Jeremy Doucette

The session focused on the review of the Public Works Highway FY27 Budget, which is funded by the Town of Groton upon approval by the Town Council. The budget reflects a 3.45% increase, primarily attributed to collective bargaining wage increases and anticipated costs for future union contract negotiations. Key capital requests included paving two roads, Riverview and Fairview, due to poor PCS ratings, with consideration given to seeking state grants for complete streets funding. Additionally, two vehicle replacements were requested: a Ford pickup nearing the end of its useful life and an excavator, with its cost to be spread across FY27 and FY28 budget years to mitigate expense spikes.

The committee continued discussions regarding increasing City of Groton firefighting staff, including estimates for salaries and benefits and the potential timeline for seeking a Safer Grant. Referred items included assessing the West Pleasant Valley Fire Protection Agreement from 1962 to determine the feasibility of creating an ordinance to collect fire marshal inspection fees in that district, noting that the Town of Groton currently processes building permits. The committee also discussed Fairview Homes, which currently does not contribute to fire protection costs, and the possibility of charging fire marshal inspection fees there as allowed by current Connecticut General Statutes. Under new business, the committee recommended to the City Council the creation of one additional City of Groton firefighter position for the FYE27 budget prior to applying for the SAFER Grant. Other new business involved discussing changes to the firefighter minimum staffing levels, including the possibility of selling back overtime instead of letting it lapse and proposals to increase the minimum staffing on specific shifts, with the intent to bring these complex issues to a Committee of the Whole for further input.

The meeting agenda includes a Roll Call, approval of the prior meeting's minutes, and a Public Hearing section. The Regular Meeting portion is set to address Application CAM #342 regarding new construction at 37 Bakers Cove Lane. Discussions are also planned for potential amendments to Zoning Regulations concerning Definitions, Residential standards, Renderings, and the POCD 2028 document. An Executive Session is scheduled to address pending litigation related to Zoning Regulations.

The meeting agenda included sections for citizen petitions and comments, followed by the approval of previous minutes from the Special Committee of the Whole, Mayor and Council, and Special Mayor and Council meetings. New business items involved authorizing Bozrah Light and Power Management to issue a purchase order up to $99,000.00 (including contingency) to Cardinal Enterprises, LLC for the temporary relocation of Electric AMI Antennas to facilitate a water tank rehabilitation project. Additionally, the Mayor and Council were set to approve appointments for regular members to the Youth Advisory Committee and the Beach and Parks Committee.

The main item discussed during this special meeting was the proposed budget for the Highway Department for Fiscal Year 2027. The Mayor and Council proceeded to approve the FY2027 Highway Department budget as submitted, reviewed, and discussed, in accordance with the City Charter requirements regarding budget submissions.