First Selectman Weekly Update 2-21-2020

Hello North Stonington,

Another whirlwind of a week has gone by here in town.

You may have seen the solar panels being delivered to the new Wheeler Middle High School. The process of installation is happening currently, and we hope to have the system up and running within the next few weeks. This will help to offset our carbon footprint and save some energy costs for the town. Shortly thereafter we will be installing the system on the Board of Education space at the old Middle School High School building and later this year the Elementary School will follow.

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Budget discussions continued in town with the Boards of Selectman and Education presenting to the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance will now deliberate and decide whether to recommend the budget as presented or request further changes be made. Those discussions should continue over the next couple of weeks. Please feel free to attend a meeting anytime to be a part of the budgeting process. Meetings are listed on the town calendar on the town website. www.northstoningtonct.gov

You may have seen the postcard in your mailbox telling you that the 2020 property revaluation process is starting this year. Representatives will be out and about carrying photo identification and a letter from the Assessor. Please cooperate with these town representatives to make for a smooth revaluation process. For more information visit this site on the town webpage. https://www.northstoningtonct.gov/assessor/pages/2020-revaluation-updates 

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This Monday from 6-7pm at the Wheeler Library JoinSamCT is hosting a free event to learn about election reform initiatives in our state. There are some simple ways to encourage more participation in elections and help more candidates be willing to seek office. I will be joined by former gubernatorial candidate Oz Griebel to discuss these vitally important topics to our democracy. Please consider attending if you are available. Click Here to view the flyer for this event.

On Thursday from 6-7pm we will have a State of the Town event at the new Wheeler Middle High School Commons/Cafeteria. A short address will be given with the opportunity for Q & A from residents. Light snacks will be provided. Local online publication the Milltown Monitor www.milltownmonitor.com will be providing Facebook live access for online user interface. You will be able to attend this meeting either on your computer or in person since there is nothing to vote on during this event. 

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On Wednesday Admin/Finance Officer Christine Dias and I had the opportunity to attend Connecticut Council of Small Towns annual Town Hall event. We were joined by a number of legislators as well as the Governor and were provided State updates and the opportunity for Q & A. I was able to extend an invitation to Governor Lamont to visit our area and look forward to this happening in the coming months. 

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On Thursday North Stonington Planning, Development, and Zoning Official Juliet Hodge and Economic Development Chairman Brett Mastroianni attended an Economic Update with local towns and residents from the region hosted by the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. We had the opportunity to highlight our region and hear about upcoming State priorities as it relates to Economic growth. North Stonington is truly becoming known as The Heart of Southeastern Connecticut. 

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In highway news, this week we cleared waterways on Reutemann and Boombridge road. Repairs to the stone culvert were made on Babcock road. The fence was temporarily repaired at the high school due to damage from a vehicle. Hanging limbs were cut throughout town by state and town crews. 

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That’s it for today! Have a great week

Mike Urgo First Selectman