John M. Burt

The Special Meeting of the Groton Resource Recovery Authority primarily focused on reviewing and adopting changes to the transfer station fee structure. The proposed changes included reducing the annual permit fee from $140 to $100, creating a new senior discount of $75 for those 65 and older, reducing the daily pass fee from $25 to $20, reducing the trip ticket fee from $60 to $50, and increasing the tire fee from $3 to $5. The authority also authorized a process to credit the $20 daily pass cost towards an annual permit if purchased within 30 days, and authorized a 50 percent reduction in the annual permit cost if purchased after March 1st. Furthermore, the operating hours were revised to include Wednesdays, in addition to the existing Thursday through Saturday schedule. An amendment was also adopted to introduce a $90 annual permit fee for active duty military, retirees, and their dependents who provide proof of ID, which is higher than the standard senior rate but lower than the general rate.

Key discussions centered on trail maintenance, including boundary monitoring results, downed trees following storms, and ongoing issues with a specific tree. A primary focus was the application for recreational trail grant funding to complete approximately 4,000 feet of the yellow trail loop, with in-house engineering covering the match. The group also reviewed data from a new trail counter that tracks pedestrian/cyclist traffic, temperature, and weather, and discussed future trail signage and wayfinding improvements to address user confusion, potentially numbering trails similarly to European systems. Furthermore, an update was provided on securing nearly $3 million in BIL funding to improve the lower trail, which frequently floods, requiring consideration of footbridges and cut-throughs for emergency vehicle access. Finally, a new multi-departmental project called the 'Discovery Cat' at Avery Point campus, featuring eight informational signs with rotating content, was introduced.

The meeting primarily addressed variance requests related to signage for the Groton Middle School project. A variance request concerning three signs in the frontage of the property, related to section 8.4.8.b, was formally withdrawn after discussions with the Planning Department and exploration of a comprehensive sign program. The board received an update on signage variance requests for the Groton Middle School, specifically regarding the allowable size for the new sign (exceeding the zone allowance), and requests to allow a digital sign, which is not currently permitted in the GR zoning district but exists for the Elagrosso Technical High School. Proposers detailed efforts to balance the new Groton Middle School sign's visual impact against the existing, very large Elagrosso sign, including moving the Sutton Park sign to a better location and adjusting landscaping, and the proposed removal of an existing tree that would obstruct the view of the new sign. The discussion concluded with clarification on which specific variance requests related to Section 8.4-8 point A were being pursued versus those being withdrawn.

Discussions covered several agenda items, including the city budget presentation for grant utilities financials (561 and 690), which was presented without the Director Yuhas. A key topic was the replacement of a 1999 water truck, which is used as the primary plow truck, with a new vehicle purchased leveraging a prior public works bid. The Committee also reviewed Change Order 22 for an ongoing project, which consolidated small updates and cleared unused allowance credits to determine the remaining contingency funds, anticipating one final change order (23). A request was made and affirmed to conduct a post-mortem review of multi-year projects after their completion to better inform future decision-making. Finally, the committee discussed the plan to opt into the National Opioid Settlement, noting the January 2nd deadline for registration and the dependency of the final award amount on participation levels across Connecticut municipalities.

The Committee of the Whole meeting commenced with an announcement regarding temporary closure of the municipal building's main entrance due to renovations. Key discussions involved the appointment of the auditor, Clifton Larson and Allen (formerly Bloom Shapiro), for the fifth and final year of the RFP contract, noting a fee increase to $81,900. The committee also discussed the acceptance of a donation of beach toys (estimated at $50 value) for the children's lending basket. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the acceptance of a $37,500 JAG Grant for violence prevention, specifically allocating funds for Marine Patrol startup costs (including electronic refurbishment) and the police dive team equipment maintenance. The committee also discussed upcoming street improvements, including paving resolutions for Ramsdale Street, Cottage Street, and Park Avenue, totaling substantial costs, and addressed concerns regarding contractor flagging safety protocols. Finally, the session concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters of the police department, before reconvening for Public Works items.