Fairfield council weighs big animal‑control bill and budget adjustments; approves financials and enters closed session

The Fairfield Town Council on March 11 discussed significant animal‑control expenses after a recent incident in which the town took in approximately 49 cats, producing a bill of more than $11,000. Council members said the town currently lacks authority to recover such costs and directed that an ordinance be drafted to allow the town to recover expenses from residents responsible for large numbers of animals; members emphasized that any ordinance should be applied town‑wide and enforced consistently.

Treasurer Codi Butterfield presented a range of proposed budget adjustments and line‑item increases. Specific proposals discussed in the meeting minutes included raising the treasurer’s hours (adding $9,131 to account 4103.3), adding $1,000 for a public works consultant (4103.4), $2,900 for camera/technology expenses (4116), $10,000 for town hall maintenance (4126.5), and proposed increases for legal and professional services (examples in the minutes: $6,000 to account 4183 and $2,000 to account 4118). The minutes also record discussion of increasing the legal services budget by $200,000 (account 4139), and proposed utility account adjustments of $8,415 to account 6132 and $16,751.25 to account 6134; grant reimbursements were expected to offset part of some utility costs.

Councilman Michael Weber moved to approve the December 31, 2025 and January 31, 2026 financial statements; Councilman Richard Cameron seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Later the council voted unanimously to recess into a closed session for strategy on pending or reasonably imminent litigation and to discuss purchase, exchange or lease of real property and proposed development or financing related to land owned by the city; the closed session began at 8:15 p.m. and the council reconvened at 9:56 p.m. After reconvening, council members briefly discussed and declined to purchase a marque. The council scheduled a budget meeting for March 24 and asked members to submit proposed numbers for the coming fiscal year by April 6 to meet public‑notice requirements.

Council members emphasized careful communication with the community about the animal‑control incident and the pending ordinance. No ordinance language or schedule for ordinance introduction was provided in the minutes.