Board of Selectmen: Town Center Rotary Plans, Region 20 Budget Referendum, Harassed BoE Member Resignation, 190 Sharon Turnpike Legal Settlement, BoE Election Procedures Questioned
03/11/25
First Selectman Todd Carusillo and Selectmen Scott Olson and Dexter Kinsella were in attendance.
For Carusillo’s First Selectman Report, he announced that he met with the Connecticut State Department of Transportation (DOT) where it was determined that they will host a public meeting regarding work at the Goshen rotary in the center of town in July. The DOT will present the construction plan for the rotary and answer questions from the public. Construction work on the rotary is expected to begin by May 2027.
The Towns of Litchfield and Morris sent Carusillo letters confirming that they are in support of a Region 20 School District referendum for the Region 20 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. These letters were also sent to the Region 20 Board of Education.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 fiscal budgets of the Economic Development Commission, Board of Assessors, Street Lights, Tax Collector, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Selectmen, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Kinsella then motioned to receive and forward the budgets to the Board of Finance to be further reviewed. This was unanimously approved. Kinsella further motioned to add the authorizing resolution of the Town of Goshen dated March 13th, 2025 to the agenda. This was also unanimously approved.
Olson then read the resolution aloud which stated that, “...the Board of Selectmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland and Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and that Todd M. Carusillo, as First Selectman of the Town of Goshen, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of Goshen and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.” Carusillo noted that this resolution was made to allow Goshen’s Emergency Management Director Shilo Garceau to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution had to be adopted for the 2024-2025 fiscal year by Saturday March 15th. Kinsella motioned to adopt and it was unanimously approved.
Olson then motioned to add a Letter from First Selectman, Todd M. Carusillo to the Region 20 Board of Education to the meeting’s agenda. This was unanimously approved. Carusillo read the letter to Region 20 Board of Education, stating, “On March 11th, 2025, the Goshen Board of Selectmen authorized me to send this letter to the Region 20 Board of Education requesting that the Region 20 Budget for the fiscal 2025-2026 be voted on by referendum with polling stations in each of the four Region 20 towns.” Carusillo added that this referendum will allow residents from all four towns within Region 20 to speak on how their town’s finances are spent for the Board of Education. Olson additionally added that the referendum vote will give towns overall a greater chance to be heard, compared to a few individuals speaking out at Board of Education meetings.
03/18/25
First Selectman Todd Carusillo and Selectmen Scott Olson and Dexter Kinsella were in attendance.
In Carusillo’s First Selectman Report, he announced the passing of former Board of Finance Chairman Allen Walker and member Samuel Mazzarelli. A moment of silence was held in their memory. Walker passed away on Friday, January 31st at the age of 91 while Mazzarelli passed away on Thursday, March 13th at the age of 82.
A letter of resignation was received by Region 20 Board of Education member Jannelle Carroll. In the letter, Carroll asserted that the position came at great personal cost, “On numerous occasions, I have been berated in public, have had uninvited residents come to my home and rebuke me, and the toll it has taken on my personal health has been substantial. Carroll was first voted in as a Region 20 Board of Education member in August 2022 with her term originally scheduled to end in June, 2025. Carroll currently serves as a member of the Goshen Agricultural Council. Carusillo thanked Carroll for her service and announced that Region 20 recently appointed a new superintendent with Jeffrey Villar, on Thursday, March 20th. Villar will officially begin his role as Region 20 Superintendent on Thursday, May 1st.
For New Business, Kinsella motioned to add Town Assessor Lucy Hussman to the meeting’s agenda to discuss new car tax legislation. Hussman announced that Governor Ned Lamont signed an emergency certification that allowed assessors to change the percentage of depreciation of how towns value motor vehicles. Then another special legislation was passed that gave towns the right to adopt a different depreciation schedule. Hussman recommended that Goshen not implement the change in the depreciation schedule this year, “There’s a cost to it, there’s a cost to our software vendors, there’s a cost to reprint our grand list, there’s a cost to the staffing in the Assessor’s office and the amount of work.” Hussman clarified that Goshen won’t lose or increase revenue from this decision, it will merely determine if residents will have to pay more for their cars or for their houses. Carusillo added that only big cities with a lot of cars, apartments, and rental units are implementing this change.
Kinsella then motioned to add a call for a hybrid special town meeting for the Region 20 Board of Education on Tuesday, March 25th. This was unanimously approved. Carusillo read the call which stated that the hybrid special town meeting will be held in the Goshen Center School Gymnasium starting at 6:30 pm to have town residents vote on electing one member to the Region Board of Education to fill a vacancy for a term that expires on Monday, June 30th. This will fill the vacancy left after Region 20 Board of Education member Jannelle Carroll resigned from her position on the Board. Carusillo said the new Board of Education member’s term will begin on Thursday, March 27th. Olson motioned to approve the call for the hybrid special town meeting. This was unanimously approved.
Carusillo then reviewed a settlement agreement for the 190 Sharon Turnpike property between the Town of Goshen, the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission, and town residents Marissa Wright and Michael Leonard. In November 2023, Wright and Leonard initiated an administrative appeal challenging the Commission’s approval of an application for an Inland Wetlands and Water Courses permit to conduct regulated activities at 190 Sharon Turnpike. At that time, construction of a new Public Works storage facility was being proposed for the site. The Town and the Commission both desire to avoid further litigation from Wright and Leonard and have agreed to no longer conduct regulated activities on the property. Olson motioned for the Board of Selectmen to sign the settlement agreement. This was unanimously approved.
For Public Comment, Lori Clinton continued her review of sections of the Code of Conduct draft. She clarified that members of a board or a commission cannot personally attack, verbally or physically, or intimidate people in meetings at any time. Town attorneys could be used to interpret situations if necessary. In unofficial settings, board and commission members should not make promises on certain actions or issues. No personal comments on fellow board and commission members should be made but members can still respectfully disagree on issues. If a member is tasked with representing the town in another agency, they should support and advocate the town’s official viewpoint on an issue, not their own personal perspective on said issue.
03/25/25
Present were Todd Carusillo, Scott Olson, and Dexter Kinsella (Zoom).
During the Selectman’s Report, Carusillo reviewed the planned repaving of Route 63 from south of the Goshen Fairgrounds to Westside Road. Todd said he worked with the Department of Transportation regarding the installation of a “rumble strip” in the center line to make our roads safer.
The bears are back! The town has been receiving complaints from the residents regarding the sighting of bears. Use all precautions in your yards and on your property.
Carusillo reminded everyone of the special Town Meeting following the BOS meeting to vote for a new Board of Education member to fill the seat vacated by Jannelle Carroll. The new member’s term will be through June, when Carroll’s term expires. At that point, there will be another election for a full term BOE member.
No date has been set for the Code of Ethics Drafting Committee. It will be as soon as feasible.
Madlyn Flynn announced the community project to Beautify Goshen called “Trees for Goshen” sponsored by the Goshen Garden Club in partnership with a grant provided by Sustainable Connecticut. Every dollar raised will be matched through this program. They are trying to raise $4075. The project will be completed in phases according to planting cycles of the trees. The first phase is to plant 10 trees; the trees are indigenous to New England for their heartiness, such as maples and hawthorns. The tree service companies in Goshen have been contacted to help with the project.
04/01/25
Present were Todd Carusillo, Scott Olson and Dexter Kinsella.
The First Selectman reported that the town attorney is preparing documents for the conveyance of Scoville Park in Goshen, which is to be donated to the town. The town has been maintaining the park since the 1960’s.
Goshen resident Renee Kujawski sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen regarding the process for Board of Education elections. She suggested an ordinance change that would provide the townspeople with more time to get to know board of education candidates who are interested in running for open seats. Under the current procedures, nominations and voting occur at the same meeting, hindering the community from meeting and researching potential candidates adequately, according to Kujawski and others who raised that issue during the recent Town Meeting election. She suggested holding a preliminary meeting prior to the election date that could be helpful for educating the community on these important roles.
Todd Carusillo congratulated Susan Wheeler, the newest member of the Board of Education representing Goshen.
In other correspondence, the Woodridge Lake Property Owners’ Association submitted a request on behalf of its members for temporary radar speed signs to be installed on
E. Hyerdale Drive and Ashley Drive. The solar-powered signs automatically display a vehicle’s speed as it approaches. They are intended to remind drivers to slow down and observe the speed limits. Goshen owns two of these signs, which are deployed on a rotating basis between requesting neighborhoods.
Andrew Savage requested clarification on property owners tracking mud onto public roads. Is that the responsibility of the town or the person who tracked it to clean it up? If someone gets hurt is the town liable? The Board will meet with Public Works to review and respond to this question.
The following budgets were reviewed by the BOS: Board of Assessment Appeals, Building Official, Conservation of Health, Fire Commissioners, Fire Marshal, Inland Wetlands, Insurance, Land Use Enforcement, Treasurer, Water Pollution Control Authority, & Welfare. The BOS voted unanimously to receive the budgets for 2025-26.
Two chip seal bids were submitted to the town: One from Comer Contracting for $250,327 and one from New England Asphalt Services for $281,875. The BOS voted unanimously to send the bids to Public Works for review and consideration.
The Agricultural Council found six Goshen Farmers willing to take on the six year “Haying” contract for town property on East Street North. Names of interested farmers were thrown into a hat, and Clint Thorn picked the winners which were Jon & Jannelle Carroll.
The Carrolls acknowledge the insurance liability policy requirement plus the obligation to provide 50 bales to the town of Goshen annually at no charge.
04/08/25
Present were Todd Carusillo, Scott Olson, and Dexter Kinsella.
In his 1st Selectman report Carusillo advised that on Thursday, April 3rd, the Recycling committee went to the USA recycling plant in New Britain, describing the organization and operation as “unbelievable”. Everything gets separated, weighed and organized methodically. Todd highly suggests taking a tour when they become available in the future.
Todd reported that he spoke with CT State Attorney General William Tong about the former Region 6 school district. He is requesting a letter from the AG’s office or from the state board of education calling for a district meeting for Region 6. There are unpaid liabilities, monies earmarked for pensions that did not go to the pension fund, along with other unanswered monetary handlings that cannot be explained, according to the first selectman. A meeting of the Trustees of the Pension Fund is also being requested, to address these questions.
The Code of Ethics Committee scheduled their first meeting on Wednesday, April 16th at 6pm. There will be a zoom link should anyone in the community want to join. Check the Town website to get the link.
One of our library aids, Kate Malanka, is retiring after 28 years working in the library effective April 19th. The Selectmen all thanked Kate for her service at the library. A reception is being planned later in the month to wish her well.
For correspondence, Robin Christopher wants the town to support the budget for R20. Todd would like a presentation of the budget to the town directly from Dr. Villar, the new Superintendent. The towns are expected to vote on the budget on May 6th.
Renee Kujawski is looking for a response from our town clerk and town council on the BOE elections process. She had written to ask for changes in the election process to allow the public to get to know the candidates better and ask them questions.
With reference to New Business, a letter of recommendation for Chip Sealing from Garrett Harlow stated that we have not been keeping up with the 10-year plan on this and are potentially falling behind on taking care of the roads. The overall goal is to improve the roads throughout the town as a condition of our bond rating. Scott Olson wants to invite Garrett to present to the BOS about the process at the next meeting. Olson then made a motion to award the bid of $233,330.60 to Comer Contracting, which was unanimously passed.
During Public Comment, newly elected Region 20 Board of Education member Susan Wheeler advised that there was a meeting on budget scheduled for Thursday, April 10th at Lakeview High School. She would like to get to know the community better and offered her personal email address: susan@susanvwheeler.com
