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Cromwell mayor outlines three options to fix WIS fields drainage, discusses budget and mill-rate choices
Summary
Mayor Mary Demetriadas briefed the board on three engineered options to address drainage at WIS fields (estimated at $1M, $2M or $3M), and explained how a late state education-cost-sharing adjustment affected the town’s budget and the Board of Finance decision to use state funds to mitigate the mill rate.
Mayor Mary Demetriadas told the Cromwell Board of Education on June 2 that engineers have proposed three options for draining the WIS (Woodside Intermediate School) fields: a $1 million solution with sub-surface holding structures that would allow play to continue, a $2 million option adding topsoil and enhancements, and a $3 million full reconstruction that would take fields out of use for one to two seasons.
"Option 1 would be able to be done quickly and not impact play," the mayor said, while Option 3 would likely remove fields from commission for 1–2 seasons. She said the town has funded engineering and design work to make the project 'shovel-ready' so it can compete for state grant programs.
On municipal finance, the mayor explained that a late legislative amendment to the state education-cost-sharing formula produced additional funds announced immediately after Cromwell’s budget referendum. She said town leaders consulted with CCM and legislators and that the Board of Finance chose to apply the funds to mitigate the mill rate, as recommended by the governor’s office. The mayor noted the town reduced its fund‑balance target slightly (from about 16% to 15% of operating expenses) this year to smooth mill‑rate impacts and cover unique expenditures, including a $750,000 settlement related to a tax-assessment lawsuit (Covenant Living) and rising health-insurance costs.
Board members asked follow-up questions about the timing of a joint town council/board of finance meeting to consider financing for the WIS options. The mayor said a special meeting would be scheduled to review long-term financing implications and to determine which design to pursue.
No formal financing decision or appropriation was made at the June 2 board meeting; the mayor framed the discussion as preparatory and said the administration will return with financing recommendations.
