NO BILLBOARD FOR FLEMINGS
The Stonington Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a variance for a digital billboard in front of Fleming’s Feed on Route 1 for the second time in nine months. By a 4-1 vote last night, the board said Fleming’s should instead submit an application to change the regulations to allow digital billboards instead of seeking a variance to the regulations that prohibit them. The variance was sought because town zoning regulations prohibit displaying any electronic, mechanical or illuminated signs.
BUDGET HEARING TOMORROW NIGHT
The Norwich Board of Education says it supports its $83 million proposed budget. It’s a nine percent increase from this year’s spending plan and includes purchasing ten additional buses. School Business Administrator Athena Nagel and Superintendent Abby Dolliver said the new buses are not luxury items but are necessary for the extensive transportation of students to 106 different locations and an expected increase in special education students. The City Council will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall on the combined city, school and capital improvements budget of $126.8 million.
IMMIGRANT RESOLUTION DEBATED
A recently proposed New London city resolution that some continue to call the “sanctuary city” resolution has generated controversy. A fiery debate happened Tuesday over whether the city is setting itself up for federal scrutiny by resolving to protect immigrants in this country illegally. Police Chief Peter Reichard said police do not detain people simply because of their immigration status. He said the focus of his department is on criminals. City Councilor Don Venditto said the resolution would be perceived as creating a sanctuary city and possibly jeopardize federal funding to the city. The resolution was first presented to the city administration by a local activist group called People Power.
DUMPING AMBULANCE COMPANY MAY BE TOUGH
The Ledyard Town Council is expected to vote to request proposals for the town’s ambulance services, after Mayor Fred Allyn III formally ended the town’s contract with the Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad, known as LVES. But the town may have to make its case to the state in a months long process to prove LVES is falling short as an emergency medical services provider. LVES is exclusively designated as the town’s main responder to emergency calls. If the town requests a change and LVES voluntarily relinquishes its rights as the town’s primary service provider, the town would enter a new contract with another ambulance service. However, if LVES instead contests Ledyard’s request for a new provider, the issue then would go to a hearing before the state, a process that would take several months. LVES would also be able to appeal the decision, possibly stretching the process further.
MAN CHARGED IN SHOOTING
A New London man has been charged in a convenience store shooting. Twenty-three-year old Taj Johnson is accused of criminal attempt to commit murder, first degree assault, and criminal possession of a fire arm in the March 12th incident at the Ravi Mart on Broad Street, where a young male was shot. Johnson remains held on an additional one-million dollars cash bond.
