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Woodbury selectmen approve road use for Pat Griskus Triathlon; accept donations, appoint arts committee member
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Summary
At their April 14 meeting First Selectman Paul Zulpa and two selectmen approved use of town roads for the Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon on June 20, accepted two $1,000 donations for local programs, appointed LoriAnn Witte to an ad hoc Arts & Culture Committee and heard updates on bridge work, traffic monitoring and public-safety call volumes.
The Woodbury Board of Selectmen on April 14 approved use of town roads for the 40th Annual Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon on June 20, accepted two $1,000 donations for town programs and appointed LoriAnn Witte to the ad hoc Arts & Culture Committee, while First Selectman Paul Zulpa delivered a detailed update on infrastructure, traffic and public-safety activity.
Zulpa said the roadway at Hessky Bridge has been fully paved and that remaining tasks include guiderail installation and landscaping; he set a working completion target of May 15, 2026, but added that the work could finish ahead of schedule. "I drove by on Sunday and it looks fantastic!" Zulpa said.
The selectmen reviewed traffic-monitoring data from two speed-tracking devices on Bear Hill Road installed to measure detour-related flows. "Between March 30 and April 12, a total of 7,045 vehicles passed the sign located at 38 Bear Hill Road," Zulpa reported, noting roughly 15% were recorded above 31 miles per hour and six vehicles exceeded 40 mph. At the other device, 5,706 vehicles passed the sign at 92 Bear Hill Road and 4.34% exceeded 31 mph, with only one vehicle above 35 mph. The board said it will continue to monitor speeds and evaluate any next steps.
Zulpa also described ongoing personnel and facilities work: town employees began using Microsoft Teams on April 1 to improve internal workflows and the town is testing livestream capabilities; renovations to Hollow Park restrooms are underway; the Stomski Preserve fence was completed but a delivered gate was 12 feet wide instead of the revised 16-foot gate, which the town expects to replace this week; and crews will begin removing shrubs and remediating soil at the Soldiers' Monument South Green before replanting.
On public safety, Zulpa recognized Dispatchers Week and summarized recent call volumes. The Fire Department logged 33 dispatches in March, including three fires; the Police Department handled 315 calls for service in March (the most recent detailed breakdown available is February, with 287 calls); and the Woodbury Ambulance Association reported 104 calls in March, averaging about 3.5 per day. Zulpa reminded residents that the current fire danger level is high and that open burning is not permitted.
During Selectmen comments, Richard Coates reported grant submissions to support Old Town Hall and the Rec House, expressed disappointment at not receiving a TRIP grant for Quassapaug Road, and relayed resident interest in clearly marking town police cars and in speed-camera options; Selectwoman Karen Reddington-Hughes supported marking police vehicles.
In public comment, resident Burt Stevens thanked the clerk and objected to a proposed 20-minute limit per topic for privilege of the floor; other residents confirmed tax-sale dates and asked for additional public notices.
Votes at a glance - Approved minutes of the regular meeting of March 24, 2026. Motion entered by Karen Reddington-Hughes, seconded by Paul Zulpa. Outcome: approved, vote 3–0. - Approved minutes of the special meeting of April 2, 2026. Motion entered by Karen Reddington-Hughes, seconded by Richard Coates. Outcome: approved, vote 3–0. - Accepted a $1,000 donation from the Woodbury Lions Club for summer camp scholarships. Motion entered by Paul Zulpa, seconded by Karen Reddington-Hughes. Outcome: approved, vote 3–0. - Accepted a $1,000 donation from Judy Doran to Parks & Recreation. Motion entered by Paul Zulpa, seconded by Karen Reddington-Hughes. Outcome: approved, vote 3–0. - Appointed LoriAnn Witte to the ad hoc Arts & Culture Committee through Nov. 30, 2027. Motion entered by Paul Zulpa, seconded by Karen Reddington-Hughes. Outcome: approved, vote 3–0. - Approved use of town roads for the 40th Annual Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon (Tuttle Road), Saturday, June 20, 2026, beginning at 6:45 a.m. Motion entered by Richard Coates, seconded by Karen Reddington-Hughes. Outcome: approved, vote 3–0.
Next steps and context: The board reminded residents of a Strategic Plan workshop April 18, a Town Meeting on April 20 where conveyances and the proposed budget will be considered, and a budget referendum on May 5. Officials said police resources would be positioned to handle the triathlon coinciding with local NHS graduation.
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.