Preston public meetings in 2022

Housing Authority

The Preston Housing Authority is holding a special meeting to discuss and decide on repairing or replacing a generator. No other substantive items are on the agenda.

• Generator repair or replacement

The Preston Housing Authority met for a special meeting to discuss generator options. The board decided to send the current generator to Piela Electric for diagnostic evaluation and possible repair.

• Approved sending current generator to Piela Electric for diagnostic evaluation (3-0, 1 abstained)

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen approved two grant applications for the Community Investment Fund 2030 and authorized a bid waiver for a new Parks & Recreation mower. The Board also reappointed five members to the Senior Affairs Committee.

• Authorized grant application for Poquetanuck Village Traffic Calming and Master Plan up to $400,000 (Unanimous)
• Authorized grant application for Transfer improvement Project Phase 2 up to $750,000 (Unanimous)
• Approved bid waiver to purchase Kubota ZD1211L-3-72 mower for $16,105.72 from Kahn Tractor & Equipment, Inc. (Unanimous)
• Appointed Mary Lou Jensen, Elizabeth Bassette, Marie Perrin, Morris Fishbone, and Frances Minor to Senior Affairs Committee for 2023 (Unanimous)
• Approved December 8, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Board of Finance

The Board of Finance elected its leadership for the term and approved the 2023 meeting schedule. Members also approved the minutes from the November 16 regular and special meetings. Financial reports indicated the town is tracking favorably and received $91,690 in unexpected state funding.

• Elected John Moulson as Chairman
• Elected Bob Congdon as Vice Chairman (3-2)
• Elected Kayla Thompson as Clerk
• Approved 2023 Board of Finance Meeting Schedule (unanimous)
• Approved Nov. 16 Special Meeting Minutes (4-0-1)
• Approved Nov. 16 Regular Meeting Minutes as amended (4-0-1)

Board of Finance

The Board of Finance held a special meeting to fill a vacancy on the board. Robert Castronova was nominated and won the vote over Jill Keith.

• Nominated Robert Castronova to fill vacancy (3-2)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals sustained an appeal regarding a cease and desist order for garages/barns at 20 Mathewson Mill Road. The board also approved a rear setback variance for a property at 240 Route 164. Additionally, the board recommended a new regular member appointment to the Board of Selectmen.

• Sustained appeal of Cease and Desist Order for 20 Mathewson Mill Road (All in favor)
• Approved rear setback variance from 40 ft to 25 ft for 240 Route 164 (All in favor)
• Recommended Andy Bilodeau for appointment as Regular Member to Board of Selectmen (All in favor)
• Approved minutes of December 12, 2022 meetings (All in favor)

Preston Board of Education

The Finance Committee approved the meeting calendar for FY24 budget planning. Members discussed the FY22 audit progress, FY23 budget tracking, and the development of a 5-year capital plan.

• Approved November 10, 2022 meeting minutes
• Approved FY24 planning calendar

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen voted to maintain local control over accessory apartment regulations by opting out of CT Public Act 21-29. The Board also approved the 2023 meeting calendar and holiday schedule, including the addition of Juneteenth.

• Opted out of Accessory Apartments provisions in CT Public Act 21-29 (unanimous)
• Approved 2023 Board of Selectmen Meeting Calendar (unanimous)
• Approved 2023 Town Holiday Schedule (unanimous)
• Approved Employee Handbook change to 12 paid holidays (unanimous)
• Approved 18 individual tax refunds totaling $2,344.40 (unanimous)
• Approved November 17, 2022 meeting minutes as amended (unanimous)

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to opt-out of the Accessory Apartments provisions outlined in Section 6 of CT Public Act 21-29. The commission determined that the town's existing 2019 regulations are sufficient and well-established. No public comments were received during the hearing.

• Approved opt-out of Accessory Apartments provisions in Section 6 of CT Public Act 21-29 (unanimous)

Parks & Recreation Commission

The Commission approved the purchase of a Kubota zero turn mower using ARPA funds. The body also approved the October 25, 2022 meeting minutes, the Treasurer's Report, and the 2023 meeting calendar.

• Approved purchase of zero turn Kubota mower for $16,105.72 (All in favor)
• Approved October 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes (All in favor)
• Approved Treasurer's Report (All in favor)
• Approved 2023 meeting dates for the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm (All in favor)

Conservation & Agricultural Commission

The Commission approved its 2023 meeting calendar and requested that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Theodore Zajac. Members discussed a proposed farm equipment tax exemption and the Right to Farm Ordinance.

• Approved October 24, 2022 meeting minutes
• Approved 2023 meeting calendar
• Requested BoS re-appoint Theodore Zajac as Regular Member through 12/31/2024
• Tabled Clustered Zoning Regulations

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a short-term rental permit for 260 Route 2 with three conditions. The Commission also scheduled a public hearing for December 6, 2022, to discuss opting out of state accessory apartment provisions.

• Approved Zoning Permit Application #2022-03 for short-term rental at 260 Route 2 (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to hold Public Hearing on December 6, 2022, to opt-out of CT Public Act 21-29 accessory apartment provisions (Unanimous)
• Approved Regular Meeting Minutes of October 25, 2022, as amended (5-0-1)
• Approved Public Hearing Minutes of October 25, 2022, as presented (5-0-1)
• Agreed to combine Regular Meeting and Public Hearing minutes moving forward
• Tabled Membership item

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request for two variances regarding a property at 11 Hinckley Hill Road. The request sought to waive the requirement for driveway access from a public road and to reduce the required lot frontage from 250 feet to zero to allow for the creation of two parcels.

• Denied two variances for 11 Hinckley Hill Road regarding public road access and lot frontage (4-1)

Board of Selectmen

The Board decided to recommend a maximum 10% increase for department operating budgets, requiring narratives for any amount exceeding that limit. The Board also approved two appointments to the Youth Advisory Board and a small tax refund.

• Approved appointment of Dylan Phelps to Youth Advisory Board for a 3-year term (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Melissa Lennon to Youth Advisory Board for a 3-year term (unanimous)
• Decided to recommend no more than 10% increase to department operating budgets
• Approved $232.94 tax refund to Enterprise FM Trust (unanimous)
• Approved November 3, 2022 meeting minutes as amended (unanimous)

Youth Services Bureau

The board elected its 2023 leadership and recommended Dylan Phelps and Melissa Lennon for board appointments. The board also approved its 2023 meeting calendar and accepted the resignation of Zachary Robinson.

• Approved October 19, 2022 meeting minutes
• Accepted resignation of youth representative Zachary Robinson
• Recommended BoS appoint Dylan Phelps as Youth Services representative (term ends Dec 31, 2025)
• Recommended BoS appoint Melissa Lennon as community member (term ends Dec 31, 2025)
• Approved 2023 Meeting Calendar
• Elected Melissa Lennon as Chairwoman for 2023
• Elected Amanda Phelps as Vice Chairwoman for 2023
• Elected Kasey Peek as Secretary for 2023

Board of Finance

The Board approved a request for the Superintendent to apply for a state reimbursement program for HVAC upgrades. The Board also approved two appropriations to correct accounting errors regarding the Amos Lake Association. A vote to fill a board vacancy ended in a tie, resulting in no appointment.

• Approved application for OSCGR HVAC reimbursement of $188,406.00 (Unanimous)
• Appropriated $5,545.40 to Amos Lake Account FY2022 to reconcile accounting error (Unanimous)
• Appropriated $948.60 to Amos Lake Account FY2022 to reconcile accounting error (Unanimous)
• Nomination of Jill Keith for vacancy failed (3-3 tie)
• Nomination of Robert Castronova for vacancy failed (3-3 tie)
• Approved Special Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2022 (4-0-2)
• Approved Regular Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2022 (4-0-2)

Board of Finance

The Board of Finance held a special meeting to consider candidates for a vacancy position. Nominations for two candidates resulted in a tie, and no appointment was made.

• Nomination of Jill Keith to fill vacancy failed (3-3)
• Nomination of Robert Castronova to fill vacancy failed (3-3)

Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission

The commission met for a regular session and approved the minutes from the October 18, 2022 meeting. No other substantive decisions were made during the session.

• Approved October 18, 2022 Regular Meeting minutes

Housing Authority

The Preston Housing Authority will hold a regular meeting on November 14, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Community Room. The board will discuss old business items including a generator, roaming cats, and removal of fire extinguishers from apartments, as well as new business items such as painting estimates, a board member resignation, and a security deposit. The meeting will also include a resident services coordinator report, executive director report, public comment, and an executive session for legal issues.

• Painting estimates
• Board member resignation
• Security deposit
• Generator
• Removal of fire extinguishers from apartments

Preston Board of Education

The Board of Education approved a reimbursement request for completed HVAC projects and adopted a new policy for Narcan administration. Members also discussed upcoming budget planning and the transition to a new K-3 reading program.

• Approved Policy 5141.213, NARCAN Administration, pending addition of legal references and state statutes (Unanimous)
• Approved reimbursement for 4 completed HVAC projects, not to exceed $190K (Unanimous)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The board approved the 2023 meeting schedule and accepted the minutes from the October 11, 2022, meetings. A vote on a variance application for 11 Hinckley Hill Road was deferred, and a public hearing for a rear setback variance at 240 Route 164 was scheduled for December 12.

• Approved Regular Meeting minutes of October 11, 2022 (All in favor)
• Approved Public Hearing minutes of October 11, 2022 (All in favor)
• Approved 2023 Meeting Schedule (All in favor)
• Deferred vote on ZBA-2022-002 (11 Hinckley Hill Road) to a later date

Library Board of Trustees

The Board established a monthly meeting schedule for 2023. The Director reported the hiring of a new staff member and the receipt of a $2,500 grant for shelving.

• Approved 2023 meeting schedule for the second Monday of each month (unanimous)
• Accepted October 3, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled policies

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen approved the purchase of a new Ford F550 truck using ARPA funds and authorized an application for a school HVAC reimbursement program. The board also appointed a new member to the Youth Services Bureau and approved a small tax refund.

• Approved bid waiver not to exceed $84,000 for Ford F550 truck via State Contract #19PSX0161 (Unanimous)
• Approved application for OSCGR reimbursement program for school HVAC upgrades not to exceed $190,000 (Unanimous)
• Appointed Roberta Charpentier to Youth Services Bureau for a 1 year term (Unanimous)
• Approved tax refund to CCAP Auto Lease in the amount of $553.00 (Unanimous)
• Approved meeting minutes from October 27, 2022 (Unanimous)

Board of Selectmen

The Board approved the purchase of a new Freightliner plow truck using ARPA funds and authorized the signing of federal bridge program funds. The 2023-2024 Budget Planning Calendar was approved, and several revisions were made to the Plan of Conservation and Development.

• Approved $210,000 bid waiver for Freightliner 114SD plow truck using ARPA funds (Unanimous)
• Authorized signing of Commitment of Fund for Parks Road and Cooktown Road bridges (Unanimous)
• Approved 2023-2024 Budget Planning Calendar (Unanimous)
• Approved $29.41 tax refund to Jennifer Crary (Unanimous)
• Eliminated Action 1 under Goal #2 and Action 1 under Goal #3 Objective 2 in the POCD
• Eliminated Action 1 on Page 5 of the POCD

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Commission approved a 6-lot re-subdivision at 39 Doolittle Road and a short-term rental permit for 28 Tanglewood Drive. Two applications for one-day events at 39/43 Pierce Road were denied without prejudice. The board also approved the 2023 meeting calendar, removing the December meeting.

• Approved 6-lot re-subdivision at 39 Doolittle Road (Unanimous)
• Approved waiver of one monument at 39 Doolittle Road to preserve stone wall (Unanimous)
• Approved short-term rental permit for 28 Tanglewood Drive with Town Planner conditions (Unanimous)
• Denied site plan for one-day events at 39/43 Pierce Road without prejudice (Unanimous)
• Denied special exception for one-day events at 39/43 Pierce Road without prejudice (Unanimous)
• Approved amended 2023 Calendar of Meetings eliminating December meeting (Unanimous)
• Approved PZC Schedule Planner (Unanimous)
• Approved September 27, 2022 Regular and Public Hearing minutes (3-0-2)

Parks & Recreation Commission

The commission approved the previous meeting's minutes and the treasurer's report. Members discussed park winterization and reported graffiti at a dugout. A decision on the Tom Turner Park celebration was deferred to next month.

• Approved September 26, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
• Approved Treasurer's Report
• Tabled decision on Tom Turner Park celebration date

Conservation & Agricultural Commission

The Preston Conservation and Agricultural Commission held a regular meeting with no substantive decisions made. They discussed several ongoing items including clustered zoning regulations, the state hospital development agreement, and a draft right-to-farm ordinance. The meeting was largely procedural and informational, with no votes taken on major actions.

• Approved September 26, 2022 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Discussed but tabled right-to-farm ordinance for further review at next meeting
• Noted Doolittle Land Acquisition put on hold
• Discussed Poquetanuck Village Traffic Calming Project and crosswalk coordination