Goshen Board of Selectmen: Speed Cameras, Transfer Station Disposition, School Budget, Library Director Supervision

05/20/25

Present: Todd Carusillo, Scott Olson, Dexter Kinsella (Zoom)

Speed Camera Update:
Todd Carusillo addressed questions about Washington’s speed camera project. Seth Breakell had asked whether Washington recouped its investment. Carusillo reported they have 3 cameras total and spent $28K for the first one and the additional 2 were free. The camera company is charging the town $13 per ticket to write the ticket, so the town does not have to pay someone to do it. The tickets range from 50 - 75 dollars. “If we caught 300 people and charged them $50 each, we would recoup the cost of the cameras in no time, Carusillo said.  He also noted, “We had a Trooper in front of Town Hall and she nabbed 3 people in 45 minutes the other day.”

Transfer Station:
Carusillo thanked the selectmen for their work on the transfer station project. “The bid went to USA Hauling and they will be buying it. Not sure what that means for our tipping fees going forward, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

BOE Budget:
Carusillo attended the Board of Education meeting and noted, “The new budget is less than the first one. The super made some cuts and put the million back into the budget from the deficit loan.”

Appointments:
Carusillo explained, “Clyde Breakell’s position expired on April 23rd, therefore we don’t need a letter of resignation. We are looking for a person to fill that position.” He added, “If anyone interested in the seat on the Zoning board of appeals and wants to volunteer to sit on that board, let them know.”

Land Use Fees:
Land Use Official Spencer Nelson suggested reviewing building permit fees. “The current fees are $85 flat. $60 of that fee goes to the state which means Goshen is only taking in $25 for the town per application.” Nelson recommended considering fees based on structure size, saying, “We currently have between 16 - 20 houses being built in Goshen and… this is a worthwhile consideration.” Kinsella suggested putting this on the agenda for next week.

Annual Budget Meeting Warning:
Olson read the warning for the annual budget meeting scheduled for May 28, 2025. The meeting is to consider the town budget, authorize grant applications, discuss meeting times, and address Board of Education election resolutions.

05/30/25 Special Meeting

Present: Todd Carusillo, Scott Olson, Dexter Kinsella

Podunk Application:
Carusillo received the Podunk Bluegrass Festival application and is working with associated groups for approvals.

Bus Driver Shortage:
Carusillo announced, “Right now we only have 1 bus driver in town, and they are going on vacation in June. We need a backup and are looking for a new bus driver to help out. If you have your certifications, please reach out to find out more about this opportunity.”

Regional Subcommittee:
Carusillo spoke to Tom Weik of Morris and Greg Lacava of Warren about creating a joint subcommittee for Region 6 and Region 20. “They feel that having another subcommittee might be fruitless,” Carusillo said.   Further discussion is expected.

Road Work:
Chip sealing is underway on North Goshen Road and East St North, with drainage work on Town Hill Rd.

Unregistered Vehicles:
Carusillo reminded residents, “Please get your vehicles registered. This includes dirt bikes and quads….contact the state police if you see any offenders.”

Mill Rate:
At the annual town meeting, the Board of Finance set a new mill rate of 16.7.

Equipment Upgrades:
New equipment was installed in the conference room, and a surge protector was added in Carusillo’s office.

Speed Cameras:
Kinsella is skeptical about speed cameras, saying, he’s not really in favor of them. He thinks there’s ambiguity among the appeals process and capital outlay costs.

Carusillo reiterated, “That’s what Washington is doing to help subsidize their roads in their towns.” Carusillo wants a stationary camera in front of Town Hall, explaining he gets a lot of calls from residents to do something about the speeding problem in town.

Kinsella wants to reach out to the camera people for more information. Olson said he thinks continuing a discussion isn’t going to do any good. “The statute is clear - allowing towns to add cameras is for reducing or eliminating traffic problems mostly related to historical patterns of vehicle accidents. We are not seeing that in Woodridge Lake on Shelbourne and East Hyerdale which is where the original traffic study was conducted.” Olson noted, “There have not been any accidents on any of those roads. Most people are not speeding or are within the… grace zone. A lot of it comes from people trying to pass walkers or parked vehicles on the roads as they accelerate to get around them.” He reminded, “This will require an ordinance via a town vote”, and he does not see it passing.

Carusillo wants speed cameras at Town Hall, northbound on Rt. 63, and on Beach Street near Camp Coch.

Olson suggested, “Maybe we should do another speed study in the fall after the installation of the stop signs to compare it to the speed study that was done last fall.”

Library Director Job Description:
The Library Board recommended changing the job description of the library director. Kinsella was apprehensive, saying, he thought someone from the library board would be at the meeting to discuss the request. He emphasized, “The boards and commissions should be separate from the First Selectman with regard to enforcement of policy directives.” Kinsella wanted legal clarity.

Kinsella wanted to avoid a political agenda. The change would make the First Selectman the sole supervisor of the Library Director, removing that function from the library board president. Carusillo said, “It’s a formality taking the power away from the elected official and giving it to a town employee. This gives HR more access to the process in order to make it easier.”

Kinsella said, “It gives Todd unilateral decision making on a board he is a member on and oversees.” Carusillo printed out the statute book to ensure compliance. After discussion, Olson made a motion to change the job description, Carusillo seconded, and the motion passed with Carusillo and Olson in favor and Kinsella abstaining.

Public Comment:
Carusillo said public comment during a special meeting must be related to agenda items. Olson disagreed, saying, “Anyone should be able to bring something up if they want to.” No public comment was made.

06/03/25

Present: Todd Carusillo and Scott Olson (in person), Dexter Kinsella (Zoom)

School Budget Vote:
Carusillo reminded everyone to “vote for the school budget.”

Transfer Station Sale:
Carusillo reported, “Apparently another offer came in at the eleventh hour, and they are now taking all bids into consideration.” The deadline is June 6 for a decision. USA offered Goshen a contract for 5 or 10 years. “We have to make a decision by June 9 to lock in prices.” USA wants the town to pay for recycling pickup in addition to trash hauling, which “we’ve paid for in the past.” Discussion to continue.

Forensic Audit Bid:
Carusillo pointed out Warren & Morris are also considering being included in the bid process for the audit and he is not sure what Litchfield is doing.” Even if the audit proceeds, “We can’t hold anyone accountable - we want to know where they foolishly spent the money.” Olson added, “It could be if we can learn something - and not have this happen again.” Forensic audits cost about $140K and would require a town vote.

MIRA Recycling Station Bids:
Olson made a motion to discuss the MIRA recycling station bids. Carusillo confirmed Enviro Express of Bridgeport made a new bid saying “It’s the same offer as USA except Enviro would be financing the deal versus USA is paying cash and they already have a station they can bring waste and recycling to. If USA buys, it will be a monopoly.” Enviro Express is willing to work with Goshen on tipping fees. USA currently takes waste to Torrington; Enviro to Murphy Road in Hartford. USA wants to charge for both waste and recycling. Kinsella asked, “Suppose USA gets the bid and the contract comes - do we have other choices?” Carusillo said, “We don’t have any other choices, and we can stay with our current contract at $131 which goes up to $136. The new contract offer is $115 plus $45 for recycling totaling $160.” Carusillo stated, “We should stay with the contract we have.” Enviro wants to keep it a public facility. USA could put small haulers like Rocco Hauling out of business. “If it becomes a monopoly, they could be out of business.”

Bank Resolution:
The board adopted a resolution to allow Goshen to use several banks. The resolution passed unanimously.

Public Comment:
Library Board member Josephine Jones clarified, “The resolution was not to make the… First Selectman responsible for hiring and firing. It was to make them the supervisor for the library director.” She agrees that a legal opinion would be a good idea.” Olson explained, “They just changed the portion of the job description that made the First Selectman the immediate supervisor NOT the person who hires and fires someone.” Kinsella stated, “Does that give the First Selectman power to influence the library director to make decisions that could be a conflict?” Olson said he would defer to the library board’s decision. Carusillo will consult with Chip and review state statutes.