By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) held a lengthy meeting on Thursday, January 9 with many tense moments. Several members of the public spoke up for a former town employee whom they believe was unfairly dismissed. First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey said that she did not want to comment on the matter because there is a grievance filed. However, Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco expressed indignation regarding the move to dismiss the long-serving employee who worked in the Health Department.

Del Monaco and other public commenters referred to an administrative lapse in registration as the reason for dismissal, though it was noted that the registration was brought up-to-date as soon as it was discovered. No other reasons for dismissal were brought forward at the meeting. Frustration was expressed by many, who pointed to the oft-discussed succession plan for the employee in the Health Department and the grant funds that were being used to pay for the employee’s Master’s degree. Del Monaco stressed that she believes the matter was mishandled and predicted, “This is an extremely costly mistake for the town. The union has already filed a grievance, and in my opinion, it will likely go to arbitration. That alone will cost the town 10s of 1000s of dollars, let alone any additional cost of any civil action.” She we nt on to lament that the former employee is “a young public health professional. There are not many of them anymore. Public health is a tough field and we were lucky that we had such a good public health professional working for the town.”

A new solar-lease opportunity was discussed at length following the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP). The project was explained to be less risky th an a previously considered solar project, as the financial burden would not be on the town, though it was acknowledged that, accordingly, there will be less of a financial return as a result. A third party would bring in the equipment, own the equipment, maintain the area, and pay the town for a land lease. A small committee has investigated the plan to work with a third party, including Board of Finance member Ms. Cheryl Reedy. She explained, “we are really, really looking for revenue sources that we can dedicate to capital.” A proponent for solar, Reedy stated that she was happy to get involved in the project research as “I felt like the solar project was getting so mired in politics.” The committee has worked closely with Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation’s Mr. Kirt Mayland, who was brought into the discussion by Town Engineer Mr. Tony Iadarola. “Br inging somebody in, like Kirk, who has more than just one solar array installation like I do and Cheryl does, he really highlighted some of the risks of doing something like this as an owner,” Iadarola said. He went on to say, “I know one of the things that was a challenge for myself [with the previous solar project] was we were talking about a significant amount of taxpayer money, and there is such a huge risk that if the project doesn’t really generate what we anticipate to generate based on communications and based on these hypothetical scenarios that were communicated by these independent solar companies, we would all be in big trouble.” He went on to say that a similar project on a capped landfill in Danbury has also shifted to a less risky option.

It was noted that the RFP is on the Town website, Newfairfeld.org and, in its first week, there were four site visits. Mayland added that the RFP is open to size recommendations, which helps in determining the best agreement to enter. “Some companies might have a lower rate of return, they might have warehouse domestic panels and they get an extra 10% tax credit,” going on to say the committee “wanted to l eave room for developers to come in and tell us what they thought the right size was, so we can then interview them and question them and and figure out who’s got the best strategy.” He went on to say the committee “will be very, very careful to look at all the proposals: the different sizes, the different row spacing, the different ideas, and go through them thoroughly and just try to pick the best one.” Reedy explained, “There’s a process in the RFP for making the decision, and Kirk keeps telling us, as we talk about this, the thing that is going to take the most time is negotiating a lease with whoever we choose, and that the lease is the big deal.” Mayland said that it may take some t ime for the project to come to fruition, “but at least the town is not on the hook for that.”

Lindsey noted that the bus lot project will have an update in the next few weeks. She said, “we have not had an update to share,” but Del Monaco stressed that she believes the process has not been transparent.

There was a budget transfer in the amount of $50,000 from police salaries to police overtime. An officer retired last year and the new hire has not yet started, but he should be starting soon.

BOS members unanimously voted to approve extending the contract for Ms. Jocelyn Ayer, a consultant for the Housing Opportunities Committee (Committee). Committee Chair Ms. Anita Brown praised Ayer’s work, saying, “Jocelyn has been our pragmatic, down-to-earth guide through getting the Housing Affordability Plan in place.” She explained that Ayer’s guidance “will be able to support us in any feedback that we might give to Zoning when it comes to rewriting their regulations,” a process which is ongoing. Brown added, “I think she is a real bargain, because she has so much experience, and is just fair whenever we need her as a resource.”

The BOS also voted to approve establishing a Trust Agreement for the recently updated Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP). Town Treasurer Ms. Terry Friedman said, “right now we are in the final stages of actually moving the LOSAP plan funds from the existing provider to Webster, who currently manages all of our other plans for the town.” In order to do that, Webster has requested that the town have  a formal approval from the BOS. Lindsey thanked Friedman and all involved for the tremendous amount of work that was needed to bring the project to this point.

The next regula r Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, 7:30 p.m.