City government records the meetings and posts them to YouTube. The meetings also play on Comcast’s channel 10.
The meeting is led by Lorie Vaccaro, president of the Board of Aldermen.
Among the highlights:
- During the public comment portion at the start of the meeting, Ansonia resident Beverly Tidmarsh expresses her disappointment that the city’s contribution to the Boys & Girls Club was eliminated from the recently-adopted city budget. She noted the organization serves 200 kids in the community.
- During the public comment portion, parent Jeremy Musnicki asked the Aldermen to “invoke a vote of no confidence” against Carol Merlone, the Ansonia Superintendent of Public Schools. He presented a petition with more than 100 signatures. Musnicki wanted the vote because the school district recently said they would have to close early because of a funding dispute with the Board of Aldermen — but then education officials quickly backed off the assertion.
The school district is currently suing the city over the Aldermen’s education allocation.
There is also a petition circulating in Ansonia showing support for the superintendent. Click here to read a story from the Register.
The Aldermen and board of education are separate entities, according to state law, so the Aldermen have little power over the school district’s leader.
- Mayor David Cassetti made a public comment of his own, reading from a statement during which he congratulated the Aldermen for keeping the mill rate stable. The mayor also acknowledged this year is a state-mandated revaluation of property in Ansonia, something that happens every five years. That means if a home owner’s property value goes up, so will your tax bill, even if the mill rate remains steady. If a homeowner’s property value decreases, so will the annual tax bill. Check with the assessor’s office for more information.
- Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley said the EPA is continuing a cleanup of contamination at the former Ansonia Copper & Brass. The property is a long way from being redeveloped.
- A commercial development announced in 2016 next to Target has not moved forward, but it’s not dead.The property owner is working with Target to acquire easements connected to the land needed to access it. There is no timeline as to when it will move forward.
- The Wakelee Avenue reconstruction project is moving along on schedule.
Click the video to watch the complete meeting.
