Clinton Town Council Meeting - December 17, 2025

This was the final town council meeting of 2025. The council unanimously approved prior minutes, a board appointment, and three resolutions related to a school window and heater project. The town manager and finance director delivered reports, and the council discussed upcoming agenda items including an automated enforcement camera ordinance and downtown revitalization ideas.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from December 3, 2025 were approved unanimously.
• Appointment to Board of Assessment Appeals: Dave Roberts was appointed to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a term expiring November 2029. He stated he was asked to serve and would do his best to be fair and equitable. The vote was unanimous.
• Elliott School Window and Unit Heater Project – Three Resolutions: The council passed three resolutions, all unanimously:
  1. Authorizing the Board of Education to apply for a state grant for the window and unit heater replacement at Jared Elliott Middle School (seventh and eighth grade wing).
  2. Establishing the Elliott School Building Committee, composed of Board of Education Building and Grounds Subcommittee members Erica Galvin and Alan Samet, DPW Director Todd Hajek, Clinton residents Jack Sherbin and Jeff Stevens, and Town Council member Dennis Donovan.
  3. Authorizing the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the project. The resolutions were required by the state to make the planning phase reimbursable even if the full project does not proceed immediately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the visitor portion of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Finance Report (Bob): The fiscal year 2025-26 budget is on track. No potential problems noted. Tax collection remains steady; the upcoming motor vehicle supplemental collection will be a key indicator. Investment interest rates have declined from 4.2% to 4.0%, but overall revenue is expected to meet budget. The unassigned fund balance is projected at 23% of budget, and one council member suggested designating any amount over 20% during the budget process. The APA grant has $133,000 remaining, with about $2,000 expected to be returned to the federal government.
• Town Manager's Report:
  • Police Restructuring: The Police Commission voted to restructure the department, eliminating two captain positions and creating a deputy chief (Kenneth Keane) and an administrative lieutenant (Scott Jacober), effective January 1, 2026. The change is budget-neutral within the existing salary line.
  • Fire Truck Purchasing: The lowest qualified bid for a new fire truck was $1,973,488. Payment will come from $1.6 million in approved bonds and $373,488 from the capital fire apparatus fund, as previously approved. Delivery is expected in 20–22 months, with payment due at that time.
  • Clerical Union Contract: Still being finalized; expected to come before the council by the end of January 2026.
  • New Hire: Carol Conlan was hired as land use technician clerk, starting January 6, 2026.
  • Beach Bench Donation: The Arbor Garden Club donated a Stony Creek granite bench at the beach concession area; a ceremony was held that day.
  • Urgent Care Ribbon Cutting: Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care opened at Indian River shops, providing services to Clinton and neighboring towns.
  • Budget Workshop Dates: A draft schedule was distributed for council review.
• Chairman's Report:
  • Automated Enforcement Camera Ordinance: The council discussed a proposed ordinance on October 1. The town attorney is revising the language, and an updated version will be shared with the council before discussion at the next meeting.
  • Christmas in Clinton: Thanks were extended to town employees, volunteers, and placemakers for a successful event.
• Council Discussion:
  • A council member thanked the town for presenting a plaque to the girls' soccer team at the school; the speech was well-received by the athletes.
  • Ideas were raised for future consideration: realigning Main Street with appropriate trees (in coordination with DOT and Eversource) and increasing use of the town hall auditorium for movies or music, as suggested by community groups and supported by the economic development commission.
  • An inventory of downtown commercial vacancies is being developed by the economic development commission.
• Council Committee Liaison Reports:
  • Planning and Zoning: The POCD was endorsed with minor edits, including a reference to the state's housing growth plan to keep it current.
  • Police: The department is preparing the 2026-27 budget; the body camera contract is expiring, and an upgrade may be requested as a capital item.
  • DPW: No meeting this month.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous: minutes approval, appointment of Dave Roberts, and the three resolutions for the Elliott School project.
• The building committee is established and will proceed with schematic drawings for the school project.
• The police department restructuring will take effect January 1, 2026, with no net budget impact.
• The fire truck purchase is finalized; payment will be deferred until delivery.
• The automated enforcement camera ordinance will return with revised language at a future meeting.
• The council will post the budget workshop schedule after confirming no conflicts.
• No further actions were taken; the meeting adjourned.