[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6064424,"mediaKeyId","3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10","parentId",3244687,"title","Votes at a glance: Town Council approves consent calendar, opioid funds and several appointments April 8","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5690000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10&start=5690&end=5690","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10/thumbnail_5690000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064424/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-Town-Council-approves-consent-calendar-opioid-funds-and-several-appointments-April-8","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064424-26c4c3473b3300ced3565bb8c89a0ed3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770957351&Signature=ERyU~fW4iM3w6yyC7OWkHmVbcFtNvbCL3lSXoArPbPOOXz9xqSaw9YzQWvJy47KDCrlwA4GYDr7EIML9XxkY54w~PV1Ydw7TRaYe7ecXHQhCzHF2J0JJ1i863DyHB-y-KHDysIUaUTE6JHvlBCSfmg-cRTbeYsSLLCL8Nxx8i9KCy2TgzUefE-F7mLsAon-AkLJ3tf2kZ1t0Z64sJrxMxgee2mGmEJDa5CqfLVhuzOqQfEXiNFW3dY0jl0sR-XOarvU7jsL6~WlTJJO92xZTHi65Y588YjWvrOso3C3JO3b2MOaPwfXdsjeZBSnZtuUMgMFP55-67TWxNtNzH4VOOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Cheshire, CT","date","2025-04-09T02:12:48Z","article","The Town of Cheshire Town Council took these formal actions at its regular meeting on April 8. Most items passed unanimously “by those present,” and routine approvals were handled as consent or single motions.

Key votes and motions

- Approval of minutes: Council approved minutes for March 11, March 18, and several budget workshops; the motion carried with a recorded statement of \"motion passes 7‑0 and an abstention\" on one set of minutes.

- Consent calendar (Resolution 040825-1): The council approved the consent calendar, which included tax refunds totaling $28,218.85. Motion passed; outcome recorded as approved.

- Acceptance and appropriation of National Opioid Settlement funds (Resolution 040825-2): The council accepted and appropriated $4,979.84 from National Opioid Settlement funds to the Human Services special revenue account for the town’s opioid remediation plan. Motion passed unanimously by those present.

- Calls for public hearings (Resolutions 040825-3 and 040825-4): The council set public hearings for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 to consider amendments to (a) the beautification committee ordinance (section 2‑86) and (b) the parks and recreation ordinance (section 2‑66). Motions passed unanimously by those present.

- Amendment/reinstatement of volunteer firefighter pension plan (Resolution 040825-5): The council approved amendments to the Town of Cheshire Volunteer Firefighter Pension Plan. The change clarified how a returning volunteer’s prior service can be bridged into the current benefit schedule, and added a three‑year commitment requirement for prior service to be credited at the new monthly benefit level. Motion passed unanimously by those present.

- Appointment of special labor counsel (Resolution 040825-6): The council appointed Rose Callor LLP as special labor counsel and authorized the town manager to execute the agreement under town charter section 5‑1. Motion passed unanimously by those present.

- Youth & Human Services Committee appointments: The council approved four youth appointments and reappointment to the Youth & Human Services Committee, including representatives from Cheshire High School and Dodd Middle School and a private‑school representative. Motions passed unanimously by those present.

Context and next steps: Most items were routine or procedural. The opioid funds were small, add to previously received settlement payments, and were earmarked for counseling services through Human Services. The public‑hearing votes set the procedural next step for ordinance amendments, which will be considered at the May 13 hearings.

Ending: No additional substantive policy motions were taken on April 8; councilors reserved policy or personnel actions for future meetings as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cheshire Town Council 4-8-25 part 2","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 8 meeting the Town of Cheshire Town Council approved the consent calendar (including tax refunds), accepted an opioid settlement payment, called public hearings on two ordinance amendments, amended a volunteer firefighter pension plan, and appointed labor counsel and several youth committee members.","taxTitle","Town of Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut","taxId",70158,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064429,"School building projects move forward; committee funds full demographic study and sidewalks plan draws budget questions",1307,4104000,5411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10&start=4104&end=5411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10/thumbnail_4104000.jpg","/articles/6064429/Connecticut/School-building-projects-move-forward-committee-funds-full-demographic-study-and-sidewalks-plan-draws-budget-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064429-e7b0d3382ddb5e54fb5827b97bf7a145/orig.mp4?Expires=1770957351&Signature=T8UEP~KDu97o1MA6T0MZRzjTmPHJ9KnsD7TmE3d~zqCbB12yGDqArmKDGVDAxylw5kb~gXzHEVp4IcEGS-AzeamygQeUovWrlqRnWMUrLuTZnFf7l0HpU16R5ovbQ28AoB99V0u-oWUqNOLd2Sk0TJfv3JGraJD7OmSCbq3iAInye385Cjyzi-aiTg5dLQAET-u0SJvMeFYX6EqxCR2sI7TbupPU8od61B18rEl1lW6e-6mluOSwmmaL0NAULHMcyaKfz~ymXbvSWvAmpXOALQXuSKblEDJ8biN380pGr0wD7NWI8T85s0wiNF5p9-qCAwffKOL75jkCZ3BAGiPS7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Cheshire School Building Committee told the Town Council on April 8 that construction on two new elementary schools is on schedule and that the committee has funded an 8‑month demographic and redistricting study to inform student assignments when the new buildings open.

In recent months Norton School foundations have been completed and slab work was scheduled to start; steel deliveries were expected the week after the meeting. Work at the North End site is likewise progressing, with foundations roughly two‑thirds finished and geothermal wells installed. Committee member Richard (Rich) Gusenberg said both projects remain on schedule for completion in July 2026.

Why it matters: The new schools are larger than the ones they replace, so the district will need redistricting to assign students to schools once the projects are complete. The building committee agreed to fund a town‑wide demographic study (three redistricting scenarios) so families will have clarity well in advance of the move.

Sidewalk and busing questions: Councilors asked whether sidewalks on Marion Road and Jarvis Street were part of the school project and whether they would be reimbursable by the state. Officials said planning and zoning required certain sidewalks and that sidewalks on portions of the site are non‑reimbursable under state school construction rules. Town staff said the sidewalk designs (Jarvis and Marion) were complete and ready to bid and that the town engineer was pursuing easements where required.

Officials said sidewalks would allow students to walk safely from nearby subdivisions and that planning and zoning had discussed the issue before approving the project. Some councilors pressed to confirm which budget would pay for particular sidewalk segments and whether the school project’s bonded funds could cover frontage sidewalks; town staff said funding decisions would be confirmed after bid pricing.

Furniture, fixtures and equipment: The committee said two new subcommittees will oversee furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) and technology procurement; architects will develop packages so bids can go out in the fall.

Ending: Committee members reiterated that the committee remained on schedule and that more detailed timelines for moving and procurement would be released as state approvals and bids come in. The council asked the town engineer to confirm funding sources for sidewalk segments and to provide a clearer timeline for any non‑reimbursable work.","The Town of Cheshire School Building Committee reported progress on two elementary school projects, approved funding for an 8‑month demographic and redistricting study, and answered council questions about sidewalks, reimbursement and potential bus routing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064433,"FOIA dispute and a council appointment draw questions about Cheshire’s relationship with Chesbrough Health District",361,445000,806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10&start=445&end=806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10/thumbnail_445000.jpg","/articles/6064433/Connecticut/FOIA-dispute-and-a-council-appointment-draw-questions-about-Cheshires-relationship-with-Chesbrough-Health-District","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064433-20e18bd220a72bd9d7beaef9e6bcd890/orig.mp4?Expires=1770957351&Signature=XbFuBuqJhsUbulVG8Bwv5spjSJpiSvYAWMf9jdFtwPjoU8IdhqbTbyh6uy6dDt3JiPjy6WSRNnyDYYE-Al1H6CvKyIp~6VxtxObnV1QckdlGWR-UO5CsSwld1LZOYjSxzLoO9CrryLRkMaBjWMd~jJd~ax2oA64rK1jEXhJO59tmN7yPGqsoB4MbeQlweFlxO~-g0Fxio0eBKntMrRuoYMJWGAS~1A0Ere7Zcwg6Y8ghqRQGqVPr3pn5WLWuIXil0V6ikVRuN5YChC6BPdwOFKlPEcIXtYJYq1vYl3cD4TxwXqFQq875ceO6iG90h~-laqw-uTZ60QeSsZBJdz1Pjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Cheshire resident and multiple members of the Chesbrough Health District (CHD) board used public comment on April 8 to press the Town Council for full disclosure of emails and to ask for an independent review of the appointment of a councilor to the CHD board.

David Iommi, a Cheshire resident, told the council he had filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking email correspondence between town council members and CHD staff spanning August 2023 to November 2024. He said the town provided about 400 emails but CHD produced 1,217 emails in response to a similar request — and that some CHD emails were withheld as confidential. “I have to say that I've been very disappointed with the lack of transparency,” Iommi said.

CHD board members at the meeting said they, too, wanted clarity and stressed legal limits on what they can disclose. Sarah Montavan, who identified herself as a CHD board member, said reviewing the 1,217 emails had been time consuming and that the district had redacted material it considered confidential for legal reasons. Montavan said the CHD board had asked to meet with the town “so that we can continue to move on and just basically go from there.”

The public discussion flagged an August 29, 2024 email, referenced by Iommi, that he said showed a town councilor expected to be appointed to the CHD board prior to the council’s September 10, 2024 meeting where the appointment occurred. Iommi asked whether it was appropriate for a sitting councilor to hold a voting seat on the CHD board and requested an independent investigation of the appointment and any related correspondence.

Board of directors’ letter: Councilor Velleber read aloud a letter the council had received from CHD board members who signed as volunteers and described themselves as whistleblowers. The letter said the board had reviewed the 1,217 emails and asked to meet confidentially with the town attorney and council to show the emails and discuss concerns about “board involvement” and “lack of transparency.” The letter was signed by CHD board members including Lauren Backman, Elizabeth Normans and Sarah Montavan.

Council response and next steps: Councilors acknowledged the FOIA concerns and said they would review the requests and the possibility of an independent inquiry. Town staff did not announce a formal investigation at the April 8 meeting; rather, councilors and CHD board members said they want to meet in confidence with legal counsel to review the records that CHD characterized as confidential.

Distinguishing discussion from action: The meeting record shows the discussion remained in the public comment and council communications sections; councilors made no formal vote to open an inquiry at this meeting.

Ending: Iommi said he would follow up after receiving additional FOIA records; CHD board members asked the council to schedule a private meeting with the town attorney and produce any records the town had not already supplied under FOIA.","A public commenter and members of the Chesbrough Health District board told the council they were frustrated by incomplete FOIA disclosures and raised concerns about a council appointment to the district board; the council heard requests for an independent review of ties between a councilor and the health district.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064437,"Residents press town council for timeline, transparency after report of suspected neglect at Cheshire dog pound",983,814000,1797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10&start=814&end=1797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3244687-19a601332e8dd9e04755f95242b4fd10/thumbnail_814000.jpg","/articles/6064437/Connecticut/Residents-press-town-council-for-timeline-transparency-after-report-of-suspected-neglect-at-Cheshire-dog-pound","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064437-7fe8a9af5e54b25078937875b01922f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770957351&Signature=cwrUBExIEad6hq1pm8DzxjIzJsKj6Bggtat9IeCINIvz9n8s5mLIgXCGmbe7KZDwPxZEnIMhXdougg4aW1sEP9TXFMJy-xWGgiRG9gSfGAhYsmk7a~dPSfbL0VQHp5uKoybos52pn2yPKHsIYCLN3qqGOzO0UewaGOrPvlK6OXvCcpWv38Yun3p8iomdBIGGSp9Lj2hByrTpSME1mw~nFvtdZaQ4GIN1VdLVlV2ZireFEPiPViGz2-wfVaTuCii3l~94ZTWyZ5YYwhqIk2q17dRrdCW7UTWwG1q4uGGshtqyZNFjUIawscF1QIXuYQ~QC~DdkFoIyc~9YMYCgcXqDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Cheshire residents urged the Town of Cheshire Town Council on April 8 to act quickly and transparently after state Department of Agriculture reports and recent Freedom of Information Act requests surfaced allegations of poor conditions and animal deaths at the municipal dog pound.

The public comments, which lasted more than an hour, included accounts from volunteer rescuers, people who visited the pound and witnesses to animal care. “We will continue to ask because the public deserves the truth,” said Jean Melendez, a Cheshire resident and animal advocate, describing alleged failures in care and recordkeeping at the pound.

Why it matters: Residents say the town’s handling of animal-control operations and its communications about an ongoing third‑party investigation into the pound have left them without basic facts such as completion dates and regular status updates. Several speakers asked the council to set a timeline and to accept outside input from local advocates.

Council response and process: Mayor Peter J. Talbot acknowledged the emotion in the room and said the town is trying to avoid compromising an active, independent investigation. “We want to do this right,” he said, explaining that silence from officials reflected efforts to protect the integrity of the review. Councilor Diane Allard told speakers she supported using nationally accredited standards to shape future pound practices and said she had not instructed anyone to remove protesters’ signs from private property.

Residents and advocates pressed the council for specifics including the expected finish date of the investigation and whether any personnel actions would follow. Dawn Burnell, who called for accountability and reform, said advocates want to be included in solutions and offered constructive input rather than being treated as adversaries. Mariah Melendez, who leads a local advocacy group, told the council the group will continue its public campaign until the town finalizes reforms.

Several petitioners cited a Department of Agriculture consent order and witness statements from the state’s investigations, including testimony that described animals in poor condition and examples of kennel cleaning practices that witnesses said risked animals’ health. Speakers also raised concerns about incomplete or delayed online updates about the pound’s operations.

What the council said it would do: Town Manager Jim Kimble said he would inquire about the timeline and get back to residents; Council members said they would request a timeline from the investigator and provide whatever information can be released without jeopardizing the inquiry. Multiple councilors in the meeting denied directing Cheshire Academy or other third parties to take down signs posted by advocates — an allegation several speakers had raised.

Discussion vs. decision: The council did not take any formal action on April 8 to change pound operations or personnel. Councilors repeatedly distinguished between the ongoing independent investigation (which prompted an official noncomment policy while the probe runs) and the possibility of future policy or staffing actions once that investigation concludes.

What remains unanswered: Speakers sought a specific date for the investigator’s report and requested regular public updates. The council agreed to seek a timeline but did not set a public deadline at this meeting.

Ending: Several residents said they would return to future meetings until they see “meaningful reforms,” and councilors said they would attempt to deliver a timeline consistent with preserving the investigation’s integrity.","Dozens of residents told the Town of Cheshire Town Council that conditions at the town dog pound amounted to neglect or worse, urged a timeline for an independent investigation and pressed for greater transparency and regular updates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Town Council approves consent calendar, opioid funds and several appointments April 8

School building projects move forward; committee funds full demographic study and sidewalks plan draws budget questions

FOIA dispute and a council appointment draw questions about Cheshire’s relationship with Chesbrough Health District

Residents press town council for timeline, transparency after report of suspected neglect at Cheshire dog pound