Groton Town Council Committee of the Whole - 10/13/26

The Groton Town Council Committee of the Whole met on October 13, 2026. It unanimously (8–0) recommended endorsing Avalonia Land Conservancy’s application for a state OSWA land-acquisition grant to purchase 102.17 acres. The state grant could cover 75% of the purchase price, with Avalonia providing the match; the town would incur no purchase cost, though the property would result in a minimal loss of tax revenue. The council also unanimously (8–0) recommended accepting a $156,240 Recreation Trails grant and a $16,667 Sustainable CT climate-leader award, with both items referred to the RTM. Potential uses for the Sustainable CT funds include park shade structures or trees, EV charging, and community-center improvements; no project was selected at this meeting. The council also unanimously (8–0) recommended accepting a $150,000 Neighborhood Assistance Act award for the Community Center, with another $150,000 expected for the 2026 program.

The council considered a request for an additional $100,000 from general-fund contingency for the Human Services general-assistance fund, citing increased requests for food, utilities, rent, and heating assistance; the transcript does not capture a vote on that item. The Beautification Committee presented its volunteer landscaping and public-art work and discussed possible future funding, including a potential capital improvement plan, but no funding action was taken. No contracts, vendor selections, or bids were discussed.