Welcome to Voluntown

town_sealLocated 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”.

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EEE Positive Mosquitoes Captured in Mt. Misery

The Connecticut Department of Health has notified us that a EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) positive pool of mosquitoes was captured in Mt. Misery, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown on 9/12/16. View September 21, 2016 press release from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station here.

The following information is from the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by EEE virus.
What are the symptoms of EEE?
Most people infected with EEE virus do not become ill. When symptoms do occur they can range from mild fever and headache to coma. Other symptoms include high fever, fatigue, muscle aches, neck stiffness, tremors, or confusion. Severe cases include inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) which can lead to coma, convulsions, and death.
How soon after being bitten by a mosquito infected with EEE virus do symptoms occur?
Symptoms usually occur three to ten days after an infected mosquito bites a person.
What is the treatment for EEE?
There is no cure for EEE, and three of every ten people who get the disease die from it.  Doctors provide supportive treatment, lower the fever and ease the pressure on the brain and spinal cord. Some people who survive this disease will be permanently disabled and only about half recover completely.
Is there a vaccine to protect humans from EEE?
No. There is no vaccine because the EEE virus occurs so infrequently in people. (There is a vaccine for use in horses.)
How common are human cases of EEE in the United States?
In the United States, an average of 6 human cases of EEE are reported annually.
Have there been any human cases of EEE in Connecticut?
In 2013, the first human case of EEE infection in Connecticut was identified.  This case involved an adult resident of eastern Connecticut who was hospitalized with encephalitis and died in the Fall of 2013.
Have there been any horse cases of EEE in Connecticut?
Horse cases occur sporadically in Connecticut and is believed to have occurred among horses as far back as 1928 when there was a severe outbreak in New London County with about 100 cases.  Symptoms of may include appetite loss, drooping eyelids and lower lip, aimless wandering and circling, blindness, and inability to stand. The infection is fatal to horses in more than 90 percent of cases, and death usually occurs in two to three days. A vaccine is available for use in horses.
How is EEE spread?
Mosquitoes spread the EEE virus. The virus is carried by birds that live in freshwater swamps and is generally found only in these birds and in mosquitoes that feed on birds but not people. In some years however, many birds get infected and other types of mosquitoes pick up the virus that also bite people and horses. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September. The virus is spread by adult mosquitoes, which are killed by frost in the fall. The EEE virus is not spread by people and horses with the disease.
Can any mosquito spread EEE to people?
No. In Connecticut, there are 49 different mosquito species. Since 1996, EEE virus has been isolated from mosquitoes in Connecticut every year except 1999, usually during September and early October. The virus is generally maintained by an exclusive bird-biting mosquito called Culiseta melanura, but has been found in nine other mosquito species in Connecticut, six of which are known to bite people.
How can I lower my risk of getting EEE?
You should try to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. If EEE is found in your area, you should:
  • Minimize time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
  • Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to label instructions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
  • Caution should be taken when camping overnight, especially in areas near freshwater swamps. When camping outdoors in tents in other areas, make sure that your tent is equipped with mosquito netting and that repellent is used properly.
NOTE: These measures also help to protect against infection with West Nile virus, another virus transmitted by mosquitoes.
Should I stay indoors if EEE is confirmed in my town?
It is usually not necessary to limit outdoor activities. However, you can and should try to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by reducing standing water in your yard and taking personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
What is being done in my community to control mosquitoes?
The State of Connecticut has prepared a plan to address the public health threat posed by diseases that are carried by mosquitoes and has devised a preventive strategy to minimize the impact. Local communities are implementing various control measures based on geographic location and level of risk. For more information regarding activities in your specific area, contact your local health department.
How can I get more information on EEE?
Contact UNCAS HEALTH (information below). For specific questions on human infections, contact the Connecticut Department of Public Health at (860) 509-7994.
UNCAS HEALTH DISTRICT
Patrick McCormack, Director of Health
401 West Thames Street, Suite 106
Norwich, CT  06360-5450
 
Dept. Phone: (860) 823-1189
After Business Hours: (860) 885-9739
Fax: (860) 887-7898
Dept. Email: doh@uncashd.org
Dept. Website: http://www.uncashd.org/

 

 

 

FLU CLINIC

Town of Voluntown

Monday October 3, 2016

1:30pm at Voluntown Fire Department

**Free with most insurances**

Pneumonia Vaccine and Tdap vaccine will also be available and both are covered by most insurances.

Tricentennial Planning Committee

Tricentenial

Save the Dates! September Community Events

September 3
Troop 74 Boy Scouts Yard Sale, 9-2, at 79 Church Street  All prices by donation, bake sale, order Christmas wreaths or popcorn

September 6
Bowles vs. Sumers 18th District Senate Debate, 7PM, at Stonington High School  The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT has partnered with The Day and the League of Women Voters to make sure our community members are informed voters in this upcoming election season. The candidates are Timothy Bowles (D) vs. Heather Somers (R). District 18 Represents: Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington, Voluntown.

September 10
Voluntown Day, 11-3, at Constitution Field    Hosted by Voluntown Cub Scouts Pack 74  Free inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, dunk tank, and more! Free table space available, contact VoluntownPack74@gmail.com

Annual Chicken BBQ, 4-6, at the Voluntown Fire House   Take out or dine in. Tickets available at the town hall.

September 17
2016 Meet the Candidates Night, 7PM, at Ekonk Grange Hall   45th District Representative candidates Tracey Hanson and Kevin Skulczyck, as well as 18th District Senatorial candidates Timothy Bowles and Heather Somers will be in attendance.

Every Sunday until Oct 7
Voluntown Farmers’ Market, 10-1, in the front of the Voluntown Elementary School  For more info visit the farmers’ market website here.

If you have a community event you would like shared, please submit an email request to thanson@voluntown.gov. 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8

The Presidential Election is November 8. Also on the ballot will be candidates for state ( Congress) and vote-buttondistrict (State Senator, State Representative) offices.
Voter Registration
If you are not registered to vote, please register at www.voterregistration.ct.gov.  You must have a valid Connecticut driver’s license to register online.  Voter applications can also be picked up at the Town Hall.
Please register as soon as possible. Not sure if you are registered or not? Check here.
Absentee Ballot applications are available online and at the Town Clerk’s Office now through November 6. For more information about absentee ballots and to see if you or someone you know qualifies for one, visit the Secretary of the State’s website.

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS

The Voluntown Board of Assessment Appeals will conduct hearings in the Town Hall meeting room for Motor Vehicle assessments on September 27, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Appeals applications must be completed and returned to the Assessor’s Office by Thursday, September 1st. Applications are available in the Assessor’s Office, Monday – Thursday 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

*Please note that the BAA changes errors made by the Assessor. The State Statutes state that the Assessor “shall use average retail value”, regardless of condition.

Finn Beach

***UPDATE: DAY PASSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR $10. PASSES MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE DURING REGULAR TOWN HALL HOURS. PASSES WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE BEACH. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE TOWN HALL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY FOR THE WEEKEND. 

Finn Beach officially opens on June 15.

Finn Beach is a public beach and is open to anyone regardless of whether or not they reside in Voluntown.

Please make sure you have a parking permit for the lot as there is no parking allowed on the street.  Fees are as follows: Voluntown residents receive one parking permit per household free (extra permits may be purchased at the Town Hall for $5 each), Connecticut residents permits are $50,  and out of state permits are $100. Permits are transferable from car to car. Permits can be picked up at the Town Hall in the Town Clerk Office. Please be ready to show proof of residency.  The parking lot will be checked for passes regularly.

Finn Beach Rules

  • No lifeguard on duty. Swim at own risk and children must be supervised.
  • No dogs on beach
  • No fires or grills on beach
  • No alcohol on beach
  • No glass on beach
  • No smoking on beach
  • Beach open 10am-6pm
  • Parking permits are required
  • No street parking
  • Please use provided trash cans and keep the beach and parking lot clean
  • Call 911 for emergencies. The 911 address is: 61 North Shore Rd, Voluntown, CT

Town Hall Closed on Fridays Starting May 6

Starting this Friday, May 6, the Voluntown Town Hall will be closed on Fridays. The Building Inspector will still be available by appointment on Fridays from 1-5. Please plan accordingly.

reposted 5/1

Voluntown Public Library Online Fundraiser

Cathy Rubin, the Library Director at the Voluntown Public Library, has worked with library staff and The Friends of the Library to set up a GoFundMe page. Through this page it is hoped to raise the $250,000 needed to match grant funding for a wanted library addition.  The link below will direct to the GoFundMe page which contains more information and a great video. Remember, even a little donation helps towards achieving the goal.

https://www.gofundme.com/VoluntownLibrary

A committee has been set up by the Selectmen to plan the design and research a final cost estimate for a library addition.  This committee will report to the Selectmen when finished,  then the project will be proposed to the town for vote.

 

posted on 1/7/16 at 1:51pm