Cromwell Board of Finance Approves DUI Grant, Splits on Vice Chair Vote

Board of Finance · Meeting of January 6, 2026

Cromwell's Board of Finance opened 2026 with a split Vice Chair vote and approval of a DUI enforcement grant. The board could not agree on a Vice Chair at the January 6 meeting, with Chair John Ireland backing Member Steven Wygonowski over Member Daniel Kelly in a vote that divided the panel and will be referred to the Town Council for resolution within 30 days. The board unanimously approved a $20,161.01 appropriation within the Capital Non-Recurring fund for the annual DUI law enforcement grant — described by a police chief as "fully reimbursable, 100 percent" — clearing the way for patrols delayed from the holiday season.

Members also approved a $2,995 transfer from a CNR line item for police rooftop HVAC work to cover a cost overrun on new heating at Watrous Park, after the park project came in $2,595 over its original estimate while the police upgrade came in $3,592 under.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 820 words

Source: the Board of Finance meeting of January 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

CROMWELL — January 6, 2026 — The Cromwell Board of Finance opened its new year with a brief organizational meeting, approving a fully reimbursable DUI enforcement grant, authorizing two fund transfers for municipal facilities upgrades, and setting its regular meeting schedule for 2026.

The board also conducted a contested election for Vice Chair that ended in a split vote, with the matter to be referred to the Town Council for resolution within 30 days.

The Full Story

Chair John Ireland presided over the meeting, which began with the temporary seating of Associate Christopher Carigliano in place of Member Matthew Blanchette, who arrived shortly after the meeting commenced. Blanchette was present for subsequent votes.

The first substantive item was the Vice Chair election. Member Ed Maley nominated Member Daniel Kelly, while another member nominated Member Steven Wygonowski. Ireland spoke briefly in favor of Wygonowski, saying the two had worked well together, while noting Kelly was also a capable choice. The vote split, and Ireland indicated the matter would be referred to the Town Council for resolution within 30 days per standard procedure.

"Steve's done a very nice job. Him and I work well together." [00:02:21] — John Ireland, Board of Finance Chair

The board then turned to a request from the Police Department for approval of the annual DUI law enforcement grant. A police chief appearing before the board explained that the department applies for the grant each year and had planned to begin patrols before the holidays but was unable to do so due to unspecified circumstances. The appropriation of $20,161.01 is drawn through the Capital Non-Recurring fund and is 100 percent reimbursable. The board approved it 6-0.

Ireland confirmed with staff member Sharon that the CNR fund currently holds $116,331 before the vote.

Next, the board approved a transfer of $2,995 from the CNR appropriation for police rooftop units to the appropriation for new heating at Watrous Park. A town facilities representative explained that when the fiscal year 2025-26 budget was assembled last January, estimates were obtained for two HVAC upgrades. When contractors provided firm pricing this past fall, the police department upgrade came in $3,592 under budget while the Watrous Park heating came in $2,595 over. The transfer covers the shortfall and still leaves a small surplus across both line items.

"There's still enough in both of those lines to cover both of those upgrades with a small surplus, and I'm asking your consideration to transfer a portion of that surplus into the Watrous Park one so that we can complete them both." [00:06:56] — Town facilities representative

The board approved the transfer on a voice vote with no opposition.

Finally, the board set its 2026 regular meeting schedule, with the first formal meeting slated for February. Ireland noted the schedule follows the same Thursday pattern as prior years, with the exception of November and December meetings shifting to the third Thursday. He said he had reviewed the calendar for conflicts with religious holidays and found none, though he invited members to flag any issues. Discussion touched briefly on a joint Town Council and Board of Finance session tentatively scheduled for January 20 in the same meeting room, where an environmental analyst is expected to deliver a presentation. No formal action is contemplated for that session.

Ireland also noted that at the February meeting, the board would likely set dates for its public budget hearing, which typically falls in early April.

Why It Matters

The approval of the $20,161.01 DUI enforcement grant clears the way for Cromwell police to begin patrols that had been delayed from the holiday season. Because the grant is fully reimbursable, there is no net cost to the town's CNR fund. The $2,995 facilities transfer ensures that both the police department HVAC upgrade and the Watrous Park heating project can be completed as planned within the existing budget envelope. Looking ahead, the January 20 joint session with the Town Council will feature an environmental analyst's presentation — an early signal that a larger project is moving through the design and estimation phase, with formal action possible at a future meeting.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Seat Associate Christopher Carigliano in place of Member Matthew Blanchette Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Election of Vice Chair — Steven Wygonowski vs. Daniel Kelly Tally: Split vote — referred to Town Council for resolution within 30 days

- Vote: Approve appropriation of $20,161.01 within the CNR fund for the 2025-26 DUI law enforcement grant Tally: For: 6, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 6

- Vote: Approve transfer of $2,995 from CNR appropriation for police rooftop units to appropriation for new heating at Watrous Park Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Set Board of Finance 2026 regular meeting schedule as presented Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Cromwell's community access TV: Board of Finance meeting, January 6, 2026