Morris Board of Selectmen: John Weik Road Bridge Closed for Improvements

10/6/2026 4:30 p.m.

Present: First Selectman Tom Weik. Selectmen Laurey Weiner and Denise Weik (via phone).

An update on sprucing up the John Weik Road Bridge was among topics highlighted during the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting Oct. 6. The Town of Morris received a $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant that covers most of the cost.

First Selectman Tom Weik said work on the project has started, and the road will be closed to traffic until the upgrades are complete.

“We anticipate that construction will take approximately a month and a half,” he said.

The remaining cost of the project, beyond the STEAP grant funds, will be about $200,000 and taken out of the Town’s Capital Non-Recurring Fund, Tom Weik reported.

In another matter, correspondence regarding the two solar projects in Morris prompted a discussion, but no action, by the BOS at this meeting.

“It all came up rather recently about the solar farms,” the First Selectman said. “There is a second one on South Street that has been approved by the [Connecticut Siting Council].”

In giving an update, Weik said the solar project by Lodestar Energy, located at 166 South St., south of North Terrell Farm Road, should break ground in the spring.

“They're looking to begin construction in the second quarter of next year,” he said. “I think they had a little delay because there is a wetlands crossing there. They were going to do a bridge, but it looks like they're going to go with a box culvert instead of a bridge.

“So, they have to get that permitted and approved by Connecticut DEEP (Department of Energy & Environmental Protection),” Weik said.

The other topic related to solar farms that the BOS discussed is regarding vegetation that will be used as screening around the solar arrays.

“I've been in contact with a couple of neighbors of the one that's currently under construction on the Tilson property being done by Greenskies [Clean Energy],” Weik said. He reached out to a Greenskies representative, who said the company prioritizes screening by using trees and other vegetation.

“I'm hoping they do a good job at like a double screen there or something,” the First Selectman said. “He mentioned a staggered double row.”

Weiner said, “There are some trees up there now. I'd like to see more, but I do know that type of tree usually fills in pretty quickly.”

In other business, the BOS unanimously agreed to appoint Jamie Terry to the Beach & Recreation Commission to fill a term that ends Oct. 14, 2028. Denise Weik moved to approve the appointment, and Weiner seconded it.

The Board awarded the bid for the Transfer Station office bathroom addition to Walt Koproski Contracting for $40,000. Weiner moved to approve the bid, and the vote was unanimously in favor after Denise Weik’s second.

The Selectmen discussed a postage meter at Town Hall for use by Town Departments after Denise Weik moved to add the topic to the agenda, Weiner seconded the motion, and the agenda addition was unanimously approved.

“So just out of curiosity, I was looking over this past year's budget, and a lot of the Departments actually list their postage or keep track of it separate from office expense and our postage rates are pretty high,” Weiner said. “We already pay for bulk mailing for the senior center.

“So, it seems to me, especially since prices of stamps are going up even higher, then it might be time to investigate… bulk mailing that will cover all the Departments,” she said.

The Board took no action but expects to hear more on the topic at a future meeting from Town Treasurer Rick Nicoletti.

“He said he was going to look into it a little bit more,” Tom Weik said.

In other items from the First Selectman’s report, Tom Weik provided numerous updates on several projects and activities in the Town.

He reported the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) continues to look for a new location for a Post Office in Morris, and he called the issue a “debacle.” The USPS delivered a blue collection box to the Morris Community Hall, but it was the incorrect type and was placed in the wrong location, Weik said. “I have been in communication with USPS officials, as well as representatives from Senator (Chris) Murphy’s office, as we work to resolve these issues and find an appropriate solution for Morris,” he said.

Also in his report, the First Selectman said it’s the Town’s goal to have the Morris Town Beach Recreational Courts completed and ready for use in the spring. He met with Town Highway Foreman Kyle Rosenbeck and an official from Classic Turf of Woodbury at the site for the courts at Morris Town Beach for an update. He also reported that he is representing the Town in Region 20 teacher contract negotiations with other First Selectmen and Board of Finance chairs.

“Each participating Town will have the ability to have a Town representative present during the negotiations,” Weik said. “Thank you to Superintendent [Jeffery Villar] for facilitating this discussion and helping coordinate the process among the towns. “It was just nice to see that the superintendent put that all together.”

Regarding the new affordable housing project on Eldrige Drive, the First Selectman said site work has begun, and infrastructure work is expected to be finished before winter. The construction on the housing units is slated to start in the spring, he said.

The new Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance building is now occupied and in full operation, Weik reported. He especially praised the efforts of Chief John Pudlinski, Alan Borghesi, and the Town of Litchfield toward this milestone.

“Hats off to everyone involved in making this project a reality,” he said.

Weik said there were 229 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses with 163 EMS transports in Morris from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, that were provided by Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance and Bantam Fire Ambulance.

“We are grateful to all of the volunteers and emergency personnel who provide this essential service to our community,” he said.

The First Selectman ended the report by noting the Morris Highway Department has been busy clearing trees and debris after the recent storm and that the Department also is preparing for the upcoming winter season.

The meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m. after a motion by Weiner, second by Denise Weik, and unanimous vote.

The regular BOS meeting set for Oct. 20 was canceled. The Board is scheduled to meet again Nov. 3, in the Morris Community Hall as usual.