TWO DEAD IN HUNTING ACCIDENT
GROTON, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut authorities are trying to determine the cause of a boating accident that killed two waterfowl hunters and seriously injured a third. Officials say the hunters’ boat overturned Saturday morning off Mumford Cove near Groton. Firefighters rescued two men from the frigid water and third was found ashore after swimming to safety. Emergency responders also recovered the 16-foot motorboat. The two men pulled from the water later died at a hospital. Their names have not been released. A local resident called authorities shortly before 9:30 a.m. to report seeing a swamped boat with no occupants. Firefighters from Groton and U.S. Coast Guard crew responded to the scene.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by police with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
VOTE SET ON SECOND TROOPER
Preston residents will vote at a February 6th referendum whether or not to reinstate a second resident trooper and approve a more than $3 million dollar capital improvement plan. Town selectmen are hoping for a large voter turnout to determine whether the town is behind the measure. The previous finance board had expressed reluctance in assigning funds for reinstating the trooper position.
REST AREAS CLOSING
A spokesman for the state Department of Transportation says all state rest areas, which do not include service plazas, will soon be closing if money isn’t appropriated to the Special Transportation Fund. There are seven rest areas across the state, including one in North Stonington along Interstate 95. DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick says the areas could be closing July 1st. Nursick says the state will not be closing service plazas because they offer revenue to the department.
NEW WEBSITE IN BOZRAH
Residents of Bozrah have a new town website, thanks to volunteers. With the new site, town employees will have more control over editing and adding new and timely information, like town meeting dates. The new and improved website will also give residents online access to apply for permits, search for and pay tax bills, and view the town calendar.
NEW FIRE STATION PROPOSED
The Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department has long outgrown its Newent Road station. New plans for an almost 16,000 square-foot station were recently presented to the Board of Selectmen. The department currently stores both its forestry truck and a new ladder truck at the old town garage because they don’t fit in the five-bay station. The projected price for the project is $10 million. First Selectman Tom Sparkman said the project would be sent to the town for approval and would likely be funded through bonds.
LAWSUIT CONTINUED ON PLUM ISLAND PROTECTION
A federal district court judge has ruled that a lawsuit to block the potential sale of Plum Island in Long Island Sound can go forward. For decades, Plum Island housed a top secret animal research facility. The federal government plans to relocate that facility and has proposed selling the property for redevelopment.
