Groton Resource Recovery Authority, Groton Town Council C.O.W. & Special Town Council - 7/28/26

The Groton Town Council and Groton Resource Recovery Authority held a joint meeting on July 28, 2026, focusing on several procurement and budget-related topics. Key discussions included the approval of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program income reuse plans and applications, notably a $2.5 million grant application for the Groton Heights School adaptive reuse and revitalization project. The council also reviewed and approved updates to transfer station fee structures, including eliminating the tire disposal fee due to new state laws and adjusting residential permit fees to better cover costs and reduce abuse of the system. The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCARA) presented on waste management contracts expiring in 2030 and introduced a new commercial-scale food waste composting facility funded largely by state and federal grants. Additional procurement-related actions included acceptance of several grants: a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant for a robotics practice field, a $100,000 USDA Farm to School Implementation Grant, and a $191,030 Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Grant for school cybersecurity enhancements. The council approved updated job descriptions for a lead telecommunicator and golf professional, with the latter including a new merchandise revenue-sharing model. Finally, the council authorized reallocating $200,000 in ARPA funds from housing rehabilitation to the Sutton Park revitalization project to ensure full project funding. Motions related to these items were unanimously approved, reflecting a focus on infrastructure improvements, grant funding, and operational cost management.