Clinton Town Council To Consider School Project Contract, Police Boat Grant Partnership

CLINTON, CT — The Clinton Town Council is scheduled to consider awarding a contract for the next phase of the Jared Eliot Middle School window wall and heating unit replacement project when it meets Wednesday, July 15, at Town Hall. The council will also review a proposed regional marine safety grant application with the Madison Police Department, receive updates on the town's Harbor Management Plan and the Henry Carter Hull Library project, and make several board and commission appointments.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Green Room. Council members are expected to review the School Building Committee's recommendation to award a contract for programming, conceptual design and cost estimating services for the Jared Eliot Middle School project, the next step in planning improvements to the building's window walls and heating units.

The council also is scheduled to consider approving a memorandum of understanding that would allow the Clinton Police Department and Madison Police Department to jointly apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Port Security Grant. According to a memorandum from Deputy Police Chief Kenneth Cain, the grant would fund 75 percent of the estimated $638,705 cost of a new SAFE 29 Walk Around Cabin response vessel. Under the proposed agreement, Clinton and Madison would split the remaining 25 percent local match, leaving each town responsible for about $79,838. Cain said Clinton expects proceeds from selling its current 25-foot SAFE Boat to significantly reduce or eliminate the town's share of the cost while avoiding a planned $79,000 capital request for replacement boat motors in fiscal year 2027.

The proposed vessel would serve Clinton, Madison and surrounding shoreline communities by supporting maritime security, emergency response, search and rescue operations, boating safety patrols and law enforcement activities on Long Island Sound, according to the memorandum. Council approval is needed before the grant application can be submitted ahead of the July 24 federal deadline.

See Also: Clinton School Building Committee Recommends Firm For Jared Eliot Middle School Project

Council members are also expected to receive updates on the Harbor Management Plan and the Henry Carter Hull Library project. Finance Director Andrea Celentano is scheduled to present her monthly report, which states that the town is projected to meet its fiscal year 2025-26 revenue target, estimates an unassigned fund balance of approximately $14.2 million — about 21 percent of the 2026-27 budget — and notes that the final year-end budget transfer request will be presented at the council's Aug. 19 meeting.

The agenda also includes appointments of Lee Carr to the Harbor Management Commission through June 30, 2030; Jill Feltus to the Human Services Advisory Board through June 30, 2029; and Judy Roberts to the Beautification Committee through June 30, 2028. The meeting will conclude with reports from the town manager, council chairman and committee liaisons, followed by council discussion.