First Selectman's Update
The Bowen’s Field Committee is hard at work making plans to have the Little League field ready to ‘play ball’ this April. If you are interested in helping, or being a sponsor please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you to this committee for moving this project forward!
It is budget season, and many towns are facing a budget shortfall due to unfunded mandates from the state. These mandates include 14 days of early voting, a change to motor vehicle taxes, tax abatements for veterans, along with reduced funding for the PILOT program and Education Cost Sharing. The revenue we receive from the state has decreased by 2.6 percent and the Grand List is reduced by 2.5 percent. There are across-board increases in energy and fuel costs, public safety, waste disposal (tipping and hauling), insurance, and workmen’s comp. Looking at these reductions from the state, we are starting the next budget year with 7 percent less revenue. We are asking everyone to be fiscally conscious and fiscally conservative with their budget requests.
The DOT is planning on installing Center Line rumble strips on Route 198 from Eastford to Chaplin in the spring.
Great ready for May 26, Eastford’s Annual Memorial Day event! The Memorial Day Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at Eastford Elementary School. The Eastford Color Guard and Veterans will lead the parade. The East Woodstock Cornet Band will provide the music. Community members are invited to participate in the parade. Create a float, decorate your bicycle or wagon, march with your family, your pet, your friends, your church, or your community organization. The Eastford Independent Fire Company and Fire Trucks will be polished up and ready to shine!
Immediately following the parade, a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Eastford’s Veteran’s Memorial. The ceremony includes an invocation, the recognition of an Eastford Veteran, the laying of a memorial wreath, a Military Salute, and musical presentations by the Eastford Singers, the East Woodstock Coronet Band, and Eastford Elementary School Students.
Preceding the parade, Memorial Day services will take place at 8:30 a.m. at the General Lyon Cemetery and at 9 a.m. at the Grove Cemetery. In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled, and the Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the school. All are welcome to attend.