Vice Chair Report: June 8th Town Council Meeting

From the Vice Chair, providing a recap to the Town Council's regular meeting held this week.

On Tuesday, June 8th we received an update regarding Birch Grove from Building Committee Chair Katie Murray, noting that the project is on time and on budget. During this discussion there were also further deliberations regarding consideration of a miracle field being placed on a portion of the area once the modular buildings are removed and the site is reclaimed. The majority of the council in attendance decided it would be best to wait until the project is finalized before considering the feasibility of the site. will be meeting to discuss one new item and circle back on two old business topics.

Following this discussion, Town Council discussed the Veteran’s Recognition Commission, which falls under Ordinance #77 of the town code. Mr. Richard Tapp, chair of the Commission was in attendance and provided a thorough history of their charge since 2007, their responsibilities and some of the challenges they face. After discussing some of the proposals mentioned, which included increasing membership from 5 to 7 members, allowing for the family of veterans to serve and expanding list of Armed Services that are recognized in the ordinance, a straw poll was conducted with all members either being in favor or being in favor if the changes are acceptable to the commission. This item was tabled for a future meeting for the full council to vote upon. Due to this being an ordinance, the council would have to set a public hearing before final changes can be approved.

Additionally, there were discussions around the current monument and plans are in place to have the site more appropriately tended to so the stones in existence are more visible to drivers and pedestrians.

For old business, the Town Council unanimously approved the Fields & Grounds Maintenance Agreement between the Town and the Board of Education. The main changes to this document include changing the agreement from one year to three years and clarified the annual meeting process and the appropriate attendees that would be invited to this review. The agreement will now be put before the Board of Education to approve as well. This agreement covers all the grounds and fields of Tolland’s Primary, Intermediate, Middle and High School areas. Following passage of the agreement, the Town Council reviewed a Proclamation Policy that has been created based on the concerns from town staff and input of several councilors at a prior meeting. The majority of the council in attendance approved the draft as written with minor corrections, but was tabled for final consideration at a later date.

You can read the full minutes here - https://ecode360.com/documents/TO1208/public/606509352.pdf
The Town Manager’s Report can be accessed here - https://www.tolland.org/.../june_8_2021_town_managers...

Thank you as always for your desire to read and learn more about town government and Town Council business. For some very good news, Tolland’s latest numbers from the Eastern Highlands Health District show no new Covid cases over the past week. And, as of of 6/11/2021, over 65% of our town have received one dose and 58% have been fully vaccinated, which is the highest rate for one dose in our health district and tied for first with Bolton on full vaccination rates. I hope you have a pleasant weekend and enjoy the break from this past week’s heat wave.