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For the People of Wallingford - It's your town; get informed, get involved

Friday, March 15, 2013

Drop-box supporters slam police chief

As published in the Record Journal on Friday March 15, 2013

By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz

WALLINGFORD – Supporters of a drop box for unused medications at the Police Department are criticizing Police Chief Douglas Dortenzio’s position that it’s up to residents to take personal responsibility and dispose of medications on their own.

A founding member of the Coalition for a Better Wallingford, Ken Welch, has advocated for the drop box as a way to counter prescription drug abuse.

Dortenzio said on Wednesday that the safest way to dispose of a medication is to put it out with the trash.

“I can’t be a substitute for responsible citizens,” he said.

Welch responded with harsh words Thursday, saying “I can’t believe this guy is a police chief.”

Welch disagreed with Dortenzio’s statement that personal responsibility is the key to disposing of unwanted prescription drugs.

“That comment blows my mind,” Welch said. “His value system is affecting his job.”

Dortenzio said Thursday that he didn’t want to get into a war of words.

“I’m not going to get into a mudslinging contest,” he said.

Dortenzio said the department supports disposal of unwanted medication, though not the drop box.

“A $1,000 trash can is a poor substitute for personal responsibility,” he said.

Welch had many criticisms of Dortenzio’s position, including the assertion that the police station lobby is too small for a drop box and would present handicapped-access issues.

The state Department of Consumer Protection, which oversees the medication drop box program, requires the box to be located in the lobby of any police station that participates. Welch said that lobby is not wheelchair accessible to begin with because there are stairs in the lobby. There is an elevator, which provides access to the lobby.

Dortenzio also said that parking would be an issue. The department’s lot is small, and people looking to drop off medications might have a hard time finding parking, Dortenzio said Wednesday.

“What, are 30 people going to show up at the same time?” Welch said.

Welch said that the only issue Dortenzio could possibly have with the medication drop box is the time police officers must take to empty and document the medication inside the box.

“Mr. Welch’s point about labor being involved is dead on,” Dortenzio said.

In a nearby town

Southington, with a population similar to Wallingford’s, adopted a medication drop box program in December. Since then, about 400 pounds of medication have been secured. Southington Police Sgt. Jeff Dobratz said that the box is typically emptied once a week.

Department of Consumer Protection procedures call for medication to be collected based on usage and that the boxes be checked weekly.

After medication is collected from the box, Dobratz said, it’s weighed, sealed and stored in the evidence room until “every so often we dispose of it.”

A case report must be filed every time the box is emptied. Dobratz said that the department has created a “generic boilerplate report,” in which the officer only has to enter the date, time and weight.

In all, the entire process of clearing out the box and filing a report takes about 15 minutes, Dobratz said.

Dortenzio said the staffing at the Police Department has shrunk significantly in the past two decades. He said having to devote staff to the medication drop box wouldn’t be wise.

“As a manager, I have to keep an eye on these things,” he said.

Dortenzio’s position also came under fire from members of the Town Council.

“The bottom line is, the chief of police is a personal disappointment to me in that he won’t do something that is easy,” said Town Councilor Nick Economopoulos. “I’m sure he’s going to come up with a 100 different reasons why it’s difficult.”

A majority of the council supports the medication drop box. Councilors made that clear during a meeting Tuesday when Welch brought up the issue. It was tabled so councilors could obtain more information.

“I disagree wholeheartedly with the mayor and police chief,” said Town Councilor John LeTourneau, who added that he doesn’t understand why other towns can successfully employ the drop box but Wallingford can’t.

Democratic Town Councilor Jason Zandri, who is running for mayor, potentially against longtime incumbent Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr., said a medication drop box “is a very simple thing to have.”

“I can’t imagine why we can’t do this,” he said.

Zandri said he’s looking into a way of working around the mayor’s decision-making power on the issue. Dickinson supports Dortenzio’s position.

The council can pass a resolution to make the drop box mandatory by creating an ordinance. According to the Town Charter, seven of nine council votes can override the mayor if he disapproves of a council passed ordinance.

Zandri said getting the seven affirmative votes would be an issue, though.

The mayor’s view

On Thursday, Dickinson stood behind Dortenzio.

“He’s the one who knows the way the department functions,” said Dickinson, who added that there should be “respect for the chief ’s decision.”

“If he feels it will absorb more time and effort than justifiable,” the drop box is unnecessary, Dickinson said.

Dickinson said that concentrating on the medication drop box as the town’s only answer to drug abuse issues isn’t wise.

“It’s one of the things that can be done, but it’s hardly the program,” he said. “This isn’t the only way to deal with things.”

While there may be other answers to drug abuse problems, like Dickinson’s suggestion of expanding the drug take-back program the Police Department takes part in twice yearly, it’s the lack of support from Dortenzio which angers Welch the most.

“His whole mission statement is based on getting the public to support him, but when the public needs support, they’re on their own,” Welch said.

“That’s not going to fly.”

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Wallingford council gives OK to join CCM

As published in the Record Journal on Wednesday March 13, 2013

By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz

WALLINGFORD – The Town Council has authorized Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. to join the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, an organization that the town has not been involved with since 1980. Two employees of CCM presented the benefits of membership to the Town Council, at the mayor’s request, Tuesday night. The council then voted 7-1 to allow Dickinson to join the organization. Town Councilor Craig Fishbein voted against the measure, while Town Councilor Rosemary Rascati abstained because her son works for the organization.

“We want a chance to prove to you that you guys should be back with us,” said Kevin Maloney, CCM’s member relations director.The town joined CCM as a charter member in 1967, Maloney said. There are now 153 municipalities, out of 169 in the state, that are part of the organization.

Maloney said the organization’s benefits include representation at the General Assembly, before the state executive branch and regulatory agencies, and in the courts. CCM also provides management assistance, individualized inquiry service, assistance in municipal labor relations, technical assistance and training, policy development, research and analysis, publications, information programs, and service programs such as workers’ compensation, insurance, risk management and energy cost containment.

“The bottom line is we want the opportunity to earn your trust to work on Wallingford’s behalf,” Maloney said.

Membership in CCM is renewed annually and would normally cost the town $28,500. Maloney offered to make the town a member free until June 30, when a discounted fee of $20,000 would be imposed. The fee would be $28,500 in the following fiscal year.

“We have had zero dues increases three of our last four fiscal years,” Maloney said.

Also presenting on the behalf of CCM was Gina Calabro, director of membership services and marketing, who told the council about a prescription discount card program, introduced last September, that is available only to CCM members. The program offers discounts of 10 percent to 70 percent on prescription drugs at major pharmacies, and it is available to all residents, insured or not.

Calabro said that at no cost to the town, CCM mails cards to every family. One card can be used for an entire family, she said, and there are no age or in-

Please see CCM / 8


CCM

come requirements.

“It’s something that we’d love to see Wallingford be a part of as well,” Calabro said.

Dickinson said the prescription discount program is “a great way to assist people in a very practical, direct way.”

Fishbein opposed joining CCM because of disagreements on legal issues and legislation the organization has supported in the past. Maloney and Calabro were unable to answer several questions posed by Fishbein, instead saying they would get back to the town with answers.

Dickinson said that while disagreements on legislation can happen, the benefits of the prescription discount program outweigh any negatives.

“This is a program where the town becomes a member, and every person in town has a chance to benefit in a certain way,” he said. “For the fee we’re paying, I think we have a chance of extending a real helping hand.”

Fishbein responded that most residents in town are already insured, and that the largest beneficiaries to the prescription discount program would be illegal immigrants. Dickinson said that regardless of who you are, “you have an opportunity to receive a benefit that’s very practical.”

Fishbein argued that budget cuts have been made since 2009, including funding for Independence Day fireworks.

“And now, all of the sudden, we have $20,000 which we could’ve treated in the same manner,” he said. “I’m just having a lot of problems justifying between the two.”

“In my priority, entertainment is nice,” Dickinson responded, and “it certainly has meaning in patriotism, but it doesn’t come close to concerns in health.”

The mayor must finalize an agreement with CCM before the town is a member.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Municipalities group hoping to woo town

As published in the Record Journal on Wednesday March 6, 2013

By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz

WALLINGFORD – The Town Council will consider joining the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities after hearing a presentation from the statewide association about the benefits of membership during its Tuesday meeting.

Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said Friday that the association, founded in 1966, “came forward indicating their interest in having Wallingford.”

The town has never been a member of the CCM, but has periodically considered joining the organization, Dickinson said. “We previously felt it wasn’t justified,” he said, adding that “cost is always an issue.”

Municipalities must pay an annual membership fee to the CCM, Dickinson said. Normally, the yearly cost is about $28,000, but Dickinson said the CCM is currently offering a discounted, $20,000 annual rate to the town. Cost is based on population, he said.

According to the CCM’s website, the organization “celebrates the commonalities between, and champions the interests of, urban, suburban and rural communities.”

The services of the CCM listed on its website include management assistance, individualized inquiry service, assistance in municipal labor relations, technical assistance and training, policy development, research and analysis, publications, information programs, and service programs such as workers’ compensation, liability- automobile-property insurance, risk management, and energy cost-containment.

Dickinson said the CCM is “a resource for information and statistical backup for anything that might be of interest.”

Other benefits include the organization’s involvement with regulatory issues, such as phosphorous discharge limits, Dickinson said.

“I question why it’s necessary at this point,” Town Councilor Craig Fishbein said of joining the CCM. Fishbein said he was surprised to see the presentation on the council agenda, and is interested to “hear the reasons why (Dickinson) feels it’s necessary at this point.”

“I don’t know if it’s of any worth to the taxpayer,” Fishbein said of joining the CCM.

Dickinson wouldn’t offer an opinion Friday on whether or not he’d like the town to join the CCM. He said he’d rather offer his opinion on Tuesday.

“I’d like to see the presentation first,” he said.

Town Council Chairman Robert F. Parisi said he was “very pleased” with the proposal the mayor spoke to him about recently.

“It’s an excellent organization and they have a little different twist to it now, plus it’s always been a good resource,” he said. “I’m hoping it makes it through.”

The organization’s headquarters are in New Haven and it has offices in Hartford.

Friday, March 8, 2013

AGENDA - REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

TUESDAY

March 12, 2013

7:00 PM

AGENDA

Moment of Silence

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $17,916.80 (#537 - #542)Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Acceptance of Donation from Liberty Bank Foundation and Appropriation in the Amount of $5,000 for Youth and Social Services Special Fund WeCare to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services

3c. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $12,600 to Meter Reading Expense Acct # 902 from Customer Records and Collections Acct # 903 - Electric Division

3d. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $2,250 to Capital Acct- Computers Acct # -to be Determined from Professional Services-Lawyers Acct # 10010300-56714 – Law Department

3e. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount in the Amount of $3,500 to Professional Services- Labor/Grievances Acct # 1002000-56812 - Personnel

3f. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $650 to Personal Computers Acct # 100112000-57000-00108 from Printers Acct # 10012000-57000-00109 - Personnel

3g. Consider and Approve a Town of Wallingford Fair Housing Resolution for 2013 - Mayor

3h. Consider and Approve Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Master Municipal Agreement for Construction Projects between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Wallingford for a ten-year term- Engineering

3i. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Jeffrey Kohan to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term beginning immediately and ending January 8, 2018 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3j. Consider and Approve the Re-Appointment of Jeffrey Knickerbocker to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a five-year term beginning immediately and ending January 8, 2018 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3k. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of February 26, 2013

3l. Approve minutes of Special Town Council Meeting February 20, 2013

3m. Consider and Approve the Re-Appointment of Debra Phillips as an Alternate to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission for a three-year term beginning immediately and ending March 1, 2016 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. Report of the Board of Education’s 21st Century Innovation Project with Patty Pursell, Jan Murphy and Kate O’Donnell, 21st C. Innovation Team - Chairman Robert F. Parisi

6. Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Presentation - Mayor

7. Discussion and Possible Action regarding joining CCM - Mayor

8. Report from Coalition for a Better Wallingford with respect to a “Prescription Drug Drop Box.” – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

9. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

10. Consider and Approve Revision to job description for Administrative Application Technologist –BOE

11. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount in the Amount of $30,000 to Miscellaneous Distribution-Environmental Acct # 598 from Employee Pension & Benefits Acct # 926 – Electric Division

12. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver to purchase a computer server with installation from TAB Computer Systems – Fire Chief

13. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $14,070 to Computer Server – New Acct from the following:

Volunteer Tax Abatement Acct # 10020150-52961 $6,640
Furniture Acct # 10020150-57000-00121 $750
Vehicle-Chief Acct # 10020150-57000-00124 $899
Contingency Acct # 10019000-58820 $5,781

- Fire Chief

14. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $100,000 to Replacement Pay Acct # 10020150-51500 from Regular Salaries & Wages Acct # 10020150-51000 - Fire Chief

15. 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

16. Executive Session pursuant to §1-225(f) and §1-200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding to discuss the following tax appeals:

(a) K Brothers, LLC v. Town of Wallingford; and
(b) Wallingford Warehouse, LLC v. Town of Wallingford

- Corporation Counsel

17. Motion to consider and Approve the settlement of the K Brothers, LLC v. Town of Wallingford tax appeal matter as discussed in Executive Session- Corporation Counsel

18. Motion to consider and Approve the settlement of the Wallingford Warehouse, LLC v. Town of Wallingford tax appeal matter as discussed in Executive Session - Corporation Counsel