North Stonington Weekly Update 2/26/2021- Vaccine, Highway, Budget Updates, & More!
Happy Friday North Stonington,
Certainly nice to have a bit of milder weather though spring is still a ways off!
As you may have heard, starting March 1st the Governor will open up vaccine eligibility to 55+, educators, school staff, and childcare providers. Ledge Light Health District is collaborating with UNCAS Health District, Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS), and Hartford HealthCare (HHC) to plan for the vaccination of our education and childcare partners. We are happy to announce that both YNHHS and HHC have agreed to set up mass vaccination clinics dedicated for these employees within both Ledge Light and UNCAS Health District jurisdictions. We appreciate the collaboration and efforts of YNHHS and HHC as well as United and Community Family Services and Community Health Center, Inc. as we work together to address the needs of our communities. Please understand that this is a work in progress, and we are all working together to design the most efficient system for vaccinating education and childcare employees through the month of March. As more details become available, we will share them with you. Please click on the following link to see the most recent vaccine eligibility guidelines: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccination---Phases. Things are continuing to go well in Connecticut with vaccinations and in due time everyone who wishes to be vaccinated will be. For now, continue being diligent about mask wearing and keeping distance. While our numbers continue to drop these measures should continue until the health departments advise otherwise.
This week the highway crew plowed and sanded roads from the multi-day snow storm. Large piles of snow were relocated from the Town Hall, Emergency Services, and Recreation parking lots. Trucks were washed and maintained for the next storm. Salt and sand were mixed to replenish the stockpile. Trees were cut on Jeremy Hill, Ryder, and Wyassup Roads. Truck 8’s sander motor was swapped, truck 9’s plow hydraulic line was replaced, the transfer station loader ladder was repaired, truck 3 received a new fuse, and truck 2’ sander bearings were repaired. You also may see some of the unsightly “double utility poles” coming down around town. We have spoken with Eversource and they have been coordinating this effort. Next week the highway crew will continue to cut trees and clear water ways. New plow blades will be installed on needed trucks. Potholes and guard posts will be filled and repaired. Please keep an eye out for our crews and drive carefully around them.
A semifinal inspection of Boombridge took place this week. The bridge is looking great and functioning as designed. Thanks to both States for their cooperation on this project.
The budget process continues. We encourage people to attend Board of Finance, Education, & Selectmen meetings if you are interested in participating in the budgetary process. This Wednesday evening the Board of Selectmen will present the General Government budget which includes everything minus the Board of Education. Please consider joining the virtual call to become informed about the town finances and upcoming plans. As we did last week, we would like to highlight a couple of investments the town is proposing in the upcoming budget.
At this week's Board of Selectmen’s meeting our Emergency Services Operations Committee presented the work they have done thus far. It was an informative discussion and will help drive decisions going forward as they continue their work. In the budget being presented to the Board of Finance, we have two investments you should be aware of. The board is requesting funding for additional Per Diem staffing to help support daytime fire calls for North Stonington Volunteer Fire Company. This budget will also support the hiring of 4 full time EMT’s for the North Stonington Ambulance Association. This will help us to have less calls requiring mutual aid. Emergency Services has been identified as an important priority for our town and we are hoping to provide the support they need to best do their jobs.
That’s it for today, have a great week!