Town Hall and Library Renovations

[oldetowne]

OK, I will admit I was only 1/2 paying attention, but I thought I heard the town manager say that we already have to have another referendum on the town hall and the library in order to be able to use the state money that has been "given" to us. Is this correct? How did we end up in this position? Does that mean if the people don't vote in favor of it that we lose the state money? This concerns me since everyone seems to concede that we don't have anywhere near enough money in the old bond or in the state grants to do a presentable job of renovating the town hall and library.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

Back in 1999 someone who worked at or for Town Hall, Town of Wethersfield, apparently made a little mistake. The current, part-time finance director for Wethersfield, James Reynolds, recently discovered that old mistake. In order to complete the Town Hall / Library renovations, to the degree that we are planning, we will have to go to bonding for at least $799,000.oo - more than a quarter million dollars. What it means is that we will have to have a referendum to approve the bond offer to complete the work. Since we will be having one special referendum in the not-too-distant future for this, some have asked: why not have a second question at the same time - about the Cottone Field "Turf and Lights" issues? Any questions, contact Town Council.

[oldetowne]

Better yet, Dr. Ken, why not focus on the task that is already underway and find out what needs to be added to the existing bond to do the work in such a way that the town hall/library is not yet another example of short sighted planning on the part of our elected leaders.

[SittingBull]

Let's look at the whole picture of what the town need's.

1. Football, Baseball Fields renovations with lights.
2. Town Hall/ Library Renovations.
3. Mill woods master Plan.
4. Town Buildings that need work,

Let's look at everything we need and suck it up and be done with it. ;D

[Ruinedlives]

How did the football field get into the first position? This should not even be on the list. Too many other priorities and important issues. Let's take care of those first and we will worry about ruining a neighborhood later.

[SenatorBlutarsky]

To Ruinedlives: Everything is doom and gloom.It going to ruin this and that. You sound like Rocco's speechwriter. I suppose when they pave your street, you probably think there goes the neighborhood, when actually it is enhancing it.

When you buy a house near a park, school or a highway, you know it is there and there is the potential of change or progress. It is like buying a house across the street from a firehouse, hey the firehorn went off at 3 in the morning, and those dam trucks woke me up.

[oldetowne]

Separate item 1 from 2-4 and let's have a referendum on both - let them stand and fall on their own merits - don't let all of the hyperbole over the lights monopolize the conversation

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

"oldetowne",
Yes! That is exactly what I am and have been recommending.
Group them or separate them. Since were are going to incur a cost to hold a referendum event ( for the Town Hall / Library "shortfall" ), why not have 1, 2, 3, or 4 questions at the same occasion?
Let the people decide. Let the chips fall where they may. Let them vote up or down each major issue. It would be a truly democratic American way. Even the WTXA has said that they would have to accept the will of the people during a referendum.

[oldetowne]

How magnanimous of the WTXA to agree to accept the will of the people as expressed in a referendum. Will wonders never cease? Seriously, though, my fear is that some or all of these items can't wait (or, more accurately, their supporters won't wait) until next November to have a vote on the topic. That may lead to (1) an "off-season" referendum where a small number of people can sway the result, which is just a fact of life, or (2) subterfuge to move a project along without permitting a referendum.

[LouS]

I thought this was about the Library Renovations. It seems as if this new organization (sans Dr. Ken who did a great job of impersonating a supporter) has had an impact on many conversations...all good.

This is exactly what our goal is. To ensure things get done, get done correctly and in an expeditious manner.

Police Station looks great.
Middle School exterior from SD finally looks great.
Library...Needs to look great.

[oldetowne]

And we should definitely get an idea of what else needs to be done to make the town hall/library something that we aren't ashamed of. It can't be half-assed because it will be another 20 years before we get around to looking at it again.

[oldetowne]

I know that this was on the agenda again for last night's Council meeting but I passed out somewhere in the middle of the discussion on blasting or not.

I'm really curious what the building committee is going to come up with because, since we already have to have a referendum on the $800K because of the screw up in the 1999 bond ordinance, we really should know what should/must/can be done to the town hall and library. It would be a crime to leave it half fixed or otherwise not functioning in the 21st Century if it could be done for a reasonable price.

[Aintnofool]

Looks like around $5million to do it right. Think this can pass given the tax/reval increases and Cottone field?

[oldetowne]

That's what I had heard too. Amazing....

You mentioned reval, the other tax increase, the field, and the town hall, but left off the $3-4MM for roads that Bonnie correctly says we need to bond for and the $1MM that the current Council thinks they want to buy someone's farm.

System overload!!!

[seedfarmer]

I think the Town Hall/Library renovations are WAY more important than that lousy field junk. Also, improving town buildings and roads are very important.

And don't tell me to suck it up and do it all. Not acceptable. The average guys taxes are going up what, $740 a year, that's all I'm willing to suck up.

I don't feel like paying for junk that's not even important. If you want that junk, YOU pay for it.