Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Wednesday, Aug. 10. The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers this morning, then sunny skies. The high temperature will reach 83 degrees, and the low will fall to 64 tonight.

2.  The Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, headed by president Kenneth Richards, Jr. of the Old Mystic Fire Department, has received a $790,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant will be used to study 40 fire departments across the state to determine the best options for recruiting and keeping volunteers, Richards said.  The 12-month study would begin in November, he said.

3.  The Groton Town Council agreed Tuesday to allow the Bluff Point to Preston trail group to apply for a $200,000 grant on the town’s behalf. The group also will seek approval from Ledyard to apply for a grant of the same amount.

4.  The Department of Homeland Security has authorized $400,000 for the purchase of a new police boat for port security. The boat would be kept in Groton but could also be used by other towns in the region.  The Groton Town Council agreed to accept the grant Tuesday.

5.  A meeting has been set for Aug. 15 for the town manager, Groton City Mayor and the chiefs of police in Groton Town, Groton Long Point and Groton City to decide on the parameters of an independent study of the community’s three police departments. Once the study details are set, the group would send out a request for consultants willing to do the study.