Board Watch is a recurring feature designed to provide a concise walk-through of activity as we keep track of the week's civic work. Longer-form articles will appear when issues warrant deeper coverage.

Board of Selectmen regular meeting — July 8, 2026

The Woodbridge Board of Selectmen filled one of the town's most important administrative positions at its regular meeting on July 8, while also taking actions that advance both the Police Department renovation project and the proposed Beecher Road School replacement project. The meeting included approval of an architect recommendation for the police facility project, adoption of additional school construction grant resolutions, discussion of a draft strategic work plan, and updates on several municipal initiatives (see agenda).

The meeting began with remarks from First Selectman Mica Cardozo, who noted the recent passing of Andy Esposito. Cardozo conveyed gratitude for Esposito's decades of service to the Town of Woodbridge and the broader community, and extended condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the Town.

Roberts appointed to succeed Genovese as Administrative Officer

The Board unanimously approved the appointment of Scott Roberts as Woodbridge's next Administrative Officer, concluding a search process that Cardozo said included assistance from the town's contracted executive recruitment firm. Roberts is expected to begin work this week and will succeed Anthony Genovese, who has served for more than a decade in the combined role of Administrative Officer and Finance Director.

Cardozo thanked Genovese for his service in the dual position after serving as Finance Director since 2001, and noted that Genovese will continue serving the town as part-time Finance Director.

The Board also received an update on the search for a new Public Works Director. Cardozo reported that the town has identified a preferred candidate who will next be reviewed by the Board's Personnel Committee before consideration by the full Board of Selectmen at an upcoming meeting.

Town projects year-end surplus

In his role as Finance Director, Genovese reported that the town is expected to close Fiscal Year 2026 with an operating surplus of approximately $97,000 due to stronger-than-anticipated tax collections, grant revenue, building permit activity, and private-duty police receipts helped offset spending pressures.

The Board approved several transfers and funding requests, including additional funding for legal services, police salaries associated with a recently settled union contract, library electricity expenses, and Senior Center operations.

Police renovation project enters planning phase

The Board unanimously approved a recommendation from the Police Building Committee to retain Jacunski Humes Architects (JHA) for the initial planning and design phases of the Police Department renovation project.

Committee members said the recommendation followed a competitive selection process involving six firms. After reviewing qualifications, conducting interviews, and checking references, the committee narrowed the field to two finalists before unanimously selecting JHA.

The initial contract will cover project programming, conceptual design work, and preparation of materials needed for future Board consideration and a potential referendum. Committee members cited the firm's experience with police facilities, familiarity with prior studies of the Woodbridge facility, and favorable references from other municipalities.

Approval of additional Beecher grant resolutions

The Board also considered three resolutions regarding the state's school construction grant process for the proposed Beecher Road School project.  Presenting the resolutions, Selectman Maria Madonick stated that they are procedural actions required by the state because school facilities and central office space are reimbursed through different grant categories.

The resolutions would authorize the Woodbridge Board of Education to pursue grant applications related to central office space, formally designate the Beecher Road School Building Committee as the project's building committee, and authorize preparation of schematic plans and specifications required for state review.

During discussion, Selectman Amey Marrella renewed objections she previously raised regarding Board actions approved earlier this year related to the school facility portion of the project. Marrella argued that the resolutions should more explicitly acknowledge that any school construction project remains subject to voter approval through a future referendum.

Madonick responded that she views voter approval through a referendum as the first of two conditions that would need to be satisfied before construction could proceed. She stated that confirmation of the anticipated state reimbursement level would be the second prerequisite for moving forward with the project. She reiterated that the resolutions do not authorize construction, establish a referendum date, or change the project's estimated cost. Rather, she said, they are administrative and procedural steps required to advance the state's grant review process and preserve the town's eligibility for reimbursement.

With two members absent — Lauren Franchese and Andrea Urbano — the Board approved the resolutions on a 3-1 vote, with Cardozo, Madonick, and Deputy First Selectman Steve Munno voting in favor and Marrella opposed.

Committee recasts strategic plan as work plan

Selectmen received an update on revisions to the document previously circulated as the Board’s draft Strategic Plan. Members of the Strategic Plan Committee explained that public feedback prompted a shift in both the document's title and framing, with the revised version now described as a Strategic Work Plan.

Committee members said several residents observed that the document functions more as an implementation roadmap than a traditional long-range strategic plan. In response, the revised draft incorporates references to the town's Plan of Conservation and Development, adds links to supporting planning documents, and more clearly identifies specific areas of municipal focus.

Cardozo said he intends to work with th eincoming Administrative Officer to develop a complementary administrative plan that would identify priorities, assign responsibilities, and establish timelines for implementing the work plan's objectives. No action was taken on the document, which is expected to return to the Board for further consideration at a future meeting.

Public comment

Cathy Wick, a resident of Rimmon Road, raised questions regarding state reimbursement incentives, grant assumptions, and how a future Beecher Road School referendum would interact with final state funding determinations (see related Letter to the Editor in this week's issue).

Bonnie Blake, a resident of Beecher Road, urged town officials to ensure that the developer of the proposed 27 Beecher Road project complies with all applicable local requirements and receives the same level of review as other applicants. Blake referenced the developer's recent request that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) assume jurisdiction over portions of the project's environmental review. She advocated for the town's Inland Wetlands Agency to retain its role in evaluating the proposal.

Other business

The meeting also included an America250 reading of the Declaration of Independence, approval of consent agenda items, and an update from Town Attorney Nick Bamonte regarding proposed revisions to the town's civil citation ordinance. The proposed changes would expand the town's ability to enforce local regulations through citations rather than court proceedings.

The meeting concluded in time for Board members and attendees to proceed to the Special Town Meeting scheduled for 7:o0 p.m. in the nearby Center Gym. Click below to watch WGATV's full recording of the July 8, 2026 BOS meeting.

Special Town Meeting — July 8, 2026

Woodbridge residents unanimously approved a long-term ground lease agreement for the town-owned Lucy Street property where a senior housing complex is located during a July 8 Special Town Meeting (STM) attended by more than 100 registered voters. Under the Town Charter, attendance by at least 100 voters was required in order for the vote to be valid.

The vote authorizes a partnership with New Samaritan Corporation that town officials say will preserve affordable housing, modernize aging facilities, and protect the property's long-term future (see meeting notice).

The approval allows the town to move forward with a lease arrangement under which New Samaritan will undertake a substantial rehabilitation of the 30-unit elderly housing complex on Lucy Street while the Town of Woodbridge retains ownership of the land. The proposal had previously been endorsed by the Board of Selectmen and was presented to voters at the STM for final approval.

First Selectman Mica Cardozo described the agreement as a way to address significant capital needs at the property without requiring the town to finance and manage a major renovation project itself. He said the arrangement would allow the town to leverage outside housing expertise and state funding while preserving an important community asset that provides housing opportunities for older residents seeking to remain in Woodbridge.

Representatives of New Samaritan and project partners explained that the proposal emerged after concerns were raised about a previous plan for the long-term future of the property and the potential loss of affordable housing opportunities. Discussions involving the town, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, and New Samaritan ultimately produced an alternative plan focused on preserving and improving the existing development.

A key feature of the proposal is the expansion of affordability protections. Officials explained that all 30 apartments would become deed-restricted affordable housing units under the new arrangement. Currently, only six units carry formal affordability restrictions. Existing residents would be allowed to remain in their apartments regardless of whether they meet future income requirements, with affordability standards applying as units turn over.

Meeting participants were told that the project would be supported by approximately $3.5 million in state-assisted investment and would include extensive upgrades throughout the complex. Planned improvements include replacement of roofs, windows, doors, and fencing; parking lot and sidewalk repairs; accessibility enhancements designed to help residents age in place; renovations to the community room and common areas; modernization of laundry facilities; and bathroom upgrades within individual apartments, including installation of walk-in showers where appropriate.

Project representatives also described plans to establish capital reserves intended to support future maintenance and reduce the likelihood that major repairs will be deferred in the years ahead.

During the discussion period of the meeting, residents raised questions about the structure of the lease, long-term oversight of the property, resident protections, affordability requirements, and planned improvements. Town and project officials responded that the agreement includes provisions intended to preserve the property's use as elderly housing while ensuring that existing tenants are not displaced as renovations and affordability restrictions are implemented.

Officials also explained that New Samaritan would assume responsibility for operating and maintaining the property while making annual payments to the town under terms previously reviewed by the Board of Selectmen (see WTC article June 15, 2026).

Supporters of the proposal spoke at the meeting to emphasize the importance of maintaining housing options for older residents and argued that the partnership offers a practical path toward preserving a valuable community resource that might otherwise face increasing maintenance challenges.

Following discussion, Town Meeting Moderator Jeffrey Ginzberg called for a vote. Residents approved the proposal unanimously, authorizing the lease agreement and allowing the project to move forward.

The action represents one of the Town's most significant recent affordable housing initiatives. Once implemented, the agreement will preserve all 30 existing units, expand affordability protections throughout the complex, and fund major improvements intended to extend the useful life of a property that has served Woodbridge seniors for decades.

➡️ For historical context: The Lucy Street housing complex's history is tied to a longtime Woodbridge benefactor who helped shape both education and housing in the community. Read more at TownHistory.org — From schools to housing, tracing the legacy of William Hotchkiss Warner

Click below to watch WGATV's full recording of the July 8, 2026 Special Town Meeting.