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New Milford Council enacts moratorium on lithium BESS, approves tax abatement and $566,000 JPCC upgrades
Summary
At its Feb. 9 meeting the New Milford Town Council passed a resolution prohibiting utility-scale lithium battery energy storage systems in town, approved a developer tax abatement, set a 10% homestead exemption, authorized a $155,000 pedal-bike track and a $566,000 pickleball/parking package at JPCC, and heard an ADA transition-plan presentation.
The New Milford Town Council on Feb. 9 adopted a municipal resolution prohibiting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that use lithium batteries within town limits, approved a five-year tax abatement for a commercial development at 7 Pickett District Road, set a 10% homestead exemption, and authorized a package of recreation upgrades at the John Pettibone Community Center.
The moratorium resolution, read into the record by Councilor Katy Francis and approved unanimously, declares that “Battery Energy Storage Systems, Lithium Battery Storage Facilities and related facilities are hereby prohibited in the Town of New Milford.” Mayor Pete Bass noted the measure cannot override decisions of the Connecticut Siting Council but said it would record the community’s position as the flatiron developer continues site selection efforts. “A municipal moratorium cannot supersede the Siting Council, but it would show the feelings of the community about the project,” Bass said.
On economic policy, the council approved an abatement for Gracedae LLC (Murphy Heating & Cooling) to support construction of an 8,097-square-foot office/warehouse at 7 Pickett District Road. Assessor Brian Lastra told the council the improvement would raise the parcel assessment by about $661,500 (new total parcel assessment estimated at $867,160), with an estimated annual tax on the improvement of $20,480 at the current mill rate. The abatement as approved covers 100% of the assessment increase for five years. The motion passed 7-0-1 (Aye: Klaif, Rynkiewicz, Francis, Castro, Murphy, Polley, Lundgren; Abstain: Rosenberg).
The council also approved two motions to adjust homestead exemptions following the state-mandated revaluation. The council extended the Homestead Exception application filing window to April 15 and set the local homestead exemption percentage at 10% after an amendment passed unanimously; staff explained the change as a way to moderate tax shifts caused by a 2025 revaluation.
On recreation infrastructure the council approved construction of a toddler/child pedal-bike track at JPCC, authorizing up to $155,000 in spending from the Waste Management Settlement Fund; the vote was recorded 7-0-1 with an abstention. Councilors also approved three new pickleball courts, expanded parking and related site work at JPCC with a revised authorization of up to $566,000 (which combines an initial $425,000 court estimate with added parking and lot rehabilitation). Director of Public Works Chuck Ballard said a site survey (last updated in 2016) and ADA-accessible connections are required; the town received a $50,000 grant from T‑Mobile toward the project.
The council heard a presentation from WT Group and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments about an Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan. John McGovern of WT Group said the firm recommends a phased transition plan, prioritized retrofits and annual budgeting; he estimated the town’s overall retrofit needs “just under $4 million” and urged the council to accept the report and direct staff to begin implementation.
Chief Spencer Cerruto and Lieutenant Katherine Relyea updated the council on policing and community-safety metrics. Lt. Relyea said the department made well over 4,000 motor-vehicle stops in 2025, that motor-vehicle thefts dropped to 14 in 2025 from 24 in 2024, and that recent arrests included two dealers whose apprehension produced four firearms and about 28 grams of fentanyl. Councilors asked about cooperation with federal agencies after public comment raised concerns about ICE activity; the chief pointed to the Trust Act and state Police Accountability Act rules, and noted the department’s body-worn-camera policy.
Other business included approval of numerous reappointments and a library donation, HRRA-led changes to the town’s solid-waste ordinance and a March 9 public hearing on HRRA ordinance revisions, creation of a Cherniske Road committee, and a council vote to authorize creation of a municipal school-bus violation enforcement ordinance (camera-based enforcement) and a public hearing on that proposal for March 9 at 6:15 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Votes and next steps: the council set the HRRA solid-waste public hearing for March 9 at 6:30 p.m., and the school-bus enforcement public hearing for March 9 at 6:15 p.m.; several approved projects will require detailed design, surveys and permitting before work begins.
