Woodbridge officials hear department budget requests; BOE seeks $9.5 million operating budget

The Town of WoodbridgeJoint Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen met to hear departmental budget presentations, with First Selectman Mica Cardozo calling the meeting to order. Christopher Montini, Superintendent of Schools, presented the Woodbridge School District operating budget request of $9,496,610, which the minutes record as a 5.24% increase over FY26. Montini also detailed capital requests that included asbestos abatement and casework in the art room ($120,000), an elevator replacement ($160,000), replacement of 11-unit ventilators ($80,000), HVAC retro commissioning ($62,680), multiple flooring and casework projects (combined requests listed between $62,500 and $80,000), exterior repainting ($159,250) and a milestone server refresh ($39,925).

Anthony Genovese, Administrative Officer and Director of Finance, presented a Thomas Darling House operating request of $8,980 (a 2.63% increase over FY26) and a capital request of $220,000 for an engineering survey and preservation work; the minutes state that the Amity Woodbridge Historical Society reimburses the town for those operating expenses.

Chief of Police Ronald Smith presented a Police Department operating budget request of $3,985,165, recorded as a 9.45% increase over FY26. The police capital list in the minutes includes new firearms ($27,500), portable and mobile radio replacement (approximately $198,999), a five-year police vehicle replacement plan (about $841,813 total listed) and $5,000,000 identified as facility/building improvements.

Animal Control was presented by Anthony Ginnetti (listed in the minutes as Finance Director/Admin. Officer) with an operating request of $122,474 (a 2.31% increase) and a $60,000 capital request for vehicle replacements. Robert Dillon, Building Official, presented an operating budget request of $128,994 (a 2.4% increase). Library Director Eric Werthmann outlined library requests including a $933,809 operating budget (2.44% increase) and capital items of $50,000 for interior paint and wallpaper and $35,000 for carpet replacement. Public Works Director Warren Connors presented a $1,520,000 operating budget (1.42% increase) and multi-year capital plans including $1,275,000 for vehicle replacements (over six years), $440,825 for equipment (over five years), $4,250,000 for roadway construction (over five years) and $250,000 for a bridge and waterway program. Connors also presented Waste Management figures, including an operating request of $741,544 (1.63% increase) and $135,000 for compactor container replacement.

The minutes do not record formal votes on any department budgets at this meeting. First Selectman Mica Cardozo asked for a motion to adjourn; Andrea Urbano moved to adjourn, Steve Munno seconded, and the minutes record "all in favor." The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m., and the minutes were signed by Gaye Mastrianna, Clerk of the Board of Finance.

Note on the record: the meeting document contains two dates in its header ("Tuesday, January 27, 2026" and text stating the meeting "was held on Thursday, January 29, 2026"). The minutes themselves indicate the meeting was held on January 29 and show the reported start and end times above.