Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES JUNE 20, 2023 The Borough of Naugatuck held the Board of Mayor and Burgesses meeting on a hybrid basis. Everyone was welcomed to attend in person, by Zoom Webinar or by phone. 1. Mayor “Pete” Hess called the special meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: R. Neth, virtual G. Mudry, virtual, arr. 7:18 p.m. M. Bronko, virtual D. Neth-Kunin F. Dambowsky M. Smith, virtual PRESS: C. Marenghi R. Vitale A. Yilma J. Mizeski DEPARTMENT HEADS: RESIDENTS: J. Stewart, Public Works Director Unable to determine due to the format OTHERS: N. Kulikauskas, Kleinfelder L. Wehry, IT Assistant M. Cegan, Richter &Cegan J. Lennon, DPW Foreman 2. Burgess Jan J. Mizeski led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. Mayor Hess said this is the third and hopefully the final review of the plan for the downtown project. It resolves stormwater and sanitary water issues. The project is fixing the infrastructure and paving the way for new development downtown. There will be major upgrades to our streetscape on Church Street and Maple Street. Neil Kulikauskas from Kleinfelder and Michael Cegan from Richter & Cegan gave a presentation on the Downtown Infrastructure and Development Plan/Street Scape Improvements. Mr. Kulikauskas is the senior program manager for Kleinfelder. He said there are significant drainage issues downtown. They studied the system and have three goals: to fix the issues, to make sure the surrounding infrastructure can support new development, and to extend the system to redirect the stormwater flow away from Parcel B. The drainage system has broken pipes and segmented pipes. The size of the pipes will be increased on Church Street and Maple Street and extended further north. They will incorporate stormwater quality throughout the project. Mayor Hess said there are green aspects to the project. The board will vote on a $535,000 grant this evening that will reduce the cost to implement green design into the project. New trees will have a filtration system that will improve the water quality going into the river. Mr. Kulikauskas said by fixing the Maple Street issues, stormwater will no longer go to Parcel B. We will have new gas lines, new water lines, new Frontier lines and new drainage pipes on Church Street. They spoke to most business owners and business access will be maintained. Parking will be an issue while contractors are working. Mr. Cegan is a landscape architect for Richter & Cegan. The plan is to create a more festive and inviting pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The start of the design plan is at the intersection of Church Street and Rubber Avenue, extends down Church Street  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – June 20, 2023 north across the green onto Division Street in front of town hall, and extends from the intersection of Church Street and Maple Street all the way to the bridge. They took a comprehensive look at downtown: from the roadway pavement, traffic, increasing and improving pedestrian circulation, widening sidewalks and crosswalks. The plan takes into consideration new projects such as Parcels A & B and the new train station. Streetscape improvements include brick sidewalks, removing trees and replacing with appropriate street trees, different types of lighting with specialty and ornamental lighting, benches and opportunities for sculpture. The Maple Street Bridge roadway will have the existing pavers removed and replaced with a pavement system similar to the modern crosswalks with color added. Mr. Kulikauskas said the total cost of the project is $14,800,000. The project will be paid through ARPA Funds and TIF Funds. It will go out to bid this summer and awarded in September. Construction should begin in October. The project is anticipated to be completed by spring 2025. Burgess George Mudry arrived 7:18 p.m. 4. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Burgess Marenghi and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses instruct Public Works Director James Stewart and town staff to put out to bid the plans for the Downtown Sanitary, Stormwater and Streetscape Improvement Project. 5. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Burgess Marenghi and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to sign and accept a grant agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the downtown development project. 6. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Burgess Marenghi and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize the payment of $7,500 from the 2023 FY Surplus to provide supplemental funding for the Connecticut Youth Employment Program and one additional person for the River Brigade. 7. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Burgess Marenghi and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin to adjourn the special meeting at 7:29 p.m. A digital recording of this meeting is available in the office of the Borough Clerk for further review. Attest: Nancy K. DiMeo Borough Clerk