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Record of Proceedings

Deep River Board of Selectmen Meeting October 14, 2025

Town Meetings — Tuesday, October 14, 2025
BodyDeep River, Connecticut
SessionTown Meetings
DateTuesday, October 14, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:54

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:47

Good evening.

0:48

I'll call the Board of Selectman meeting for Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 to order at 7.02 p.m.

0:58

Secretary's report.

0:59

I do not have one, so we'll table that.

1:03

Audience of citizens.

1:05

We have a group here.

1:06

Anyone like to address the board?

1:08

Yeah, uh Jeremy Chase.

1:10

Okay.

1:11

So the last meeting.

1:13

I tried to make a comment online, but I wasn't able to convey it because it was kind of confusing.

1:17

But we were talking about the DOT, and I had noted maybe like 18 months ago, there were lines on the ground up in this main intersection.

1:26

And it looked like DOT wanted to like cut off part of the sidewalk or something along those lines.

1:31

And I had never asked about it, and it seemed relevant at the time.

1:34

Anyway, that's what I was talking about.

1:35

So if you know what I'm talking about, I would like to know.

1:38

And I I think I I think I answered that, Jeremy.

1:40

If you drive up and down Route 80, there's a contractor discount signs.

1:45

They're going along changing signs.

1:48

You can see the white line.

1:49

So I don't know if the one that you're talking about, there's a sign there, but if you're long Route 80, 81 coming into town, there's white lines, and there's a sign there.

1:59

It's either speed limit sign or no passing sign, but they're changing all those signs.

2:04

I noticed them.

2:05

I saw them yesterday on 145.

2:07

They're also on Elm Street.

2:08

It's some marking in I have a blue flag in front of my house.

2:11

I don't know what that's about.

2:12

I don't know if it's the same thing, isn't it?

2:15

Blue water.

2:16

What water?

2:17

So are you talking on Union Street?

2:18

You have the markings?

2:19

Where have you seen them?

2:21

Right out in Main Street at the intersection right here onto the light.

2:25

Um in front of the ice cream store.

2:27

Oh it looked to me like they wanted to make the intersection wider, and I believe it had to do with large vehicles going in.

2:38

I don't know if anything obviously came up because they didn't get something.

2:41

Yeah, I know.

2:41

Well, maybe we can get info from the DOT.

2:43

Yeah, I mean, this is also, I should have asked about it in my first one.

2:46

This is like I said, this is a while ago.

2:48

Um, thank you.

2:52

That was what I was trying to get at.

2:54

I do sort of remember that, so we must have been able to hear you somewhat or something.

3:00

Okay, anyone else?

3:01

We've got three.

3:04

Anyone online?

3:06

Uh anyone online for questions?

3:11

Or to address the board, I should say.

3:13

Okay.

3:14

One online.

3:18

Okay.

3:19

Uh first item on the agenda are tax rebates.

3:23

So we have four tax rebates or tax refunds totaling 763.13 cents.

3:33

I have a motion to approve those.

3:35

I move that we approve the tax refunds in the amount of 763 dollars and thirteen cents.

3:41

Second.

3:42

Okay.

3:44

All those in favor?

3:45

Aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████████26%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████20%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Education████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Community Engagement████4%
Procedural██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Deep River Board of Selectmen Meeting

Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The board addressed tax refunds, a surveying dispute on Mizlick Drive, park and recreation proposals, and several administrative items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved four tax rebates/refunds totaling $763.13 (motion passed unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jeremy Chase asked about white lines and sidewalk markings at the Main Street intersection, possibly related to DOT sign changes. First Selectman responded that DOT is replacing signs and markings; board agreed to seek information from DOT.
  • Nick Olson, buyer of town property on Mizlick Drive, spoke in favor of installing missing road monument pins, arguing it is a town obligation and will affect all property owners on the road, not just himself. He offered to install the pins at his own cost if the town paid the outstanding survey bill.

Discussion Items

  • Mizlick Drive Surveying and Monument Pins: The board discussed paying $2,015 to Done Engineering for work already performed to locate missing road pins. Selectman Carol expressed concern about setting a precedent and spending money when budgets are tight, while selectman Catherine argued the pins are needed for future property sales. Nick Olson offered to install the pins himself if the town paid the $2,015 bill. After debate, the board voted (2-1) to pay the $2,015 to Done Engineering, with Olson volunteering to install the pins at no cost to the town.
  • Park and Recreation – Before and After School Program: Director Kayleigh Anderson presented a proposal modeled on Chester's program, with projected revenue of ~$10,000 per month from PM care (40 children, $20/day) and ~$2,500 from AM care, offset by staff costs of $4,000–5,000 and $2,500 respectively. The board approved the presentation and voted to recommend it to the Board of Finance.
  • Park Use Application: Anderson presented a new consolidated application form with updated policies (alcohol/drugs, fireworks, bounce houses, police presence). Board members asked to review the form before voting; action deferred to next meeting.
  • Ordinance Revision Status: No update on the quorum change from five to four; still working with Harbor Master.
  • Sculpture for Platwood Park: Anderson proposed installing a Loch Ness Monster sculpture (donated labor, $600 materials) at Platwood Pond, funded from Halloween budget. Several selectmen expressed concerns about cost and originality. Ultimately, the sculpture was put on hold until spring, with Selectman Jim offering to raise $600 in donations for a spring installation.
  • Park Maintenance Concerns: Selectmen raised complaints about Platwood Park appearance (weeds, beach condition). Anderson noted recent repairs (basketball/pickleball lines, Debit A system, pavilion painting, fence repairs) and ongoing issues with irrigation costs and scheduling. Discussion also covered the park and rec budget paying for mowing at non-park town properties (library, town hall, fire department). The board suggested exploring RFPs to separate costs and obtain quotes.
  • Region 4 School Consolidation Report: Selectmen Carol and Catherine reported on a joint board meeting where four task forces were approved (governance, school consolidation/grade configuration, district finance, teaching/learning). Committee members will be selected after the municipal election.
  • Renaming Church Street: Tabled indefinitely; pastor requested to postpone.
  • Selectmen's Reports: Covered board/commission vacancies, possible police commission, transfer station ordinance meeting, town hall renovations, ARPA signage project, employee handbook review, and rescheduling of state trooper meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved tax refunds ($763.13) unanimously.
  • Approved payment of $2,015 to Done Engineering for Mizlick Drive surveying; Nick Olson to install monument pins voluntarily. Vote was 2-1 with one opposed.
  • Approved before/after school program presentation and recommendation to Board of Finance (unanimous).
  • Deferred approval of new park use form until next meeting.
  • Sculpture for Platwood Park deferred to spring, with potential private fundraising.
  • No votes on other items; several items to be addressed at upcoming working sessions and budget discussions.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'll call the Board of Selectman meeting for Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 to order at 7.02 p.m. Secretary's report. I do not have one, so we'll table that. Audience of citizens. We have a group here. Anyone like to address the board? Yeah, uh Jeremy Chase. Okay. So the last meeting. I tried to make a comment online, but I wasn't able to convey it because it was kind of confusing. But we were talking about the DOT, and I had noted maybe like 18 months ago, there were lines on the ground up in this main intersection. And it looked like DOT wanted to like cut off part of the sidewalk or something along those lines. And I had never asked about it, and it seemed relevant at the time. Anyway, that's what I was talking about. So if you know what I'm talking about, I would like to know. And I I think I I think I answered that, Jeremy. If you drive up and down Route 80, there's a contractor discount signs. They're going along changing signs. You can see the white line. So I don't know if the one that you're talking about, there's a sign there, but if you're long Route 80, 81 coming into town, there's white lines, and there's a sign there. It's either speed limit sign or no passing sign, but they're changing all those signs. I noticed them. I saw them yesterday on 145. They're also on Elm Street. It's some marking in I have a blue flag in front of my house. I don't know what that's about. I don't know if it's the same thing, isn't it? Blue water. What water? So are you talking on Union Street? You have the markings? Where have you seen them? Right out in Main Street at the intersection right here onto the light. Um in front of the ice cream store. Oh it looked to me like they wanted to make the intersection wider, and I believe it had to do with large vehicles going in. I don't know if anything obviously came up because they didn't get something. Yeah, I know. Well, maybe we can get info from the DOT. Yeah, I mean, this is also, I should have asked about it in my first one. This is like I said, this is a while ago. Um, thank you. That was what I was trying to get at. I do sort of remember that, so we must have been able to hear you somewhat or something. Okay, anyone else? We've got three. Anyone online? Uh anyone online for questions? Or to address the board, I should say. Okay.

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