Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Thursday, March 12.  It'll be partly sunny, then cloudier this evening, according to the National Weather Service. The high temperature will reach 62 degrees, then drop to a low of about 45 degrees tonight.

2.  Town Manager Mark Oefinger said he believes the governor's proposed "Plan B budget" is a negotiating tactic with unions, but if it passed, it would mean a $5.8 million reduction in aid to Groton.  To raise that money, Groton would need a local tax rate increase of 1.47 mills. Under the state budget approved a week and a half ago, the town would receive about $200,000 more than it expected from the state. 

3.  The town is nearly ready to begin the final work on River Road.  Bids are due a week from today, and Oefinger said he hopes work will begin in June or July. The road will be closed to thru trauffic while construction is being done. "It just allows us to do the work quicker by not having to worry about traffic control," Oefinger  said.

4. Groton will pilot a new elementary school schedule next week at Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School that has teachers break at the same time so they can discuss students and collaborate on instruction. The schedule also sets aside a block of time for students to receive remedial or gifted instruction.

5.  The Mystic Woman's Club will meet at 7 p.m. today in the undercroft of St. Mark's Church on Pearl Street. A teacup auction will follow the business meeting, and all members and potential members are invited to attend. For more information, click here.