First Selectman Weekly Update 11-22-2019
Hello North Stonington. An incredibly busy week comes to a close here in town!
I’m happy to report our weekly “drop-ins” are going well. Thanks to those who have popped by or chosen to make appointments to talk about issues that are important to you. Once again, they will take place each Wednesday from 12-1 and the third Monday of the month from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Everyone is always welcome to stop by any time or message/call/email us but this just gives an open opportunity to folks for a casual conversation.
This past Monday we held our swearing in ceremony at the Town Hall. Some of our newly elected leaders joined us to get their service started. We are thankful to all of those who put their names on the ballot to serve and look forward to our exciting work together over the coming years.
We are very excited that nearly all the committees in town have been filled up with elected or appointed officials. We do have a few vacancies left. As mentioned last week, some committees must be a certain political affiliation based on minority representation rules…
1 vacancy- Planning and Zoning alternate – must be party other than Republican
1 vacancy - Zoning Board of Appeals
Up to 9 vacancies - Affordable Housing- looking for party other than Democrat
1 vacancy- Inland Wetlands
2 vacancies- Cable TV Advisory Council of SE CT
Interested individuals should email townclerk@northstoningtonct.gov with the attached questioner… https://www.northstoningtonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4806/f/uploads/application_for_boards_and_commission_writeable.pdf We are looking for applications by Friday November 29th, 2019.
As you may remember, our small dog shelter at the Transfer Station was closed earlier this year and we have been working with Stonington for our animal shelter needs. We would like to see if there are animal lovers in town who might have interest in being part of an initiative to have our own shelter here in North Stonington once again. To that end we will be having a brainstorming meeting tomorrow November 23rd at 2pm at the Recreation Center 267 Norwich-Westerly Road. Please join us for this 1-hour discussion if this is of interest to folks in town. This week our video with our favorite Animal Control Officer Kasha Deshefy gives a little insight into our challenges and opportunities related to this initiative. Click here to view this weeks video.
The Board of Selectmen met on Monday regarding the petition received to move the Wintechog Hill town owned parcel (portion 8-10 acres) to sale for affordable housing. Because of some flaws with the petition, the Selectmen had the opportunity to not move the petition forward in the timeframe which was required. All three Selectmen do agree the petitioners should be heard and will be however we were concerned about the timing whereby a town meeting and referendum would have been held around the holidays. We wanted to see the most town participation and felt holding off until just after the holidays would give the public the most opportunity to be a part of the process. We will look to call a town meeting in the new year and this will be on our next Selectmen’s meeting agenda to do-so.
We continue to see progress at our Elementary School. We are in the process of replacing some underground drainage within the school that was in worse shape than anticipated. Framing is continuing and drywall is going up. You will soon see the brickwork going up on the exterior and most of the sidewalks around the building are now in. Roof work is mostly done with details still outstanding and mechanicals are all set in place on the roof. Much of the work will begin to move quickly now as we are only months away from anticipated completion.
You may have also seen our solar panels going up at the Center for Emergency Services. That project is nearly complete, and we look forward to generation of renewable energy and saving money on our utilities!
Selectwoman Nita Kincaid attended a conference this week on the topic of virtual meetings and will be reporting on the topic at our upcoming Board of Selectmen meeting.
Town Planner Juliet Hodge also attended the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region annual meeting to hear about exciting new happenings in our area.
This week the highway crew worked on clearing roadways and storm drains of leaves. Asplundh Tree Company finished cutting trees on Billings, Miller, Fowler, and Putker road. Large tree trunks and limbs were removed from Murphy, Reutemann, and Anna Farm East. A crosswalk was painted in front of the Town Hall. Old/faded traffic signs have been replaced in areas around town. Next week the crew will continue to cut brush and trees along roads. Potholes will be filled in some areas. Holiday preparations will begin after Thanksgiving.
The transfer station will be closed 11/28 & 11/29 and will re-open with extra help 11/30 and the Town Hall will be closed Thanksgiving and the Friday following.
If you know someone who would enjoy this weekly news but does not use the computer, have them pop by the Town Hall anytime to pick up a copy. Copies should be available by end of day Friday each week.
Hope you have a great week!
Mike