Middlebury Selectmen Reject Hawkeye Farm Committee, Approve Mailbox Damage Policy

MIDDLEBURY, CT — The Middlebury Board of Selectmen failed to approve a proposed eight-member study committee for Hawkeye Farm during its Oct. 26 meeting after a motion by First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr received no second.

The proposed committee would have studied Hawkeye Farm, located at 352 Judd Hill Road.

Mahr proposed appointing Nick Stuller, Chris Ambrosio, Laurie Burk, Sally Romano, Kerry Baldwin, Bruce Richardson, Terry McAuliffe and Kara Collins to the committee.

The motion failed without a vote because neither Selectman J. Paul Vance nor Selectman Brian Shaban seconded it.

Selectmen Approve Mailbox Installation And Winter Damage Policy

The board unanimously approved a new Mailbox Installation and Winter Damage Policy, adopting the proposed document as written.

Vance made the motion, which Shaban seconded. All three selectmen voted in favor.

Board Approves Subdivision Bond Release

Selectmen unanimously approved the release of a bond for the Vincent McDonald Trustee Subdivision at Middlebury Road and Ferndale Avenue.

Mahr made the motion to release the bond according to an accompanying resolution. Vance seconded the motion, and the board approved it unanimously.

Zoning Board Chairman Reappointed

The board unanimously approved the appointment of Bryan A. Ferrucci, a Democrat, to another five-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals, beginning Nov. 5, 2026, and ending Nov. 5, 2031.

Mahr said Ferrucci was the current chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and wished to remain in the position.

Mahr moved to approve the appointment, Vance seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

The board also unanimously accepted the resignation of Jessica Schirano, a Democrat, from the Middlebury Beautification Committee, effective Oct. 20.

Mahr made the motion, which Vance seconded.

Legal Firm Interviews Rescheduled For Nov. 2

Mahr announced that a scheduled interview with the law firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C., had been canceled.

She said three legal firms would instead be interviewed at the board's next meeting, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2.

Selectmen Approve 2027 Meeting Schedule And Tax Rebates

The board unanimously approved its proposed 2027 meeting schedule following a motion by Mahr, seconded by Vance.

Selectmen also unanimously approved four tax rebates for Toyota Lease Trust totaling $1,436.56. The individual rebates were $617.31, $329.85, $220.41 and $268.99.

Mahr made the rebate motion, which Shaban seconded.

The board also unanimously approved the minutes of its Oct. 5 meeting.

Next Meeting Scheduled For Nov. 2

Mahr, Vance and Shaban attended the Oct. 26 meeting, with Vance participating remotely via Zoom.

Board of Finance Chairman Vincent Cipriano and Marjorie Needham of the Bee-Intelligencer also attended.

The meeting began at 5 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room and adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

The next regular Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.