May 14, 2024

A Note From Mayor Hedrick

Summer will be here before we know it and City employees have been very busing organizing cherished summertime events, here is a preview:

City Wide Yard Sale Day: Saturday, May 18^th (more info here: Calendar • City Wide Yard Sale Day (cityofgroton.com)

Pride Month Celebration and flag raising: Monday, June 3^rd at the City of Groton Municipal Building.

Family Movie Night at Eastern Point Beach: Friday, June 7^th, Strange World, movie starts around 8:30 pm.

Farmer’s Market: Weekly beginning Tuesday, June 11^th from 3 – 6 pm at the corner of Mitchell and Meridian Streets in Washington Park.

Juneteenth Celebration: Saturday, June 15^th at 10 am at the Municipal Building (295 Meridian Street). We encourage you to join us for the special event featuring Keynote Speaker Rear Admiral Michael Johnston, Coast Guard Superintendent, as well as other community partners.

Concerts in the Park kicks off in Washington Park on June 21^st at 6:30 pm with Mass-Conn Fusion (see full schedule below).

Eastern Point 2024 Beach Pass sales have begun. You can purchase you pass online (Eastern Point Beach Season Passes | Groton, CT (cityofgroton.com ) or in-person. More information below in Parks & Recreation.

In other news, the City has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Shore Avenue Seawall with a project start date of approximately May 28, 2024. We anticipate detours and a road closure. See below (Public Works) for a map and more information.

Save the date…Groton City Day will take place on Saturday, August 3^rd, we will share more information on that special event in the coming months.

The next United Way Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled for Friday, May 24 from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at St. John’s Christian Church. Click here to view the full United Way Mobile Food Pantry calendar.

As a reminder, be sure to check out my Facebook page and the City's social media pages (including the Groton City Police Department Facebook) and our website when significant weather events are forecasted for important City-wide updates and special events.

I hope you're able to get outside and enjoy all that our area has to offer this time of year!

Respectfully,

Keith Hedrick

The Municipal Building is open to the public Monday-Thursday from 8 am-4 pm

and by appointment only on Friday.

TASTY TUESDAYS AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING

Food trucks park at the Municipal Building (295 Meridian Street) Tuesdays from 12 noon - 2 pm. Mark your calendar and come down to get lunch from some of the best local vendors! Check out our website for menus for each event.

May 14: Blazin' BBQ (12 - 3:30 pm)

May 21: Bean Stop

June 4: Chick-fil-A

June 11: Supreme Hot Dogs

June 18: Blazin' BBQ

If you own a food truck or know someone who does and would be interested in participating in "Tasty Tuesdays", please contact Jaclyn Nardone at nardonej@cityofgroton-ct.gov for more information.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Summer is right around the corner and so is our Concerts in the Park music series. We have an exciting schedule of bands this year, packed with all-time favorites along with a couple of bands new to the park. We hope you will join us and enjoy them all.

The Friday night summer concert series is held at Washington Park (Meridian Street) in Groton. All concerts start at 6:30 pm and are co-sponsored and co-produced by Groton Utilities and the City of Groton Parks and Recreation Department.

The concerts are designed to be especially appealing to families for a fun, inexpensive night out. Spectators are encouraged to bring their families and enjoy the food trucks and concession stand. The concert site also has sufficient room on the basketball court for dancing.

For concert information or cancellation notices, call 860-446-4129, the concert hotline.

Visit Concerts in the Park on the City of Groton website for more information about this year's bands, schedule and food truck line-up.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

May 14: Tasty Tuesdays: Blazin' BBQ

May 14: Youth Advisory Committee

May 15: Groton Utilites Commission

May 18: City Wide Yard Sale

May 20: Board of Ethics

May 20: Mayor & Council

May 21: Tasty Tuesdays: Bean Stop

May 21: Planning & Zoning Commission

May 22: Bozrah Utilities Commission

May 23: Retirement Board

May 27: City offices closed in observance of Memorial Day

May 28: Committee of the Whole

May 28: Zoning Board of Appeals

Click here to view the full calendar

of meetings and special events

SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY - VOLUNTEER ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Applications and other information regarding vacancies on boards, commissions, and committees are always available at the City Clerk's office.

Beach & Parks Committee
Board of Ethics
Bozrah Utilities Commission
CMEEC
Committee of the Whole
Conservation Commission
Eastern Point Historic District
Economic Development Commission
Harbor Management Commission

Mayor and Council
Planning & Zoning Commission
Police and Community Together (PACT)
Retirement Board
Utilities Commission
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board of Appeals

Click here and here to review boards and commissions in detail.

DEPARTMENT CONTACTS

Building & Zoning - zb@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 446-4104

City Clerk - clerk@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 446-4102

Economic Development - patrickc@cityofgroton-ct.gov or call (860) 446-4066

Finance - financedept@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 446-4110

Fire Department - fire@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 445-2456

Groton Utilities - gucustomerservice@grotonutilities.com or (860) 446-4000

Human Resources - hr@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 449-5510

Mayor's Office - mayor@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 446-4103

Parks & Recreation - pr@cityofgroton-ct.gov or call us at (860) 446-4128

Planning & Zoning - creanel@cityofgroton-ct.gov or call (860) 446-4169

Police Department - policedept@cityofgroton-ct.gov or (860) 445-2451

(for emergencies, dial 911)

Public Works - highway@cityofgroton-ct.gov or call us at 860-446-4127

TIP-A-COP BUFORD'S

Tip-A-Cop Buford's

Fri., May 24 | 7 am - 1 pm

126 Poquonnock Road

Officers with the City of Groton Police Department will host a Tip-A-Cop event to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at Buford's Family Restaurant located at 126 Poquonnock Road on Friday, May 24, 2024 from 7 a.m. – 1 pm.

During the event, law enforcement will volunteer their time to work with restaurant employees and welcome customers, take orders and serve meals to diners. All tips the Officers receive will be dedicated to helping Special Olympics Connecticut provide life-changing sports, health, and fitness programs to athletes of all abilities.

Tip-A-Cop is a Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut event. For more information, visit soct.org, email specialolympicsct@soct.org or call (203) 230-1201.

TIP-A-COP PAR FOUR

Tip-A-Cop Par Four

Thur., June 13 | 11 am - 8:30 pm

93 Plant Street

Officers with the City of Groton Police Department to host a Tip-A-Cop event to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at Par Four located at 93 Plant Street on Thursday, June 13, from 11 a.m. – 8:30 pm.

Tip-A-Cop is a Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut event. For more information, visit soct.org, email specialolympicsct@soct.org or call (203) 230-1201.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

Law Enforcement Torch Run

The City of Groton Police Department is looking for sponsors to “Adopt a Mile” for $125. 100% of the proceeds will go to Special Olympics. Each sponsor will receive a posted sign that will be displayed along the torch run route in the City.

The Police Department will also be selling Torch Run T-shirts for $20. 100% of the sales goes toward Special Olympics.

If you're interested in sponsoring or purchasing a T-shirt, please contact Officer DiBenedetto at (860) 440-9720 or email dibenedettos@cityofgroton-ct.gov or contact Corporal Chin at (860) 440-9731 or email at china@cityofgroton-ct.gov.

This year the Torch Run will be May 29, 2024.

CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY

Monday, May 6 was the last night for the Citizens Police Academy that began in March. We thank our participants for attending and being actively involved with our program.

Keep a look out for our next session in the fall. All are welcome to participate.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Entry Level Police Officer
Dispatcher
Entry Level Police Officer - CPCA Exam

Apply online at policeapp.com.

CITY WIDE YARD SALE

City Wide YardSale Day is next Saturday, May 18th! We have 36 addresses that will be set up and ready to entice you with their treasures from 9 am - 3 pm. Check our website and Facebook starting May 14th for the complete map of registered addresses.

FARMERS MARKET AT WASHINGTON PARK

Season begins June 11 | 3 - 6 pm | Washington Park

We are getting SO excited to begin the 2024 City of Groton Farmers Market at Washington Park. All of your favorite vendors will be returning plus a few great new ones. We can't wait to share them with you.

We still have some spots available for vendors. If you would like to join us for a half season or for the full 22 weeks, email us at cogfarmersmarket@gmail.com and please tell us what you would like to sell and include photos. We will always welcome non-profit booths for no charge. See you soon at Washington Park! 3-6pm every Tuesday. Starting June 11th.

SUMMER PLAYGROUND CAMP

Summer Playground camp is available for kids entering Pre-K through Grade 9 and runs from June 24th - August 16th. Children can enjoy eight weeks of summer activities, field trips, beach days and fun with friends!

Registration is now open and Early Bird discount rates apply until Memorial Day (May 27).

Click here to register.

MOVIE AT THE BEACH

REMINDERS + UPDATES

Spring/Summer Program Brochure

Click here to view our Spring/Summer Program Brochure.

Eastern Point Season Passes

Starting Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 25), you will need a Season Pass on your car to gain access to Eastern Point Beach or pay the daily parking rate at the gate. Please plan accordingly to purchase this pass either in person at 295 Meridian Street in Groton, Monday-Friday 4-7:30 pm and Saturdays 9-2 (until Saturday, June 15th), online or by mail.

Rental Facilities & Parks

Click here for information about all of our rental facilities and parks - or call 860-446-4128.

Blood Drive

The next blood drive taking place at the Groton City Municipal Building is May 16. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: GrotonCT to schedule an appointment.

SHORE AVENUE SEAWALL RECONSTRUCTION

The City of Groton has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Shore Avenue Seawall with a project start date of approximately May 28, 2024. We anticipate detours and a road closure as outlined below. Shore Avenue will be closed to thru traffic from South Prospect Street to the vicinity of 24 Shore Avenue. The timeline for project completion is 180 calendar days.

REMINDERS

If you see a catch basin that is clogged or full, please report it to the Public Works Department for cleaning at 860-446-4127.

The City of Groton sells trash containers. The design is compatible with automated and semi-automated lifters, fit onto our garbage truck and are easy to tilt and roll. Click here for more information.

REMINDERS

Building or Renovating?

Schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Planning & Economic Development team to discuss your ideas and plans for your property. To schedule an appointment email Patrickc@cityofgroton-ct.gov.

Commercial Space for Sale or Rent?

There's a growing interest for commercial space from enthusiastic entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their business to the City of Groton. If you have available space, email Cierra Patrick to discuss ways the City of Groton can help.

City of Groton's Bi-Weekly Business Update

GREATER GROTON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM

Join the Conversation!

Click here to sign-up for the Greater Groton Community Engagement Platform and participate in community discussions and planning efforts throughout Groton.

HYDRANT FLUSHING SCHEDULE

Groton Utilities began its water main flushing and testing program Monday, May 6th. The program is scheduled to be completed on July 5th, weather permitting.

All Groton Utilities customers should expect intermittent intervals of water discoloration during the water main flushing process. Groton Utilities will clean water mains according to the following schedule. Hours of flushing are 8:00am – 3:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Click here to view the flushing schedule.

GU ELECTRIC RATES TO DECREASE

Groton Utilities (GU) is pleased to announce an overall electric rate decrease that will go into effect as of May 1st. The average customer’s monthly utility bill will decrease by approximately 9.5% due in part to a decrease in wholesale energy prices. Click here to read the full article.

You can pay your utility bill anytime, from anywhere, and anyway you want!

Mail a Check: Send to Groton Utilities, PO Box 4109, Woburn, MA 01888-4109

Pay By Phone: Call (860)-446-4000, Select Option 1.

Pay Online: Go to www.grotonutilities.com and click Online Bill Pay.

Pay with Autopay: Go to www.grotonutilities.com, click Pay Your GU Bill and then go to Autopay options.

CT Trails Day: June 1, 2024

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park

Park Avenue, Groton

June 1, 2024

As part of CT Trails Day 2024, The Friends of Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation will be hosting guided tours of the Fort grounds at 11 am and 1 pm. Join us on June 1, 2024 for an historic journey through time, where the echoes of the American Revolution are still heard, and stories of hardship and heroism live on.

Visit the Fort Griswold Battlefield Facebook page for more information.