Goshen Board of Selectmen

05/26/26

Present: Seth Breakell, Dexter Kinsella and Scott Olson

Upon approving the minutes from last week along with the payroll and warrants, the First Selectman updated the community that the Town Meeting was to take place on Wednesday, May 27 in the Goshen Center School Gymnasium. Voting on the 2027 budget was to take place at that time. Secondly, he received a draft of the new Code of Ethics which has been edited by the Town Attorney and will be discussed with the Selectmen in the coming weeks.

Breakell recently received two phone calls about speeding on Beach Street and Hageman Shean Road. He let the state troopers know about the calls.

Public Works Director, Garrett Harlow, reviewed and recommended approving the bid from Sepples Tree Service to continue their work for the Town. The Board unanimously agreed.

Breakell announced that the Town has to work with the NRRA, which is a public trash consortium that deals with the transfer station in Torrington. Goshen is supposed to elect one representative to serve on that committee, and typically it’s the First Selectman. Kinsella then made a motion to appoint Seth to that position and it was agreed upon unanimously.

06/02/26

Present: Seth Breakell, Dexter Kinsella & Scott Olson

This week First Selectman Seth Breakell notified the community that the budget passed easily with no increase to the mill rate. He also let everyone know that there would be a special meeting for the Board of Education election on June 16th.

New business included a motion made by Dexter Kinsella, seconded by Scott Olson, to receive a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival special event permit. A resolution was read aloud by Selectman Dexter Kinsella to approve a motion by Kinsella, seconded by Olson, to approve the resolution for official Banks and Depositories.

During public comment, Michael Exstein requested improvements to address visibility issues on Beach Street during fog events. Janet Hooper, then agreed with Michael's comment adding that there are no lines on the road and asked that it be considered for improvement. Janet also noted that it is Pride Month and encouraged everyone to be proud. Josephine Jones, wanted to remind the BOS of the noise protocols during the Stampede event and Marianne Arancio Stilson, reminded the community that the Senior picnic was scheduled for Friday, June 5 at Camp Coch.

06/09/26

Present: Seth Breakell, Dexter Kinsella & Scott Olson

Upon unanimous approval of last week’s minutes and payroll and warrants, Breakell began his weekly report by reminding the residents that a Special Town Meeting would take place on June 16th to vote for a Goshen Representative to the Region 20 Board of Education. He then reminded the town about the survey regarding Town Topics and the exploration of potential digital options. The survey could be found online, on the Town website, and on Facebook with printed copies available at the Town Hall. He clarified that Town Topics is NOT being eliminated or reduced, the proposal is increasing its frequency basis through various means.

During new business Kinsella read the Call of Special Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM. It was then voted on unanimously.

Public comment followed, with Sarah Leonard reiterating that she thinks the Town Topics are an important piece of the community and she questioned how each resident will receive information if they do not use the internet. Henrietta Horvay, agreed with Leonard and gave a history lesson on Town Topics, letting the community know that it was initiated in 1992 by a previous Board of Selectmen as an 8 page black and white quarterly newsletter. If cost is a concern, she suggests going back to printing it in black and white. Horvay said she feels that Town Topics is an asset to the Town and raises a concern for those who cannot access the internet to receive information or fill out surveys.

06/16/26

In this week’s First Selectman's report, Seth Breakell reminded the community that a special town meeting would take place that night to vote for a Goshen Representative to the Region 20 Board of Education for a four-year term.

He then said an Ethics draft has been emailed to both Selectmen for continued review.

A scheduled chip sealing on the following roads was to begin starting June 17th through the 19th and the 22nd. These dates are all weather dependent: Hillhouse Road, Five and ½ Mile Road, Westside Road, Sucker Brook Road, Bartholomew Hill Road, School Hill Road, Sandy Beach Road and Davidson Road.

Breakell then reminded residents that the household hazardous waste event at the Falls Village Public Works Garage was scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

In new business this week the bid award for the Camp Cochipianee Pavillion Electrical Service Project was discussed based on the recommendation from the Recreation Director. The recommendation letter was read aloud by Selectman Kinsella and was then voted on unanimously to award the bid for the project to Pinecrest Energy LLC, totaling $8.4k.

06/23/26

After unanimous approval of the previous week’s meeting minutes and payroll and warrants, First Selectman Breakell began by acknowledging two Eagle Scouts. The two young men were recognized by Scott Olson for their great achievements and he presented Eric Carr and Elias Krukar with certificates of congratulations.

Breakell then reported that the community food drive had concluded and was successful. He noted that he participated in Stocking The Shelves at the Goshen Food Pantry and thanked the community for their generosity. He encouraged residents to visit and support the pantry.

Chip sealing was delayed due to weather and residents were told to expect to see road work continuing in the coming days.

A motion was made by Dexter Kinsella, seconded by Scott Olson, and approved to receive Special Event permits for the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival and Goshen Fair.

In public comment this week, Janet Hooper extended good luck wishes to Camp Cochipianee as it prepared to begin summer camp on Monday, June 30, and noted that the grounds look very nice. She also recognized Juneteenth as an important celebration of freedom.

Dawn Wilkes extended a thank you to Public Works for repairing the large pothole on Ives Road.