Cromwell Special Town Meeting Approves Dog Fund and Sidewalk Fund Appropriations

Town Council · Meeting of June 10, 2026

CT CROMWELL — Cromwell's special town meeting cleared two special revenue fund appropriations totaling $123,900 for fiscal year 2026-2027 in under five minutes on June 10. Presiding as mayor, Town Council member James Demetriades called the meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. and adjourned it at 6:55, with electors voting unanimously to authorize a $23,900 dog fund and a $100,000 sidewalk fund. Finance Director Sharon DeVoe fielded a question from council member Jamin DeProto about why the sidewalk money — already approved in the regular budget and ratified by referendum — required a second vote, answering simply: "Statute." The $100,000 sidewalk appropriation represented a transfer of funds already committed by the Council and endorsed by voters; the town meeting vote was the final required procedural step under state law.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 603 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of June 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

CROMWELL — June 10, 2026 — Cromwell residents gathered at Town Hall on Wednesday evening and voted unanimously to authorize two special revenue fund appropriations totaling $123,900 for the 2026-2027 budget year.

The special town meeting, called by Town Council member James Demetriades in his capacity as mayor, lasted approximately five minutes before adjourning and handing off to the regular Town Council session. Both items passed without opposition.

The Full Story

The special town meeting was convened at 6:50 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 41 West Street, with residents eligible to vote under the town's charter provisions for town meeting governance. The two items on the agenda were a $23,900 appropriation for the dog fund and a $100,000 appropriation for the sidewalk fund, both within the special revenue funds for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Before business began, electors approved Cassidy Nimmons as secretary for the town meeting. Town Manager Tony Salvatore also moved a procedural item, seconded by Town Council member Al Waters, though the specific subject of that motion was not clearly captured in the record.

Finance Director Sharon DeVoe clarified for the body that the $100,000 sidewalk fund appropriation was not a new expenditure but rather a transfer of funds already approved during the regular budget process and subsequently ratified by voters at referendum. The separate town meeting vote, she explained, is required by state statute.

"So, in the general expense, you approved $100,000 at the budget time, and that is what I transferred to the sidewalk fund," DeVoe said, responding to a question from Town Council member Jamin DeProto about whether the sidewalk fund differed from the amount already approved in the regular budget.

DeProto had also asked why a second vote was required for funds already approved elsewhere. DeVoe's answer was brief: statute. Demetriades offered a lighthearted aside, wondering aloud whether a colonial sidewalk law might be responsible for the requirement.

"I don't know if maybe there was a colonial sidewalk act that we don't know about," Demetriades said.

The dog fund appropriation of $23,900 was moved by Town Council member Jack Henehan and seconded by Town Council member Paula G. Luna. The sidewalk fund appropriation was moved by DeProto and seconded by Town Council member Brian Bonneau. Both carried on unanimous voice votes with no opposition or abstentions recorded.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m., and the regular Town Council meeting was called to order immediately after.

Why It Matters

The two appropriations formalize the allocation of previously discussed funds into dedicated special revenue accounts. For Cromwell residents, the $100,000 sidewalk fund supports ongoing infrastructure improvements that were already endorsed by voters at the annual budget referendum, while the $23,900 dog fund covers costs related to animal control services. Both are routine annual items required by charter to go before a town meeting rather than being decided solely by the Council, preserving a direct-democracy mechanism that predates Connecticut's council-manager form of government. No further votes on these specific appropriations are expected before the fiscal year begins.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Appoint Cassidy Nimmons as acting secretary for the town meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Procedural motion by Town Manager Tony Salvatore Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Appoint Cassidy Nimmons as official secretary for the town meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Authorize $23,900 appropriation to the dog fund (special revenue fund, FY2026-2027) Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Authorize $100,000 appropriation to the sidewalk fund (special revenue fund, FY2026-2027) Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Adjourn the special town meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Cromwell's community access TV: Town Council (Special Town Meeting) meeting, June 10, 2026