Haddam Selectmen Approve Public Works Hire, Commission Appointments And $3K In Tax Refunds

HADDAM, CT — The Haddam Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the hiring of a Public Works employee, appointed two residents to town commissions and authorized $3,432.13 in tax refunds during its Oct. 13 meeting.

The board also heard residents' concerns about road conditions, firehouse access and future land use in Haddam Neck.

First Selectman Sean Donlan and Selectman Peter Baird attended the meeting. Selectwoman Kate Anderson was absent.

Public Works Hire And Commission Appointments Approved

The board unanimously approved hiring John Belz as a Public Works maintainer.

Donlan made the motion, which passed following a brief discussion..

Selectmen also approved two commission appointments.

Stacey Kinney was unanimously appointed to the Connecticut River Gateway Commission, while Seth Thomen was unanimously appointed to the Higganum Cove Preserve Commission. Donlan made both motions.

With Anderson absent, both selectmen present voted in favor of the actions.

Selectmen Approve Tax Refunds

The board unanimously authorized $3,432.13 in property tax refunds for September 2026.

Baird made the motion, which passed without discussion.

The refunds included $2,115.02 in motor vehicle taxes, $1,234.19 in real estate taxes, $52.48 in supplemental motor vehicle taxes and $30.44 in personal property taxes.

The refund schedule identifies individual taxpayers and the amounts to be returned.

Residents Raise Concerns About Roads And Land Use

During public comment, several residents raised concerns about road conditions and development issues.

Diane McHutchinson said the driveway entrance to the firehouse along Route 154 is difficult to locate after dark and asked whether lighting could be installed.

Carl Charest praised recent paving work on Quarry Hill Road but questioned whether cracks in the pavement could allow water to freeze and damage the road.

Cynthia Boulay reported a large pothole on Injun Hollow Road.

Lydia Brewster discussed the town's Plan of Conservation and Development as it relates to Haddam Neck.

Brewster said residents involved in the planning process oppose additional nuclear waste storage in Haddam Neck and do not want data centers in the area.

She also said she was seeking historical documents concerning commitments against additional nuclear waste deposits and a promise by Connecticut Yankee to convert land to conservation use.

Regional School Board Reports High School Renovation Referendum Results

The selectmen received a written update on Regional School District 17, including the Sept. 24 referendum approving a proposed renovation of Haddam-Killingworth High School.

According to the report, district voters approved the project 1,447 to 1,407, a margin of 40 votes.

Haddam voters supported the proposal 858 to 707, while Killingworth voters opposed it 700 to 589.

The referendum authorized an appropriation of $151.9 million for renovations and improvements to the high school and bonds or notes of up to $77.2 million, with borrowing to be reduced by grants received.

Reported voter turnout was approximately 25 percent.

The school board update also said that 91 percent of the high school's Class of 2026 planned to continue their formal education and that students submitted college applications with an overall acceptance rate of 78.8 percent.

The district reported that all planned summer facilities projects were completed, although officials were working with vendors to address a problem with the Burr Elementary School gym floor.

The Board of Education also approved a revised job description for a director overseeing facilities, safety, security and transportation, with a salary range of $140,000 to $160,000.

According to the report, additional salary costs would be offset within the existing district budget.

The school district continued reviewing its fiscal 2025 financial audit, transportation arrangements, health insurance options and long-term capital plan.

These matters were included in the school board's written report to the selectmen, rather than presented as new actions by the Board of Selectmen.

Next Meeting

The selectmen unanimously approved the agenda and the minutes of their Sept. 14 meeting.

The Oct. 13 meeting was held at the Haddam Neck Fire House, 50 Rock Landing Road, and adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Town Hall.