First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers sees a conservative budget and several projects taking shape in the Oxford industrial zone during 2010.
With a proposed $84 million budget cut to towns and cities by the state, Drayton-Rogers hopes town officials come together to create a “reasonable” budget for “uncertain” economic times.
Drayton-Rogers is pushing a conservative approach based on proposed cuts to towns at the state level, what she is being told by her constituents and a slowing economy.
“If I had one wish for the New Year, it would be that all of our boards would work together because of these difficult economic times,” she said.
Drayton-Rogers said despite the tough economy, the town will be moving forward with several projects, including the construction of Cast Global at Woodruff Hill Industrial Park, which recently got underway and will continue into 2010.
Marcus Dairy, who is leaving Danbury for Oxford, has also acquired all of its permits to build its distribution center on Hurley Road. Construction should start this month.
“We are continuing to see economic growth, thanks to the efforts of the economic development and land use commissions,” she said.
In regard to affordable housing regulations, Drayton-Rogers said she met with the new Planning and Zoning Commission. Its members agreed to provide a monthly report to her office on its progress.
Drayton-Rogers said she hopes to see the regulations created this year, but as yet to receive any correspondence from the commission.
“I am sure it is going to take a lot of special meetings on their part to address this aspect of their responsibilities,” she said.
Drayton-Rogers also plans a new School Planning and Building Committee and a Charter Revision Committee.
“We have definite plans moving forward, and will be looking for volunteers for those committees,” she said.
Drayton-Rogers said she is excited to see the new traffic light at Riggs Street become a reality, promised for 2010 by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
“What the town has completed says a lot about the town working together and making things happen,” she said.
