In the minutes: Mansfield Minutes, ALPR (Sep 28)

Town Council
Regular Meeting
September 28, 2026
Council Chamber | Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building
4 So. Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT

MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Toni Moran called the meeting of the Mansfield Town Council to order at 7:03 p.m. in the
Council Chamber of the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Cotton, Kueffner, Moran, Shaiken, Tomecko, Zaicek
Virtual: Bruder, Dufresne, Mullen
3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Update to Parks Rules - Town Code of Ordinances Appendix A194 - Rewrite and
Modernization
The Town Clerk read the legal notice. Michael Stankov, Environmental Planner/Inland Wetland
Agent, and Keri Montague, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented an overview of the
ordinance changes and why they were necessary, citing additional clarification regarding activities
prohibited in Mansfield parks and the reduction of potential liability exposure. No comments were
offered and the public hearing was closed.
B. Potential Open Space Acquisition: Maple Road (Assessor's Parcel ID 22.15.2-17)
The Town Clerk read the legal notice. Michael Stankov, Environmental Planner/Inland Wetland
Agent, presented information regarding the subject parcel and its proposed uses for a walking
path, open space, and construction staging area.
Brian Coleman, Centre Street, expressed concern about the current economy and rising costs,
stating that now is the time for the Town to make cuts, not to buy, bond, or build anything.
Seeing no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
4. OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
Scott Carpenter, new superintendent at E.O. Smith High School, introduced himself to the Town
Council.
Aaron Bowman, Middle Turnpike, asked questions and shared concerns about the use of
Education cost sharing funds, the investigation into the former Town Manager, Ryan Aylesworth,
and comments made about him related to an SEEC complaint. (Statement attached.)
Brian Coleman, Centre Street, commented on accusations of money laundering made against
him, criticized the handling of the resignation of Ryan Aylesworth, requested an accounting of the
funds meant for ADA improvements in the parks, and questioned the subject matter of the
executive session on the agenda. (Statement attached.)
Audrey P. Beck Building | 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT 06268 | 860.429.3336 | mansfieldct.gov
September 28, 2026

5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Eversource Community Energy Boost Grant Application - Heat Pump Education Campaign
B. Creation of Climate Change Resiliency Fund
C. Financial Statements dated June 30, 2026
D. Proposed Capital Improvement Program Adjustments FY2026
E. Proposed FY 2025-26 Year-end Budget Transfers
F. Proposed FY 2026 Additional Appropriations
G. 09.14.2026 TC Minutes
Bruder moved and Zaicek seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion passed
unanimously.
Motion approved by consent:
• Move, effective September 28, 2026, to authorize town staff to submit an application to the
Eversource Community Energy Boost Grant in a total amount of $4500 and to authorize the
town manager to accept these funds and initialize all pertinent grant documents should the
town receive the grant award.
• Move, effective September 28, 2026, to authorize the creation of a Climate Change
Resiliency Fund.
• Move to accept, effective September 28, 2026, the Preliminary Financial Statements dated
June 30, 2026.
• Move, effective September 28, 2026, to approve the adjustments to the Capital Projects
fund, as presented by the Director of Finance in her attached correspondence.
• Move, effective September 28, 2026, to approve the Year-end Budget Transfers for FY
2025/26, as presented by the Director of Finance in her attached correspondence.
• Move, effective September 28, 2026, to approve the additional appropriations for FY 202526, as presented by the Director of Finance in her attached correspondence.
• Move to approve the September 14, 2026 regular Town Council meeting minutes.
6. OLD BUSINESS
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Update to Parks Rules - Town Code of Ordinances Appendix A194 - Rewrite and
Modernization
Shaiken moved and Cotton seconded to suspend the rules. Motion passed unanimously.
Shaiken suggested that committees look for other suggested substantive changes that can be
made to the Town’s ordinances.
Cotton moved and Zaicek seconded, effective September 28, 2026, to repeal the existing
Appendix A194, Park Rules and Regulations, of the Town of Mansfield Code of Ordinances and to
replace them with the attached document titled “Revised Park Rules and Regulations – 2026 –
Proposed”. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Potential Open Space Acquisition: Maple Road (Assessor's Parcel ID 22.15.2-17)
Kueffner commented that this purchase should be made but not bonded and noted that the
property abuts other town-owned property and can lower the Town’s staging expenses and
provide a parking area.
Audrey P. Beck Building | 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT 06268 | 860.429.3336 | mansfieldct.gov
September 28, 2026

Cotton moved and Kueffner seconded, effective September 28, 2026, to authorize the Town
Manager to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Acquisition of a certain piece of
property located on Maple Road, Assessor’s Parcel ID 22.15.2-17, for a total of $100,000; and to
sign and finalize all required documents related to said purchase. Motion passed unanimously.
8. REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Interim Town Manager Stephen Daly presented and discussed the written report. The report is
available online at www.MansfieldCT.gov and is on file with the Town Clerk.
9. REPORTS AND COMMENTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
Cotton reported that the second Veterans coffeehouse was held. The regular schedule is the
second and fourth Monday at 9am except for the one on Tuesday, October 13th because Monday
October 12th is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The speaker on October 13th will be the Town Assessor
discussing the upcoming tax break filing deadlines for Veterans.
Zaicek commented that she agrees this is the time to be frugal but she voted yes on the Maple
Road purchase because she felt the land would be advantageous for the Town to own.
Moran reported that the elementary school building committee and the middle school HVAC
committee should be ending soon, noting that the last project for the elementary school – sound
proofing in the cafeteria – is complete. She also reported that she performed a ribbon-cutting in
Downtown Storrs for Homefield, there is a photography exhibit at the Library by a local
photographer, and an exhibit of paintings by a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University
can be found at the Jorgensen gallery.
10. REPORTS OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Shaiken reported that much of what the Finance Committee met about was voted on as part of the
consent agenda. One additional discussion topic was potential amendments to the fee waiver
policy.
11. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. B. Sabilia - CHO-EC Affordable Housing Support
B. C. Knight - Online Form Submittal - Contact the Mansfield Town Council Regarding Ryan
Aylesworth
C. M. Stone - Letter to Town Manager 09/15/2026 Noise Complaint UCONN Students
D. P. Raynor - Speeding Racing Cars on Route 195
E. Local Government Academy Fall 2026 Flyer
F. Press Release - Sunny Acres & Southeast Park Survey
G. R. Pasquill - Too many drivers blow through stop signs - Deranged local accost commuters
H. Uses and Abuses of ALPR's (Automatic License Plate Readers)
12. FUTURE AGENDAS
None.
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Strategy and Negotiations with Respect to Pending Claims or Litigation, in accordance with
CGS §1-200(6)(B) - Former Employees
Shaiken moved and Cotton seconded to enter executive session for the purposes of discussing
Strategy and Negotiations with Respect to Pending Claims or Litigation, in accordance with CGS
Audrey P. Beck Building | 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT 06268 | 860.429.3336 | mansfieldct.gov
September 28, 2026

§1-200(6)(B) - Former Employees and invite Attorney Deneen and Stephen Daly. Motion passed
unanimously.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The executive session concluded and the Council reconvened in open session. Bruder moved
and Zaicek seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

Sara-Ann Chaine, Town Clerk

Audrey P. Beck Building | 4 South Eagleville Road, Mansfield, CT 06268 | 860.429.3336 | mansfieldct.gov
September 28, 2026