Stonington selectmen set 2020 mil rate, issue TAN and allocate CARES funds as broadband talks continue

Stonington selectmen set the town’s 2020 mil rate at 1.157 and authorized drawing $150,000 from surplus to cushion property tax bills, the board recorded June 29. The board also authorized issuance of a tax anticipation note of up to $550,000 to bridge cashflow until tax receipts arrive, following a competitive bid process in which the town selected a local bank.

Town Manager Kathleen Billings‑Pezaris told the board she and staff had modeled revenue scenarios and recommended the reserve draw to offset pandemic‑era uncertainty. “If we have significant taxes go unpaid or delayed, maintaining liquidity is critical,” a staff summary said; the board approved the mil‑rate motion unanimously.

Selectmen also approved a CARES Act‑funded outreach budget to cover signage, public‑education materials and community assistance programs (about $8,500 approved in July). The town manager said the funds will pay for pandemic outreach and communication work the town has already begun, including online resource pages and public‑safety signage.

On finance matters in March the board opened four tax‑anticipation note (TAN) bids and selected the winning proposal; the formal TAN authorization was adopted under municipal finance statutes to ensure the town can meet winter cash needs if tax collections lag. The board approved the financing vote on March 16.

Infrastructure and long‑range planning also remained on the agenda: the town continued to review a proposed Consolidated (CCI/Consolidated Communications) broadband contract that would expand fiber and internet service to parts of Stonington. TM Billings‑Pezaris compared the draft with agreements used by nearby towns and said Consolidated staff and town technical staff had participated in multiple project meetings. Selectmen requested additional contract language clarifications (for example, treatment of out‑of‑scope work) before final approval.

What happens next: The board will monitor tax collections and reserve balances through the summer and complete contract review for the broadband project before any final authorization.