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Woodbury first selectman outlines projects, events and operations as clerk Deb Carlton is honored
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Summary
First Selectman Paul Zulpa used the April 28 meeting to report on planning, infrastructure, public-safety data and upcoming community events; the board paid tribute to longtime clerk Deb Carlton on her final meeting before retirement.
WOODBURY, Conn. — First Selectman Paul Zulpa on April 28 detailed a range of town activities, from strategic planning and infrastructure updates to community events and departmental operations, and the Board of Selectmen marked Executive Assistant Deb Carlton's final meeting before retirement.
"Strategic Plan workshop: On April 18, we held our first Strategic Plan workshop... One short-term priority identified was communication — both its fragmented nature and the many different ways residents access information," Mr. Zulpa said, and he announced a follow-up workshop scheduled for May 9 in the Shove Conference Room. He also reported that the Route 317 easement approved at the April 20 Town Meeting has been signed and submitted to the Connecticut Department of Transportation and that signatures for the Three Rivers Barn are being finalized.
Mr. Zulpa listed operational updates: AEDs have been ordered and are expected in about six weeks; building maintainer Ed McGrath has returned to light duty and is advancing end-of-year projects; and the town is exploring an energy audit and possible energy-supply contracts with Titan Energy, Energize Connecticut and Energia.
On parks and facilities, Mr. Zulpa said the Hollow's men's and ladies' restrooms were completed in time for Earth Day, the family restroom is expected to finish by the end of May, and the Stomski Preserve fence has been adjusted to correct gate width and is being revised to include a specified walk-through opening. Phase 1 work at the Soldiers' Monument South Green included removal of shrubs and trees with new plantings planned and a replacement Liberty Elm planted on Arbor Day.
Mr. Zulpa reported March police activity totaled 351 calls for service, a 22% increase from February, and provided a breakdown of incident types including 221 officer-initiated actions and 102 traffic stops. He said Public Works is updating its fuel tracking to capture odometer mileage and add telemetry to manage vehicle maintenance more effectively.
Board members and community attendees offered tributes to Deb Carlton, whom Mr. Zulpa praised for institutional knowledge and years of service handling bids, FOIA requests, meeting support and many other town functions. Public commenter Stan Love described Carlton as "professional, warm, with impeccable follow-through." Clerk Carlton's retirement takes effect Thursday following the meeting.
The meeting included a calendar of upcoming community events: an America 250 concert at Nonnewaug High School on May 2; the Town Budget Referendum on May 5; the Memorial Day Parade on May 24; Pomperaug Valley Garden Club centennial events and flower show in June; a Juneteenth celebration on June 19; and a July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence.