First Selectman Weekly Update 4-9-2020

Another busy week comes to a close here in town,

Ledge Light Heath District www.llhd.org has confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the North Stonington community. Positive cases of COVID-19 within our jurisdiction have been expected, as community transmission of the virus continues to occur in Connecticut. LLHD staff will assure that all appropriate DPH protocols regarding positive cases and potential contacts are followed. We appreciate everyone continuing to follow the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" protocol's from the State of CT and for those who are continuing to work or must go out, please consider the CDC recommendations for face coverings.  Remember, taking a ride around with your family or yourself is fine, walking around in your neighborhood or on town trails is great. If you are working, please maintain that 6-10 foot distance between you and others and wash your hands regularly. All of these things matter as we try to flatten the curve and get our world back to normal. To follow State updates on COVID-19 use this website...https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus 

There are an incredible amount of resources coming out for both individuals and businesses. We have gathered much of the information in one place for your convenience as a business owner on the town’s homepage www.northstoningtonct.gov  . If you are a business effected by this please use the resources available to you.

Boards and Commission meetings continued this week by both elected and appointed boards. I am incredibly proud of our groups for not missing a beat and working hard to continue to come up with creative ideas to serve our community locally during this trying time. Should you be interested in attending a board or commission meeting it has never been easier. Subscribe to the Town's YouTube Channel and you will receive emails automatically if it is your preference when town meetings are being broadcast. Here is the link to the Town's YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkW3pPjg9_c_qfwrPF_0eA/featured . All meetings taking place are either being broadcast to YouTube in most cases and links are being shared to Facebook for those who use that platform. Additionally the call in number for meetings is being placed on the agendas for meetings so the public can attend via phone if that is more convenient. 

We are so fortunate the Easter Bunny is making some time for North Stonington and bringing in reinforcements :)! Two neighborly Easter Bunnies will make their way around North Stonington escorted by our own Resident State Troopers and North Stonington Volunteer Fire Company. As you may know, North Stonington has 55 square miles of roads so we can't get down every single road as the Easter Bunny is very busy this time of year. We have two routes we will follow which are still being ironed out at the time I am writing this message. Here is the preliminary plan:

3-7pm this Saturday 4/112020.

ROUTE 1

Beginning on Yawbux Valley then to Ryder Rd. to Wyassup Rd. North then turn right onto Route 49 (Pendleton Hill Rd.) South then turn right onto Grindestone Hill Rd. then right onto Chester Main Rd. then Wyassup Rd. South to Reutemann Rd. then right onto Hangman Hill Rd. to Rt. 49 South to Babcock Rd, Kingswood, Meadowood, Cedar Ridge. 

ROUTE 2

Cossaduck Hill Rd. (Route 201 North) to Legendwood Rd. then turn left onto Cedars Rd. to Billings Lake Rd. out to Route 201 North then onto Miller Rd. then  onto Northwest Corner Rd. to Anna Farms Roads East / West 

If the Easter Bunny is not coming by your house you may find a nice spot where you may sit distant from others with your family along the route feel free to do-so. We will do our best to let you know where we are along the way so you may plan (check the North Stonington Recreation Facebook GROUP regularly). Special thanks to North Stonington Recreation for making this happen for our community! 

CENSUS 2020 is officially underway as of April 1. If you received your notice in the mail, please go online and complete the CENSUS. It is important to do this as our State and our Towns receive funding based on accurate calculations of residents. There are some scams out there that tie completion of census to stimulus monies. The CENSUS has nothing to do with anything related to politics, payments, or anything else. It is simply a way of knowing how many people are living in each household. The information collected is not used by the government for any other purpose. Please fill out your 2020 CENUS info today. Doing so will save taxpayer dollars.

In highway news, this week the highway crew graded Wright road. Sweeping took place on Wyassup Lake, Johnson, Yawbux Valley, Stillman, and Boombridge. Stop bars were painted on Babcock, Reutemann, Hangman Hill, Wyassup Lake, Fowler, Putker, Anthony, Boombridge, and the transfer station. Sticks and leaves were picked up at the rec field and senior center. Street and traffic signs were fixed and replaced around town. Outfalls on the rec field were extended and filled with rock to prevent washouts. Foreman Don disinfected the highway garage and rec building floors. Next week the highway crew will continue to clean waterways. Street sweeping will continue on main roads. Stop bars are to be painted around town. Plow stakes will be removed along roads.

The Transfer Station is open regular hours Friday and Saturday. 

Have a great weekend,

Mike Urgo
First Selectman
North Stonington