department, fire and ambulance. And you know this way here we would build one training center, one gym, one cafeteria. You know people can meet in there and speak. It's not going into their business and their own departments. Um, so I hope that is one thing considered and I would like to see a charter revision brought forward. Um, that was one of the things that you ran on Dave and I'd like to see that done and I also would like to sit on

that. I probably know this charter better than most. Thank you.

Thank you for your comments. Appreciate it. Public comment, please. Anyone else? Vicky Kerry, 665 Greystone Road. Um, if and whenever the parks and reccks decide to talk to the Army Corps of Engineer, I'm sure the neighbors in Greystone Road would really like to talk to him. Back in 1968, I've lived there all my life. When they built the dam, they knocked down houses, but they left the foundations, caved in some of the wells, and caved in some of the oil tanks. Um, back then, they were supposed to put a rifle range in, but because of the way the valley is in that area, it echoes throughout the place. So, if you have ATVs, which we have a problem with now with no policing, we're going to have a bigger problem. Also, if you talk to free block at the end of Greystone Road extension, there is uh a natural uh whirlpool where they have built clocks. I believe Holy and uh whatever they used to build clocks on. Yes. And uh there are horse trails. Uh some of the neighbors there were given uh permission from the Army Corps of Engineer to ride their horses. There are natural horse trails there. There was also at the end of Todd Hollow, which used to meet Greystone Road, there was a sand pit. It was McClary Sand Pit. Right now, there's a couple of areas in there if you're not careful and you don't know where they are. And uh is especially when you're riding the horses, it's almost like quicksand. You sink right down. Some of the trails through there go all the way up and you can follow it almost all the way up into the Boy Scout camp. And those are all horse trails.

Those are natural trails. We have a soccer area down on the bottom and we have a problem because people park on both sides of the road and when the geese are around uh usually people there are either kicking the geese are trying to swat them with whatever to get them off of the fields which is unacceptable to a lot of us. It's a very quiet area but if you put ATVs in there we're going to have a big problem. We have we have one now that when they start from um Waterville, they go right through through the um trade trestles, they go up, they go through Greystone Road extension, cut down Greystone Road, go through Sprucebrook, and either they head up to uh Dwight Cliffs, or they go down and follow the power lanes. We have extreme problems with them over there. And if you put more ATVs, it's just going to echo even worse. But like I said, they used they had wanted to put a rifle range there a long time ago. And the noise they tried it. They put some uh they had people shooting and they uh did some sound studies. And this is going back in 1968. It was unbelievable. And uh I hate to say it, but I hate to see that area go. But please notify the residents and especially a lot of the people that have horses through there that do ride. They're going to have a little bit of a problem getting through and riding if you put something else in. Thank you.

Thank you.

Any additional public comment? Additional public comment. Thanks everybody for coming out on this kind of difficult night. We appreciate you supporting the town council meetings. For those of you at home, uh reminder that the April meeting is now scheduled for April 14th. I will uh entertain a motion for adjournment.

I'm sorry. Look at that. I missed it. Got all excited. Sorry. I was thinking about ATVs. I was I I know we tried remember we tried to have an ATV ordinance and it almost there was almost a riot in this building as I recall. Okay. Uh I'll start with you. I'll start with you. We lost a nice commission. Remember too cuz he got so frustrated he gave it. Anyway, that's a lot history. Mr. Tisha, all set comments. Mr. Green, nothing. Anything Sue? Oh, yeah.

Thank you. we go. Okay. Um I I actually just want to address you. Um I know we have talked about the veterans issues and I had found a whole bunch of the history on it and I was going to give it have a meeting with you and with the mayor to to work it out and then we can give it all to the council when we have all that information. Um plus we're still working on the the other thing that you know about making it easy for veterans to get more help um with the help of local people and with the help of the veteran strong in in Bristol. So, I just wanted to make sure we knew that we were working in the background. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Zigski. Anything?

Two quick things. I know, uh, we just got the budgets last night and just glancing at that really quick. There's a lot to digest and a lot to go over in there. Um, I think it's be a really hard budget this year and seeing where things are and people's incomes and everything like that. So, I think everything we look at has got to be looked at very closely to see if it's a justifiable increase or not. So, we have a lot to dig into there. Um, and then the other thing just like I know we're 5 months in just it seems like every month is the same agenda. I think we need to work on the agenda and see if there's anything else going on. So, it just seems like we're just doing the quick quickies and then uh the tax abatement and that's it. So, I don't know if there's other things going on behind the scenes or not that we the council should be taking care of, but maybe something to look forward to next couple months.

I appreciate that. And please don't hesitate to reach out to me if there's an item that you're concerned with that you would think we should bring up in council information or otherwise. Dave, oh, you want to talk about the board of ed? You able to talk to the board of ed?

I have not. No, the only I I was going to speak with the uh superintendent, but he was kind of consumed with the the school stuff. But uh yes, uh Mr. Zigerski had asked me uh at the budget meeting uh if we could uh set up a special meeting so the board of education could come in advance and present to this council. So um I certainly have no objection to that. This is your council. It would require a special meeting. Uh perhaps we could do something in a couple of weeks. Uh I'll get an email out to everybody a little straw poll as soon as I get some potential dates from the board of ed. Uh I know that they're doing extra sessions as well. I think they had a they had a special meeting last night and they're

boys and girls. Oh. Oh. Was it? Okay. So, okay. So, uh yes. So, uh yes, uh TJ had made that suggestion. I will reach out to the superintendent of schools and see if we can get a date where they can come in and uh give us an opportunity before the tri board meeting to ask them questions about their budget. I'm sure that the superintendent will not object. Um we've spoken about that before. We just need to set a date. Yeah. Well, I talked to Brian a little bit last night about it. He just wants to do a one-on-one with the town council. Correct. To make sure we know exactly what he's going for. Okay. All right. So, I will uh get a couple.

Plus, if we have a lot of questions for him, too. Okay, I'll get a couple of potential dates and we'll get a special meeting on the calendar uh within a couple of weeks. Okay, I'll get back to you via email or call me anytime, but uh let me let me talk to Mr. Fal and get a date or a couple dates. Is there any night of the week that's better for us? Probably Tuesday, right? Just Okay, we'll we'll get a hold of you. We'll get a hold of you. All right. Thank you for reminding me of that. Okay. All right. Those are the top council members. Now a motion to adjurnn would be in order. Motion motion Mr. Green second Mr. Tisha. Uh any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor adjourn and say I. Anyone opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you everybody. Thank you at home. Thank you for your support and thanks again for coming out tonight. Walk safely. I know we used a lot of salt out there but it may be cold again. Have a good night. Bye-bye.

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