Brooklyn Board of Selectmen approve appointments, EMS grant authorization and bills; review library budget and Day Street options

BROOKLYN, Conn. — The Brooklyn Board of Selectmen met April 7, 2026, at the Clifford B. Green Memorial Center and by Google Meet and took a series of routine and budget-related actions while continuing deliberations on Day Street routing and capital priorities.

First Selectman Joe Bellavance called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. and the board approved the March 17 meeting minutes on a motion by Kayla Burgess, seconded by Bellavance.

Appointments and administrative motions came first. The board reappointed Jana Aubin to the Economic Development Committee (term to April 25, 2027), appointed Lori Corriveau (term to April 25, 2028) and appointed Susan Wasstrom as an alternate (term to April 25, 2028). Each appointment was moved by Burgess, seconded by Bellavance, and the motions passed.

The board also approved a package of bills and vouchers, including Voucher #1557 for $96,483.17 and Vouchers #1558–#1562 for the amounts listed in the minutes. Burgess moved approval of the vouchers; Sherri Vogt seconded and the motion passed.

On grant authority, Bellavance read an authorizing resolution permitting the First Selectman to execute grant documents with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Burgess moved to accept the resolution; Vogt seconded, and the board approved it.

Bellavance reported the town solicited proposals for auditing services from seven firms but received one response, from incumbent firm King, King & Associates, quoting $66,000. Bellavance moved to accept the response and forward the award to the Board of Finance for approval; Vogt seconded and the motion passed.

The board heard a budget presentation from representatives of the Brooklyn Town Library. Wendy Harrington and Lisa Burbank presented the library association’s budget request and answered members’ questions about line items and services.

During the budget workshop, Town Administrator Shelley Cates and the board reviewed capital requests and finalized the Board of Selectmen portion of the town budget for the Board of Finance presentation. Bellavance said the town’s current mill increase was "about 0.45" and that town revenue projections were up roughly 1.86% with expenditures up about 3.41%; he said school spending was increasing by about 4.48% and town spending by about 4.6%. Capital expenditures were projected at about $172,000 compared with $554,000 last year.

On infrastructure, Bellavance said he had contacted three of five property owners near the Day Street project and found differing opinions; he said the town needs to make a final routing decision soon and suggested a town forum in June to seek consensus. In public comment, residents raised concerns about a frozen water line at Mortlake Fire Department that led to a larger water bill and asked whether Town staff could repair a dug-up six-by-six area of blacktop.

Bellavance also announced that the Conservation Commission is assembling a Bee City committee and that an informational meeting on becoming a Bee City USA town is scheduled for April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Clifford B. Green Building. The board discussed taking a free booth offered by the Windham County Agricultural Society at this year’s Brooklyn Fair and promotion/volunteer needs for that event.

The board reviewed a series of department and program budgets, discussed personnel and benefit items including the Town Administrator’s salary and fringe benefits, an expanded veterans’ exemption, and the possibility of a professional ambulance service. They also reviewed funding requests for Brooklyn Cares Community Center, the Historical Society, Parks & Recreation and other organizations.

There were no further public comments. S. Vogt moved to adjourn; K. Burgess seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

What’s next: the Board of Selectmen finalized its recommendations for the Board of Finance presentation and the town will hold a Bee City USA informational meeting on April 30; the Day Street route decision may be revisited at a town forum in June.