Stonington residents say keep the borough

the borough’s declining and aging population, combined with increasing number of state and federal requirements, has made it difficult to find the 30 people needed to staff boards and commissions and run for elected positions.

He predicted that if nothing is done and the population continues to decline, it will become more difficult to fill positions, which would lead to lawsuits against the borough because of a lack of action by groups such as the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Nine potential options for the borough’s future, developed by Glen Chalder, the Planimetrics consultant hired by the borough to develop them, were presented at the forum.

The nine options were as follows:

The borough would continue operating as it does now.

Allow nonresidents who own property in the borough to hold office, and allow remote participation in meetings.

Reduce the number of members on the Board of Warden and Burgesses and Planning and Zoning Commission.

Hire a professional borough manager to take over operational duties of the warden and burgesses, who could then just focus on policy issues.

Eliminate or reduce borough services such as planning and zoning and parks and road maintenance and let the town take over those responsibilities.

Dissolve the borough and convert to a special services district to provide services such as fire protection, planning and street maintenance, eliminating the cost of general government.

Dissolve the borough and consolidate with the town. It would then be called a village. It might retain some land use and historic district authority to control aesthetics.

Disincorporate with services being provided by the town, including planning and zoning.

Become a city or town.