CONDO PROJECT APPROVED
The Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved plans to develop the vacant Mystic Color Lab property into 42 townhouse condominiums. The $20 million project will be known as “Mystic Harbor Landing” located on Harry Austin Drive. Average price of the units will run around $500,000 depending on size of the unit and water views. Construction is expected to begin in 2018.
EVALUATION ORDERED
The man accused of fatally shooting his cousin in the driveway of the victim’s North Stonington home on April 12, will undergo evaluation to determine if he’s competent to stand trial for murder. James Armstrong and Ralph Sebastian Sidberry were cousins and members of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. Siberry died from a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.
SIGN UPSETS SOCCER PLAYERS
A sign at a Lyme-Old Lyme soccer game last month that said “our defense is a wall” bothered some Hispanic soccer players on the Morgan High School team, who told their coach and Clinton school officials about it. Clinton school officials contacted Lyme-Old Lyme school officials about the incident and how their students reacted to it. Both of the towns’ education officials say they’re working together to ensure all parties learn from the situation. President Donald Trump has said he wants to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and some in the Hispanic community find the reference to building a wall offensive.
ARGUMENTS HEARD ABOUT ABOLISHING RTM
The Groton Town Council heard from town residents Tuesday, divided over whether it should support the recommendations to eliminate the Representative Town Meeting and create an annual budget referendum. Those in support of the changes say Groton needs more efficiency and accountability in its financial management and residents need a direct say on the budget. Those who favor the RTM say it provides a voice for all of Groton’s districts, and elimination means it will disenfranchise voters. Opponents also said a budget referendum would lead to budget battles and allow uninformed voters to cast ballots. The Charter Revision Commission recommended to eliminate the Representative Town Meeting.
RESIDENTS SIDE WITH DEMOLITION
More than 250 North Stonington voters weighed in on two questions in a town wide referendum this week. They voted to let the town demolish the former site of the Red Horse Nursery School, which also was once the home and art school of photographer Fred Stewart Greene. The vote result of the other question will mean ownership of a walking trail next to Chester Main Estates will be transferred to a homeowner’s association. The association will be required to pay for insurance and taxes on the land.
