The Farmington Town Council’s November 10, 2025 meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. and moved swiftly between recognition, reflection, and a pointed fiscal warning. With Scouts leading the Pledge of Allegiance and families filling Town Hall, Chair Joseph “Joe” Capodiferro guided a session that honored two local Eagle Scouts, issued a Veterans Day proclamation, and listened to public concern over a multimillion-dollar school enrollment miscalculation.
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Two Eagle Scouts Recognized
The council first honored Devyaan B., a Troop 170 Eagle Scout whose project constructed a fully accessible Gaga Ball pit at East Farms Elementary School. The pit includes rubber flooring, wall bumpers, and an ADA-compliant door—features planned and executed with the kind of diligence most adults reserve for tax season and home insurance renewals.
Devyaan, a junior at Avon High School, served as lead programmer on a robotics team that placed first in statewide competitions and ranked 18th at the world level. He plays multiple instruments, holds a black belt in Taekwondo, participated in Junior Achievement, and is studying eight languages. The Town Council proclaimed November 10, 2025 as “Devyaan B. Day” in Farmington.
State Representative Mike Demicco, joined by Representative Rebecca Martinez and Senators Derek Slap and Rick Lopes, presented an official Connecticut General Assembly citation signed by Martin Looney, Matthew Ritter, and Stephanie Thomas.
The second proclamation honored Andrew T., whose Eagle project expanded the Lieutenant Vincent Hugh Core WWII Plane Crash Memorial in the Farmington Town Memorial Forest. The site—originally established by Andrew’s father for his own Eagle project in 1987—commemorates Lt. Core, who died in a 1945 P-47 Thunderbolt training mission.
Andrew constructed a detailed informational kiosk, revitalized the memorial, and built roughly half a mile of new trail with a 30-volunteer crew contributing over 360 hours. A Farmington High School trumpet player, he performs with the jazz band, wind ensemble, Valley Community Baptist Church Orchestra, and Taps Across America.
The council proclaimed November 12 as “Andrew T. Day” and he, too, received a General Assembly citation presented by Rep. Demicco.
Veterans Day Proclamation
The council issued a formal resolution honoring all U.S. veterans, tracing the history from Revolutionary War militias to the establishment of Armistice Day in 1921 and its transformation into Veterans Day in 1954. Chair Capodiferro invited residents to the November 11 ceremony at 11:00 a.m. outside Town Hall and offered thanks to all who served.
Public Comment: A Sharp Fiscal Warning
Tim Kelly, of 62 Westfield, raised a pointed concern regarding a school enrollment overestimation that he said resulted in approximately $2 million in overfunding for the current fiscal year.
Kelly urged the council to rewatch the March 12 budget meeting, where a new consultant projected 4,100 students—a figure significantly higher than the district’s internal “push-up” report and its longtime consultant. Actual enrollment came in closer to 4,000.
With Farmington’s taxpayer cost estimated at roughly $20,000 per student, Kelly argued that the misprojection “pads” the budget and diverts funds from other priorities, including a town pension fund he described as underfunded, road paving (two miles cost roughly $1 million), and capital needs like fire apparatus exceeding $1 million.
He acknowledged anticipated counterarguments involving special education funding and possible federal reductions but argued those factors were already accounted for or overstated. He urged a mid-cycle budget review and a clawback of $1 million to $2 million.
The council did not formally respond during comment period.
Minutes Approved, No Online Comments
The council approved minutes from the October 14 and October 28 meetings without debate.
Committee Reports
1920 Building Committee
Construction continues “from dome to ground floor,” with brick installation expected in the coming weeks. Tours for council members will be scheduled before year’s end.
At Hog Fire Station Committee
Committee members reported additional design review needs after meeting with Gus Nardi of SPNA Architects on October 24. Final recommendations await supplemental information.
Sidewalk Committee
Councilor Brian Connolly and colleagues will meet following the council session to schedule the next working meeting.
High School Building Committee
No new updates. Next meeting: November 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Board of Education
The district continues to show strong assessment performance relative to benchmarks, though special education remains a significant cost driver. The Board acknowledged that three kindergarten hires were not needed due to lower-than-projected enrollment—corroborating public comment concerns.
A new superintendent, Jess M. Giannini, formerly Assistant Superintendent in Avon, begins January 5, 2026 and will visit Farmington schools beforehand to work with Interim Superintendent Kathy Blonski.
Next BOE meeting: November 17 at Farmington High School.
Conservation & Inland Wetlands
The November 5 meeting focused on routine applications. Tunksis Country Club reported progress on stormwater management and clearing clogged drainage swales. Elections reaffirmed:
- Chair: Ned Stachin
- Vice Chair: Robert Eisner
- Secretary: Dave Fox
Next meeting: December 3 (Zoom).
EDC and TPZ
The Economic Development Commission meets this Wednesday, preceded by an annual breakfast event.
The Town Plan & Zoning Commission continues a public hearing on a text amendment affecting residential parking, definitions, and off-street vehicle rules. Continued hearing: November 12.
Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Kathy Blonski announced that Moody’s reaffirmed Farmington’s AAA bond rating and summarized the town’s $22.5 million bond issue with favorable sale results. She noted progress on the Tinty Barn project and reminded members of a December 9 reception for outgoing councilors.
The council unanimously accepted her report.
Appointments
- Barbara Sack appointed to the Human Relations Commission (term through June 30, 2026)
- Christine Pettit appointed as alternate to the Unionville Historic Commission (term through September 30, 2028)
Both passed unanimously.
Meeting Schedule & Tax Refunds
The council approved the 2026 meeting schedule, removing a third January session to retain consistency with procedures. Property tax refunds were approved, with no new refund activity reported.
The meeting adjourned with Chair Capodiferro addressing local Scouts attending for civic study.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jack Beckett writes for The Farmington Mercury, where his beat includes town meetings, budgets, committees, zoning debates, and the occasional existential reckoning over municipal asphalt costs. He drinks coffee the way the Conservation Commission handles drainage swales—constantly, cautiously, and usually while muttering about runoff.
On We Are Farmington, you’ll find everything from:
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- Local listings at For Sale
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- School coverage at Farmington High
- Zoning battles at Zoning
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- Local jobs at Positions Available
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This article, “Farmington Council Honors Eagle Scouts and Veterans as School Budget Questions Emerge,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Farmington Council Honors Eagle Scouts and Veterans as School Budget Questions Emerge”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)
