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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Deep River Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026

Town Meetings — Tuesday, April 14, 2026

BodyDeep River, Connecticut

SessionTown Meetings

DateTuesday, April 14, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 38:53

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:47

Good evening.

0:48

We'll call the Board of Selectman meeting, regular meeting on April 14th to order at 6.02 p.m.

0:57

Select Mentoris is not able to make it tonight.

1:00

So you know email that when she notified us, there are a couple items on the agenda that we'll talk about, but we won't take any action tonight because uh select mentorists would like to be part of that discussion.

1:12

So first thing, secretary's report, and it doesn't look like those minutes got filed.

1:18

So we'll have to table number two.

1:21

I'll make a motion to table the minutes.

1:23

Okay.

1:25

I'll second.

1:26

All in favor?

1:28

Aye.

1:28

Aye.

1:32

So have someone.

1:35

Audience of citizens.

1:37

We have our first public uh comment period.

1:40

People do want to just to address the board.

1:45

Anyone online?

1:46

Looks like we have three residents online.

1:51

Okay.

1:52

Okay, uh tax refunds.

1:54

I need a motion to approve two tax refunds, and the total amount, uh total amount of those two refunds is 201.22 cents.

2:01

I'll make a motion to approve factory funds 201.22 cents.

2:07

Okay, I will second.

2:09

All in favor?

2:10

Aye.

2:10

And none opposed.

2:12

Okay.

2:13

Um appointments.

2:15

So uh we had a resident reach out about about joining the community health committee.

2:20

She's already talked to the chair person.

2:22

Um I did have the opportunity to reach out to her.

2:25

I have not.

2:26

You have not, and I believe uh Select Mentoras hadn't either, so we can table her appointment till next time to get a chance.

2:32

And that's a reminder of once the board selectmen approved that that does have to go to a town meeting approval too.

2:38

So we will table that.

2:42

Okay.

2:44

And our next on the agenda is Connecticut Main Street Accelerator Program presentation.

2:49

So we have two people here to do that.

2:52

Okay.

2:52

Uh I'm Sage Novovak.

2:54

I'm a member of the Main Street Accelerator cohort along with uh Stacey and Allah.

2:59

Um three of our members couldn't be here tonight.

3:01

Um, but we're here to kind of give you guys an overview of what has been going on, what we're learning, what the purpose of our you know, process is and and um it's really great.

3:12

Um is everyone right you're familiar with the Main Street Accelerator program that we got approved for.

3:16

Okay, so I don't have to talk about that.

3:18

Um if you want to give a general overview for any residents that might tune in, because we do have people that watch the meetings, uh, so maybe they're not.

3:26

So uh Eversource started a program three years, this is the third year, and it's called the Main Street Accelerator Program.

3:34

And basically it is a process where towns can apply to the should I sniff or stand what you're fine.

3:42

Whatever you're comfortable, you can sit if you're more comfortable.

3:45

Um so towns can apply to be part of the program, and they are chosen.

3:50

Five are chosen every year, and this year Deep River was one of the towns, um, along with Westbrook, Fairfield, Vernon, and Torrington.

3:59

So it's a big whole mix match of six.

4:03

Out of 26 towns that applied.

4:05

So I'm a member on that, Stacey's a member on it.

4:08

Zony, uh Zoe from zoning is a member on it.

4:10

Um Dan Baff from the design review board is a member, and Daniel Smith also from zoning is a member.

4:16

So we kind of feel we have a good representation of people who have a vested interest in town and you know, obviously care about the town.

4:23

So the purpose of the accelerator program is to identify areas of improvement, enhancements for your main street, um, your major hub of town.

4:34

Um, what's great about it, what needs help, what you know, what can we do to make Deep River even better than it is?

4:41

So the first part of the process is identifying what we think might be something the town would like to see and happy about.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████41%

Community Engagement███████████████████████████27%

Procedural█████████████████████21%

Education████████8%

Transportation Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Deep River Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Deep River Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on April 14, 2026, at 6:02 PM. Selectman Mentoris was absent, and several agenda items were tabled to allow her participation in future discussions. The board heard a presentation on the Main Street Accelerator banner program and voted to approve it, discussed the 250th celebration, town and school budgets, and potential formation of a Harbor Management Commission and an Arts and Culture Committee.

Consent Calendar

The minutes from the previous meeting were tabled because the secretary's report was not filed. A motion to table the minutes passed unanimously.
Two tax refunds totaling $201.22 were approved by motion and second, with all in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

A resident raised a concern about crosswalk signs at David's Field, noting that the installation had caused a dip in the road that was worsening. The First Selectman responded that they had already contacted the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) that day, as it is a state road, and would follow up with Eric to ensure DOT addresses it.
Three residents participated online during the audience comment period; no specific comments were noted.

Discussion Items

Main Street Accelerator Program (Banner Program): Sage Novovak, a member of the Main Street Accelerator cohort, presented the program. The goal is to enhance Main Street through a sustainable banner program using existing lampposts. The first installation would feature 16 banners honoring veterans from the town's wall of honor and 16 banners celebrating the 250th anniversary and the National Muster, alternating along Main Street. The total cost for the initial installation (brackets, banners, tax, shipping) is $5,635. The program has a $5,000 grant from Eversource, with the remainder to be funded through sponsorships ($300 per lamppost per year, covering four seasonal installations). The group intends to establish a 501(c)(3) for tax-deductible donations. A motion was made to approve the program and the initial installation; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously (all in favor). The installation target is before Memorial Day 2026.
250th Celebration: The First Selectman reported that the 250th committee is meeting regularly, postcards are nearly ready, and a new website is being developed. Merchandise (mugs, stickers, sweatshirts, t-shirts) is available for sale displayed in the town office, with plans to offer online payment options like Venmo.
Town and School Budget Discussion: The school budget had been presented; a public hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2026, with a referendum on May 5, 2026. The town budget is still being finalized, with a town meeting expected in late April and the annual town meeting on the third Monday of May. Residents were encouraged to get informed and vote.
School Consolidation Task Force Update: Four subcommittees (finance, governance, consolidation, teaching and learning) continue to meet. A vacancy on the teaching and learning committee was announced; volunteers are sought.
Formation of a Harbor Management Commission and Harbor Master Appointments: The board discussed the possibility of creating a formal Harbor Management Commission, which would require an ordinance. An ad hoc committee could be a first step. Current harbor master and deputy harbor master positions are open; applications will be solicited and interviews conducted. No action was taken due to Selectman Mentoris's absence.
Formation of an Arts and Culture Committee: The First Selectman proposed forming a committee (5-7 members) to review public art proposals and advise the board. Several residents have expressed interest. No action was taken pending Selectman Mentoris's involvement.

Key Outcomes

Approved: The Main Street Accelerator banner program for Deep River, including the initial installation of 32 banners (16 hometown heroes veterans and 16 250th/muster banners) on Main Street lampposts. The motion passed with all selectmen in favor.
Tabled: Approved tax refunds, tabled approval of a new community health committee appointment until the next meeting, and tabled all discussion on harbor management and arts committee formation until Selectman Mentoris is present.
Next Steps: The banner program group will proceed with ordering and installation by Memorial Day; sponsorships will be solicited. The town will continue to work on website migration and budget preparations. Volunteers are needed for the school consolidation task force and for upcoming community events (Warriors and Community Day on May 21-22, Winthrop Cemetery Cleanup on May 2, and the Deep River Park and Rack Fishing Derby on May 9).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We'll call the Board of Selectman meeting, regular meeting on April 14th to order at 6.02 p.m. Select Mentoris is not able to make it tonight. So you know email that when she notified us, there are a couple items on the agenda that we'll talk about, but we won't take any action tonight because uh select mentorists would like to be part of that discussion. So first thing, secretary's report, and it doesn't look like those minutes got filed. So we'll have to table number two. I'll make a motion to table the minutes. Okay. I'll second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. So have someone. Audience of citizens. We have our first public uh comment period. People do want to just to address the board. Anyone online? Looks like we have three residents online. Okay. Okay, uh tax refunds. I need a motion to approve two tax refunds, and the total amount, uh total amount of those two refunds is 201.22 cents. I'll make a motion to approve factory funds 201.22 cents. Okay, I will second. All in favor? Aye. And none opposed. Okay. Um appointments. So uh we had a resident reach out about about joining the community health committee. She's already talked to the chair person. Um I did have the opportunity to reach out to her. I have not. You have not, and I believe uh Select Mentoras hadn't either, so we can table her appointment till next time to get a chance. And that's a reminder of once the board selectmen approved that that does have to go to a town meeting approval too. So we will table that. Okay. And our next on the agenda is Connecticut Main Street Accelerator Program presentation. So we have two people here to do that. Okay. Uh I'm Sage Novovak. I'm a member of the Main Street Accelerator cohort along with uh Stacey and Allah. Um three of our members couldn't be here tonight. Um, but we're here to kind of give you guys an overview of what has been going on, what we're learning, what the purpose of our you know, process is and and um it's really great. Um is everyone right you're familiar with the Main Street Accelerator program that we got approved for. Okay, so I don't have to talk about that. Um if you want to give a general overview for any residents that might tune in, because we do have people that watch the meetings, uh, so maybe they're not. So uh Eversource started a program three years, this is the third year, and it's called the Main Street Accelerator Program. And basically it is a process where towns can apply to the should I sniff or stand what you're fine. Whatever you're comfortable, you can sit if you're more comfortable. Um so towns can apply to be part of the program, and they are chosen.

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