Groton mayor highlights Flag Street program, Electric Boat parking plans and summer events

Mayor Jill Russo used the June 15 Mayor and Council meeting to lay out a series of community updates, from a Flag Street donation program to infrastructure items tied to Electric Boat activity in the city.

"I, Jill Russo, mayor of the city of Groton, on behalf of the citizens and city council do hereby congratulate the Groton Middle School class of 2026 and commend them for their achievements," Russo said while reading a proclamation recognizing the middle school promotion ceremony. The graduation was held the same evening, Russo noted, and the council skipped public comment because there were no members of the public present other than staff.

Russo said the city has begun installing flags under the Flag Street program and that a $1,000 donation from Jim Streeter helped launch the effort; each flag with bracket costs $95 and the city is accepting further donations to continue the program. She also announced that speed tables will be installed on Eastern Point Road in front of Electric Boat on two sections, funded by a donation from Electric Boat, and that installation should start this week.

On transportation and development, Russo said Electric Boat reported it has received multiple proposals to design a parking garage, and that the company is in talks with water taxi services about employee shuttles between Groton and New London. "None of that the the shuttle service is not set, but it does look like they are moving forward with building a parking garage," Russo said, cautioning that construction will displace some existing parking before conditions improve.

The mayor reviewed several seasonal programs and events: the farmers market at Washington Park runs Tuesdays through Oct. 27 (3–6 p.m.); the first concert in the park is June 19, with weekly concerts through July 31; a Juneteenth celebration is scheduled for June 20 at 10 a.m.; a public reading of the Declaration of Independence is planned for July 8; and the annual fireworks celebration is July 11 with anticipated road closures on Groton Bank. She also announced youth programming (two free Connecticut Sun basketball clinics) and multiple Waves and Jam concerts at Eastern Point Beach.

Russo said municipal building hours changed two weeks ago to Monday 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Tuesday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; and Friday 8 a.m.–noon, with adjustments for city-observed holidays. She encouraged residents to apply for several open boards and commissions and said the city will present a proposal on the I‑95 shared-use path improvements once details from the Department of Transportation are definite.

The city will host Ring Garden plantings June 17–18 and City Day on Aug. 7. Russo also noted a recent Safe Futures groundbreaking for a new resource center for victims of domestic violence and said she is working with staff to develop 1-, 3- and 5-year economic development plans following the Connecticut Main Street assessment.

The council moved to new business after the announcements.