2013 Donahue Park Summer Concert

Summer is here and the extremely popular Donahue Park Summer Concert will again take place this year. Last two years it has been a huge hit in Downtown Pawcatuck. Due to the difficult budget year we have scheduled one concert. This concert will take place Friday, August 9th starting at 6:30pm at Donahue Park (behind Citizen’s Bank). Concerts are free and open to the public!

The concert will open as Sugar will return to Donahue Park Summer Concert and open the show. A local party band favorite who disco, funk, hip-hop, and R&B had the huge crowd dancing in Downtown Pawcatuck last year. We are proud to have them play again at the Donahue Park Summer Concert

This year to headline our evening is the Journey Tribute Band, Voyage http://www.voyageband.com. Hailed by fans and critics alike as the world’s best Journey Tribute Band, Voyage’s singer Hugo is an absolute dead ringer for Steve Perry both visually and vocally and the band features top class NY musicians. Voyage takes you back to the late 1970s to mid 1980s when the timeless music of Journey ruled the airwaves with the classics “Open Arms,” “Who’s Crying Now,” “Separate Ways” and of course “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Voyage will be faithfully paying tribute to Steve Perry and his era in Journey. As you can always expect from Hugo, this show will deliver nothing less than an incredible mind-blowing musical experience!

This year more vendors will be on site, there will be more specials with local establishments and more activities. This event gives the community & families a chance to get together, patronize the downtown local merchants and enjoy the sights and sounds of a variety of music in the park. This event continues the “Downtown Pawcatuck Revitalization Initiative”

Budget Deliberations begins

We started budget deliberations Wed. night. I have to say that this has been one of the most difficult years to construct such a budget. With revaluation, potential significant state cuts, and decreased revenue due to the economy, it gets difficult to connect funding for everything. To provide similar funding as last year after this year’s adjusted mill rate, there is the potential to have 2.5 million cut from this budget. $260,000 was cut last night in only capital expenditures and discussion of using some fund reserve.

Having the last five years average only a 1.75% increase, we have already done much efficiency building into the budgets. Last year the increase was only 2.22%. But this year coupled with revaluation, potential significant state cuts, and decreased revenue due to economy it get more difficult. In addition, I want to express my admiration for Dr. Riley in his efficient construction of the Board of Education budget with only a 2.97% increase this year. With this said, I am strongly encouraging stakeholders in the town to attend the next budget deliberation meetings on Wednesday nights starting at 7pm at the Stonington Police Community Room to observe, learn about, and support your interest in the upcoming budget.

As we enter into the New Year, I felt it would be good to reflect on the accomplishments of this past year and some of the issues forthcoming in 2013.

As we prepare our annual budget, 2012 was an intricate budget process and we are expecting 2013 to be no better. I am proud of the virtually no-increase budgets on the town side for last three years. This has provided Stonington to have the lowest mill-rate in Southeastern CT. and attractive to new business. But the State is struggling with a 415 million dollar deficit which makes it difficult for municipalities.

Our budget this year will be constructed within a framework that balances internal needs with community expectations and economic conditions. I am working closely with Dr. Van Riley our new Superintendent as we construct our budget simultaneously.

In 2012 we also dealt with some interesting challenges. Hurricane Sandy caused much havoc to the community, a major bonding initiative will provide for new roads and athletic fields and re-organizing two town departments. We were also able to create a number of opportunities and continue completing a number of projects and achievements.

This year we implemented and completed a number of highway projects and initiatives. We paved and fixed several roads including the reconstruction of Greenhaven rd. & Renee Dr. We continued our tree trimming initiative and routine downtown maintenance and upkeep. We also implemented SeeClickFix reporting program for residents. Our $3.5 million dollar road bond will allow us to fix 67 out of the 110 town approved roads over the next four years.

This year also included the implementation and success of a number of initiatives including revitalization on several Mechanic St. properties including the Vacca Building in Downtown through the “Distressed Building Ordinance”. We also hosted our 2nd “Donahue Park Concert Series”, obtained a $500,000 grant to renovate Edith K Richmond Homes, renovated Haley Way Playground, created Stonington Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission, re-established K-12 Bldg Committee, and launched Town of Stonington Prescription Card. In addition a continued economic development effort continued with several new businesses including supporting local start up Airwell H20, launched a Non-profit Economic Study, and created “Starting a Business in Stonington” Guide.

As we enter 2013, we look forward to continuing to focus on our town goals of preserving and enhancing our sense of community, using Town resources efficiently, continuing to plan for, improve and maintain the Town’s infrastructure, provide a stable level of service and programs, assure a safe and healthy community, continue to promote the Town of Stonington to attract economic development, and continue as regional leader in collaborative efforts with other agencies and organizations, and provide and support a highly qualified and motivated Town work force.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to my department heads, my staff and all the Town Employees for their help this year. I appreciate and respect their commitment to the Town. I would also like to thank the members of our community and Boards and Commissions. Their voluntary work and commitment are critical to the success of the town. As the quote says, “Individually we are one drop, but together we are an ocean” I wish everyone a Happy Holidays.

2nd Annual Selectmen Food Drive

I will be joined by the Selectmen from North Stonington for our 2nd Annual Selectmen Food Drive at Stop & Shop in Pawcatuck tomorrow from 9am to 1pm.

Please join us by stopping by and dropping off perishable items for the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. I am proud to join First Selectman Nick Mullane and Selectmen Shawn Murphy in the wonderful project.

REMINDER: Friday, November 16th 2012 to be Halloween in Stonington Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A reminder, as a result of Hurricane Sandy, I have designating Friday, November 16^th 2012 to be Halloween in Stonington Day! We are encouraging children to “trick or treat” in town and are asking residents and businesses to help us by participating. I will be joining other staff by dressing up to lead this fun tradition. We are looking to host Como Kids at Town Hall, I will be visiting a couple schools, Teens to Tots Program, and we welcome any other “trick or treaters” who want to stop by Town Hall (open till 4pm) and Human Services (open till 4:30pm).  

Please leave your front light on to help “trick or treaters” find participating houses. As you know, to provide a safe, disruption free and enjoyable environment for our children, we encouraged children to “trick or treat” on this alternative date. With no power & lights, distressed families and difficult unsafe roads; we felt November 16^th would be an enjoyable alternative date.

I want to personally thank you for your support during the storm and your help in keeping this festive tradition going in Stonington in 2012.

Halloween in Stonington Day! November 16th

 

 

 

 

I am happy to announce that as planned from the result of Hurricane Sandy, I am designating Friday, November 16^th to be Halloween in Stonington Day! We are encouraging children to “trick or treat” in town and are asking residents and businesses to help us by participating. I will be joining other staff by dressing up to lead this fun tradition. We are looking to host Como Kids at Town Hall, I will be visiting a couple schools, Teens to Tots Program, and we welcome any other “trick or treaters” who want to stop by Town Hall (open till 4pm) and Human Services (open till 4:30pm).  

Please leave your front light on to help “trick or treaters” find participating houses. As you know, to provide a safe, disruption free and enjoyable environment for our children, we encouraged children to “trick or treat” on this alternative date. With no power & lights, distressed families and difficult unsafe roads; we felt November 16^th would be an enjoyable alternative date.

I want to personally thank you for your support during the storm and your help in keeping this festive tradition going in Stonington in 2012.

Hurricane Sandy &Today’s Nor-Easter – November 7, 2012

A storm that slid off the East coast on Tuesday is now a powerful nor’easter spinning off the New Jersey coast. The storm is unleashing high winds and a chilly rain with coastal flooding a serious concern. High winds could add further stress to tree limbs across our area. Please continue to take precautions with this storm also.

UPDATES:

• FEMA coming to Stonington to the Human Services Bldg. on Friday Nov. 9 (12noon – 8pm),Saturday Nov 10 (8am-8pm) & Sunday Nov. 11 (8am-8pm)
• Landfill closed to public today as we process branches and trees, Opening Thursday and continue to have brush/storm debris waived till November 12^th
• TVCCA is at Human Services today for Oil Assistance applications
• Highway crews continue to clean up various streets throughout the town of debris.
• Westerly/Pawcatuck Veterans Day Parade is still scheduled for November 10^th at 9:30am in Pawcatuck
• Im am working with Human Services to come up with a Halloween event for our town on November 16^th. I will keep you updated.
• Town Government meetings are now reinstated to there regular schedules
• Town Hall is open

Any storm related questions feel free to contact dispatch at 860-599-4411 or EOC Help Desk at 860-599-7583