I want to start off by sharing that taxes will be going down 1 mill for the upcoming fiscal year, thanks to the hard work of many. Our town buildings and offices are all open to serve our residents, and Sandy Beach at Crystal Lake opened for the season over Memorial Day weekend. Our Ad Hoc Patriotic Committee also held parades by Crystal Lake and through Ellington Center, as well as their annual ceremony at Ellington High School, to honor those we’ve lost. Earthlight Technologies recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new, 100% green facility on Route 83.

The Ellington Farmers Market has a lot going on. Its summer market series is in full swing at Arbor Park. I highly recommend checking the market’s Facebook page for upcoming specials and other news.

For the first time, the Ellington Historical Society set up a “promenade” event at the Nellie McKnight Museum, where classic cars and trucks, antique carriages and tractors, and beautiful floral arrangements were set up for EHS prom-goers to take photos. Graduation at Ellington High School will take place on Friday, June 11, at 6 p.m. – this is an exciting time for our seniors who have worked so hard and overcome such adversity over the past year.

The Ellington Senior Center has started up some programming, both indoor and outdoor. The center also has been working hard to bring back its transportation services soon. For those who travel along Route 140, a large state project, between Webster Road and Angel Trace, got underway June 1. One lane of traffic is closed through June 17, the last day of school, with alternating traffic. Beginning in the late afternoon June 17 through Sept. 1, the entire road will be closed. The detour route will be posted.

Vaccination rates in town look good, and infections have decreased, so thank you to all who have helped in us being able to “get back to normal.”

I worked with the Town of East Windsor to get 100 USDA food boxes for distribution; these were delivered to the Senior Center, and were greatly appreciated by the recipients.

I recently attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for Alexander Kiessling, who dedicated himself to multiple improvements at Crystal Lake. I am so proud of the incredible young people we have in town. EHS senior Ayushman Choudhury was a recipient of a prestigious National Merit Scholarship. A great job by both of you, and thank you for everything you do for your community.