Deep River
Upcoming
Board of Fire Commissioners
The board will review financial statements and payments of bills. The meeting includes reports from the Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal, Engineer, and Chairman.
- Approval of June 1, 2026 minutes
- Financial statement and payment of bills
Design Advisory Board
The Design Advisory Board will hold a special meeting to discuss guidelines recommended for adoption by Planning and Zoning, related to Public Act 25-1. No decisions are scheduled; this is a discussion item.
- Discussion of DAB guidelines for Public Act 25-1
Last 30 days
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting to discuss a proposed $16,000 reduction to the Waste Removal/Recycling Department budget. They will also receive an update on the Main Street Visionaries Hometown Heroes Banner Project. The board will then participate in the Board of Finance meeting.
- Discussion of $16K reduction to Waste Removal/Recycling (Transfer Station) budget
- Update on Main Street Visionaries, Hometown Heroes Banner Project
- Participation in Board of Finance meeting at 7:00 PM
Board of Finance
The Board of Finance is reviewing the current FY 2025-26 budget and updates on the 2026 financial outlook. Discussions include capital cash forecasts, the status of the firehouse, and an update on the annual audit process.
- Capital cash forecast update
- Firehouse status report
- FY 2024-25 year-end budget audit status
- Review of FY 2025-26 budget
Town Clerk
The Deep River Special Town Meeting will vote on supporting grant applications for a local church and housing authority. Officials will also approve several ordinance updates, including changes to parks quorum rules, overnight docking at Town Landing, and the Canfield Woods property description. Additionally, the meeting will address zoning changes that remove the Planning and Zoning Commission fee schedule and a municipal property exemption clause.
- Approve town support for Neighborhood Assistance Grants for Deep River Congregational Church and Deep River Housing Authority
- Update Parks and Recreation ordinance quorum rules and clarify overnight docking at Town Landing
- Revise Conservation and Inland Wetlands ordinance description for Canfield Woods property
- Remove Planning and Zoning Commission fee schedule and municipal property exemption clause
The special town meeting unanimously approved supporting Neighborhood Assistance Grant applications for the First Congregational Church and the Deep River Housing Authority. It also appointed Juana L. Figueroa to the Community Health Committee. The meeting adopted several ordinance amendments: revising the Park and Recreation Commission quorum and hiring authority, updating the Deep River Landing and Dock restrictions, granting regulatory authority over Canfield Woods to the Conservation Commission, and amending the Planning and Zoning Fee Ordinance while repealing two outdated ordinances.
- Approved support for Neighborhood Assistance Grant applications (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Juana L. Figueroa to Community Health Committee (unanimous)
- Approved amended Park and Recreation Commission ordinance (unanimous)
- Approved amended Deep River Landing and Dock ordinance (unanimous)
- Approved amended Canfield Woods regulatory ordinance (unanimous)
- Approved updated Planning and Zoning Fee Ordinance and repeal of two ordinances (unanimous)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will review a request for $2,240.84 in tax refunds and discuss the upcoming town budget referendum. The meeting also includes a public hearing on the Transfer Station budget and a report on a $846,400.00 Department of Transportation grant.
- Tax refunds totaling $2,240.84 requested
- Town Budget Referendum discussion
- Transfer Station Budget Reduction discussion
- DOT Community Connectivity Grant of $846,400.00
- Appointment of Tom Dougherty to Conservation Commission
Board of Finance
The Board of Finance will discuss and potentially act on the FY 2025-26 budget review and update on 2026 financing, including capital cash forecast and firehouse status. They will also receive the treasurer's report and an audit update for FY 2024-25. The meeting includes audience participation for public comment.
- Approve minutes from May 26 and four budget workshop meetings in May–June
- Treasurer's report
- Update on 2026 financing: capital cash forecast and firehouse status
- Update on FY 2024-25 year-end audit status
- Review of FY 2025-26 budget
Planning and Zoning Commission
The Planning and Zoning Commission will receive a presentation on the Deep River Downtown Masterplan, including a six-month progress report. This is a special meeting focused solely on this update, with no other business or decisions on the agenda.
- Presentation of Deep River Downtown Masterplan with 6-month progress report
Economic Development Commission
The Planning & Zoning Commission (also labeled as Economic Development Commission) will receive a presentation of the Deep River Downtown Masterplan along with a 6-month progress update. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is informational.
- Presentation of Deep River Downtown Masterplan with 6-month progress report
Design Advisory Board
The Land Use Commissions will hold a special meeting to review the Deep River Downtown Masterplan. The session will include a six-month progress report on the plan's implementation.
- Presentation of Deep River Downtown Masterplan
- 6-month progress report
Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission
The Planning & Zoning and Conservation commissions hold a special joint meeting to receive a presentation on the Deep River Downtown Masterplan, including a 6-month progress update. No decisions or public hearings are scheduled; the item is informational.
- Presentation of Deep River Downtown Masterplan with 6-month progress report
Board of Finance
The Deep River Board of Finance will hold a special meeting to review the Selectmen's recommended budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Officials will also consider the results of the June 16 town referendum and discuss next steps for finalizing the budget. The board may set the property tax mill rate and take a vote on the proposed budget during this session.
- Review of Selectmen-recommended 2026-2027 fiscal year budget
- Consideration of June 16 town referendum results
- Possible setting of the property tax mill rate
- Possible vote on the final budget
Planning and Zoning Commission
The Deep River Planning and Zoning Commission will hold public hearings on two special permit applications for large structures in the Gateway Zone. Commissioners are also voting on several zoning text amendments, including updates to accessory apartment rules, solid waste facility standards, and a new middle housing definition for commercial districts. Additional agenda items cover vendor regulations, ongoing code revisions, and committee reports.
- Public hearing for a home renovation and pool at 38 Brockway Ferry Road (Gateway Zone)
- Public hearing for a new shed over 4,000 sq ft at 83 River Road (Gateway Zone)
- Zoning text amendment updating accessory apartment regulations
- Zoning text amendment adding middle housing to mixed-use and commercial zones
- Regulation amendment addressing vendors and accessory uses
Town Clerk
Town electors and qualified voters will meet for a referendum to approve or disapprove the proposed municipal budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
- Proposed FY 2026-2027 budget of $21,544,884
The budget referendum was held on June 16, 2026. The $21,544,884 budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 was approved by a vote of 329 to 215, with a voter turnout of 16%.
- Approved $21.5M town budget (329-215)
Firehouse Building Committee
The Firehouse Building Committee will hear an update on building program and design services from TSKP, and discuss alternative sites for the new firehouse. They will also review and approve invoices, receive updates from the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen, and nominate and vote for a Secretary. Public comment will be taken.
- Update from TSKP on building program and design services
- Discuss alternative sites for firehouse
- Invoice review and approval (financial overview)
- Nominate and vote for Secretary position (vacancy)
- Update from Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen
The Firehouse Building Committee agreed to move forward with further evaluation of three potential sites: the Historical Society property, Deep River Market property, and Fremut's Service property. The committee also unanimously approved the minutes from the June 4 meeting. Nomination and election for the Secretary position were tabled until the next meeting.
- Approved minutes of June 4, 2026 (unanimous)
- Agreed to evaluate Historical Society, Deep River Market, and Fremut's Service as potential firehouse sites
- Tabled nomination and election of Secretary
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals holds a special meeting and public hearing to consider two variance applications. The board will also discuss scheduling a future regular meeting date and approve minutes from a prior meeting.
- ZBA #26-01: Variance for minimum front setback and Gateway Conservation Zone setback at 38 Brockway Ferry Road
- ZBA #26-02: Variance for minimum side setback at 77 High Street
- Discussion of setting July meeting date for two additional ZBA applications
- Approval of minutes from July 1, 2025 special meeting
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission will discuss a recommendation for an 18-month strategic plan to the Board of Selectmen, and hear an update on the Mt. St. John property from its new owners. Reports will also cover the Main Street Accelerator program, traffic improvements, and website updates.
- Discussion with new owners of Mt. St. John property
- 18-month Strategic Plan recommendation for Board of Selectmen
- Hearts program update
- Main Street Accelerator Program update
- RiverCog EDC on-call economic development services update
Design Advisory Board
The Design Advisory Board met to review State Public Act 25-1 regarding middle housing development pathways. No votes or approvals occurred; the board will hold future meetings to review guidelines.
- No substantive decisions made; meeting was informational only
Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission
The Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission will review an application to renovate a dwelling, build a 16x36 ft pool, and install a new septic system at 38 Brockway Ferry Road within an upland review area. They will also consider an amendment to change a house model at 1H Sylvan Terrace.
- Renovation and pool construction at 38 Brockway Ferry Road
- New septic system within upland review area
- House model change at 1H Sylvan Terrace
- Approval of minutes from May 14, 2026
- Enforcement report and discussion
Deep River Sustainable CT Committee
The committee unanimously approved minutes from previous meetings. They discussed progress on a solar project for the elementary school, with the Board of Selectmen provisionally approving the concept. Other updates included energy campaign letters, climate leader submission planning, and a recommendation for electric lawn equipment.
- Approved May and February/March minutes (unanimous)
- Assigned climate leader action items to members
- Divided light inventory assignments
- Decided to evaluate street signs for Heat Smart campaign
- Will recommend electric lawn equipment policy to BOS
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Commission unanimously authorized the Parks & Recreation Director to sign the playground equipment contract for Plattwood Park, with installation expected by end of summer. It also decided to retain the goalposts at Devitt Field, informing HK Youth Football Association that donation would require a town meeting. The Board of Finance restored proposed budget cuts, and a new concessions/bathroom building for Plattwood Park is expected in September.
- Approved May regular and June 8 special meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Authorized Director to sign playground equipment contract (unanimous)
- Retained goalposts at Devitt Field, denying donation to HK Youth Football Association
Community Health Committee
The committee accepted the secretary's and treasurer's reports. They discussed the timeline for annual fund letters and the backpack packing date. No substantive policy decisions were made.
- Accepted secretary's report (unanimous)
- Accepted treasurer's report (unanimous)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 to move forward with a letter of intent for the Solar Energy Green Bank Program, contingent on Town Attorney review, to begin analysis of solar panel installation at Deep River Elementary School. The board also unanimously approved minutes from previous meetings. The revised town budget will go to referendum on June 16, 2026.
- Approved minutes of May 26 and June 1, 2026 (3-0)
- Approved letter of intent for solar project at elementary school, contingent on attorney review (2-1)
- Set revised town budget referendum for June 16, 2026
Board of Finance
After hearing from about 100 residents who opposed cutting services to the elementary school, library, and Parks and Rec, the Board passed a motion to reduce the 2026-2027 budget by $494,000. The reduction includes a $427,000 cut to the operating budget and the addition of $67,000 in education grants. The vote was 3-2.
- Reduced 2026-2027 budget by $494,000 (3-2)
- Cut operating budget by $427,000
- Added $67,000 in education grants
Water Pollution Control Authority
The Water Pollution Control Authority approved a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget of $1,867,143, including $465,000 in capital expenditures and a $29 increase in the annual user fee. The vote was 4-0-1 (Kornacki, Connor, Eckenroth, Knox yes; deMik abstain). The board also discussed adjusting budget assumptions due to rising health insurance and audit costs, and noted a projected $150,000 shortfall in septic hauler revenue, which will be monitored.
- Approved FY2026-2027 budget of $1,867,143 (4-0-1)
- Increased annual user fee by $29
- Discussed monitoring septic hauler revenue shortfall of ~$150,000
- Adjusted Grit Removal line item upward due to over-expenditure
- Noted health insurance increase of 15% and pension increase of $10,000
- Noted annual audit expense increase of $11,000
Water Pollution Control Authority
The Water Pollution Control Authority met but took no votes or formal actions. Discussions included plant operations, revenue shortfalls, and staff reporting structure.
Water Pollution Control Authority
The WPCA held a public hearing on the proposed FY2026-2027 budget. No public comments were received. No votes or decisions were made, as the meeting was purely informational.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Commission unanimously approved a motion to reduce the 2026-27 budget by $25,000 as requested by the Board of Finance. Cuts will affect seasonal programs, new programs, self-funding programs, and gate guards.
- Approved $25,000 budget reduction via cuts to seasonal, new, self-funding programs and gate guards (unanimous)
Library Trustees
The Board of Trustees reviewed a proposed $40,000 cut to the library's salary line and discussed three dire reduction scenarios. Due to lack of a quorum, no formal votes were taken on the budget, minutes, or other business. The board will instead ask the town meeting to restore the full amount.
- Request full $40k budget restoration at June 9 town meeting (consensus, no formal vote)
- Tabled Code of Conduct discussion due to lack of quorum
- Tabled approval of May meeting minutes due to lack of quorum
- No vote taken on treasurer's report due to lack of quorum
- Will use remaining $800 in Citizens' account for final FY2025-26 purchases
- Replace Hoopla with lower-cost Bibliomation ebooks/audiobooks this summer