Selectmen address wide-ranging agenda at April 8 meeting

The Woodbridge Board of Selectmen convened for its regular meeting on April 8, 2026 against a backdrop of a full Central Meeting Room and an equally packed agenda. Before the meeting concluded nearly six hours later, the Board had acted on a state grant for sustainable waste management, seated new members on multiple committees, approved a new staff position, and heard from more than a dozen residents — including a group of students whose pitch for a youth civic engagement program drew an enthusiastic response from the Selectmen when it was taken up near the end of the meeting. 

A significant portion of the BOS meeting was devoted to advancing the Beecher Road School building committee’s proposed demolition and rebuild project. For full coverage of the Selectmen’s discussion and actions, see separate article.

First Selectman Mica Cardozo opened the meeting with community announcements and upcoming event reminders, including the town's Earth Day celebration on April 25 and the Preliminary Budget Hearing on April 28.

Before the Board turned to the next agenda item, Selectman Andrea Urbano made a motion to add a discussion of the Community and Cultural Center's funding structure to the agenda, noting she had raised the item in early March and again in the days leading up to the meeting. She argued the board had discussed the center's existence and budget line items but had not yet examined the underlying financial model — specifically whether it should be operated as a town function or through a nonprofit arrangement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Amey Marrella but failed on a party-line vote, with those two Selectmen in favor and the remaining four opposed.

SMMR2 grant resolution approved

The board approved a resolution authorizing the First Selectman to execute documents necessary to participate in the state's Sustainable Materials Management Round 2 (SMMR2) grant program. The vote came after extended discussion about the town's capacity to take on the initiative given current staffing gaps, including the current vacancy in the position of Public Works Director after a retirement earlier this year.

Mark Dancy of Waste Zero, the consulting firm that would manage the grant's Phase One work, was present to answer questions. He described the scope as five to seven community meetings over roughly three to four months, focused on gathering resident input to draft a program tailored to Woodbridge. Phase Two — if pursued — would fund an education campaign and outreach materials, including a program manager, with no expectation that town staff would carry those functions. The grant covers $15,000 to $17,000 for Phase One work, with an 18-to-36-month overall project timeline.

The resolution passed, with Marrella and Urbano voting in opposition. Their dissent focused primarily on concerns about town hall capacity and the timing of resident engagement given the concurrent demands of charter revision, budget season, and potential building referenda.

CCW master plan: intern presents community engagement ideas

Following the grant vote, Elizabeth Moy, a University of Connecticut master of public administration student interning with the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) and working with Woodbridge through that program, presented a set of community engagement ideas tied to the CCW master plan's Year One action items.

Her presentation focused on volunteer recruitment, formation of a friends group, early programming, and building public interest in the site. Concepts included small-scale events, trail and habitat stewardship activities, and a community naming initiative. Board members raised questions about incorporating historical context, environmental considerations such as protecting nesting wildlife, outreach to neighboring property owners, and how the work would continue after the internship ends next month.

The discussion reflected an early step in translating the master plan into on-the-ground activity, with many details — including community participation and long-term stewardship — still to be defined.

Sustainability Committee appointments

The board voted to appoint two new members to the ad hoc Sustainability Committee, filling vacancies including one created by a recent resignation. The appointments prompted a broader question about the legal basis for appointing ad hoc committee members without a full board vote. Town Counsel noted there is no express provision in the charter granting or prohibiting that authority and that case law provides some support under the First Selectman's executive role, but acknowledged the point was a fair one. The First Selectman indicated that bringing such appointments to the full board has been a matter of practice and noted that the committee’s ad hoc status may warrant future consideration as a standing commission.

Comments from the public

During public comment residents addressed several major topics. The agenda item began with a brief presentation by students who brought a proposal to introduce non-voting youth representatives on town boards. Other subjects of public comment included the ongoing debate over the Beecher Road School project with both support for facility improvements and concerns about cost and transparency, and strong support for the Community and Cultural Center alongside questions about specific elements such as a proposed café. Additional comments focused on opposition to potential lighting at the Acorn Hill fields based on prior agreements, and an update on town property planning including a grant application related to improvements at Pease Place Park and the Alegi Athletic Fields.

Beecher update from the Superintendent

Before turning to the Beecher building project agenda item, Superintendent Chris Montini provided a general update on the Woodbridge School District. Enrollment currently stands at 875 students, with minor fluctuations compared to prior months and the previous year. His update also included calendar notes, including the projected last day of school, and highlighted ongoing academic programs, assessments, and family engagement efforts. He also noted that Kindergarten registration is now open, with an orientation event scheduled for late May. For full coverage of the Beecher building project discussion and action, see separate article.

Police Renovation Building Committee: charge approved, members added

The board approved a revised charge for the newly formed Police Renovation Building Committee after discussion about the sequencing of approvals — specifically ensuring the charge clearly establishes that bids may only be sought after voter approval of funding pursuant to the town charter. The Selectmen then approved two appointments to the committee.

Town Hall staff reorganization

The board approved the creation of a new, full-time Communications and Community Coordinator position as part of a broader Town Hall reorganization following the partial retirement of Genovese from the Administrative Officer portion of his dual role (he will continue part-time as Finance Director). Discussion centered on both process and policy, including concerns about the timing of materials provided to the Selectmen — which were received the day of the meeting — the long-term cost of the position, and whether the Community and Cultural Center could instead be supported through a nonprofit model. The position was approved on a divided vote, with opposition citing the absence of clear performance benchmarks and long-term financial accountability.

Finance report and funding transfers

The Finance Director reported a projected year-end surplus of approximately $46,000, noting ongoing pressures from higher legal costs, energy shortfalls at several facilities, and increased fire apparatus repairs, partially offset by a surplus in the town’s Amity contribution.

The board approved several line item transfers, including funding for Human Services staffing changes, defibrillators for fire vehicles, and a boiler room roof repair at the Community and Cultural Center, along with a bid waiver for the purchase of used furniture for the facility. An intermunicipal agreement was also approved allowing shared Finance Director services with another municipality, with an updated effective date of June 1. A funding request related to the Beecher Building Committee's work was tabled without action.

Other agenda items and updates

It was also noted that work is ongoing on the town’s strategic plan, with draft themes and action items under development. The board scheduled a working session for April 29 to review the document, with materials to be distributed in advance. The board also set the Annual Town Meeting date for Monday, May 18 and approved required state affirmations, including a minor update to ADA coordination.

During an Ordinance Committee update, the Board returned to the student-led VOYCE proposal introduced during public comment, which would place non-voting youth representatives on town boards and commissions. Members indicated that a formal ordinance is likely not required, with the concept able to move forward through the Board’s general agreement to pursue a pilot program for the 2026–27 school year. The effort will begin with outreach to board and commission chairs to assess interest, along with development of an application process for student participants.

As the final agenda item of the evening, an update was provided on negotiations with a nonprofit affordable housing organization to take over the lease of a 30-unit senior housing complex built on town-owned Lucy Street property. The proposed agreement would reduce the property’s tax assessment from approximately $42,000 annually to about $25,500, with adjustments tied to future rent increases, in exchange for bringing all 30 units into affordable housing use. The proposal also includes new lease provisions giving the town enforcement authority over maintenance. The matter is expected to return for formal action in May.

The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Prior to that, a special working session focused on the strategic plan is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. 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 April 8, 2026 meeting.