Town of Barkhamsted

The Board of Selectmen meeting included the appointment of an alternate to the Inland Wetland Commission and the approval of bids for flooring and painting improvements at Town Hall. The Board discussed the progress of the EV charger station grant, noting potential safety and maintenance concerns, and reviewed infrastructure improvements for West River Road involving engineer selection and bicycle accessibility challenges. Additionally, the Board addressed public safety concerns raised by the Fire Marshal regarding fire lane signage and the status of an abandoned station.

The Commission reviewed new applications regarding properties at 31 W. West Hill Road, submitted by Nicholas Bottino and Jason Vallerand. These included an after-the-fact application for a driveway culvert and an application for a proposed two-lot free split with driveway culverts. The Commission determined both applications to be regulated and significant, subsequently setting them for a public hearing.

The board reviewed General Government, Capital, and Board of Education expenditures. The Superintendent led a review of the Board of Education budget, highlighting overages in Special Education, boiler repairs, lighting loans, and heating oil, and a motion was passed to refer the Special Education shortfall to the Board of Selectmen for a public meeting. The board discussed the FY 26/27 budget for General Government, Education, Capital, and Revenue, specifically debating salary line items. Correspondence was reviewed, including a letter regarding a previous motion on the First Selectman's salary.

The Board conducted a public hearing regarding an application for a variance to allow no frontage on a town road for a property located at 27 Dillon Beach Road. The applicant sought to subdivide the property, but the Board evaluated the request against requirements for hardship. Following the hearing, the application was denied due to the lack of evidence of hardship that runs with the land.

Key discussions during this special meeting included the review and correction of minutes from the previous regular meeting on February 10, 2026, and the signing of checks. The Board unanimously approved tax refunds and credits as presented by the Tax Collector. An appointment was made to the Inland Wetland Commission. Furthermore, the Board unanimously approved a motion to transfer funds, not to exceed $220,000, from the Undesignated Surplus Fund to the Board of Education to cover anticipated excess expenditures in Special Education for the 2025-2026 budget year. A subsequent transfer, not to exceed $5,100, was also approved from the Undesignated Surplus Fund to the General Government Fund to facilitate funding for a Drone Light Show scheduled for June 6, 2026. Both transfer motions are scheduled for a Special Town Meeting.