Town Meeting Tonight on Indian and Colonial Research Center, Harbor Management Plan and More

Voters will get to have their say on a number of plans at a Special Town Meeting tonight at Stonington High School.

The agenda includes votes on the rights of the Indian and Colonial Research Center property (ICRC), the revised Stonington Harbor Management plan, the reimbursement of repair funds to West Broad Street School, tax abatement for the New England Science & Sailing Foundation, an ordinance on solicitors, an amendment to the town purchasing ordinance, and changes to the health department’s annual licensing fees.

Also on the agenda is the discussion of the appropriation of $3.5 million for road improvements and $2.7 million for athletic field improvements. Votes on the appropriation of money for road improvements and athletic field improvements will take place during an Oct. 17 Town Referendum.

Indian and Colonial Research Center

Stonington residents will vote whether or not to “release [the town’s] rights to have certain property owned by the Indian and Colonial Research Center, Inc. revert to it in the event that the property is no longer used as a research center and museum open to the public as is recorded in a quit claim deed from the Town of Stonington to the Indian and Colonial Research Center, Inc. dated August 3, 1966 in the land records of said Stonington Book 158, Page 138.”

Under a stipulation in the property deed the ICRC manages the property, but the town owns it. If the ICRC ceased to exist, or the property was no longer used as a research center and museum open to the public, the property would revert back to the town. In order to be listed on the registry of state and national historic places that stipulation needs to be removed from the deed.

Stonington Harbor Management Plan

Voters will be asked whether or not to adopt changes to the Stonington Harbor Management Plan. For the past 18 months the Stonington Harbor Management Commission has worked on updating the plan. Among the changes would be the establishment of a mooring plan or grid, which the commission believes, would increase the number of moorings. Currently there is a 200-plus-person wait list for moorings. Full copies of the changes are available at Stonington Town Hall, Stonington Borough Hall and for download on the Stonington Harbor Management website.

West Broad Street School

The Board of Education is asking for an appropriation not to exceed $89,807 from the Capital Improvements Fund. If approved the funds would reimburse the Stonington Public School District for money spent repairing the sprinkler system at West Broad Street School

New England Science & Sailing Foundation

Stonington residents will vote on a resolution that would provide the abatement of taxes for the property owned by the New England Science & Sailing Foundation from May 20, 2011; the date the property was purchased.

Peddlers and Solicitors

Last September an ordinance prohibiting panhandling on town property and town roads passed at a Special Town Meeting. Tonight’s proposed ordinance would provide restrictions on peddlers and solicitors within the town.

Purchasing Ordinance

Voters will be asked to consider a resolution that will increase the maximum amount of a purchase the First Selectman has the authority to make.

Restaurant Licensing Ordinance

The Town of Stonington will ask voters whether or not to revise the restaurant licensing ordinance. Among the revisions would be increases in the annual licensing fees restaurants pay to the health department and the beginning of fees for non-food establishments. Stonington has not raised the fees associated with health inspections in ten years.

In March after opposition from many businesses the town decided not to join the Ledge Light Health District. Following that decision, First Selectman Edward Haberek Jr., Town Sanitarian Karen Weiss and business owners began to discuss raising some fees and adding fees for other businesses.

The Special Town Meeting begins at 7 p.m., at Stonington High School.