On Tuesday, December 10, the Borough Board of Burgesses discussed the remainder of their ARPA funds and the appropriation of monies for its Church Hill Road and Queen Street sidewalk improvements project. According to Jay Maher, the warden, the project will include new push button pedestrian crossing systems and wheelchair ramps for accessibility.

Maher said, “We are in a position to select LRM as a low bidder for $150,000. That’s wonderful; however we only have $138,000 assigned to that line item, and we have dipped into that [money]. So, that at this particular time, we have $132,206 and change … we’re short to award that project by $17,793.”

The burgesses moved to discuss how they could finance this project with their various accounts. In the ARPA account, there was $4,573 and change as the new footbridge at Ram Pasture came in under budget. There was discussion about using the $5,700 from the sidewalk line item, or possibly using some funds from the $4,000 or so from the bicentennial fund.

Maher said, “We also have a CD that our auditor has suggested that perhaps we get into or knock down a little bit through capital improvement projects such as this.”

Paula Brinkman, the Borough’s treasurer, stated that the account “matures January 16th, 2025.”

Burgess Jim Gaston shared, “My suggestion would be let’s use the ARPA money, and let’s use the CD, take out [around $13,000] from the CD. It still leaves a lot in the CD.” He looked at Maher and added, “As you say we barely use it.”

Maher said, “I’m comfortable with that. As long as my math is right.”

The board then discussed the new office for the Borough, or, what most readers know as the vault in Edmond Town Hall.

“As you know, we took possession of this … special vault area, but it hasn’t been painted in many decades. It’s dingy in there,” Maher said.

Brinkman chimed in, “Grim.”

Maher explained there is a contractor that has done a lot of painting for Edmond Town Hall and would be able to do the job, including washing the walls, for $3,500.

“I’m suggesting [the money] comes out of the bicentennial fund,” Maher told the burgesses.

The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.

The burgesses then discussed the missing sign that was cut down and stolen from Castle Hill Road and Taunton Lake Road in August.

“We had always thought that might be an area that could be subject to vandalism. We have a quote here to replace the sign, post and arm, and miscellaneous hardware of $2,259.67. Now, I would say that this is basically consistent with what was there. We’d have conversations [about] whether we should upgrade to a steel post, or we’ll even have a conversation whether it should be replaced. I know that some people feel strongly that it should be replaced,” Maher said.

Burgess Maureen Crick Owen suggested waiting to make a decision regarding a steel or wooden post when there is a concrete estimate for a steel post. As she pointed out, the contractor wouldn’t even be able to put the post in the ground right now, as it is typically frozen. The sign wouldn’t be in the ground until spring, so they tabled the discussion for the January meeting.

Following the warden’s report, Robert McCulloch, the tree warden, had a report read aloud as he could not make the meeting. He informed the burgesses that some trees were fertilized, and some stumps will need to be ground, but he also suggested that two trees be planted in the island at Borough Lane and Main Street.

The report read, “That island has been vacant since trees were removed, and it might be a nice added touch and a focal point for people entering the Borough.”

Maher added that he doesn’t “disagree with that.”

Other Borough News: A Retiree, A Website, And Public Comment

The burgesses moved $10,000 to their legal fees line item as the Castle Hill Development meetings and public hearings need an attorney. Gaston pointed out that legal fees can add up quickly, and the burgesses are at an understanding that the public hearings are not over, and there’s a chance that the developer will appeal a “nay” vote.

Maher informed the board that “The Borough will be well represented in that its warden will be lighting the tree this year.”

The board then moved onto new business, where Maher said that Brinkman will not be seeking reelection in May for her position as treasurer. He also said that Ann Scaia, the Borough Clerk, is interested in combining her position and the treasurer position.

Gaston said, “All checks are signed by the warden and the clerk anyway, so there is a check and balance, so I have no problem at all.”

Senior Burgess Chris Gardner said, “I guess my only concern is that Ann you can’t leave ever.”

Scaia replied, saying, “This is not a job I want to retire from … This is probably the most pleasant, gifted, business-savvy people I’ve ever dealt with … You all are a pleasure to work with and it’s an honor to watch the passion you have for this Borough.”

When the board approached old business, Crick Owen reminded everyone that the Borough website is live and the emails are functioning.

John Rudolph, owner of MAP Agency in Sandy Hook, worked closely with Crick Owen to create something that would give the Borough longevity, relevancy, and ease of access. Maher commented that the site looks “beautiful” and that Crick Owen and Rudolph did a great job.

For those who wish to browse the site or learn more about the Borough, visit boroughofnewtownct.gov.

Charles Zukowski, a member of the public, asked the burgesses again about two unnamed streams in town, one of them being the stream that runs straight through Ram Pasture, and the other being the stream by the corn maze and Castle Hill Farm. Zukowski suggested the brook by the corn maze be called Paproski Brook considering its proximity to the old Paproski farm.

The burgesses had some discussion about what the names could be, but decided to also table that discussion until January, as they all “want to think about it.”

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.