North Stonington Weekly Update 8.6.2021- COVID-19 Updates with Health Director Steve Mansfield, Town Meeting August 23rd, & Highway Updates

Happy Friday North Stonington,

Things continue to be very busy here in your town!

Last week a Town Meeting was called for to authorize the expenditure of $165,000.00 over three years to help fund more daytime help at the volunteer fire company. We have struggled over the last few years to have the coverage necessary in the event of a daytime fire and this will help us to stand ready to respond. These funds will be appropriated through the American Rescue Plan and will not come out of our normal budget or rainy day fund. Please join us at this meeting which will take place Monday August 23rd at 7pm. You may join in person at 298 Norwich Westerly Road or via Zoom by preregistering at the following link: **Registration for the Town Meeting has ended. If you have not registered to attend online, you may attend in person at 298 Norwich Westerly Road.** Remember, if you plan to attend remotely you must preregister no later than noon the day of the meeting.

You may have seen that we are taking some steps backward due to an increase in cases and hospitalizations regarding COVID-19. Today I was joined by Steve Mansfield Director of Health for our area and we talked about updates and information about the state of the State around COVID-19. The recording of our conversation can be found here: Discussion of COVID-19 with our local leaders video 8-6-2021. As we said in the discussion, masks are making a comeback to help protect those who cannot protect themselves. Mainly the many people who are unable to receive the lifesaving vaccine due to age or ineligibility. If you are eligible for the vaccine please inform yourself with factual information and you will be led to immediately receive it. The benefits of the vaccine far outweigh any detriments. Please also wear a mask when asked to. With everyone working together on this we can stomp this virus into submission within a month or so and be back to normal if all goes well!

If you are a North Stonington business who is in need of a small supply of masks for your patrons you may contact the Town’s Emergency Management Director Gary Baron at 860.912.0004 and leave a message if he does not pick up. We can offer up to 100 masks per business if needed.

Our highway crew remains busy with tree trimming, mowing, and roadwork throughout town. We are planning to take care of some drainage work on Kingswood Drive prior to phase 3 of the paving job which will begin sometime in September. Please proceed cautiously around our town workers when you see them. Speaking of our Public Works, security cameras have now been installed at the transfer station.

A date for NoStoFest has been announced! This celebration of all things North Stonington is scheduled for September 26th from 11-3pm. During this wonderful time Main Street is shut down and filled with food, fun, entertainment and music for everyone to enjoy! Keep an eye out for more details soon!

We will take our summer pause on the weekly updates for the month of August. We will talk to you again in September!

Mike Urgo

First Selectman