State of the City? Galbraith Gives Thumbs Up

The very first thing Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith pointed to as “a real positive” during her address Wednesday on the State of the City, was to declare the selling of Thames Valley Communication, the now-former division of Groton Utilities, just that: positive.

“We are already starting to feel the positive impact we have improved our bond rating, improved cash flow for GU and now that GU is out from under TVC, we’re focusing our energy on upgrading our infrastructure in both electric and water, so we’re moving forward,” she said.

Galbraith, who spoke before the Chamber of Commerce Eastern Connecticut Groton-Ledyard Division luncheon, said the city is working with Pfizer and Electric Boat on an ordinance on building preservation and demolition in advance of the drug company’s plan to demolish the 118 building.  The ordinance addresses environmental and reuse issues, she said and added it had its “first read” June 3 and will be looked at again on July 1.

Galbraith also said the city beach has most if its “sand back on the beach,” seawalls have been rebuilt as has the parking lot, the playscape in time, she said for the weekend.

She also talked about the just-passed $16.9 million city budget that brought with it no tax or mill rate increase and “anticipate a healthy reserve of 14.3 percent of our budget expenses.”

Galbraith addressed the “unresolved” highway budget issue between city and town, but said it was being worked on.

The mayor spoke about Church, Spicer and Bridge streets re-paving and the Thames Street project, which just got under way.

And then there’s social media. Galbraith said the city’s new Facebook page, City of Groton Government that provides postings on storms, traffic and “just keeping residents and business owners updated” on issues like the Thames Street project, she said.

Galbraith was particularly excited to share news about the new mobile food pantry and the new Youth Advisory Council.

Smoking in public parks and leash law ordinance are in the works.

“Keep in touch with us and always feel free to call,” she said in closing.

Friday we'll share the State of Groton Town with readers. Stay tuned!