Hello Southbury Citizens,
It’s time to welcome summer and sunshine! It has been wonderful to see people out walking, shopping, dining, and using our town parks, courts, and fields the past few weeks. June 13th kicks off the start of the Southbury Farmers' Market and July 1st begins our Summer Concert Series. Please join us for the many summer events planned in Town. Many of these events support our local artists, farmers, and musicians with some even contributing to our local non-profit organizations.
As school winds down for the summer, I wish all Southbury students a successful end to the school year and a fun and productive summer. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Pomperaug High School and Rochambeau Middle School graduates and their parents. I wish our graduates all the best in your future endeavors.
Jeff
Jeff Manville
First Selectman, Town of Southbury
HONORING STATE POLICE TROOPER PELLETIER
On June 5th, Southbury police officers and I joined thousands of mourners in Hartford to pay our respects to State Police Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier. Trooper Pelletier was killed in the line of duty in a hit-and-run on I-84 in Southington.
POLICE CHIEF INTERVIEWS
Initial interviews were held last week for the Police Chief position. The caliber of the ten applicants interviewed was outstanding, making the decision to narrow down the applicant pool very difficult. Three applicants will be moved forward to be interviewed by the newly formed Police Chief Search Committee comprised of the Board of Selectmen.
RIVER ROAD UPDATES
Progress on River Road continues. Our Public Works team is doing an excellent job managing the project to stay on schedule as well as finding cost savings along the way. Tree removal, milling work, and early core tests have been completed. Cardinal Engineering is on-site daily for the monitoring of day-to-day activities.
BALLANTINE POOL KICKOFF MEETING
Southbury officials and department heads were very excited to meet on-site for their first pre-construction planning meeting with Norco Construction and Silver Petrucelli last week. Topics of discussion included timelines, location of staging areas, securing subcontractors, obtaining materials/equipment, and other preparations that Norco and the Town can begin making prior to the start of construction. Careful planning and special consideration were considered so there should be no interference with the enjoyment of Ballantine Park and the pool this summer. Construction of the new pool is scheduled to begin once the existing pool closes in September.
GREEN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES WORKSHOP
On May 23rd, Chuck Litty of Sustainable Southbury and I attended a series of workshops in support of efforts to confront climate change and how municipalities can begin the shift to creating greener solutions.
PARKS & REC SUMMER CAMPS
Southbury Summer Camps start on Monday, June 17th. I am pleased to report that summer camp has sold out and exceeded pre-Covid attendance. Parks & Rec has also introduced a new pre-camp week this year.
CAMP COLLEGE
Southbury Parks and Recreation leadership and camp staff attended “Camp College” at Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday June 1. Camp College is a day-long training for camp counselors and camp directors organized by The Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association, Inc (CRPA). Southbury Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, Lexi Polasek is co-chair of CRPA’s Camp Section Committee and played an integral part of planning this annual state-wide event.
There were more than ten different classroom sessions for participants to choose from. These sessions provided training in leadership, bullying and suicide prevention, adapting to special needs, incorporating disabilities, and supervisor support and collaboration. Ms. Polasek and Rebekah Lama, Southbury’s Adventure Day Camp Coordinator, were presenters at two of the Roundtable Discussions. At the end of the day, camp counselors rotated through games as part of their team building experience. The camp also provided a great networking opportunity for all those who attended.
SOUTHBURY AMBULANCE ASSOCIATON
The State of Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services assigned the Southbury Ambulance Association as the Primary Service Area Responder for the Town of Southbury.
4TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDY STUDENTS
On May 22nd, I had the pleasure of meeting with two fourth grade Pomperaug Elementary School social study classes in my office. This educational field trip was a culmination of their studies in Economic Choices.
The students spent about an hour with me learning about what goods and services the government provides, how government pays for those goods and services, and how taxes help people in our local communities. Their visit concluded with a tour of town offices and an explanation of how these departments play a role in our government.
I really enjoyed sharing my knowledge, experience, and a little Southbury history with the students. It was interesting how even our youngest citizens have such well-formed questions to ask their elected officials. Thank you to Dr. Erin Birden for including Southbury’s municipal government in this very positive educational experience.
JUNE IS DOG LICENSE MONTH
CT law requires you to license your dog. Again this year, if you register your dog in the month of June, there will be a random drawing for tag #1. Information on how to register your dog can be found online at www.southbury-ct.org/doglicenses.