Clinton Town Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026
Clinton Town Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026
The Town Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Green Room, with Vice Chair Carrie Allen filling in for Chair Hank Teske. The meeting covered financial updates, town manager reports, appointments, and committee liaisons, with several decisions and future actions noted.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from January 7, 2026, were approved unanimously.
Appointments & Reappointments
- Stephanie D. Costanza was appointed as an alternate member of the Economic Development Commission for a term ending June 30, 2029. She shared her background in social media marketing, project management, and her experience launching a local business. The motion carried unanimously.
- Liam Whittle was appointed as a Fish and Game Constable for a term ending June 30, 2027. He is an environmental science major aspiring to become an NCO officer. The motion carried unanimously. The Town Manager’s office will contact him for state-required training.
Discussion Items
- Financial Report (Bob): Revenue reports showed steady tax collections after December. Interest income is projected to be under budget by $150,000–$200,000, while voting permits are over budget by over $200,000. Special education expenditures are down due to fewer students, so the expected $800,000 in state reimbursement will not be fully realized; the Board of Ed surplus is expected to cover the shortfall. The unassigned fund balance is $15.1 million (23% of budget), projected to end the year at $15.2 million. Legal and hydrant accounts need transfers (hydrants due to a 7.5% surcharge from the water company, ~$35,000 over budget). Investment rates declined from 4.1% to 3.72%. The audited FY 2024-2025 financial statements are available online. Bob offered to present a 20-page excerpt at a later meeting; the council decided to wait until the next night meeting when the chair is present.
- Town Manager’s Report (Michelle): Announced a Small Business Breakfast and Financing Seminar on Tuesday, January 27, 8:00–10:00 AM, in the Green Room (over 30 registrants). Provided a beach erosion update: sandbags installed as interim measure; Race was engaged in 2025 for advanced analysis and permitting for long-term solution. Clinton Harbor dredging update: Parrot Marine LLC is performing private dredging for Old Harbor Marina through end of January (separate from federal channel project). A part-time clerk position in Parks and Rec is open. The annual town meeting with departments is scheduled for Monday, January 26, but may be postponed to Thursday, January 29, due to an anticipated snow event.
- Council Committee Liaison Reports:
- DPW: Snow removal budget is $3,200 over budget; more snow expected. Replacement truck ordered.
- Police Commission: Budget is on track; FY 2026-2027 requests include $69,000 for body cameras, $16,000 for flock cameras, and a new SRO officer for the middle school (approx. $100,000 increase). Seeking grants for boat motor replacement.
- School Building Committee (Elliott School windows/walls): First meeting held; RFP for architectural services to be reissued to include three recipients per state regulations. Construction expected summer 2027 (80% state reimbursement). Next meeting likely mid-March.
- Red Light Cameras (traffic enforcement): Draft ordinance sent to council; feedback requested by Friday; discussion and possible action to schedule public hearing at February 4 meeting.
- Police Pension: One active member (chief); balance ~$15 million, 70% funded; performance slightly above benchmark.
- Parks and Rec: Basketball programs running successfully.
- Planning and Zoning: Disbanded Plan of Conservation and Development subcommittee (plan under state review); members folded into regulations committee for implementation.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments approved: Stephanie Costanza (EDC alternate) and Liam Whittle (Fish and Game Constable) were appointed unanimously.
- Financial report accepted with note of upcoming transfers for legal and hydrant accounts; full audit presentation deferred.
- Red light camera ordinance will be on the February 4 agenda for discussion and possible action toward a public hearing.
- Annual town meeting tentatively scheduled for January 26, with potential reschedule to January 29 if snow.
- Motion to adjourn carried unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Um, welcome to the town council regular meeting Wednesday, January 21st at 7 p.m. in the green room. Can we begin with the pledge, please? America. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Okay. Um, my name is Carrie Allen, and I am filling in for our esteemed chair Hank Teske, who has gone to Warmer Climbs. Um, we'll begin with visitors. Are there any visitors who'd like to speak? All right, hearing none. Um, the approval of minutes. Is there a motion for the approval of January 7th? So in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstaining. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Uh item number four, appointments and reappointments. And first we have Stephanie D. Costanza. You nailed it. Thank you. Who is here for Economic Development Commission. Um, she wishes to serve as an alternate for a term until June the 30th, 2029. Um Stephanie, would you like to tell us why you would like to serve? Yes. So I'm here tonight, like you just said. I'm apply I've applied for the alternate member role on the EVC. Um, my family and I moved here three years ago. My husband is a commercial fishing man, he has a commercial fishing business. We have two young little boys, and in the last year, I have also been working towards launching my own business in town, which is slated to go live this spring. Going through that process has really given me a first hand understanding of what it's like to navigate permit planning and coordination with the town as a small business owner. Um before stepping away from my from corporate nearly a year ago. I spent about 15 years in leadership roles, um primarily focusing on uh social media marketing and project management. More recently, I've been helping um informally with a member of the EC who recently resigned. We are just starting to dig into some ideas around increasing awareness of the town, getting more people engaged, and doing a better job of sharing Clinton's successes and accomplishments through social channels. Um between my professional background and where I am now is not getting my way through a new business as a new business owner. I felt as though this was kind of a natural next step for me. I do think there's a lot of potential in Clinton and I like the opportunity to continue to be involved and contribute where I can. As an alternate member. Thank you. Any questions for Stephanie? No? Is there a motion to appoint Stephanie? So moved. Second? Second. Discussion?
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