First Selectman Weekly Update 3/30/2018

Selectman’s update- Boombridge update, draft budgets done, upcoming meetings

This past week we had meetings with Hewitt Farm Committee and the Center for Emergency Services Committee on Monday, Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Affordable Housing, Board of Education, Finance, & Selectmen on Wednesday.

The town planner and I also met to discuss some ordinances that will be revised and discussed at our upcoming town meeting in May or June this year.

Our first Owners meeting took place at the job site for the new schools. Things are moving along and we are on schedule at this time.

A meeting took place with myself, Senator Dennis Algiere from RI, Senator Heather Sommers from CT, along with members of RI & CT’s Departments of Transportation to discuss where we are at on the Boombridge Road Bridge. At this time since costs have escalated over the 11 years this has been going on, we are now waiting to hear from RI if they are able to come up with the extra funds needed to be able to properly split the cost of the bridge. There is no excuse for this having taken so long, however with two state agencies, a federal agency, two local agencies, and two environmental agencies being involved since this is an interstate bridge, you can see why it is a cumbersome process. Please rest assured we are doing everything we can in order to move things along as expeditiously as possible.

We have seen some increased revenue over the past week with some back taxes collected on a commercial property in town in the amount of 568,872.00. We also sent some sparsely used town owned equipment to auction and made around $71,000.00 (minus auction fees). We are doing everything we can to keep North Stonington as affordable and efficient as possible for all residents.

The first presentation of both the board of education budget and general government budgets took place Wednesday night. Board of Ed and Selectmen members were present to discuss the budgets with the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance will now make recommendations and we will fine tune those budgets. Once the boards have made a “final” decision on a budget it will go to the townspeople for a public hearing where the public will have the opportunity to provide their feedback. There is no need to wait for a public hearing to come to a meeting however, feel free to come to any Board of Finance, Selectmen, or Education meeting. During budget season the Board of Finance currently meets every Wednesday, Board of Ed every other Wednesday, and Board of Selectmen every other Tuesday.

Next week we have the Center For Emergency Services meeting on Monday, the NEW Communications Committee and Board of Finance meet on Wednesday, and Planning and Zoning on Thursday.

The town hall and transfer station will be closed today, Good Friday, but open all day Saturday.

I hope everyone has a great week!

 

Mike Urgo

First Selectman