Skip to main content
Belltown, Conn.Vol. I, No. 1
Founded 2026
The East Hampton ❦ Belltown, ConnecticutMercuryAlways Last... To Breaking News!
Late EditionThursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Sixteen minutes to read
Set from the Public RecordEleven meetings · Twenty-seven items · Sixteen minutes to readNames checked against the town roster
Town HallThe Vote

Council strikes a paragraph about a resident from its minutes

One member votes no

By Jack Beckett ·

On Sept. 8 the council added a paragraph to its Aug. 11 minutes timing how long resident Becky Abbott spoke during public comment, then tabled the minutes. On Sept. 22 Council member Richard Knotek moved to strike the paragraph, calling it "a form of intimidation." The amendment passed with one no vote, from Ted Hintz Jr.

Chairman Dean Markham asked the council's bylaws subcommittee to look at how town boards write minutes and take public comment.

Minutes are the town's permanent record of a meeting.
Town Council, Sept. 22, 2026. Watch

The East Hampton Mercury is presented by Global Self Storage.

In This Item
More on Town Hall
Town HallWhat happened

Police Chief Dennis Woessner is retiring

His last day is Nov. 25

Police Chief Dennis Woessner is retiring after more than eight years as East Hampton's chief and more than 40 years in public safety. His resignation takes effect at the end of business Wednesday, Nov. 25.

The town has started recruiting a replacement and says a new chief will be on duty as soon as possible.

The town manager's report does not say who will lead the department if no chief is hired by Nov. 25.
Next ❦ Last day: Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Town Manager's report, Sept. 21, 2026. Read the report
Town HallWhat happened

Transfer station money runs out around January

Closing it is one of three options on the table

The adopted budget covers about half of what the transfer station cost to run. Public Works Director Matthew Walsh told the council Sept. 22 that it is funded basically through January, perhaps a couple of months longer with the fee increases already approved.

His memo lays out three paths: close it, share a neighboring town's station, or cut back how bulky waste is accepted. The council asked staff to schedule a public workshop.

How you get rid of brush, tires and old furniture may change next year.
Next ❦ Public workshop, date to be set; the town manager suggested early November.
Town Council, Sept. 22, 2026. Watch
Town HallStill Open

A records request, 21 weeks and counting

A resident asks the council how long is too long

Rebecca Harvey told the council Sept. 22 that two of her Freedom of Information requests took about 16 weeks to fill and that three others are going on 20 and 21 weeks. She said the town manager told her the town attorney has two of them. She asked what an appropriate time frame is.

No one answered the question during the meeting.

This question stays on this page until someone answers it.
Town Council, Sept. 22, 2026. Watch

The whole Town Hall storyline ▸