Post by Wethersfield.com on May 27, 2005 14:20:32 GMT -5
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Town Council Members
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: May 27, 2005
A. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Manager: I will be away from Saturday until Monday. The Chief is in charge and both he and dispatch will know how to get in touch with me, if needed. I hope you and your family have a good Memorial Day Weekend.
2. Upcoming Events:
· NEW The Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding is inviting area leaders to join them for the release of the “Education Adequacy Cost Study” on Wednesday June 1st at the Legislative Office Building. Flyer attached.
· NEW The Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys is holding its annual meeting on Thursday, June 2, 2005 at the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The topic for discussion will be “The Insider’s View: The Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court, Kelo v. City of New London. “
· On June 5, 2005 a state-wide Open House is planned at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Governor Jodi Rell is inviting all cities and towns to attend this first ever public event, and participate by donating an official town flag for display in the building during the entire month of June.
· NEW SeniorNet of Wethersfield is hosting an Open House on Tuesday, June 7th between 2 and 4 PM and 6 and 8 PM.
· The ribbon cutting for the Moeller Home/Nature Center will be Saturday, June 11th, at 10 am with an open house to follow for the public until 4 pm.
· Social and Youth Services is hosting the fourth annual David C. Shinn Spirit of Service Awards on June 13, 2005 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Solomon Welles House. Ms. Ericka Kriedel and Mr. Alex Finch will be honored.
· CRCOG will hold their annual dinner on June 21 at Manchester Country Club. More details to follow.
· Graduation is scheduled for June 21st at Cove Park.
· The first annual Roaring Thunder Motorcycle Ride to benefit Special Olympics in Wethersfield will be held on Saturday July 23, 2005. Flyer attached.
· Inter-Community Mental Health Group, which serves Wethersfield’s mentally ill, will be hosting its second annual 5K run/walk through Old Wethersfield on Sunday, August 21st, starting at 8:00 a.m. from Cove Park co-sponsored by the Wethersfield Tourism Commission.
3. Council and Board/Committee Dates:
· Fireside Chat with Board of Education – Monday, June 13th – 5:30 pm – Stillman Building
· Tour of Firehouses: Tuesday June 7th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Station 3. We will then go to Station 2 and end with Station 1.
· There will be a workshop with the Strategic Plan Committee just before your next Town Council meeting at 6:15 pm at Stillman School.
4. Department/Division News:
· Fire Department: The Town Council will tour the three fire houses on Tuesday June 7, 2005 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Station 3. Councilors will spend about 30 – 45 minutes at each of the three stations, concluding at Station 2 about 9:00 p.m. with light refreshments.
· Physical Services: Sign replacement work will begin in earnest next week. We had to stop work on this project for awhile due to a back order on the material for the signs. The materials were delivered this week.
· Building Department: Steve Lattarulo has accepted the position of Assistant Building Official. Steve was the Assistant in Newington for many years. He begins work this week. We welcome Steve back to Wethersfield as he did work for us many years ago.
· Finance Department – I have attached a memorandum from Lisa Hanthingy asking for some temporary assistance to help prepare for the audit. Money is available this fiscal year in her wage account as one of her employees did not utilize all of her hours. If I do not hear any concerns from Council members by Tuesday, we will go ahead and hire a temporary person until the leftover funds are depleted, approximately $1500.
· Library: The Wethersfield Public Library has been awarded a $15,000 Strategic Planning Grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to be used for consultant services. The Library Board has selected Simone Joyaux, who also assisted the Newington and Waterford libraries with their strategic plans, to be the consultant for Wethersfield. Laurel Goodgion expects to begin working with Ms. Joyaux in August.
5. Board/Commission News: Nothing this week.
6. Council Questions/Answers:
· In response to a concern raised by Councilor Fortunato on the condition of the stage curtain at SDMS and other items, I contacted Maurice McCarthy at the Board of Education. Mr. McCarthy assured me that his Department will bring the high lift over from the high school and repair the curtain promptly. The soap dispensers have been delivered to replace the ones that do not work and will be installed soon. The other items such as doors are on the Newfield punch list and will be corrected. I will be having a meeting next week with Town staff and members of the School Building Committee to look at the plantings in the front of Silas Deane.
7. CRCOG: A copy of CRCOG’s 2005-2006 Annual Budget is available in my office for anyone wishing to review the document. I have also attached the newest version from the State on the proposed Ethics Bill which CRCOG’s lobbyist received on Wednesday.
8. COST:
9. ICMA: I have attached an article from the latest ICMA “PM Magazine” entitled “Have It Your Way” concerning design standards used by other communities throughout the US.
10. METROHARTFORD: Upcoming Events Bulletin
11. Miscellaneous:
· The Wells Road Bike Path area is on our roadside mowing list. It is done twice a year (July and August typically) with a sickle bar mower. We have never mowed this area with a regular mower. However, roadside mowing, due to begin on Thursday, May 26th (weather permitting), will make the bike path their first stop.
· The Town sign board is rotting. A large piece of the letter guide came off and the wood is too rotted to screw it back in. At this point the sign board is not fixable, so I have authorized staff to remove it before it completely falls apart.
· Attached is letter from a resident regarding the problem of feral cats.
· We received a notice from the State Department of Transportation that they are recommending approval the installation of railroad flashing lights and vehicular gates at the crossing of Route 3 (Maple Street).
· The groomer from NE Turf was at Cottone Field on Wednesday May 25th from 11 am to 2 pm grooming the field.
· I have attached information from Governor Rell’s office concerning a National Moment of Remembrance which will be held on Monday, May 30th, at 3 pm. At that time, the White House Commission on Remembrance is hoping Americans across the country will unite in a solemn moment of remembrance in honor of our nation’s fallen.
· We will be selling bonds for Town Hall/Library work, Roads, Sidewalks and the schools on June 2nd.
· I spoke to Bob Moore from the MDC about work the MDC has been doing on inflow/infiltration problems. He told me that the MDC had spent $700,000 to install flow meters on pipes in Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, West Hartford and a small part of Windsor so they could ascertain where the problems are occurring, especially during the rainy weather season. All of the data has been compiled and CDM and Malcolm Pirnie are now working on a full report to the MDC as to where the problem areas lie and costs and ways to fix these problem areas. Mr. Moore told me he would get me a copy of this report within a 2-3 week period. I would recommend that the Infrastructure Committee wait to meet again on this topic once I have the report from Mr. Moore as well as the legal opinion from Jack Bradley on the role of the MDC vs. the Town.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
Director of Public Works Mike Turner reports the following on upcoming projects:
· Next week we will be advertising for Highcrest School roof replacement and for Ivy Lane drainage project
· Beginning of June we will advertise for sidewalk install at Willow Street and Two Rod Highway. The Mapleside project is till being surveyed.
· We will be submitting bid submissions for Charles Wright parking lot and for Sidewalk maintenance and repairs for June 6th meeting.
· Paquette Electric is on site at Physical Services replacing the lighting with energy efficient lighting and controls under the CLP program authorized by Council last fall.
C. ATTACHMENTS:
· Conn. Coalition for Justice in Education Funding Flyer
· SeniorNet Flyer
· Finance Memo
· Proposed Ethics Bill
· MetroHartford
· Magazine Article
· Letter from Resident
· State DOT Notice
· National Moment of Remembrance
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: May 27, 2005
A. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Manager: I will be away from Saturday until Monday. The Chief is in charge and both he and dispatch will know how to get in touch with me, if needed. I hope you and your family have a good Memorial Day Weekend.
2. Upcoming Events:
· NEW The Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding is inviting area leaders to join them for the release of the “Education Adequacy Cost Study” on Wednesday June 1st at the Legislative Office Building. Flyer attached.
· NEW The Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys is holding its annual meeting on Thursday, June 2, 2005 at the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The topic for discussion will be “The Insider’s View: The Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court, Kelo v. City of New London. “
· On June 5, 2005 a state-wide Open House is planned at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Governor Jodi Rell is inviting all cities and towns to attend this first ever public event, and participate by donating an official town flag for display in the building during the entire month of June.
· NEW SeniorNet of Wethersfield is hosting an Open House on Tuesday, June 7th between 2 and 4 PM and 6 and 8 PM.
· The ribbon cutting for the Moeller Home/Nature Center will be Saturday, June 11th, at 10 am with an open house to follow for the public until 4 pm.
· Social and Youth Services is hosting the fourth annual David C. Shinn Spirit of Service Awards on June 13, 2005 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Solomon Welles House. Ms. Ericka Kriedel and Mr. Alex Finch will be honored.
· CRCOG will hold their annual dinner on June 21 at Manchester Country Club. More details to follow.
· Graduation is scheduled for June 21st at Cove Park.
· The first annual Roaring Thunder Motorcycle Ride to benefit Special Olympics in Wethersfield will be held on Saturday July 23, 2005. Flyer attached.
· Inter-Community Mental Health Group, which serves Wethersfield’s mentally ill, will be hosting its second annual 5K run/walk through Old Wethersfield on Sunday, August 21st, starting at 8:00 a.m. from Cove Park co-sponsored by the Wethersfield Tourism Commission.
3. Council and Board/Committee Dates:
· Fireside Chat with Board of Education – Monday, June 13th – 5:30 pm – Stillman Building
· Tour of Firehouses: Tuesday June 7th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Station 3. We will then go to Station 2 and end with Station 1.
· There will be a workshop with the Strategic Plan Committee just before your next Town Council meeting at 6:15 pm at Stillman School.
4. Department/Division News:
· Fire Department: The Town Council will tour the three fire houses on Tuesday June 7, 2005 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Station 3. Councilors will spend about 30 – 45 minutes at each of the three stations, concluding at Station 2 about 9:00 p.m. with light refreshments.
· Physical Services: Sign replacement work will begin in earnest next week. We had to stop work on this project for awhile due to a back order on the material for the signs. The materials were delivered this week.
· Building Department: Steve Lattarulo has accepted the position of Assistant Building Official. Steve was the Assistant in Newington for many years. He begins work this week. We welcome Steve back to Wethersfield as he did work for us many years ago.
· Finance Department – I have attached a memorandum from Lisa Hanthingy asking for some temporary assistance to help prepare for the audit. Money is available this fiscal year in her wage account as one of her employees did not utilize all of her hours. If I do not hear any concerns from Council members by Tuesday, we will go ahead and hire a temporary person until the leftover funds are depleted, approximately $1500.
· Library: The Wethersfield Public Library has been awarded a $15,000 Strategic Planning Grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to be used for consultant services. The Library Board has selected Simone Joyaux, who also assisted the Newington and Waterford libraries with their strategic plans, to be the consultant for Wethersfield. Laurel Goodgion expects to begin working with Ms. Joyaux in August.
5. Board/Commission News: Nothing this week.
6. Council Questions/Answers:
· In response to a concern raised by Councilor Fortunato on the condition of the stage curtain at SDMS and other items, I contacted Maurice McCarthy at the Board of Education. Mr. McCarthy assured me that his Department will bring the high lift over from the high school and repair the curtain promptly. The soap dispensers have been delivered to replace the ones that do not work and will be installed soon. The other items such as doors are on the Newfield punch list and will be corrected. I will be having a meeting next week with Town staff and members of the School Building Committee to look at the plantings in the front of Silas Deane.
7. CRCOG: A copy of CRCOG’s 2005-2006 Annual Budget is available in my office for anyone wishing to review the document. I have also attached the newest version from the State on the proposed Ethics Bill which CRCOG’s lobbyist received on Wednesday.
8. COST:
9. ICMA: I have attached an article from the latest ICMA “PM Magazine” entitled “Have It Your Way” concerning design standards used by other communities throughout the US.
10. METROHARTFORD: Upcoming Events Bulletin
11. Miscellaneous:
· The Wells Road Bike Path area is on our roadside mowing list. It is done twice a year (July and August typically) with a sickle bar mower. We have never mowed this area with a regular mower. However, roadside mowing, due to begin on Thursday, May 26th (weather permitting), will make the bike path their first stop.
· The Town sign board is rotting. A large piece of the letter guide came off and the wood is too rotted to screw it back in. At this point the sign board is not fixable, so I have authorized staff to remove it before it completely falls apart.
· Attached is letter from a resident regarding the problem of feral cats.
· We received a notice from the State Department of Transportation that they are recommending approval the installation of railroad flashing lights and vehicular gates at the crossing of Route 3 (Maple Street).
· The groomer from NE Turf was at Cottone Field on Wednesday May 25th from 11 am to 2 pm grooming the field.
· I have attached information from Governor Rell’s office concerning a National Moment of Remembrance which will be held on Monday, May 30th, at 3 pm. At that time, the White House Commission on Remembrance is hoping Americans across the country will unite in a solemn moment of remembrance in honor of our nation’s fallen.
· We will be selling bonds for Town Hall/Library work, Roads, Sidewalks and the schools on June 2nd.
· I spoke to Bob Moore from the MDC about work the MDC has been doing on inflow/infiltration problems. He told me that the MDC had spent $700,000 to install flow meters on pipes in Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, West Hartford and a small part of Windsor so they could ascertain where the problems are occurring, especially during the rainy weather season. All of the data has been compiled and CDM and Malcolm Pirnie are now working on a full report to the MDC as to where the problem areas lie and costs and ways to fix these problem areas. Mr. Moore told me he would get me a copy of this report within a 2-3 week period. I would recommend that the Infrastructure Committee wait to meet again on this topic once I have the report from Mr. Moore as well as the legal opinion from Jack Bradley on the role of the MDC vs. the Town.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
Director of Public Works Mike Turner reports the following on upcoming projects:
· Next week we will be advertising for Highcrest School roof replacement and for Ivy Lane drainage project
· Beginning of June we will advertise for sidewalk install at Willow Street and Two Rod Highway. The Mapleside project is till being surveyed.
· We will be submitting bid submissions for Charles Wright parking lot and for Sidewalk maintenance and repairs for June 6th meeting.
· Paquette Electric is on site at Physical Services replacing the lighting with energy efficient lighting and controls under the CLP program authorized by Council last fall.
C. ATTACHMENTS:
· Conn. Coalition for Justice in Education Funding Flyer
· SeniorNet Flyer
· Finance Memo
· Proposed Ethics Bill
· MetroHartford
· Magazine Article
· Letter from Resident
· State DOT Notice
· National Moment of Remembrance