Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Mar 11, 2005 17:53:03 GMT -5
A.COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Manager: Nothing this week.
2. Upcoming Events:
> Dance to the tunes of The Glamour Girls on Saturday, March 12, from 7:00 to 11:30 p.m. at the Pitkin Community Center. The Friends of the Wethersfield Nature Center invite you and your friends to enjoy live music from the 60’s-80’s, prizes, refreshments, and set-ups for drinks (bring your own bottle.). Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple, available at the door or reserved at the Nature Center (721-2953, naturecenter@wethersfieldct.com).
> The 2005 E. Bartlett Barnes Freedom of Information Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook. Registration fee is $35.00. Please let us know if you wish to attend this informative event.
> NEW – The MetroHartford Alliance, CRCOG and CCSU Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy are sponsoring an interactive videoconference regarding President Bush’s proposed initiative entitled “Strengthening America’s Communities” on Tuesday, March 15th to be broadcast at 3:00 p.m. at CCSU. Details are attached.
> Corpus Christi School is holding a school assembly in honor of Mrs. Eileen Sampiere, the recipient of the 2005 NCEA Dr. Robert J. Kealey Distinguished Principal Award. The assembly will be held on Wednesday, March 16th at 8:45 AM.
> NEW – The ribbon cutting event for our new Starbucks will be held on Friday, March 18, 2005 at Noon.
> On March 18th at 7:00 PM 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 by calling Yolanda Preysner at 721-8854.
> The Tri-Town Networking Social with Newington and Rocky Hill will be held at Newington High School, 605 Willard Avenue, on Friday, March 18th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. There is no charge for this event. Refreshments and entertainment are included.
> MetroHartford Alliance will hold its annual celebration on Wednesday, March 23rd from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at the Bushnell. Cost for the event is $25.00 per person.
> NEW – A Connecticut Light & Power presentation on the 2005 Electric Rates and Energy Conservation Programs will be held on Monday, March 28th from 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at NU Headquarters in Berlin. Flyer attached.
> 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.
> NEW - Paul Woodworth from the Great Meadows Conservation Trust will host a Public Land Preservation program in Council Chambers on April 6th at 7 pm. More details will be forthcoming on this.
> The April Business After Hours will be held at the D’Esop> Life Center on April 7TH
> Youth Volunteer Recognition Night, Community Center, April 13th at 7:00 PM.
> Senior Volunteer Recognition, Community Center, April 28th at 2:00 PM.
> 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.
> Save April 30, 2005 from 7:00PM to midnight for the Chamber of Commerce’s 40th Anniversary Dance/Fundraiser. More information will follow.
> On Saturday, April 30th, the Christian Conference of Connecticut will hold its 23rd Annual Peace and Justice Convocation at the Mercy Center in Madison. Myron Oldfield will be the main speaker wh> worked on the Metropatterns Report. For more information call 236-4281.
> NEW - The Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Town Breakfast will be held Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Wethersfield Country Club. Registration is at 7:30 am. Please mark your calendars to attend this important event. The flyer is attached. The fee is $15.00 per person for Chamber members, $20.00 for non-members.
> The Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Dinner/Meeting on May 18, 2005. Details to follow.
3. Council and Board/Committee Dates:
> Monday, March 14, 2005 – Pension Committee; Housing Authority; WCCA
> Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - Planning & Zoning Commission; Friends of the Nature Center; Strategic Plan
> Wednesday, March 16, 2005 – Inland Wetlands Commission; WACPD
> Thursday, March 17, 2005 – Insurance Committee; Senior Citizen Advisory Committee
> Wednesday, March 23, 2005 – Quarterly Joint Meeting of Land Use Planning Committees, 6 PM, Fireside Room, Community Center
4. Department/Division :
> Assessor – Assessor Jan Neumuth prepared the attached mem> regarding the “State of Conn. Report Regarding Revaluation Policies and Procedures” that highlights the relationship between residential and nonresidential property owners.
> Community Center – At a blood drive held at the Community Center on February 24th, 66 units of blood were collected surpassing the goal of 55 Units. The American Red Cross sent the attached letter thanking Joslyn Valente and the staff at the Community Center for their support.
> Fire Department – Mayor Todd Cusano and the Town Council of Rocky Hill recognized the Wethersfield Fire Department on Monday night for their assistance at the fire at the Century Hills apartment complex on December 27, 2004 with an official proclamation presented at their Council meeting. We are proud of our volunteers and how they assist us with s> many hours protecting our community and our neighbors.
> Parks and Recreation – Attached is their monthly report for your information.
5. Board/Commission N e w s:
> The Wethersfield Board of Assessment Appeals will meet on the following dates:
Wednesday, March 9, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, March 11, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 12, 2005: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 17, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 19, 2005: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Only those individuals submitting written appeals by Grievance Day of February 22, 2005, will be heard.
> Attached are the Legal Notices of Action from the Planning & Zoning Commission meetings of February 15, 2005, February 28, 2005 and March 1, 2005.
> The Realtors’ Breakfast originally scheduled for March 16th will be postponed to a future date. We will keep you posted.
> The Wethersfield Tourism Commission is charged with the promotion of Historic Wethersfield as a premier tourist destination, showcasing "living history in the largest historic district in Connecticut”. The Commission is nearing completion of a new Strategic Plan which will identify marketing to the State, Northeast Region and Nation as our first priority. The Town is looking for volunteer residents with marketing and/or publicity experience, who is willing to devote some time and energy and enjoy the rewards of helping our Town develop economically through growth in tourism. Interested individuals should contact Charlie Forsthingy at 860-563-1736 or ctf@cox.net.
6. Council Questions/Answers:
> The Parks and Recreation Department anticipates that it will receive licensing for the Pre-school Program this year in time for the September 2005 program.
> The recurring costs for ASP service from Munis will be $116,025.
> The new façade loan program will be announced via a press release and the Economic Development Director will make contact with merchants to market the program. This will occur at the end of April. Some loan management details need to be finalized before officially announcing the program. If businesses are interested now, the owners can call Peter Gillespie.
> The State has requested additional budget detail on the STEAP Program Budget. We will be providing the information to facilitate the release of funds. Final interviews for a landscape architect for this revitalization effort will be held on March 24th.
> Attached for your review is the substitute State and Municipal Ethics legislation pending in the State Legislature.
> Attached is a Press Release from Governor Rell regarding the Casino Towns and also the fiscal burden of unfunded mandates on municipalities.
7. CRCOG: None.
8. COST: None.
9. ICMA: None.
10. Miscellaneous:
> I am attaching a paper written by a Yale University student last fall regarding property taxes, income taxes and education funding.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
* Attached is the monthly CIP report for March.
* Wethersfield Cove/MDC – The Mayor and Bill Hardy from SEA made a presentation to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Wednesday night on how important it is to include Option 1 of the Wethersfield Cove study into the Long Range Control Plan of the MDC. The Committee will meet in 2 weeks to make their final recommendations to the MDC Board as to what should be included in the final report. The MDC Board will meet in April to vote on a final Long Range Plan and then this will be submitted to the DEP. DEP will have until June to accept, modify, or deny the plan.
* Charles Wright Parking Lot: Town Engineer Mike Turner met with the CWS Pto last night and received a generally favorable response. He invited them to participate in the Planning & Zoning Commission hearing process next week if they wished. They asked Mr. Turner to develop thoughts on widening the access road to the rear modular to provide parking and a turn around. Mr. Turner will have this for the P&Z Commission meeting should question come up, but he has already been advised that this is way outside the scope of current project.
C. ATTACHMENTS:
* State of the Town Flyer
* CL&P Flyer
* Metro Hartford Invitation to National Broadcast
* Memo from the Tax Assessor
* American Red Cross Letter
* Letter from Mayor Cusano to Fire Department
* Parks & Recreation Monthly Report
* P&Z Legal Notices
* Ethics Bill
* Governor Rell Press Release
* Paper from Yale Student
* CIP Report
1. Manager: Nothing this week.
2. Upcoming Events:
> Dance to the tunes of The Glamour Girls on Saturday, March 12, from 7:00 to 11:30 p.m. at the Pitkin Community Center. The Friends of the Wethersfield Nature Center invite you and your friends to enjoy live music from the 60’s-80’s, prizes, refreshments, and set-ups for drinks (bring your own bottle.). Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple, available at the door or reserved at the Nature Center (721-2953, naturecenter@wethersfieldct.com).
> The 2005 E. Bartlett Barnes Freedom of Information Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook. Registration fee is $35.00. Please let us know if you wish to attend this informative event.
> NEW – The MetroHartford Alliance, CRCOG and CCSU Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy are sponsoring an interactive videoconference regarding President Bush’s proposed initiative entitled “Strengthening America’s Communities” on Tuesday, March 15th to be broadcast at 3:00 p.m. at CCSU. Details are attached.
> Corpus Christi School is holding a school assembly in honor of Mrs. Eileen Sampiere, the recipient of the 2005 NCEA Dr. Robert J. Kealey Distinguished Principal Award. The assembly will be held on Wednesday, March 16th at 8:45 AM.
> NEW – The ribbon cutting event for our new Starbucks will be held on Friday, March 18, 2005 at Noon.
> On March 18th at 7:00 PM 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 by calling Yolanda Preysner at 721-8854.
> The Tri-Town Networking Social with Newington and Rocky Hill will be held at Newington High School, 605 Willard Avenue, on Friday, March 18th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. There is no charge for this event. Refreshments and entertainment are included.
> MetroHartford Alliance will hold its annual celebration on Wednesday, March 23rd from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at the Bushnell. Cost for the event is $25.00 per person.
> NEW – A Connecticut Light & Power presentation on the 2005 Electric Rates and Energy Conservation Programs will be held on Monday, March 28th from 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at NU Headquarters in Berlin. Flyer attached.
> 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.
> NEW - Paul Woodworth from the Great Meadows Conservation Trust will host a Public Land Preservation program in Council Chambers on April 6th at 7 pm. More details will be forthcoming on this.
> The April Business After Hours will be held at the D’Esop> Life Center on April 7TH
> Youth Volunteer Recognition Night, Community Center, April 13th at 7:00 PM.
> Senior Volunteer Recognition, Community Center, April 28th at 2:00 PM.
> 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.
> Save April 30, 2005 from 7:00PM to midnight for the Chamber of Commerce’s 40th Anniversary Dance/Fundraiser. More information will follow.
> On Saturday, April 30th, the Christian Conference of Connecticut will hold its 23rd Annual Peace and Justice Convocation at the Mercy Center in Madison. Myron Oldfield will be the main speaker wh> worked on the Metropatterns Report. For more information call 236-4281.
> NEW - The Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Town Breakfast will be held Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Wethersfield Country Club. Registration is at 7:30 am. Please mark your calendars to attend this important event. The flyer is attached. The fee is $15.00 per person for Chamber members, $20.00 for non-members.
> The Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Dinner/Meeting on May 18, 2005. Details to follow.
3. Council and Board/Committee Dates:
> Monday, March 14, 2005 – Pension Committee; Housing Authority; WCCA
> Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - Planning & Zoning Commission; Friends of the Nature Center; Strategic Plan
> Wednesday, March 16, 2005 – Inland Wetlands Commission; WACPD
> Thursday, March 17, 2005 – Insurance Committee; Senior Citizen Advisory Committee
> Wednesday, March 23, 2005 – Quarterly Joint Meeting of Land Use Planning Committees, 6 PM, Fireside Room, Community Center
4. Department/Division :
> Assessor – Assessor Jan Neumuth prepared the attached mem> regarding the “State of Conn. Report Regarding Revaluation Policies and Procedures” that highlights the relationship between residential and nonresidential property owners.
> Community Center – At a blood drive held at the Community Center on February 24th, 66 units of blood were collected surpassing the goal of 55 Units. The American Red Cross sent the attached letter thanking Joslyn Valente and the staff at the Community Center for their support.
> Fire Department – Mayor Todd Cusano and the Town Council of Rocky Hill recognized the Wethersfield Fire Department on Monday night for their assistance at the fire at the Century Hills apartment complex on December 27, 2004 with an official proclamation presented at their Council meeting. We are proud of our volunteers and how they assist us with s> many hours protecting our community and our neighbors.
> Parks and Recreation – Attached is their monthly report for your information.
5. Board/Commission N e w s:
> The Wethersfield Board of Assessment Appeals will meet on the following dates:
Wednesday, March 9, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, March 11, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 12, 2005: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 17, 2005: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 19, 2005: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Only those individuals submitting written appeals by Grievance Day of February 22, 2005, will be heard.
> Attached are the Legal Notices of Action from the Planning & Zoning Commission meetings of February 15, 2005, February 28, 2005 and March 1, 2005.
> The Realtors’ Breakfast originally scheduled for March 16th will be postponed to a future date. We will keep you posted.
> The Wethersfield Tourism Commission is charged with the promotion of Historic Wethersfield as a premier tourist destination, showcasing "living history in the largest historic district in Connecticut”. The Commission is nearing completion of a new Strategic Plan which will identify marketing to the State, Northeast Region and Nation as our first priority. The Town is looking for volunteer residents with marketing and/or publicity experience, who is willing to devote some time and energy and enjoy the rewards of helping our Town develop economically through growth in tourism. Interested individuals should contact Charlie Forsthingy at 860-563-1736 or ctf@cox.net.
6. Council Questions/Answers:
> The Parks and Recreation Department anticipates that it will receive licensing for the Pre-school Program this year in time for the September 2005 program.
> The recurring costs for ASP service from Munis will be $116,025.
> The new façade loan program will be announced via a press release and the Economic Development Director will make contact with merchants to market the program. This will occur at the end of April. Some loan management details need to be finalized before officially announcing the program. If businesses are interested now, the owners can call Peter Gillespie.
> The State has requested additional budget detail on the STEAP Program Budget. We will be providing the information to facilitate the release of funds. Final interviews for a landscape architect for this revitalization effort will be held on March 24th.
> Attached for your review is the substitute State and Municipal Ethics legislation pending in the State Legislature.
> Attached is a Press Release from Governor Rell regarding the Casino Towns and also the fiscal burden of unfunded mandates on municipalities.
7. CRCOG: None.
8. COST: None.
9. ICMA: None.
10. Miscellaneous:
> I am attaching a paper written by a Yale University student last fall regarding property taxes, income taxes and education funding.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
* Attached is the monthly CIP report for March.
* Wethersfield Cove/MDC – The Mayor and Bill Hardy from SEA made a presentation to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Wednesday night on how important it is to include Option 1 of the Wethersfield Cove study into the Long Range Control Plan of the MDC. The Committee will meet in 2 weeks to make their final recommendations to the MDC Board as to what should be included in the final report. The MDC Board will meet in April to vote on a final Long Range Plan and then this will be submitted to the DEP. DEP will have until June to accept, modify, or deny the plan.
* Charles Wright Parking Lot: Town Engineer Mike Turner met with the CWS Pto last night and received a generally favorable response. He invited them to participate in the Planning & Zoning Commission hearing process next week if they wished. They asked Mr. Turner to develop thoughts on widening the access road to the rear modular to provide parking and a turn around. Mr. Turner will have this for the P&Z Commission meeting should question come up, but he has already been advised that this is way outside the scope of current project.
C. ATTACHMENTS:
* State of the Town Flyer
* CL&P Flyer
* Metro Hartford Invitation to National Broadcast
* Memo from the Tax Assessor
* American Red Cross Letter
* Letter from Mayor Cusano to Fire Department
* Parks & Recreation Monthly Report
* P&Z Legal Notices
* Ethics Bill
* Governor Rell Press Release
* Paper from Yale Student
* CIP Report