Updates from the First Selectman

Here are some updates on what is happening in Scotland.

Construction has begun on the Bass Road Bridge and the northern Brook Road Bridge. Arborio Construction of Cromwell was awarded the contracts for both bridges.

SLR International of Glastonbury will provide inspection and consulting services for the Brook Road Bridges, while Cardinal Engineering of Meriden will provide inspection and consulting services for the Bass Road Bridge.

Construction trailers for both projects will be located on the town field across from the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department.

Construction is expected to be completed by early next year. Work on the Gager Hill Bridge and the southern Brook Road Bridge is scheduled to begin in 2027.

One major issue we are currently working to resolve with DEEP is their requirement that work on the Brook Road Bridge not take place between October 1 and July 1. This restriction could delay construction for almost a year. We are meeting with DEEP to see if there is a way to address this issue and keep the project moving forward.

The Town also applied for and received $736,500 in grant funding for the Kemp Road Bridge. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.

We are continuing to work toward starting the Town Hall Renovation Project. The project was put out to bid, but the bids came back significantly higher than the amount of grant funding currently available.

The Committee and the Architect are working with the State Historic Preservation Office to review various construction requirements and identify opportunities for value engineering in order to reduce project costs while maintaining the integrity of the building.

In addition, we applied for another grant through CIF. We expect to know by the end of September whether the Town will receive additional funding from the State.

The Town will be purchasing a new plow truck from Freightliner in East Hartford through the State Contract, which will save the Town tens of thousands of dollars.

The new truck will have a stainless-steel body and an 11-foot plow.

The Public Safety Building/Community Center has recently completed major renovations and improvements.

The Fire Department received grants to install a vehicle exhaust removal system, helping to protect firefighters from harmful exhaust and avoid potential OSHA fines. The Fire Department also received a grant to fund the required replacement of the 30-year-old fire alarm system.

Through STEAP grants, the Public Safety Building was able to complete several additional improvements, including the removal of the underground fuel tank, which had been required to be removed for approximately ten years. The grants also funded the installation of new air-conditioning units and controllers, new windows and doors, replacement of deteriorating Fire Department bay doors, upgraded locking systems, and a new handicap-accessible front-door opener.

These grant-funded projects have made significant improvements to the safety, accessibility, and overall condition of the Public Safety Building/Community Center while minimizing the financial impact on local taxpayers.

The Town celebrated the 250th anniversary with a full day of activities at the Huntington Homestead on July 4th, followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Town Hall on July 8th.

Both events were very well received and enjoyed strong attendance from residents and visitors. The celebrations provided wonderful opportunities for the community to come together and recognize Connecticut's and our nation's history.

The estimated state grant revenues included in the budget presented at the Town Meeting have changed and were not updated in our budget numbers. As a result, we expect that the state revenues included in the approved budget are overstated.

We have developed a contingency plan and will closely monitor the budget throughout the year.

There is no plan to change the mill rate of 32.46 that was presented and approved at the Town Meeting.

On October 3, the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting an Open House from 10am – 2pm, and the Scotland Elementary School will be hosting a Health & Wellness Fair from 9am – 2pm.

Many Town departments and outside organizations will have booths at both locations.

The Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting on September 9th to discuss what the Town can do to help stop the proposed trash plant in Plainfield.

The proposed facility could result in hundreds of trucks hauling trash from central Connecticut to Plainfield, potentially traveling through Scotland.

We will continue to keep residents informed as more information becomes available and as we determine what actions the Town can take.