Litchfield Board of Selectmen Meeting
3/3/26, 5:30 PM
Present: First Selectman Denise Raap, Selectmen Jeff Zullo, Dan Morosani, Jodiann Tenney, and John Bongiorno
The Board of Selectmen met virtually only on March 3, due to the forecast of freezing rain in Litchfield. At the top of the meeting, Zullo made a motion to approve the Feb. 17 regular meeting minutes, which was seconded by Tenney and passed, with Morosani abstaining because he was not in attendance.
During Selectmen’s requests, Bongiorno requested to have an agenda item to discuss at a future meeting whether entities who are behind with town sewer or tax bills should not be able to apply for permits to do additional work. Additionally, Bongiorno asked for information on the state’s process regarding foreclosures and liens for properties with unpaid taxes. Raap noted that the Building Official, John Worthington, checks whether applicants are paid up on their taxes before issuing permits but that her understanding is that he does not have access to Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) tax information.
In the First Selectman’s Update Report, Raap said that WPCA hired a new employee: Jose Cotto. At the time of the meeting, a WPCA position remained open. A Land Use position had been offered to an applicant, who had accepted and was going through the pre-employment process: “We are hopeful that this is going to work out,” Raap said. She also reported that a Connecticut Department of Transportation public hearing was set to take place at 7 p.m. on March 31 at Litchfield Intermediate School.
The Board spoke about the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, with Zullo reviewing the process, noting the Board of Finance calls a public hearing, then the budget proceeds to a Town Meeting. If approved, the Board of Finance then sets the mill rate: “Once we pass this budget, it’s up to the Board of Finance to act on it … until the final budget meeting.”
One of the items the Board of Selectmen discussed was the Bantam Annex, which had an additional $106,000 that Bongiorno described as “just to pay to keep the building open. It doesn’t fix anything.” Raap explained that the building generates about $67,000 in revenue to offset the total cost.
“We have a potential plan we’re taking to a public hearing in April to review filling that building with potentially some housing and using the building,” Zullo said regarding the future of the building.
New business during the meeting included the passing of the Small Town Economic Assistance Program Resolution as recommended, which was motioned by Zullo and seconded by Bongiorno. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Resolution was tabled in a motion by Zullo, seconded by Bongiorno. The Board also approved the 23rd Annual Tour of Litchfield Hills, as well as a 12th North Street extension closure for July 4 and September 12, as requested by the Litchfield’s Patriots organization.
The members went into executive session at 8:13 p.m. No motions and no votes were made in the executive session, and the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
