Updates From Darien First Selectman Monica McNally

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Board of Selectmen had its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night, and First Selectman Monica McNally provided several updates ranging from COVID-19 to school security.

Latest COVID-19 Numbers

The weekly COVID-19 positivity rate in Darien as of May 31 was 17.84 percent, according to McNally, which mirrors numbers seen around the state. This is the highest percentage since January, she said.

"But fortunately, hospitalizations still remain low," McNally said.

According to the latest update from the town, from May 24-30, there were 48 new cases reported in town, down from 105 and 117 in the two weeks prior. Those between the ages of 50-59 saw the most cases during that timeframe, the data showed.

Preparing For Hurricane Season

On May 24, Darien First Responders, Emergency Management professionals and related administrators participated in a 2022 emergency planning and preparedness initiative, McNally said.

This exercise focused on hurricane preparedness, and was designed to provide an opportunity for the town departments and agencies involved in emergency management to review plans, identify partners and discuss possible scenarios and challenges along with potential solutions.

"One of the key outcomes of this exercise was to create an action plan for the five days leading up to the event and the actual landfall of a major storm," McNally said.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 65 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season.

Darien Creates Mental Health Task Force

In the wake of two suicides of Darien High School students in recent months, McNally said the town has created a mental health task force to address the needs of the community.

The task force consists of multiple town leaders, human services directors, the Darien police chief, superintendent of schools, board of education members, clergy and mental health professionals from local agencies.

Read more about the task force

Addressing School Security

Following the recent mass shootings, and especially the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, at Robb Elementary School, McNally said she has heard from concerned residents about safety in town schools.

"The board of education is continually assessing school security, but I want to take this opportunity to assure the community that the town, the board of education and the police department will be meeting to evaluate school security,"McNally said.

Eversource Mediation

McNally said a mediation session was held on May 25 between Eversource, the Department of Transportation and the town.

"Eversource submitted a planting plan for the property owned by DOT along Littlebrook Road. The town is pushing for a more robust planting plan and made its request clear during mediation. A strong effort by the town to get additional plantings for the residents in the neighborhood will continue unabated as the mediator works towards a settlement," McNally said.