Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Jan 7, 2005 19:07:53 GMT -5
Weekly Management Report
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Town Council Members
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: January 7, 2005
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
>> Manager: Nothing this week.
Upcoming Events
>> The Library will be closed from Friday at 1 p.m. on January 14th through Monday, January 17th due to construction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This is due to construction that must take place on the heating system, which must be shut down over that weekend. (Please see below update on Town Hall/Library Construction for more details.)
>> The CBIA and the MetroHartford Alliance are sponsoring an Economic Summit and Outlook 2005 on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the program begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $95/110 per person.
>> The Council of Small Towns (COST) will be holding their annual conference on January 19th at the Radisson in Cromwell. If you would like to attend, please let us know. They have just announced that Governor Weicker will be the keynote speaker.
>> On January 19, 2005, transportation advocates from around the State will meet in Hartford to hear from legislators and other experts on the issue of how to address the growing transportation crisis in Connecticut. Details are still being finalized but the event will be at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building. For more information, you should contact the All Aboard! Office at 860-278-5022 or allaboard@snet.net.
>> We will hold our Fireside Chat with the Board of Education on February 12, 2005 from 9 a.m. to noon. This will take place at the newly renovated Stillman Building. More information to follow. NEW
>> On March 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Gym, the Silas Deane Middle School "Dream Team" will take on the Harlem Rockets. The "Dream Team" includes teachers, police officers and coaches. Tickets are $7.00 in advance, $8.00 at the door and can be ordered with the attached flyer or by calling Yolanda Preysner at 721-8854.
>> There will be a regional workshop, sponsored by CT Real Choice, on Community Inclusion of People with Disabilities. This will be a first time event whereby individuals can comment on ways to make their communities better for people with disabilities. I have attached a copy of the flyer. This will be held Thursday, February 3, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. - Noon at the Community Center.
Council Committee Dates
>> Saturday, January 8, 2005 - Strategic Plan Committee - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Silas Deane Middle School - Room 114
>> Monday, January 10, 2005 - Housing Authority; WCCA; School Projects Building Committee - 6 p.m. - Stillman Building
>> Monday, January 10, 2005 - 6 p.m. - Budget Committee (Adil, Fortunato, Czernicki and Karangekis)
>> Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - Board of Education; Historic District Commission; Solomon Welles House; CIP Committee
>> Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - Shared Services (Fortunato, Karangekis, Montinieri and Cascio)
>> Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - Conservation Commission
Thursday, January 13, 2005 - EDIC (Noon)
Department/Division News
>> Library: Attached is a list of Library accomplishments for 2004 put together by the staff.
>> Physical Services: Collection of Christmas trees at curbside will begin on Monday, January 10, 2005. Residents should have their tree at the curb by January 10th for this one-time collection. Artificial trees will not be collected. All ornaments, lights, stands, and plastic bags must be removed from the tree prior to placing it at the curb, since Town crews will be coming by using a wood chipper. Residents also have the option of bringing their tree to the Transfer Station at 100 Marsh Street for disposal during the month of January, free of charge.
>> Tax Collection: The monthly report for December collections is attached.
>> Social and Youth Services: The Department, during the holiday season, has been extremely busy and is very grateful for the generosity of all those who adopted families and brought additional toys and food. This year, there were 52 donors that served 79 families with 161 children. Director Nancy Stilwell has been appointed to the Advocacy Committee of the Connecticut Youth Services Association. The Committee is planning for a Youth Service Bureau Recognition Day at the Capitol to be held on Wednesday, April 13th. The evening of April 12th has been selected for Youth Volunteer Recognition Night, sponsored by the Youth Advisory Board. This event will be held at the Community Center and all are invited.
Board/Commission News
>> Conservation Commission: I have appointed Robert Pulford (I) to fill the vacancy on the Conservation Commission.
Council Questions/Answers
>> In response to a recent question regarding installation of a light on the top of the Main Street flag pole, staff has informed me that the light will be installed as soon as the materials arrive and weather permits. The top of the flag pole must be removed and sent to the light supplier for modification and then returned to us for modification directly on to our pole.
>> The Contingency Balance after January 4, 2005 Town Council action is $257,324.
The cost of police vehicles purchased in September was $41,010. We have recently learned that the new State bid for vehicles will bring the price up to $48,656, leaving a balance of $7,646 in the Police CNEF budget.
>> Recently, a resident of Wells Road contacted me regarding a rumor that the road would be widened to four lanes. Town Engineer Mike Turner informs me that the rumor is incorrect. In 1999, the Capital Region Council of Governments hired URS to do a corridor study of Rte. 175 Wells Road from the Silas Deane thru Newington. The report recommends adding a right turn lane on Wells Road eastbound at Silas which would require a minor widening just in the immediate area. This would leave a left turn, straight and right turn lane heading eastbound. The estimated cost of this work is $125,000 but it is part of an overall regional plan. The Town of Wethersfield, CRCOG and the DOT have not identified this study or even this specific portion of the study for construction in the TIP. The recommendations are only conceptual at this time. No money has been set aside for this proposed project.
>> I spoke to Robert Moore, Interim Executive Director of the MDC, today to receive a status on the Long Term Control Plan. The draft plan was submitted to the DEP on December 31, 2004, minus the cost analysis which will be coming soon. There is a recommendation for Option #3. The document is over 350 pages long. Mr. Moore will be getting me one copy and you may borrow this once I receive it. An oral presentation to the Public Works Committee on the Long Term Control Plan and the options for the Wethersfield Cove will be presented on Tuesday, January 11th, at 5:15 p.m. at the MDC Headquarters. You are more then welcome to attend. As soon as I receive the draft report, I will get you a copy of it. Mr. Moore said that he would be glad to have a presentation of the plan to the Town Council at our convenience.
>> CRCOG Nothing this week.
>> COST Nothing this week.
>> ICMA Nothing this week.
Miscellaneous
>> Attached is an article about sharing equipment between communities for your information.
>> I have a copy of the North Central Emergency Medical Services Council report and audit in my office should you wish to review it.
I know a few of you have been having problems with viruses being attached to your Town web e-mail accounts and have asked to be dropped from the system. I have attached a memo from Data Services Coordinator Paul Dudley outlining ways we may be able to bring your e-mails in house, thus eliminating this problem. We will keep you posted on this.
Senator Ciotto and Representative Doyle have submitted House Bill #5064 which is entitled an Act Allowing Permanent Paid Emergency Service Personnel to Volunteer in Other
Emergency Services.
PROJECT UPDATES
>> Town Hall/Library Renovations: see NEXT POST below (moved because of 10000 character limitation of forum).
>> Moeller Home: The Moeller Home construction is proceeding on schedule. Walls have been taken down and the rooms are wide open. Framing has started so that you can begin to see what our new Nature Center will look like in the future.
>> Radio System: I have a full report enclosed on the radio breakdown that occurred, as outlined in the Hartford Courant this week.
CALENDAR REMINDERS None this week.
ATTACHMENTS
>> Library Accomplishments
>> Tax Collection Report
>> Sharing Equipment article
>> Council E-mail Options
>> Conservation Commission Appointment
>> School Building Committee Agenda
>> Invitation to Regional Forum on the Community Inclusion of People with Disabilities
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Town Council Members
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: January 7, 2005
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
>> Manager: Nothing this week.
Upcoming Events
>> The Library will be closed from Friday at 1 p.m. on January 14th through Monday, January 17th due to construction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This is due to construction that must take place on the heating system, which must be shut down over that weekend. (Please see below update on Town Hall/Library Construction for more details.)
>> The CBIA and the MetroHartford Alliance are sponsoring an Economic Summit and Outlook 2005 on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the program begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $95/110 per person.
>> The Council of Small Towns (COST) will be holding their annual conference on January 19th at the Radisson in Cromwell. If you would like to attend, please let us know. They have just announced that Governor Weicker will be the keynote speaker.
>> On January 19, 2005, transportation advocates from around the State will meet in Hartford to hear from legislators and other experts on the issue of how to address the growing transportation crisis in Connecticut. Details are still being finalized but the event will be at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building. For more information, you should contact the All Aboard! Office at 860-278-5022 or allaboard@snet.net.
>> We will hold our Fireside Chat with the Board of Education on February 12, 2005 from 9 a.m. to noon. This will take place at the newly renovated Stillman Building. More information to follow. NEW
>> On March 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Gym, the Silas Deane Middle School "Dream Team" will take on the Harlem Rockets. The "Dream Team" includes teachers, police officers and coaches. Tickets are $7.00 in advance, $8.00 at the door and can be ordered with the attached flyer or by calling Yolanda Preysner at 721-8854.
>> There will be a regional workshop, sponsored by CT Real Choice, on Community Inclusion of People with Disabilities. This will be a first time event whereby individuals can comment on ways to make their communities better for people with disabilities. I have attached a copy of the flyer. This will be held Thursday, February 3, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. - Noon at the Community Center.
Council Committee Dates
>> Saturday, January 8, 2005 - Strategic Plan Committee - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Silas Deane Middle School - Room 114
>> Monday, January 10, 2005 - Housing Authority; WCCA; School Projects Building Committee - 6 p.m. - Stillman Building
>> Monday, January 10, 2005 - 6 p.m. - Budget Committee (Adil, Fortunato, Czernicki and Karangekis)
>> Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - Board of Education; Historic District Commission; Solomon Welles House; CIP Committee
>> Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - Shared Services (Fortunato, Karangekis, Montinieri and Cascio)
>> Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - Conservation Commission
Thursday, January 13, 2005 - EDIC (Noon)
Department/Division News
>> Library: Attached is a list of Library accomplishments for 2004 put together by the staff.
>> Physical Services: Collection of Christmas trees at curbside will begin on Monday, January 10, 2005. Residents should have their tree at the curb by January 10th for this one-time collection. Artificial trees will not be collected. All ornaments, lights, stands, and plastic bags must be removed from the tree prior to placing it at the curb, since Town crews will be coming by using a wood chipper. Residents also have the option of bringing their tree to the Transfer Station at 100 Marsh Street for disposal during the month of January, free of charge.
>> Tax Collection: The monthly report for December collections is attached.
>> Social and Youth Services: The Department, during the holiday season, has been extremely busy and is very grateful for the generosity of all those who adopted families and brought additional toys and food. This year, there were 52 donors that served 79 families with 161 children. Director Nancy Stilwell has been appointed to the Advocacy Committee of the Connecticut Youth Services Association. The Committee is planning for a Youth Service Bureau Recognition Day at the Capitol to be held on Wednesday, April 13th. The evening of April 12th has been selected for Youth Volunteer Recognition Night, sponsored by the Youth Advisory Board. This event will be held at the Community Center and all are invited.
Board/Commission News
>> Conservation Commission: I have appointed Robert Pulford (I) to fill the vacancy on the Conservation Commission.
Council Questions/Answers
>> In response to a recent question regarding installation of a light on the top of the Main Street flag pole, staff has informed me that the light will be installed as soon as the materials arrive and weather permits. The top of the flag pole must be removed and sent to the light supplier for modification and then returned to us for modification directly on to our pole.
>> The Contingency Balance after January 4, 2005 Town Council action is $257,324.
The cost of police vehicles purchased in September was $41,010. We have recently learned that the new State bid for vehicles will bring the price up to $48,656, leaving a balance of $7,646 in the Police CNEF budget.
>> Recently, a resident of Wells Road contacted me regarding a rumor that the road would be widened to four lanes. Town Engineer Mike Turner informs me that the rumor is incorrect. In 1999, the Capital Region Council of Governments hired URS to do a corridor study of Rte. 175 Wells Road from the Silas Deane thru Newington. The report recommends adding a right turn lane on Wells Road eastbound at Silas which would require a minor widening just in the immediate area. This would leave a left turn, straight and right turn lane heading eastbound. The estimated cost of this work is $125,000 but it is part of an overall regional plan. The Town of Wethersfield, CRCOG and the DOT have not identified this study or even this specific portion of the study for construction in the TIP. The recommendations are only conceptual at this time. No money has been set aside for this proposed project.
>> I spoke to Robert Moore, Interim Executive Director of the MDC, today to receive a status on the Long Term Control Plan. The draft plan was submitted to the DEP on December 31, 2004, minus the cost analysis which will be coming soon. There is a recommendation for Option #3. The document is over 350 pages long. Mr. Moore will be getting me one copy and you may borrow this once I receive it. An oral presentation to the Public Works Committee on the Long Term Control Plan and the options for the Wethersfield Cove will be presented on Tuesday, January 11th, at 5:15 p.m. at the MDC Headquarters. You are more then welcome to attend. As soon as I receive the draft report, I will get you a copy of it. Mr. Moore said that he would be glad to have a presentation of the plan to the Town Council at our convenience.
>> CRCOG Nothing this week.
>> COST Nothing this week.
>> ICMA Nothing this week.
Miscellaneous
>> Attached is an article about sharing equipment between communities for your information.
>> I have a copy of the North Central Emergency Medical Services Council report and audit in my office should you wish to review it.
I know a few of you have been having problems with viruses being attached to your Town web e-mail accounts and have asked to be dropped from the system. I have attached a memo from Data Services Coordinator Paul Dudley outlining ways we may be able to bring your e-mails in house, thus eliminating this problem. We will keep you posted on this.
Senator Ciotto and Representative Doyle have submitted House Bill #5064 which is entitled an Act Allowing Permanent Paid Emergency Service Personnel to Volunteer in Other
Emergency Services.
PROJECT UPDATES
>> Town Hall/Library Renovations: see NEXT POST below (moved because of 10000 character limitation of forum).
>> Moeller Home: The Moeller Home construction is proceeding on schedule. Walls have been taken down and the rooms are wide open. Framing has started so that you can begin to see what our new Nature Center will look like in the future.
>> Radio System: I have a full report enclosed on the radio breakdown that occurred, as outlined in the Hartford Courant this week.
CALENDAR REMINDERS None this week.
ATTACHMENTS
>> Library Accomplishments
>> Tax Collection Report
>> Sharing Equipment article
>> Council E-mail Options
>> Conservation Commission Appointment
>> School Building Committee Agenda
>> Invitation to Regional Forum on the Community Inclusion of People with Disabilities