Groton’s current Town Council has strongly supported economic development, a laudable goal. However, missing is a much needed voice for balancing economic development with the need to protect Groton’s natural resources, especially our drinking water reservoirs and the streams and wetlands that feed them.

We need councilors who will support redevelopment of the existing Route 1 corridor, and discourage sprawl with its expensive infrastructure needs and heavy demands on space. We need councilors who save us money through energy efficiency strategies and who will start long-range planning to respond to sea-level rise and the increased danger of flooding from more frequent extreme storms.

As members of a new organization, Groton Conservation Advocates, we support candidates for the council who recognize the importance of balance between the goals of economic development and the need to protect Groton’s environment. The following candidates have shown a commitment to finding that balance: David Atwater, Rachael Franco, Patrice Granatosky, and Conrad Heede. We encourage you to vote for them for Groton Town Council on Nov. 7.

We regret that we received no questionnaires back from Republican candidates.

Liz Raisbeck and Eugenia Villagra

Groton