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
Help Wanted: Library Desk Clerk
The Voluntown Library Board of Trustees is seeking qualified candidates for the part time position of Library Desk Clerk. Interested parties can submit a letter of interest and resume to the Voluntown Public Library, 107 Main St., PO BOX 26, Voluntown, CT 06384 or vltnlib@yahoo.com. Accepting applications until Monday, October 29, 2018. Please contact the Library Director with any questions at 860-376-0485.
NEW Voter Information Page On Town Website
Are you ready for the November 6 Election? We have set up a voter information page on the Town of Voluntown, CT website. Here you will find voter registration information, a link to CCM’s Election Central to learn about where candidates stand on issues, a sample ballot, absentee ballot information, explanatory text for the proposed amendment changes and more! Simply click on the *Voter Information: November 6, 2018 Election* tab at the top of the Voluntown Town Hall website, or follow this link: http://www.voluntown.gov/voter-information-november-6-2018-election/
Upcoming Community Events
If you have an event that would be of interest to Voluntown residents, please email event submission to thanson@voluntown.gov.
Weekly Events
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!
October Events
The Friends of the Voluntown Library Annual Roast Beef Dinner will be held Friday, October 19, at the Voluntown Fire Department on Route 165 from 5:00 to 7:00.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for ages 6 to 12; ages 5 and under are free. Takeout will be available. Tickets will be sold at the door or from the library and/or town hall. All proceeds benefit the Voluntown Library.
On Wednesday, October 31st, the Voluntown Recreation Commission will have A TRUNK OR TREAT for kids up to 8th grade in the VES parking lot from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
What is a trunk or treat? Basically, it is a bunch of parked cars/trucks/vehicles lined up and decorated for Halloween with people giving out candy to trick or treaters. Any business, church, organization, or individual is invited to participate by decorating their vehicle/ trunks where children can walk by and receive treats. We anticipate 350-400 children so please come equipped with enough treats to pass out. You may also pass out promotional information about your organization in addition to treats. If you would like to participate in this year’s Trunk-or-Treat, please complete the registration form below.
DEADLINE for vehicle trunker registration is Tuesday, October 30th.
- A completed registration form is REQUIRED to participate in this event.
- Participants MUST ARRIVE for set-up between 5:00pm-5:45pm. After 5:45pm no one will be allowed to drive into the Early Childhood Parking Lot for safety.
- Participants are to bring unopened bags of candy or other “give-away” items to distribute.
- There will be NO electrical support for your vehicle decorations.
- Trick or treating will start at 6:00pm and end at 7:00pm. Trunkers must stay until 7:00pm for the safety of the kids.
Download the vehicle registration form here.
Any questions, email mbryan@Voluntownct.org
November Events
December Events
Voluntown’s Gingerbread House Contest
Votuntown will be hosting its 1st Gingerbread House Contest on December 1, 2018, sponsored by the Votuntown Recreation Commission! It will take place Saturday, December 1, from 3:00pm-5:00pm at the Voluntown Elementary School.
View/print the rules and entry form below
Create your own gingerbread house and enter for a chance to win a prize. Spectators will be our judges so invite all your friends and family! We will have make and take home Christmas crafts/ornaments sponsored by Voluntown Youth Service Bureau! Making of holiday cards to put in a care package for soldiers overseas. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available as well!!
Categories your gingerbread house will be judged on are most festive, most creative, most delicious looking, overall crowd favorite, and business/group! We ask to please have them submitted by Friday November 30th to participate!
If any questions you can contact Chelsey Wiese at pullingtruck96@yahoo.com or Belinda Wiese at bwiese286@sbcglobal.net or 860.908.8274. Also this holiday season help us give back! Help us put together a care package to send to the soldiers overseas who won’t be able to make it home this holiday season! A box will be available at the event to put donated items in! Thank you and see everyone on December 1st!
Volunteers Needed for the Voluntown Substance Abuse Prevention Council, and the Voluntown Youth Service Bureau
The Voluntown Substance Abuse Prevention Council, and the Voluntown Youth Service Bureau are both seeking community member volunteers. More information on each organization below.
The Voluntown Substance Abuse Prevention Council
Our mission is to raise awareness and provide education and advocacy to youth, families, and the community to promote mental health, reduce the impact of substance use and problem gambling and prevent suicide.
Volunteers needed to
- serve on the Advisory Board
- represent Voluntown on Regional Committees
- choose an area of expertise: Suicide prevention, Mental Health promotion, prevention of underage substance use, problem gambling, treatment of various disorders, recovery issues
- help with events, publicity, information dissemination
- give suggestions
The Voluntown Youth Service Bureau
Dedicated to promoting the well-being of Voluntown’s children, youth, and families.
Volunteers needed to
- serve on the Advisory Board
- help with after school programs
- assist with sports activities
- present programs- What is your hobby, profession, avocation?
- attend out of town meetings
- write grants
- help with fundraising
- give great suggestions
- monitor website
- create better posters
For more information on each of these organizations and to get involved, please contact Melinda Bryan at 860-694-8733 or mbryan@voluntownct.org
OUT OF OFFICE: Building Officer/Zoning Enforcement Officer
THE BUILDING INSPECTOR/ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WILL NOT BE IN HIS OFFICE ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD AND THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH.
Public Health Announcement: Positive West Nile Virus Mosquito Trapped at Mount Misery
The Selectmen’s Office has been notified by UNCAS Health that a mosquito trapped at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station testing site located in the Mount Misery area of Voluntown has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
Residents spending time outdoors, and those visiting the Mount Misery area of Pachaug State Forest are encouraged to wear bug repellent and protective clothing.
For updates on the trapping results, visit the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station website.
For more information on West Nile Virus, read the West Nile Virus brochure put out by the CAES.
Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2018
Voluntown Tricentennial Planning Committee
The Tricentennial Committee meets on the 4th Monday of every month. The Committee welcomes volunteers to help with the planning of fundraisers and events.
An Update from the Tricentennial Planning Committee
Tricentennial Planning Committee members are looking forward to meeting with organizations in the next 6 months or so to pitch our ideas and get their thoughts on some activities they would like to sponsor. We will also be contacting local businesses for sponsorship’s and funding of those activities. One thing I am excited for is the Earth Day celebration we have planned for 2021 and the 300 volunteers we hope to get to accomplish this. We are also working on a Facebook page that the town could help promote by next month. We are looking forward to getting back to work after a 2 month break.
Wendy Gauthier
Co-Chair
Voluntown Economic Development Commission News
EDC Commissioners and Volunteers Needed
The Voluntown Economic Development Commission is currently seeking Commissioners, Alternates, and Volunteers. The EDC meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 in the Town Hall Meeting Room. The next meeting is Thursday, October 18th.
If you are a Voluntown Resident and would like to be a Commissioner or Alternate, please forward a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen.
Volunteers are needed to help with the planning, and running of the Voluntown Farmers’ Market. If we do not get any new Commissioners or Volunteers, we are at risk of losing the market for next season!
The EDC is working on other projects to promote Voluntown as an outdoor recreation tourist destination.
The EDC has also been working on how to present the town to businesses that are suitable to this area.
Help is needed with all of these ongoing projects. If you can not make meeting, but still can Volunteer, please send us an email at EDC@Voluntown.gov.
Visit the Voluntown EDC Website, and “Like” the Voluntown Economic Development Commission on Facebook.
