Post by Wethersfield.com on Jun 5, 2004 6:28:05 GMT -5
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Town Council Members
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: June 5, 2004
A. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Manager: Please make sure you read the May 10th minutes carefully, as a lot of the comments were not picked up by the mike on the recording. Thank you!
2. Upcoming Events:
• The Conn. DOT will hold public information meetings on the Draft Long Range Plan for the State of Connecticut on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the DOT Building in Newington.
• On Wednesday, June 9, 2004, an all day training session will be held in the Police Community Room on the subject of “Incident/Unified Command” and the proper running of an Emergency Command Post. The training session will be taught by representatives of Connecticut’s Office of Emergency Management. Town staff and public safety representatives have been invited to attend. Council members are also invited to attend.
• The Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a “State of The Town” breakfast on June 16th at 7:30 am at the Wethersfield County Club. The flyer for this event is attached.
• The Annual Meeting of the Capitol Region Council of Governments will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at the Manchester Country Club. Please let us know if you wish to attend.
• On Wednesday, June 30, 2004 CRCOG will sponsor the 2004 Golf Outing at the Manchester Country Club. Tee times are 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• The CCM Annual Meeting will be held on June 8, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. at the Cromwell Radisson. Please let us know if you will be attending.
• There will be an Open House at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center on June 19th, from 10 am – 4 pm to celebrate the start of construction of this building.
3. Council Committee Dates:
• Shared Services Committee – June 8, 2004, 6:00 p.m., Town Manager’s Conference Room
4. Department/Division News:
• Library: The Library began using email to notify people that they have items on reserve. They are monitoring this procedure closely to make sure that the items get picked up and make sure that the person’s email address is still valid. So far it is going quite well. They send out approximately ten email notices a day, saving about 350 envelopes and postage a month. They are continuing to ask people to fill out the yellow email forms as they register borrowers and renew cards. Library Director Laurel Goodgion shared the attached letter from a library patron thanking the Wethersfield Public Library for excellent service. I have also attached an article “High-Tech Biblophia” on Seattle Washington’s use of public space.
• Physical Services: Director Mike Turner is initiating a program of sign inspection and repair. This systematic inspection program will be effective immediately.
• Tax Collection: Tax Collector Nancy DiGirolamo reports that the collections for FY 03/04 through May 2004 on the October 1, 2002 Grand list are at 99.05% - the highest rate ever. Congratulations to Nancy and Marlene for their commendable efforts!
• Community Center: Members of the Corpus Christi Fest Committee thanked Community Center staff members for all they did to make the “A Food & Wine Fest” held on May 8th a great success.
• Town Manager: It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Rae Ann Palmer as the Assistant to the Town Manager effective July 1, 2004. Rae Ann worked for the Hartford Police Department as a budget analyst until her retirement last year. Please join me in welcoming Rae Ann to our team. Also the letter that was in your packet yesterday concerning our Sister City, Nagayo, Japan, was only a draft. Please give any comments on this letter to Matt Forrest or myself.
• Public Works: I have attached a draft summary of our Stormwater Management Plan, as required by the CT. DEP. If you wish to see the entire document, please go to our Town web site or we have copies in different offices of Town Hall.
5. Board/Commission News:
• EDIC – I will be reappointing Frank Frago, Chris Lyons and Ken Rizzio to the EDIC. I will also be appointing Paul Montineri as the person to take the place of Anthony Camilliere. I have attached Paul’s resume.
6. Council Questions/Answers:
• Artificial Surface – I have had a number of questions concerning the artificial surface bidding process. I am still researching some of these questions but here are the answers to some of these. The Town does not have a policy on whether a bid process can include and be fair when donated work is a part of a bid. The Council was not made aware (nor did I know) that no contract is going to exist between RAD and Close, Jensen and Miller. If there is a problem with the field work at all, our contract is with RAD for all of the work, and they have the complete responsibility for the quality of work that goes on, on the field. If RAD does not have a contract between any of their sub contractors and themselves, that is an issue for RAD, as the performance bond, insurances, etc. are all between the Town and RAD. I will get back to you hopefully by Monday with answers to other questions.
7. CRCOG: I have attached some information from CRCOG concerning federal legislation on new laws concerning funding for “Better Training, Better Jobs” program.
CCM: I have attached two flyers on upcoming seminars being held by CCM.
8. Miscellaneous:
• Health District Director Paul Hutcheon reports that the CT DEP responded to a spill report at the CT DMV, 60 State Street on April 16, 2004. An underground fuel oil tank return line leaked, causing fuel oil to migrate underground to a catch basin, which flows to the adjacent stream. The CT DEP will continue to follow-up to ensure clean-up of the sight. Monitoring wells with a fuel oil recovery system have been installed along with absorbent pads in the catch basin and stream. The DEP has recovered approximately 600 gallons of fuel oil via the recovery system. According to the DEP, the leak was likely noted very soon after it had reached the catch basin in the DMV parking lot thus preventing contamination of the Cove. Insignificant amounts of fuel oil may have reached the Cove in subsequent rain events. He advised the DEP to check the area near the Cove to ensure that the pads etc. are preventing contamination of the Cove. Sanitarian Wes Bell (Wethersfield’s new health inspector) inspected the brook near the walk path along the Cove on Thursday, June 3, 2004. No problems were noted and no oil slick was seen. It appears that the control measures are working. We welcome Wes to our Health District.
• Anne Kuckro, Chairman of the Wethersfield Tourism Commission sent the attached letter to Ronald Howard of Lionheart Films regarding the documentary about Connecticut in the Revolution.
• The State will not change their mind on the sponsorship of the Pre-School Program. The Recreation Department is following through on having our program licensed by the State. Kathy Bagley talked to Dr. Proctor and will be giving him an update after meeting with the State for licensing procedures. She is going to request the Board of Education sponsor us for one more year while we receive licensing. Kathy is planning on attending a late June or July Board of Education meeting to receive their approval for one more year of sponsorship of our pre-school program.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
• We have applied for and received a “Mix It Up” Grant in the amount of $250 towards the Skate Park Project.
• We will be having another meeting with DOT on the Nott Street blasting project next Tuesday. It appears that blasting will not start until the week of June 28th. I have also attached the letter sent to DOT concerning the closing of a small portion of Nott Street to expedite the blasting process.
• The artificial surface contract with RAD/Sportsturf has been signed and depending on the weather and the need to dry out the field, it appears that work will begin soon.
• We have received three qualified bids on the Town Hall and Library renovations. We are now asking for additional information from the three contractors before the Building Committee recommends to you a contractor. Bids came in within our allocation.
C. CALENDAR REMINDERS:
D. ATTACHMENTS:
• “State of the Town” Chamber of Commerce
• Library Article
• Letter from Library patron
• Memo re Sign Repair Program
• Tax Collections
• Corpus Christi Correspondence
• Resume – Rae Ann Palmer
• Draft Stormwater Management Plan
• Resume – Paul Montinieri
• CRCOG Correspondence
• CCM Correspondence
• Letter from Anne Kuckro
• Mix It Up Grant
• DOT Letter re Nott Street Closing
• Letter to Bidders
FROM: Bonnie L. Therrien, Town Manager
DATE: June 5, 2004
A. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Manager: Please make sure you read the May 10th minutes carefully, as a lot of the comments were not picked up by the mike on the recording. Thank you!
2. Upcoming Events:
• The Conn. DOT will hold public information meetings on the Draft Long Range Plan for the State of Connecticut on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at the DOT Building in Newington.
• On Wednesday, June 9, 2004, an all day training session will be held in the Police Community Room on the subject of “Incident/Unified Command” and the proper running of an Emergency Command Post. The training session will be taught by representatives of Connecticut’s Office of Emergency Management. Town staff and public safety representatives have been invited to attend. Council members are also invited to attend.
• The Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a “State of The Town” breakfast on June 16th at 7:30 am at the Wethersfield County Club. The flyer for this event is attached.
• The Annual Meeting of the Capitol Region Council of Governments will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at the Manchester Country Club. Please let us know if you wish to attend.
• On Wednesday, June 30, 2004 CRCOG will sponsor the 2004 Golf Outing at the Manchester Country Club. Tee times are 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• The CCM Annual Meeting will be held on June 8, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. at the Cromwell Radisson. Please let us know if you will be attending.
• There will be an Open House at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center on June 19th, from 10 am – 4 pm to celebrate the start of construction of this building.
3. Council Committee Dates:
• Shared Services Committee – June 8, 2004, 6:00 p.m., Town Manager’s Conference Room
4. Department/Division News:
• Library: The Library began using email to notify people that they have items on reserve. They are monitoring this procedure closely to make sure that the items get picked up and make sure that the person’s email address is still valid. So far it is going quite well. They send out approximately ten email notices a day, saving about 350 envelopes and postage a month. They are continuing to ask people to fill out the yellow email forms as they register borrowers and renew cards. Library Director Laurel Goodgion shared the attached letter from a library patron thanking the Wethersfield Public Library for excellent service. I have also attached an article “High-Tech Biblophia” on Seattle Washington’s use of public space.
• Physical Services: Director Mike Turner is initiating a program of sign inspection and repair. This systematic inspection program will be effective immediately.
• Tax Collection: Tax Collector Nancy DiGirolamo reports that the collections for FY 03/04 through May 2004 on the October 1, 2002 Grand list are at 99.05% - the highest rate ever. Congratulations to Nancy and Marlene for their commendable efforts!
• Community Center: Members of the Corpus Christi Fest Committee thanked Community Center staff members for all they did to make the “A Food & Wine Fest” held on May 8th a great success.
• Town Manager: It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Rae Ann Palmer as the Assistant to the Town Manager effective July 1, 2004. Rae Ann worked for the Hartford Police Department as a budget analyst until her retirement last year. Please join me in welcoming Rae Ann to our team. Also the letter that was in your packet yesterday concerning our Sister City, Nagayo, Japan, was only a draft. Please give any comments on this letter to Matt Forrest or myself.
• Public Works: I have attached a draft summary of our Stormwater Management Plan, as required by the CT. DEP. If you wish to see the entire document, please go to our Town web site or we have copies in different offices of Town Hall.
5. Board/Commission News:
• EDIC – I will be reappointing Frank Frago, Chris Lyons and Ken Rizzio to the EDIC. I will also be appointing Paul Montineri as the person to take the place of Anthony Camilliere. I have attached Paul’s resume.
6. Council Questions/Answers:
• Artificial Surface – I have had a number of questions concerning the artificial surface bidding process. I am still researching some of these questions but here are the answers to some of these. The Town does not have a policy on whether a bid process can include and be fair when donated work is a part of a bid. The Council was not made aware (nor did I know) that no contract is going to exist between RAD and Close, Jensen and Miller. If there is a problem with the field work at all, our contract is with RAD for all of the work, and they have the complete responsibility for the quality of work that goes on, on the field. If RAD does not have a contract between any of their sub contractors and themselves, that is an issue for RAD, as the performance bond, insurances, etc. are all between the Town and RAD. I will get back to you hopefully by Monday with answers to other questions.
7. CRCOG: I have attached some information from CRCOG concerning federal legislation on new laws concerning funding for “Better Training, Better Jobs” program.
CCM: I have attached two flyers on upcoming seminars being held by CCM.
8. Miscellaneous:
• Health District Director Paul Hutcheon reports that the CT DEP responded to a spill report at the CT DMV, 60 State Street on April 16, 2004. An underground fuel oil tank return line leaked, causing fuel oil to migrate underground to a catch basin, which flows to the adjacent stream. The CT DEP will continue to follow-up to ensure clean-up of the sight. Monitoring wells with a fuel oil recovery system have been installed along with absorbent pads in the catch basin and stream. The DEP has recovered approximately 600 gallons of fuel oil via the recovery system. According to the DEP, the leak was likely noted very soon after it had reached the catch basin in the DMV parking lot thus preventing contamination of the Cove. Insignificant amounts of fuel oil may have reached the Cove in subsequent rain events. He advised the DEP to check the area near the Cove to ensure that the pads etc. are preventing contamination of the Cove. Sanitarian Wes Bell (Wethersfield’s new health inspector) inspected the brook near the walk path along the Cove on Thursday, June 3, 2004. No problems were noted and no oil slick was seen. It appears that the control measures are working. We welcome Wes to our Health District.
• Anne Kuckro, Chairman of the Wethersfield Tourism Commission sent the attached letter to Ronald Howard of Lionheart Films regarding the documentary about Connecticut in the Revolution.
• The State will not change their mind on the sponsorship of the Pre-School Program. The Recreation Department is following through on having our program licensed by the State. Kathy Bagley talked to Dr. Proctor and will be giving him an update after meeting with the State for licensing procedures. She is going to request the Board of Education sponsor us for one more year while we receive licensing. Kathy is planning on attending a late June or July Board of Education meeting to receive their approval for one more year of sponsorship of our pre-school program.
B. PROJECT UPDATES:
• We have applied for and received a “Mix It Up” Grant in the amount of $250 towards the Skate Park Project.
• We will be having another meeting with DOT on the Nott Street blasting project next Tuesday. It appears that blasting will not start until the week of June 28th. I have also attached the letter sent to DOT concerning the closing of a small portion of Nott Street to expedite the blasting process.
• The artificial surface contract with RAD/Sportsturf has been signed and depending on the weather and the need to dry out the field, it appears that work will begin soon.
• We have received three qualified bids on the Town Hall and Library renovations. We are now asking for additional information from the three contractors before the Building Committee recommends to you a contractor. Bids came in within our allocation.
C. CALENDAR REMINDERS:
D. ATTACHMENTS:
• “State of the Town” Chamber of Commerce
• Library Article
• Letter from Library patron
• Memo re Sign Repair Program
• Tax Collections
• Corpus Christi Correspondence
• Resume – Rae Ann Palmer
• Draft Stormwater Management Plan
• Resume – Paul Montinieri
• CRCOG Correspondence
• CCM Correspondence
• Letter from Anne Kuckro
• Mix It Up Grant
• DOT Letter re Nott Street Closing
• Letter to Bidders