News

Municipal Affordable Housing Technical Assistance

On April 13th we met with state representatives for the Department of Housing to tour the Southbury Train School campus to discuss options for Senior and multi-generational housing. The director of DOH offered Crawford Hall as a possible additional building for housing. The state offered to pay for a feasibility study and abatement of any hazardous materials found. We are currently scheduling site inspections and corresponding with additional members with the Connecticut Department of Housing regarding Municipal Affordable Housing Technical Assistance opportunities connected to Crawford Hall at the Southbury Training School property.

Arbor Day 2026

On April 24th, I had the honor of participating in Southbury’s annual Arbor Day celebration and accepting the Town’s 28th consecutive Tree City USA Award alongside members of the Southbury Historical Tree Restoration Committee. The day included a tree planting ceremony in the lower parking lot of town hall where three flowering cherry trees were planted, the reading of the Arbor Day proclamation and an educational outreach to Region 15 kindergarten students, who each received a tree seedling to take home and care for.

The Southbury Historical Tree Restoration Committee also dedicated a new “meditation” bench in the upper parking lot of town hall between the fire house near the holiday tree in honor of our past and present Public Works employees and longtime Southbury arborist and tree warden Pat Kearns for his many years of service to the community. Longtime Southburian, Vince Sinopoli of Sinopoli Construction generously donated his time and masonry expertise installing the concrete pad and bench in support of the project. Sinopoli Construction have been very generous through the years, going back decades to when his father started the business in the 1970’s. The ceremony recognized the important work done by our Public Works employees and members of our community keeping Southbury vibrant, green, and beautiful. View more photos.

Regional Plan of Conservation and Development

On April 28th the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) recently held a Regional Plan of Conservation and Development focus group at the Southbury Library. The session focused on Action Principle #5, recognizing downtowns and Main Streets as places of culture, community, and commerce. I spoke about the future plans to upgrade Main Street South and the importance of maintaining strong community gathering places that contribute to Southbury’s identity and quality of life. We have been meeting with representatives of NVCOG to secure nearly 100% grant funding from the state and federal governments for the overall project which is estimated to be near $30 million dollars.

Opioid Settlement

Southbury recently received an additional payment through the National Opioid Settlements. The Town received a stipend as part of the Walgreens settlement distribution. These funds are intended to support opioid remediation and response efforts.

Southbury Public Library Grant

Southbury recently received formal notice of a $1.5 million federal Community Project Funding grant award through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will support restoration and infrastructure improvements at the Southbury Public Library. The project was supported through the congressional office of Representative Jahana Hayes with the testimony of hundreds of Southbury residents.

Micro-grant

The Town also received a $5,000 Connecticut Department of Transportation Active Transportation Micro-grant through the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments. The grant will support the installation of bicycle racks in Town parks and help improve safe and accessible transportation options for residents and visitors.

Southbury 250th Exhibit

The Southbury 250th Committee and the Southbury Historical Society invite residents to visit the new America 250 exhibit at the Old Town Hall Museum on South Britain Road. The exhibit explore Southbury’s role in the Revolutionary War and examine how residents responded to the conflict and what daily life was like during that period. The museum is open on the first and third Sundays of the month from 1:00-3:00pm and the first Wednesday of the month from 10:00am-12:00pm through August. Click for more details.

Construction Season

Several Connecticut Department of Transportation projects will impact travel in Southbury in the coming months. Replacement of the Route 188 Bridge over Walnut Hill Brook will begin May 11 and is expected to continue through August 31. Route 188 will be closed during construction, with local access for town roads near Walnut Brook Lane. In addition, bridge replacement and culvert work along Routes 6 and 67 near Exit 15 off Interstate 84 is underway and is expected to continue through September 30. Drivers are encouraged to use caution, allow additional travel time.