Darien Board of Selectmen approve bond increase for Noroton Heights wall, new lease and a series of budget transfers

The Town of Darien Board of Selectmen voted on a package of infrastructure, leasing and budget measures at its virtual meeting on May 18, 2026.

The board approved a $618,800 amendment to the appropriation and bond authorization for the Noroton Heights retaining wall project after questions from the board, the Board of Finance and RTM Finance & Budget Committee members. Jennifer Charneski, the town administrator, presented the request and the motion to increase the appropriation passed unanimously (Jon Zagrodzky, Mike Burke, Monica McNally, Marcy Minnick, Sarah Neumann voting yea).

The board also approved a 10‑year lease with the Darien Arts Center and voted to recommend the lease to the Representative Town Meeting. The lease motion was made by Selectman Mike Burke and seconded by Selectman Sarah Neumann and carried unanimously.

The board approved appointing First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky as Darien’s representative to the Aquarion Regional Water District Representative Policy Board; Zagrodzky abstained from the vote while the other four members voted yes. A separate motion on a temporary assessor appointment was tabled.

In other fiscal business the board approved several transfers: $54,700 from contingency to Public Works for ice control materials; $24,200 from BOF capital reserve for a repair to the Weed Beach deck (the First Selectman declared the repair an emergency under Sec. 46 of the Town Code, which waives bidding requirements but not the appropriation process); $7,221 from BOF capital reserve for Great Island Early Access legal expenditures; and $3,700 from contingency to Monuments & Ceremonies professional services. All transfer motions carried with unanimous votes where recorded.

The board approved a revision to the harbor regulation ordinance to amend slow‑no‑wake zone language. The motion, presented by First Selectman Zagrodzky, passed with all members voting in favor.

The board approved the minutes of the May 4, 2026 regular meeting as amended to add attendance. First Selectman Zagrodzky noted he attended the At Home in Darien Gratitude event on May 5 and referenced a May 12 newsletter with updates on three major projects; board liaisons provided brief updates on the Blight Review Board and the Great Island parking design milestone. Alexis Sweet’s written public comment regarding Great Island was recorded in the public comments section of the minutes.

Votes at a glance: • Noroton Heights retaining wall appropriation increase: motion to amend appropriation and bond authorization to increase amount by $618,800 — mover: Monica McNally; second: Marcy Minnick; result: approved (5–0). • Darien Arts Center 10‑year lease: motion to approve and recommend to RTM — mover: Mike Burke; second: Sarah Neumann; result: approved (5–0). • Appointment to Aquarion Regional Water District Representative Policy Board: motion to appoint Jon Zagrodzky — mover: Monica McNally; second: Mike Burke; result: approved (4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain). • Temporary assessor appointment: motion to table — mover: Monica McNally; second: Mike Burke; result: tabled. • Harbor regulation slow‑no‑wake language revision: motion to approve — mover: Mike Burke; second: Monica McNally; result: approved (5–0). • Transfers: $54,700 to Public Works (ice control materials) — approved; $24,200 for Weed Beach deck repair — approved and recommended to BOF; $7,221 for Great Island legal expenditures — approved; $3,700 to Monuments & Ceremonies — approved.

The board adjourned at 8:38 p.m. The board announced upcoming regular meetings on June 1, 2026 and June 29, 2026.