By Sarah Opdahl

At the Thursday, August 8 Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting, there was a difficult conversation regarding the request for an additional appropriation in the amount of $950,000 to fund the much-discussed Rebel Stadium turf and track project. First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey acknowledged the need for the work, but she explained that she wanted to wait to vote on the appropriation until the final surplus is determined in a few weeks. The assumption is that the Town’s surplus funds could be a logical way to fund the project. The conversation regarding the approximately $1.3 million surplus has gotten more complicated with the Town’s medical fund ending lower than originally anticipated. School officials hope to have the funds approved as soon as possible, in order to secure a position on the 2025 summer calendar with Sprinturf, who will complete the track and turf replacement.

New Fairfield’s Board of Finance (BOF) members previously voted to support funds to complete the project in a “good faith effort,” Chair Ms. Thora Perkins reminded the BOS. However, the medical fund’s state is of keen interest to some members, which will possibly pull a portion of funding from the stadium’s project. Public comment on the subject was tense, with strong emotions surrounding the topic.

New Fairfield’s Housing Opportunities Committee members were grateful that the Affordable Housing Plan was unanimously approved by BOS members. The plan now includes a handful of recently implemented updates, based on feedback from the BOS and the Zoning Commission. The changes reflect the caution that is being exercised in the process, especially regarding multi-units such as dupl exes. Next steps will involve registering the plan with the state, which is part of a statewide initiative to increase affordable housing in every town.

There was a discussion about the hiring of Town Finance Director Mr. Vladimir Kan, who explained that he has eight years of municipal finance experience in Massachusetts. BOS members also talked about the shift to part-time status for the Office of Emergency Management Director position, which is one that has situationally shifting hours. Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco disagrees with the plan to cut the position to part-time, though she said her comments were “certainly not directed” at new hire Ms. Lori Beninson, who served on the BOS with her. Del Monaco also questioned the choice to pay a weekly wage for this position, rather than hourly. Lindsey explained that the wage was averaged out to equal half of the full-time salary. There will be a log to reflect actual hours per week.

Board and committee appointments prompted further discussion, with BOS members having received resumes from highly qualified candidates for all open positions. For the BOF, there were two candidates for an alternate position and the BOS voted 2-1 to appoint Mr. John Arrizi to that spot, though Lindsey stressed that “I think either one would be a great candidate. I have noticed slightly more involvement from John, and that is really all I could base it on, because, like I said, they are both extremely qualified.” On the Permanent Building Committee, Mr. Mike Coates, a new member, was appointed to an alternate position over long-time alternate Mr. Ed Spordone, who was hoping for re-appointment. Del Monaco took issue with the decision, pointing out that it is typical to accept a re-appointment of members who are interested in continuing on. Lindsey explained, however, that she is “excited to get some new people involved as well.”

The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August, 22, 7:30 p.m.