This Week in Wallingford

This week in Wallingford – as published in the Record Journal, Monday April 30, 2012

WALLINGFORD — The Town Council continues its series of budget workshops Monday and Tuesday. On the agenda to be discussed are police, social services and several other town departments.

Monday :
- Town Council budget workshop, 6 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium

Tuesday : 
- Town Council budget workshop, 6 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium
- Public Utilities Commission, 6:30 p.m., 100 John St.
- Personnel and Pension Appeals Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, Room 315.

Wednesday :
- Board for Youth, Youth Awards Night, 7 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium
- Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, 7 p.m., Town Hall

Thursday :
- Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall, Room 315;
- School Roof Building Committee, 6:30 p.m., Sheehan High School, 142 Hope Hill Road, Board of Education conference room.

Friday : No meetings scheduled.

Wallingford Spring clean-up to begin Monday

WALLINGFORD — The town’s Public Works Department will begin spring cleanup on Monday for the public streets in all sections of Wallingford.
Residents are asked to place any materials to be picked up by the curbside no later than Sunday.

Only brush, wood and leaves will be collected and these are required to meet the following conditions: branches, no more than 4 feet long or 6 inches in diameter; twigs tied separately in small bundles; wood, no more than 4 feet long; and leaves in paper yard waste bags.

No wood containing creosote will be picked up. Also, brush, twigs, debris or plastic bags will be accepted. Masking tape only is acceptable to seal bags.

This will be a one-time only pick-up.

Those residents who miss the pick-up may take their leaves and brush to the compost area on John Street.

For information, call the public works department at (203) 294-2105.

My thoughts on the school roof solar plan

There was a story in this morning’s Record Journal (Friday April 27, 2012) titled Council passes school roof solar panel plan.

I voted in support of this plan for at least the two high schools but there was an option on the table to do the two middle schools in town as well.

There were funds from DEEP that can be applied for by the town. Wallingford could fund the solar panels through fines levied against Covanta by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Councilor Fishbein brought up the point and said DEEP may give the fines, totaling more than $400,000.00, to the town for energy conservation projects.

The money is there to grant but only if there are these energy conservation projects to claim against.

The council discussed adding solar panels to the two high schools, which would add $120,000.00 to the project after receiving nearly 50 percent reimbursement from the state. If we went for all four the cost would have been about twice that.

All of that remaining cost, after the 50 percent reimbursement from the state, could have been paid for out of that $400,000.00 Covanta fine.

So basically, if we applied for and received the fine award of $120,000.00 there would be no cost for the panels for the two high schools. If we went for all four schools we could have gotten the same.

The reduction in energy expenditures realized from the use of the system and the resulting energy bill reductions would be a direct savings to the school system and those monies, potentially, could be directed to other expenditures within the schools – perhaps things slated to be cut or things that otherwise went unfunded.

Unless we have other, future, energy conservation projects to make claims against the funds will end up not being used and the monies could be potentially lost to other entities that have some rights to the Covanta fine (as applicable to them).

To me, that is a lost opportunity and I am disappointed that others did not see it the same way. 

I will take it in consolation that we did get two of the schools but we are leaving behind that additional money and I do not believe we will have the same opportunity in the future to apply for the funds again.

Maybe I’m wrong about that – guess we’ll see.

Wallingford Electric - How to report a failed street light

http://www.town.wallingford.ct.us/images/customer-files/report_failed_street_light.pdf

Wallingford Electric - How to report a failed street light.

We pay a flat rate for the lights whether they are on or off; we might as well get the illumination we are paying for.

Letters to the editor of the Record Journal: “Overgrown lawns” and the response “Blighted conditions”

The letters below are “as published” from the original writers to the Record Journal on April 20 and April 24, 2012.

Overgrown lawns
Editor: I have a request for the members of Wallingford Town Council who truly care for the quality of life in our community. It is in the best interest of the town to amend the Blight Ordinance to include overgrown lawns that create a hazard and affect the value of homes in close proximity.

There is a house in my area where the grass grows in excess of three feet and blocks the sight line of vehicles exiting the intersection. I have extended an offer to the homeowner to cut the grass for free on a regular basis because it is unsightly and a hazard, but I was rebuked by him. Because of this sightline hazard, the Town of Wallingford periodically has to cut the grass on the town right-of-way (which I am sure is very large and needless expense for the town).

Now, how about concentrating on quality-of-life issues rather than attacking hard-working town employees like Hank McCulley? McCulley is a dedicated, honest, loyalty employee with a great deal of integrity.

It is my wish that neighbors and others facing this situation would speak out and let the Town of Wallingford know we’re tired of looking at rundown properties with homeowners who do not take pride in their neighborhood.
JOHN J. ANZIDEI, WALLINGFORD

 

Blighted conditions
Editor: My comments are directed to a letter headlined “Overgrown lawns” (R-J Readers’ Opinions, 4-20): The writer expresses his frustration with blighted conditions, and the law is complicated.

Linda Bush and I started a Problem Sites Committee several years ago, and we feel it has been successful. All of the town enforcement departments — Health, Building Dept., Housing Code Enforcement, Dept. of Police Services, Corporation Counsel and the Fire Marshal — meet to discuss problem areas and plan strategies for corrections. The committee reacts to public input and the observations of individual members of the committee. Anyone with a problem can call any of the listed departments or town council members. I do have records of what has been accomplished to date.
BOB PARISI, WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Wallingford polling places for today’s Republican presidential primary

As published in the Record Journal, Tuesday April 24, 2012

Wallingford Polling places, open from 6AM to 8PM  for today’s
Republican presidential primary:

District 1: Pond Hill School, 297 Pond Hill Road.

District 2: Stevens School, 18 Kondracki Lane.

District 3: Moses Y. Beach School, 340 N. Main St.

District 4: Dag Hammarskjold School, 106 Pond Hill Road.

District 5: Cook Hill School, 57 Hall Road.

District 6: Parker Farms School, 30 Parker Farms Road.

District 7: Yalesville School, 415 Church St., Yalesville.

District 8: Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington St.

District 9: Rock Hill School, 911 Durham Road.

AGENDA–WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY

APRIL 24, 2012

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

Moment of Silence

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#563 - #580) totaling $7,324.07 Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $10 Youth & Social Services Special Fund to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 and to Donations Acct # 2134002-47010 – Youth & Social Services

3c. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $576 from Youth & Social Services Special Fund -Peer Advocates Fund to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 and to Donations Acct # 2134002-47010 – Youth & Social Services

3d. Consider and Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into and amend Contractual Instruments in the Name of and on Behalf of the Wallingford Community Day Care Center Inc. with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a Child Day Care Program – Mayor

3e. Consider and Approve a Resolution permitting the Wallingford Community Day Care Center Inc to borrow from the Town of Wallingford amounts necessary to meet the essential operation expenses of said Day Care Center prior to the time its program is approved for funding from the State of Connecticut – Mayor

3f. Set a Public Hearing for May 8, 2012 at 7:00P.M. to be held in connection with an Ordinance entitled:

AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATION $2,428,985 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS 2012-2013 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $2,428,985 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE.

3g. Set a Public Hearing for May 8, 2012 at 7:15 P.M. to consider and act on an Ordinance establishing an Ambulance Enterprise Fund pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §7-148

3h. Set a Public Hearing for May 8, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. to consider and act on an Ordinance for the establishment of a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes §7-450 and pursuant to the Town Charter, Chapter XVII, Section 9 and Chapter XIII, Section 4

3i. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $3,000 from Ashlar Village/Masonicare TO Continuing Education and Training Acct # 10020150-55700 and to Miscellaneous Revenue Acct # 100-9052-47040 – Fire Department

3j. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $10,000 to Overtime Acct # 10030000-51400 from Materials & Supplies Acct # 100330000-56140 - Public Works

3k. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of April 10, 2012

3l. Approve minutes of Special Town Council Meeting Budget Workshop of April 11, 2012

3m. Approve minutes of Special Town Council Meeting Budget Workshop of April 12, 2012

3n. Approve minutes of Special Town Council Meeting Budget Workshop of April 16, 2012

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

6. Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-225(f) and Section 1-200(6)(B) to discuss the following matter: Linda Mercier v. Town of Wallingford - Personnel Director

7. Possible Action of Linda Mercier v. town of Wallingford as discussed in Executive Session.

8. Executive Session pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes §1-225(f) and §1-200 (6)(B) to discuss the following cases:

1. Jacobowicz v. Scrubbin Bubbles, LLC, et al

2. Town of Wallingford v. Morin

9. Possible Action on Jacobowicz v. Scrubbin Bubbles, LLC, et al

10. Possible Action on Town of Wallingford v. Morin

11. Conduct a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. for a 2012 Small Cities Community Block Grant – Grants Administrator

12. Consider and Approve Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to execute and file with the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development an application for 2012 Small Cities Community Block Grant not to exceed $500,000, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, decisions and revisions thereto, to carry out approved activities and to act as the authorized representative of the Town of Wallingford – Grants Administrator

13. Conduct a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:15 P.M. to act on the repeal and replacement of Chapter 122, Food Service Establishments, of the Code of the Town of Wallingford - Ordinance Committee Co-Chairmen

14. Conduct a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:30 P.M. to act the Repeal of Article I. “Drains” of Chapter 177, “Sewers” of the Code of the Town of Wallingford and to act on the adoption of an Ordinance concerning Sources of Inflow and Infiltration into the Sanitary Sewer System - Ordinance Committee Co-Chairmen

15. Conduct a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:45 P.M. to amend Chapter 43, Purchasing, of the Code of the Town of Wallingford by adding Section H(2)(j) to the Ordinance to address restrictions on employees contracting with the town to provide services - Ordinance Committee Co-Chairmen

16. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $100,021 from Law Department Regular Wages $50,000 Acct # 1030-51000 and from Comptroller Regular Wages $50,021 Acct # 1040-51000 to Regular Wages Various Account - Comptroller

17. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

18. Report out from the Wallingford Housing Authority with questions to Chairman Michael Misiti and Vice - Chairman Robert Wiedenmann, regarding:

· Report on the new management company

· General operational items

- Councilor Nick Economopoulos

19. Discussion and Possible Action to initiate an investigation by the Town Council into the cutting down of trees in the parks of Wallingford and the removal of the wood for the purpose of selling it - Councilor Nick Economopoulos

The cost of waiting - Wallingford Skate park for teens has to wait

As published in the Record Journal Tuesday April 17, 2012, there is a story regarding the proposed Wallingford Skate park

"In April 2008, more than 125 people came out to a meeting to support creating a local skate park. Locations were scouted and designs were drafted, but when the cost was estimated to be more than $250,000, town officials put the brakes on the project."

And the next time it get's revisited it will be $500,000.00 and the excuse then will be it is overall too expensive regardless of the economy.

The original review of the next phase of the Quinnipiac River linear trail was tagged a number of years ago at about $2 million dollars; with all the changes in the regulations and other costs (bridges, use rights, etc.) that cost for the segment ballooned to $6 million and now the grants and funding will only allow for a reduced segment to be built.

That reduced segment is expected to cost $2 Million.

At one point after the dam broke at Community Lake there was a pretty sizeable cost at rebuilding it. A few years later it when up by a factor of nearly eight times. A few years later and DEP rules changes and we couldn’t rebuild a lake of any real size no matter how much we spent.

I realize that in certain situations we need to wait. In 2008 and 2009 certainly. Maybe the same was true in 2010. But last year and this year things ARE better.

Is it 2007? No – things have not returned that far yet.

Is it 1930? No – things never got that bad.

So the bottom line and the point I am trying to make – do you want to pay an extra $12.50 this year (that is the cost on the average for a household in taxes for one year to raise an additional $250.000 in tax revenue in the town of Wallingford this year) to build a park or do you want to spend $25.00 four or five years from now when the cost doubles?

Yes – that is the initial cost to build and then there is the ongoing cost to maintain but that is minimal by comparison.

Increased use of technology in town to reduce costs by way of increased efficiencies could easily offset that ongoing maintenance costs for a good long while. 

July 4 display again raises controversy

Fishbein balks at town’s different treatment of fireworks and ‘Celebrate’

As published in the Record Journal Thursday April 12, 2012

By Russell Blair
Record-Journal staff
rblair@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2225

Dickinson Fishbein Zandri

Photos courtesy of the Record Journal

WALLINGFORD — One of the town councilors who helped launch a fundraising effort to save the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration claims the town doesn’t treat all nonprofit organizations it works with equally.

Republican Town Councilor Craig Fishbein said that the fireworks are being treated differently from events such as Wallingford Symphony Orchestra concerts and Celebrate Wallingford, which is put on by Wallingford Center Inc., the downtown business advocacy group. The town budget allocates $8,500 for an outdoor summer symphony concert that Fishbein said draws only hundreds of people, while the fireworks celebration draws more than 10,000 and receives no funding. For Celebrate Wallingford, Wallingford Center Inc. is able to contract with vendors, Fishbein said.

Fishbein and Democratic Town Councilor Jason Zandri founded the nonprofit Wallingford Fireworks Fund in 2010 after the town dropped funding for the show from its budget. They’ve butted heads with Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. during the planning for this year’s celebration. Zandri and Fishbein raised several issues during a council meeting Tuesday.

For the last two years, Zandri has negotiated with vendors. He said the arrangement allowed a certain flexibility on costs, through discounts from the vendor, and room to accommodate last-minute donations that could improve the show. But this year that process is being handled by the Parks and Recreation Department.

“The town doesn’t contribute one red cent, yet the mayor feels the (donors) should have no part in the coordination,” Fishbein said. “We don’t want total control ... we’re willing to work with them.”

Liz Landow, executive director of Wallingford Center Inc., said the events are treated differently because the town, not the fireworks fund, ultimately puts on the show, even if the fund provides the money. She said Wallingford Center Inc. wasn’t getting special treatment.

“It’s a Wallingford Center production,” she said of Celebrate Wallingford. “It’s put on by Wallingford Center; we hold the insurance. We have the freedom because of the way it was established.”

Dickinson, a Republican, has maintained that the town must handle the purchasing process for the fireworks, and said that comparisons to Celebrate Wallingford aren’t fair.

“The fireworks are clearly put on by the town,” he said. “For Celebrate Wallingford, Wallingford Center provides insurance; they are the hosts of that. They are a separate entity from the town that provides all the groundwork.”

Several members of the Wallingford Center board have Republican ties, including Republican councilors John Le-Tourneau and Rosemary Rascati and former Republican Councilor Stephen Knight. Landow is Rascati’s daughter. But Zandri said he doesn’t believe politics plays a role in the perceived different treatment of the fireworks and Celebrate Wallingford.

“I like to look above and beyond that ... I think it’s not politically motivated,” Zandri said.

Zandri said that he hasn’t thought about the fund taking total sponsorship of the event, but said that if he is continually denied input, it’s an option he may consider.

“I suppose there’s ways to do it,” he said. “But it’s a manpower issue. Right now it’s just me, my father and Craig (Fishbein). It’s hard to say it, but if I have to go that route someday, maybe I will.” Jason Zandri’s father, Geno Zandri, a former six-term Democratic councilor, helps organize fireworks fundraising.

The fund would have to get permission from the town to use the school grounds and pay directly for the cost of the town services including police, fire and public works, and the fireworks. Currently, the town makes the payments and arrangements after receiving a check from the nonprofit.

Democratic Town Councilor John Sullivan said that he thinks Fishbein, Zandri and Dickinson need to sort out their differences, and not at a council meeting.

“We have two sides working toward a common goal,” he said. “They need to sit down, communicate and work together.”

Public Hearing with regards to the removal of trees from Johanna Fishbein Park

Public Works Directory Henry McCully informed members of the Town Council through the Town Council secretary that there will be a Public Hearing with regard to the removal of trees from Johanna Fishbein Park on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 3 PM at the Railroad Station.

I am sure there will be some form of public notice as well but I wanted to post it in case there was anyone that wanted to know about it or if they wanted to attend.

If you are unable to make it in the middle of the day because of work or if you’re going to be away next week due to vacations you can write to Public Works Directory Henry McCully directly at 29 Town Farm Road or you can phone his office – (203) 294-2105 

Compost Center Hours for 6/days per week in April and May

Originally posted on the Town of Wallingford website:

NOTICE TO WALLINGFORD RESIDENTS

The COMPOST CENTER will be open the following hours during April and May:

Monday	8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday	8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday	8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday	8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday	8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturdays	8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wallingford Town Council to host budget hearings

Posted on the Record Journal Website: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 1:06 pm | Updated: 1:12 pm, Wed Apr 11, 2012.

Wallingford Town Council to host budget hearings

Mary Ellen Godin
Record-Journal

@Record_Journal  #Wallingford @CConnBiz

WALLINGFORD -- The Town Council will host a public hearing tonight on Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr.'s $145.1 million budget proposal.

The proposed spending plan is a 3.2 percent increase over last year's total spending and if approved, will come with a 3 percent tax hike.

Technology related Strategic Plan items removed from the 2012/2013 Board of Education budget

The following is a list of Technology related items from the system’s Strategic Plan that were removed from the Board of Education budget request for the 2012 / 2013 fiscal year:

High	Update computers in library	$  60,000.00
Middle	Update computers in library	$  60,000.00
Elementary	Update computers in library	$  25,000.00
Elementary	Update Teacher Laptops	$125,000.00
System	Update Network Servers	$  35,000.00
System	Upgrade Business Office Computers	$  12,000.00
System	Replace IT Van	$  30,000.00
High	Classroom Projection / Sound Devices	$  60,000.00
Middle	Classroom Projection / Sound Devices	$  60,000.00
Elementary	Classroom Projection / Sound Devices	$  30,000.00
High	Laptops for students of interventionists	$ 13,200.00
Middle	Laptops for students of interventionists	$ 46,200.00
	Grand total NOT funded	$556,400.00

Anyone that has read my blogs, any of the five I write, knows that I am very passionate about Technology.

Without it, we would not have seen all the advances we’ve seen at an exponential level over the past couple of decades.

Without educating our children about it and on it they WILL be left behind.

I am not suggesting half a million dollars is cheap; it isn’t.

When compared to the full 145 million dollar budget, it is.

When you understand that an increase of $556,400.00 spread out over all the taxpayers of Wallingford costs the average residential homeowner an additional $30.00 for this year (I’ll explain that in a second) how could we NOT afford to make the investment?

Technology does need to be upgraded and replaced but not annually. If this investment was made as I outline above and included in this year’s appropriation to the schools it would not be there next year. It is not a true one time cost as down the line it needs to be done again but it is not a reoccurring cost that happens each year either.

So I ask you again, how could we NOT afford to consider this?

Wallingford Mayor William Dickinson's 2012-13 budget, posted online by the Record Journal, generates 66 page views over six days

Originally posted on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 8:22 PM, as of Easter Sunday at 1:45 PM there have been 66 page views from my blog.

I am sure there were many page views directly from the Record Journal’s story and others from around the ‘net; to me this is a successful reference to the argument that “the demand is there”

AGENDA - TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING: TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2012

Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY

APRIL 10, 2012

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

Prayer by the Reverend Dee Ann Dodd, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#553 - #562) totaling $3,252.43 Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Set a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. for a 2012 Small Cities Community Block Grant – Grants Administrator

3c. Set a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:15 P.M. to act on the repeal and replacement of  Chapter 122, Food Service Establishments, of the Code of the Town of Wallingford - Ordinance Committee Co-Chairmen

3d. Set a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:30 P.M. to act the Repeal of Article I. “Drains” of Chapter 177, “Sewers” of the Code of the Town of Wallingford and to act on the adoption of an Ordinance concerning Sources of Inflow and Infiltration into the Sanitary Sewer System - Ordinance Committee Co-Chairmen

3e. Set a Public Hearing for April 24, 2012 at 7:45 P.M. to amend Chapter 43, Purchasing, of the Code of the Town of Wallingford by adding Section H(2)(j) to the Ordinance to address restrictions on employees contracting with the town to provide services - Ordinance Committee Co-Chairmen

3f. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $4,725 to Miscellaneous General Expense Acct # 46100930 from Maintenance of Transmission and Collection Mains Acct # 46100673 – Sewer Division

3g. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $2,000 to Revenue- Recovery of Legal Fees – Miscellaneous Acct # 1009052-46300 and to Professional Services-Specialists–Corporation Counsel

3h. Approve Reappointments of John Smith as a Regular Member and Reverend Karen Cook as an Alternate Member to the Board of Ethics for three-year terms, effective immediately, expiring March 1, 2015 - Mayor

3i. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Robert Avery to the Board of Assessment Appeals, effective immediately, for a Term Expiring January 2015 – Robert F. Parisi, Chairman

3j. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Jeffrey Kohan to the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately, for a Term Expiring January 8, 2015 – Robert F. Parisi, Chairman

3k. Consider and Approve the Reappointments of Joseph DaCunto, William Nolan and Timothy Wall as Constables for two-year terms Expiring January 8, 2014 – Robert F. Parisi, Chairman

3l. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $1,395 to Promotional Expenses Acct # 10011050-55405from Office Expenses & Supplies Acct # 10011050-56100 - Economic Development Commission

3m. Consider and Approve minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of February 28, 2012, 2012

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

6. Discussion and Possible Action to establish and adopt a formal process for the selection of a vendor for the Wallingford Fireworks Celebration - Councilor Jason Zandri

7. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver in the Amount of $12,000 for Preservation Grant with Adkins Printing – Town clerk

8. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

9. Executive Session pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes §1-225 (f) and §1-200 (6)(B) to discuss the following cases:

1. Jacobowicz v. Scrubbin Bubbles, LLC, et al

2. Bear Industries, LLC v. Town of Wallingford

3. Saldamarco v. Town of Wallingford

10. Possible Action on Jacobowicz v. Scrubbin Bubbles, LLC, et al

11. Possible Action on Bear Industries, LLC v. Town of Wallingford

12. Possible Action on Saldamarco v. Town of Wallingford

Wallingford Mayor William Dickinson's 2012-13 budget

As provided by the Record Journal

DIRECT PDF DOWNLOAD

So how much traffic shows demand?

Above is the tracking information from hits to my Town Council blog from Monday’s two posts and all the referring URLs as of 8PM EDT (and a few older ones).

The difference between “page views” and “unique visits” is that in theory, with page views, I can just hammer at the site on my own and drive up the traffic.

I don’t need to do this and I assure you that I am not. I can’t say that no one else is but it is not me.

Now, when you look at the referring URLs and the referring sites it helps; it shows that people are jumping off of Facebook and Networked Blogs to refer back to the posted articles.

So I am going to post the budget (courtesy of the Record Journal at this point but I am told that the town is going to do this as well.)

I am not going to hit the page after I post it but I am going to see how many people jump from my page to the PDF file.

Quick notes on the 2012–2013 budget–from a voicemail left to me by Mayor Dickinson

Mayor Dickinson left me a voicemail regarding the highlights of the budget and I am sure the Record Journal is going to be on this as well:

The new Wallingford Budget will be 145 Million dollars – over all that is up 2.59%

General government (everything outside of the Education budget) is going up a little more than $889,000.00

The Board of Education asked for a 3.91% increase and they got 3.2% or basically $2,781,000.00. Something was cut but I am not sure what that was.

What this means for most people with an assumed median tax assessment of $191,000.00 of property is that you’re taxes will go up about $145.00 in total.

If you own less, it will go up less'; if you own more then your new bill will be higher still.

This is all I have from the 5:23 train to New Haven – I’ll get you more as I have time to look it over and offer my thoughts.

Mayor Dickinson will be holding a meeting to release his proposed budget in the Mayor's Conference Room at 3:30 P.M. this afternoon, Monday, April 2, 2012.

I just got the following email from the Town Council Secretary at 9:30AM Monday morning (this morning):

> The Mayor's Office just telephoned me to say that regarding the FY

> 2012-2013 Town of Wallingford budget, the Mayor will be holding a

> meeting to release his proposed budget in the Mayor's Conference Room at

> 3:30 P.M. this afternoon, Monday, April 2, 2012.

My response was as follows (at around 10AM when I read the email):

Hi Sandy,

Please note that I will be unable to attend; a five hour advanced notice is not enough to allow me to schedule time off from work even if I worked in town. To request time from work to try to attend to meetings, sessions and events requires a little more lead time than this.

Due to this situation I will not be able to attend the press conference. I will plan to have someone pick up the budget materials for me sometime tomorrow.

Thank you for the notification; I hope that in the future a little more planning could be made to accommodate people that wish to be at meetings such as these that work from "9 to 5."

Please forward my concerns to the Mayor's office and I will try to phone later today as I am able to communicate the same.

Thank you

Jason Zandri

It is unfortunate that there is so little communication and schedule planning that something as important as this is dropped on the Council and the public like a sneak attack. I am sure there is little to say and to do at a press conference for the general public or even the Council but a maximum of six hours forewarning is the wrong way to go about it in my opinion.