Mary Calorio

The meeting included a discussion and subsequent action regarding the Bedlam Road Bridge Project. Representatives from WMC provided updates on the project status, current funding levels, and potential funding options due to increased costs. The Board authorized WMC to complete the bridge final design. Additionally, the Board authorized the Shared Town Administrators to initiate a Request for Quotation (RFQ) process for Financial Advisors.

The joint meeting focused primarily on the Town Administrator Report titled "Town Of Chaplin Budget Review." Key recommendations for improving the budget review process included reducing color use, removing outlying year projections, providing a summary of major impacts (like mill rate effect), incorporating graphic presentations, adding a mill rate breakdown by entity, providing department descriptions, and centralizing management of the budget document with Town Administrators. The Board discussed potential follow-up actions, resulting in a motion for Town Administrators to assume responsibility for the preparation and management of the FY 2026-27 budget document, which was tabled for discussion at the next Board of Finance meeting.

This document presents Chaplin's 2021 Plan of Conservation and Development Update, serving as a roadmap for preserving the town's rural character, natural resources, and cultural heritage. Key strategic areas include promoting sustainable economic development along the Route 6 corridor, ensuring housing diversity, enhancing transportation safety and accessibility, maintaining public safety, improving municipal facilities and services, and supporting educational initiatives. The plan emphasizes careful land use, environmental protection, and community engagement to foster long-term benefits for the community.

The committee discussed the document 'Open Invitation to Chaplin Residents to Donate to the Bicentennial Program Booklets,' focusing on revisions and concerns regarding individual sponsorships and donations. The discussion included the need for additional work to coordinate checks and PDF files, potentially hiring someone for detailed tasks, and the inclusion of a note allowing the committee to accept or reject submissions. Anne Sicilian volunteered to handle individual donations/sponsorships, while Ann Lewis is managing business donations. The revised document will be presented for approval at the next meeting.

The meeting included the appointment of James Harrington to the position of Selectman, replacing Kenneth Fortier, effective from June 14, 2025, until November 4, 2025.