Deep River, CT Board of Selectmen and Finance Board Meetings - May 26, 2026

On May 26, 2026, the Town of Deep River held a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen (called to order at 6:04 p.m.) and, later that evening, a Board of Finance meeting (convened at 7:10 p.m.). This summary was prepared from the raw transcript only, as no agenda or minutes were available. Major topics included a Connecticut Green Bank solar presentation, a Neighborhood Assistance Grant referral for the Deep River Congregational Church, formation of an Arts and Culture Committee, the future of the elected tax collector position, and year-end budget pressures.

Consent Calendar

• Board of Selectmen: a motion was made to approve minutes of the March 24 regular meeting, April 14 regular meeting, and May 4 special meeting.
• Board of Finance: took up approval of minutes from its March 24 and April 7 regular meetings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident urged the Board not to change the tax collector from an elected to an appointed position, stating that residents concluded the change is "not the best thing for the town of Deep River."
• A speaker relayed Catherine's view that it was "very insulting" that the other board (apparently the school board) voted to move forward with the exact same budget number that had been voted down before, and urged the public to come out next time.
• A speaker announced an upcoming public event to cheer on children who are walking, and asked for small donations for their cause.

Discussion Items

• Connecticut Green Bank - Solar Map Plus: The presenter introduced the Green Bank's program to help municipalities, state agencies, and affordable multifamily housing providers explore solar and storage projects. The desktop review identified Deep River Elementary School as "a good candidate," after checking grid capacity and other factors. A board member who served on the Board of Education recalled a junior high school solar project that "never panned out like it was supposed to" and asked to see projected savings for a similarly sized project. The presenters said next steps are confirmation of the town's participation, a letter of intent, inclusion in the Green Bank's safe-harbor activities and its summer RFP, and a return proposal with exact system size, generation, and economic benefits. A board member asked about the timeline needed to complete the safe-harbor work in time for the deadline.
• Tax collector position: The First Selectman explained that changing the tax collector from an elected to an appointed (hired) position would require drafting an ordinance and a vote at a town meeting, and cited Chester as an example. He outlined a hiring process similar to the finance director's, with preliminary and secondary interview committees. After discussion, the item was deferred to the next agenda; no vote was taken.
• Arts and Culture Committee: The First Selectman said there was consensus to form the committee, and that he had drafted a general mission statement. A motion was made to form the committee with seven members; the Board discussed adopting the draft mission statement or letting the new members refine it.
• Budget and finance discussion: A board member noted the town was "a little bit short... by about 20,000 dollars year to date," and the police full-time officer line was described as over budget, with the total category expected to come in just slightly over budget. A board member explained that the selectmen can authorize spending only up to $10,000, and anything above that must go to a town meeting; it was recalled that the fire department had previously come to the Board before exceeding its training line. The First Selectman urged the Board not to follow the school board's example of going back "without a single change." The Board discussed possible budget workshops, noted the revaluation needed research, and considered a motion to approve up to 40 hours of consultant time to assist with the budget.
• Town sign: A resident suggested a more visible permanent town sign similar to Essex's; a board member said they would support a motion if one was made.
• Board of Finance items: The quarterly pension meeting was held Thursday, April 23, at 2:30 p.m. at town hall. A participant asked that the town try to get a 2 percent interest rate on the next bond.
• Social services: A brief discussion included a question about whether the department's name had been changed.
• Community health committee: The Board noted that appointments made that night would still need a town meeting as the next step for the community health committee item.

Key Outcomes

• The Board of Selectmen voted (ayes, none opposed) to send the Deep River Congregational Church's Neighborhood Assistance Grant request to a town meeting. The Board noted it had received three applications - from the church, the Deep River Housing Authority, and Tritown Youth Services - and was waiting to hear whether the Housing Authority would move its project forward this year. The First Selectman said the town meeting date was not yet set, with a June 30/July 1 deadline.
• A motion to form a seven-member Arts and Culture Committee was made; membership and the final mission statement were left for later refinement.
• The proposed tax collector ordinance change was deferred to a future agenda with no vote.
• A motion to approve up to 40 hours for a budget consultant was made and discussed; the transcript records no final tally.
• The Board of Finance approved its minutes; no other formal votes were reported.
• The Board planned additional budget workshops to continue the discussion.