Selectmen schedule July 8 Special Town Meeting on Warner housing lease

The Woodbridge Board of Selectmen spent much of its regular June 10 meeting addressing several ongoing community issues, including a proposal for a new land lease for the William Warner elderly housing complex on Lucy Street, questions surrounding a potential proposal for lights at the Acorn Hill ballfields, and public outreach efforts related to the proposed Beecher Road School replacement project.

The meeting also featured extensive public comment on these and other topics and concluded with an executive session concerning personnel matters including those related to the search for the Town’s next Administrative Officer after the retirement of Tony Genovese from this role at the end of June, after which Genovese will continue his role as Director of Finance in a part-time capacity (see agenda).

The meeting began with remarks from First Selectman Mica Cardozo, followed by the Administrative Officer and Director of Finance report, which included the town's monthly financial update, funding requests, and discussion of a bid award for catch basin cleaning. The Board then heard from Conservation Commission chair Sharon deKadt regarding a proposed Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Forest Resiliency Grant application.

DeKadt explained that the commission is seeking up to $150,000 in grant funding for each of two town-owned properties — the Fitzgerald property and the former Country Club of Woodbridge parcel — to support invasive species management, habitat restoration, and long-term forest health. She requested a letter of support from the Board to strengthen the town's application, emphasizing that grant reviewers consider evidence of local commitment to conservation and long-term stewardship of the affected land. Selectmen expressed interest in the proposal and asked the commission to return with maps and additional details before the Board considers issuing support letters at a future meeting.

Public Hearing and Public Comment

Following those reports, the Board conducted a scheduled public hearing on the Town's 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Act applications. No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and after closing the hearing the Selectmen voted unanimously to approve and forward both applications to the state for consideration. 

The meeting then moved into an unusually lengthy public comment period lasting approximately 75 minutes. Members of the public spoke regarding several topics, including the proposed transfer of William Warner Village to New Samaritan Corporation with residents there urging town officials to approve the proposed transfer citing planned capital improvements and expanded support services they hope will be available to residents under New Samaritan's management.

The majority of public comment was devoted to discussion of a proposal being advanced by the BethWood Baseball league to install field lights at the Acorn Hill ballfields. Residents both supporting and opposing that proposal addressed the Board, with opponents raising concerns about neighborhood impacts, historical commitments made when the fields were approved in the 1990s, and the process used to gather public support. Several speakers urged the Board to require additional information and public review before considering any change to existing restrictions. 

After concluding public comment the Board moved on with its agenda. A proposed agreement concerning Amity’s Room 16 program, revised after the Board's previous consideration (see WTC article May 18, 2026), was again tabled after Board members identified several issues requiring revision, including language relating to employee screening requirements and indemnification provisions. The item is expected to return to a future meeting agenda.

Special Town Meeting set for July 8

Among the evening’s formal actions, Selectmen unanimously voted to call a Special Town Meeting for July 8 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the proposed land lease arrangement for the William Warner complex to New Samaritan Corporation (see WTC article May 18, 2026). The Board also agreed that the lease documents should be made publicly available prior to the Special Town Meeting so residents can review the proposal in advance (these documents were not available yet on the Town website at press time).

Discussion of the lease focused largely on the structure of the agreement and related affordability provisions. Selectman Amy Marrella raised several questions regarding lease language, including provisions governing future affordability requirements and the relationship between the proposed long-term ground lease and a separate tax agreement. It was noted that while the ground lease would extend for 70 years with an option for an additional 30-year extension, the associated tax agreement is limited by state statute to a maximum term of 30 years, according to town counsel.

Process discussion regarding Acorn Hill ballfield lights

Another topic of significant discussion by the Selectmen centered on the request to explore installation of lights at the Acorn Hill ballfields. While no formal proposal was before the Board, several Selectmen discussed how the town should evaluate the issue moving forward.

Cardozo stated that historical documentation appears to show that the absence of field lighting was among the original conditions associated with development of the ballfields at this location. Board members generally agreed that additional information and public discussion would be needed before any future decision could be considered.

Cardozo also noted that Town Counsel had advised that several procedural options could be available if the issue advances, including action by the Board of Selectmen, a Special Town Meeting, or potentially a town-wide referendum. Speaking only for himself, Cardozo said that based on what he had heard so far, a referendum “might be the direction to go,” while emphasizing that the discussion remains in its early stages and that additional information and public input would be needed first. 

Marrella expressed reservations about a referendum approach, arguing that the issue risks becoming unnecessarily divisive and should not be reduced to a contest of competing turnout efforts. Marrella suggested that the discussion should focus on commitments made when the fields were originally approved and voiced concern that a town-wide vote could leave nearby residents at a disadvantage because the impacts of any decision would be concentrated in a single neighborhood. 

Deputy First Selectman Steve Munno urged an evaluation of recreation needs more broadly rather than treating the issue as a simple yes-or-no decision regarding Acorn Hill. He suggested a more comprehensive review of field capacity, evening sports needs, and alternative locations before considering any specific solution.

Beecher Road School project update

The Board also received an update on the Beecher Road School building project. Selectman Maria Madonick, in her role as liaison to the Beecher Building Committee, outlined ongoing public outreach efforts, including the most recent building committee meeting (see related WTC article) and future meetings with building tours scheduled for June 16 and June 23. Madonick said additional school tours and community engagement opportunities will be planned this summer. She also reported that updated project cost estimates prepared by an independent cost-estimating firm are expected to be presented at the committee's June 23 meeting. In addition, she said project representatives are scheduled to meet with bond counsel regarding the referendum process as preparation of the project's state grant application continues.

Discussion then broadened into a conversation about how residents should be informed before any future referendum. Marrella and Selectman Andrea Urbano both suggested that residents would benefit from understanding not only the proposed Beecher project itself, but also other major infrastructure needs facing the town, including police facilities, municipal building roofs, and other future capital projects.

Update items postponed, approval of raises, executive session

As the lengthy meeting progressed, Selectmen agreed to postpone scheduled updates on infrastructure projects and from the Strategic Plan Committee due to time constraints. The Board then approved a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for non-union full-time and regular part-time employees and approved the consent agenda before entering into an executive session convened to discuss personnel matters involving the Director of Public Works position and the ongoing Administrative Officer search process, according to the published agenda (see Editor's Note, below).

Board of Selectmen meetings are open to the public and usually streamed live on the town's YouTube channel, WGATV79. Click below to watch the full recording of the June 10, 2026 meeting.

Editor’s Note: The publicly available WGATV livestream recording of this meeting ends before viewers can see the motion and vote to enter executive session. As of publication, the recording does not show a return to open session, a statement regarding whether any actions were taken following executive session, or a motion to adjourn. In some prior town meeting recordings involving executive sessions, WGATV has provided a brief closing note or end card indicating the time the Board returned to public session, whether any votes were taken, and the time of adjournment. As of publication the minutes of the meeting — expected to include these details — had not yet been posted on the Town website.