Daily Five: Pay Raises Approved For Public Works Employees

1.  Today is Friday, June 29.  The National Weather Service predicts a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. It will be mostly sunny otherwise, with a high temperature of 84 degrees.

2.  The Town Council has approved a contract with Groton United Steelworkers of America Local #9411 that would provide incremental raises totaling 6 percent over the next three years. The contract covers 53 people, including laborers and grounds keepers of the parks and golf course. Raises of 2 percent would be provided on July 1, 2012, July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014 under the contract.

Councilors voted 5-1-1 to approve the contract, with Councilor Mick O’Beirne voting against and Councilor Deborah Peruzzotti abstaining.

3.  Middle School assignments for the coming school year have been finalized and the school department recently mailed letters to students and their families. You should have received this letter or be getting one shortly. If you have any questions, the school department is instructing parents to call the middle schools. Phone numbers are: Cutler Middle (860) 572-5830; West Side Middle (860) 449-5630.

4.  The town council has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would bond $11.2 million from 2013 through 2017 to pay for road maintenance and repairs in Groton. Spending would cover $3.54 million for Groton City, about $986,000 for Groton Long Point, and $6.36 million for roads in the town. The public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on July 10 in the Town Hall Annex.

5.  will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday on the grounds of Bill Memorial Library in Groton. Picnicking starts at 6:00 p.m. on the library lawn, and prizes will be awarded in three categories: most elegant, most creative, and most patriotic picnic. The Noank Mystic Community Band will play at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.