Middlebury meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Middlebury board weighs naming rights, e-bike rules, lake swim zone

The Middlebury Board of Selectmen met Aug. 17 with an agenda that included several policy discussions, while two other town meetings were canceled last week. No votes were scheduled on the board's main items, and minutes have not yet been published.

Board of Selectmen

The board's agenda included tax rebates totaling $1,744.31 for 10 property owners, a discussion of a possible naming rights policy for town buildings and property, a possible greenway ordinance regarding e-bikes, and a process to designate an open water swimming zone on Lake Quassapaug. The board also entered executive session to discuss claims against the Registrars of Voters and an update on a lawsuit. According to the agenda, no votes were scheduled except possibly on items discussed in that session.

Meeting cancellations

Two regular meetings were canceled in the past two weeks. The Police Commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 10 was canceled; the next regular meeting is set for Sept. 14. The Water Pollution Control Authority meeting scheduled for Aug. 18 was also canceled; its next meeting is Sept. 15.

Upcoming: Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold a regular meeting Aug. 25 to review two pending land applications under old business: Application #539 at 927 Southford Road and Application #540 at Sperry Pond on Straits Turnpike. The commission will also approve minutes from its July 28 public hearing and regular meeting.

Coming up

• Conservation Commission, Aug. 25, 2026 – review of two land applications and approval of prior minutes.

Middlebury board approves tax lien sale, excavation special exception

The Middlebury Board of Selectmen approved the sale of tax liens for three lots to Seth and Cheyenne Finley at face value plus interest and fees, among other actions at its Aug. 3 meeting. The board also released a $25,000 bond for a basin planting project and approved tax rebates totaling $1,769.39.

Board of Selectmen

The board unanimously approved the sale of tax liens for lots 1-00-44, 1-00-45, and 1-00-53 to Seth and Cheyenne Finley. It also approved the release of a $25,000 bond for the Hunting Ridge basin planting project, accepted the resignation of Ann C. Zimkus from the Commission on Aging, and approved tax rebates totaling $1,769.39. The board approved the minutes of its July 20, 2026 meeting. A discussion on new election laws restricting law enforcement proximity to polling sites was cut short when the online meeting was disrupted by an unauthorized participant.

Greenway Committee

The Greenway Committee approved a request from the Middlebury 250 Committee to install 19 double-sided signs along the Greenway detailing Rochambeau's march from Newport to Yorktown. The signs will be placed in flowerbed areas and remain until early to mid-November, funded by a CT America 250 commission grant. The committee postponed approval of the June 2026 minutes to the September meeting and approved the FY 2024-2025 annual report and the 2025-2026 draft as written. All votes were unanimous.

Parks & Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission approved free use of town fields for nonprofit sports organizations serving Region 15 students with Middlebury residents. It also approved the design of memorial benches. The commission discussed concerns about the town's new open swim policy at the MRA, which was implemented without commission approval, and heard public comments opposing the policy. The commission approved the July 7, 2026 meeting minutes and committee reports, and adjourned at 8:57 p.m. All votes were unanimous.

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special exception for Trout Estates Middlebury, LLC at 72 Nick Road for excavation and grading, including on-site rock crushing, under Sec. 64.3 & 64.6 (Application #26-17Z). The motion passed unanimously. The commission also approved the July 2, 2026 meeting minutes as amended and closed the public hearing for the Trout Estates application.

Police Commission

The Police Commission meeting scheduled for August 10, 2026, was canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2026.

Coming up

The Board of Selectmen will hold a regular meeting on Aug. 17, 2026. The agenda includes tax rebates totaling $1,744.31, a possible naming rights policy for town buildings, a greenway ordinance regarding e-bikes, and a process to designate an open water swimming zone on Lake Quassapaug. The board will also enter executive session to discuss claims against the Registrars of Voters and an update on a lawsuit.

Middlebury Conservation Commission approves pond work and home project; 250 Committee sets 9/11 ceremony

The Middlebury Conservation Commission approved two applications and accepted two new ones at its July 28 meeting, including a pond lily removal and a single-family home. The Middlebury 250 Committee also met last week to plan a 9/11 anniversary ceremony and place historical signs along the Greenway. Several other boards have meetings scheduled in the coming days, though one has been canceled.

Conservation Commission

The commission voted to approve Application #536 for pond lily removal at Somerset Drive, with one member voting no and one abstaining. It also unanimously approved Application #538 for a single-family home, well, and septic system at Watertown Road Lot 073S.

New applications were accepted for a light industrial flex space at 927 Southford Road (Application #539, with one no vote) and for driveway and parking improvements at Speery Pond (Application #540, unanimous). The commission waived the application fee for #540 unanimously.

In other action, the commission unanimously recommended that the Board of Selectmen release the Hunting Ridge basin planting bond, and it approved the June 30, 2026 meeting minutes.

Middlebury 250 Committee

The committee unanimously approved its June 23 meeting minutes and decided to place 19 Rochambeau's army march signs on the Greenway between Steinmann Ave and the corner of 64/188. It also set a 6 p.m. ceremony for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at the MVFD, and identified the corner of Tucker Hill Rd and Middlebury Rd for a field of flags display. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

Economic Development Commission

The Economic Development Commission met July 27 without a quorum, so no official votes or formal actions were taken. Members discussed updates to the town website and heard public comment on vacant building inventories. Website updates were assigned to Terrence McAuliffe, while a Commercial Property Index discussion and a Development Handbook subcommittee formation were postponed to September.

Upcoming meetings

The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to meet Aug. 3. Its agenda includes the sale of tax liens for three lots (1-00-44, 1-00-45, and 1-00-53), a $25,000 wetlands bond release for Hunting Ridge, tax rebates for SFS Leasing Ltd ($787.19) and Bhavsar Rahul B ($499.88), and a resignation from the Commission on Aging. The board will also discuss Public Acts 26-42 and 26-76 regarding law enforcement proximity to election sites. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Greenway Committee will meet Aug. 3 to review its annual report, discuss a Little Free Library installation, correspondence with the Middlebury 250 Committee about the 19 signs, and memorial bench proposals. No substantive decisions are listed on the agenda.

The Parks & Recreation Commission will meet Aug. 4 to consider a draft ordinance on e-bikes on the Greenway, a Greenway statue donation proposal, memorial benches, a parks master plan, and open swim at the MRA.

The Police Commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 10 has been canceled. The next regular meeting is set for Sept. 14.

Middlebury Roundup: Town Gets Interim Legal Counsel, WPCA Approves $11,150 Pump Station Upgrade

The Board of Selectmen unanimously appointed Barbara M. Schellenberg and Zabel Schellenberg, PLLC as Town Attorneys for 90 days starting August 1, 2026, and approved an RFP process for future legal services. The move gives Middlebury temporary legal counsel while the town seeks a longer-term arrangement.

Board of Selectmen

At its July 20 meeting, the board also approved a batch of tax rebates totaling across multiple accounts, including Ari Fleet Lt Ltd ($678.74), Nissan Infiniti Lt Lic ($292.24), Gracie J. Martin & Andy Poon ($333.56), Andy Poon & Gracie J. Martin ($255.97), Silvana & Paul M. Masucci ($155.59), Diane M. & Thomas Macdougall ($77.53 and $48.98), John J. Russo Jr ($22.84), and Joseph L. Duhamel ($43.58). All rebates passed unanimously. The board approved July 6 meeting minutes with corrections and added a litigation item — Barton Jr. Francis L. et al vs. Town of Middlebury — to executive session. A motion to add the legal services RFP as a separate discussion item was ruled out of order.

Water Pollution Control Authority

On July 21, the WPCA unanimously approved an $11,150 purchase from Trade Twins Plumbing and HVAC for a mini-split air conditioning and heating unit at the Southford Road pump station. The authority also discussed a sewer use relief request for 199 Benson Road but made no decision, asking Kelsey Buchbinder for a written proposal. June 16 minutes were approved.

Conservation Commission

The July 28 meeting produced several land-use decisions. The commission approved Application #536 for pond lily removal at Somerset Drive (motion carried with 1 No and 1 Abstain) and Application #538 for a single-family home, well, and septic at Watertown Road Lot 073S (unanimous). It accepted Application #539 for light industrial flex space at 927 Southford Road (motion carried; 1 No) and Application #540 for driveway and parking improvements at Speery Pond (unanimous), with the application fee for #540 waived unanimously. The commission unanimously recommended to the Board of Selectmen the release of the Hunting Ridge basin planting bond. June 30 minutes were approved unanimously.

Safety and Health Committee

On July 22, the committee unanimously approved assigning Fire Marshal Brian Proulx or his office to conduct annual safety building inspections for town properties. Members discussed roadside trash pickup safety and crumbling steps at the Historical Society. May 20 minutes were approved unanimously.

Economic Development Commission

The July 27 EDC meeting was held without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions could be taken. Minute approval was deferred, EDC website updates were assigned to Terrence McAuliffe, the Commercial Property Index discussion was postponed to September, and Development Handbook subcommittee formation was postponed. Members heard public comment on vacant building inventories.

Middlebury 250 Committee

The committee unanimously approved June 23 minutes and planned placement of 19 Rochambeau's army march signs on the Greenway between Steinmann Ave and the corner of Route 64/188. A 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony was set for 6 p.m. at the MVFD. The corner of Tucker Hill Rd and Middlebury Rd was identified for a field of flags display. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. unanimously.

Coming Up

• **Board of Selectmen — Aug. 3:** Will consider sale of tax liens for Lots 1-00-44, 1-00-45, and 1-00-53; a $25,000 wetlands bond release for Hunting Ridge; additional tax rebates including SFS Leasing Ltd ($787.19) and Bhavsar Rahul B ($499.88); the resignation of Ann C. Zimkus from the Commission on Aging; and discussion of Public Acts 26-42 and 26-76 regarding law enforcement proximity to election sites.
• **Greenway Committee — Aug. 3:** Will review its annual report, discuss Little Free Library installation, coordinate with the Middlebury 250 Committee on the 19 signs, and consider memorial bench proposals.
• **Police Commission — Aug. 10:** Meeting canceled. Next regular meeting is September 14, 2026.

Middlebury Selectmen Approve $1,090.53 in Tax Rebates; Police Commission Cancels August Meeting

The Middlebury Board of Selectmen unanimously approved tax rebates totaling $1,090.53 for four residents at its July 6 meeting, the most consequential financial action taken across town boards over the past two weeks.

Board of Selectmen — July 6

The board approved tax rebates for Ari Fleet ($678.74), Nissan Infiniti ($292.24), Thomas W. MacDougall ($70.57), and Thomas MacDougall ($48.98), all by unanimous vote. The board also voted unanimously to move public comments ahead of the discussion portion of future meetings and to approve the June 1, 2026 meeting minutes.

Members entered an executive session to discuss a legal matter, then adjourned both the session and the meeting by unanimous votes. No final decision was made on the open-water swimming proposal.

Police Commission — July 13

The Police Commission unanimously approved the minutes from its June 8 meeting. Members entered and later exited an executive session to discuss legal litigation, both by unanimous vote. The commission then voted unanimously to cancel its scheduled August 10, 2026 meeting and adjourned the July 13 session.

Ethics Commission — July 14

The Ethics Commission voted unanimously to reject the previously posted February 10, 2026 meeting minutes, directing the chair to prepare revised versions. Members also discussed combining the ethics code and rules into a single document and directed the chair to provide a clean rule sheet for the next meeting, also by unanimous vote.

Safety and Health Committee — July 8 (Cancelled)

The Safety and Health Committee's regular meeting scheduled for July 8, 2026 was cancelled. It has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room. No other business is noted.

Board of Finance — July 8 (Agenda Only)

The Board of Finance agenda listed routine business including approval of the June 10, 2026 meeting minutes, budget transfers, and reports from the CFO and Tax Collector. Old business included a discussion on increasing the Registrar of Voters' compensation. New business included a discussion on usage and fees for town-owned fields. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Coming Up

Water Pollution Control Authority — July 21, 2026: The authority will consider a presentation from Kelsey Buchbinder of Olymbec USA regarding possible sewer-use billing relief for the property at 199 Benson Rd. The board will also review monthly expenses and receive staff updates on pump stations and collection systems.

Safety and Health Committee — July 22, 2026, 12:30 p.m., Town Hall Conference Room: Rescheduled from July 8.

Middlebury Roundup: Wetland Approvals, $25,443 Police Grant, and Zoning Hearings Set

The Conservation Commission approved two wetland applications and set a third for public hearing, while the Board of Selectmen was notified of a $25,443 state grant for police eCitation equipment — the most consequential items from Middlebury's recent government meetings.

Conservation Commission Approves Wetland Applications

On June 30, the Conservation Commission unanimously approved application #535 for a two-car garage at 95 Porter Ave and application #537 for drainage improvements at 300 Lake Shore Drive. The commission also unanimously set application #536, covering pond maintenance on Somerset Drive, for a public hearing on July 28, 2026. Application #538, a single-family home on Watertown Road, was accepted as filed by unanimous vote.

Board of Selectmen: Police Grant, Tax Rebates, Open Water Swimming

The Board of Selectmen met July 6, with minutes not yet published. The agenda included notification of a $25,443.67 DOT grant approved for the police eCitation Highway Safety project. The board also addressed several tax rebates: Ari Fleet $678.74, Nissan Infiniti $292.24, and MacDougall $48.98 and $70.57. Discussion items included open water swimming at MRA and feedback on e-bikes on the Greenway. An executive session covered a legal update on Alton Cronin et al. v. Town of Middlebury.

Planning & Zoning: Border Planting Plan Approved

On July 2, the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved a native plant border between Tranquility Estates and the Thryza Whittemore property, with a completion date of October 15, 2026. The commission unanimously continued a public hearing for Trout Estates Middlebury, LLC at 72 Nick Road to August 6, 2026. June 4, 2026 meeting minutes were approved as revised. The commission also held an executive session regarding the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Zoning Board of Appeals Sets Hearing for Lake Shore Drive

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 1 and unanimously accepted variance application #26-30Z for a new primary dwelling at 440 Lake Shore Drive. A public hearing was unanimously scheduled for September 24, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The board also unanimously tabled the May 6, 2026 meeting minutes and adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Middlebury 250 Committee Plans Anniversary Events

The Middlebury 250 Committee met July 1 to discuss preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Agenda items included lawn sign markers for Rochambeau's army march along the Greenway, selection of time capsule contents, and planning for the July 4 ceremony. Minutes were not yet published.

Board of Finance to Review Registrar Pay, Field Fees

The Board of Finance met July 8, with minutes not yet published. The agenda included approval of June 10, 2026 minutes, routine budget transfers, a discussion on increasing the Registrar of Voters' compensation, and a discussion on usage and fees for town-owned fields. A public comment period was scheduled.

Safety and Health Committee Meeting Rescheduled

The July 8 Safety and Health Committee meeting was cancelled and rescheduled to Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.

Coming Up

• **Police Commission** — July 13, 2026: Committee reports on budget, equipment, personnel, and rules, plus an executive session for a legal update on Cronin and Ireland.
• **Ethics Commission** — July 14, 2026: Discussion of proposed changes to the town's Ethics Code and Commission Rules, and approval of April 12, 2026 minutes.
• **Conservation Commission public hearing** — July 28, 2026: Pond maintenance application #536 on Somerset Drive.
• **Safety and Health Committee** — July 22, 2026, 12:30 p.m., Town Hall Conference Room.

Conservation Commission Approves Two Wetland Applications; Selectmen to Review $25,443 Police Grant

The Conservation Commission approved two inland wetland applications unanimously at its June 30 meeting, making it the only town body to take formal action on substantive items over the past two weeks.

Conservation Commission — June 30

The commission voted unanimously to approve application #535, a two-car garage at 95 Porter Ave, and application #537, drainage improvements at 300 Lake Shore Drive. Both votes were unanimous.

The commission also set application #536 — pond maintenance on Somerset Drive — for a public hearing on July 28, 2026, by unanimous vote. Application #538, a single-family home on Watertown Road, was accepted as filed, also unanimously.

Economic Development Commission — June 22

The commission discussed progress on a Commercial Property Index, a Development Handbook review, and the town website, but took no formal votes or actions on any of these items. The only vote taken was to approve minutes of the May 26, 2026 meeting, which passed unanimously.

Parks & Recreation Commission — June 24

The commission's agenda included discussion of regulations for e-bikes on the town's Greenway trail and a proposal regarding the MRA Snack Shack. A public comment period was scheduled. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Middlebury 250 Committee — July 1

The committee met to discuss preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Agenda items included lawn sign markers for Rochambeau's army march along the Greenway, selection of time capsule contents, and planning for the 4th of July ceremony. Minutes have not yet been published.

Zoning Board of Appeals — July 1

The board was scheduled to consider a variance request from Kade Courtois for a property at 440 Lake Shore Drive (Application #26-30Z). The requested variances include reducing the side yard setback from 25 feet to 17 feet, increasing maximum lot coverage from 10% to 20% (with 19.55% proposed), reducing minimum road frontage from 150 feet to 80 feet (existing 80 feet), and reducing minimum lot area from 40,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet (existing 25,283 square feet). Minutes have not yet been published.

Planning & Zoning Commission — July 2

The commission was scheduled to continue a public hearing on a special exception for excavation and grading at 72 Nick Road (Application #26-17Z). The agenda also included a final resolution on a planting plan along the border of Tranquility Estates and the Thyrza Whittemore property, an executive session on personnel matters for the zoning enforcement officer, and a zoning enforcement officer report. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

The Board of Selectmen meets today, July 6. The agenda includes tax rebates for Ari Fleet ($678.74), Nissan Infiniti ($292.24), and MacDougall ($48.98 and $70.57), a DOT grant of $25,443.67 for the police eCitation Highway Safety project, discussion on open water swimming at MRA, e-bikes on the Greenway feedback, and an executive session for a legal update on Alton Cronin et al. v. Town of Middlebury.

Conservation Commission approves garage, drainage permits; hearing set for pond maintenance

The Conservation Commission unanimously approved two wetland permit applications – for a two-car garage on Porter Avenue and drainage improvements on Lake Shore Drive – and scheduled a public hearing for a pond maintenance project on Somerset Drive.

Conservation Commission

The commission acted on four applications at its June 30 meeting. Application #535, a two-car garage at 95 Porter Ave, was approved unanimously. Application #537, drainage improvements at 300 Lake Shore Drive, also received unanimous approval.

Application #536, for pond maintenance on Somerset Drive, was unanimously set for a public hearing on July 28. The commission accepted application #538, a single-family home on Watertown Road, as filed.

Other recent board activity

No formal votes were taken at the Economic Development Commission meeting on June 22. Members discussed progress on a Commercial Property Index, a Development Handbook review, and the town website. The commission unanimously approved the minutes of its May 26 meeting.

The Parks and Recreation Commission agenda for June 24 included discussion of e-bike regulations on the Greenway and a proposal regarding the MRA Snack Shack. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.

The Middlebury 250 Committee convened on July 1 to discuss preparations for the nation’s semiquincentennial. Agenda items included lawn sign markers for Rochambeau’s army march along the Greenway, selection of time capsule contents, and planning for the July 4 ceremony.

Also on July 1, the Zoning Board of Appeals was scheduled to consider variance application #26-30Z for 440 Lake Shore Drive. The request seeks reductions in side yard setback from 25 feet to 17 feet, an increase in maximum lot coverage from 10% to 20% (19.55% proposed), a reduction in minimum road frontage from 150 feet to 80 feet (existing 80 feet), and a reduction in minimum lot area from 40,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet (existing 25,283 square feet). Minutes are not yet available.

On July 2, the Planning and Zoning Commission was set to continue a public hearing on a special exception for excavation and grading at 72 Nick Road (application #26-17Z). The agenda also included a final resolution on a planting plan bordering Tranquility Estates and the Thyrza Whittemore property, a zoning enforcement officer report, and an executive session on a personnel matter for that position.

Coming up

The Board of Selectmen meets on July 6. The agenda includes tax rebates for Ari Fleet ($678.74), Nissan Infiniti ($292.24), MacDougall ($48.98), and another rebate of $70.57. The board will receive notification of a $25,443.67 Department of Transportation grant approved for the police eCitation Highway Safety project. Discussion items include open water swimming at MRA and feedback on e-bike use on the Greenway. An executive session is planned for a legal update on the case Alton Cronin et al. v. Town of Middlebury.