Cornwall plans a fall forum on housing

CORNWALL — Housing remains a priority in Cornwall according to a report during the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Several initiatives are being discussed, with the Housing Committee aiming to hold a public forum in the fall to report and to hear residents’ opinions.

First Selectman Gordon Ridgway reported that the committee has learned that in order to have a Community Housing Fund as discussed at  past public meetings, there would need to be an ordinance. Any proposed ordinance would need to go to a town meeting vote, Ridgway said.

“Such an ordinance could be helpful to the town, allowing the town to acquire funds to purchase land in the future,” Ridgway said.

The committee is also defining the services of a volunteer Cornwall Housing coordinator. Ridgway said that the coordinator would help people who want to come to live in Cornwall, or who wish to remain in Cornwall.

Volunteering to help as housing coordinator is resident Jessica Brackman, trained in social work and eager to assist — including as a back-up to Heather Dineen, the town social worker, if needed.

The committee also intends to request $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for site development, although the town is still awaiting receipt of its second half of funding.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has appointed a subcommittee to review regulations that would apply to accessory dwellings, Ridgway said.

Wastewater project

“There is quite a bit of work to be done,” Ridgway said, in connection with arranging for the town to receive the $3 million awarded in federal funding, beginning with an environmental review. Engineer Stephen McDonnell of WMC Engineers of Newington, who had been actively involved in the application process for the grant, is expected to be responsible for that review.

The selectmen also voted to convert the wastewater study committee into a seven-member construction committee, adding some members with construction expertise.

An early step will be to select an engineer for the entire project, Ridgway said.

Pickleball coming

A request by the Park and Recreation Department to add a pickleball court to Foote Field was approved by the selectmen.

“It’s a different population and a different sport,” Ridgway explained. Plans call for modifying the existing basketball court by extending it 20 feet toward the pavilion.