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Post by Wethersfield.com on Feb 6, 2005 9:06:16 GMT -5
TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
Wethersfield Town Council
Monday, February 7 , 2005
7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers
Pledge of Allegiance
Proclamation - Robert Brickley – State Athlete Award Winner
Report on Economic Development – Peter Gillespie
Recording of Attendance by Town Clerk
A. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Chairman may indicate those matters of unfinished business to be considered.
1. Hearings:
a. Resolution – LoCIP Funds – Willow Street Paving
2.General Comments
General Comments are limited to five minutes.
a. Public
b. Council
B. COUNCIL ACTION
1. Ordinances, Resolutions and Appointments for Action
a. Acceptance of Resignations from Boards and Commissions
b. Appointments to Boards and Commissions
c. Resolution – LoCIP Funds – Willow Street Paving
2. Unfinished Business
a. Roof for the Olson House (tabled 10/18)
*Recommend taking these items off of the table
3. Other Business
a. Transfer of $100,000 - Snow
4. Bids
a. Road Work/Storm Drainage Separation – Lindberg and Byrd
5. Ordinances, Resolutions and Appointments for Introduction
6. Minutes:
January 4, 2005
January 18, 2005 – Special Meeting
January 18, 2005 – Regular Meeting
C. Adjournment
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Feb 6, 2005 10:41:17 GMT -5
Town Manager's Office
Weekly Management Report
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Town Council Members
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: February 4, 2005
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Manager
I will be away from Friday, February 4 until mid-afternoon on Monday, February 7. The Chief will be in charge and both he and Gale will know how to get a hold of me. I have instituted a spending freeze due to the low balance of funds in Contingency after the snow plow budget transfer which is on your agenda for Monday. I am attaching the email I sent to Department and Division Heads for your information. Just a reminder that your photo will be taken just before your February 7th Town Council meeting.
Upcoming Events
People's Bank is hosting the "Business After Hours" on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Flyer Attached. NEW
On Friday February 11, 2005, a Valentine's Dance will be held to benefit the Sunshine Kids. The event will be at the Pitkin Community Center from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Contact Beth DiLoreto at 860-571-6680 or Ivana Marrero at 860-571-6679. Flyer attached.
The date for 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 in the lower level. The agenda will follow next week.
On Sunday, February 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Unico Club will hold their "Famous Macaroni Dinner" at the Community Center. Tickets can be purchased through Unico members.
We will be presented with the Democracy Challenge Cup on February 15th at 11:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. We are receiving the cup from the Secretary of State for the best voter turnout for a medium sized Town. Please feel free to attend this event.
On Tuesday February 15, 2005, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., the Hartford Courant and the Metro Hartford Alliance are sponsoring a Key Issues Forum entitled, "The 2005 Session: Historic or Ho Hum?." The Speaker of the House and Senate Pro Tempore, along with Minority leaders are the featured speakers. To reserve a seat for this session, make a $15.00 check payable to the Courant and mail it to The Hartford Courant, Corporate Affairs Department, 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06115. Questions, call the Courant at 241-3614. NEW
The MDC will hold a public hearing on the Long-Term Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the District's Training Center at 125 Maxim road in Hartford. See attached notice. NEW
The Greater Hartford Association of Realtors is holding their 4th Local Government Networking Reception on Thursday, February 17, 2005 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Corporate Center West, 433 South Main Street, West Hartford. Elected Officials and School Board Officials are invited. RSVP to Janis Gorlick at 561-1800, ext. 26 by February 11. NEW
On February 26, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. until midnight, the Keane Foundation is throwing "The Snowball." The fee is $60 per person/$120 per couple. See attached flyer. For more information contact Colleen Keane at 563-5573 or Mark Trahan at 721-8702.
The Friends of the Wethersfield Nature Center will be holding a fundraiser dance on Saturday, March 12th at 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Tickets can be obtained through the Nature Center.
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.
On March 31, 2005, the Greater Hartford Literacy Council will hold their second annual "Tips for Literacy" fund raiser. This year's event will include "Leaders for Literacy." Local celebrities will be hosting tables at participating restaurants. More information will follow.
Riverfront Recapture has announced an opportunity for an exclusive first look at the Connecticut Convention Center on Saturday April 16th. More information is to follow or call Riverfront Recapture at 713-3131. NEW
Save April 30, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight for the Chamber of Commerce's 40th Anniversary Dance/Fundraiser. More information will follow. NEW
Council and Board/Committee Dates
Monday, February 7, Shared Services Committee - Town Manager's Office
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - Board of Education; Historic District Commission
Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - Conservation Commission
Thursday, February 10, 2005 - EDIC at noon, Town Hall
Department/Division News
Physical Services: A reminder to all residents, please do not snow blow the snow from your driveway and sidewalks into the road. A resident of Scotts Way wrote to tell us "Just a quick note to compliment your highway department. Truck #16 has been doing a great job in my neighborhood. Efficient and cautious." Thank you to all staff who have worked so hard this winter to keep our streets clean and to support snow operations.
Finance: We opened the bids for the sale of notes for our bonding projects today. We received 8 bids and the low bidder was Wachovia Bank who bid on all of our notes. The interest rate will be 2.0970%. The notes will carry us over until June when we will be selling the bonds. Last year's note sale was at a low bid of 1.39%. Today's bid opening remains competitive for the current municipal market.
Library: Attached is an article about a recent grant the State Library received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Library Director, Laurel Goodgion reports that before a snowstorm people head for the grocery store - and then to the library! On Saturday, Jan. 22nd over 580 people poured into the library to borrow over 1,600 items before the blizzard hit. Over 180 preschool children have been registered for the Wethersfield Library's weekly preschool story hours which begin in February. The programs are: Wigglers & Jigglers (children 12-24 months and their parents), Terrific Two's (2 yr. olds), Story Stew (3-5 year olds). Two sessions are offered for each of these programs. In addition there is an evening program, Family Storytime, which is for children of all ages and their families. The Children's Department hosted a program based on Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, a popular children's book series. The weeklong festivities ran from December 27th through December 30th, the week Wethe
rsfield schools were on break. Over four days, nearly 300 children and their parents participated in a variety of activities inspired by the books. In addition there were displays of the Snicket books and Snicket read-alikes and a bookmark with information about A Series of Unfortunate Events. All children who participated received prizes. Children had a wonderful time participating, some returning two days in a row to do it all again!
Town Clerk: Attached is a positive customer service survey for new Assistant Town Clerk, Sue Schroeder.
Health District: Attached are the Health District's annual report and their letter of justification for their proposed budget increase for fiscal year 05/06.
Tax Assessor: The 2004 Grand List is complete and shows a very small increase over last year. The information is attached. Thank you to the Assessor's Office for their hard work and diligence in getting this done in a timely manner. This rise in the Grand List, based on our present Mill Rate, would mean an additional $564,862 in additional revenues to utilize towards next year's budget.
Social and Youth Services: Marita McHugh and Nancy Stilwell worked with Social Services of Rocky Hill and Newington, as well as Intercommunity Mental Health and Region 16 of the North Central Regional Mental Health Board to produce a videotape on identifying mental health issues and accessing services in the region. Each town developed a scenario that was role played on tape. Then the directors formed a panel to discuss the issues presented in the scenarios and to direct people to the range of resources available in this area. The tapes have been distributed to the cable access TV stations in each town. It will be broadcast repeatedly in Wethersfield during the month of February.
Emergency Management: Attached is a request for volunteers for the TOPOFF 3 full scale exercise.
Board/Commission News
We have received notification of a hearing on Monday, February 7th at 5:00 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building, room 2B, in Hartford, on the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut.
The Board of Education's Budget timeline is attached for your information.
Governor Jodi Rell reappointed Mr. Earl Munroe and Mr. Charles Forsthingy as Harbor Masters for Wethersfield Cove.
The action of the Zoning Board of Appeals, at their January 24, 2005 meeting is attached.
Council Questions/Answers
Your photo will be taken right before Monday's meeting.
In response to a question asked by a Council member, I have attached a copy of a spread sheet prepared by Physical Services that details utility expenses for the Historical Society buildings.
I will be meeting with representatives of CT. Transit and DOT about the bus route problem on Goodwin Road. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 3 p.m. in my office.
CRCOG Nothing this week.
COST Nothing this week.
ICMA Nothing this week.
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Feb 6, 2005 10:44:18 GMT -5
Miscellaneous
I have attached a call for volunteers to a Capital Region Citizens Network study committee to address the issue of Financing Local Education in Connecticut. The network is looking for people to participate
Governing Magazine gave Connecticut a report card for management processes. I have attached the article for your review.
I received a letter from the Housatonic Council of Elected Officials about the real estate conveyance tax, see attached.
The Economic Review newsletter from Webster Bank is attached.
Two articles about local property tax increases across the country are attached.
Three bills were published that deal with the career/volunteer firefighter issue. House Bills #6443 Rocky Hill/Wethersfield area, #6448 Litchfield area and #6461 Shelton area.
PROJECT UPDATES
Nature Center: I have attached construction budget report that is current through February 2, 2005. The construction is going along smoothly and is only a few days delayed.
The February CIP Status Report is attached for your information.
Elementary School Phones: The Superintendent's staff reported that work started on the phone system on January 25, 2005. First stop was Emerson Williams, then Hanmer, Highcrest and Charles Wright. The systems will be switched over the week of the February 21st, winter recess. There will be no interruption in phone service.
Church Street Reconstruction: We have received notification that we were awarded a Local Capital Improvement program for this project.
Garage Truck Lift Repair: The parts were made to order and were just received by the vendor. Our job is the next one scheduled and will take two weeks to complete. The winter has slowed down underground work.
Cottone Field: I am attaching information about estimated lighting costs that I received from Northeast Utilities if the Field were to be lit.
CALENDAR REMINDERS: None this week.
ATTACHMENTS
Notice of MDC Public Hearing
Business After Hours flyer
Library article
Town Clerk customer service survey
Health District Annual Report and memorandum
Grand List information
Call for TOPOFF 3 Volunteers
Email re Tourism Commission
BOE Budget Schedule
ZBA Legal Notice
Utility Expenses - Historical Society Buildings
Citizen's Network Invitation
Governing Magazine article
Letter from Housatonic Council of Elected Officials
Economic Review
Local Tax articles
Nature Center Construction Budget Report
CIP Status Report
Football Field lights
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Post by tomterific on Feb 7, 2005 10:30:05 GMT -5
Did you see the nugget of information right near the end of the Manager's weekly report? She has received an estimate of the lighting costs for Cottone Field. Too bad she did not put any of the numbers in her report. Too bad she does not include the report in her Weekly Report. Too bas she does not put a hyperlink to the document. Too bad the citizens (that's us) are left in the dark. Too bad I am surprised but I guess I just forgot that this is the way Town Hall does business.
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Post by tomterific on Feb 8, 2005 11:32:50 GMT -5
Congratulations to Mrs. Dobruck and her family for the comprehensive presentation at the Feb 7 meeting of the extensive MDC Sewer Line problems in Wethersfield. I can only wonder why a PRIVATE CITIZEN has to expend huge research efforts to come up with information that the TOWN PAID STAFF should have done. She presented detail information of over 40 years worth of MDC related work that has been causing flooding for many years. The Weathersfield Town Government should be embarassed that this private citizen had to do the work they should have been doing.
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Post by SyZyGy on Feb 8, 2005 12:55:39 GMT -5
tomterific wrote:
I was pleased to see that Chairman Russ acted with more aplomb than usual by allowing the four Dobruck's to share and "yield" their individual, allotted 5 minutes of speaking time (per the "rules" of the Russ-ian council).
Together, they were allowed to deliver their detailed message of local (Town Council / TOW) and regional (MDC!) bureaucratic bumbling, insensitivity and ineptitude spanning almost 50 years! (Former Town Councilor Tom Wraight was right when he suggested that, for special circumstances and individuals, the Council could vote to suspend its rules occasionally. However, I wonder what he himself positively and effectively contributed to attempt to address the problems which continue to face Follybrook and the Cove neighborhoods and environs.)
The Dobruck's have put the Town and MDC on notice that they are not going to take it any more and will probably follow the example of the members of the Cove neighborhood and sue, sue, sue each of these entities. It is working for the WTPA locally and is working for the WINA(?) group at the MDC level.
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Post by standish on Feb 8, 2005 12:56:56 GMT -5
Town Councils change more often than people purchase and sell their homes. Thus, the particular focus of the Dobrucks and the lack of continuity by various Councils.
In fact, Councils often change for failing to respond to citizens, as was aptly demonstrated in recent years. I would suggest that this Council listen, and get behind the Dobrucks. They (Dobrucks) have done the homework and properly educated this Council. Thus, Council would have no excuse going forward for failure to act in the residents' best interests.
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Post by oldetowne on Feb 8, 2005 13:49:52 GMT -5
I feel very bad for the Dobrucks - because of the cr*p they have to put up with in their house and in front of the Council.
But it's also symptomatic of a bigger problem in this town. Why should people have to parade up to the Council, beg to be heard, and then tell the entire town what their problems are? Why is this not something that was addressed immediately by the Town Manager and Town Engineer? Ditto for the guy earlier in the evening with the wrecked driveway. Ditto for all of the other people who have had to drag themselves down to town hall and make public supplications for the things that any one of us would just expect to be taken care of by our paid staff.
I will acknowledge that a big part of their particular problem, as well as that of the Cove, is due to the totally dysfunctional, irresponsible, unaccountable system that is the MDC - a rest home for former party hacks who need to stay on the public payroll to fund the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed.
But back to Wethersfield.... as Mr. Standish correctly points out, squeaky wheels get the attention, especially in town election years. I am sure there will now be plenty of photo ops between now and November where the entire majority side of the Council stands in Folly Brook with shovels and hard hats while they "fix" the problem that has been allowed to linger for the past forty years.
Maybe the guy with the useless driveway and the people on Wells Road whose house and yard have been flooded by the Emerson-Williams parking lot will be able to put on their shows and get some action.
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Post by morganika on Feb 8, 2005 14:36:13 GMT -5
Old Towne:
Could you please explain to me about the flodding on Wells Road due to the parking lot at Emerson Williams.
I ask you because I live very close to there, and the very rear portion of my yard, which backs up to Wintergreen Woods floods frequently. When I say flood, I'm not kidding. Sometimes small streams erupt and are visible and then disappear. Also, sometimes water bursts thru the grass (yes BURSTS) and leaves an explosion of mud on top of the grass. It's something to see. We purchased this house approximately 5 years ago, naturally the flooding was not mentioned by the person we bought from, but whatever, buyer beware I guess. We have always wondered what all this flooding was about.
Thank you. I post this knowing that big mouth Szygy will probably have something useless to say about it even though I have not addressed him.
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Post by SyZyGy on Feb 8, 2005 15:05:42 GMT -5
morganika, darhlink! - But you just did
 !
- :-*Hugs and kisses
 , Sweety
Sy |
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Post by morganika on Feb 8, 2005 15:28:56 GMT -5
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Post by SyZyGy on Feb 8, 2005 15:55:13 GMT -5
morganika, dearest, why do you treat me this way, after all that we have meant to each other? don't you remember that first link you gave me under the full moon in Wintergreen woods during the summer solstice when I was trolling for your heart: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trollbait ? why do you push me away now? life is so short, dearest; will you please forgive me? let's kiss and make up! valentine's day is just around the corner! your one and only, :-*Syzygy |
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Post by morganika on Feb 8, 2005 16:18:28 GMT -5
Okay dear Szygy, since Valentines Day is near, I will agree to make up. But you must promise to be nicer in the future.......and so will I. Not only is it Valentines Day, it's a New Year.
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Post by SyZyGy on Feb 8, 2005 16:36:56 GMT -5
Oh, you remembered!!! I knew we would get back together. I will be better. I will be nicer. At least I will try. Yes, it is a new (Chinese) year - the year of the rooster (and other synonyms) ;D. See you around, darhlink ! Okay, I have enuf fun for 1 day; ciao! |
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Post by standish on Feb 8, 2005 21:44:41 GMT -5
Hey- if this Council is the one to fix the sewer backups after 48 years, more power to them. I have to say that it is the first Council to take The Cove as seriously as they have. Mr. Morin has been at almost all of the Cove engineering and political meetings. He's been available at every critical juncture. I also believe we'll see a united front by Council members (with bipartisan unity, I hope) at the MDC Public Hearing on the 15th, 7 p,m. @ MDC Training Facility, 125 Maxim Road, Hartford.
Let's lighten up and see what Council does about both the backups and The Cove. They can't be held accountable for 48 years of neglect when they've only been in office for a little over a year.
Now, if we can only get some of the "activist" posters here to speak at the hearing in favor of a clean Cove...
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!
, Sweety