While Covid-19 has ground much of the state to a halt, municipalities have to keep moving and drafting their annual budgets.
Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone joined the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities’ “The Municipal Voice” with this perspective into the roles that towns and cities are playing as the coronavirus public health crisis unfolds.
“This is the worst time for a municipality to have to respond to a pandemic,” Carbone said.
Carbone said that Gov. Ned Lamont extended the deadline for municipalities to craft their budgets by 30 days. She said that while Torrington maintain its current timeline, that decision may not be feasible.
The Board of Finance has continued meeting electronically, which has required additional technical support. The pandemic also requires towns and cities to expend resources that have to be factored into the budget process.
Carbone praised the way Lamont has handled the crisis. His constant communication “helps us communicate to the public what we’re supposed to do,” she said.
Carbone has declared a state of emergency in Torrington. She keeps in constant contact with her emergency management team, which includes her fire and police chief. She also bounces all decisions off her Council of Governments (COG) members.
Carbone has teamed up with her chamber of commerce to reach out to local small businesses about funds and resources available to them.
“Our businesses need to hear from us sooner rather than later,” she said.
Torrington is also maintaining a Continuation Of Operations Plan, or COOP, should something compromise this process, like an illness amongst essential staff or more drastic edicts handed down from the governor or president.
Until then, the mayor wants to send a different kind of message.
“It is imperative as a mayor, selectman or CEO of a municipality that you exhibit a sense of calm, that everything is under control. We are prepared for this,” she said.
“The Municipal Voice” airs every other Wednesday, the next episode airs on April 8. Listen to the latest episode by clicking on the video above in this story.
