Deep River Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance Joint Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Deep River Board of Selectmen (BOS) and Board of Finance (BOF) held separate sessions on the evening of September 22, 2026. The BOS session began at 6:08 PM and the BOF session at 7:00 PM. Key actions included appointments to boards, discussion of a major water leak at the elementary school, acceptance of the FY2025 audit with noted deficiencies, and planning for the upcoming budget process.

Consent Calendar

• The BOS tabled approval of minutes from regular meetings of August 18 and September 8, 2026, due to board members not having reviewed them.
• The BOF unanimously approved the minutes from its regular meeting held on July 28, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jonathan Lambert (62 Oak Ridge Drive, Chair of the Republican Town Committee) addressed the BOS, expressing concern that appointing Mike Weglars to the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) while he serves on the Board of Finance could create ethical conflicts. He urged the board to seek an opinion from the ethics board or town council before appointing.

Discussion Items

• Board of Selectmen - Appointments:

  • Mike Weglars was appointed to the WPCA for a term expiring December 1, 2028. Board members discussed the potential conflict, noting past practice of allowing Board of Finance members to serve on WPCA and expressing trust in Weglars to recuse himself when necessary. The motion passed 2-0 (Selectman Gates absent).
  • Nick Olson was appointed to the WPCA for a term expiring December 1, 2028. Concerns about Olson's business involving septic systems and sewer lines were raised, but the board supported the appointment, trusting him to recuse himself. The motion passed 2-0.
  • Stasia Cowell was appointed to the Deep River Housing Authority Board of Commissioners as a tenant representative, filling the vacancy left by April Corsetti. The appointment was approved unanimously.

• Transfer Station Update: The BOS reported that a member of the Transfer Station Committee will provide a five-minute update at the next monthly BOS meeting. A meeting with DPW is being set to establish new fee schedules for bulky items, and an ordinance is being revised with the town attorney.

• Deep River Day: The event was highly praised. The BOS thanked Kaylee Anderson and Park & Rec, and noted the fireworks, 5K (top winner female from Middletown), and the pet parade. The town of Clinton provided lights for the event.

• Town Meeting Notice: The BOS announced a town meeting on Thursday, September 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss adopting an ordinance allowing zoning to issue citations.

• Infrastructure Requests: The BOS discussed improving the process for handling resident requests for road trees and other infrastructure issues, currently lacking a formal work-order system. A resident suggested using Microsoft Forms for online requests, which the BOS will explore.

• Water Leak at Elementary School: A water cooler hose on the third floor burst, flooding the building and affecting the elevator. School was delayed; service masters responded; the school is expected to reopen tomorrow. Insurance adjuster Kerma was on site. Repairs to sheetrock will take one to two weeks.

• School Consolidation Meetings: Consultant DMG has scheduled community engagement workshops: Chester (October 28), Deep River (October 29 at the auditorium), Essex (November 4), and a larger gathering at John Winthrop (November 10).

• Board of Finance - Treasurer's Report (presented by Tom):

  • General fund adjusted balance: $10,563,188.08.
  • Federal Reserve increased interest rates by 25 basis points to 4% on September 16, 2026 (first increase in three years).
  • Capital improvements borrow balance: $479,087.87 (no disbursements in the month).
  • ARPA bonds: $1,128,219 dispersed of original $1,314,908; balance must be spent by year-end.
  • ECS grant for FY27: $1,676,105, with first installment of $419,026.25 due October 31.
  • Short-term investments earned $25,368.42 in July (16.91% of budgeted $150,000).

• FY2025 Audit Results (presented by Mahoney Sable, Mike Van Divinter and Lauren):

  • Unmodified clean opinion on financial statements, with an emphasis of matter paragraph for implementation of GASB Statement No. 101 (compensated absences).
  • Material Weakness in Internal Controls: Significant number of audit adjustments were proposed and recorded due to year-end reconciliation issues, particularly bank reconciliations that were undone from July 2024 onward. The finance director (Paula) is working to catch up but lacks resources.
  • Significant Deficiency in Budgetary Monitoring: Several departments exceeded their approved appropriations without prior authorization from the Board of Finance. The board committed to improving communication and timely approval of overages.
  • State Single Audit: Unmodified opinion on compliance for major programs (Urban Act grant, Municipal Grant Aid). One immaterial instance of noncompliance: untimely final report submission for the Urban Act grant. A significant deficiency in grant reporting internal controls was noted; a schedule of all grant reports is now being maintained.
  • The board discussed the need for additional resources to bring the accounting current, and asked the finance director to present a list of outstanding items and estimated costs at the October meeting.

• ARPA Fund Update: Of the original $1,314,908, $1,257,420.84 has been spent, leaving $57,487.16. The board reviewed line-item underspends (e.g., finance software implementation $12,000, fire radio system $11,000) and discussed whether those funds can be reallocated to other ARPA-eligible uses, pending state approval. The BOS will determine priorities.

• Budget Process for FY28: A draft timeline was presented, with the major change being that the BOS will prepare the budget and submit to the BOF by February 15, 2027. The BOF will develop revenue estimates and mill rate. A special meeting was scheduled for October 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM to finalize the budget timeline and discuss board roles and responsibilities.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments to WPCA (Weglars and Olson) approved 2-0; Cowell to Housing Authority approved unanimously.
• FY2025 audit accepted; BOF will request a resource plan from the finance director to address internal control deficiencies.
• A special joint meeting of BOS and BOF is set for October 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss the budget process and board roles.
• The BOS will pursue a new procedure for handling resident infrastructure requests, including a possible online form.
• The town will hold a town meeting on September 23, 2026 regarding the zoning citation ordinance.
• The transfer station will implement a free tire disposal program for residents (contractor Bob's Tires).
• New permit stickers for the transfer station will be issued effective January 1, 2027.