Washington Board of Selectmen: Annual Town Budget Hearing and Meeting Dates Set
9/24/26 5:30 p.m.
Present: First Selectman James Brinton. Selectman Dean Sarjeant.
First Selectman James Brinton offered condolences on behalf of the Town to the family and friends of Robert “Rocky” Tomlinson, who served as a U.S. Marine and State Trooper. Tomlinson died Sept. 10, 2026, at age 81. Brinton noted a Celebration of Life was set for 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at the American Legion Gage Zumpf Post No. 87 Hall in Washington Depot.
Selectman Dean Sarjeant gave an initial report on activity on Lake Waramaug, saying it had been a good season. He said he will have a full report sometime in November.
In addition, Brinton moved and Sarjeant seconded approval of the upcoming Town Meeting agenda. The pair unanimously approved the plan.
The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
10/5/26 7 p.m.
Present: Brinton. Selectmen Jay Hubelbank and Dean Sarjeant.
The Annual Town Meeting for the Town of Washington was held starting at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Washington Depot.
Bill Fairbairn was nominated Moderator and unanimously approved on a motion by Sarjeant and second by Selectman Jay Hubelbank.
The Town Budget Hearing to consider the 2027-28 fiscal year budget was set for 7 p.m. May 6, followed at 7 p.m. May 20 by the Annual Town Budget Meeting to vote on the budget. The schedule passed unanimously after a motion by Brinton and second by Hubelbank.
Also approved during the Town Meeting was an ordinance allowing retired personnel of the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Washington Ambulance Association who served for 25 years or more to receive a tax abatement. This matches the abatement that currently serving personnel receive, Brinton said.
The expansion of eligible beneficiaries was unanimously approved after a motion by Hubelbank and second by Sarjeant.
In another vote, BOS members unanimously agreed to close the ARPA Fund account and transfer the remaining $2,951.13 balance to the Ambulance Headquarters Building Fund. Sarjeant moved to take the action, which Tracy Brinton seconded.
Finally, Hubelbank moved, Sargeant seconded, and the BOS unanimously approved the Town of Washington Capital Improvement Plan for Year End 2027-2031.
The Town Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
10/8/26 5:30 p.m.
Present: Brinton. Selectmen Hubelbank and Sarjeant.
As part of this meeting, the BOS discussed the potential discontinuance of a portion of Tinker Hill Road and giving ownership to a homeowner who currently uses the road as their driveway.
“I was contacted a month or so ago by a realtor who was a client on Tinker Hill years ago,” Brinton said. “There was talk of discontinuing a portion of Tinker Hill, which they ended up doing, but there was a small portion that did not because there was a fear that it was going to be landlocked.
“So, over the last 30 years, that portion has essentially become the driveway for this address,” he said. “[I] got great feedback from the Town Attorney on the difference between abandonment and discontinuance.”
Abandonment status is a legal issue that comes from a court, Brinton said, while discontinuance is an action the BOS can take. The matter will move to a future Town meeting for discussion.
In other discussion, Hubelbank updated the Board on the Sustainability Committee’s activities, including a community workshop addressing invasive knotweed along the Shepaug River and in the area around the Primary School.
“We had about 40 people or so, 30 to 40 people, either online or at the meeting,” he said.
Sarjeant reported on a recent event regarding lakes and invasive weed management. He noted pesticides and invasive species continue to be a concern.
“Western states look at what we don't do in terms of invasives in this state, and they are flabbergasted,” he said. “They absolutely cannot believe what Connecticut has not done.”
The Board adjourned the meeting at 5:49 p.m. after a motion by Brinton, second by Hubelbank, and unanimous “yes” vote.
The BOS was next scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22.
