Brandon provided updates on the latest in the town of Avon.
Essential changes in the Avon police department:
Paul Melansen was hired as Police Chief in July from Farmington PD. He is the first Vice President of the Connecticut Police Chief’s Association.
Project Map of the Old Farms Road
This road was identified as a project in 1968 and is now scheduled for a referendum. The main change will be on Thompson to the north of the intersection of Scoville to move the road slightly to the west, include a rotary at the intersection of Scoville, and have a pedestrian walkway to the south of Thompson to improve safety while keeping the scenic feel. The speed limits will not change.
This project will not cost the local taxpayer anything or impact the mill rate. The funding comes from 5.4 million dollars of the state using federal pass-through money. December 14, there will be a vote asking for approval to spend the grant money for this project. There will be a second part to this project that requires more time, design, and money. Avon Old Farms must also agree with specific changes.
Brian D. Jones Paleoindian Site
If you go down to the new bridge in the area to the left, the recent excavation revealed artifacts being studied. The area is known as the Brian D. Jones Paleoindian Site. This site is one of the oldest documented sites of human activity in southern New England, with human activity being dated back to 1000 BC. The findings at this site will be published in academic journals, and archeologists are preparing to seek funding from the state to mark the site officially. Here is more information on the site itself. https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/paleo-indian-site/
American Rescue Plan Act Funds
From ARPA 2020, Avon has 5.4 million in capital funding and 3.7 million for a range of projects coming out of their capital improvement plan, including projects out of conversation and development.
1.5 million is delegated to road improvements and projects such as Sycamore park. Funding was also appropriated to the board of education for roofing, carpet replacements, and technology. $700,000 will be used to complete the connection of town and BOE facilities with a broadband network that will provide complete linkage between all municipal facilities. Brandon commented that it was interesting that in 6 years, the broadband installation will pay back what they currently pay annually for wifi and subscriptions. The town also uses funds to study bicycle and pedestrian connectivity plans.
Avon Village Center
There are 100,000 square feet of retail space, and while Whole Foods has been open for a year, there is still much empty space. It is not a town project, and the empty space can be due to what the developer is charging for rent as well as issues related to the pandemic and supply chain. The project has a significant residential component, and the developer is continuing to button up paperwork to begin working on the residential aspect.
Update on Emergency Communications
Unfortunately, Canton refused Avon’s request to build a communications tower to create service in dead zones, where police and fire cannot use radios, which would be the most efficient and effective solution.
Instead, Avon is spending $4 million to solve the communications issues by strengthening two current communication locations. One location is on Ridgewood Drive in Avon. The tower exists but needs improvement; the other is in the rear of the landfill in Huckleberry. Huckleberry has an existing pole that is 100 feet tall but needs to be taller to be above the tree line. The plan is to drop and swap – take the pole and put one in that is 30 feet higher and has 16 feet that stretch out on each side. The town will have to go back to Motorola to find the prices, which may have to go back to referendum.
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Town of Avon
