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02/05/2020 08:00 AMAbout two dozen people attended the Annual Town Meeting and joint boards and commissions meeting on Jan. 27 for a summary of the previous fiscal year’s finances and to hear town leaders’ takes on what’s in store for 2020.
The Annual Town Meeting is held each January for the purpose of accepting the annual report and audit for the last fiscal year. The moderator of the evening was Town Council Chairman Chris Aniskovich.
For the annual joint meeting of boards and commissions, which followed the town meeting acceptance of the annual report, representatives of the town’s boards and commissions shared what was accomplished in the last year, and what they hope to focus on in the coming year.
Town Manger Karl Kilduff kicked the meeting off by sharing what he has been focusing on.
“I’m happy to be here as your first town manager and I appreciate the full support of the council,” Kilduff said.
Noting the high-profile developments that are taking place around town, Kilduff said it was bound to be an exciting year in Clinton with lots of work to be done.
“The budget is the single most important thing I’m working on right now,” Kilduff said.
Kilduff mentioned that he has already begun meeting with department heads about the upcoming budget and said the budget would need to be one of “sustainability.”
Representing the Town Council, Aniskoivh said that the council was excited to have Kilduff in town and by what the council will hopefully be able to accomplish. Aniskovich said that under the Board of Selectman-style of government, the top board had to spend energy on items that Kilduff will now be responsible for on his own, which Aniskovich said he hopes will allow the Town Council to better focus on other issues affecting the town.
Police Chief Vincent DeMaio discussed the improved traffic situation at the confluence of Commerce and Grove streets that his department helped remedy.
“We’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from the businesses and the residents who live in that area,” DeMaio said.
DeMaio also said that from the latest numbers provided from him there has been a 20 percent reduction in crime thus far this year.
“We’re very engaged in the community,” DeMaio said.
John Allen of the Economic Development Commission spoke of what he called “serious momentum” that the commission has made over the last few years. Allen said that the commission has formed two groups, a hospitality group and a manufacturers coalition, to address the concerns and needs that businesses in those realms face. The commission is starting the planning process for the return of the summer trolley service in 2020.
As to the potential developments at the old high school and the Unilever property, Allen said, “It looks like both of these things are going to change the aspect of the town.”
Human Services Director David Melillo shared an update on what his department has been working on, as well as some sobering statistics.
Melillo said that according to one measurement, 10 percent of families in Clinton live below the poverty line. That number is second-highest in the region behind only Middletown.
“The amount of poverty, I don’t think people realize that goes on in their own community,” said Melillo.
As for focus areas, Melillo stated the department will look at concerns with senior citizens, as well as vaping and marijuana use among Clinton’s youth. Melillo said the department is also making systematic changes to address suicide.
“This community has been plagued by this issue,” Melillo said.
Registrar of Voters June Hansen noted that 2020 was likely to be an extremely busy year. There is the presidential primary, at least one budget referendum, a state election primary, and a presidential election all on the docket for this year. Hansen added that as of the annual meeting date that there are now more than 10,000 registered voters in Clinton.
Kathy King, the wetlands enforcement officer, blight officer, and zoning enforcement officer in training, stated that she will complete her training in the next few months. Once her training is complete and a newly hired clerk begins working in the land use office, King said that the department will then be able to have more in-depth enforcement efforts.
Other departments that gave updates include the Public Works Department, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Tree Committee, the library, the Building Department, the Design Review Board, and the Harbor Management Commission, the Water Pollution Control Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Historic District Commission.
Hard copies of the Town of Clinton Annual Report are available at the Town Hall.