By Susan MacEachron

At the Jan 14 Board of Finance (BoF) meeting, First Selectman Matt Riiska reported on the budget and the River Place financing.  He noted that he also continues to follow-up with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Smith Road temporary bridge.  Riiska also informed the BoF that two homeowners on Route 44 impacted by the 2022 oil spill have requested tax abatements or deferments. 

At the halfway point in the fiscal year, Riiska said the town is meeting budget targets.  He noted that the budget process for fiscal year 2025-26 has begun, and the Board of Selectmen will present the proposed budget at the BoF March 11 meeting.

Riiska noted that he is waiting for the River Place bridge loan agreement between NBT Bank and the town to be drawn up and anticipates that the interest rate will be 4.125 percent.