Post by Wethersfield.com on Oct 8, 2004 16:42:41 GMT -5
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Town Council Members
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: October 8, 2004
A. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Manager: Town Hall will be closed on Monday, October 11, 2004 for Columbus Day. I will be away for the weekend beginning Saturday morning until Monday evening. Chief Cetran will be in charge and will be able to reach me. I will also be away from October 15th to the 25th, so if you need me to answer any questions, do research etc. before then, please let me know. The Chief will be in charge at that time also and Rae Ann Palmer, Assistant to the Town Manager, will be taking my place at your October 18th Council meeting.
2. Council Committee Dates:
• Shared Services – Tues. 10/12/04, 7 pm – Town Manager’s Conference Room
3. Department/Division News:
• Tax Office: Attached is the monthly tax collection report for September. The Tax Collector reports that she received payment of $381,102 from the top delinquent tax account. We thank the staff for their diligence in collecting our back taxes.
• Finance Department:: The Finance Director has received notification from the City of Hartford that the Pilot payment for the Goodwin golf course will increase from the expected amount of $67,290 to $69,463. We have received the money for this.
• Economic Development: Attached is the September Economic Development Update. This report provides us an update to the Town’s construction and development activity. I have also attached an article about municipalities using wireless access as an Economic Development tool. Middletown and Manchester are developing this service for residents.
• Physical Services: Attached is the Leaf Collection Schedule. Two individuals were recently promoted. Patrick Carlino was promoted to Maintainer II and Juan Rodriguez was promoted to Maintainer III. Congratulations to both gentlemen. We know they will do a great job!
• Recreation and Parks Maintenance: Tom Nowak, custodian at the Community Center recently celebrated his 30th anniversary of employment with the Town of Wethersfield. Congratulations Tom!!!
• Library: Alice Newton started work on October 4th. She is the new part-time Information Librarian. Welcome aboard Alice! Library Director Laurel Goodgion shared the attached article about wireless networking as an idea for the future here in Wethersfield.
• Health District: All flu clinics are cancelled due to an inability to get the vaccine.
• Police Department: Officer Eric Knapp graduated from the Police Academy on Tuesday, October 5. He will spend the next 14 weeks in the Field Training Officer Program, riding along with certified police staff from the Department. Kysia Gonzalez-Schoff recently joined the Department as a Clerk II. Congratulations Erik on your graduation and welcome to you and Kysia!
4. Board/Commission News:
• The Strategic Plan Committee will hold a Public Forum on Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at 7 PM in Council Chambers to solicit public opinion about the strategic plan.
• Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Meetings: Board of Education, Historic District Commission, Solomon Wells House, Town Hall Building Committee
• Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Meetings: Conservation Commission
5. Council Questions/Answers:
• The fall season sports schedule for Cottone Field is attached. This does not include any Board of Education events.
• Ivy Lane Comments - When the drainage project is funded and completed, the stagnant water at the end of the resident’s yard would be cleaned out and this would allow for more movement of the water.
• The State of Connecticut has been responsible for cleaning out the Wells Road culvert since 1963. Public Works Director Turner has sent the State a letter requesting them to clean the culvert. The State has cleaned it out after the 1963 date but has not completed it for awhile.
• The sidewalks for Mapleside Drive are being proposed for the west side because it will allow students to meet Wells Road where a school crossing guard is assigned. If they are put on the east side, a new crossing guard would be needed.
• The signs for No Dogs and other Town Rules are placed on each side of the fence at Town parks. Unfortunately they are stolen as fast as we put them up. The signs at Cottone will be replaced this month.
6. CRCOG: Attached is the CRCOG newsletter, Building Livable Communities.
7. COST: See attached email regarding the State of Connecticut Probate Administrator’s proposal to charge towns a $4.00 per capita fee to maintain a local Probate Court. COST is soliciting feedback from member towns as to what action they should take. A recent Probate Court Reorganization Plan will have no effect on the present makeup and operation of the Probate Court which serves Wethersfield. Please refer to the attached letter from Judge Sheila Henessey.
8. ICMA: I will be at the International City and County Managers’ Conference from October 15th until October 20th. I will be a speaker at one of the sessions.
9. Miscellaneous:
• I have received information on various ways to help our troops. The “Help Our Troops Call Home” program is designed to help Service members call home from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. If you wish to donate a prepaid calling card, log on to any of the three Armed Services Exchange websites: http://www.aafes.com; http://www.navy-nex.com; www.usmc-mccs.org. The “Gift of Groceries” program allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates at www.commissaries.com or by calling toll free 1-877-770-GIFT. The Armed Services Exchanges offer the “Gift From the Home Front” gift certificates for merchandise at these exchange web sites: www.aafes.com and www.navy-nex.com or by using the toll free number.
• I wanted to share with you the last two years of statistics that the State uses to determine which communities are considered Public Investment Communities (PICs). The designation was developed to target economic development grants for fiscally distressed towns. The Office of Policy and Management designates PICs by scoring and ranking Towns based on residents’ income, tax base and tax rates, unemployment, and the share of families who receive temporary family assistance. The 42 towns in the top quartile are designated as PICs. Wethersfield has remained stable over the last two years and has not been designated a PIC. The statistical data is attached to the report.
• The Health Department has been asking the MDC to install a sanitary sewer line on Clarkridge Road for some time. This is because there are problem septic systems on the street. The MDC is prepared to move forward with this project but it will entail blasting on the street. This item will be on your next agenda where representatives of the MDC will be there to answer your questions. They would like to start work as soon as possible.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
• Silas Deane Highway: Attached is the letter from the Governor’s Secretary of Policy and Management informing the Town that we will receive a $500,000 STEAP grant for improvements and enhancements to the Silas Deane Highway. The use of the grant will be directly related to the application. We have not received the detailed application forms. Peter Gillespie and I will be meeting with Rocky Hill staff next week to formalize the project.
• The CIP Monthly Project Status Report for October is attached.
• Nott Street Blasting – As of Friday morning, the MDC was still trying to have the new water lines meet the national standards for water quality. They have been chlorinating the lines this week and it will take two days to get the report back from the State labs. No road work can take place on this project until the water lines pass the MDC’s standards. We have also sent a letter to the State asking for a design change to the slopes on three homes. I have attached the letter to Lew Cannon, District Engineer. I have also attached the minutes from our last meeting on the project.
• Road Reconstruction: As previously agreed with the Traffic & Transportation Committee, the reconstruction of Rosedale Street has been included with the bid documents for Church Street reconstruction. Rosedale Street will be narrowed from a 30 feet curb to curb to 24 feet. Sidewalks will remain on both sides, but a 4 foot snow shelf will be added between the edge of sidewalk and curb line on the east side. Traffic flow will remain two way. Parking will be allowed on one side only. The bids are advertised this week and due back October 27th. I anticipate construction may begin this fall for some drainage work, but most work will be done next spring.
• MDC Regional Sewer Capital Plan: On Tuesday, October 12, the MDC will be presenting to their Board of Directors a regional sewer capital plan which would include Wethersfield. The presentation is at 5:30 pm at the MDC’s Headquarters on Main Street in Hartford.
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: October 8, 2004
A. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Manager: Town Hall will be closed on Monday, October 11, 2004 for Columbus Day. I will be away for the weekend beginning Saturday morning until Monday evening. Chief Cetran will be in charge and will be able to reach me. I will also be away from October 15th to the 25th, so if you need me to answer any questions, do research etc. before then, please let me know. The Chief will be in charge at that time also and Rae Ann Palmer, Assistant to the Town Manager, will be taking my place at your October 18th Council meeting.
2. Council Committee Dates:
• Shared Services – Tues. 10/12/04, 7 pm – Town Manager’s Conference Room
3. Department/Division News:
• Tax Office: Attached is the monthly tax collection report for September. The Tax Collector reports that she received payment of $381,102 from the top delinquent tax account. We thank the staff for their diligence in collecting our back taxes.
• Finance Department:: The Finance Director has received notification from the City of Hartford that the Pilot payment for the Goodwin golf course will increase from the expected amount of $67,290 to $69,463. We have received the money for this.
• Economic Development: Attached is the September Economic Development Update. This report provides us an update to the Town’s construction and development activity. I have also attached an article about municipalities using wireless access as an Economic Development tool. Middletown and Manchester are developing this service for residents.
• Physical Services: Attached is the Leaf Collection Schedule. Two individuals were recently promoted. Patrick Carlino was promoted to Maintainer II and Juan Rodriguez was promoted to Maintainer III. Congratulations to both gentlemen. We know they will do a great job!
• Recreation and Parks Maintenance: Tom Nowak, custodian at the Community Center recently celebrated his 30th anniversary of employment with the Town of Wethersfield. Congratulations Tom!!!
• Library: Alice Newton started work on October 4th. She is the new part-time Information Librarian. Welcome aboard Alice! Library Director Laurel Goodgion shared the attached article about wireless networking as an idea for the future here in Wethersfield.
• Health District: All flu clinics are cancelled due to an inability to get the vaccine.
• Police Department: Officer Eric Knapp graduated from the Police Academy on Tuesday, October 5. He will spend the next 14 weeks in the Field Training Officer Program, riding along with certified police staff from the Department. Kysia Gonzalez-Schoff recently joined the Department as a Clerk II. Congratulations Erik on your graduation and welcome to you and Kysia!
4. Board/Commission News:
• The Strategic Plan Committee will hold a Public Forum on Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at 7 PM in Council Chambers to solicit public opinion about the strategic plan.
• Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Meetings: Board of Education, Historic District Commission, Solomon Wells House, Town Hall Building Committee
• Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Meetings: Conservation Commission
5. Council Questions/Answers:
• The fall season sports schedule for Cottone Field is attached. This does not include any Board of Education events.
• Ivy Lane Comments - When the drainage project is funded and completed, the stagnant water at the end of the resident’s yard would be cleaned out and this would allow for more movement of the water.
• The State of Connecticut has been responsible for cleaning out the Wells Road culvert since 1963. Public Works Director Turner has sent the State a letter requesting them to clean the culvert. The State has cleaned it out after the 1963 date but has not completed it for awhile.
• The sidewalks for Mapleside Drive are being proposed for the west side because it will allow students to meet Wells Road where a school crossing guard is assigned. If they are put on the east side, a new crossing guard would be needed.
• The signs for No Dogs and other Town Rules are placed on each side of the fence at Town parks. Unfortunately they are stolen as fast as we put them up. The signs at Cottone will be replaced this month.
6. CRCOG: Attached is the CRCOG newsletter, Building Livable Communities.
7. COST: See attached email regarding the State of Connecticut Probate Administrator’s proposal to charge towns a $4.00 per capita fee to maintain a local Probate Court. COST is soliciting feedback from member towns as to what action they should take. A recent Probate Court Reorganization Plan will have no effect on the present makeup and operation of the Probate Court which serves Wethersfield. Please refer to the attached letter from Judge Sheila Henessey.
8. ICMA: I will be at the International City and County Managers’ Conference from October 15th until October 20th. I will be a speaker at one of the sessions.
9. Miscellaneous:
• I have received information on various ways to help our troops. The “Help Our Troops Call Home” program is designed to help Service members call home from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. If you wish to donate a prepaid calling card, log on to any of the three Armed Services Exchange websites: http://www.aafes.com; http://www.navy-nex.com; www.usmc-mccs.org. The “Gift of Groceries” program allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates at www.commissaries.com or by calling toll free 1-877-770-GIFT. The Armed Services Exchanges offer the “Gift From the Home Front” gift certificates for merchandise at these exchange web sites: www.aafes.com and www.navy-nex.com or by using the toll free number.
• I wanted to share with you the last two years of statistics that the State uses to determine which communities are considered Public Investment Communities (PICs). The designation was developed to target economic development grants for fiscally distressed towns. The Office of Policy and Management designates PICs by scoring and ranking Towns based on residents’ income, tax base and tax rates, unemployment, and the share of families who receive temporary family assistance. The 42 towns in the top quartile are designated as PICs. Wethersfield has remained stable over the last two years and has not been designated a PIC. The statistical data is attached to the report.
• The Health Department has been asking the MDC to install a sanitary sewer line on Clarkridge Road for some time. This is because there are problem septic systems on the street. The MDC is prepared to move forward with this project but it will entail blasting on the street. This item will be on your next agenda where representatives of the MDC will be there to answer your questions. They would like to start work as soon as possible.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
• Silas Deane Highway: Attached is the letter from the Governor’s Secretary of Policy and Management informing the Town that we will receive a $500,000 STEAP grant for improvements and enhancements to the Silas Deane Highway. The use of the grant will be directly related to the application. We have not received the detailed application forms. Peter Gillespie and I will be meeting with Rocky Hill staff next week to formalize the project.
• The CIP Monthly Project Status Report for October is attached.
• Nott Street Blasting – As of Friday morning, the MDC was still trying to have the new water lines meet the national standards for water quality. They have been chlorinating the lines this week and it will take two days to get the report back from the State labs. No road work can take place on this project until the water lines pass the MDC’s standards. We have also sent a letter to the State asking for a design change to the slopes on three homes. I have attached the letter to Lew Cannon, District Engineer. I have also attached the minutes from our last meeting on the project.
• Road Reconstruction: As previously agreed with the Traffic & Transportation Committee, the reconstruction of Rosedale Street has been included with the bid documents for Church Street reconstruction. Rosedale Street will be narrowed from a 30 feet curb to curb to 24 feet. Sidewalks will remain on both sides, but a 4 foot snow shelf will be added between the edge of sidewalk and curb line on the east side. Traffic flow will remain two way. Parking will be allowed on one side only. The bids are advertised this week and due back October 27th. I anticipate construction may begin this fall for some drainage work, but most work will be done next spring.
• MDC Regional Sewer Capital Plan: On Tuesday, October 12, the MDC will be presenting to their Board of Directors a regional sewer capital plan which would include Wethersfield. The presentation is at 5:30 pm at the MDC’s Headquarters on Main Street in Hartford.