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New Milford council approves $1.96M school capital withdrawal, grants and tax abatements
Summary
Council approved a $1,964,500 appropriation from the Board of Education capital reserve, accepted several grants and donations, and approved two tax-abatement applications after reviewing assessor projections and economic-development rationale. A film-commission appointment and opioid-related administrative funding were also approved.
The New Milford Town Council approved a series of routine and substantive fiscal measures including a $1,964,500 appropriation from the Board of Education capital reserve to fund capital items listed in the council packet.
Councilors moved and approved the capital-reserve withdrawal after the superintendent and Board of Education chair attended to answer questions. Mayor noted the town’s recent successful bond and note sales and described premium amounts and competitive rates: the town sold $4.3 million of long-term bonds and $4.65 million of short-term notes; the reported winning bid for the bonds was 3.37 percent (UBS Financial Services) and for the notes 2.66 percent (Jefferies). The council recorded the appropriation by voice vote.
The council also approved several grants and donations on consent: a $3,800 award from the Connecticut Community Foundation to fund after-hours senior-center programs; $32,035.43 from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board to support a six-week summer youth employment program; a $2,000 impact philanthropy award to the New Milford Youth Agency from United Way Coastal & Western Connecticut for child-care scholarships; and $21,956.85 from the Connecticut Secretary of State to offset early-voting expenses. The council accepted additional in-kind and monetary donations for recreation events and fireworks as listed in the meeting packet.
On tax policy, Town Assessor Brian Lastra presented two applications that met the town’s tax-deferral/abatement ordinance: one for a 4,375-square-foot masonry garage/storage building at 31 Still River Drive (UNA Masonry LLC) and another for a multi-phase redevelopment at 401 Danbury Road (submitted by New Milford Golf LLC for Candlewood Valley Country Club). Lastra said current real-estate taxes on the golf property are about $36,360 per year and projected new tax from the proposed construction would increase the assessment and generate higher revenue over a 20-year run rate; the assessor also estimated additional personal property taxes (equipment and vehicles) that would partially offset early abatement impacts. After discussion about jobs and long-term revenues the council voted to approve the abatements.
Other council actions: the council appointed Michael Boucher to the film commission for a term beginning 07/13/2026 to 01/31/2028; it created a $12,000 contract-administration support specialist position using opioid-settlement funds for program evaluation and administration; and it appropriated $7,500 from opioid-settlement funds to the New Milford Community Shelter to help offset operational costs. Votes on those items were recorded by voice as 'Aye.'
What happens next: Finance and the Board of Education will implement the capital projects listed in Attachment 11A and report back. The assessor and finance staff will monitor revenues related to newly approved abatements, and opioid-settlement committee staff will post the contract position and report on shelter expenditures as directed by the council.
Sources: Town Assessor Brian Lastra; council debate and motions recorded in the New Milford Town Council meeting transcript.
