Goshen Board of Selectmen:
3/24/2026, 5 PM
Present: First Selectman Seth Breakell, and Selectmen Scott Olson and Dexter Kinsella
Upon approving the minutes, payroll, and warrants unanimously, the BOS dove into the week’s Selectman’s Report. Breakell had one thing he wanted to point out: letting the community know that the Facebook page for the First Selectman is being updated daily with information and announcements stating, “I’d encourage everyone to follow.”
The town is still undergoing its annual budget review. Breakell discussed three line items. The first was for cemetery mowing. This is a separate item for the six cemeteries that are maintained in Goshen. The current contractor kept his price steady for the fourth year of his contract.
The second line item discussed was for elections. The cost went up by $6,000 due to early voting, “understanding that is a requirement of the state and cannot be changed,” Breakell said. “It is what it is.”
The final line item was for building official and that went up $15,600 due to permit fees and under-budgeting from last year. It is now more accurate.
Following the budget update, a motion to receive and forward to Board of Finance (BOF) was made by Kinsella and approved by the Board.
Breakell then reminded the community that there is an alternate position for the Zoning Board of Appeals open. He also announced that Jeff Lindstrom has resigned from the Building Board of Appeals and from the Water Pollution Control Authority as well. There are now three openings for committees and commissions. Anyone interested is invited to contact town hall.
3/31/2026, 5 PM
Present: Breakell and Olson; Kinsella was excused
The minutes, payroll, and warrants were approved unanimously without changes.
During the First Selectman’s report, Breakell spoke on a few items. First, he received a letter from Eversource saying they will be conducting vegetation management on the rights of way in Goshen. They will be identifying themselves to property owners with proper credentials to let them know when they will be in their neighborhood. The start date of the project was unknown.
It was then announced that the website for the Community Services Department was up and running and will be headed up by Alyssa Fabbri. This service is for residents to help navigate services they may need with regard to general information, hardship assistance, or anything else they may have a question about. The intent is to connect the community to helpful resources and local services. This is a confidential service for the community. Stop by and meet Fabbri for more information.
During public comment Janet Hooper said she is happy to be making progress with community services and is pleased to be working together for the town.
4/7/2026, 5 PM
Present: Breakell and Kinsella; Olson was excused
Since the full Board was not present, Breakell suggested the meeting minutes from the prior week be tabled. Payroll and warrants were approved unanimously for the week.
In the First Selectman’s report, Breakell thanked the Recycling and Trash Committee for a great recycling event. “They collected so much stuff that they needed to make two trips,” he said. Breakell mentioned that he has received calls about speeding on town roads so they would be installing digital speed readers on some roads in the coming days. Breakell would also contact Troop B to request enforcement.
In the budget review, Breakell said that the certification preparedness budget went up due to emergency wages and Community Emergency Response Team training. The insurance for liability, workers comp, and the fire company were up due to contractual rate increases. The cost of the increase is going to be $6,000. A motion was approved to put the line items forward to the BOF.
There was correspondence in the form of a letter of resignation from Lynnette Miller. She is resigning from the Library Board of Directors effective immediately. This leaves an opening on the Board.
At the time of the meeting, there were a few openings on other Committees and Commissions in town. Those interested in serving in one of the positions can get in touch with Town Hall.
4/14/2026, 5 PM
Present: Breakell, and Olson and Kinsella
During the First Selectman’s report, Breakell said he was still receiving complaints about speeding throughout the town and was addressing the matter with Troop B.
In the final review of the budget line items to forward to the BOF, the last thing to discuss was the employee benefits package. There is an increase of $61,000 due to the employee health insurance premium increase of 10.25%. This was approved to move to the BOF by the BOS.
In new business, the BOS presented the bids for chip-sealing for the roads. Public Works Director Garrett Harlow will review and give his recommendation. Bids were submitted by Comer Contracting Inc., New England Asphalt Services LLC, and All States Construction Inc. Dba. Gorman Construction.
Two people showed interest in the open Library Board position. The community heard from Henry Moore and Marianne Stilson, who both shared their experience and thoughts on how they would each like to bring more programming to the library for the community. Breakell said a decision for Miller’s replacement would be made in a few weeks.
Board of Selectmen, 4/21/2026 5 PM
Seth Breakell, Dexter Kinsella and Scott Olson were all present at town hall.
Breakell wanted to let the community know that the discounts that were given to Goshen from Morton Salt were due to delivery issues during the winter. The discounts are reflected in the most recent bill. Breakell has also contacted Troop B twice in the last week about speeding on town roads, Beach Street in particular.
There was an update about the potential audit for prior school district issues. Breakell stated that there is still a proposal in Hartford that has yet to be addressed. He has a meeting with state legislators, including Steven Harding and Maria Horn, about how to pursue having the state pay for the cost of the audit. They hope to know more after the meeting.
The BOS received a recommendation from Garrett Harlow in favor of hiring New England Asphalt to do chip-sealing for Goshen. It was said they have been partners with Goshen in the past and have worked well with us. The BOS agreed unanimously to move forward with the recommendation.
In new business this week, a motion was made and passed unanimously to receive 2 special event permits, one for the Atlantic Union Conference and one for the Goshen Stampede in June.
Last week, the community heard from two potential candidates for the open Library Board of Directors position. Breakell nominated Marianne Stilson for the position, which was supported by the Republican Town Committee. The BOS agreed to the appointment, and it passed unanimously. Marianne will take over the position vacated by Lynnette Miller until the end of her original term.
