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Friday, June 12, 2026
Farmington, CT|Independent Local News
The Farmington Mercury

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Bill Beckert

Town Council Member, District 2Farmington Town Council

Coverage (18 articles)

Farmington Advances a $30–35 Million Fire-Station Overhaul

Jack Beckett·

The Farmington Town Council voted unanimously on May 12 to advance a $30-to-$35-million plan to replace two of the town's three volunteer fire stations and renovate the third, seating a new building committee to carry it toward a referendum. The only sustained dissent came from the public comment podium, where resident Tim Kelly argued the town never seriously studied consolidating to two stations.

A Cemetery Proposal for Don Tinty Park Resurfaces in Farmington

Jack Beckett·

A 2004 deed gave Donald Tinty Family Park to Farmington as a public park. On May 12, the Town Council took up — and a dozen residents came to oppose — whether part of it should become the town's next cemetery. The council's direction: a legal opinion on the deed before any work on the ground.

Farmington Sets Mill Rate at 27.36

Jack Beckett·

The Town Council voted unanimously to set the property tax rate at 27.36 mills for fiscal year 2026–27 and to divide an unexpected $1.7 million state aid grant — half for current taxpayers, half in reserve for a revaluation year the council is watching with caution.

Farmington Council Defers Meadow Road Sidewalk Vote, Asks for Redesign

Jack Beckett·

After a 90-minute public hearing, the Town Council declined to vote on the south-side alignment and asked Town Engineer Russ Arnold to redesign the project as a south-side / north-side split crossing at Wakefield Lane. The vote is now expected at the June Town Council meeting.

Unionville Historic Commission Sets Five Priorities for 2026, Welcomes New Liaison Bill Beckert

Jack Beckett·

Nine months after a wave of departures left the Unionville Historic District and Properties Commission with three empty seats, two alternate seats remain vacant. The Commission held its first official 2026 meeting on Thursday, May 7 — five months after its last session — and welcomed Town Council member Bill Beckert as its new town liaison. Chair Lisa Johnson set five priorities for the year ahead: recruitment of new property owners (the Vibberts at 126 Main Street are first), public education sessions, commissioner training, new-member onboarding, and a fall walking tour timed to the Cobblestone Church's 100th anniversary.

Farmington Council Sets May 26 Discussion, June 9 Vote on Meadow Road Sidewalk

Jack Beckett·

Town Manager Kathleen Blonski told the Farmington Town Council on May 12 that the Meadow Road sidewalk project will return as an agenda item at the council's May 26 meeting, with a potential vote at the June 9 meeting. The council is committed to building the project this year regardless of which of two design options it picks — the original south-side-throughout design or the split design that crosses to the north side west of Wakefield Lane.

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