Located in the northeast corner of New London County, Voluntown is a rural community consisting of 39.8 square miles with two-thirds of the town made up of state forest. Pachaug State Forest offers many outdoor activities; such as hunting, camping, hiking and horseback riding. The town hall and library are located in the Village Center, along with the PreK-8 school, Constitution Field, the walking track, and gazebo. Voluntown was Incorporated in 1721 and has a rich history of textile mills, historic buildings, the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC Camp), folklore and was originally known as “Volunteer Town”.
Welcome to Voluntown
TOWN HALL CLOSED
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TOWN HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY.
Connecticut Water, Avon Water and Heritage Village Water to Work With Furloughed Federal Workers to Maintain Water Service
Clinton, Conn., Jan. 14, 2019 – Connecticut Water today pledged to work with its customers who are furloughed federal employees to maintain their water service until their paychecks start flowing again.
“Water service is critical for families to be able to comfortably live in their homes, and we do not want these furloughed workers to feel their water service is at risk,” stated Maureen P. Westbrook, Connecticut Water’s vice president of customer and regulatory affairs. Ms. Westbrook further stated, “We work with all customers who have hardships that affect their ability to pay their water bill, and this includes furloughed federal workers. Connecticut Water, Avon Water and Heritage Village Water will waive interest fees on overdue balances and work with furloughed federal workers to maintain their water service until their paychecks resume.”
Federal workers who are affected by the partial government shutdown and have a water bill due soon are encouraged to call Connecticut Water at 800-286-5700 to advise the company of their situation.
The company will also be alerting social service agencies in our service territories of our plans and encouraging them to refer impacted federal workers to us. Connecticut Water has an established customer assistance program called Help 2 Others (H2O), which is offered by referral from social agencies to eligible customers who have financial hardships that affect their ability to stay current on their water bills.
About Connecticut Water, Avon Water and Heritage Village Water:
Combined, these companies serve more than 350,000 people in 59 towns in Connecticut. The towns served are Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, Southbury, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.
Daniel J. Meaney, APR
Director of Corporate Communications
860.664.6016
Upcoming Community Events
If you have an event that would be of interest to Voluntown residents, please email event submission to thanson@voluntown.gov.
Kid Craft Day at the Voluntown Public Library
Saturday, Jan. 19th 10:00 – 1:00. Bring a mug and make a Bird Mug Feeder! Contact the Voluntown Public Library for more information, (860) 376-0485.
Voluntown Baptist Church Chili Cookoff
When: January 26, 4:00-6:00PM
Where: Voluntown Baptist Church
Weekly Events
Recreation Commission Saturday Morning Youth Basketball
The Voluntown Recreation Commission is sponsoring the Youth Basketball Program again this year.
For: Students in Grades 1 through 8
When: Saturdays, January 5 through March 23, 2019 (No basketball March 2)
Where: Voluntown Elementary School Gym.
Times for Grades are as follows
*Grades 1 & 2 9:00am- 10:00am
*Parent/guardian of Grade 1 & 2 students MUST STAY for the 9-10am session- NO EXCEPTIONS!
Grades 3 & 4 10:00am- 11:00am
Grades 5 to 8 11:00am- 1:00pm
Please download, print, and fill out the Registration Form, and bring the form with you to Saturday morning basketball. Download form here.
For more information on the Voluntown Recreation Commission and programs offered, visit the Recreation Commission website page.
The Voluntown Public Library
1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 6:15 p.m.- Knitters, Crocheters, needlecrafters of all types – bring your project and join other crafters at this informal gathering for conversation and sharing. Don’t know how to knit or crochet but want to learn? The library has yarn, needles and patient instructors. Open to everyone, so stop by and join in the fun.
4th Tuesday @ 7:15 p.m. – Writers – Are you an aspiring author, or just enjoy writing? Whether it’s memoir, fantasy, poetry or any other genre, come share your writing in a non-judgmental, supportive and friendly gathering.
2nd Thursday @ 6:30 – Library Board of Trustees. Do you have questions, concerns, or comments regarding about your library? Do you have a program you would like to share with other Voluntown residents? Come to any meeting and let us know!
Volunteers Needed to Help with the Voluntown Farmers’ Market
It’s time to start planning events and activities for the next season of the Voluntown Farmers’ Market and the Voluntown Economic Development Commission NEEDS HELP! Volunteers are needed to help recruit vendors, promote the market, organize events and activities, be our music schedule organizer, and more! For more information contact the EDC at edc@voluntown.gov and/or attend our next meeting on January 17 at 5:30PM. You do not have to attend EDC meetings to help!
Town of Voluntown Tax Collector’s Notice
TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN
TAX COLLECTOR’S NOTICE
Notice is hereby given to all taxpayers of the Town of Voluntown that the second and final installment on Real Estate and Personal Property, including Supplemental Motor Vehicle taxes on the Grand List of Octorber 1, 2017, are due and payable on January 1, 2019.
The second installments and Supplemental Motor Vehicle taxes may be paid without penalty through February 4, 2019. The rate of interest is 1.5% per month from the due date of January 1st (18% per year) or a minimum of $2.00 per bill or installment. If paid in February, but after the 4th, interest is computed at 3%.
I will be in my office Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m., as well as Saturday, February 2nd from 9 a.m. until noon for the collection of these taxes.
Payments may be made by mail (P.O. Box 96 ,Voluntown, CT), or in the office at 115 Main Street, Voluntown. If a receipt is required, please send a portion of the bill and enclose a self addressed stamped envelope.
FAILURE TO RECEIVE A TAX BILL DOES NOT INVALIDATE THE TAX OR INTEREST.
Dated at Voluntown, CT this 24th day of December, 2018.
Giselle Neri
Tax Collector
Visit the Tax Collector’s web page for Tax Collector news and updates.
A Message from the Assessor’s Office
Letters have been mailed to many trailer owners as the information supplied from the CT DMV is insufficient to value the property. Trailer owners have been asked to cooperate in supplying information/confirm information to be sure the property is being listed correctly. The Assessor has chosen to collect information in an effort to maintain fairness and equability. Thank you in advance.
For a list of statutes governing assessment in the state of CT click here.
Visit the Assessor’s page of the town website for more information concerning the Assessor’s Office.
Town Hall Hours Change and Board of Selectmen Meeting Change Starting January 8, 2019
Starting on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, the Town Hall will be open on Tuesdays from 9:00AM to 7:00PM. We are hoping this is more convenient for residents who swing by after work.
Also starting in January 2019, Board of Selectmen meetings will start at 6:00PM instead of 7:00PM. Meetings will still be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.
Board and Commission Vacancies: Volunteers Needed
There are currently several vacancies on town board and commissions. Below is a brief description of the Board and Commissions with vacancies. If you would like to be considered to fill any of the vacancies below, please submit a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen’s Office via email to jzelinsky@voluntown.gov or via mail at Voluntown Board of Selectmen’s Office, PO Box 96, Voluntown CT 06384. Appointments will be made at Board of Selectmen meetings, the next meeting being held on January 8.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals has 1 seated member vacancy and 1 alternate vacancy. These are normally elected positions, but the Board of Selectmen has the authority to appoint to fill vacancies. Zoning Board of Appeals meets as needed on the First Monday of the Month at 7:00PM in Town Hall Meeting Room. The Zoning Board of Appeals was created in accordance with Title 8, Chapter 124, Section 8-5 of the CT general statutes. The responsibility of the board is to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement or decision made by the official charged with the enforcement of chapter 124 or any bylaw, ordinance or regulation adopted under the provisions of this chapter and to hear and decide all matters including special exceptions and special exemptions under section 8-2g upon which it is required to pass by the specific terms of the zoning bylaws, ordinance or regulations in harmony with their general purpose and intent and with the due consideration for conserving the public health, safety, convenience, welfare and property values solely with respect to a particular parcel of land.The Alternate vacancy member would fill the position of a seated member when needed to fill a meeting quorum. Past minutes and agendas can be viewed on the town website.
Economic Development Commission
Note: The EDC is having a Special Meeting 12/20 at 5:00PM
The Economic Development Commission has 1 seated member vacancy, and 3 alternate member vacancies. These are always positions appointed/ re-appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Economic Development Commission meets on the Third Thursday of every month (except July and August) at 5:30PM in Town Hall Meeting Room. The mission of the Voluntown Economic Development Commission is to foster economic development in Voluntown and increase the tax base by retaining existing businesses and helping them grow, encouraging indigenous business start-up, and recruiting light industry. The Voluntown EDC currently sponsors the Voluntown Farmers’ Market. The EDC is working on several projects that promote Voluntown as an outdoor recreation tourist destination. Alternate members are needed to fill the seats of seated members when needed for a meeting quorum. For more information the Economic Development Commission, visit the EDC website and/or visit the next meeting on December 20th.
