Council Draws from Route 195 Corridor Study for Possible Tolland Green Improvements

The Town Council discussed several upcoming projects at last night’s meeting, including a grant to redesign Tolland Green roads and the approval of Recreation Department hours at Parker Memorial School.

Tolland Green Road Grant

The council discussed possibly applying for a $2.5 million Surface Transportation Program grant that would fund improvements to the Tolland Green roadways. The members decided to add the resolution for the application to the council’s next meeting.

The council discussed possible improvements for the Tolland Green area, which may stem from the results of the Route 195 Corridor Study Summary.

Vice-Chairperson MaryAnn Delaney Tuttle said that the corridor study and previous input from public hearings centered on slowing down Tolland Green traffic, which frequently exceeds the posted speed limits.

“The area where there was consensus was to do what we could to slow the traffic down,” she said during the council’s discussion.

The town may consider making the most improvements at the northern and southern “gateways” to the green, therefore making the area safer, especially for pedestrians.

Council member Jack Flynn expressed concern that the town may have to match ten percent of the funding provided for the project, but Town Manager Steven Werbner said that the town will not know whether they must pay the percentage until later in the process.

Tolland Recreation Department Hours

The council voted not to change the Tolland Recreation Department hours, maintaining the four-day schedule currently in use at the Hicks Memorial Building. The department will soon be moving to .

Tuttle, who voted against the resolution, suggested that the department stay open a fifth day, since many recreation programs occur on Fridays. She also mentioned that part-time employees could work flex hours on Saturday mornings to assist residents participating in weekend events.

The council decided to maintain the current hours to avoid confusion.

The Recreation Department will be open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Solid Waste Disposal

The council discussed the town’s waste disposal options and generally agreed with Werbner’s recommendation to sign a contract with the Willimantic Waste Paper Company, which would provide a fixed pricing plan with a possible 2.5 percent increase over five years.

The council also has the option of signing with Tolland’s current waste disposal provider, Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA). CRRA did not provide a fixed-rate plan, according to Werbner.

The Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority, to which Tolland and 20 other towns belong, has bid with CRRA and Murphy Road Recycling for waste disposal coverage.

The town council will vote to approve a bid waiver and a resolution for a contract with Willimantic Waste at the next meeting on August 23.

Drainage Excavator

The council set a public hearing on August 23 for the possible use of $140,000 from the Town Aid Road Special Revenue fund to buy an excavator. Werbner said that the equipment would be used for upcoming drainage work, which would require contracting outside equipment without this purchase.

Town Employee Tax Reimbursements

The council approved a resolution allowing the town to reimburse town employees who are taxed for their use of town vehicles. The reimbursed employees are considered on-call personnel.

The council's next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on August 23 in the council chambers of the Hicks Memorial Municipal Building.