Avon Council adopts Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, backs $116.09M FY25 budget and approves grants, appropriations

The Avon Town Council on March 7 adopted the town’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, recommended a $116,087,973 fiscal year 2024–25 budget to the Board of Finance and approved several grant and appropriation measures affecting parks, roads and social services.

Councilors voted unanimously to adopt the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan after staff described edits prompted by public comment — including changing the term “urban” to “suburban” throughout the document and noting that connectivity to the West Hartford reservoir falls beyond the Plan’s scope. Assistant Town Manager staff reviewed adjustments made in response to public input; Council members discussed resident concerns about possible tree removal, stone walls and the proximity of multi-use trails to properties and golf-course fairways. Chairman Dan Polhamus and other members emphasized the Plan is a guiding document that will move to design and engineering and include further public feedback before specific construction decisions are made.

On the budget, the Town Manager presented a set of adjustments aimed at reducing an initial proposed 3.74% tax increase; with reductions of $356,422 the recommendation considered by Council would lower the levy increase to about 3.3%. By motion of Mr. Weber, seconded by Ms. Ausiello, the Council voted to recommend the FY 24/25 Proposed Budget of $116,087,973 to the Board of Finance. The motion included the revenue and expenditure breakdown presented by staff: $98,161,608 in property tax and assessments and major expenditure lines including $31,058,502 for Town operations and $72,280,066 for school operating budgets.

The Council also authorized steps to acquire an approximately 0.87-acre portion of 65 Nod Road from Blue Fox Run Golf Course LLC to create additional buffer around a town pump station. The resolution directs the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement, perform due diligence and refer the acquisition to the Planning & Zoning Commission under Connecticut General Statutes §8-24. A public hearing on the proposed acquisition was set for the Council’s April 4 meeting.

On parks and capital items, the Council authorized Town Manager Brandon Robertson to execute a $200,000 grant contract with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection for improvements to the Sperry Park softball field. Separately, Council recommended a $200,000 pavement management appropriation to shift funds from the General Fund into the capital projects accounts for road-surface improvements.

Using American Rescue Plan Act funds, the Council recommended a supplemental $25,000 appropriation to support the Avon Food Bank after discussing how Social Services receives and may match donations. Council also approved real estate tax refunds totaling $8,389.20 ($6,234.48 to Northwest Community Bank and $2,154.72 to Wells Fargo) and voted to table two appointments related to Amplify, Inc. to the April 4 meeting while clarifications about eligibility are obtained.

Town staff reported on ongoing capital projects: the Public Safety Communication tower is under construction with a target on‑line date in late 2024; Old Farms Road engineering is underway with a public information meeting expected in late April; the Countryside Park renovation and Sperry Park additional-field planning continue; and the library EV charging station is active at a posted rate of $0.30 per kilowatt-hour. The meeting concluded after an executive session on real estate and adjourned at 9:19 p.m.

The Board’s actions will go to the Board of Finance or to subsequent public hearings as required; the April 4 Council meeting will include the public hearing on 65 Nod Road and follow-up appointment items.