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Watertown council approves appointments, paving and retaining-wall contracts, sets mill rate and schedules special meeting
Summary
The council appointed a vice chair and a Planning & Zoning alternate, created a Shared Services Committee, awarded paving and retaining-wall contracts totaling about $1.64 million, set a special town meeting for a $175,000 greenway appropriation, and adopted a 30.04 mill rate for FY2026-27.
The Watertown Town Council acted on several agenda items, approving appointments, contract awards, a new committee and tax-setting measures.
Appointments and committees: The council appointed Councilwoman Maryann Rosa as vice chair by voice vote and approved Jeff Demers as an alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission to fill an unexpired term ending Jan. 31, 2030. The council also voted to create a joint Shared Services Committee of three council members and three board of education members to identify efficiencies and recommend potential cost savings; the committee will report monthly to both bodies.
Contracts and capital: The council awarded the Bunker Hill Avenue and Wilson Drive milling and paving contract to Cocchiola Paving of Watertown with Stonybrook Construction as subcontractor for $775,684.20; the motion passed with one abstention noted. The St. John’s retaining wall project was awarded to Dayton Construction for $865,000 subject to Connecticut Department of Transportation requirements and approval.
Appropriations and schedule: The council set a special town meeting for July 20, 2026 to consider a $175,000 appropriation from the general fund for Steel Brook Greenway improvement phase three, to be reimbursed through the urban act grant program.
Taxes and refunds: The council adopted a resolution setting the mill rate for fiscal year 2026-27 at 30.04 for personal property and motor vehicle taxes; the resolution schedules due dates for August 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027 consistent with billing needs tied to the referendum. The council also approved tax-refund appropriations totaling $5,225.60 and authorized payment.
Personnel and transitional funding: The council authorized a transfer of up to $30,000 from a human resources salary line to a finance temporary salary line to cover staffing transitions. All motions were seconded and passed by voice vote unless otherwise noted; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.
