Season’s Greetings
I want to start by wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season. I hope you have time to spend with family and friends and reflect on what’s truly important.
I’ve had a busy month since assuming my duties as First Selectman. I’m sure most of you have experienced starting a new job and feeling that trying to take it all in was like drinking from a fire hose. It’s exciting and daunting at the same time! As I said during the campaign, one of my first priorities is meeting the important people I’d be dealing with during my term. To that end I’ve met with town employees, first selectmen from other towns, business owners, and engineers working on the Tylerville water project, Dublin Hill Bridge, roads and other infrastructure improvements. As of my writing this letter:
- Tylerville water – The water main is in and has been tested. Hook ups of businesses and residences are on-going. Final paving and finish work will be completed in the spring.
- Dublin Hill Bridge – The bridge should be open to traffic by the end of December. The road surface may not be paved but it will be passable. Paving may have to wait until the spring.
- Route 9 signs – DOT will be replacing all of the signs along route 9. The signs are being replaced because many are in poor repair. The exits will be renumbered to meet federal standards. Instead of being sequential, the exit numbers will be the mileage from the exit to the beginning of route 9 in Saybrook. For example, exit 7 becomes exit 10. There will be destination signs on the highway for Higganum. The project will take two years to complete. While it’s expected to start in the fall/winter of 2020, we probably won’t see any changes before the spring/summer of 2021.
I attended a Committee on Aging meeting and I’m impressed with the dedication of its members. They want to increase services to our seniors and I’m happy to work with them to that end.
A couple of exciting things happened this month. Brainerd Library held a ground breaking for their renovations. A new parking lot, first floor entry and community use space are coming! The Higganum Center Study, documenting the results of the public charrettes on the future of the center, was released. Over 250 residents worked together to develop strategies, goals and action plans for the center’s future. Exciting changes are coming!
I want to thank the Economic Development Committee and all the volunteers who decorated the town for the season. As I’ve said many times, our town couldn’t run without all of our volunteers. Again, I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!
Bob McGarry
Haddam First Selectman
