Winchester Board of Selectmen:
4/6/26, 7 PM
Present: Mayor Todd Arcelaschi, 2nd Selectman William Hester, and Selectmen Troy Lamere, Kevin Bishop, Cheryl Heffernan McGlynn, and William Pozzo; Absent Excused: Paul Marino
The Town of Winsted continues to work on details of its proposed FY2027 budget process, which has advanced to the next phase of identifying additional cost-containment strategies beyond the initial proposal, Town Manager Paul Harrington said during the April 6 Winchester Board of Selectman meeting.
The proposal is available on the town’s website, and the Board is encouraging residents to view it and participate in the process. The Board set three dates for budget workshops in April.
“We are preparing a comprehensive public communication effort through the town’s websites and social media platform to ensure residents are well-informed and have multiple opportunities to engage in the budget process,” he said.
In other business, the town has launched a traffic safety survey aimed at gathering community feedback to help determine areas in need of improvement. Harrington urged residents to complete the survey, which is on the town’s website.
A feasibility study has been completed regarding the possibility of converting a building at 44 Elm Street into new police department headquarters. The total project cost estimate is $12.8 million, Harrington said.
Roger LaFleur, owner of project management firm PM Resources, will serve as consultant for the Isabelle M. Pearson Middle School roof replacement project, Harrington said. The town recently passed a resolution for the $2.8 million project.
LaFleur attended the meeting and presented the Board with several resolutions that required the Selectmen’s approval before the project can move ahead. The Board unanimously approved all of the resolutions, including one that authorizes the financing of the local share of $807,569 for the project.
The Board also unanimously named several members to the Cultural District Commission. These are Annie Trepanier and Steve Larson, whose terms will expire in April 2028; Lara Green-Kazlauskas and John Noon, whose terms will end in April 2029. In addition, the Board unanimously approved Deb Jablonski’s re-appointment to the Commission for the term ending April 2028, and agreed to allow Selectman Bishop to serve as liaison to the Commission.
Harrington said that 11 dogs seized last year from the home of Sarah Smolak, who was charged with animal cruelty last year, have now been adopted. He thanked Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford, which the town contacted to help find homes for the dogs, as well as a detective who helped transport some of the dogs to their new homes.
