Stonington adjusts operations for COVID‑19 and approves CARES outreach spending

Town officials described operational changes in response to COVID‑19 and approved use of CARES funding for outreach and pandemic mitigation.

Town Manager Kathleen Billings‑Pezaris told the board the office had moved many functions online, planned a drop box for transactions and was limiting in‑person use of town buildings. Concerns about recycling led staff to propose temporary changes in collection approaches to limit contamination — for example, collecting recyclables in totes left outside to allow a waiting interval for any contaminated materials. TM asked the board’s approval to spend an $8,500 CARES grant on outreach, signage and PPE; the board approved the request.

Selectmen also discussed temporary changes to public events and building rentals, and urged residents to follow state guidance. TM said she would compile local COVID‑19 resources on the town website and facilitate contactless transactions when possible.