Town Council Approves Bonding Referendum for Roofs, Open Space

At the Southington Town Council meeting held last Monday, two proposals carried significant price tags: one to issue a bond for $6,617,400 to pay for new roofs on three elementary schools, and another to bond $2,000,000 for a fund that would allow the town to act quickly when purchasing land for open space.

Superintendent Steve Madancy explains the roofing project. TOWN OF SOUTHINGTON PHOTOS

According to Superintendent of Schools Steve Madancy, Hatton, Strong, and Thalberg elementary schools all have roofs that have exceeded their 20-year expected lifespans, with some approaching their 30th years. “That is just part of stewardship of the buildings," said Madancy; "we maintain them so that we don't run into more complex issues . . . This is a request similar to what you had with the high school roof a few years back." While the roofs are not currently failing, spot repairs have had to be made that require surprise expenditures, according to Madancy.

Council member Valerie DePaolo asked the Superintendent his opinion on whether the roofs should have 20-year or 30-year warranties – a matter brought up at a previous Board of Finance meeting. Superintendent Madancy replied that, while they would pursue the longer warranty, the decision will ultimately come down to the bids the town receives.

Council Chair Paul Chaplinsky explained that the roof replacement was already included in the five-year budget plan for the town and the Board of Education. The decision on the replacement, originally scheduled for next year, had been moved forward one year so that it would not coincide with a referendum to build a new school that will take place this fall.

The Town Council discusses Open Space funding

The second item under consideration was whether to appropriate $2 million for the acquisition of open space. At July's Town Council meeting, Town Manager Alex Ricciardone explained that this money was not intended to buy any particular property. Rather, it restocks an existing open space fund so that the town can act quickly to purchase or secure rights to a property without having to go through the lengthy referendum process. The current balance in the fund, $500,000, represents the remainder of a bond issued some five years ago.

Council member Jennifer Clock, a member of the Open Space Committee, clarified that this fund could be used to acquire development rights rather than the property itself. “Development rights could mean that we're purchasing rights for a golf course so that we can preserve the open space land and not have homes built on the property,” she noted.

Council Chair Chaplinsky called for public comment on both items. No community members stood up to speak. Both referendum motions passed unanimously (they had previously passed in both the Planning & Zoning Committee and the Finance Committee). Residents will have a chance to vote on these bonding measures on November 4th.

In addition to the two major bonding initiatives, Town Manager Ricciardone shared the Board of Finance's report on the sole bid that was received to build a pocket park in downtown Plantsville. The project as originally proposed would cost $318,028, according to the bid. Leaving out a walkway, benches, and a light pole would reduce this figure to $245,950. For $38,446, a park consisting solely of a grass lot with planters could be created. The Council debated the merits of each proposal.

The Council also discussed a single bid of $62,000 for pickle ball courts at the Calendar House. This project will be funded by an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant. There was also a discussion clarifying the application of a state law exempting veteran's homes from local property taxation.

The Council passed unanimously motions to approve the maximum pocket park bid and the pickle ball courts bid.

A variety of announcements, commendations, and reports were also made at the meeting. The Council recognized the honesty of a twelve-year-old boy who notified a homeowner after bumping his bike into a mailbox. It was announced that an eleven-year-old girl planned a Backflips for Backpacks drive for school supplies, and that LEAF will be holding its 3rd annual Harvest Hoe Down on September 7th.

The Council welcomed news of an additional $347,451 in state aid that would help with road paving, and discussed the timing of road work in relation to the start of school.

Finally, brief reports were also given on the activities of the YETI program (Youth Empowerment Team Initiative), the America 250 committee, the Plan of Conservation and Development Survey, the Public Works Committee (which reported on speeding, brush cleanup, and road maintenance), and the need for the town to renew its ICU medical permit.

The full August 11, 2025 meeting can be viewed as a video, or read as a set of minutes and agendas, on the Town of Southington website.  Videos, minutes, and agendas of other committee meetings are also posted there.