2026-2027 Town Budget
Town of Southbury
Not yet released.
Civics & The Town Charter
CT Law Library
The rules we create for ourselves are steeped in law. Locally, we work very hard to stay within those bounds regardless of outcomes, because amazing leaders understand the obligation to this principle.
The Town of Southbury and its officials cannot use the term “Selectwoman” in any official capacity because it is not in the Charter to do so. In their official capacity, disregarding that appears to be a breach of legal authority. Bring the issue to referendum and get it changed in the Charter.
Let’s agree to stand for proper governance and the rules that limit what can be done and how it can be done by the people, for the people.
Change is not the issue. Work towards change by doing it properly and within legal boundaries and authority.
Road Safety
Snow clearing and road safety. We just experienced a real New England winter and with it some challenges and issues that persisted without attention being given to them.
The town keeps a policy obligation that is stronger than state law when it comes to safety. Connecticut law does not contain a sentence that says literally or otherwise, “a town must maintain roads in a reasonably safe condition.”
In Southbury, the policy is, “to provide timely, efficient and cost-effective snow removal, ice control and winter maintenance on the roadways of the Town for the safety and benefit of the Town’s residents and the general motoring public.”
Our state sets up rules for how to recover damages.
CGS § 13a‑149 — Damages for injuries by means of defective roads and bridges
Pausing to remind you this isn’t legal advice. NOT LEGAL ADVICE.
Remember that state law establishes a process if damages are being claimed for failure to maintain, especially if a town has been reasonably aware or notified of a roadway hazard or issue. That is the key. There’s a clock ticking from the moment an incident or damage occurs.
90 days is the time you have to notify a town that damage has occurred and that you believe the town to be responsible. If you read the statute, there’s some small specifics but generally, an accounting of the incident that caused damage. Getting an attorney would be the smart thing to do. They can help advise on what’s best for you, but know that 90-day clock is ticking. Easy to do, but if you miss it, there can be legal consequences for failure to notify or something like that.
Here’s what better, and maybe the more important point to make. As we experienced poor road conditions long after a storm has passed, we were left with hazardous close-call conditions every time 2 vehicles pass each other in these dangerous spots.
Documenting the location and condition of the road hazard and reporting it to the town is the best way to ensure the town remains liable should they neglect to resolve the matter and damage occurs as a result.
Follow up with an email. Tom Farrelly is the Road Foreman. Easy to talk to, kind person. Let him know your concern and that you’ve submitted a service request. TFarrelly@southbury-ct.gov
The takeaway is that towns are not obligated to keep roadways pristine under snowy conditions. We have a responsibillity as drivers to operate a vehicle safely, which means slowing down. That does not excuse a town, especially if they’re aware or have been notified, from the liability they have for “failure to repair.”
Lots of gray area but definitive things we can do to keep the legal scale tipped on our side. Keep the town accountable for the hazards they create and report it. Seek legal counsel for any legal questions or issues.