The first meeting of the new Board of Selectmen (BOS) took place in front of an unusually full house on December 6, 2023. A full agenda meant there were people there to speak, but supporters of the new First Selectman, Bill Morrison, also turned out just to watch. It all started with the pledge of allegiance, led by Cub Scout Evan DaRos. It was a fitting start to a meeting where the role of volunteers and community members was often highlighted.
For instance, David Bachiochi, chairman of the Recreation Commission, presented his plan to bring a recreation director to town. Bachiochi, also a member of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Commission, has long promoted using ARPA funds to bring more recreation opportunities to Stafford. At the BOS meeting, he made his case for needing a recreation director to own programs for kids, young adults, and seniors. He cited significant projects stalled because of a lack of direction and that volunteers carry a heavy load without a clear succession plan.
Bachiochi pointed out that a full-time director could help offset costs by augmenting grants and marketing efforts specific to recreation. However, given budget concerns, Bachiochi also presented an alternative plan that could put some of the duties of a recreation director on existing staff and departments in town.
The BOS took no action. Toward the end of the meeting, however, Morrison explained that he asked the town’s departments to freeze their budgets and come in as close to a 0% increase as possible for next year — except for personnel. So, it’s unlikely that the town will be able to hire a recreation director in the coming year without an alternate funding source (such as ARPA funds).
On a similar budget-related note, the board discussed the possibility for the local boards and commissions to do their own fundraising. Traditionally, the Arts Commission, Economic Development Commission, and other town-affiliated boards are given small budgets. Still, given the current budget concerns, these commissions anticipate drastic cuts in 2024. Morrison said that he looked into whether or not the boards could undertake fundraising initiatives and that it is allowed. Selectman Kurt Vail raised some concerns about vague language that would let the commissions raise funds for “the greatest need” but otherwise expressed support for letting the commissions start fundraising. After a bit of wordsmithing, it seems the town will officially give commissions the go-ahead to start fundraising for specific projects. They voted to table the question until the town’s new Chief Financial Officer had a chance to give his blessing.
Continuing the community theme, Stafford resident Mike Dukette — who works in landscaping — volunteered to maintain the planting in the West Stafford rotary for free. He said he wanted to fertilize, prune, and spray weed control chemicals. The town would still need to mow. He added that he’s fully insured.
Vail said, “I like the cost part of it.” He moved to let Morrison work with Duquette to move forward and check with the state to rule out any possible conflicts.
Referring to the volunteer spirit, Morrison said, “That’s what makes Stafford Stafford.” The board voted to move forward.
The meeting covered a wide-ranging set of topics, and we’ll cover those in other articles, but to continue on this community theme, Roger Ingraham from the Lions Club spoke at the end of the meeting to let the board know that the Lions had recognized Amber Wakley-Whaley, Stafford’s Director of Grants and Community Development, with the Rose Amanda Freeman Award. The award recognizes Lions, spouses, or community members for their extraordinary service to their club or community. Stafford’s Lions Club nominated Wakley-Whaley, and on November 21, District Governor Teri Schlosser presented her with the award in recognition of all the work she does behind the scenes to keep Stafford, its community events, and more running.
One of the new events Wakley-Whaley works on was also on the agenda, as Wakley-Whaley sought the BOS’s approval for the Events and Celebrations Commission to move forward with a Polar Bear Plunge event at Staffordville Lake that would raise funds for the summer rec camp. The BOS voted to give the go-ahead to let planning continue.
Stay tuned for more about the many other conversations from the meeting.
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