COMMUNITY PARK TENNIS COURTS CONSTRUCTION IN FULL SWING
Work on the tennis courts last week.
R.S. Site & Sports continues its work installing post-tension concrete tennis courts at Community Park to replace the previous asphalt courts damaged in last year’s flood. Site preparation has been completed over the past two weeks. This entailed reclaiming and grading the asphalt courts to establish a base, then installing concrete forms and post-tensioning tendons. On Thursday, they poured the 5” thick, 3,000 psi concrete slab using a concrete boom pump truck. Following this, they will stress the post-tensioning tendons in the concrete to strengthen the slab. After the concrete fully cures, the surface will be primed, painted, and striped.
CHESTNUT TREE HILL ROAD MILLING AND PAVING
The Department of Public Works and Asphalt Repair Solutions began milling and paving Chestnut Tree Hill Road last Thursday. Approximate hours for the work are between 7am and 3pm. The project contract duration is 30 days, although we anticipate the major work to be completed within three weeks. The remainder of the work will be installing driveway aprons and restoration.
POLICE DEPARTMENT GRADUATION CEREMONY
L to R: Deputy Chief of Police Steven Cifone, Chief of Police Christopher Grillo,
Officer Paul Malaspina, State Representative Jason Buchsbaum, Sergeant Josh Recupero at the CT Police Academy.
Officer Paul Malaspina took the oath of office last week at his graduation from the 386th training session of the Connecticut Police Academy, solidifying his commitment to serving and protecting the Southbury community. This is just the beginning of an exciting and rewarding path as he moves on to the next phase of his police training.
The Southbury Police Department remains fully staffed, a notable achievement as many police agencies across the nation continue to face challenges in maintaining their workforce.
Please join us in congratulating Officer Malaspina for graduating from the police academy and welcoming him to the Southbury Police Department!
2025 POOL SEASON
Campers at the new Ballantine Pool.
Through a lot of teamwork between Parks and Recreation, Public Works and the Pool Committee, Southbury's beautiful new ADA compliant zero-entry pool opened just in time for summer vacation on June 16th.
To celebrate its opening, Southbury residents were offered free use of the pool and the first ever “Toddler Tuesday” for the first three weeks of opening. The Parks and Rec team recognized there wasn’t a convenient time for young kids to swim because of morning swimming lessons, so “Toddler Tuesday” allowed a designated time for toddlers and their guardians to enjoy the pool before naptime. The Toddler Tuesday program filled up just hours after registration opened, and continued every Tuesday throughout the summer.
Parks and Rec staff ordered new umbrellas, umbrella stands, chaise lounge chairs, and tables for the pool. Two of the tables are ADA accessible with a cut-out for wheelchairs. The pool has a new chair lift and there is an adult changing table being installed at the pool house this fall, as that shipment got delayed over the summer. Parks and Rec accommodated Region 15’s Extended School Year program on Thursdays in July and were pleased to see how well attended those days were.
This summer there always was one designated lane in the pool for lap swimming. The evening pool hours were extended by one hour to 7:00pm, and the pool was opened two hours earlier on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11:00am. There were 23 kids on the Sharks swim team practicing from 8:30 to 9:45am every weekday for 7 weeks. 165 kids ranging in ages from 6 months to 13 years old participated in the swimming lessons. The pool staff threw a fun Middle School party on a Friday night and offered free admission for the Family Fun Day on August 2nd.
All in all, it was a great first season with the new pool. Not only did patrons enjoy their experience, revenue was 53% more than the previous year’s season. We are excited to open the pool next season and hope that you and your families join us for another fun summer.
TRANSFER STATION STICKERS
On August 27, 2025, a woman commented on a Town Facebook post that Transfer Station employees were asking for $50 cash for transfer station stickers. Our police department conducted an investigation regarding this matter, including a review of video from the transfer station, and found the comment made by the user was inaccurate.
Our Public Works Department implemented a new transfer station sticker policy this year to cut down on non-residents use of the transfer station at our residents’ expense. Thus far, the program is proving to be very successful. Town transfer stickers are free to Southbury residents with proof of residency and vehicle registration. More information regarding the use of the Southbury Transfer Station can be found on our website.
SOUTHBURY JOINS THE ARRAYRX TOWN VS. TOWN ENROLLMENT CHALLENGE
Southbury is pleased to announce its participation in the ArrayRx Town vs. Town Enrollment Challenge, a statewide initiative to help those living in Connecticut access affordable prescription medications. By joining, Southbury is taking an active role in making healthcare more affordable for its residents while competing for the title of top-enrolling town in the state. Stop by the Farmer's Market, the Office of the First Selectman, or the Senior Center to enroll and get your ID Card, it only takes two minutes. You can also enroll online at ArrayRxCard.com or call 1-800-913-4146.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SOUTHBURY IT DIRECTOR
Saba Island (photo credit: Kai-Wulf, Saba Tourist Bureau)
Please join me in congratulating Southbury IT Director, David Richards, who is heading to the beautiful Caribbean Island of Saba to begin his new position as the Department Head of Information Services for the island, where he will lead and guide the ICT, CIO and Archives teams in the transition to a single Information Services Department.
Mr. Richards has worked for the Town of Southbury for the past five years, previously working for the Town of Hamden and City of West Haven.
Mr. Richards has been a great asset to the Town successfully spearheading several key projects, including: migrating critical software services to the cloud, implementing a modern VOIP phone systems, deploying next generation cybersecurity products, and rebuilding the library network from the ground up. He will be missed and we wish him the best as he embarks to Saba with his wife to work his dream job.