North Stonington Weekly Update 5.21.2021 - Budget Plan, American Rescue Plan Funding, North Stonington Vaccination Rates and More!
Happy Friday North Stonington!
Monday we held our vote for the annual budget. We are appreciative to our poll workers and volunteers who helped make the day a smooth one. Approximately 10% of registered voters turned out. Neither the government or education budgets were approved. Both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education will now go back to our respective boards to look at possible adjustments before working with the Board of Finance on a path forward. We hope to bring another budget back for consideration in mid to late June as we work towards having an approved budget when the fiscal year begins on July 1st so tax bills can be sent out on time. It is crucially important to the function of your government and schools to have an approved budget so operations can continue seamlessly and revenue can be collected in a timely fashion from taxpayers.
We continue to get more clarity on the American Rescue Plan funding. We will be having an all boards and commissions meeting on Monday June 7th at 6pm to discuss the future use of these funds. The funds can only be used for certain purposes and cannot be used to directly lower taxes. We welcome everyone to attend the meeting to hear what your town leadership discusses and to make your own recommendations.
North Stonington’s vaccination rate is lower than the State average. The State is running at around 60% while we are at 41% fully vaccinated with 45% having received one of the shots. We urge everyone to get the vaccine so that herd immunity can be achieved. Science tells us that 70% of people need to be vaccinated for herd immunity. This virus is no joke and it would be very sad for anyone to become seriously sick or worse at this point when there is medicine that can avoid it. Many vaccination appointments are available at Mohegan Sun event tomorrow. Please consider getting vaccinated if you have not already done so.
We are happy to report our tax collection position has been filled. Donna Spelman will be joining us Monday. Please welcome her if you are in the Town Hall! We are incredibly thankful to the Town of Preston for helping us in the interim.
This week the Highway crew installed a new catch basin, pipe, and headwall on Johnson Road. Playground supplies were unloaded at the school. Stillman and Northwest Corner Roads were mowed. Furniture was moved and shelves were reinstalled at the Senior Center after improvements. Town properties were mowed.
Next week the crew will pave the section on Johnson Road which was just repaired. Asphalt repairs will be made to Grindstone. Some tree work will happen on Main Street and mowing will continue.
We hope everyone has a great weekend,
Mike Urgo
First Selectman