First Selectman Weekly Update 4-24-2020
Good morning North Stonington,
Another busy week comes to a close here in town.
You may have seen the Governor’s Order requiring you to wear masks in public places where keeping 6 foot of distance cannot be guaranteed. Please follow the Governors Order’s on this as we look to stop the spread and try and get back to normal as soon as possible. While this maybe inconvenient we need to remember, many people may be carriers of the virus and asymptomatic. Though many have mild symptoms with COVID-19 it is absolutely deadly to others. Whatever we can do to protect one another is in our best interests. Thank you for your cooperation and together we will get through this soon.
This week the highway crew was busy as spring cleaning/sweeping/tree trimming continued throughout town. We also repaired some broken plastic sheeting at the salt shed where we keep our salt and sand for winter storms. At the Transfer Station we are requiring masks to be worn in response to the Governor’s Orders. If you don't have a mask, consider seeing this link from the CDC on a very simple way to make one.https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf
This week you received a letter from the Assessor asking you to report any changes to your home to the town. If you can please send this back in with the free postage return envelope provided that will help us to update the property cards. It is important the cards are accurate for your own benefit so the file correctly depicts your investment in your home.
This week I attended another call with the US CENSUS team. Approximately half of North Stonington has filled out their CENSUS information. We are needing everyone to do this asap so we are allocated the appropriate funding as a State, County, and Town. Please go to www.2020census.gov and follow the instructions to fill it out. It takes only minutes and will ultimately help to keep funding coming our way with tax dollars you pay to the Federal Government.
The budget process continues and for anyone paying attention you would see your elected boards and commissions are working very hard to put together a palatable budget for your consideration. We are nearing completion of the process and hope to have a public hearing in May. Its likely it will be a virtual hearing so you will be able to attend from the comfort of your own home. Historically hearings haven't been all that well attended so we are excited that with this convenience to attend on your computer or by phone more people will be able to participate. The public hearing is the time for the public to weigh in. With your comments the boards may decide to make additional changes to the budget. More to come as the budget is finalized. Keep an eye on the news and announcements coming from town.
This week the newly appointed Emergency Operations Committee met for the second time. This committee is looking at how we deliver emergency services in town and making sure our responders are adequately supported while examining the fiscal impact to the town. They are currently meeting every other week. Feel free to keep an eye on the town calendar to join one of their meetings, or any town committee meeting. The silver lining in the COVID-19 pandemic is that it is easier than ever to attend a public meeting. All meetings have a call in number and meeting ID listed on their filed agenda so you may attend by phone. Thanks to all of our boards and commissions for your service.
Speaking of boards and commissions, we have a couple of vacancies. We are looking for some people to serve on our affordable housing committee. We are also looking for a town Treasurer. Please see the town website for a list of boards and commissions under the Government tab and then if something interests you, consider attending an upcoming meeting to introduce yourself. As the signs say coming into town, "We Appreciate our Volunteers". We certainly do and could not keep our town running without them.
I will be hosting another virtual weekly "drop in" this Monday at 7pm where I will be joined by Ledge Light Health Director Steve Mansfield. We will have some area updates as well as the latest on COVID-19. You may call in at 1 646 558 8656 and use meeting ID 947 7007 9440 or feel free to join using the zoom app.
Finally I have been trying to get out on one hiking trail per week in town and I encourage anyone who is able to do the same. The weather is perfect to explore the many trails North Stonington has to offer. We are fortunate that our Conservation Committee put out a map of our many trails in town. Feel free to call Town Hall to arrange pickup of a copy or print your own here.
Thats it for today, we hope everyone has a great week!
Mike Urgo
First Selectman
North Stonington