Clinton Town Council Regular Meeting – September 2, 2026

The Clinton Town Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 8:00 AM. The meeting included public comment, approval of prior minutes, updates from Connecticut Main Street, a landfill and planning & zoning report, and several financial actions including bond authorization, fund transfers, and creation of a roads fund. One council member dissented on the bond package.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: Regular meeting minutes from August 19, 2026, workshop minutes from June 22, 2026, July 20, 2026, and the August 18, 2026 meeting were all approved unanimously with one abstention from Council Member Hank (not present for the July 20 workshop).
• Appointment Removed from Agenda: The appointment of John Vassalo was tabled to a future meeting because the appointee was unavailable, in keeping with the practice that the person appears in person.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Seth Wolf (20 Jane’s Lane): Opposed the requested $2 million state bond for the town, citing a lack of professionalism from the town council. He detailed unresolved unsafe conditions at his apartment building (144 East Main Street, The Meadows complex with over 40 units), including exposed wires, sewage leaks (four additional leaks in less than a month after reporting), and non-responsiveness from the building inspector, town manager, and council. He stated that the state had confirmed the violations but the town never acknowledged the issue. He urged the state to vote against the bond, saying the council would likely waste the funds.

Discussion Items

• Connecticut Main Street Update (Carl): The second annual assessment of Clinton’s Main Street showed the overall score rose from 38% to 58%, entering the “satisfactory” range. Strengths included good stewardship, cleanliness, and formation of the Main Street Advisory Committee. Opportunities included developing a strategic plan, stronger property owner engagement, consistent marketing, a disaster plan for businesses, tracking impact data, and adding public art. The advisory committee had not met in six months but was expected to reconvene with the new EDC coordinator (Rebecca). Carl noted that resources and technical assistance are available.
• Landfill and Planning & Zoning Update (Michelle – Town Manager):
  • Landfill closure: Waiting on additional quotes from two companies; consulting town attorney requested another week to answer legal questions. The final individual closure permit from DEEP is still pending. The scope of work now includes a per-test cost for testing stockpiled materials (belt-and-suspenders approach) as council requested.
  • Comprehensive regulations update RFP was posted; responses due late September, consultant selection in October.
  • The town will apply for up to $400,000 state Small Harbor Improvement Program grant for dredging; application due September 30. Council blessing given to prepare application.
  • Three bridge projects under federal Local Bridge Program: Country Village Lane (est. $2.6M, fully reimbursed, bid in Oct., award Dec.), Ben Merrill Road (est. $3.4M, year out), Waterside (design phase).
  • CDS funding for downtown wastewater system application ongoing.
  • Liberty Green project: Public feedback on programming and design will be collected over the next month; two conceptual plans to be developed.
• Youth Service Bureau Grant: Annual grant of $26,617 from the state Department of Children and Families for REACT programs, counseling, summer programming, scholarships, and mentorship stipends. Approved unanimously.
• Finance Action Items (Bob – Finance Director):
  • Landfill closure appropriation: $301,400 transferred from the committed fund balance (set aside since prior to 2005) to the current capital project fund for closure costs. Approved unanimously.
  • Bond authorization for $3,320,000 for capital projects: $195,000 (wheeled excavator), $125,000 (police generator), $1,000,000 (roads/sidewalks – reduced from $1.2M due to other sources), and $2,000,000 (library renovations). The resolution authorizes bonding up to that amount but notes reductions from grants/donations (library expects $1M state grant and board commitment). The bond question will go to November 3, 2026 referendum. Council Member Dennis spoke in opposition, objecting to including the library without sufficient fundraising and preferring separate votes. Motion carried with Dennis voting no.
  • Year-end line item transfers for FY 2025-26: Total $231,015.10 to cover deficits from various accounts. Approved unanimously.
  • Reappropriation of $193,880 from FY 2025-26 to FY 2026-27 for items including fire hose backorder ($88,000), HR record digitization ($10,500), CIP reporting software ($13,250), and police severance payouts ($63,510). Also approved transfer of $24,150 for additional items (HR project, CIP software, fire boat motor). Both approved unanimously.
  • Creation of Capital Roads and Sidewalk Fund (Fund 66): Established as a dedicated account for road and sidewalk infrastructure, initially seeded with $100,000 from FY 2025-26 surplus. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Youth Service Bureau grant application authorized unanimously.
• Landfill closure appropriation of $301,400 approved unanimously.
• Bond authorization of $3,320,000 approved (1 opposed – Dennis); referendum set for November 3, 2026.
• Year-end transfers ($231,015.10), reappropriation ($193,880), and $24,150 transfer approved unanimously.
• Fund 66 (Capital Roads and Sidewalk) established with $100,000 initial deposit, approved unanimously.
• Hiring of a DPW truck driver to fill an existing vacancy authorized unanimously in executive session.
• Town Manager asked to report on expanded use of Enders Memorial Theater at next meeting.
• Council discussed requiring quarterly reports from boards/commissions as per charter; Town Manager will develop a practical process.
• Council noted public concerns about flock cameras; directed concerns to Police Commission as first step.
• Chairman thanked volunteers for fireworks and other community events.
• Meeting adjourned after a brief executive session on personnel matters.