There will be a Special Town Meeting on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Redding Community Center. The purpose of the Special Town Meeting is to consider and vote on the funding of American Rescue Plan projects and to consider and vote on funding the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust.
See below for a description of the items being voted on. Each item will be voted on separately.
Electors of the Town of Redding and property owners whose names appear on the last-completed Grand List are eligible to vote at the Special Town Meeting. Voters must present a valid ID to the Registrar of Voters. The Registrars will be available to check voters in at 6:30 p.m.
GEORGETOWN VILLAGE SIGNAGE
Use of ARPA Funding of up to $15,000 for the installation of signs as proposed by the Georgetown Village Restoration Inc., subject to state approval.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF REDDING-EASTON IMPROVEMENTS
Use of ARPA funding of up to $100,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Redding Easton for a project - $80,000 in capital expenses and $20,000 in non-capital expenses as detailed in the ARPA working group minutes of 06/23/22.
REDDING GRANGE #15
Use of ARPA funding of up to $45,000 for construction on the second floor of the Redding Grange to include building an ADA compliant restroom, installation of air conditioning, and improvements to the electrical wiring.
HERITAGE CENTER RETRACTABLE WALL
Use of ARPA funding of up to $60,000 for the installation of a retractable room divider in the Heritage Center at Redding Community Center.
BOARD OF EDUCATION LOTS PROJECT (Lifelong Learning, On-going Assessment, Teacher Training, Safe Spaces)
Use of ARPA funding of up to $83,000 for the Board of Education LOTS program. The four-part project will improve and create appropriate learning spaces for students that need to regulate their emotions and feelings in order to be successful in the classroom. Funding will equip the spaces with advanced materials suitable for regulation and flexible learning. The project will be anchored in training for RES certified and non-certified staff as well as classroom materials to support post pandemic learners. Materials to support these learners have changed. This will give the teachers proper support needed to reinforce self-regulation, calming techniques, and social emotional learning. Finally, the project will embrace new tracking and logging mechanisms to enhance learning and on-going assessment.
Part I: Safe physical and emotional spaces
Part II: Teaching Techniques & Strategies; Equipping Staff
Part III: Student Materials for Success
Part IV: Technology to Track & Monitor Progress
TOPSTONE PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Use of ARPA funding of up to $150,000 for improvements to Topstone Park, such improvements to be planned under the direction of the Park & Recreation Commission, subject to regulatory approvals, including the recommendations made by the Planning Commission in its report and minutes dated September 13, 2022.
Use of ARPA funding of up to $200,000 for the New Pond Farm restoration of wetlands, with such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen may specify and with the additional conditions:
1. The grant is contingent on New Pond Farm first obtaining all required approvals and permits.
2. The grant payment is not to exceed ½ of the total cost of the project, and
3. New Pond Farm will provide residents with day passes to its property in a mutually acceptable manner.
MARK TWAIN LIBRARY PROJECT
Use of ARPA funding of up to $200,000 for the Mark Twain Library to support the outdoor patio project, with such terms and conditions the Board of Selectmen may specify and with the additional conditions:
1. The grant is contingent on the Mark Twain Library first obtaining all required regulatory permits and approvals for the project.
2. The grant payment is not to exceed ½ of the total cost of the project.
PICKLEBALL COURTS
Use of ARPA funding of $113,000 to construct two pickleball courts at the Redding Community Center in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen.
BARLOW ‘NEST’ (JOEL BARLOW COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT)
Use of ARPA funding of up to $250,000 for the Region 9 School District to undertake the Barlow Fields Improvement Project , with such terms and conditions the Board of Selectmen may specify and with the additional condition that the monies be held by the Selectmen for up to one year and released only if the Board of Selectmen determines that:
- Plans have been created for the construction of a building at the stadium that provides an ADA compliant restroom with related septic facilities, team rooms, and a functional kitchen.
- Bids based on the plans are obtained.
- All necessary approvals from Zoning Commission, Health Department, Planning Commission, and the Region 9 Board of Education are obtained.
- There is a certainty that funds identified from both government and private sources are sufficient to complete the project.
- The Town of Easton and/or Easton residents have provided a commitment of proportional funds.
OPEB TRUST (Other Post-Employment Benefits)
To approve that the Town of Redding fund the OPEB TRUST for a total of $300,000 for FY 2022-2023 through four installments of $75,000 transferred from the unassigned fund balance. The funding will be invested following the investment policy statement and target allocation established by the OPEB Trust Board.
Project details can be viewed in the minutes of both the ARPA Working Group and the Board of Selectmen, found on the town website at: www.townofreddingct.org