Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, June 9, 2025 | 6:00 PM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES Mayor Keith Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Gweneviere Depot, Councilor Erin Artale, Councilor Paul Norris, Councilor Tony Patterson, Councilor Christine Piazza and Councilor Stephen Sheffield and City Clerk Dani Baycura The following minutes meet all requirements under CT FOIA for public meetings and is not a transcript of the meeting. Please visit Groton Municipal Television on YouTube to view the meeting in further detail. Mayor Hedrick called the meeting to order at 6:01pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Piazza, Councilor Artale, Councilor Sheffield and Councilor Norris. Councilor Patterson at 6:25pm (via Zoom). II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRAL A. Finance 1. Update Tax Rebate Resolution Finance Director Yuhas presented a resolution allowing the finance director to approve all tax rebates sent from the Town tax collector, informing Council only of those rebates above the $1,000 threshold. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting of 6/16/25: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried, 5-0-0. 2. Purchasing Policy The council also approved updating the purchasing policy, increasing the bidding requirement from $10,000 to $20,000 and raising the department head purchase order limit from $1,000 to $2,500. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting of 6/16/25: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried, 5-0-0. B. Economic Development 1. Five Corners Stormwater and Tree Planting Update The stormwater project has launched with an ongoing assessment and survey work completed, focusing on identifying causes of flooding in the area. The team is developing a flow model to map flooding intensity and seeking feedback from staff, community members, and council to validate their research. They plan to implement both nature-based and gray infrastructure solutions, including tree planting initiatives and modifications to commercial and residential parking lots to reduce stormwater runoff. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 2. Bridge Street Gateway Demonstration Economic Development Manager Patrick discussed pivoting the Bridge Street pedestrian and bicycle improvement project due to the proposed roundabout at the Bridge Street intersection. They plan to work with Street Plans on a tactical demonstration of improvements along Bridge Street to Thames Street and collaborate with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to assess the roundabout's impact on North Street. The project will now focus on the section leading down to Thames Street instead of the highway on-ramp area, with phase 2 work approved to move forward with the revised design. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of 6/16/25: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried, 6-0-0. C. Boards and Commissions 1. Harbor Management Appointment – E. Couture Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of 6/16/25: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 6-0-0. 2. Harbor Management Alternate Appointment – E. Jay Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of 6/16/25: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 6-0-0. III. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to Enter into Executive Session pursuant CGS 1-200 6(A) Personnel – Police Department: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 6-0-0. Present: Mayor and Council, Captain Lieteau, Jonathan Strong. IN: 6:28pm OUT: 6:36pm *No action out of executive session. IV. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn: Councilor Piazza. Second: Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried, 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:37pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 2