Select Board Rescinds Resolution, 3-2 Vote

Select Board · Meeting of August 5, 2026

Clinton Select Board voted 3-2 to rescind a resolution critics said discredited local police. Member William F. Connolly Jr. said the document, titled a declaration "in support of freedom in our community," improperly implied the Clinton Police Department opposed federal immigration enforcement, arguing "no one is above the law." Another member disagreed, saying the language targeted federal agencies, not local police, and disputed that the town functioned as a "sanctuary city." The board also approved a $750 donation to the Crystal Club, up from a prior $500, and a liquor license for Coffee Land on High Street. Town Administrator Karyn Clark said the town expects to retain its AA-plus bond rating after a call with S&P Global Ratings, with results due around August 13.

Town counsel warned the town risks having to return $500,000 in ARPA funds tied to a stalled roughly $2 million housing project if a contract amendment is later found to violate federal rules.

In the full story:

• Public Comment and Routine Licensing
• National Grid Pole Relocations
• Water and Sewer Abatements
• Board and Committee Appointments
• New Business: Licenses and Auditorium Requests
• Delivered Inc. Host Community Agreement
• Special Education Stabilization Fund Policy
• Rescission of the "Freedom" Resolution
• Recognition for Former Town Administrator Michael Ward
• Traffic Committee Roadway Signage
• 213 Beacon Street Tax-Title Property
• Town Administrator's Report
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,008 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.