The Ellington Youth Services Department is a division of the town's Human Services Department. It strives to provide programs and services that help kids build positive relationships and bond with their families, schools, peers and community. Children from birth through 18 years of age are supported by the department. There are many ongoing programs throughout the school district. The department also oversees the Drug Abuse Prevention Council and its subgroups Parent Connection and Rise Above.
The Board of Selectmen are led by the town's First Selectman with six selectmen under him. The selectmen are collectively responsible for running the town. The selectmen are responsible for the administration of the town offices, maintenance of the town's highways and parks, the public safety of its citizens, the keeping of financial accounts and the appointment of administrative officers, boards and commissions.
The Ellington Parks and Recreation department offers year-round sporting events and activities for town residents. The department is committed to providing safe and cost-effective activities. Something the department is looking into doing is offering some "family" type events in addition to the regular programs. The town Little League, co-ed teams and even the Summer Concert Series at Arbor Park - in addition to many more - are run through this department.
In Ellington, the tax collector is responsible for the billing and collection of local taxes. The taxes that are collected in this office are real estate, motor vehicle, personal property taxes, water assessments, trash collection fees, sewer assessments and sewer use charges. Residents may pay some of their taxes online by going through the tax collector's website. The website also has important dates for residents to remember when paying their taxes.
Many town departments and services can be found in the Ellington Town Hall (55 Main Street) and in the Town Hall Annex (57 Main Street) building next door. The assessor, emergency management department and water pollution control authority can be found in the Town Hall. The building official and fire marshal can be found in the Town Hall Annex.
The Ellington animal control officers are in charge of enforcing state laws that pertain to animals. The officers will respond to complaints by phone or police dispatch. This department also picks up stray and roaming dogs and investigates complaints of sick, abused, neglected or vicious dogs. The officers also care for the animals that are impounded at the shelter. Unclaimed animals are evaluated and put up for adoption. Officers can also assist police or the public with any animal related issue.
The town of Ellington's public works department is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of town buildings, roads, and grass areas, including public parks. The public works department maintains, repairs, cleans and removes snow from all the public streets. It also maintains storm drains and town buildings that are not covered by the Board of Education, prepares and supervises the plans for sidewalk, street or building repairs, and cares for public grounds. It is also responsible for the town's recycling and garbage programs.
The Ellington town clerk's office is where public record documents can be found and accessed by the public. A variety of services are also provided in this office, including recording of documents related to real estate transactions; filing and maintaining maps, trade names, liquor permits, military discharges, and notary public certificates; and annual dog registrations. The town clerk's office also issues marriage licenses, and burial, cremation and transit permits. In addition, certified copies of birth, death, marriage and civil union certificates can be obtained here, and sportsman's licenses can be purchased.
Ellington's registrar of voters department is responsible for registering any eligible resident who wants to vote and maintaining the town's voting records. There are two registrars: one for the Democratic party and one for the Republican party. Both registrars are elected officials who serve a four-year term. They are in charge of conducting the elections, from primaries to election day to referendums.
At the Ellington Planning Department office, residents can apply for land use applications such as zoning permits. This department also houses the Conservation Commission, Economic Development Commission, Inland Wetlands Agency, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. Information about town zoning regulations, inland wetland and watercourse regulations, and land use fees can be found in this office or on its web site.