The Easton Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Friday, April 8 in lieu of our regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 7. First Selectman David Bindelglass and Selectman Robert Lessler were in attendance. Selectman Kristi Sogofsky intended to attend but had a last minute scheduling conflict and was, therefore, not present.
The board met in special session to set the agenda for the Annual Town Meeting. Since we had to meet for that purpose two other matters were taken up as well.
The board gave its final approval to the proposed Demolition Delay Ordinance and to the revised Library Board Ordinance. The board also approved a transfer of an open space parcel on Far Horizons Drive from a private person to the town. Finally, the board approved the sale of approximately 18.7 acres of the South Park Avenue property to the Aspetuck Land Trust for $470,000.
Since final adoption of the above items requires town meeting approval, the board voted to incorporate these items onto the agenda for the Annual Town Meeting. Accordingly, the following items will constitute the agenda for the Annual Town Meeting:
1. Discussion of the town budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Board of Finance. Presentations on the budget will be made by the Board of Finance, the local Board of Education and the Region 9 Board of Education.
2. Acceptance of the five year capital plan.
3. Setting July 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023, for the payment of tax bills.
4. Approval of the Demolition Delay Ordinance
5. Approval of the amended Library Board Ordinance.
6. Acceptance of the transfer of an open space parcel on Far Horizons Drive from Stefan Abelin to the town.
7. Approval of the sale of 18.7 acres at 18-22 South Park Avenue to the Aspetuck Land Trust.
The Annual Town Meeting will be adjourned to a machine vote referendum to be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Samuel Staples Elementary School for the purpose of taking final action on items 1, 4, and 7 above.
The notice will specify that the town meeting cannot amend the proposed budget, cannot add items to the agenda at the meeting, and any action other than items 2, 3, 5, and 6 must be acted on at the referendum.
The board accepted the resignation of Town Clerk Christine Halloran, effective April 18,2022. For personal reasons, she must step down from her post. The board expressed its deep appreciation for the dedicated and outstanding service Christine has provided to the town during her tenure. She will be greatly missed. She represents everything that a public servant should be–intelligent, compassionate, diligent, full of integrity, and just a fine person.
The board appointed Debbie Szegedi to serve as the town clerk for the remainder of the current term, as state law provides. Debbie is the long time assistant town clerk. She will be able to step seamlessly into her new role given her many years of experience in the office.
Daniel Lent offered public comment on the proposed sale of the South Park Avenue property to the Aspetuck Land Trust.
