The race for Connecticut's 12th Senate District is between incumbent Democrat Christine Cohen and Republican challenger Lisa Deane. Both candidates answered questions from the Guilford Courier about the issues they believe matter most this election season and how they plan to serve their constituents.

The Board of Selectmen is considering the use of artificial intelligence software to provide residents with faster, around-the-clock answers to questions while potentially reducing the volume of inquiries handled by town staff.

Certainly the message that the mural was a fine addition to the school got through to the students, who collectively let out a big 'Whoa,' upon their first glimpse of Katriana's creation, she says. That was positive news for her, since the opportunity to paint the mural was one that Katrina had been waiting for.

Following an initial discussion of establishing an Other Post-Employment Benefits, or OPEB, trust, the Board of Selectmen has sent the issue back to the Board of Finance to determine how Madison could begin funding its obligations to town employees.

The board made the decision at its Sept. 22 meeting, with all members voting to approve the tax deferral period "largely because it has 30 affordable housing units" attracted to the project, said First Selectman Matt Hoey.

The adoption of the plan comes following around eight years of work by the committee that has involved research on a "complete streets" design for Madison and various community outreach efforts that have informed its contents.

Facing staffing challenges and higher-than-anticipated student enrollment at Neck River Elementary School, Madison officials are looking for ways to ensure before- and after-school programming can be provided to families who need child care.

The creation of the Guilford Volunteers takes after a similar initiative started two years ago by the Branford Community Foundation. According to Liza Petra, the Guilford Foundation's executive director, the idea stemmed from "two members of the Branford community who were trying to figure out an easier way to connect people who wanted to contribute their time and energy with organizations that needed volunteers."

Guilford voters overwhelmingly approved the purchase of 370 Church Street at a special town meeting Sept. 16. The property will become another town-owned space within the public safety complex and is being considered as a potential location for a new police headquarters in Guilford.

The Guilford Board of Selectmen has received the first application under the town's Business Development Incentive Program, concerning a 100-unit housing development at 90 and 100 Hubbard Road known as Memorial Estates.

The Town of Guilford is looking at an estimated $92.7 million in improvements to its public school buildings over the next 10 years, according to a feasibility study presented at a Sept. 9 joint special meeting of several town boards and committees.

After four attempts, Regional School District 17 voters approved a $52.8 million education budget at an Aug. 25 referendum, two days before the first day of school.

Following significant public opposition to the proposed Affordable Housing Trust Fund ordinance, the Madison Board of Selectmen tabled the proposal Aug. 24 and sent it back to the Affordable Housing Committee for revisions.

The Board of Selectmen approved a long-awaited plan to update how Madison manages septic wastewater in areas where existing systems may be underperforming, addressing environmental and public health concerns associated with the town's 44-year-old wastewater management system.

The Board of Selectmen is looking to move forward with a lease for local nonprofit Guilford Community Television to acquire available office space at the Lathrop House at 55 Park Street. The new space would provide a central location for GCTV administration and equipment storage and would also "directly preserve and expand essential public-facing services" provided by the local television station at a lower cost.

The Town of Guilford found success in its most recent treatment of invasive species in Lake Quonnipaug, according to a report produced by state officials who monitored both native and non-native vegetation in the body of water.

There is an "absolute flurry of activity" occurring at Walter C. Polson Middle School at the moment, said Madison's construction manager Ben Whittaker, with several school system upgrades taking shape, most of which are on track to be completed by the first day of school for Madison students Aug. 27.

A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. at Town Campus on a proposed Affordable Housing Trust, an account intended to help facilitate the development of more affordable housing in Madison.

Guilford town officials have endorsed a plan to purchase a new property for the construction of a new Guilford Police Department headquarters. A Town Meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 15 at Guilford High School to consider the purchase.

A large agricultural development under construction on Kelsey Hill Road has sparked questions from Deep River officials and nearby residents over how the project was approved, whether the permitting process was sufficiently transparent, and what impacts it could have on the surrounding neighborhood.