Town Council Tackles Traffic Safety, Veteran Tax Relief

PHILIP THIBODEAU PHOTO

Tax relief for veterans and traffic safety were the central topics for the Southington Town Council's consideration Monday evening. Some topics came up multiple times over the course of the meeting; the following summary has been arranged topically for the sake of clarity.

Tax Relief For Disabled Veterans Passes

The meeting started with a public hearing on proposed Act 25-168, which will exempt from all local tax the property of veterans who are 100% disabled. Three residents spoke in favor of the measure. Resident Chris Pulis mentioned that the state has also enacted a similar measure. In 2024, Connecticut passed Public Act No. 24-46, which requires municipalities to honor such exemptions. 

Several members of the Council spoke strongly in favor of the measure. At the end of the meeting the motion passed unanimously.

Pedestrian Safety and Speeding Issues A Focus of Discussion

The Council next discussed crosswalks across Route 10 - a state road - on Queen Street at Loper, North Main at Mill, and Norton at Clark Street. Currently the pedestrian crossing lights only stop traffic in one direction when the button is pushed. Residents would like the lights to stop traffic in all directions, but the state has so far rejected that option. Council Chair Paul Chaplinsky suggested the Council write a formal letter to the state Department of Transportation, documented with all of the correspondence so far, to try to get the crossing lights modified.

Councillor Michael DelSanto's Public Works update focused on speeding. He reported that Chief of Police John Daly has received many requests for speed bumps or humps, but that Daly does not favor them on the concern that they might launch a speeding car into the air. Daly prefers lit speed-reminder signs.

A long and somewhat heated discussion followed, in which Councillors Jack Perry and Christopher Palmieri disagreed with DelSanto on the proper way for the Council to respond to numerous complaints about Russell Road coming from a single resident. DelSanto argued for patience while the plan for remediation was being implemented; Perry and Palmieri advocated taking action sooner and communicating the plans more clearly.

Councillor Val DePaolo brought the conversation back to speed bumps and other traffic calming infrastructure, asking whether the Chief has tried to learn from the experience of other towns.

DelSanto reported his own personal experience driving in New Haven and encountering speed humps every few hundred yards. He then described Daly's preferred approach as rotating extra police through speeding hot spots and putting up digital speed signs.

Later in the meeting, Town Manager Alex Ricciardone raised the need for traffic mitigation controls along private properties located at the end of Bellevue Road where it curves sharply before intersecting Meriden Avenue. There reckless drivers have frequently failed to make the turn and careened through the yards of property owners. Requests to the state for assistance having yielded no result, Ricciardone asked that a sum of up to $10,000 be set aside for guardrails that would be placed on one or more of the properties. At the end of the meeting the Council voted unanimously to allocate the funds.

Paving and Pipe Updates

Palmieri asked for an update from the Town Manager on the use of an additional $347,000 the state provided to the town for road work. Ricciardone replied that the paving company, Tilcon, is so far behind that they haven't finished all of the current projects. He will push for more days of work from the company, but ultimately most of the additional funds may have wait until next year to be applied.

Councillor Tony Morrison gave a report from the Sewer Commission. The town will spend $1.5 million this year to insert new linings into older pipes. He noted that a pumping station near the Drive-In that was hit by an automobile will have to be replaced and protected by a better guardrail.

DelSanto gave a report from the Water Department on planned water main upgrades for a set of residential streets just east of downtown. These upgrades will affect traffic in the area. The affected roads will not be fully repaved until next year. 

DelSanto also reported that the Building Department has made some changes to staff scheduling that have reduced permitting times from 4-5 to 3-4 weeks.

Plan of Conservation and Development Survey, Fire Chief Retirement, Open Space News

Early in the meeting Councillor Jennifer Clock reported that the Plan of Conservation and Development survey results are in. She highlighted that the survey results showed resident concern regarding development, traffic and road safety, preservation of character and community and sidewalks within town, and some praise for recreation, community facilities and quality of life. She announced that a community workshop will be held on September 18, from 4 to 7, at the Municipal Center on 196 North Main Street, and that the workshop is drop-in.

Clock's report from the Fire Commission included the surprise announcement that Fire Chief Eric Heath plans to retire in November.

Clock also shared a report from the Open Space committee. Town resident Ann Marie Conaty requested and received permission to clean up the Goat Island property on East Summer Street and to fit it out with birdhouses and a pollinator garden. 

Finally, Clock announced that there would be a sunset walk in October at the Novick Property on Flanders Road. 

America 250 Committee and Commendations

Morrison gave a report on the committee that is planning celebrations for the United States Semiquincentennial - its 250th birthday - which falls next year. So far the committee has reached out to all the major institutions in town, including community organizations, businesses, and the Southington Clergy Association.

Palmieri described a successful fundraising event for LEAF, an educational farm in Southington.

After the Town Manager announced that a search was being made for a new leader of STEPS, members of the council praised the program and its past and present leadership, including Kelly Leppard, Megan Albanese, and Kristin Sandler.

Chaplinsky recognized several residents, programs and organizations for their good work. He commended the Town Manager and his team for addressing cleanliness and disabled-access issues at port-a-potties in the parks. Chaplinsky described several activities planned for the Apple Harvest Festival and mentioned that residents can acquire festival apparel at an online store. He announced that the parade Grand Marshall will be former festival committee chair Cheryl Lounsbury.