Stonington selectmen advance budget planning, infrastructure projects and pier repairs through 2019 meetings

Stonington’s board of selectmen spent much of 2019 refining next year’s budget, approving operational warrants and moving several infrastructure projects forward, town records show.

Town Manager Billings led recurring budget workshops and circulated draft reductions while the board approved routine minutes and warrants across meetings. The board prioritized a Greenhead Road shim-and-overlay this year after staff reported higher paving unit prices and designated recurring Monday workshops to complete the budget work.

The town evaluated options for a new salt-and-sand storage building after an initial metal-building bid came in far above budget. After engineering review the board later approved a Rubb USA fabric-building quote (roughly $303,149) and contracted earthwork to a local bidder to prepare the site. TM Billings said the fabric option offered a lower-cost path that met state erosion and storage expectations without the highest-cost metal building alternative.

Selectmen also managed a string of pier-related decisions. Harbor staff recommended replacing a chain hoist with a hydraulics-based hoist and the board approved replacing the hoist and using Fish Pier reserves to pay for equipment. The board also approved a later change to the Fish Pier daily fee to $200 to help offset operational costs. TM Billings and Harbor Committee members emphasized better bookkeeping and centralizing fuel-accounting at the town office to reduce redundant entries and clerical errors.

Other votes and contract awards included:
- Awarding the road-salt contract to Morton at $51.72 per ton after competitive bids.
- Accepting a low sand bid for bulk sand from Skip Eaton.
- Approving earthwork for the sand-shed site to Skip Eaton Paving (bid ~$48,754).
- Approving masonry work on the gym chimney (quote roughly $6,265).
- Accepting a donated hangar building for town use from local donors.

The board continued recurring policy and permitting discussions. A well-attended food-truck hearing produced a proposal to limit or exclude food trucks from downtown (Main Street) and Hagen Dock while allowing festival exemptions; the board discussed an ordinance-based parking solution but did not adopt a final, townwide rule in 2019. The selectmen also directed staff to pursue legal help to resolve a blocked public right-of-way at Holt Mill Pond after town staff reported parked vehicles and other obstructions preventing public access.

Education and interlocal issues came up as Superintendent Chris Elkington briefed the board on the school budget and building needs; his memo accompanying the discussion recommended assigning portions of the district’s fund balance to maintenance and special-education reserves. The selectmen also discussed police coverage and the options under a proposed sheriff’s contract; no multi-year local police department contract was adopted during the year and the board said the level of paid patrol coverage could be decided by voters at town meeting.

What remains in play: the town continued planning for a Colwell ramp Phase II grant application, seawall/parking design work at the Fish Pier and capital budgeting for an ICC roof and other municipal building repairs. TM Billings said these projects and their funding source options would be presented to voters at the annual town meeting and in follow-up workshops.

The board finished the year with routine approvals and committee appointments and signaled continued attention to shoreline resilience (sea-level rise) outreach in collaboration with consultants, harbor managers and the public.

The selectmen adjourned regular sessions with the next steps set for workshops, grant submissions and further procurement as needed.