Board OKs police vehicle, Farmington Canal trail grant spending and Fisher Meadows equipment

The Avon Board of Finance approved three separate appropriations at its Feb. 24 meeting, each by 6-0 votes.

Police vehicle: On a motion by Micah Rousey, seconded by Kathleen Johnson, the board appropriated up to $65,000 from the Police Special Services Fund to replace a high-mileage police vehicle. Brandon said the department typically replaces cars at 8–10 years and roughly 110,000 miles; the $65,000 covers the vehicle purchase and upfitting.

DEEP Recreational Trails Grant: The board approved a supplemental appropriation to accept and spend a $114,412 grant from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to install safety and amenity improvements along Avon’s section of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, including a cedar pavilion at the DPW trailhead, a water fountain with bottle filler at Sperry Park, lighting in the Route 44 underpass, replacement of a stone-dust running path adjacent to the paved trail, and wayfinding signage. Brandon said the award is competitive and requires no town match. Motion by Kathleen Johnson, seconded by Micah Rousey; vote 6-0.

Fisher Meadows equipment: The board approved an appropriation of up to $107,000 from the Fisher Meadows/Fisher Old Farms special revenue fund for three pieces of public-works/recreation equipment: a robotic line painter ($50,000), an Orvis mower ($32,000) and a switch stand-on mower ($25,000). Brandon said Fisher Meadows is funded in part by a lease with Connecticut Water Company and by a farm lease; Tom DiStasio said the special-revenue fund balance is roughly $1 million and FY24 revenue from the site was about $125,000. Motion by Micah Rousey, seconded by Cathy Salchert; vote 6-0.

All three motions passed unanimously; the board adjourned at 8:30 p.m.