Town Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. I'd like to call this meeting regular meeting of the Plymouth Town Council to order. 700 p.m. May 5, 2026 here at the town hall. Welcome back everybody. feels like we're just here. So, I thank all the council members for being in attendance. We have all the council members, Mr. Modard, Mr. Green, Mr. Tisha, and Mr. Angel, all present this evening. Fire exit notifications. If you exit the rear of this room, you go to your left, you go through two doors and exit directly outside. If you go to your right, you will need to exit a couple of different doors and go out through the police station entrance. Next item is the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge allegiance 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. They feel a bit low, don't they? invite the chairs are low. Um, thank you everyone. Uh, item five is our invocation. I'd like to uh just a special recognition uh to our veterans and certainly the people that are involved now in the Middle East conflict. Um, and God bless America and God bless the town of Plymouth. Item six uh is to accept the meeting minutes from our special meeting of April 14. This is the um meeting that was moved and was held on April 14th. It was a special meeting for that purpose. Is there a motion to accept the minutes from April 14th?

Second. Okay. Looks like Mr. Tisha had the motion and the second was DJ Zigerki. Thank you. Is there any discussion or questions on the minutes from the April 14th special meeting? Questions or comments? Hearing none. All those in favor of accepting the minutes, please say I.

Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you very much. Motion carries unanimously. Item seven is accepting the meeting minutes from April 21st, the uh special meeting. This is the uh special meeting, the tri board meeting that was held. Uh just for a point of clarification, the board of finance is responsible for the minutes of the public hearing. So that's where those are. This this is for our acceptance of the special tri board meeting. There's also references in those minutes, you probably noticed, to the board of finance because there was a section of the meeting where we flip-flopped back to the board of finance when they um move the budget formally to this to this uh board or council rather, excuse me. So, uh a motion would be in order to accept the meeting minutes from April 21. Is there a motion? Mr. Green made a motion.

Second. Second, Mr. Zigurski. Thank you. Any questions or comments on the minutes from April 21? I want to send a thank you to the town clerk who did I think an extraordinary job keeping track of all that that was moving on that evening. So, thank you. No comments, no questions. Thank you. All those in favor of accepting the meetings for meeting minutes from April 21 say I. I.

Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries. Thank you everyone. Number eight is public comment on agenda items. We've got a pretty light agenda this evening, but if anyone would like to address the council on the agenda, please do so at this time. Thank you. Melanie 328. One thing I have a question for and that is right where now the state is going to be giving the schools money which has to do with the thing we gave them extra money. Does that do we take the money that they gave us that they're going to give us and offset what the taxpayers are paying or are they going to get that plus that? You know, am I making sense? you are and I'll be happy to address that later on in my after my mayor's report.

Yep. But you know I some people have been asking me I said I'm not sure exactly how that works. So Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else from the public that would like to address the council on an agenda item? Seeing none, I'll move to item nine, which is the mayor's report. A fairly short report, seeing that we just met a couple of weeks ago. Uh, but some significant activity. Uh, first of all, I'd like to report that we completed the bond sale this morning of the $3 million of the $6 million that was passed in the referendum for road and bridge repair projects. There were 10 active biders in the process. The meeting was attended uh by well, first of all, the sale was organized by the town's financial adviserss, Phoenix adviserss, and the law firm Robinson and Cole, who's been our town's bond council for many years. The meeting was attended by myself, our town treasurer, Sumaroski, as well as our finance director and representatives from the firms that I previously mentioned. The full details of this sale will be available after the closing which is scheduled for May 20th. Part of this process was to meet with S&P Global, formerly known as the S&P, who is who sets the bond rating. The bond rating was set for our our town at AA minus, which is an excellent rating when compared across the state of Connecticut. It's not the best, but it's pretty darn good. As we move forward toward the next bond issue, which we're planning for next spring, which would be the second half of this uh approved money from the referendum, we will work with our finance department, the board of finance, and Phoenix advisors to address any areas of improvement needed to help raise our bond rating. Our public works department has fully

reviewed the road and bridge projects projects that were included in the referendum last year. for this year. The plan includes completion of Oakdale, Fountain Head, and Tumble Roads. The work there will include drainage and full depth reclamation of the roads. Also planned are sessions of North Street along with the chip seal program phase one. The replacement of Todd Street bridge is also included for this summer. Outside of the bonding, outside of the bond funding, a full review of the town's roadways is ongoing and several immediate repairs have been identified and those repairs are underway. These include Keegan Road and Night Lane where severe winter and high water tables cause some dangerous conditions including sink sink holes and road collapse especially around the drain the where the drains are located. We expect to publish the full plan for this year and next year on the town website next week. A five-year plan is also being developed and I will share the complete plan with the town council. I post on the website as soon as possible. Uh couple of general announcements. In your packet, you have the invitation for our recognition of veterans who served in the Vietnam era. This plan, this event was planned in conjunction with the state of Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commission and will be held on Monday, June 8th at starting at 400 p.m. at the Borcowski Auditorium at Terable High School. Lieutenant Governor Bowitz and Commissioner Ron Welch will be participating. I want to extend my thanks to the town clerk, Linda Conipasque, and Kevin Hayes from the mayor's office along with councilwoman Su Boyard for their efforts in setting

up this event. There was a lot of envelopes stuffed for this. Uh we have over 70 veterans. The number surprised me a little bit. There actually some more, but a lot of women that moved out of town are no longer with us. But over 70 veterans have been invited and we will be promoting this event uh over the coming weeks. Also, our recreation department with the support of the Lions Club will be hosting the annual children's fishing derby this Saturday, May 9th at Lake Winfield from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please contact the recreation department to register for this event. I just uh this is in addition to the printed copy I just provided you folks uh because we just got some information and confirmation regarding the funding that's been awarded the additional funding uh from the state. The additional funding is is going to be in two amounts beyond what was previously committed to. The supplemental education aid is $392,000 $392,084. The supplemental town aid is $133,545. We are still waiting the details regarding when the funds will come to the town and what constraints are in place. My understanding right now is that the award of supplemental education aid should be directed to the board of education. However, uh to the question on the floor earlier, the exact details are still unknown. Uh we are waiting, we have our law, our firm, CCM, our lobbying firm, um and other uh contacts. We're working with them to get clear details on exactly what the constraints are and how that aid will be administered. Uh we do not know the question of whether or not that um how

this would impact uh my own personal view is that um the intention of this is to help relieve the taxpayers, give them some relief. Uh now that our budget is already set um that situation becomes a bit complicated. So, I will be working when I get more information, I'll be working with the board of finance and capital improvements committee perhaps depending on what our constraints are on how those funds can be spent. Uh, but they will be awarded for this fiscal year. So, there's still more questions. I will keep everybody advised. And finally, when last but not least, I want a little shout out to Cassie Culver of the town clerk's office who received a very long letter of thank you and gratitude for her effort helping a former resident find some critical family information through by researching our town archives. Uh I understand it was no easy task, but educational. Uh, we've got some very fascinating history in this community and there's some real interesting documents in that town clerk's mall. I'll tell you that. So, great work to Cassie and congratulations. It's nice to be recognized. That concludes tonight's mayor's report. Uh, as always, if anyone on the town council has any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the mayor's office. Um and again we'll have information about the bond sale uh with all the details, total costs, total uh premiums that will be coming to the town and how that will be set up.

I just question my question is there's is there an age um restriction? There is an age restriction and I don't know exactly who lays on to who's lay on to recreation. It's a children's derby. It's like 8 uh 8 years old to to 12 or 8. Yeah, I'm sure it's on the It's I'm sure it's on the website, but it's younger children. Is it's not adults. I think I think they cut it off at freshman. Is that what it is? Yeah.

I'm sure they'll let you help run if you want to bring somebody. You know, I'm finding out they're really kids don't know how to fish, which is also interesting, but that's another story. Okay, thanks very much everybody. All right, let's move to uh item 10, which is town council layers on report. So, I'm going to start to my far right, but start with Mr. Angle this evening. An easy one. Not my uh I I know this is a regular meeting. We're back on schedule, so we've already got it covered. Okay. Thanks, Ron. Any report tonight?

Just real quick, the planning zoning back on April 23rd. They uh approved a single family dwelling at 7 South Street. And the only other thing I have is the friends of the Tville Library. Their tea party is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6th, at the Tville Congregational Church. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Uh tickets are $15. Thank you very much, Mr. Green. Anything for this evening? Council Bullard, council on report.

I apologize if I redo I don't really remember the dates on what was where, but anyway, the police commission um they canled their um commission meeting this past month. There was not there was no forum. The fire commission, thank you miss for um I missed that because I was at the finance board meetings. Um human services is working on the logistics of helping people this winter u with oil and whatever else they might need. Um they had a meeting with the Rotary to discuss vetting people so they don't duplicate the effort. So they're working very hard on that. Um we are also signing well signing the contract with Veterans Strong in Bristol. Um we've had the contract with them for many years and um we're just going to renew it be a one-year renewable um contract that was the town town will sign with the veterans. They're they're 40 hours a week and we're working on maybe having other representation when it's outside of those 40 hours, but that's still in the works. And that's it.

Thank you very much, Mr. Zigerski.

Uh I have water pollution control. Uh they're working on trying to wrap up all their reports for the surveys of the town uh sewer systems and water infiltration. Uh they're also working on the budget to have a public hearing in June to set the new sewer rates and adopt the budget. Uh the new back truck is also scheduled to be in in June. So, uh they're working on a couple different things to get things finalized for that for storage and getting rid of some of the older equipment. Uh public works, like the mayor said, they're working on a lot of projects. Uh the new two new hires we got, Joey and Allen, are both uh pretty valuable pieces to the puzzle here. Um Allan's taken the pool by the boards and he's looked at some of the town equipment that's been bought over the last 5 years that uh hasn't been used and has figured out how to use them and getting them into action. Uh one of them is the hot box that's been a topic. So uh they figured out how to get that working. So uh they're making a lot of headway. Uh the other one was park and wreck. They have the fishing derby this weekend and then they have a kids fun run on May 20th being sponsored by Ed Advance. So that's all I have for this one.

Thank you very much.

We'll move to item 11. You uh which is discuss excuse me discuss and take action on the overp payment of taxes. you see the um information listed on the agenda and I also have the details sheet which I'll file for the record which was provided by the uh tax collector's office. Uh a motion would be an order for the refund of ber payment of property taxes as listed. Mr. Green made the motion. Second, Mr. Bullard. Any discussion on the refund of taxes item?

Yeah. Um Yeah. Yes. You know what? I I'll make sure that you folks get this detailed sheet going forward. I I'm not sure if I got it on Friday or if I got it on Monday. Okay. Okay. Great. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, it is. It is unusual, but yes, they're different. Uh they're prior year taxes and then some different. Okay. Any other questions or discussion on the motion? Sure. Can't hear you. I know I'm coming.

I have a mess over here. Um well, with the board of assistant appeals, they would take it you can as many cars as you want and then um the board decides after that meeting to whether they're going to reduce or whatever, but there's no limit to the amount that people can come in. Usually, they're done in September and housings are done in the month of March. So, that's that's why there's multiple things. They just have to have a sheet for each one. That's all. Thank you. That's interesting. We're getting any other comments or questions hearing none. All those in favor say I.

I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries. Thank you everyone. Okay. Um, first of all, I appreciate everybody's feedback on this item. This is to discuss and take action of renaming and modifying the charge of the current ad hoc municipal facilities committee. Uh folks that were on council before recall that the um original committee was the police building committee. It was later modified to the ad hoc municipal facilities committee and that was due to the availability of uh or the potential to to uh reuse existing town property. Um after some research um we believe it's in the best interest to uh rename that committee because we need to do some more exploration uh more exploration on options. Uh the police department issue is not going away. Um but uh it's my intent to contact members of the current committee and see if they want to continue to serve. That's why we don't have names for you tonight, but we wanted to get the ball rolling. So, uh, there is a motion, uh, that was considered, and if, uh, someone could read that motion to the record, I'd appreciate it. Make that motion.

I'd like to make the motion. We need your microphone, ma'am. I think I have it on. Do you hear me? Okay.

Thank you. I move the current municipal facilities ad hoc committee be renamed to the municipal facilities planning committee and further the charge of the committee shall be um research and consider any and all options for renovation addition additions to existing town owned facilities andor new construction as necessary to establish a community service and safety facility. Other duties shall include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of town buildings, including schools, developing a long-term plan, and making recommendations for further use, replacement, and or sale of said buildings.

Thank you, Miss Ber. Is there a second? Second, Mr. Engel. Open for discussion. Any discussion on the motion, questions? I think it's a big thing that we need to really look forward to. um just not here for the police station, but townwide because there's a lot of things that will save us money in the long run, especially if we try to go with the public safety complex. There's more state funding, more federal funding that we could try to get and make a better facility for everyone in the town.

Appreciate that endorsement, Mr. Zigerski. Any other comments or questions on the motion? Seeing none, I'd like to because this is a pretty big roll call, you know, pretty serious endeavor, we're going to I'd like to do a roll call vote if that's okay with the council. Uh, Mr. Zurski, yes. Miss Bolard, yes. Mr. Green, yes. Mr. Tish, yes. And Mr. Engel, yes.

Motion carries. I appreciate that very much and I look forward to working with the committee. If we uh will reach out, like I said, to the prior committee members. I know that M. Jet had expressed that he was resigning from the committee. Um I haven't spoken with him directly about this, but I'll reach out to each of the individual members and confirm. If they if there's openings, we'll come back with names of nominees. We'll open it up. We'll let people know that there's openings and then we'll come back to this council uh as necessary. Okay. Again, thank you for your support in this important effort. Okay. We're going to move to item 13, which is public comments on non-aggenda items. Anything that the general public would like to address the council, please do so. Nan Church, 328. Um I'm coming to you with two things. One is the extra duty. I have gone to public works. I have gone to um sewer sewer plant. I went to um parks and wreck. I went to five that have paid money that that they didn't have to pay. Also, I went to the board of ed. I've notified everyone that I could think of. We have to try to get some of that money back for these these departments. I mean, they were not in the budget to spend that money and yet they spent it which hurts those departments. And you know, it was very clearly written they were exempt. The town was

exempt. And I and I hope that this will be pursued and there should be an accountability um for that being in the contract and the police commission know and I assume that the chief knew and there needs to be an accountability because we're not getting all the information when there's lack of transparency. This is what happens and we as you know every department is struggling and that should be the first priority is you know you can't keep just saying oh well okay it's okay the taxpayers didn't pay but I'll leave you with that to think about and to realize you know there has to be an accountability and also you bring up this thing on, you know, buildings and that. I think you should narrow it down to the the three and what we can do with the other buildings. But what I'm a little afraid of is taking away whether you take away from the seniors or you take away from the kids. We need to become a village again. How do we become a village? Why not give to everyone? And to me, if we do the the three tier with the police, the fire, and the ambulance, we can take the ambulance right where are the fire right where it is and use that for a senior and a kids center. And who do the parents who do the grandparents love to see the kids? Who do the kids love to see these grand? you know, we would start building a

village by doing this, you know, and I urge each and every one of you to to think in that course, not just take away because people feel they don't have. And where does most of the money come from the people in this town? So, you need to make them number one, not number 10. No, thank you. Thank you for your comments. Is there any other member of the public that would like to speak to the council on any item? I'm not seeing any. I would like to say thanks to everybody for attending. Thank to uh folks at home for joining. Uh I'm sorry I missed I missed it. We have Tom Council comments. A bigger pardon everyone. I'm jumping to I'm jumping the gun. Any open comments from town council members? Excuse me. Mr. Engle,

I just want to make one statement. Uh, having served as a school business manager for many years. Um, supplements like this were often treated like a grant because of the budgets are being u process. So, I'm not sure because I haven't seen the the signed copy of the bill and like you said, we don't know how that how the state wants us to handle it, but that's the way I've seen it in the past. That's no guarantee it's going to happen that way. I appreciate that. Any other town council comments? TJ, you're good.

Okay. All right. Thank you again. I I did better than last meeting. Last meeting I jumped multiple steps tonight. I just did tonight. I just missed one. So, all right. Here we go. Uh item 15 is a German. Motion Mr. Tisha, second by Mr. Angel. Is there any comment, questions? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Anyone opposed? This meeting is adjourned. Again, thank you people at home for joining us. Thank you to our IT department and thanks to people in the public for joining us. Have a good night. We'll see you in June.