Council Funds BATV, Chamber; Tables Market Aid

Town Council · Meeting of July 27, 2026

Bloomfield Town Council approved funding for BATV and the Chamber of Commerce but tabled $30,000 for the Farmers Market. The council voted 5-4 to give the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce $7,500, despite Councilor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown's objection that "no one from the Chamber of Commerce requested this money." A separate $15,000 appropriation for Bloomfield Access Television's relocation passed after Councilor Shamar A. Mahon warned against trying to "kick the money away at the earliest chance." Finance Director Hill said the combined $52,500 in appropriations, drawn from unassigned fund balance, amends the FY2027 budget.

The council tabled the Farmers Market's $30,000 request "until we have paperwork to back up everything we're looking for." Mayor Anthony C. Harrington opened the meeting by apologizing for the council's conduct at its July 13 session. The council also voted unanimously to remove Zoning Board of Appeals alternate Vivalen Smith for failing to file a written resignation after moving out of state.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,022 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of July 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.

The Full Article

Opening Decorum Statement

Background and stakes: The meeting opened under the shadow of the council's July 13 session, which several residents and council members described as disorderly. Mayor Anthony C. Harrington used the opening minutes to read an extended set of procedural expectations rather than moving directly to business.

The question before the body: whether and how the council would address decorum problems from its prior meeting before taking up substantive agenda items.

Substantive content: Harrington apologized to residents "for the conduct of our council at our last council meeting" and outlined rules drawn from Robert's Rules of Order, including that members may be recognized to speak only once per motion absent a new motion or amendment, that council comments are limited to two minutes, and that repeated violations could lead to discipline up to censure. He also announced that the Charter Revision Committee has reconvened, chaired by Joseph Suggs, with members Dwight Bolton, Erica Coleman, Elvin Turner and Brad Klein, and will remain at five members.

The deliberation: Resident Pat Davis asked pointedly whether Harrington's comments and expectations had been shared with the full council before the meeting; Harrington said no. Several council members later used their two-minute comment periods to apologize individually. Councilor Joseph P. Merritt said, "I lost my temper in the last meeting, and I apologize for speaking out of turn." Deputy Mayor Cindi A. Lloyd said the council had "been made a public mockery and laughingstock at our own doing, and not just townwide, but statewide," describing unfavorable reactions from residents at a political event in New London.

Procedural steps and outcome: No vote was required or taken on the decorum statement itself; it was presented as guidance.

Implications and what is next: Lloyd said she would distribute written decorum guidance to the public through the town's communications department, though no timeline was given.

Youth Adult Council Liaison Appointment

Background and stakes: The agenda called for appointment of a Town Council liaison to the Youth Adult Council, a routine annual assignment.

The question before the body: who would serve as liaison for the coming year.

Substantive content: Harrington announced that Councilor Michael J. Oliver had accepted the liaison position. A clarifying question from the floor asked whether a formal council vote was required; Harrington said he was not aware that one was needed, and the town attorney, identified on the call as Attorney Crumby, indicated it would not require a vote.

Procedural steps and outcome: No roll-call vote was taken; the appointment was treated as confirmed by acclamation.

Implications and what is next: Oliver will represent the council on Youth Adult Council matters going forward.

Citizens' Statements: BATV, Chamber Space and the Farmers Market

Background and stakes: Ahead of formal council action on three funding items, nearly a dozen residents spoke on BATV's upcoming move, the Chamber of Commerce's $7,500 request and the future of the Bloomfield Farmers Market, which received $30,000 in 2024 and a smaller amount in 2026.

The question before the body: public comment did not require a decision but was meant to inform the council's upcoming votes on items 2026-73 through 2026-75.

Substantive content: Robert Berman of Hiram Lane criticized the council for never evaluating Town Manager Schwab's performance since his 2024 hire. Mark Sanderson of 17 Oak Lane said he could not find any resident who uses BATV's service and referenced a letter dated April 3 from Howard Freidman to Comcast estimating relocation costs, along with a vendor quote showing a delivery window between June 9 and an August 15 expiration, which he said explains the urgency of the funding request. On the Chamber, Sanderson noted that the organization's executive had said at the July 13 meeting that she never requested the $7,500 and had instead asked for office space. On the Farmers Market, multiple speakers took differing positions: market manager Laura described how the market's funding has been spent on vendor vouchers, a composting pilot and administrative costs in past years; farmer Tanika Thompson of Hartford said vouchers "helped me as a farmer get income" and urged the council to keep funding them; Wendy Williams, president of the Bloomfield Lions Club, argued the market should relocate from its current site to the town green or Town Hall circle to draw more traffic, saying her organization's plant sale revenue rose by $200 after a similar move; and residents Katherine Harger and Erin Barringer both said the market's value lies as much in building community relationships as in the dollar figures. A caller identified as Curtin argued that without a formal grant policy, "you just can't just give $30,000 or $15,000 or $7,500 to an organization" and said the funding packet included no supporting documentation from the Farmers Market or Chamber, unlike BATV's materials.

The deliberation: Public comment ran long, with the mayor repeatedly calling for additional speakers before closing the floor.

Procedural steps and outcome: No votes were taken during citizens' statements; the comments informed debate on the three subsequent funding items.

Implications and what is next: The funding debate that followed echoed nearly every theme raised by residents, particularly the absence of a written nonprofit funding policy.

Item 2026-73: BATV Relocation Funding

Background and stakes: BATV must vacate its current space at Carmen Arace as the school district reconfigures grade levels, and the organization has a vendor contract for the move with a delivery date of June 9 and an expiration of August 15.

The question before the body: whether to appropriate $15,000 in unassigned fund balance to help cover BATV's relocation costs.

Substantive content: Councilor Merritt said BATV needed to raise over $61,000 for the move and had secured $40,000 from other sources, with the town's share covering most of the remaining gap; Deputy Mayor Lloyd said BATV had secured $40,000 and had been asking for $20,000, with the council ultimately offering $15,000 and BATV covering the final $6,000. Lloyd said a memorandum of understanding will govern the move and ensure vendors are paid directly through the town, addressing concerns about financial oversight.

The deliberation: Councilor DeBeatham-Brown said the relocation cost should have been included in this year's budget process, noting a letter dated April 3 had already flagged the move. Councilor Shamar A. Mahon agreed, saying discussions about BATV's space began "late last year," giving the town "ample time" to budget for it, and called for the council to develop a formal process for evaluating funding requests before approving more of them: "It kind of feels backwards. Doing it that way, voting for the items and then developing the process." Merritt countered that BATV provides a service comparable to those offered in West Hartford and Simsbury and said failing to fund the move could put the organization "out of business." Lloyd said BATV's reach extends beyond in-person viewership through Roku, an app and YouTube, including residents who have moved out of town.

Procedural steps and outcome: The council voted by roll call. Cooper, Oliver, Merritt, Waterhouse, Lloyd and Harrington voted yes; Mahon and Goodwin voted no. DeBeatham-Brown's vote was not clearly audible on the recording. The motion passed.

Implications and what is next: The $15,000 appropriation, combined with BATV's own $40,000 and a planned $6,000 contribution from the organization, is intended to fully fund the move before the vendor contract's August 15 expiration.

Item 2026-74: Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Funding

Background and stakes: The item proposed a one-time $7,500 appropriation to the Chamber of Commerce, which town officials said traditionally receives $5,000 annually from the town, above and beyond that amount.

The question before the body: whether to appropriate the additional $7,500, and how the figure was determined.

Substantive content: Harrington said the Chamber currently represents a record 125 local businesses and that town officials discussed boosting support to help it secure meeting space and sustain business development efforts; he said the figure started as a $5,000 estimate, rose to $10,000 in discussion, and settled at $7,500. Finance Director Hill explained that the money originated as unused fiscal 2026 Town Council contingency funds (council spent "just under $2,000" of its $150,000 contingency last year), which auditors advised could not be carried forward as a fourth-quarter transfer and instead must be appropriated this fiscal year from unassigned fund balance. Town Manager Schwab clarified the $7,500 is above the Chamber's traditional $5,000 town allocation.

The deliberation: Councilor Merritt asked precisely what the Chamber would do with the money and why its director had said she wanted office space rather than funds. Councilor Mahon repeatedly asked Harrington to identify who was part of the "we" that set the $7,500 figure if the Chamber itself never requested it. Harrington responded, "Who was we? So I'm not getting into that. Basically, we did not have a complete discussion about this." Councilor DeBeatham-Brown said she had spoken with Chamber board members who raised concerns about the lack of a reporting process: "They're also concerned how we are just giving money without any... any request, any reporting back, any way to find out that it was spent properly." She added that the appropriation, following a budget passed "20 some odd days ago," amounted to a fourth-quarter-style transfer in substance even if not in name, and said, "I cannot support this in any way." Councilor Goodwin and Councilor Cooper both said they support developing a formal process but did not want to withhold funding from this request based on precedent alone. Councilor Elizabeth A. Waterhouse asked whether the Chamber receives any other town funding and whether this was a one-time payment; Harrington confirmed there is no ongoing payment plan tied to the $7,500.

Procedural steps and outcome: The council voted by roll call. Cooper, Oliver, Merritt, Lloyd and Harrington voted yes; DeBeatham-Brown, Mahon, Waterhouse and Goodwin voted no. The motion passed 5-4.

Implications and what is next: The $7,500 is intended to help the Chamber find meeting space and support business-development programming; no process for evaluating future nonprofit requests was adopted, despite being raised by multiple councilors during this and the prior two items.

Item 2026-75: Bloomfield Farmers Market Funding

Background and stakes: The Farmers Market received $30,000 in 2024, funding vendor vouchers, a composting pilot and administrative costs, and received a smaller amount, variously described in public comment as roughly $33,200 from a private foundation grant, in the following year rather than town funds.

The question before the body: whether to appropriate $30,000 in unassigned fund balance to the market for FY2027.

Substantive content: Public commenters disagreed on how the money should be spent, with some urging continued voucher funding for SNAP and EBT customers and others, including Lions Club president Wendy Williams, recommending the market relocate to boost overall attendance rather than rely solely on vouchers.

The deliberation: No council member spoke at length before a motion was offered to table the item, citing a lack of supporting paperwork similar to that submitted for BATV.

Procedural steps and outcome: A councilor moved "that we tabled it until we have paperwork to back up everything we're looking for"; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition or abstentions.

Implications and what is next: The $30,000 remains unallocated until market organizers submit documentation; no return date was set.

Item 2027-02: Removal of ZBA Alternate

Background and stakes: Town staff reported that Zoning Board of Appeals alternate Vivalen Smith had moved out of Bloomfield and out of state and had verbally resigned in March 2026 without filing the written resignation required under Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 97, Section 7-103.

The question before the body: whether to formally remove Smith from the ZBA alternate seat.

Substantive content: A council member moved to remove Smith from the board based on the staff report.

Procedural steps and outcome: The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Implications and what is next: The ZBA alternate seat is now vacant and will need to be filled through the town's standard appointment process.

Town Manager's Report

Background and stakes: Town Manager Schwab's report covered the transition at 330 Park Ave., ongoing staff recruitment, the fiscal year 2028 budget calendar, delayed fiscal year 2025 and 2026 audits, and economic development.

Substantive content: Schwab said the HR director recruitment drew 48 applicants and the public works director position was filled internally by Glenn Garrity, formerly assistant director; the town engineer position was filled internally by Darren Lemire, formerly assistant town engineer. He credited Director of Operations and Communications India Rogers for coordinating the transition. On the budget, Schwab outlined a phased fiscal 2028 process beginning in August with department-level reviews and 5 percent and 10 percent reduction scenarios, followed by formation of a "Blue Ribbon Budget Development Team" in September and a final town manager proposed budget to the council in December. Finance Director Hill said the fiscal year 2025 audit, now with external auditor CLA, is targeted for completion by the end of September or into October, roughly nine to ten months after the statutory filing deadline, down from fifteen months for fiscal 2024's audit; fiscal 2026's audit is targeted for March 2027. Schwab said the Town Center Development RFP drew multiple questions this round, in contrast to no questions the first time it was issued, with the process closing in September. He also warned that absent service cuts, "taxes will go up again because we're phasing in the reval of all properties," and asked the council to provide budget guidance by September.

Implications and what is next: Schwab will be on vacation outside the continental United States from August 3 to 12, with Deputy Town Manager Sharon Ty Williams in charge during his absence.

Mayor's Report and Council Comments

Background and stakes: Harrington closed with updates on scholarship awards, the town's CIF grant application for Town Center redevelopment, and a regional municipal coordination initiative, before turning to council comments on decorum.

Substantive content: Harrington said three Bloomfield High School students, Daniel Anton Bernard, Yannika Johnson and Anastasia Harrison, each received $500 scholarships through Composite Lodge No. 22, which also donated $500 to the Department of Human Services for school supplies. He said the CIF proposal envisions redeveloping more than 70,000 square feet of commercial space, growing active businesses in the district from fewer than 15 to an estimated 20 to 25, creating 24 temporary construction jobs and 115 permanent jobs, and adding 195 to 260 residential units including 30 affordable units, with projected tax revenue rising from $271,584 to $2.2 million. He said the developer is expected to invest more than $85 million in private capital. Harrington also described a regional coordinator initiative discussed at a meeting of about 12 municipalities, with a total program cost of $480,000 and Bloomfield's proposed share at $17,900.

The deliberation: During council comments, DeBeatham-Brown said council members get less time to speak than residents and renewed her call for process-driven decision-making; Goodwin objected to the length of her remarks going untimed. Cooper, Mahon, Lloyd and Merritt each apologized for their roles in the prior meeting's breakdown and called for improved collegiality going forward.

Implications and what is next: Council guidance on the fiscal 2028 budget is due by September; the CIF grant decision rests with a state review committee.

WHO WAS THERE

Anthony C. Harrington, Mayor, presided. Cindi A. Lloyd, Deputy Mayor, present (experienced audio difficulties early in the meeting). Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, member, present. Darrell Goodwin, member, present. Michael J. Oliver, member, present. Joseph P. Merritt, member, present. Elizabeth A. Waterhouse, member, present. Shamar A. Mahon, member, present. Todd E. Cooper, member, arrived shortly after roll call. Town Manager Schwab, staff, present (joined remotely while on personal leave). Finance Director Hill, staff, present remotely. Attorney Crumby, town attorney, present on the line. Deputy Director of Finance and Town Accountant Donna Stewart, staff, referenced but not confirmed present. Director of Operations and Communications India Rogers, staff, referenced in the manager's report. Deputy Town Manager Sharon Ty Williams, staff, referenced as acting manager during Schwab's planned vacation.

Public commenters: Robert Berman, Hiram Lane, resident; Mark Sanderson, 17 Oak Lane, resident; Pat Davis, Lisa Lane, resident; Laura, farmer's market manager; Katherine Harger, 26 Guernsey Road, resident; Erin Barringer, 20 Kenmore Road, resident; Wendy Williams, 48 Gab Road, resident and president of the Bloomfield Lions Club; Tanika Thompson, Hartford, farmer vendor at the Bloomfield Farmers Market; Curtin, Bloomfield resident (address not stated).

ORGANIZATIONS AND DOCUMENTS REFERENCED

Bloomfield Access Television (BATV) — nonprofit seeking relocation funding, subject of item 2026-73. Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce — nonprofit seeking funding, subject of item 2026-74; officials said it represents a record 125 member businesses. Bloomfield Farmers Market — subject of tabled item 2026-75; funding history discussed by its manager and multiple vendors. Interval House and Bloomfield teachers — beneficiaries of a planned community dunking-booth fundraiser announced by resident Erin Barringer. Bloomfield Lions Club — Wendy Williams cited its own event-relocation experience to argue for moving the Farmers Market. Metro Hartford Alliance — regional chamber of commerce discussed by Councilor Cooper and Finance Director Hill as a related but distinct organization from the Bloomfield Chamber. Goldman and York — economic development consultants referenced in connection with the Chamber and the 800 Cottage Grove project. CLA — external auditing firm conducting the town's fiscal year 2025 and 2026 audits. Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) — state agency that issued the town a noncompliance notice over delayed audit filings. Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) — agency whose commissioner or deputy commissioner, identified by the mayor as Matt Piglusi, discussed the town's CIF funding request. Composite Lodge No. 22 — civic organization that awarded student scholarships and a donation to the Department of Human Services. Letter dated April 3 from Howard Freidman to Comcast — cited by resident Mark Sanderson as evidence BATV anticipated its relocation before the budget process. Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 97, Section 7-103 — cited as the statutory requirement for written resignation, invoked in the ZBA alternate removal. FY2027 adopted budget and town fund balance policy — cited by Finance Director Hill as the framework governing the three appropriation votes.