Governance, growth, and long-term planning dominate lengthy May BOS meeting

A lengthy May 13 Board of Selectmen meeting highlighted a recurring theme increasingly shaping discussion across Woodbridge government: how the town manages long-term growth, infrastructure demands, governance structure, and public engagement while balancing financial pressures and operational capacity.

Discussions throughout the evening repeatedly returned to questions about how decisions are made, how residents participate in those decisions, and how the town positions itself for future capital, housing, staffing, and community needs (see agenda).

Resolution to begin VOYCE pilot program

The meeting opened with an update from First Selectman Mica Cardozo followed by discussion and a unanimous vote to approve participation in the VOYCE pilot program, an initiative designed to encourage greater youth involvement in local government by placing students in non-voting advisory roles on municipal boards and commissions.

Discussion of the resolution focused on how the pilot would operate in Woodbridge, possible boards or commissions that could participate, and the broader goal of helping younger residents gain firsthand experience with municipal government, public policy, and civic engagement. Board members expressed support for creating opportunities for students to observe and participate in local decision-making while clarifying that the positions would remain non-voting and advisory in nature. Members also thanked the young people who attended the meeting to discuss the proposal alongside Hillary Drum, chair of the town’s Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee, who brought the proposal before the Selectmen.

Roger Sherman historical marker proposed for former CCW property

Barbara Hagan Smith of the Amity & Woodbridge Historical Society presented a proposed Roger Sherman historical marker that would recognize the Revolutionary-era statesman and his connection to Woodbridge as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of American independence. Board members discussed balancing practical roadside signage limitations with broader efforts to interpret Sherman’s historical significance, with several suggesting that a smaller roadside marker could eventually be paired with larger interpretive displays elsewhere on the former CCW property. Discussion also touched on the history of the Sherman property itself and its later ownership by the Hillhouse, Fowler, and Nesbit families (see previous TownHistory essay for details).

Lucy Street lease update focuses on expansion of affordable senior housing

The Board received an extended update regarding the Lucy Street property lease involving the New Samaritan Corporation and the future of the Warner Complex senior housing facility. Kelly McDermott, president of New Samaritan Corp., appeared before the Board to discuss the status of the proposal and answer questions regarding ongoing planning for the Warner property on Lucy Street.

A central focus of the discussion involved the transition of the Warner Complex from its current partial affordability designation to a fully qualifying affordable housing development under state criteria. McDermott explained that while only six units currently count toward the state’s affordable housing inventory, the proposal under discussion would allow all 30 units at the complex to qualify.

Officials noted that increasing the number of qualifying affordable units would improve the town’s position under Connecticut’s affordable housing statute by increasing Woodbridge’s affordable housing points total and helping strengthen the town’s ability to qualify for a future affordable housing moratorium.

The proposed agreement would establish a 60-year lease between the town and New Samaritan Corp. for a nominal cost of $1, with an option to extend the agreement for an additional 30 years. Under the agreement structure currently being contemplated, the organization would pay the town an amount equivalent to five percent of gross lease payments in lieu of property taxes.

McDermott suggested the organization would like the Board to consider modifying that formula in order to free additional operating funds for resident support services. She specifically discussed the possibility of using savings associated with a revised payment structure to support an on-site social services position available several days per week to assist residents with coordination of services and related needs.

McDermott also emphasized that current residents would not be displaced as part of the transition to a fully qualifying affordable housing development. She explained that existing tenants whose incomes may not meet future qualification standards would be permitted to remain under a grandfathering arrangement approved by the state, allowing the complex to transition to full affordable status without requiring current residents to relocate.

Board members discussed the broader role the facility plays in providing senior housing opportunities within the community, as well as the increasing operational and service demands associated with aging residents. The lease discussion will be continued at a future BOS meeting as the documents are finalized and it is expected that a Town Meeting may also be required on this topic.

Public comment spans budget, facility, and community concerns

Public comment covered a wide range of issues, including the proposed Beecher Road School replacement project, neighborhood impacts from athletic field use, and operational concerns involving town facilities. Concern over the financial implications of major capital projects such as the Beecher building project and future growth pressures facing the town were expressed with comments focused on the long-term financial planning, governance structure, and balancing expanding community needs with operational capacity and tax impacts.

Another speaker, Bob Hill, who is a member of the Economic Development Commission but spoke in his capacity as a resident of Acorn Hill Road, raised concerns regarding the possible expansion of evening athletic activity at the Acorn Hill ballfields, including the prospect of future field lighting. His comments focused on traffic, speeding, neighborhood disruption, and the impact of increased nighttime activity on nearby residential areas. He referenced recent visits to comparable facilities in other towns and argued that evening field use can substantially change the character of surrounding neighborhoods even when lighting restrictions are imposed.

Hill also referenced historical Board of Selectmen records from the 1990s associated with the original development of the fields, arguing that nearby residents had previously been assured that permanent field lighting would not be installed at the site. The comments foreshadowed a legal and procedural question later raised during the meeting regarding whether commitments or understandings reflected in prior Board actions continue to carry weight as officials consider potential changes to use of the property.

Human Services Director Janette Glicksman also spoke during Public Comment to briefly raise concerns regarding the proposed Room 16 agreement later scheduled for Board discussion, noting parking limitations and circulation issues within the Center Building. She also referenced ADA-related evacuation limitations from the second floor during fire alarms, noting that elevators cannot be used in such emergencies.

QVHD update highlights regional coordination and operational demands

The Board next heard an update from Quinnipiack Valley Health District regarding ongoing regional public health operations, including septic oversight responsibilities, environmental health enforcement, and the increasing operational demands facing the regional agency. Board members noted that QVHD continues to play an expanding role in regional coordination and public health preparedness as municipalities navigate changing regulatory requirements and staffing pressures.

Procedural disputes emerge over efforts to expand the agenda

Following the QVHD report, the Board entered a procedural discussion after two separate attempts were made to add additional items to the evening’s agenda. The first proposed addition involved discussion of whether Woodbridge should move toward approval of the annual town budget by referendum rather than continuing to rely solely on the traditional Annual Town Meeting process.

The request followed growing public discussion of the issue during the preliminary budget hearing and recent Charter Revision Commission meetings, where residents and officials have debated whether the current Town Meeting structure adequately allows voters to express approval or opposition to the town budget as a whole (see previous article for details).

Selectman Andrea Urbano made a motion to add the topic to the agenda, arguing that the Board should discuss the matter directly prior to the upcoming May 18 Annual Town Meeting rather than waiting for the Charter Revision Commission process to conclude. During discussion, Cardozo acknowledged the recent public comments and noted a possible approach in which budgets would go to referendum only if increases exceeded a specified threshold, such as the rate of inflation or another benchmark. However, discussion of this aspect of the topic revealed disagreement over how such a trigger would be measured — whether based on overall spending growth or on resulting tax increases after accounting for factors such as declining revenue.

Cardozo and others additionally emphasized that the Charter Revision Commission is already formally reviewing governance and budget-approval questions, arguing that introducing a separate Board discussion during an active budget cycle could create confusion regarding process and timing. Deputy First Selectman Steve Munno also expressed concern that adding the item during the meeting would not provide adequate public notice for residents who may have wished to attend and comment specifically on the issue. The motion to add the referendum discussion to the agenda ultimately failed along party lines, with all Democrats voting against.

The Board then turned to a second proposed agenda addition involving the Acorn Hill lighting issue and historical actions taken by prior Boards of Selectmen related to the property. In making the motion, Selectman Amey Marrella argued that the Board should independently review historical records and seek clarification from town counsel regarding Board actions taken during the 1990s before any future recommendation from the Commission on the Use of Publicly Owned Property (CUPOP). Cardozo responded that the agenda was already full but agreed the matter would be placed on the Board’s June agenda for future discussion. Marrella subsequently withdrew the motion.

The exchanges highlighted broader tensions regarding agenda-setting authority, timing, and how quickly emerging controversies should be formally elevated for Board discussion while parallel review processes are already underway.

Finance report projects modest improvement to year-end outlook

Administrative Officer and Director of Finance Anthony Genovese reported that the town is currently projecting a year-end budget surplus of just under $400,000 through April 2026. Genovese said the projection would still leave the town with a healthy fund balance of approximately 15.4 percent of annual expenditures, consistent with the Board of Finance’s recently revised reserve policy (see previous article for details).

He reported that two late-year revenue developments significantly improved the town’s outlook compared with prior months. The first involved receipt of a substantial back-tax payment, much of it associated with prior tax years which had previously been uncertain for the current fiscal year. During discussion, board members praised Tax Collector Pat Crisco for her collection efforts. The second major item involved approximately $163,000 in building permit revenue connected with the proposed solar farm project on Racebrook Road at the site of the former Homewood Acres 9-hole golf course.

Genovese also noted modest improvement in intergovernmental revenue totals following the state’s recent budget vote, including additional Town Aid Road funding and educational grant reimbursements totaling $40,897 (see previous article for details).

During discussion of the surplus, Marrella emphasized the importance of directing available resources toward long-term infrastructure and capital needs, particularly road paving, rather than relying on bonding for road improvements. Genovese agreed, noting that rating agencies generally view the use of one-time surplus funds for capital investments more favorably than using those funds to support ongoing operating expenses. He indicated that preserving reserves and directing nonrecurring revenues toward long-term infrastructure or capital needs is considered a more sustainable financial practice and helps support the town’s strong bond rating over time.

The exchange reflected a broader theme that has emerged repeatedly in recent budget and capital discussions: that even relatively favorable year-end financial results are increasingly being evaluated against a backdrop of aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and the growing cost of future capital projects.

Board discusses Room 16 use and Center Building operations

The Board turned to discussion of proposed use arrangements involving Room 16 at the Center Building, with Amity Regional School District No. 5 Director of Pupil Services Thomas Brandt joining the meeting remotely to review the proposal and answer questions.

Discussion focused on the anticipated use of the space and the operational needs associated with the program, as well as broader operational impacts within the building, including coordination of programming, staffing, room usage, and circulation concerns previously raised during public comment. Board members discussed balancing expanded community programming opportunities with the practical limitations of the aging facility and growing demand for space by multiple town departments and outside groups that currently utilize Room 16 and would need to be relocated if the agreement moves forward.

Officials also noted that space in the newly renovated Old Firehouse may eventually become available and asked whether the program might consider relocating to the second floor there, as had been explored several years ago during the early planning stages of the building renovation project. Brandt replied that the district would remain open to future discussions regarding possible alternative locations and said the district would continue refining the proposed lease agreement for Room 16 before returning to the Board of Selectmen for future action.

Personnel discussions highlight broader Town Hall staffing review

The Board next received an update from the Personnel Committee, including discussion of an interim Public Works Director appointment and a proposed Community Communications and Program Coordinator position. Discussion of the communications position broadened into a wider conversation regarding staffing levels and organizational structure at Town Hall.

Cardozo said the town has increasingly concentrated responsibilities within a relatively small administrative staff over many years, particularly as personnel positions were consolidated through attrition in order to preserve funding for schools, police, fire services, and other operational priorities. He suggested that the current organizational structure may no longer adequately match the growing volume and complexity of work facing Town Hall departments and said he expects to bring forward additional recommendations regarding staffing and organizational structure in the future.

Marrella voted against moving forward with filling the new communications-related position, expressing concern about adding staffing costs amid broader long-term financial pressures and ongoing discussions regarding town priorities and capital needs. The motion was approved 5-1.

Strategic planning and reorganization discussions continue

The Board also received updates regarding ongoing strategic planning efforts and discussions surrounding the need to ensure that staffing remains sustainable as the town manages increasingly complex projects, regulatory requirements, and long-range capital planning initiatives.

During discussion of updates from the Strategic Plan subcommittee, the Board discussed the timing and process for gathering additional public input before finalizing the current iteration of the Strategic Plan. Board members agreed that a draft version of the plan, along with a public input form, be posted on the Town website to facilitate broader community review and feedback.

Homestead exemption and transfer station operation discussed

Town Counsel provided an update regarding potential homestead exemption legislation and related legal considerations. Discussion focused primarily on the evolving state-level framework and possible implications for municipalities if enabling legislation were ultimately adopted or expanded.

The Board also discussed operational matters involving the transfer station, including a possible reduction in days of operation during portions of the summer so Public Works personnel could be redirected toward other seasonal work priorities.

Consent agenda dispute closes lengthy meeting

Tensions resurfaced near the close of the meeting during discussion of the consent agenda and approval of prior meeting minutes. Board members debated procedural handling of portions of the consent agenda, including whether meeting minutes should be amended based on updated information that becomes available after the fact or whether the official record should remain limited to what was stated and understood during the meeting itself.

In capping off the lengthy meeting agenda, the exchange reflected many of the same tensions that surfaced repeatedly throughout the evening regarding agenda management, transparency, and Board procedure.

Board of Selectmen meetings are open to the public and usually streamed live on the town's YouTube channel, WGATV79. Click below to watch the full recording of the May 13, 2026 meeting.