001Good evening everyone. Thank you for attending and for being here. I'd like to call to order the town of Farmington um regular town council meeting at 7 o'clock this evening. Um Bill, would you like to do the pledge for us? >> Pleasure. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> We have no uh presentations or recognitions uh at this moment. So, we have nothing tonight. So, Mike, would you like to read uh the notification? Legal notice town of Farmington public hearing. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 at 7:05 p.m. in the town hall annex council chambers 1 Monteth Drive, Farmington, Connecticut 06032 on the
002town manager two 2026 2027 recommended budget dated at Farmington, Connecticut this 24th day of February 2026. Kathy A. Blonsky, town manager. >> Thank you. Kathy, would you like to get us started? >> Sure. Thanks, Brian. Uh, good evening. Tonight I present for your review the town manager's recommended budget for fiscal year 2627. General fund budget re uh recommended spending areas. The general fund budget includes recommended spending for the town for the Farmington public schools for debt service and for capital improvements. The recommended budgets for the public safety regional dispatch center, Westwood's golf course, recreation and solid waste collection and disposal will also be discussed. policy guidelines. When developing this budget, the town council's budget target, the town strategic plan, and capital improvement policy, along with long-term financial forecasting were the primary policy guidelines taken into
003account. At the January 27th, 2026 town council meeting, the town council reached consensus on a budget target in the range of 2.75% to 4.75% above current expenditures. Budget drivers. Overarching budget drivers this year include personnel cost, contractual services, and operating two new facilities, the 1928 town hall building and the Westwood's recreation complex. Expenditure summary. The total recommended budget for fiscal year 2627 is $142,579,394 which sees an increase of 5,813,962 or 4.25% above the current budget. I would like to point out the asterk notated next to the percent change for town operations. This is due to the restructuring of the the public safety regional dispatch center which will be funded as a special revenue fund. I will go into more detail on the restructuring in the next slide. Restructuring of the regional dispatch center. Funds were
004transferred from the town's operating budget to a new special revenue fund for for the public safety regional dispatch center. Under this structure, the operating budget will fund 1,196,526 towards the regional dispatch center while the remaining expenditures will be supported through grant payments from the state of Connecticut and contractual payments from the towns of Avon and Burlington. This result this restructuring resulted in a $564,118 reduction in the town's operating budget. Beyond the positive financial impact, the formation of the regional dispatch center has provided significant operational benefits. It has generated cost savings for the town of Farmington, expanded dispatch staffing capacity, enhanced technology through Avon state core radio system, and improved coordination among police, fire, and EM EMS agencies. For comparison purposes, had the regional dispatch center remained within the town's operating budget, the recommended operating budget
005increase would have been 4.34% over current expenditures rather than 2.79%. Town operations by category. I've separated the budget by category, which includes the areas of general administration, public safety, public works, community services, recreation services, and other. I am recommending a total budget of 37,458,588, an increase of 1,17,423 or 2.79% above current expenditures. The expenditure increases are due to several factors. Some areas to note in general, this is a flat budget that has limited expansion of services. Overall personnel costs townwide have increased due to the current job market, increased contractual obligations, and an effort to attract and retain employees. The registar voters account has increased due to the governor's election in November and reflects new salary salary levels for the registars. The personnel services account covers salary adjustments for non-unized employees. This account has decreased as
006of all unionized employees have collective bargaining agreements in place for next year. The contractual increases are shown in the full-time personnel accounts in each department. The public buildings the 1928 town hall account has increased significantly as of only four months of expenditures to operate and maintain the new town hall were included in last year's budget. The contribution to the Farmington Library is $3,150,49 which is a 3% increase above current budget levels. Utility accounts had an overall increase of 4.69%. 69% the full-time account in the fire operations budget which includes a promotional position supervisory firefighter which was a result of the department of public safety restructuring. This budget does not include funding for seasonal help in the police department. This has been funded through a grant the past two years and we are hopeful these grant
007funds will be that they will continue. The police fleet account uh funds two new 24-hour patrol vehicles. This is a continuation of the police department's fleet replacement program. The calls for service in the fire department has in have increased resulting in higher contractual payments to the volunteer departments. The recreation services account has been increased as line items associated with the administration of recreation services were transferred in in from the recreation fund. Additionally, accounts were added for the operation of the splash pad and pickle ball courts at the Westwoods recreation complex. high priority items excluded from the 2627 budget. In an effort to be within the budget target range, I had to prioritize the needs of the town. As a result, there are needs that are not addressed in this budget. I've identified and prioritized these
008needs below for town council consideration. Personnel, there are no new full-time positions in this budget. The highway and grounds department, the police department, and the recreation department had requested additional personnel. a highway maintainer, a police officer, recreation, a part-time clerical position, strategic plan initiatives, funding for a townwide sidewalk survey, and for updates for the and updates to the town website are not included in this budget. Outside organization result uh request, hope partners requested $40,000 over their current uh funding levels. This budget includes 20,000 above their current funding levels. Expenditures by object. I've also separated the budget by object which includes salaries, benefits, supplies, equipment, contractual and utilities. The increases decereases for each object are shown on the screen. The recommended total general fund appropriation is 37,458,588 an increase of 1,17,428 or 2.79% above current expenditures.
009debt service. The debt group of accounts includes appropriation to make principal and interest payments to the town's long-term debt obligations. The total amount recommended for fiscal year 2627 is 13,985,252, an increase of 268,981 or 1.96%. These funds will pay for a lease financing obligation, clean water fund loan repayment, and the principal and interest due on the town's existing bonded debt. Funds are also included for an interest payment on a debt issuance plan for later in 2026. The debt proceeds will be used to pay the expenses associated with the building of the new Farmington High School, the renovation of the 900 wing to the board of education offices, replacement of the HVAC systems at the police facility, senior center, and highway garage, and renovations to the 1928 town hall building. Special services. The refuge collection budget
010includes the cost of collecting and disposing of solid, bulky, and hazardous waste generated by town residents and the town's landfill obligation. The budget proposes a 4.9% or $1320% increase to the U user fee. The annual fee will be $281.20 per household. General fund cash appropriation for the capital budget. the town's capital improvement policy and the town strategic plan were the policy guidelines that were at the forefront when formulating the CIP. The proposed general fund appropriation to support the first year of the capital improvement plan is 3,852,000. I'm also recommending three bond questions to summarize the these general fund appropriations. 1,150,000 of funds would be allocated to the board of education as presented by the board of education. 2,72,000 of of these funds would be allocated to the town which are shown on the screen for
011a total G general fund allocation of 3,852,000. Other funding the capital projects shown on the screen are being funded by other funding sources and not through the general fund or taxpayer dollars. These funding sources include donations, state dollars, and user fees totaling $215,000. LOIP funding. The capital projects shown on the screen are being funded by the state of Connecticut local capital improvement program LOIP grant and not through general fund or taxpayer dollars totaling $290,000. Bonding, excuse me. Uh my recommended bonding for fiscal fiscal year 2627 totals 27,839,152. This includes 14,439,152 for the board of education's K4 HVAC projects. It is anticipated that the town will receive 31.79% reimbursement from the state of Connecticut, $4 million in road reconstruction, $7 million for the town hall annex improvements, $3 million for the design replacement of the HVAC
012system, and $4 million for the renovation to the town hall annex staple house to accommodate new offices. At the February 2426 capital budget presentation, the town council discussed this bonding question and asked for potential alternatives related to the renovation portion of the project. It is my understanding that the town council supports the renovation of the town hall annex, but as requested, I've reviewed a phased approach to the renovation component of the project. A few important considerations. It is unlikely that the town hall annex could be occupied for anything other than storage in its current condition. Renovations are necessary given the town offices have remained in the same configuration for approximately 40 years without significant updates. In addition, during the relocation process, large built-in furniture items including engineering assessor and town clerk filed cabinets were removed
013which required demolition of counters and portions of flooring. This has left areas of the building in various states of disrepair with uneven and damaged flooring that present safety concerns for residents. Wall-mounted cabinets and fixtures were also removed, resulting in chip paint and wall damage that will require patching and refinishing. The Staples house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As a result, renovation work will require federal, state, and local review and approvals. However, it's a his its historic designation may make the project eligible for grant funding to help offset renovation cost. If the council wishes to phase the renovation over a 5-year period, an annual appropriate an annual cash appropriation of approximately $1 million would be required, not accounting for construction cost escalation. For context, uh projects exceeding $500,000 are typically financed through
014bonding. One option would be to only bond for the replacement of the HVAC system at the town hall an annex at an estimated cost of $3 million and to include a cash appropriation in this year's capital budget to complete the renovation design and obtain more definite cost estimates on that portion of the project. The HVAC project could move forward and be completed prior to the organization's relocating to the town hall annex. In the fiscal year 2728 budget cycle, the town council could then determine whether to bond the project to complete the renovations in full or to begin funding a phased renovation approach. Water pollution control budget. The water pollution control authority will hold a public hearing on its budget on March 11, 2026 at 7 p.m. in person. The budget shows a 3% increase per
015residential and commercial sewer use user fees. There is no increase in the residential connection fees. Expenditure summary. The total recommended budget for fiscal year 2627 is 142,579,394, an increase of 5,813,962 or $4.25% above the current budget. I will now call on the superintendent of schools to present the board of education's budget. Good evening, members of the Farmington Town Council and members of the Farmington community. Uh this evening, I present to you the 2026 2027 Board of Education's recommended budget. I'll begin with our mission statement uh which speaks to the commitment we make as a school district and community to enable all students to achieve academic and personal excellence. Just as a strong financial portfolio requires a clear strategy, the budget development process is guided by our district's vision of a global citizen and supports our
016core beliefs, theory of action, equity framework, framework for teaching and learning, and the board of education's visionary goals and priorities. Together, this framework acts as our investment thesis, ensuring every dollar spent is strategically allocated and moving us ever closer to our goal of developing true global citizens who are engaged collaborators, empowered learners, and disciplined thinkers. The dividends realized by our community's past investments are evident in the exceptional performance of our students and are highlighted on these next few slides. Farmington continues to experience marketleading returns and is a model of excellence in education both here in connect both here in Connecticut and beyond. Our academic success includes data points like 85% of all AP exams being a three or higher. Our students achieving top rankings in national math, Science Bowl and Science Olympiad competitions. and US
017News and World Report consistently ranking Farmington High School in the top five percent of all high schools. Farmington also remains a frontr runner in innovation as you see represented here with achievements such as our economics team qualifying as one of only eight national finalists. Our eighth graders successfully raising releasing salmon into the Farmington River and our middle school's medical moment learning experience which received the Connecticut Association of Schools Educational Citizenship Award. Finally, Farmington takes a holistic approach to excellence in education as well. Our student athletes find success on the field with over 20 Farmington athletic programs qualifying this past year for state tournaments, securing five conference championships and two state titles. Our student artists excel as well, and the district's music department was recently recognized as one of the NAM Foundation's best communities for music
018education. With these guiding principles in place and our goal for continued success, our budget development process unfolded. Our team worked through the process of establishing priorities, building from the ground up or zerobased budgeting. then considering the proposals we received and making refinements. This resulted in a reduction from those initial proposals of roughly $1,187,410 or 5.9%. Through the process, we explored cost-saving strategies and met numerous times to review and revise again to sustain high returns. This year's budget targets specific growth areas and demonstrates a responsiveness to student needs and enhances highquality teaching and learning practices across the district. The major drivers for the 2627 operating budget can be summarized as shifts. In student services, we continue to respond to the evolving needs of our students through strategic shifts in staffing, programming, and services. Furthermore, these proposals
019align with this year's legislative recommendations for special education. I will highlight the exact recommendations for shifts when reviewing the 100 series of this budget. To appropriately fund our self- insurance policy and remain responsive to evolving medical trends, a 9.42% increase in healthc care benefits funding is recommended. Inflation costs impact every organization's budget. However, we continue to see cost increases well above 3% through supply lines, equipment, and services. The shifts made in this budget allow us to strengthen learning environments and maintain program quality despite rising costs. Our people here in Farmington are our greatest assets. The budget supports contractual increases while retaining our high-quality educators. It represents responsive staffing ships shifts linked to fluctuations in enrollment at certain grade levels and changes in student needs and required services. And finally, in technology, hardware and license costs
020continue to increase. This budget continues to ensure that our district has the capacity, infrastructure, software, and equipment necessary to meet the academic and business needs of a highly competitive K12 school district. In addition to these major drivers, this budget maintains and advances academic excellence through innovative programming, promotes continuous improvement, supports contractual increases, supports increased student needs and the support required. Addresses significant cost increases in certain goods and services. addresses continued state and federal legislative mandates and maintains class size in accordance with the board of ed policy. To contain costs, our team worked to replace expensive external contracts with internal professional positions, negotiated a long-term lowfixed rate contract for the supply of electricity, and leveraged federal programs. Finally, here we see the total proposed Farmington School District budget of 86,858,554, representing a $3,617,571 or $4.35% increase
021over the previous year. Presented here is a highlevel overview of each series found in the overall operating budget. This overview represents the changes from last year to this year's recommendations within each series. Farmington remains a highlevel high value investment relative to the market. We rank 131st out of $166 districts in pure pupil expenditure, spending $2,68 less per pupil than the state average. This demonstrates our ability to deliver top tier results with exceptional fiscal discipline. Next, I will share an overview of each series found within our recommended operating budget. The first budget driver is salaries. the 100 series, an overall recommended increase of roughly 4%. The 100 series accounts for 66% of our total budget and reflects negotiated contract obligations for all Farmington Public School staff. Shown here is an overview of one of the major
022drivers and the shifts in staffing we are recommended for the coming we are recommending for the coming school year. These shifts represent movements based on enrollment changes and continued need to boost support to our special services department. These shifts include a reduction of roughly seven positions at the elementary level based on current enrollment projections and the addition of a supervisor for special services to boost leadership within that department as well as the addition of a care team member who is a certified teacher that specializes in behavioral and mental health support for our students. This addition will also meet a new state statute requiring school districts to provide job embedded coaching and support for special services staff members. And finally, the addition of part-time speech and language pathologists and school psychologists to respond to the growing
023need for services within these areas areas. It's important to note these are not new positions. This is additional time for existing positions within our current staffing. Overall, these changes lead to a reduction, a total reduction of 4.3 certified staff members for the 2627 school year. Moving on, we see our non-certified staffing shifts. As mentioned earlier, a goal for our special services department is to move away from contracting sta contracting staff from outside agencies to hiring our own FPS employees. These moves, though costneutral, should help ensure less variability and long-term costs while improving consistency and quality of services for our students. The next budget driver is the 200 series or employee health benefits. The 200 series accounts for 15% of our overall budget request. This account covers 100% of expected paid claims, administrative costs, and employee
024life insurance. The 9.59% increase is driven by overall trends and derived from recommendations made by One Digital, our insurance broker. Services is the next budget driver. This series accounts for 16% of the total budget requests and includes an overall increase of 1.28%. This account reflects contractual obligations in transportation, electricity, special services, consultation, and tuition costs for our outplace students. Also covered within this series are major facility projects, summer school programming, professional development costs, and technology software systems. The 400 series or supplies accounts for roughly 3% of the overall budget request. The 2.42% recommended increase covers all instructional materials necessary to support the curriculum as well as the supplies utilized by our maintenance and custodial staff. Finally, this account provides for facilities rentals for programs like swimming and ice hockey. The 500 series or equipment represents
025roughly 1% of our overall budget requests. This account provides for both facility and technology equipment requests. The 16.6% increase is primarily driven by the rising costs of technology hardware such as the Chromebooks which are a part of our life cycle management process. And finally, the 600 series, which also accounts for less than 1% of our total budget requests. This series provides for memberships for professional organizations that support staff, school, and district improvement efforts. The 600 series also includes the town of Farmington's negotiated liability, umbrella, and motor vehicle insurance for the district. You will notice an overall reduction of 3% three and a half% actually thanks to a savings of roughly $15,000 for insurance coverage year. Here we see a final view of the board of education's recommended budget by series for the 2026 2027 school
026year. Next, I will provide a review of our capital budget requests for the coming year. capital budget was presented in detail to the town council dur during their February 24th meeting. The board of education's recommended capital improvement budget of 1,150,000 with an additional request of $14,339,152 bonded for HVAC projects at our four elementary schools. The capital improvement budget process is developed to address both short and long-term projects that help us to maintain and improve our facilities and operations. Recommendations for the capital plan come from our K8 facilities review, feedback from our schools and head custodians, our 10-year security audit, our district's health hazard safety and security plan, and the tools for schools report. This slide provides a more detailed view of the proposed HVAC projects for each elementary school. As was mentioned earlier, these costs
027assume a multi-year phase in discussions have been ongoing, however, regarding potential costs savings should the district move forward with multiple projects in one fiscal year. This final slide shows the capital improve capital improvement project plan over a 7-year period. In summary, the 2026 20227 Farmington Board of Education recommended budget shifts staffing resources and adds leadership to a department that continues to experience an increase in complex cases and a need for more compre comprehensive programming and support. Excuse me. It retains current programming, preK12, maintains class size within BOE policy, board of ed policy, but most importantly continues to provide marketleading returns for the investment made by the Farmington community. In closing, and on behalf of the entire Farmington Board of Education as well as our school community, I thank you for your attention this evening and
028your thoughtful review of our recommended 2627 budget. I will now turn the presentation back to our town manager, Kathy Blonsky. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Um the grand list, the grand list is broken down into three categories. Real estate, personal property, and motor vehicles. The real estate account shows a 1.31% increase. The personal property account shows a 4.49% increase and the motor vehicles account shows a 4.99% increase. In summary, the grand list increased by 1.75% or 79,495,840 for a total grand list of 4 bill614,312,982. Some items to note on the grand list. Real estate. The increase of the net taxable real estate is from apartment construction and development, residential development and medical office construction. Personal property. The growth in personal property was mainly from utilities and commercial businesses. Revenues by
029category. I've broken down revenues into nine categories. other property taxes, license and permits, fines and penalties, interest, grants, service charges, other Westwood's contribution, and fund balance. In summary, in summary, recommended non- tax revenues are 16,895,74 or a 2.88% decrease over the current year. Some pieces of information to note, state and federal grants have increased from last year. Based on the governor's budget, the town is projected to receive an additional $25,722 in state and federal grants. The Westwood's contribution account includes a 325,000 contribution from the Westwood's golf course to the operating budget to help support golf course maintenance expenses. Interest income is projected to be lower by 440,000 or 31.65%. I am recommending that the town appropriate $400,000 from fund balance. Recommended TA tax and mill rate. The recommended general fund budget will require a property
030tax rate of 2750 mills, which is an increase of 88 mills. In other words, $100,000 of assessed value equals $2750 in taxes. Shown on the screen is the cost for the average homeowner with a house assessed at $31,455. Based on a tax rate of 2750 mills, the average residential assessment will see an increase of $265.15 in their real estate. Thank you. Um the budget schedule is on the screen and my staff and I stand ready to assist the town council in your deliberations during our budget workshop. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Kathy. All right. Thank you for everyone giving their presentation. It is now time to open up uh to the public for public comment uh on this particular public hearing. There will be time for other public comment on other issues. We
031are just going to talk about the budget right now that's been presented. So, anyone who would like to come up and make a comment, you have five minutes. Please state your name and your address. And if it's just about the budget. >> Okay, come on up. >> I actually don't have very many questions. I have um and maybe it's my ignorance for anything else. >> Name and address before we get started. >> Your name and address? >> 365 Metal Road. >> Paul, sorry. That's all right. We got you. >> Just for the record, >> should you know this by now? Um, on the mill rate going down, I'm a little confused. If the mill rate's going down, why would anything be else be going up with the um I mean, it's not a big increase
032per se, but I'm not quite sure. Usually when a mill rate go unless there's been a change in the um amount of money has been brought in. >> It's the change in the mill rate that's going down. >> Right. >> The mill rate is actually still going up by88%. Last year it went up by 1.7. >> All right. So it's going up.88 >> the difference in the >> Got it. Okay. I understand that. Let me check my other questions that I put on here. Somewhere in here. All right. There's one. Ad hoc sidewalk committee. Near and near and dear to me. The the 30,000 to 35,000. Did you say it was coming out of it or staying in? >> It's not included in this budget. >> It's not included. >> Not included. So, the survey
033is in here. >> That was an item that the council wants to do. I did not put it in because of the budget target. So, that's an a recommended. >> I apologize. You have to speak in the airport. I can't >> The sidewalk uh mailer, which is what that is. It's a survey, was something that town council, I believe two years ago, we had it was in our strategic plan as something we wanted to do as part of the sidewalk ad hoc committee. uh town manager pulled that out of this budget due to the budgetary target. So she's trying to get it in at a certain level. Now there's still time in the next few days worth of deliberations that could get back in. >> So especially if we get robust public >> this so
034let me ask it a different way. This has nothing to do with the meta road. >> Correct. >> All right. Well, that that takes care of part of my question. And it's anticipated that there would be something on a generalized basis going out at some point >> on sidewalks. >> Well, sidewalk survey, associated marketing material, strategic plan. Yes. >> Yes. On overall, the position would be that to survey the entire community on their position on various questions related to sidewalks. >> All right. My only comment would be I was led to believe there during most of the year that it would be happening this year and then at the elections it turned out that it wasn't going to be. I'll leave it at that. I think there was one other question. Oh, um it's a
035general question. Board of Ed. Where's board of ed person? Who's >> right there? >> The question is just out of curiosity. Does your student body going up or down? Jesse, can you respond to the microphone because I know people have said that they have problems with the microphone. >> I don't have a lot of questions. I just was curious. >> Yes. Our our enrollment looks to be about level for next school year. So, it's not going up or down. It's staying just about flat. >> Thanks, Jesse. >> All set. All right. Thank you very much, Mr. Grill. >> Would anyone else like to speak? Welcome. >> Good evening. Um my name is Adam Avery, uh Nin Cider Mill Road in Burlington. >> Welcome, Adam. >> Yes, thank you. I'm uh I'm here on behalf of
036um the board of partners of of Farmington. I'm the treasurer of the board. Um firstly, I just want to sincerely thank um town manager Kathy Blonsky and the members of the town council for your continued support of the of our organization. Um your partnership is the reason that we're able to provide vital services to individuals in our community and who really need them the most. Um your commitment to financial support and use of town amenities is invaluable and we're deeply grateful for that. Um over the past fiscal year, however, our whole partners operate at a loss of $40,000. Um to sub sustain operations, we're required to withdraw $25,000 from our reserve funds. Something we've had to do every year for the past few years. Um if this pattern continues, our reserves will be depleted within
037the next 30 years. Um this trajectory presents a significant risk to the future of our organizations and the residents who rely on us. I do want to highlight some progress we've made. Um over the last three years, our efforts to strengthen our financial outlook have has seen a reduction in our deficit by half. Um we've revamped our medical loan um program. So that has given us an annual increase of about $20,000. We've expanded our fundraising initiatives. So we created um Hope's Heroes event last year um in a in an effort to boost our fundraising. We've enhanced our outreach efforts. So, um, this has helped to lead to more donations, and we've expanded our board responsibilities and board committees to have a targeted strategic approach in appropriate areas to drive revenue growth. Despite this, the reality
038is that fundraising demands are increasing. Um, it's shifting times away from our time and resources away from our core mission, which is providing direct services to our res residents. Um, this brings to our request tonight. We're truly grateful for um you know the proposed increase of 20,000 and um respectfully we we want we stand by the increase of 40,000. Um this would bring our total annual contribution in support of $76,000. This would allow for Hope Partners to provide more consistent and effective services to our residents and greatly reduce the risk of the organization being forced to scale back or worse cease operations. Um, in closing, just want to reiterate, you know, our your appreciation and commit commitment. Um, together we're fulfilling our mission, which is helping others prosper every day. Thank you. Thank you for
039your time, support, and uh, please. Thanks. >> Thank you, Adam. You can introduce Yago too. >> Okay. You have to say your name and your address. >> Okay. Good evening. My name is Barbara Bleki or Blefski, whichever you want to say. B L E J E W S K I. Um I live at um the senior housing at Hunter Ridge, 26 Hunter Ridge, and I um have an apartment there. I rent an apartment there. Um I've been back in Farmington since oh about six years. And when I was a youngster, I went to Oakhill School for the Blind um in Hartford. And I always wanted to be like my brothers and sisters and go to high school, you know, go to school here. But at that time, um my parents were a little concerned about
040different things and they wanted me to get my braille skills and all, you know, all the skills I would need so that I could function in the world. And there are a few things that are um a little bit um hard to do um by myself like going shopping. And that's where that's where Hope Partners comes in. And my um volunteer who helps me is Dean the Latch. He's awesome. and he we I have my list and of things I know I want to get and I have it in braille and you know I um share it with him. I've got to get my computer in gear um so that it speaks what's on the screen and is functioning right. Um sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. So I have to have my brother-in-law
041who's computer savvy to help me with that kind of stuff. Um and Um, another thing maybe hope partners can maybe assist with um is um clothes going when I have to go clothes shopping. Um, if I went by myself, probably God only knows what I'd come back with because the salespeople would probably say, "Hey, this looks great on you." That would not work so well. But that but but that's um something that if if a volunteer helped with that that would be an awesome thing. Um and another area and I don't know how to bring this up but um when I go to cross streets lots of times it's a little bit scary because you never know what's going to happen. So, um, Yao's getting older and I'm probably going to be getting another seeing
042eye dog within the next few years, a year or two, I guess. Um, but I need to know that it's safe for me to cross streets and so forth and that people um, especially um, when people are driving that they when the lights green for me that they don't cut in front of me. I've had that happen. It's kind of a a unique um thing, but um I would like to be able to do more things like I used to do in when I lived in Weathersfield. Um so that I could do them independently and function like, you know, other people and not have to worry that I was going to get hit by a car or cut cut, you know, a car cutting in front of me. And I don't know if that's something
043that I can work with um of the appropriate departments on but that's you know um the more I can do by myself the better it is and the better it is for whole partners because that means um functioning more independently and um I can work with them when I need to like for for grocery shopping and um maybe the other issue with clothes possibly or a few other things that will come to mind in day-to-day traveling traveling and functioning and I could say, "Oh man, I could use some assistance with this." But then and then I could bounce the idea off um people who um might be volunteering for Hope Partners. Um, and I would like to well, thank you for the opportunity to just explain a little about my situation and how whole partners
044helps me. >> Thank you, Barbara. >> And Barbara, just so you know, your uh your stylist is doing a nice job. Would anyone else in chambers like to make a comment? >> Hi everybody in town council chairman and people in the audience. Um that's right. I forgot she was shorter than I. Um, my name is Patricia Delaney. Um, I live in seven Florence Way and um, I'm here to speak on behalf of the senior center. I was noticing tonight as we opened up and looking at all of the charts and all of the lines and all the money's attributed to each line, the line that seems to be missing from all of those charts is the line that shows us the senior center where we are lobbed in with a few other things. And so
045when you take a minute to look at us, you have to really understand that we're not part of an a line. We're separate. And so um my purpose in coming tonight is to ask you to take a look at this 26 27 budget and look at us as a separate line and how we operate and what we do and how we raise our monies and where we get our monies from. Um, so I'd like you to ask us do not forget us just because you can't see us. Uh, so let me give you a peak into the senior center. 8,000 800 to 1,000 people come through our senior center weekly. 250 people per day visit the senior center. 1,000 of the people that are registered. Uh and why is that a different number you might
046ask me? But that's because the people are taking advantage of our emails, our newsletters and dropping into the senior center at different times for specific programs. So that's the difference that you see in that. Um my thought to you again is don't forget us. This is a lot of people we're talking about. The senior center provides tax appointments for all of our seniors. It facilitated over 300 appointments. Um it has support groups that are available to low vision, Parkinson and grief groups. Uh we have monthly memory s um screenings, hearing screenings, foot care clinics. We have choice counseling that serves more than 60 individuals during open enrollment and more throughout the year. A socialization group, weekly education seminars, 12 fitness classes and they're full. Um Parkinson boxing classes and that is the big hit where
047they if you go in and watch them it's a wonderful thing to see. Um we have fitness and wellness center with over 75 members registered. Dileride including medical appointments for dialysis cancer treatments and more. We have social service appointments banks taking people to the bank to the hairdresser to the library and etc. Um we have um monthly senior center trips. We also have a huge volunteer group. And that's probably the best bang for your buck that we've got going for us to share with you. Our volunteers help us with games and activities, rides, um office work staff, um h handles the phones and counting and attendance and more, all on a volunteer basis. So again, my request is don't forget us even though you don't see us on the budget. And I'd like to take
048a minute if I may to share a personal story which isn't unique to just me but to the many of the people in the senior center. Um before my husband was entered into palative care and hospice care. I would pack a lunch for him. He would get into a dialeride bus and travel to the senior center. He would play rummy. He would play chess. He would play all the card games that were available. He would play billiards and he would visit the puzzle spot located in the center. Um the socialization and cognitive challenge that the senior center gave to him prolonged his life. I have to tell you we had five more years than we probably should have had. Um and then as a widow I faced the challenge of moving forward. How do I
049do that? Where do I go? Do I lock myself in my house? Where do I stay? Um, attending exercise classes, facilitating our book club, facilitating our current events group, um, brought me great joy. And don't forget the great movies that we see there that they bring up for us. Gathering spots, places to challenge each other, to talk with each other, to be with each other. This is only one story from the thousands of the seniors that I'm listed that are coming through that center. So again, don't forget us even though you don't see us. >> Um even though you don't see us in those charts, we are here. Please again don't forget us. >> Barbara, thank you for coming tonight and we see you. Thank you for being here. Well, Patricia, sorry, Patricia Barbara was
050>> Tim Kelly, 62 West. I know you can see me. Okay. I I want to comment on a couple major capital outlays in this budget. that are clearly nice to have versus need to have. Um, when I first saw the rental project request for this now old town hall, I thought it was a typo that it was 700,000 as opposed to 7 million. I mean, for $7 million, you could basically build a whole new building. Uh, heck, it would be cheaper to knock it down and put in a cricket field. I mean, we'd save the maintenance and uh, you know, other other budgetary upkeep items. Since we decide to spend 17 million and move all the critical town operations over to the newly renovated 1928 building, uh, this the old annex is really just being
051offered as additional office space and storage for some of our valued uh, nonprofits. Uh, Hope Partners is currently housed at the senior center, which makes sense because that's who they serve. I'm not sure why they want to move across the river, although certainly everybody likes more space. Uh, the food pantry has a home at the church. The museum has an existing facility in Unionville. The probate court could actually be housed elsewhere given the amount of vacant office space on the market. Uh, then there's the artist to be named later. I don't know. U look, I'm okay with keeping this annex and certainly the staple staples house uh to help folks out, but not for $7 million. The other large bonding program that sounds nice, but is not needed is to invest $15 million to install
052additional air conditioning into the four grammar schools. Today, I believe they all have AC in the offices and cafeteria. The plan to try to embed AC into all the classrooms and buildings that are 60, 80, 100 years old and never designed for it can inevitably uh yield uneven results at best. And cutting into these old facilities can open up a can of worms. Since Farmington School struggles with controlling annual operating costs, has anyone calculated what it will cost per year in electricity to run AC across the four schools here in New England? We just don't get that many truly hot days in September and May. Everybody in this room, whether you attended Farmington or schools in a state further south of here, seems to have survived without AC in the elementary level. Anyway, I look
053back at the number of school days when the temperature in Farmington rose above 82 degrees, which I think is the state guideline, although there's no hard regulation. In September of 2025, there was zero days. In May of 2025, zero days. In fact, no days even touched 80 degrees. In September of 2024, two days. in May of 2024, two days. So, we're always going to have a couple months and in there maybe a day or two that gets a little too hot, but certainly not unmanageable. Uh, kids are actually leaving school by the time the afternoon heat is peaking. And on the occasional oppressive day, Farmington schools can always do early dismissal. It's also worth noting that kids go to school in shorts and t-shirts, warm weather. School buses are not air conditioned anyway when you
054load them out at the end of the day. Uh kids will walk and ride bikes out in the heat. Uh then they go home and of course we send them out to play hoops, go to soccer practice, go to baseball or perhaps lacrosse out in the sun. But maybe the biggest issue is that uh Farmington leadership is going to kick off a comprehensive facility study in the next year or two. We should see where that takes us before we try to retrofit these old buildings. Look, the engineering design work that's been done is is great. So don't throw it away. Put it on the shelf and we can always use it in the future if we decide to. I would close by saying that we are already exceeding our town debt service policy based on
055currently bonded projects. To pile another 20 million on top of that would not make sense for Farmington at this time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tim. Is there anyone else in chambers who would like to make a comment? Seeing none, Cat, do we have anybody online who would like to make a comment? I don't see any hands raised. >> Going once, twice. >> All right, let's close public comment on the budget. Thank you very much everyone for your comments. Next, we have the reading of the minutes. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, regular >> Oh, yeah. Sorry. Yep. Now, it's time for regular public comment. Would anyone like to make a comment uh on any other item other than the budget? >> Not quite sure how to do this, but I think maybe I'll try
056to come from a different direction. Paul Krell, um, Met Road. I, um, I've been hanging out with the sidewalk committee folks and I've been concerned about what's going on, but I don't think I've ever gone so far as to say why I was concerned. I'm the grandson of uh, CH John and Anacrell. They came from the Ukraine, settled here, nine kids, and my my dad and my uncle Peter were the ones who pretty much ran the ran the operation with my grandfather. My other uncles and aunts would show up too. They did stuff. But back then, daycare was bringing your kid to work. So my dad would work at night and Mar Rockwell and the day he worked on the farm. 114 acre farm. So we went along. So we were there six days a
057week. We got to pick the weeds out of the because we were probably in fourth grade or third grade at the time. Pick the weeds out of the cabbage patch with I don't know 300 ft long and 12 12 rows wide. That wasn't fun. Picked the strawberries. My job in particular ended up being running the stand. So, you were all too young to have any not have seen me picking uh selling corn at the stand, but the stand was about the size of that desk over there. >> We had a little awning. So, when it rained and so for four or five years, I worked there. I guess I'm trying to give the impression I know more about farming than you think. I used to ride my bike down Metal Road to go fishing at
058the in the uh uh the well what's now the dump. Um they had big bass in that in the sand pit there. And so my dad when my grandparents died he and my uncle inherited it. My dad uh got uh his one knife because he didn't have the f they he could pay each could split it of the dime and they paid their money and you wouldn't believe it. It was 300. It was only $300,000 for the whole farm. That's hard to believe. Of course, this was back in 1960 something. So, my dad took the opposite side of the farm, which is where we're putting the sidewalk. And my brother and I, I went to college. Um, my dad ended up with a piece of uh land that that needed to be cleared. He cleared
059everything. He knew how to rebuild things. He rebuilt a uh bulldozer and he he did all this work. And then they asked me said, "You want to buy our house because we need some money so we can build a house there." So I said, "Okay, I'll do that." So they built the house. They put in 250 blueberry bushes and he planted everything. He was one of the best gardeners in the town. And my brother and I, that's how we interacted with our parents. We spent time on the farm. So, too many times I get listed as being an outer towner who owns land in Farmington. Well, I I've been around and I'm a longtermer. The street is filled up of people. On the other side, it's been developed and my side is still pretty much
060farmland. I had and I commentated earlier, check my time about the issue of um surveying the folks on our street which up until August you guys up there that were involved with the sidewalk were in favor of and then I was told that by the by by the office not that it we want to wait until after the election because they didn't want to become political. Now, if you think about it, it is political is really what it comes down to. After the election, I didn't hear about anything and all a sudden it disappeared and then next thing I heard, we're going to have that hearing uh on whatever it is, the 30th of April. So, there's a big gap between the two. I had hoped that we were going to get something to be
061able to do. We didn't. And so, now here we are. I mean, we're fighting not to have it on our side. Um I'm I've gotten together with uh some of the other folks uh including the Hines folks had some discussions of what their thoughts were. I I still think that you guys to just put a new committee together or the people on the street and come up with a new plan. Um and I think I'm going to just close there because you're going to see me again somewhere along the way. I probably won't give you the long spiel about my not being an outsider, but I don't think it's fair. Um, the money that's that was moved aside. I had expected we were going to do something on metal road the most training the recent
062training session. Nothing was on metal road. My brother went my brother as a question. >> We're actually past five minutes. Just >> Oh, sorry. >> No, but we I know we'll be hearing from you and thank you for coming for comment. I appreciate >> No problem. You'll hear the rest of it the next time. >> Okay. >> You already heard it when my brother was at your meeting. >> You'll hear it again. >> Thanks. >> Is there anyone else who would like to make public comment on any other item in town? Seeing no one in the chambers, do we have anyone online who would like to make a comment? Cat, >> no hands raised online. >> All right. Well, then we will close our general public comment. So, thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts.
063We'll move on to G, the reading of the minutes. >> I make a motion to approve the February 10th, 2026 regular town council meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> All in favor of the uh February 10th uh minutes? >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes unanimously. >> I make a motion to approve the February 24th, 2026 regular town council meeting minutes. >> Second. Any discussion? All in favor of approval. >> I opposed. All it passes unanimously. Thank you very much. >> There is no report of the town manager this evening. >> I don't believe we have any unfinished business. So, we'll move on to uh new business to set our public hearing. I make a motion to set a public hearing on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the town
064hall annex council chambers 1 Monteth Drive, Farmington, Connecticut on the town council's proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026 2027. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? Passes unanimously. Thank you. Second item to accept the annual report. >> I make I make a motion that we accept the annual report of July 1, 2024 through June 30th, 2025. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Oh, so you kept >> Okay. Go ahead. >> So, this is the annual report for the town of Farmington for a previous year. So, it's July 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2025. And this will be um submitted at the annual town meeting on April 20th for approval. I just encourage any resident or anyone to read it there. It's a ton of information in it. So um I just
065uh encourage anyone there's copies in my office and we'll have copies at the annual meeting, but it does have a a lot of information about the town of Farmington. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? I opposed. >> Passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Our third item, >> I make a motion to approve the property tax refunds shown on agenda item J3. >> Second. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Passes unanimously. Thank you very much. I don't believe there are any appointments this evening. >> So, and I don't believe we have any executive session. >> No. >> All right. Let's move on to the reports of the committees. The 1928 building committee. >> Uh the 1928 building committee had a meeting in February and um the obviously the
066move took place. There was updates on the move. There was updates as uh as far as the uh finishing the project. The project's kind of at the last stages of of construction. Obviously, the weather impacted certain parts of the exterior of the building and site work to uh to be finished, but as the weather gets warmer, as it is today, that should uh that should occur. There was obviously the normal review of invoices and requisitions for payment and um closing in on the uh finishing of that project. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Ad hoc fire station committee. >> The ad hoc fire station committee. our last meeting, February 20th, we went and uh took a tour of uh 163 Church Avenue. That's uh the Bristol uh fire station that's just been completed. Um we met there.
067We talked with uh the chief and others who um were part of getting that project up and running for Bristol. And we had Chris Nardy, the architect, who we've been working with, on a tour, kind of answering questions. And I think it was just uh I think it was a a helpful a helpful visit to be able to see uh some of the spaces and and where the bays are and how equipment basically sits in these bays properly with the necessary um uh systems to to support those those types of activities. So, our next meeting is this Friday, uh, March 13th, uh, where we will be gathering all that information and, uh, coming up with the chart. >> Very good. Thank you. Ad hoc sidewalk committee. I'll share that we held our ad hoc sidewalk
068committee public information meeting on Thursday, February 19th at the police station. We had about uh 50 people in attendance and we uphold attendees on a number of questions for our discussion. We discussed the current town ordinances and what adjustments we might want to make. There was a ma a majority of support for new sidewalks in town uh with the group in the room. Our next ad hoc sidewalk committee is meeting on March 24th at 5:30 here in chambers as a separate item because it came up tonight. Uh we will be conducting a meadow road meeting after the town budget is finalized and that date is going to be April 28th at 7 pm. uh Avon uh and Farmington America 250th celebration. Uh we did meet um last week or and two weeks ago actually. The
069date for this event has been set for Friday, June 26th with a rain date of Saturday, June 27th at uh 99 Thompson Road in Avon, Connecticut. And this is a combination of Avon and Farmington getting together to celebrate our 4th of July 250th year anniversary. Uh we'll be meeting from 4:00 to 9:30 and an event website is receiving finishing touches before we launch the site and this site will eventually include all the activities and schedules for the events as we approach the event date including fireworks, food, presentations and more. It will also include information for sponsors and vendors. And if you would like to be a part of this two- town celebration, please go to the site and you can uh sign up to be a volunteer or a sponsor or a vendor. Uh be
070on the lookout for more details and make sure you save the date and be the first to share this information with your friends. Okay, next we have the board of education. >> Um no uh update uh at present. I mean we're in the budget sessions and they'll be here tomorrow. We'll be going over things in greater detail, but it's just basically it's basically budget season at this point. So, >> here we go. >> Yeah, exactly. >> All right. Conservation and inland wetlands. >> Conservation inland wetlands met February 18th and March 4th. Um couple applications for an ingground pool. There is a new proposed gas station that um where there's some wetlands in the back on Pinnaman Road. It's actually warehouse, gas station with diesel refueling station and restaurant is what has been proposed by Noble
071Gas. Um and that is still under consideration I believe. And then there is also um another proposed development at 598 Planeville Road for 18 housing units. Um and as due to potential wetland impacts that due to potential wet wetland impacts that is also before the commission. Their next meeting is March 18th, 2026, 7 PM on Zoom. >> Question. Where's 538 playable? >> Do you know? >> I don't know. Okay. I meant to look at it. I don't >> I'm trying to put you on the spot, but I'll look it up. >> We're going to Google it. >> Okay. >> How about Economic Development Commission? >> Uh, our last meeting was cancelled due to weather impacts and uh so we'll we'll have the next meeting and I'll uh give the updates. >> All right. How about
072Farmington High School building committee? >> Uh we met last week. Um the project is phasing down. Um it was decided that the building committee will effectively just defer now to the finance subcommittee uh for the you know approval of invoices, change orders and things of that nature. And the building committee itself will really no not meet again until the finance committee uh does its work. What's going to happen is there's going to be conditional approvals as the as the finance committee meets and then there will be a meeting either May or June I think C we weren't quite sure when that would be but the target May or June and at that point the building committee will reconvene and then uh do a proform adoption of all of the work that's been done but that'll
073be done between now and then and then it's my understanding the building committee will uh close its charge and be be complete >> and returning and bringing to the town a project that was on time and under budget. And so we should hopefully we should have a conversation about how we can recognize that here at at the appropriate time. We should definitely do that. >> Uh and the other thing was is that we've been kind of talking about a little off table and then and on table as well. >> Um there is the the the issue of there is still money left that is eligible to be bonded and we talked about it during the bonding presentation. our town manager did a great job kind of putting that bring it forward for forward to us
074for us to consider uh how to handle that extra money uh with respect to the track and the field uh project and that'll come to us uh and then we'll have an opportunity I guess you know subject to you Brian and Kathy's work um late summer early fall the conversation how we're going to bring that and do that in a way the town is aware of it in a transparent way so the town knows what we're considering at that time >> absolutely thank about town planning and zoning. >> Certainly the um uh fee late February meeting was cancelled due to the snowstorm. At uh last night's meeting, there were a couple of routine sign approvals and two public hearings. One was for uh Miss Porter School, which is planning a uh summer camp on 27th
075of June through July 3rd. The uh approval was to allow light standards with generators. So, there's going to be a lot of light and some noise from the uh generators. They did receive about 20 letters of support from uh all over uh local residents in the uh community. Uh not a single negative one. Um so, the approval was given for uh one year. We'll measure the noise and the lights and then they'll come back in following year to see whether that could be uh extended. Uh the other public hearing was for Horton Electric which has premises across from on New Britain Avenue across from uh our public works garage. Uh they want to pave some additional area and wanted some exception for uh impervious. Uh in return they did a very thorough presentation and uh
076are going to give the back area from uh from their property to the river as a conservation e easement because there's bald eagles there. Uh there was a lot of discussion and work on the on the drainage and they're going to uh allow us uh with our garage to be uh participate in that. So uh it was a a win-win discussion and uh was fully approved. Uh in terms of other things, the affordable housing report uh was presented uh with all the projects that we have coming online. Uh Farmington reached 9.68%. So we're just shy of the 10% mark to be an exempt community. when the uh projects that we have uh you know 16600 New Britain Avenue and uh 402 Farmington Warren when they come online will certainly be uh I think that we're
077estimating about 10.3% and then when 20 uh squats Scott Swamp road wow that's harder to say than I thought when that comes online uh we'll be bulletproof uh in terms of uh that margin but uh we'll get to we'll get to that uh next year uh Lastly, uh preparations are getting underway to support the plan, the new plan of conservation and development. So, some of the pre-work like preparing the RFP and things like that so that we can hit the ground running in the new uh fiscal year. That's it. >> Excellent. Thank you for that. Are there any other reports? There anything that you would like to share? >> Yes, Brian. Um I just want to have everyone mark their calendar. Saturday, April 25th, 8 to 1, townwide cleanup. um signup genius is showing up
078for groups who want to sign up. There'll be a heaviest hall competition like there is every year. Um and hopefully this year it won't rain. Um >> oh the I was going to say the other event to mark on your calendar is April 21st at 6:30 p.m. Um Green Efforts is hosting its first of what we hope will be a series of on how to reduce waste for residents and waste reduction. And it will be a presentation by a master gardener who's going to talk about composting and things folks can do to take organics out of the food out of their um home trash. That's it. It'll be at the library. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> I have one too. Sorry. >> Please. >> I do too. >> It's a very very makeshift one, but
079because we haven't had a leazison for the library because we had that uh in between you and I when we switch back and forth. The maker fair is coming up. >> I was that you guys said. So, I'm gonna I'm gonna see this seed the floor to our librarian uh library leaison. Please >> always want to be a librarian. Um so, thank you Keith for handing that over to me. So, um yes, we had our meeting on February 18th. Uh Jocelyn hosted the meeting. There is a new board member, Jessica Listister, that was appointed. Um so, she's fantastic for anybody who knows her within the community. She was an excellent addition. um discussed around the challenges about maintenance of the library and through the seasons and the cold and whatnot. So, I think some of
080that we see in our budget and their request. >> Um, additionally, staffing for a position um who has has retired was underway. Um another area was around. They're no longer supporting um the passport services and renewals. So, I think that was revenue that was coming in um that no longer is coming in. Um, and then just reviewing results of the lending and their programming and their budget and how they maintain within their budget, which is great. And to highlight that on March the 22nd between 1 and 4, there is a MakerFair at the library. So, encourage all of our town members to please go into the library and take a look. It sounds like a really impressive event. Um, and our next meeting is April the 15th. >> Wonderful. Thank you very much both of
081you. >> Sorry. >> Nice job reading. >> I didn't know if he didn't know if he made it there yet, like between the our switch over. >> All right, I'm going to move on to the town council chair report. I'll make it short. >> As is quite obvious, our current priority is to prepare and finalize a budget for the town. Uh, just so you know, the budget public hearing will be April 6th at 7 p.m. The annual town hall will be April 20th at 7 p.m. and the referendum will be April 30th. And also, I've been meeting with our state legislators to stay updated on legislation being discussed at the state capital and its potential impact on Farmington and our residents. So, more to come on that. some upcoming community events in addition to the
082number that we've heard already and there's lots coming up. The Farmington Community Chest is having their March Madness mixer at the Farmington Polo Club on Friday, March 27th at 6. You can purchase your tickets online. It's a great organization. Also, the East Farms Volunteer Fire Department is having their 52nd annual pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 22nd, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the firehouse at 94 South Road. Again, be on the lookout for information about the Avon Farmington 25th celebration on Friday, June 26th. Save the date and tell your friends and I'll see you there. To find an extensive list of uh upcoming events in Farmington, check out the Explore Farmington website and also if you can sign up for the Explore Farmington newsletter. Hope you all had a very successful spring forward. >> All
083right. I make a motion to adjourn tonight's town council meeting. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you very much everybody. Good night.