Shelton officials approve grants, firehouse repairs and purchase of two recycling trucks

Shelton municipal officials approved a slate of finance, grant and capital items during the meeting, voting to accept state awards, appropriate funds for local repairs and equipment, and authorize executive actions by the mayor.

Key approvals included acceptance of an additional $1,600,000 state award toward the Constitution Boulevard Extension and Commerce Park project, appropriations for two firehouse projects, authorization to enter an Emergency Management Performance Grant, statutory tax refunds totaling $8,177.07, and the purchase of two used recycling trucks for a combined $772,000.

Constitution Boulevard: The board accepted an additional $1,600,000 award the transcript ties to the Connecticut Bond Commission and a prior $5,000,000 award dated March 31, 2022. The resolution names the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Economic and Community Development as administrators and authorizes the mayor to execute documents that the state requires. A board member asked about permitting and tying into utilities on Bridgeport Avenue; the transcript records the member saying permitting remains a remaining requirement.

Firehouse projects: Members approved adding a lower kitchen renovation at the White Hills Firehouse to the capital improvement plan with funding of $9,768.99 to come from LOSA, and they approved an appropriation for replacement of a block wall at the Huntington Firehouse. The Huntington wall motion was originally for $5,010.66; members debated adding contingency and moved an amendment on the floor. The transcript records the amended amount as $8,010.66 (motion carried). The board instructed that any unspent funds revert to their source.

Grant and refunds: The board approved the Emergency Management Performance Grant resolution, authorizing the mayor to execute and deliver documents on behalf of Shelton City to the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The board also approved the tax collector's certified refunds totaling $8,177.07, directing the finance director to make payments from the statutory refunds account.

Vehicles: The board waived competitive bidding and appropriated $772,000 from automobile bonding pursuant to section 7.16 of the City Charter to purchase two used automated recycling trucks: a 02/2022 model for $390,000 and a 02/2023 model for $382,000. Officials said the trucks come with transmission and engine warranties and maintenance records. Members noted this approach can save about $80,000 per vehicle versus new models.

Administrative actions: The board approved minutes for prior meetings (items 1.1–1.3) by voice vote. Toward the end of the public session, members moved to enter executive session and invited corporation counsel; that motion was seconded and carried.

All motions referenced above were carried by voice vote in the meeting transcript; the record does not include roll-call vote tallies by member name.