Clinton Town Council Regular Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Clinton Town Council met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Rose Room. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and public comment. Council amended its agenda to add a formal vote on the town manager's raise, a town planner presentation on a Route 1 sidewalk easement, and an event proposal from Slayton Hearth Productions. Routine approvals, a new no-alcohol policy for town property, and several capital updates rounded out the meeting.

Agenda Amendments

• The council approved three agenda amendments: 11A, a formal public vote on a 3.5 percent raise for the town manager previously discussed in executive session; 11B, a town planner presentation on a proposed property easement; and 11C, an event update by Slayton Hearth Productions.
• The October 7, 2026 meeting minutes were approved after correcting the attendance list to include Mike.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Seth, a visitor, said the apartment complex issue he first raised in April or May remains unresolved. He reported that a Meadows resident contacted him on October 13 about ongoing sewage overflow and odor, and he criticized the town manager and council for not fixing it, demanding a direct answer.
• An unidentified visitor said his group has been working with a bridge engineer to develop a report on not replacing the bridge. He said 12 40-foot reinforced steel pilings are more than adequate, the bridge is expected to pass inspection, above-ground caps will be visible, and stone repairs are cosmetic rather than structural.
• Anthony Hollister, of 84 H Waterside Lane, said his cottage faces the bridge and that the bridge is used nearly as much by pedestrians as by cars. He asked the town to address the lack of a sidewalk leading to the bridge and to consider the tidal habitat at low tide.

Administrative Approvals

• The Local Prevention Council grant request of $4,152.79 from the state Department of Mental Health and Digital Services was approved. It requires no local match and will pay about half of the approximately $8,500 cost of a required youth survey.
• The council approved a $40,000 transfer from contingency account 05100-5086 to police communications salaries account 014-221-51310 to cover an employee on long-term FMLA.
• A $15,000 parks and recreation line-item transfer, related to the Indian River Complex facilities update, was also approved.

Henry Carter Hall Lease Discussion

• The council reviewed a draft lease for Henry Carter Hall after the prior lease expired October 1. Members discussed Article 9, which makes the tenant responsible for renovations and improvements while the landlord is responsible for routine maintenance and mechanical systems; a council member questioned why the town would bond $2 million for library renovations under that language.
• The town manager and library representative said the language came from the original conversion of the bank building into a library. Council members also asked for termination and renewal provisions to be clarified, noting the lease can run 30 years plus two 30-year renewals, and cited the charter requirement for a special town meeting for contracts longer than three years.
• No lease was signed. The town manager said she would continue working with the library and attorneys, obtain a legal opinion on renovation scope, and schedule a special town meeting.

Park and Recreation Facilities Update

• Parks and Recreation Director Dustin presented a facility inventory and priority list. Estimated near-term costs included:
  • Peter's running track: about $50,000 for repairs and resealing; a longer-term reconstruction will still be needed.
  • Ethel Peters Skate Park: about $300,000; staff believe it is beyond repair and propose concrete encapsulation or replacement.
  • Ethel Peters press box: about $30,000; speakers: about $15,000.
  • Indian River playground: about $100,000 for replacement.
  • Peter's basketball court and backboards: about $40,000.
  • Indian River soccer goals: about $10,000; Indian River building siding: about $10,000; Indian River speakers: about $10,000; security cameras at Ethel Peters: about $25,000.
• The funding plan would use about $110,000 in leftover capital funds and about $307,000 in the activities revolving fund. Dustin projected about $67,000 remaining, or about 18 percent of the department's operating budget, after the proposed work. The skate park would be a future capital request.
• Longer-term items included beach erosion of about 50 feet since 2006 and about 120 feet since imagery began, reinforcement of temporary erosion measures, and possible comprehensive renovation of the Peter's athletic field, including turf, lighting, drainage, and multi-use capacity. The football field is closed this season because of settlement.
• No formal council action was taken; the commission expects to proceed with all non-skatepark near-term repairs using existing funds.

Alcohol on Town Property Policy

• The council adopted a policy prohibiting alcohol on town property and in town buildings, with no grandfathering. The existing ordinance, 194-5 as amended August 5, 2009, had allowed alcohol with council approval. The town manager's recommendation noted that only four or five of roughly 75 events requested alcohol and only one generated revenue; the international food festival, the main former alcohol event, is no longer held.
• Under the new policy, the Connecticut SurfCatters 2026 holiday party exemption was not granted. No motion was made for the Clinton Land Conservation Trust film festival exemption.

Route 1 Sidewalk Easement

• Town Planner Abby Pierce said the Route 1 sidewalk project, Transportation Alternatives Program project 27-131, is at 90 percent design. The state requested a permanent easement over 237 square feet of town-owned land at Assessor's Map 45, Block 32, Lot 9, to complete the sidewalk connection at Stevens and Pearl. The town would retain ownership, and the state offered a one-time payment of $3,380.
• The council voted to refer the request to the Planning and Zoning Commission under Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24.
• The council also voted to send the question of granting the permanent easement and accepting the $3,380 payment to a special town meeting.

Slayton Hearth Productions Event Proposal

• Eileen Under, with partner Scott Straczynski, proposed moving their free annual concert event to Peter's complex under the 'Clinton Main Stage' brand. She said their Killingworth event drew 1,500 people in three hours but outgrew its parking. The proposed Clinton event would feature a Zydeco act, Grammy winner Chevy Carrier and Dickie Doo and the Zydeco Crew, along with a 'Mardi Gras by the Shore' week, a fundraising crawfish boil, local sponsorships, raffles, and a food truck alley.
• Under said fundraising proceeds could help install a sound system in the town's upstairs theater and support a free fall concert series. Council members welcomed the economic potential and asked about parking, public safety, and local business promotion; no formal action was taken.

Finance Director's Report

• Finance Director Bob Richards said revenues are on track four months into the fiscal year. September tax receipts made up a slight prior decrease; building fees were behind only because about $40,000 in September receipts arrived late; insurance is within budget after a three-year policy journal entry; and the general fund balance forecast remains at 21 percent of budget.
• He said the Board of Education has a new business manager, auditors are still requesting information, and FY 2027-28 budget worksheets will be issued next week.

Town Manager and Liaison Reports

• The town manager reported police department awards for officer wellness, risk management, and municipal excellence. The Beach Park Road Tide Gate and Bridge Replacement Project remains on schedule, with the new tide gate nearly complete and completion targeted for July 2027.
• Liaison reports included two police recruits at the New Britain Police Academy with March graduation expected, a certified officer starting November 16, and authorization to hire two full-time dispatchers after a family leave and a retirement. Economic development was aligned with council goals; the Clinton Land Conservation Trust closed on 23 acres; and public works is preparing for winter, with East Main Street sidewalk design estimated at about $375,000 and High Street sidewalk design at about $600,000.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda amendments, October 7 minutes, Local Prevention Council grant, police and parks line-item transfers, and 3.5 percent town manager salary increase.
• Adopted a no-alcohol policy for town property with no exceptions and did not grant the SurfCatters holiday party exemption; no motion was offered for the Land Conservation Trust film festival exemption.
• Advanced the Route 1 sidewalk easement to Planning and Zoning and to a special town meeting.
• Directed continued work on the Henry Carter Hall lease and a future special town meeting.
• Parks and recreation will proceed with available funds on near-term repairs; the skate park will be considered in future capital budgeting.
• The Slayton Hearth Productions concert proposal was informational; no vote was taken.