Voluntown Town Hall

Due to impending weather this evening (11/15/18):

• The Economic Development Commission meeting scheduled for 6:30 this evening is cancelled.
• The Zoning Officer/ Building Inspector’s office will be closed.
• All Voluntown Elementary School after school activities are cancelled.
• The Voluntown Public Library is closing early at 4:00.
• Voluntown Karate Academy classes are cancelled for this evening .

Winter Storm Warning
Beginning: 2018-11-15T17:29:00
Ending: 2018-11-16T09:00:00
New Alert

NORTHERN FAIRFIELD-NORTHERN NEW HAVEN-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX- NORTHERN NEW LONDON- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF
DANBURY, MONROE, SHELTON, EASTON, TRUMBULL, WATERBURY, MERIDEN, BEACON FALLS, NAUGATUCK, MIDDLETOWN,
FRANKLIN, NORWICH, AND LEBANON 1229 PM EST THU NOV 15 2018
…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST FRIDAY…
* WHAT…HEAVY SNOW AND THEN MIXED PRECIPITATION EXPECTED. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 7 INCHES AND
ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND ONE TENTH OF AN INCH EXPECTED. SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR
POSSIBLE. WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 40 MPH.
* WHERE…NORTHERN FAIRFIELD, NORTHERN NEW HAVEN, NORTHERN MIDDLESEX AND NORTHERN NEW LONDON COUNTIES.
* WHEN…UNTIL 4 AM EST FRIDAY.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…TRAVEL WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT. THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WILL IMPACT THE EVENING
COMMUTE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW, SLEET AND ICE WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS
OR IMPOSSIBLE.
CHECK LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION SERVICES FOR THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS

The following Snow Removal Policy was approved by the Board of Selectmen on 11-13-18.

Town of Voluntown Snow Removal Policy

There are 29 miles of streets in Town. Due to the high costs of removing snow, it is important for the Department of Public Works  (DPW) to use its resources wisely with cooperation from the residents to minimize the cost. Additionally, the state CTDOT plows Routes 49, 138, & 165.

Plow Routes – The streets are plowed and salted in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills, and difficult intersections. Side streets are done next, then dead end streets, Side streets will remain unplowed if the main roads require repeated plowing. This may not seem fair to the residents of side streets or dead ends, but main roads must remain open.

Blocked Driveways – All snow plows angle the same way – to the driver’s right – and when going by they will push the snow in front of a driveway. The homeowner is responsible for access to his driveway. The only way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait until DPW crews have done their final clean up on the street.

Mailbox Damage – The Town repairs or replaces only mailboxes and/or posts that are actually struck by a plow blade. Usually a paint mark or truck tire tracks supply evidence of a mailbox strike. The Town does not repair or replace mailboxes and/or posts that fall from the force. of plowed snow. Mailboxes and supporting posts must be installed to withstand the rigors of snow removal, including the force of snow pushed from the street onto the roadside.

Street Parking – The Town plows need all roadways, including cul-de-sacs, to be cleared of vehicles and personal property, including but not limited to boats, trailers, campers and basketball hoops, to provide access and efficient snow clearing capability. During a storm, residents should park in their driveways and not on the streets. It is a safety hazard to residents and plow drivers when vehicles are parked in the road. Not only do parked vehicles reduce the sightline for pedestrians and oncoming vehicles, but they also force the plows to veer out of the travel lane. Please remove vehicles from the roadway prior to a snow/ice storm. Similar to mailboxes, DPW is only responsible for damage done to a vehicle as a result of the plow blade actually striking the vehicle, not the effect of snow, ice, or salt hitting the vehicle as a result of plowing.

Private Plowing – The Town of Voluntown prohibits plow contractors and residents from pushing snow from driveways or parking lots onto Town streets. This practice is dangerous and impedes the Town’s snow removal efforts. If there is no other alternative to pushing snow into the street, the plow driver must plow off the windrow left across the street by re-plowing until the road is safe. This may not necessarily mean bare pavement, but certainly it should be no worse than when the driver began work.

Snow Stakes –  The Town of Voluntown Highway Department reminds Voluntown residents to install “snow stakes” now before the ground freezes. It is difficult to distinguish between the pavement edge and the edge of a lawn in heavy snowfall. Installing stakes along property edges as close to the pavement as possible without interfering with traffic will help homeowners avoid unsightly lawn damage this winter, especially for properties with underground sprinklers or invisible fencing. Snow stakes should be 30-36″ high and can be purchased at a local hardware store. If using wooden stakes, paint the top 3″ of the stakes red to increase visibility against the snow.

Re-Plowing/Snow Removal Concerns – If you have snow removal concerns call the Town Hall at 860-376-5880.

Below are the results of the votes at the 11-13-18 Special Town Meeting. The minutes to the special meeting can be found here.

1 To consider and act on the following proposed Ordinance: (a) BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN that the Town of Voluntown Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE LOCATION OF PREMISES USED FOR THE SALE OF ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES-IN THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN,” which went into effect on January 4, 1985, is hereby repealed, effective fifteen days after the date notice of this action is published in a newspaper having a circulation in the Town of Voluntown.

Item 1 passed ALL IN FAVOR

2 To consider and act on the following proposed Ordinance: (a) BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN that the Town of Voluntown Ordinance entitled, “AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE REGULATING LOCATION OF PREMISES SELLING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN,” which went into effect on July 14, 1985, is hereby repealed, effective fifteen days after the date notice of this action is published in a newspaper having a circulation in the Town of Voluntown.

Item 2 passed ALL IN FAVOR

3 To consider and act on the following proposed Ordinance: (a) BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN that the Town of Voluntown Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 3 OF AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE LOCATION OF PREMISES USED FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN THE TOWN OF VOLUNTOWN,” which went into effect on May 15, 2008, is hereby repealed, effective fifteen days after the date notice of this action is published in a newspaper having a circulation in the Town of Voluntown.

Item 2 passed ALL IN FAVOR

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!

November Events

Voluntown Baptist Church Women’s Group invites you to their Bake Sale, White Elephant Sale, & Luncheon
Saturday, November 17, 9AM-1PM

Bake sale includes breads, cookies, pies, and a few gluten free (celiac friendly) items as well as free coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. Chili luncheon from 11am to 1 pm with choice of chili and cornbread ($3.50), chili-dog ($2.50), meatball grinder ($4.50), and pie al a mode ($2.50). The event will also include a small white elephant sale as well.

December Events

Voluntown’s Gingerbread House Contest

View/print the rules and entry form below

• Gingerbread House Contest Rules
• Gingerbread House Entry Form

To view the Ordinances referenced in the Special Town Meeting Call, view them here. The Board of Selectmen’s Meeting will follow. 

Please Note: All Town Hall offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 6, for Elections, and on Monday, November 12, for Veteran’s Day.  

Medical transportation for Voluntown Seniors (60+) and disabled adults is now available. This program is available to individuals that reside in Voluntown, have completed a registration form, and have submitted a $24 annual registration fee payable to the Town of Voluntown. Individuals who are eligible for free transportation through Medicaid are asked to use that program instead. More Information Here. 

What does the $24 Annual Fee  include?

• 48 one way rides per person are available from now until June 30, 3019 for medical appointments only
• Medical appointments must be in New London County, Plainfield, Lisbon, or Westerly, RI. 

A Caregiver Mileage Reimbursement Program is also available.

• No fee is collected for this program.
• The rider retains a volunteer driver (friend, neighbor, family member).
• Driver is reimbursed on mileage that is calculated based on the shortest distance to the destination.
• Must be approved by a town official.

Applications are available at the Town Hall, Public Library, from Joan Barrus, the Voluntown Elderly Laison, and can be downloaded from the  Voluntown Seniors page on the Town of Voluntown Website. More information can be found there as well.