Newtown Selectmen Review Major Projects, Reestablish Committees

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Board of Selectmen on Dec. 1 reviewed progress on several long-term town projects, approved new appointments, renewed multiple advisory committees and adopted the board’s 2026 meeting schedule during a regular session at the Municipal Center.

Eighteen members of the public, including five attending remotely, were present as First Selectman Bruce Walczak opened the meeting.

Walczak Outlines Early Work With Departments, Major Projects

Walczak reported he spent recent weeks meeting individually with department heads as he prepares his first municipal budget. This week includes a full slate of hour-long sessions with departments to review early requests.

He also said he met with former First Selectman Jeff Capeci earlier in November regarding the Housatonic Railroad bridge cleanup project. Town Engineer John Curtis is now leading the project and has been asked to deliver a full PERT-style project chart—including deadlines and milestones—by the next Selectmen’s meeting.

Curtis’ written update noted that Newtown, Housatonic Railroad, Maybrook Railroad and Aquarion Water Company are finalizing an agreement required for work to proceed under the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program. The project includes excavation of streambed material and identifying suitable on-site storage areas for the soil. The town is also preparing to seek proposals for engineering services after an initial consultant estimate exceeded available federal funding.

The interconnect between Fairfield Hills wells and Aquarion’s system is now in place, with final DEEP permitting expected shortly, the update said.

Winn Development And 3 Main Street See Activity

Walczak said the Winn residential development continues to advance, with lease terms under advisory committee review. He plans to meet with developer Larry Winn in two weeks. A prospective buyer has also shown increased interest in the 3 Main Street property.

Grant Decision Pending; Library Project Still Under Budget

The town may decline a $600,000 state wireless infrastructure grant, with IT Director Al Miles advising the required work could not be completed within the six-month deadline. The Library project remains on schedule and under budget.

Board Keeps 7:30 p.m. Meeting Start Time

Selectmen briefly discussed shifting their regular start time to 7 p.m., but agreed that 7:30 p.m. remains consistent with other public meetings and better accommodates residents who work late.

Engineering Questions On Fill Storage, Water Backup System

Selectman Paul Lundquist questioned the timeline for the railroad cleanup and future water-source reconnection. Capeci said finalizing interagency agreements should not take more than a few weeks and noted that stored fill will eventually be used for track repairs. The Aquarion interconnect will serve only during severe drought emergencies, not routine operations.

Finance Director Reports Steady Progress

In a written update, Finance Director Glenys Salas reported the Board of Finance has approved the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan, which will next go before the Legislative Council. Departments submitted budget requests in November, and budget meetings with the First Selectman will continue into next week. Salas also noted new state grant activity and the town’s rollout of ACH payments to reduce paper and postage costs.

Selectmen Fill Roles And Reestablish Advisory Committees

The board unanimously approved:

• Paul Lundquist to serve as Acting First Selectman when Walczak is unavailable.
• The 2026 Board of Selectmen meeting calendar.
• Reestablishment of the Animal Care & Control Advisory Board, the Bike & Trail Committee, and the Town Building & Information Committee for 2025–27.

Selectmen also approved several reappointments across boards and commissions, including the Design Advisory Board, Western Connecticut Tourism District, and multiple ad hoc bodies.

Tax Refunds Approved; Watershed Committee Questions Raised

The board authorized $14,026.23 in tax refunds. During voter comments, Michelle Embree Ku congratulated Walczak on his first meeting and asked about appointments to the new Ad Hoc Committee for River & Watershed Improvement, which was not listed on the agenda. She urged its formal establishment given ongoing watershed needs.

Walczak said he needed two more weeks to review the committee’s purpose and membership requirements, noting past challenges in identifying candidates with necessary environmental credentials. He said the town has since implemented new project-tracking systems using performance charts with defined milestones.

With no further announcements, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.