The Future of the Boro Population

Currently, the Stonington is working on updating the Master Plan. It is mandated by the State of Connecticut that this Plan be updated every 10 years and P&Z has been working thoughtfully and carefully on this important and time consuming document for many months now.

The purpose of the Master Plan is to act as a guide or "statement of policies, goals and standards for the physical and economic development, the preservation of the unique historic character and maritime heritage, and the general welfare and prosperity of its people." Comparable to the Town's Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD), the Master Plan shapes the future of the P&Z regulations which essentially, in my opinion, dictates everything except good manners and neighborliness.

As part of this update, the 2010 census information will be incorporated into the Plan. The population info was just recently released and I have to be honest that after reading some of it, yikes, what does the future hold for the borough??? 

Although I wasn't completely surprised by some of the numbers, it did reinforce my concern for the future of the business community here. Declining population, increasing seasonality, and an increasing 65+ years of age population.

Regarding population, here are some of the numbers that caught my eye:

• 2010 population of 929, a 10% decline since 2000. 
• On average, since 1930 when there was a population of 2,006, the population has decreased 10% every decade
• Since 2000, Town of Stonington population grew 4.4% and the SouthEast Region grew 5.8%
• The Borough has had the highest percentage decline in population over the past 40 to 50 years in SE Region.
• 65+ years of age population grew from 22.3% to 28.3% in the past decade and is now nearly double the 14 and under years of age (and double the Region's 14.1% 65+ yrs)

Regarding housing, a few more stats:

• 788 housing units in 2010, a 9% increase since 2000 (think of Stonington Commons and 101 Main). The Region experienced a 10% growth.
• Seasonal Housing Units have nearly doubled since 1990 (from 80 to 155)
• 155 of 788 housing units are seasonal, that's only 20%, but in 2000 it was only 12.8%  (I have to question this number because in the winter, the boro is a ghost town and it sure feels like half of the homes are empty)
• The Borough is 86% developed

According to SCCOG (Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments), "Given the uniqueness of the Borough's attributes it is expected that demand for residential use will continue in the future. Also, given the small amount of undeveloped land it is expected that conversion of non-residential to residential use and increased density on existing residential areas, will be experienced."

"The challenge for the Borough will be to guide this demand and encourage, to the extend possible, the expansion of commercial uses to provide services for both year-round and seasonal residents."

So, essentially, the population is decreasing here while growing elsewhere. Seasonality is growing and although I am sure some local residents love both of these trends to continue, the effects on the businesses, nonprofits, volunteerism, etc. will be exponential. 

Think of how many people it takes just to fill the volunteer positions to run the Borough (Warden, Burgesses, P&Z Commission, ZBA Commission, etc.). Think of the volunteers needed to serve on boards of boro nonprofits, help with events, etc. It will become increasingly difficult for organizations to find volunteers who are both willing to get involved and that live here year-round. Further, think of the impact of a dwindling population on the year-round businesses.

Businesses already know they cannot depend on boro residents only and gone are the days that residents don't have to leave the borough to find everything they need. These new census numbers show that businesses have been very wise and forward thinking in marketing, and increased marketing, to the (gasp!) outsiders, the tourists, the daytrippers, etc.  In the past couple of months, I have heard two comments at borough meetings that floored me. One elected official: "businesses are parasites on the community" and another official who noted that "there is a hyper-commercializtion in the boro."  Really? I mean, really? Are we living in the same place?

Stonington Borough Merchants Association (SBMA) has increased its marketing and advertising efforts to include southern CT, Hartford and Rhode Island simply because we need to do so to support our members. If they want to stay in business, we must continue to look both inside and outside the borough (and the Town) for customers. Businesses are utilizing Patch.com, Facebook, and Twitter to reach these local and distant customers. SBMA markets the boro as a destination, and it is a wonderful destination...to live or to visit!

Newer organizations like La Grua Center and the Sailing Foundation have brought in many newcomers to the Borough, both young and old. There are new, great businesses, new events, and (dare I mention) a movie filming. The restaurants are one of the biggest assets of this community and continue to be a huge draw to the borough. Shopping has not been as diverse as it is on Water Street in decades! And, the addition of nearby has been a huge attraction to the area (for both locals and visitors) and brought millions of dollars of collateral business to the area (thank you M&M Connery)! It's like the borough gulped in a big breath of fresh air this past summer.

The balance between residents (or, at least, what's left of them :) and the businesses has always been a sensitive topic and I am a true believer in finding that balance, working together, and bringing people to the same table to find compromises and solutions. The Master Plan is updated every 10 years, and now is the time to be proactive rather than reactive about the future of the borough.

If you like the way the borough looks right now, I would suggest that something might need to be done now to prevent these population trends from continuing because if they do, in my opinion, the borough will look much like Noank or Watch Hill in the future....they are both absolutely beautiful places to live, but is predominantly residential and/or seasonal what we want here? And, if it is, then so be it, I just want to know what the "Plan" is for the future.

The question of why the population is decreasing at such a rapid rate....well, that's a whole other blog!