Town of Darien

The Board of Assessment Appeals addressed multiple appeals pertaining to the 2025 Grand List. The appeals heard included properties located at 18 Patton Drive, 3 Parklands Drive, 1 Pratt Island, 33 Beverly Place, and several locations associated with The Corbin District Owner LLC, including properties on Boston Post Road, Market Street, Penny Lane, and Corbin Drive. Additionally, appeals were heard for properties at 71 Stony Brook Rd, 40 Allwood Road, 6 Bouton Lane, 33 Tokeneke Road, and two properties at 10 Devon Road and 10 Devonshire Road.

The special meeting agenda included a project update from Weston & Sampson regarding the means and methods for removing dredged materials, specifically the approved alternative of storing dredged material in on-site containers for truck removal. Financial matters involved authorizing the Director of Finance to sign invoices/change orders subsequent to Committee approval, and approving payments to Yield Industries ($90,250 for mobilization) and Weston & Sampson ($16,625 for construction services). Discussions also covered project timelines, which still estimated completion in the week of April 17th, and future community communication, particularly concerning parking lot closures impacting Great Island access, which was suggested for the Town newsletter. A request was made to include a Public Comment section on future agendas.

The meeting included public hearings and deliberations on several applications. Key discussions centered on a business site plan application for redeveloping a gas station into a motor vehicle service station with a convenience store, focusing on curb cuts, traffic ingress/egress, and parking adequacy. Another public hearing addressed a coastal site plan review for a residential property including a garage addition, pool, and patio, with focus on compliance with flood damage prevention and site development activities. A third public hearing concerned the construction of a pool and spa on a property where FEMA flood mapping was noted as potentially incorrect. The general meeting portion involved postponing an amendment for terrace renovation at Wee Burn Country Club, approving a single-day permit for the Town of Darien's 250th anniversary celebration at The Mather Homestead Foundation, and deliberations regarding a mixed-use residential/commercial redevelopment proposal at Heights Corner, LLC.

The committee conducted a review and approved the minutes from the prior special meeting held on October 27, 2025. A primary discussion point involved a proposal to amend Appendix C of the Darien Code of Ordinances to incorporate Article XIII, establishing 'Sump Pump Removal Regulations Concerning the Abatement of Illicit Discharge into Public Sewers.' Following explanations regarding the background and legal aspects of the proposed ordinance, the committee requested updated, revised copies of the relevant resolution, ordinance, and regulations for future review. Additionally, the committee briefly discussed the First Selectman's request for the RTM to review the Darien Charter and Code of Ordinances, including TGS&A's role in that process.

The meeting addressed several operational and administrative matters. Key discussions included sewer user fee appeals for two properties, which resulted in amendments to their bills. The commission passed a motion allowing staff to interpret regulations concerning connection fees for a property on Thorndal Circle. Furthermore, action was taken regarding a sewer lateral connection issue at 5 Goodwives River Road, authorizing staff to engage with town counsel concerning title searches. The commission also decided to hold a public hearing regarding a shift or change in the Aquarion Water billing period, covering data from November and April across four years (2022-2025). Regarding the Sump Pump Removal Policy, motions passed to approve the ordinance and regulations with noted edits, while the financial assistance policy was tabled. Finally, the commission passed a motion to proceed with a bond resolution.