Borough Warden Candidate Donald Maranell

Stonington Borough Warden Donald Maranell, D, is seeking his third term as warden in the borough’s May 2, 2011 election.

A borough resident for 30 years, Maranell said he enjoys being a public servant. He believes anyone should “be involved if you have the time and desire.”

After serving 20 years in the Navy, a year as a Borough Burgess, three terms as Stonington First Selectman and two terms as Borough Warden, Maranell does seems to enjoy being a borough resident with his wife Mary.

A former owner of , Maranell said “interacting with the people,” is his favorite thing about living in the borough. “It’s a good group of people that value the quality of life and get involved in the community.”

Which isn’t to say the borough isn’t without its issues. Maranell said if elected, his top priorities would be infrastructure improvements especially street repairs, public safety focusing on speeding, and continuing to maintain the borough’s quality of life.

One option in terms of street repairs would be do more street sealing. In terms of safety and the problem of speeding, Maranell said he would continue to work with the Stonington Police Department and take input from local residents. The board did a study of high pedestrian traffic areas and painted the crosswalks to make them more visible. Other options, Maranell said, would include installing a rumble strip or cobblestones just after the Aqueduct Bridge or having more signage of speed limits on the bridge.

The biggest success of the borough’s government over the past two years, Maranell said, is the restoration of the cannons in Cannon Square.

“There was a lot of public discussion—democracy in action,” Maranell said. And while he noted there is still some work to be done, the Square is special to him for the reminder it its to not just the borough’s past, but the nation’s history.

But Maranell said he believes the borough’s biggest success was also its biggest failure. At times he said the discussions about the restoration were tense and people felt the board wasn’t listing.

“Communication could have been better,” Maranell said.

Moving forward, Maranell said he hopes the borough and the town will continue to work together on projects such as repairing the sea wall and possibly sharing in bidding process of contractors.

In a contested election year Maranell seemed appreciative of all the people who want to be involved in the borough, saying “elections are just the way we sort it out.”