Daily Five: NL, Waterford, EL Looking to Share Dispatch

1. It is amazing how the weather changes. Today, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms are possible after 4 p.m., with a high around 54, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight, showers and possibly thunderstorms are predicted, with a low around 44, according to the service.

2. Tuesday, New London Mayor Daryl Finizio sent out a press release announcing that today at 9:30 a.m., New London, Waterford and East Lyme will enter into an agreement to research the feasibility of a regional dispatch center for fire, police and emergency services.

The release said there is a possibility of $750,000 in state funding available to implement the new dispatch center and a $215,000 annual contribution if the project moves forward. The release said the three towns would share the financial burden of the dispatch center.

“East Lyme, New London and Waterford are natural partners for regional collaboration particularly with regards to emergency communications as coordinating mutual aid and rerouting calls for service are commonplace between the municipalities,” the press release stated.

The release said the study should be concluded and the results presented by July 1. In a Tuesday interview, Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward said he wasn’t sure what kind of study it would be, who would conduct the study or if there would be any cost.

Waterford tried to merge dispatch services in 2012 with East Lyme. The union that represents East Lyme's dispatchers objected to the merger and ultimately it failed.

Waterford’s dispatchers are non-union employees. New London and East Lyme both have unionized dispatchers.

“There are many ways around many things,” Steward said Tuesday.

3. The Planning and Zoning meeting that was scheduled for Monday, but was cancelled because of the weather, has been rescheduled for next Monday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

At the meeting, the commission will make its recommendation on if the Zoning Board of Appeals should allow a zone change at 171 Rope Ferry Road to allow the Stonington Institute to put a rehab facility there that will hold up to 144 men recovering from substance abuse.

The commission will make its formal recommendation that night, although the Zoning Board of Appeals will make its own decision on the matter. The Zoning Board of Appeals next meets on February 7th.

4. Today, there are two "Little Listener" sessions at the Waterford Public Library at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. "Little Listeners" is a 20-to-25 minute session for children 3 or younger.

And in case you missed our post Tuesday at noon, popular local children’s band Steve Elci and Friends will perform at the library at 2 p.m. on Saturday. To see the full schedule of the events at the library, click here.

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5. On this date in 1996, Gino Gallagher, the suspected leader of the Irish National Liberation Army, was killed while waiting in line for his unemployment benefit. And on this date in 1948, a Hindu extremist assassinated Mohandas Gandhi.

Quote of the Day

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

-George Eliot

Trivia of the Day

On this date in 1835, Richard Lawrence tried to shoot what president, in the first assassination attempt against a United States president?

Yesterday’s Answer: Hawaii and Arizona are the two states that do not follow daylight savings time.