By Sarah Opdahl

On Thursday, September 24, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) discussed a recent workshop with the Danbury City Council regarding the proposed Margerie Trail. First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco explained that the workshop included a presentation on the first phase of the project, including partial designs for the trail and some cost estimates. She said, “I thought it was a good presentation. I’m happy with the overall design of the trail. I think a lot of thought and work went into that.” There was a good discussion regarding how much of the trail in New Fairfield should be built in New Fairfield in the first phase, Del Monaco said. She is advocating for more in town than the design that was presented.

Del Monaco said, “the next step is to finalize the design for phase one and get the final cost estimates for that piece of the project, and hopefully be able to pay for that phase one with the existing grant funds, and pursue further funding, whether it’s through Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants or DEEP trail grants to be able to close the gap on the remaining four to $5 million that will be needed to complete the trail.” It was noted that there is wide-ranging support at the State level for these types of “connectivity” projects.

Selectman Ms. Khris Hall has worked on the Margerie Trail project “for almost 10 years, and I’m happy to see that we have gotten what I think is a good design and layout for where the trail is going to go. This has been a difficult project in some part because it spans two municipalities. If it were in one municipality, it would have been, I believe, much easier to move forward.” Hall went on to say, “There are some issues that do still need to be worked through, including a final decision on the materials to be used in constructing the path, including what fencing or other arrangements need to be made to keep people out of the vicinity of the reservoir because it is a drinking water supply, and including exactly how the first phase will unfold, where it will go, where it will stop, et cetera.” Selectman Mr. Jon Russo said, “we’re being intentional about how we’re building this out…they’re talking about the boardwalks, the accessibility to it for public safety as well. If we needed to get somebody down there for an emergency or whatever, because it is an almost two-mile trail and whatnot… I need to get more into it and get more involved in it and just understand better. But I am encouraged by what I heard the other night, at least.”

There was a bit of discussion regarding an intradepartment transfer of $45,000 from cap and non slated for the Senior Center Dam and Pond to cap and non Town Hall/Library parking lot. Del Monaco explained, “This is a town engineer request…We are accruing funds to do necessary repairs on the Senior Center dam and pond, but he [the engineer] feels comfortable transferring this money into a more urgent matter, which is repairing the Town Hall/Library parking lot. So I think that, and I agree with him, that is a more urgent situation. That wall needs to be shored up…” The parking lot repair is for the large retaining wall behind the buildings. The fix is somewhat temporary but will buy time until a larger rebuild of the wall in the future. Del Monaco noted that she will work to assess any possible grants to cover the future wall rebuild, which will be a multi-million dollar project.

BOS members addressed the possibility that moving the Senior Center dam and pond funds would delay its repair, but Del Monaco explained that the issue is less urgent following a State inspection. She said, “they don’t believe we need to remove that dam…we don’t need as much funding as we originally thought we would need.”

The BOS also approved an intradepartment transfer for $2,151.88 from Public Works salaries to Public Works Engineering Services to “clear a deficit,” which continues to be part of the true-up efforts for the end of year.

In the Personnel Report, it was noted that the new part-time Animal Control Officer, whose hire was announced at the last meeting, is not going to work out. No further details were offered. Del Monaco also announced that Accounting Clerk Mr. Greg Kahn has given his resignation. BOS members thanked him for his efforts, “He has been a great asset to the town, so we wish him the best,” Del Monaco said. Hall concurred, saying, “I’ll echo your thoughts concerning Greg Kahn. I’m sorry to see him go.”

The board reappointed Ms. Kathy Hull to The Commission on the Aging. Del Monaco said, “I think that Kathy does a tremendous job. She is very in tune with our seniors in town, so I am very grateful that she’s willing to step up for another term.” Hall agreed, saying, “I can’t imagine The Commission on Aging without Kathy.” Also reappointed to the same commission was Ms. Julia McMillan, who has participated for the past eight years, for which BOS members thanked her. Finally, Ms. Theresa King was appointed as a new alternate to the same commission. The board was excited about her interest in participating; King  is a case manager at Danbury Hospital with “amazing qualifications for this commission.”

The next regular New Fairfield Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 7:00 p.m.