The Groton Town Council is weaponizing COVID-19 against its own citizens. A public meeting is scheduled for April 7 to allow the citizens to give their opinion about another junk apartment complex going onto the Williams Seely School property. This is a vital matter to the people of Groton. Instead of logically postponing it, the council wants to continue with input by internet only. Speaking for myself, I am occupied with life-threatening issues and I should not be distracted from them.

Besides these stressors there are many citizens who do not have a computer and do not know how to participate electronically, particularly our older citizens. Many do not know that this option is available because no one regularly reads the town’s website. A public meeting is not just for the benefit of the council; it also benefits the citizens in attendance to hear the words of those speaking. I often change my presentation after I hear the message of others.

This council is playing this virus like a fiddle. It's obvious they could care less about the input from the citizens of Groton. We all will remember this in November of 2021 when the council comes up for election and we get rid of these do-nothing, self-serving people. Wake up Groton Town Council and leadership, start hearing Groton residents “loud and clear.” Postpone this public meeting.

Ann Chipperini

Groton