Town Manager Altshul Resigns Effective Sept. 2

Town Council · Meeting of July 28, 2026

Newington's Town Manager Jonathan Altshul announced he will resign effective September 2, hours after the Town Council voted 8-0 to enter executive session on succession planning for his own position. Altshul, who said he is taking a township manager post near Philadelphia, told the council "it is a special community" and "of all the towns I've worked in, this is the most somehow quintessentially American." Separately, consultant Andrew Maximilian of Blue Wing Services told the council the town has settled on a state-owned "DOT parcel" on East Cedar Street, roughly 0.17 miles from the current Callahan Mountain site, for a new 180-foot public safety radio tower, targeting completion by fall 2027. The council also voted 8-0 to impose an immediate moratorium on non-governmental flags on town property and approved $167.58 in tax refunds, 7-0.

Resident Lawrence Barry said his property assessment ran roughly $70,000 above comparable homes, driving a $1,500 tax increase to $6,738.14.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,687 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of July 28, 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

Executive Session on Town Manager Succession Planning

The council's special meeting, convened at 6:05 p.m., existed for a single purpose: a closed-door discussion under Connecticut General Statutes section 1-200(6)(A) on "a personnel matter regarding succession planning for the Town Manager position," per the agenda and minutes. This item appears on the agenda as Resolution 2026-28. The question before the council was procedural — whether to go into executive session at all — not a substantive personnel decision itself.

Mayor Jon Trister called the meeting to order, and the roll showed Councilors Gail Budrejko, Nancy Cappello, Kelly deHaas, Kathy Gonzalez, Hilda Nieves, Matthew Plourd and A.J. Tiniakos present, with Deputy Mayor Kim Radda absent. Councilor Plourd moved to enter executive session; Councilor Gonzalez seconded. The motion passed 8-0. The council adjourned to closed session at 6:07 p.m. and returned at 6:30 p.m., with no action taken in open session afterward. The special meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m., also on an 8-0 vote.

No substantive outcome of the personnel discussion was disclosed. What happened next, at the regular meeting that began at 7 p.m., gave the closed session new significance.

Town Manager Altshul Announces Resignation

During his town manager's report, near the close of the regular meeting, Jonathan Altshul told the council his resignation would take effect September 2. He said he has accepted a position as township manager in a community he described as just north of Philadelphia, naming it in the meeting as Cheltenham Township. He said he gave notice about a week and a half before the meeting.

Altshul, who said he took the Newington job roughly two years ago partly to be near his father, framed his departure in personal terms, telling the council and residents he had grown attached to the town. "It is a special community," he said. "It is, of all the towns I've worked in, this is the most somehow quintessentially American." He said he would attend one additional council meeting before his departure and hopes to visit occasionally afterward.

He also used the report to note two pending resolutions: the removal of abandoned vehicles from a long-flagged commercial property on Francis Avenue, and the near-completion of the Wallace Middle School renovation, which he credited to Lauren and Steve Woods on the school building committee.

No vote accompanied the resignation announcement. The council did not discuss, in open session, a timeline or process for selecting an interim or permanent successor. Resident Rose Lyons asked during public participation whether residents would get the kind of input into the next manager search that they had in the past; Mayor Trister said only that "whenever we have a solid plan, it'll be made public." No specific commitment on process or timing was offered on the record.

Radio Tower Site Relocation

Background and stakes: Newington's public safety radio infrastructure currently operates from a tower and shelter on Callahan Mountain, land owned by the Callahan family under a lease the town does not control long-term. The site has connectivity limits, cannot easily be expanded, and carries a recurring monthly cost for a "stopgap" link, according to presenter Andrew Maximilian.

The question before the council: to receive an update, not to vote, on the town's search for an alternative tower site to replace Callahan Mountain.

Substantive content: Maximilian, of consulting firm Blue Wing Services, said the town's effort began with a candidate pool of 28 sites across Newington, each scored on radio coverage percentage in two frequency bands, environmental constraints drawn from the town's GIS mapping, and build-out feasibility. That list narrowed to a short list of eight sites, and ultimately to a single preferred option: a parcel on East Cedar Street, informally called the "DOT parcel," which the state Department of Transportation transferred to the town after a road realignment left the land unused. The parcel sits roughly 0.17 miles from the existing Callahan site and is not located in a wetland or other environmentally restricted zone, Maximilian said.

The conceptual design calls for a 180-foot lattice tower inside a fenced compound of roughly 70 by 90 feet, with a communications shelter and a generator or propane tank. Blue Wing has designed close to 100 similar sites in the Northeast, Maximilian said. Access would use an existing disturbed right-of-way and utility easement off East Cedar Street rather than a new road cut. Remaining regulatory steps include an FAA aeronautical study (which Maximilian said has passed without issue at comparable sites), a four-to-six-month National Environmental Policy Act review expected to begin around early 2027, re-licensing of FCC frequencies at the new location, and an 8-24 review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Because the new site is close to Callahan Mountain and roughly 40 feet higher in elevation, Maximilian said extensive field radio testing — required for more distant alternative sites — likely will not be necessary, saving the town money.

The deliberation: Councilor Budrejko asked about access-road improvements and whether the town would need a formal maintenance agreement for a shared driveway easement with an adjacent property owner; Sergeant Lechance, identified by Altshul as the project's day-to-day manager, said that agreement is on his to-do list but unresolved. Councilor Tiniakos asked about simulating what the finished tower would look like from locations such as the downtown area or Indian Hill Country Club; Maximilian said the team plans to produce visual simulations from multiple vantage points in coming weeks. Mayor Trister asked about the transition period between the new site going live and Callahan Mountain being decommissioned; Maximilian said the timeline is not yet set and will depend on coordination with fire and police contingency planning.

Procedural steps and outcome: No motion or vote occurred. The presentation was informational.

Implications and what is next: A site simulation is expected within weeks, and site completion is targeted for late summer or early fall of 2027. Jacob Knowlton and Scott Groskowski, both speaking in public participation, urged the council to move quickly, citing documented radio dead zones around town, including the Berlin Turnpike corridor.

Public Comment on Property Revaluation and Tax Appeals

Several residents addressed the townwide property revaluation during public participation. Lawrence Barry, of 75 Ponderosa Lane, said his assessment came in roughly $70,000 higher than four comparable duplexes on his street even after an appeal in which a town appeals board member indicated agreement with a lower $180,000 figure; he said he nonetheless received a rejection letter and is now facing a $1,500 annual tax increase, raising his bill to $6,738.14. A resident who identified himself only as "Tony," saying he had lived in town 45 years, asked for a direct meeting with town officials to present additional evidence disputing his assessment, which he said had doubled.

Neil Ryan, of 237 Rocket Street, offered a contrasting view, saying his own bill increased by only about $300, or roughly 3.5 percent, well short of the "tsunami" and 100 percent increases he said he had seen described on Facebook. Ryan also criticized tax abatements granted to apartment developers under a prior Republican-led council that governed from 2015 through 2023, saying those deals cost the town property tax revenue. Councilor Budrejko responded directly: "It is a little bit of a misstatement to say that no taxes were collected on those properties," she said, noting the abatements phased in gradually rather than eliminating taxes entirely. [01:59:40] — Councilor Gail Budrejko

Councilor Budrejko added more broadly that the state's property tax system is "really broken" and that the council passed a bipartisan budget and tax rate to respond to a revaluation that landed at an unusually difficult time, following the COVID-era market.

No vote was associated with this discussion.

Veterans Tax Exemptions

Background and stakes: The council has been developing a package of five veterans property tax exemption changes, with four items reportedly agreed upon and a third exemption category — a cap tied to median assessed value — still under discussion to prevent unusually high-value properties from receiving a full exemption.

The question before the council: whether to finalize and vote on the exemption package, including the disputed cap provision.

Substantive content: An assessor's office staff member identified only as Danielle told the council the median-value cap would limit relief on very high-value properties while still preserving a partial exemption and an allowance for up to two acres of land. She said a veteran with a $500,000 property would not receive the full assessment exempted but would receive an amount up to a town-set median figure. Resident Michael J. Fox asked about potential "double dipping" between the basic veterans exemption and the 100 percent permanent-and-total disabled veterans exemption; Danielle confirmed veterans cannot claim both and said her office helps each applicant choose whichever exemption is more generous for their situation.

The deliberation: Councilor Budrejko asked whether the council could vote on some exemption provisions and not others; Danielle recommended a single combined vote given the time available before the exemptions would take effect on the October 1 grand list. Councilor Tiniakos said he wants to pursue public outreach, including a possible presentation to an American Legion post, once the policy is finalized.

Procedural steps and outcome: No vote was taken. The council agreed to leave the item on the agenda for a future meeting.

Implications and what is next: The exemption changes would apply to the grand list that must be signed by January 31, affecting how much relief veterans and surviving spouses receive starting with the next tax cycle.

Council Rules and Procedures and Flag Policy

The council adopted changes to sections 12, 13 and 14 of its rules and procedures document, covering the order of the agenda and minor adjustments to public participation and voting sections, based on two drafts prepared by a council subcommittee. Remaining disputed sections were referred back to the subcommittee to continue negotiating.

Separately, Councilor Budrejko read a resolution establishing an immediate moratorium on flying any flags other than the U.S. and Connecticut state flags on town property, pending adoption of a formal town flag policy, and creating a three-member council subcommittee to draft that policy. The council passed the resolution 8-0, with Radda absent. Later in the meeting, the council appointed Councilors Kathy Gonzalez, Hilda Nieves and Nancy Cappello to that subcommittee, 7-0, with Radda absent.

Open Space Grant Referral

Background and stakes: The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recently opened a new round of its Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant program, which typically funds $250,000 to $1.5 million in acquisitions on a 35 percent local match basis, or a reduced 25 percent match for land within a designated "environmental justice community."

The question before the council: whether to refer the opportunity to the town's Open Space Committee to identify a candidate parcel.

Substantive content: Altshul said the town holds $277,000 in its land acquisition fund, which could support roughly $791,000 to $792,000 in acquisitions at the standard match rate, or up to $1.1 million if a target parcel falls within the environmental justice zone bounded by the Berlin Turnpike, Deming Street and Kitts Lane down to the Berlin town line. A staff member identified as Eric, described as the town's deputy liaison to the Open Space Committee, said he did not believe eligible large parcels remain available within that specific justice-zone quadrangle, since most of that land is already developed, but said other parcels elsewhere in town previously discussed by the Open Space Committee could qualify. The application deadline is November 6, with a required appraisal due roughly a month later.

The deliberation: Councilor Budrejko asked how the referral would work procedurally; Eric said the committee would review its list of previously identified parcels and bring a recommendation of one or two target parcels back to the council, which would then direct the town manager to pursue an appraisal and the state's 8-24 review process. Councilor Tiniakos noted that identifying a willing seller, not just an eligible parcel, remains the central challenge, since the town cannot use eminent domain for this purpose. Resident Gia Pasquarelli, who said she serves on the Open Space Committee alongside council liaisons Gonzalez and Budrejko, said at public participation that she hoped publicity around the grant might even prompt a landowner to offer favorable terms.

Procedural steps and outcome: No formal vote; the council directed Altshul to coordinate with the committee on scheduling a review of candidate parcels.

Implications and what is next: The Open Space Committee's next scheduled meeting is October 7. The November 6 grant deadline sets a hard timeline for identifying a parcel and securing an appraisal if the town wants to apply this cycle; DEEP runs the grant program annually, so a missed cycle would not foreclose a future application.

WHO WAS THERE

Mayor Jon Trister — presided over both the special and regular meetings. Councilor Gail Budrejko — Minority Leader per current roster; active in flag moratorium, veterans exemption and tax-abatement discussion (name rendered inconsistently in transcript audio). Councilor Nancy Cappello — present; appointed to flag policy subcommittee. Councilor Kelly deHaas — present; seconded tax refund motion. Councilor Kathy Gonzalez — present; seconded multiple motions; appointed to flag policy subcommittee. Councilor Hilda Nieves — present; appointed to flag policy subcommittee. Councilor Matthew Plourd — present; moved several motions (rendered as "Floyd" in transcript audio). Councilor A.J. Tiniakos — present; chairs pool committee per his own remarks; vote status on tax refund item unclear from audio. Deputy Mayor Kim Radda — absent for both meetings. Jonathan Altshul, Town Manager — announced resignation effective September 2. Scott Hoagland, IT Network/Application Specialist — meeting moderator, per minutes. Susan Gibbon, Council Clerk — recorded minutes. Danielle, assessor's office staff member — presented on veterans exemption design (surname not given in any source). Eric, deputy liaison to the Open Space Committee — presented on open space grant (surname not given). Charlie, staff member referenced regarding Open Space Committee scheduling (surname and title not given). Sergeant Lechance — identified as project manager for the radio tower project (surname spelling unconfirmed beyond transcript). Andrew Maximilian, Blue Wing Services — outside consultant presenting the radio tower site search. Public commenters: Rose Lyons (46 Alton Drive, per first mention); Stanley Sobieski (26 Deepwood Drive); Lawrence Barry (75 Ponderosa Lane); Michael J. Fox (1901 Main Street); a resident identified only as "Tony" (surname unclear); Jacob Knowlton (10 Hillside Street); Scott Groskowski (46 Miami Avenue, also rendered "Kruskowski"); a resident identified as Dylan McCarthy and, in a later comment from the same address, as Bill McCarthy (206 Churchill Drive); Neil Ryan (237 Rocket Street); Gia Pasquarelli (62 Wells Drive North, self-identified Open Space Committee member).

ORGANIZATIONS AND DOCUMENTS REFERENCED

Blue Wing Services — consulting firm hired during the town's radio system upgrade and retained to search for and design a replacement public safety tower site. Connecticut Department of Transportation — transferred the "DOT parcel" land on East Cedar Street to the town, now the preferred tower site. Federal Communications Commission — licenses the radio frequencies that would need re-licensing if moved from Callahan Mountain. Federal Aviation Administration — conducts the required aeronautical assessment for new tower construction. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — federal environmental review process cited as a four-to-six-month step in the tower project. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) — administers the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program discussed under new business. Newington Planning and Zoning Commission — subject to an upcoming 8-24 review of the tower site; also referenced regarding a pre-application for a prepared-foods store at the former Wheaton meat market site. Newington Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) — cited by Town Manager Altshul as containing an open space preservation section supporting the grant application. CGS section 1-200(6)(A) — state statute cited as authority for the executive session on town manager succession planning. Town Council Rules and Procedures document, sections 12-14 — amended by council vote; remaining sections referred back to subcommittee. Prior council CIP budget vote — referenced $50,000 to $60,000 cut from pool committee RFP funding, discussed by residents and Councilor Plourd regarding pool project funding status.