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Clinton Council approves Art Society exemption, accepts $500,000 in federal funding for wastewater engineering and ratifies clerical union tentative agreement
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the council approved a Clinton Art Society exemption for three Town Hall events, accepted notification of $500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for downtown wastewater engineering, and authorized execution of a tentative clerical union contract with Local 1303-199 AFSCME.
The Clinton Town Council on Feb. 4 unanimously approved a request from the Clinton Art Society to exempt three Town Hall events (June 6, July 12 and Dec. 3, 2026) from Ordinance 194-4A and 194-5A, accepted notification that $500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending has been awarded for downtown wastewater engineering, and authorized the Town Manager to execute a tentative agreement with the clerical employees’ union.
Council member Brian Roccapriore moved to approve the Clinton Art Society exemption; Council member Chris Passante seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. During discussion Town Manager Michelle Benivegna said she would research which events might be grandfathered and noted a long-term preference to move away from permitting alcohol on Town property because of liability considerations; she will return to the council with recommended criteria for grandfathering and future approvals.
In the Town Manager’s report, Benivegna relayed that the town received notification from Senator Blumenthal’s office that a $500,000 Congressionally Directed Spending award was approved by the Senate on Jan. 15 and signed into law on Jan. 23. The funds are intended to pay for engineering services to advance the downtown wastewater treatment project to final design, to be combined with $200,000 already held in the town’s capital fund. According to the report, the project aligns with work identified in the WPCC Facilities Plan and supports the town’s efforts to address a DEEP Consent Order.
After an executive session on personnel, the council voted unanimously to accept a tentative agreement reached with the town hall employees’ union, Local 1303-199 AFSCME, and authorized the Town Manager to execute a complete contract in accordance with the tentative agreement. The minutes record no further details of the contract in open session; the Town Manager will execute the contract as authorized.
Other business included the planned Small Business Breakfast, the FY budget schedule with a joint presentation set for Feb. 18, and several requests from council members for follow-up: an assessment of the former Chamber building for temporary use, an inventory of downtown vacancies and Town-owned properties, consideration of better promotion for the Town Hall auditorium, and an update on Flock cameras distinct from the automated enforcement discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
