Winchester Board of Selectmen

8/03/26, 7 p.m.

Present: Mayor Todd Arcelaschi. Selectmen Paul Marino, William Hester, Kevin Bishop, Troy Lamere, and Cheryl Heffernan McGlynn. 

Absent: Selectman William Pozzo (excused).

Staff Present: Town Clerk Glenn Albanesius.

Town Manager Paul Harrington reported a recent meeting between Town Staff and Winchester Center residents resulted in a concerted effort to curtail illegal dumping and firearm use along Old Waterbury Turnpike and Danbury Quarter Road.

“There were probably 15 or 20 residents there that day. We brought in the Chief of Police, our Public Works Director, Jim Rollins and me as well,” Harrington said. “Honestly, I didn't know it was a problem at the time — the massive dumping that was going on up there. 

“But more importantly, this property is Town property and some of the Land Trust property, and there are firearms being shot and a lot of people going for a walk,” he said. “As soon as that was put on my radar, we immediately called the meeting.”

Harrigton said access control, new signage, and increased Police Department patrols should help mitigate the increase in prohibited activities.

“Signs have already been ordered,” he said. “We have to remind people that you cannot discharge firearms on Town property and Land Trust property; it's a property you can't shoot on. 

“Dumping is also illegal,” Harrington said. “And we are also adding one of those gates that you find a lot in state parks to prevent any type of traffic being able to access that land.”

SPEED CAMERAS COMING

Regarding another matter, Harrington said the Town’s new speed cameras will be installed soon despite suggestions to put the effort on hold. At their Aug. 17 meeting, the BOS heard Harrington’s update that Gov. Ned Lamont urged municipalities to pause the installation while review is underway.

“We are very far along in the process. We have gotten our Connecticut DOT approval to put the cameras out,” Harrington said. “And in fact, if we were not installing these cameras on a state road, these cameras would already be installed. 

“It's been ordered,” he said. “We're waiting for the encroachment permit, and these cameras will be installed.”

PROJECTS GET GRANT MONEY

Also in his report, Harrington said Winchester was awarded $612,500 by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) toward the replacement of the Newfield Road Bridge over Fox Brook. The balance of the project will be funded by 2022 Road Bond money.

Harrington also said the Winchester Police Department will be receiving funds from the 2024 U.S. Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant for seven replacement ballistic vests.

Public Works Director Jim Rollins gave a brief update of the pending Holabird Avenue Drainage and Repaving Project. He explained that estimated costs are $3,274,800 but will be finalized at the bid letting, which is expected be in December. 

Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) grant funds will be used with the balance coming from the Town's 2022 Road and Infrastructure Bond, Rollins said. Work is set to start in the spring.

CONSULTING SERVICES WAIVER

Among action items, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) unanimously approved a bid waiver and awarded Daigle Law Group, LLC a $55,000 agreement for police consulting services. Selectman William Hester moved to approve the action, and Selectman Troy Lemere seconded it.

The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.