OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Clinton Town Council Regular Meeting - August 19, 2026

Town Council — Wednesday, August 19, 2026
BodyClinton, Connecticut
SessionTown Council
DateWednesday, August 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:11

Transcript — Verbatim
0:41

Good evening.

0:41

I'd like to call the meeting to order.

0:43

I didn't get it.

0:44

It is the town council regular meeting Wednesday, August 19th, 2026.

0:48

We're in the town hall green room.

0:50

It's 7 p.m.

0:51

Dennis, if you'd lead us in the pledge, please.

0:56

Our pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:00

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:03

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:09

Thanks, Dennis.

1:10

You're welcome.

1:12

All right, on the agenda item number two is visitors.

1:15

Do we have any visitors that would like to speak?

1:18

Bob, you want to go first?

1:20

Bob Warner first.

1:22

Good evening.

1:23

Hi, Bob.

1:24

Please uh so just a statement that I make before the uh public speaks.

1:28

We will not respond or react to what you have to say.

1:31

This is uh not an agenda item, so we can't discuss it.

1:35

We want to hear what you have to say.

1:37

The council will take it up as a future action if there's something if the council should need to do, or if it's something the town manager should do, she'll take it up as an action, and we'll follow up back to you.

1:45

Please tell us your name and your address.

1:47

I'm Bob Werner, I live on uh Leffinwell Road.

1:50

Um I want to spend some time tonight to uh number one, encourage you, give you some feedback, and provide some challenges with regards to all the hard work you've been doing with your vision, mission values, and uh the uh code of conduct that you have.

2:07

I've had over 40 years of experience, that's what I did in my life with companies all over the country from small uh families to UTC, and they all did it for the same reason that you're doing it, and that is to provide uh a means for to guide you to do the right things, and that you all had consensed on.

2:30

So I had a chance to kind of go through, it's been in the papers.

2:33

Uh you obviously got it posted up on the on your website.

2:38

The uh some of the feedback I want to give to you is I know how much time is invested just to do that.

2:46

Been there.

2:47

A lot of hours as you guys have been in and still are, and at your still at the beginning of your process, and you got goals and some other activities that you do.

2:58

Uh one of the things uh in life is you know, if you waste money or throw money away, you always can make more.

3:07

If you waste time, the invested time in something, it's gone forever.

3:13

You never get it back.

3:15

I'm gonna that's gonna lead me into some one of my concerns at the end that I challenge you with.

3:20

But I want to just talk about the value of what you're doing.

3:23

It's it's beyond uh importance, probably for me, and been here 10 years, probably the most important things I've seen that you've done is to uh build a foundation.

3:34

Uh it's not just for you at this stage where you are now, you're putting in place some peers and guidelines uh and barriers uh and some guidelines for people that come in and go out in the future.

3:48

You this should be good for 10, 20 years out, and it's not perfect, and when you look at what you have already, it's just words.

3:57

There's words plastered everywhere.

4:00

They really aren't words, you have to convert those things to actions.

4:04

You got their tools, a vision's a tool, missions a tool.

4:08

Those are all tools for you to guide you to help you make uh better decisions and to work together as better as a team, because I've seen that happen.

4:17

And I would challenge you to use them like every day.

4:21

Every time you're together, have these in front of you so that when something comes up that causes you maybe to act differently, always go to it and say, and I've seen you doing this with the charter, go in and pull up the vision.

4:35

Is this in alignment with our code of conduct, the way we work?

4:39

Stop and start to use those to help yourselves focus your time and energy on the thread that's uh threaded through all of those things that you've put together.

4:50

Do you know what that thread is in the middle that you're focused on?

4:54

Everything you do, your customer.

5:00

You're here for what?

5:02

Customers, and your customers are what?

5:04

The residents, businesses, etc.

5:06

Every time these tools should be something to help you stay focused on the customer because everything that you do, any organization does, it starts with and ends with the customer.

5:20

So when you find yourself wandering off and you hit a guardrail with these guidelines, somebody's got to stop.

5:26

Because when you do that and you go off the edge, you're basically turning your back on the customer because you're wasting the time.

5:34

So I encourage you to start using these tools to help you.

5:39

You're all great, wonderful people with very different skill sets.

5:44

Every one of us has different skill sets, no one better than the other, but when you collectively use them together, it's unbelievable what you can do.

5:54

And I encourage you to use the tools to help yourselves be better at doing those things.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability██████████████14%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Clinton Town Council Regular Meeting - August 19, 2026

The Clinton Town Council held a regular meeting on August 19, 2026, at 7 PM in the Town Hall Green Room. The agenda included public comments, approval of minutes, appointments, a landfill update, finance report, town manager's report, and committee liaison reports. Several residents spoke on the Waterside Lane Bridge project, and the council discussed third-party review for the landfill closure project. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session for personnel matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bob Warner (Leffinwell Road) encouraged the council to actively use the recently developed vision, mission, values, and code of conduct. He stressed that such tools often become "digital dust" without sustained commitment, noting that 80% of organizations fail to see real results due to lack of management priority, unclear goals, and insufficient resources. He urged the council to live these principles and convert them into actions to better serve residents.
  • Pat Duff (80 Waterside Lane) spoke about the Waterside Lane Bridge, emphasizing safety concerns. He noted that hundreds of pedestrians, including a nursery class with 24-year-olds and adults, cross the bridge daily. He argued that widening the bridge would increase vehicle speed and endanger pedestrians. He highlighted the historic value of his home (built when George Washington was president) and questioned the need for a total rebuild, stating that two engineers have indicated the bridge is repairable. He also raised concerns about the town beach gate not being closed at night.
  • Alan Felgate (85 Waterside Lane) reinforced Pat Duff's points, stressing safety and the importance of retaining small-town character. He opposed a total rebuild and urged exploring options like speed bumps and signage. He noted that 40-foot pilings already exist and that replacing them would be environmentally and fiscally irresponsible. He thanked the council for listening to community concerns.
  • Seth Wolf (20 James Lane) criticized the hiring of the town manager, claiming she lacks the required master's degree per the job description. He argued that the process was flawed and that the council has not addressed his previous complaints. He expressed frustration with the lack of responsiveness and respect from the council.

Discussion Items

  • Approval of Minutes (August 5, 2026): The council approved the minutes of the August 5th regular meeting. They noted that workshop minutes from June 22 and July 20 should be included on the next agenda.
  • Appointment to Housing Authority: Norman Campion (Shorgrove Road) was appointed to the Housing Authority for a term ending June 30, 2031. He explained his interest in serving, citing his experience in mediation and navigating complex situations.
  • Landfill Update (Abby): The council discussed questions posed by the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the landfill closure project. Three potential third-party review services were presented: (1) stormwater design review by CHA, (2) road condition surveys by Tiebond, and (3) construction oversight by CDM Smith at a cost of approximately $162,645. Council member Chris suggested adding independent soil testing of incoming material, which was not initially included. Abby agreed to obtain a quote for that service. Council member also requested that other companies be solicited for competitive pricing. No vote was taken; the issue will return on September 2.
  • Finance Director's Report (Bob): Bob presented revenue and expenditure reports. July tax collections were 49.7% of the current year budget, slightly below prior years but expected to be made up in August. The general fund unassigned balance is projected at $14.2 million (21% of budget). The Parks & Rec recreation fund shows a surplus of $327,393; the council discussed using some of these funds for capital improvements. An inquiry about an Ethyl Peters estate trust found only a $10,000 CD, not the $1 million mentioned previously. The Morgan School Capital Project Fund has a remaining balance of $552,498 to be bonded, expected in February.
  • Town Manager's Report: The town manager reported that the fireworks event has raised sufficient private funds; the town will cover public works and public safety costs (slightly over the $10,000 allocated) from the community events line item. Rebecca Mead has been hired as Economic Development Coordinator, starting September 8. The Waterside Lane Bridge project update: DOT has posted June 4 meeting minutes and continues to pursue a design exemption for reduced lane width. Upcoming community events: final summer concert (August 20), Dock Days (August 29), and the America 250 celebration (August 8) was successful.
  • Council Discussion: A resident's complaint about the town beach gate not being closed at night was addressed. The town manager will clarify responsibility between police and parks & rec at a meeting the next day and ensure the gate is closed.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes of August 5, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Appointed Norman Campion to the Housing Authority for a term through June 30, 2031.
  • The landfill update discussion set the stage for a formal vote on third-party review services at the September 2 meeting, with added soil testing and competitive pricing to be explored.
  • The beach gate closure issue will be resolved by the town manager following a meeting with relevant departments.

Committee Liaison Reports

  • Police Commission: Two vacancies currently, with two retirements imminent (chief in June, another in October), and three more possible early next year. The department is recruiting laterals to fill positions quickly. Funds from vacant positions will cover overtime and new hires.
  • Economic Development: No report due to missed meeting.
  • Parks & Rec: No meeting held. Council member noted urgent repairs needed (basketball court crack, turf rips, skate park) and requested the commission come in soon.
  • Planning and Zoning: The landfill public hearing continued to September 14. Approved a retail establishment at 27 West Main Street. The commission is evaluating data for the regional housing plan and endorsed an RFP for land use regulations update.

Executive Session

The council voted to enter executive session for personnel matters, inviting HR representatives.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned after the executive session motion.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the meeting to order. I didn't get it. It is the town council regular meeting Wednesday, August 19th, 2026. We're in the town hall green room. It's 7 p.m. Dennis, if you'd lead us in the pledge, please. Our pledge of 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. Thanks, Dennis. You're welcome. All right, on the agenda item number two is visitors. Do we have any visitors that would like to speak? Bob, you want to go first? Bob Warner first. Good evening. Hi, Bob. Please uh so just a statement that I make before the uh public speaks. We will not respond or react to what you have to say. This is uh not an agenda item, so we can't discuss it. We want to hear what you have to say. The council will take it up as a future action if there's something if the council should need to do, or if it's something the town manager should do, she'll take it up as an action, and we'll follow up back to you. Please tell us your name and your address. I'm Bob Werner, I live on uh Leffinwell Road. Um I want to spend some time tonight to uh number one, encourage you, give you some feedback, and provide some challenges with regards to all the hard work you've been doing with your vision, mission values, and uh the uh code of conduct that you have. I've had over 40 years of experience, that's what I did in my life with companies all over the country from small uh families to UTC, and they all did it for the same reason that you're doing it, and that is to provide uh a means for to guide you to do the right things, and that you all had consensed on. So I had a chance to kind of go through, it's been in the papers. Uh you obviously got it posted up on the on your website. The uh some of the feedback I want to give to you is I know how much time is invested just to do that. Been there. A lot of hours as you guys have been in and still are, and at your still at the beginning of your process, and you got goals and some other activities that you do. Uh one of the things uh in life is you know, if you waste money or throw money away, you always can make more. If you waste time, the invested time in something, it's gone forever. You never get it back. I'm gonna that's gonna lead me into some one of my concerns at the end that I challenge you with. But I want to just talk about the value of what you're doing. It's it's beyond uh importance, probably for me, and been here 10 years, probably the most important things I've seen that you've done is to uh build a foundation. Uh it's not just for you at this stage where you are now, you're putting in place some peers and guidelines uh and barriers uh and some guidelines for people that come in and go out in the future. You this should be good for 10, 20 years out, and it's not perfect, and when you look at what you have already, it's just words. There's words plastered everywhere. They really aren't words, you have to convert those things to actions. You got their tools, a vision's a tool, missions a tool. Those are all tools for you to guide you to help you make uh better decisions and to work together as better as a team, because I've seen that happen. And I would challenge you to use them like every day. Every time you're together, have these in front of you so that when something comes up that causes you maybe to act differently, always go to it and say, and I've seen you doing this with the charter, go in and pull up the vision. Is this in alignment with our code of conduct, the way we work? Stop and start to use those to help yourselves focus your time and energy on the thread that's uh threaded through all of those things that you've put together. Do you know what that thread is in the middle that you're focused on? Everything you do, your customer.

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