Town Council Meeting 09/08/2026

I want to thank our town staff for taking the time to compile and print the emails we received from residents regarding the budget process. I also want to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback. We will have this as a discussion item at a future Council meeting.

I’d also like to welcome our staff and students back.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the passing of former Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman. Nancy gave many years of service to our town and to the State of Connecticut, including her time on the Board of Education, as a State Representative, State Comptroller, and Lieutenant Governor. She brought great honor to our community through her service. My thoughts and condolences are with her family. She will be missed.

BOE Meeting 09/23/2026

I want to welcome everyone back for another school year. It was great to hear from our student representatives about the activities getting underway, including DECA, Mock Trial, and the many events planned for students.

I also want to recognize the ongoing work around our budget and capital planning. We had a good discussion about the role of technology in the capital plan, as well as security, facilities, and some of the larger projects planned over the next several years. These are important conversations as we continue to look at the long-term needs of our schools and students.

I appreciate the work being done by our administration and staff to manage the budget while continuing to meet the needs of our schools. I also want to thank everyone involved in the ongoing negotiations with our teachers and paraprofessionals.

There is a lot happening as we begin the new school year, and I look forward to continuing the work ahead.

PZC Meeting 09/18/2026

We had a productive meeting with several items moving forward.

We held a public hearing on proposed changes to the Tolland Business Park setback requirements. The change is intended to provide more flexibility for some of the smaller remaining lots in the Business Park while still maintaining appropriate buffers from residential areas. After the hearing, the Commission approved the proposed changes.

We also released the bond for 140 Tolland Stage Road, where the required site improvements have been completed and inspected.

We received a new Special Permit application for a major home occupation at 259 Babcock Road and scheduled a public hearing for September 28th.

We also had some good discussion about economic development and housing in town. The Economic Development Commission continues to work on attracting businesses and is looking at ways to improve wayfinding and increase 55+ housing opportunities. We also discussed the ongoing regional housing work through CRCOG and the state’s housing requirements, which will be an important issue for the Commission in the months ahead.

Overall, there is a lot of work underway, and I appreciate the time and effort of our Commission members and staff as we continue working on planning and zoning matters for the town.

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting 08/27/2026

We had a straightforward meeting with one public hearing before the Board.

We heard a variance request for 35 Charles Street involving the location of a proposed garage. The applicant explained that a variance had previously been approved, but a final survey showed that the garage was slightly closer to the side property line than originally approved. After hearing from the applicant and receiving a letter of support from the neighbors, the Board approved the additional variance based on the location of the septic system.

We also spent some time discussing commissioner training and the process for conducting site walks. Staff reminded us that site walks can be scheduled when commissioners feel they would be helpful in reviewing an application.

I appreciate the Board members and staff for their continued work and attention to these applications.

October is a very busy month, and with Election Day quickly approaching, our campaigns are in full swing. There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm across Tolland, and I want to thank everyone who has been volunteering, making calls, knocking on doors, putting up signs, and helping get our message out to voters.

This year, Tolland has three Democratic candidates running for the State Legislature: Ethan Werstler for State Senate, Michelle Doucette Cunningham for State Representative in the 53rd District, and Francis Lombard for State Representative in the 8th District.

Tolland has had an all-Republican delegation representing us at the state level. This election gives us an opportunity to offer voters a different choice and to elect Democratic representation from Tolland.

There is still a lot of work to do between now and Election Day. I encourage everyone who can to get involved and support Ethan, Michelle, and Francis. Whether it’s knocking doors, making phone calls, putting up signs, talking with friends and neighbors, or helping at an event, every effort makes a difference.

Let’s keep the momentum going, support our candidates, and work together through Election Day.