First Selectman Weekly Update 3-13-2020
Hello North Stonington!
In the wake of the Coronavirus we are urging people to get their news and updates from reputable sources. Our local public health authority is Ledge Light Health District. Their website is www.llhd.org . Please take a look at all pages of this update where we will include recent information courtesy of Ledge Light Health District.
- Prepare Don't Panic Over Covid-19 Flyer
- Covid-19 Information Flyer
- Covid-19 Parent Handout
- Covid-19 Hotline Flyer
The budgeting process continues as the Boards of Selectmen, Education, & Finance work on coming up with a budget that we feel the people in town can live with while funding the necessary initiatives in North Stonington. Currently the Board of Finance heard the recommendations from Board of Education and Selectmen. The Board of Finance will now deliberate and make their recommendations.
Given the COVID-19 situation we are calling off any non-essential meetings for the remainder of the month of March (please check the town calendar www.northstoningtonct.gov if you are unsure of which meetings this concerns). Since we are in budget time the Boards of Finance, Selectmen, and Education will continue to meet. We are asking people that have interest in attending and being a part of these meetings to do-so online. Our friends at the Milltown Monitor will be broadcasting the meetings on their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOb_EzFRmpvROTuu-TxeFQQ?app=desktop . Here you will have the opportunity to not only watch the meeting but also to make comments and ask questions just as you would in person. As the State of CT, Ledge Light Health, and the CDC have stated- social distancing is proven to be the most preventative measure that can be taken to prevent further spreading of this virus. We want to be sure we are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of all residents especially all of you who serve in these elected and appointed capacities.
To this end North Stonington Schools have closed starting Monday to help prevent further spreading of the COVID-19 virus. Though at the time of writing this update no known cases have been reported we are acting in the best interest of public welfare given the information we have. We will also be implementing closure of Town Hall offices to the public. Should you urgently need to access the town hall in person, please call 860.535.2877 during normal hours 8:00-4:00pm and we will work with folks on an individual basis to help serve you. Town Hall staff will continue to report to work at this time, but the buildings will be closed to the public. This situation is very fluid and could be subject to change based on incoming information. Please keep an eye on our town website at www.northstoningtonct.gov and sign up for news and announcements to be best informed on all of the latest info.
As discussed at a few Board of Selectmen meetings, the Board is looking at the Wintechog Hill property that had been proposed for Affordable housing as a site for a new Animal Shelter. This week we met with a community volunteer who is doing some renderings, Animal Control officer Kasha Deshefy, and Highway Foreman Donny Hill to begin to discuss getting some site prep done. A non-profit is being formed by a private group similar to Stand up For Animals in Westerly to fundraise for the construction of this facility. More to come on this exciting initiative for the town.
School construction continues to move quickly as we near the end of the Elementary School project. Here are some recent pictures.
The North Stonington Recreation Commission family fun night scheduled for March 21st is being postponed. We will let you know when a new date for the event is selected.
Though many board and commissions positions are filled we currently have a number of vacancies and anticipated vacancies. If you feel you would be able to serve on any of these groups, please check out the committee descriptions at www.northstoningtonct.gov, go to one of their meetings, and then fill out the committee application https://www.northstoningtonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4806/f/uploads/application_for_boards_and_commission_writeable.pdf and return to townclerk@northstoningtonct.gov . Thanks in advance for considering! (some committees should be either independent/unaffiliated or of a certain party due to minority representation requirements on some boards)
- Economic Development Commission – Democratic vacancy
- Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate – Republican vacancy (To be filled by Planning and Zoning Commission)
- Affordable Housing Committee – Maximum membership 15 members; currently there are 9 members (7 Democrats and 2 Republicans) – Maximum from one party is 10 members.
- Inland Wetlands Commission – 1 vacancy
- Cable TV Advisory Council of Southeastern Connecticut – Need Board of Education representative
- Town Treasurer (anticipated vacancy- stipend position, CPA/Accounting experience helpful)
This week the highway crew graded Hewitt and Pinewoods roads. Spring street sweeping has begun with Main Street, Kingswood/Meadowwood, and Cedar Ridge. Water outfalls were inspected on Lantern Hill, Jeremy Hill, and Wintechog Hill road. Trees were marked for removal on Hollowell, Main Street, and Rocky Hollow Road.
Next week the highway crew will continue to grade dirt roads. Street sweeping will continue on main roads. Trees will be trimmed along roadsides. Stop bars are to be painted throughout town.
That’s it for today! Have a great week
Mike Urgo First Selectman