For all the best reasons in the world ~ or the worst, depending on which side of the table you’re sitting on ~ our reporter has fallen behind on writing up reports of meetings she has attended. She has now been instructed to catch up through a series of meeting briefs over the next several days, which she will attempt to do. As always, please be sure to read the official minutes of meetings which are posted in the Minutes/Agendas section of the town’s municipal website when they become available.

_______________

At its May 11 meeting, the main business of the Board of Finance (BOF) members was handled at the end, when, under item ‘VIII. Other Items to Come Before the Board,’ they set the mill rate for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2010. Before that, some of the other items discussed were:

Agenda Item #I. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Philip O’Reilly, Superintendent of New Hartford Schools, reported to the BOF on the items contained in our May 8 report …BOE Looks To Next Year….

Those items included reinstating positions that had been cut due to savings the schools had been able to realize partly through two retirements of veteran teachers and by signing a new 5-year contract with Dattco, the bus company. Philip also reported on the boiler replacement at Antolini which was also expected to cost less than had been previously projected. BOF questions were centered on whether the schools had enough money to cover the personal day/sick day buyouts which Philip said they did, and on details of the boiler installation.

Agenda Items #V: Opportunity for Public to Speak; and VI.WPCA Update

Noting that no representative from the WPCA was at the meeting to give an update, Denton Butler, BOC (Building Oversight Committee) member expressed his strong concern about the way the WPCA was operating which, he said, “was not proceeding in a manner and at a speed to benefit the town of New Hartford.”  Saying that the wastewater treatment plant would reach substantial completion by the end of June, Denton laid out a number of his concerns to the BOF members, including:

• there was still no quotation for an operator for the plant;
• reporting to the DEP was still deficient and without that reporting the DEP will not release any money;
• funding opportunities for sewer extensions would expire in July and the WPCA has not pursued that funding;
• and that user fees can’t exceed 2% of residents’ median income, limiting the amount that can be raised from users which may then come back on non-users.

Ben Witte, BOF chairman informed the other members of the Board of Finance that Bill Michaud of the WPCA had emailed him to let him know that he wouldn’t be able to make the meeting.  Ben then said: “There seems to be conflict between the WPCA and the BOC. Any time they have brought up issues here the conflict seems to subside and then rise again.” Jim Fitzgerald commented: “It’s a business, and they need to run it as such. We have asked for a 5-year projection and we still don’t have that.” Jim ended by saying he “would have the Board (WPCA) step up or resign and elect someone else who’ll do it.” Dan Jerram, First Selectman added his viewpoint: “I can’t contest what Denton has said. It’s not like any other enterprise ~ it’s a “fee for service” enterprise. The ability to meet deadlines is becoming a greater and greater concern. The request for proposal for operator ~ they kicked it to a consultant and paid $8,000 to do it. They could have done that last year.”

After more discussion Ben suggested putting together a subcommittee to address the matter, but Dan Jerram said he wasn’t sure if he could do that. He said the selectmen could put it on their agenda. Jim proceeded to give more input but Ben responded: “Let the selectmen have a try at it.” And he told Jim to go to the Board of Selectmen if he had any more input. “Ben’s last words on the matter: “I’m just frustrated we keep talking about it!”

As his final Public Comment, Denton said: “I urge you not to increase taxes but draw down reserves to cover any increase in taxes.” Our reporter seconded that request.

Agenda Item #VII, Reports

Treasurer’s Report: Gordon Ross, town Treasurer reported that the town had received the ECS (Education Cost Sharing) money from the state, and that the town’s tax collection rate was 98%, which he said was good.

First Selectman’s Report: Dan Jerram reported that there had been a low turnout for the budget referendum but that it had passed the first time. On the line item transfers, he said Chip (Roraback, the town’s attorney) was considering his position about the line item transfers. Asked about the washout, Dan said that the Inland Wetlands (Commission) has revised it (the plan) a bit and that a second soil scientist was looking at it (the washout area).

Laura Sundquist brought up the fact that the town has two polling stations and that, in talking to Daria and Lila (the town’s Registrars of Voters) they don’t want two. Reggie Smith Jr. said he likes his polling station exactly where it is (Reggie votes in the South End Firehouse); Jim Fitzgerald said there should be only one and that it should be in Bakerville, which has the greater population. Gordon Ross said that in Canton they had passed their budget at a town meeting. Both Dan Jerram and Ben Witte were of the opinion that they had a bigger turnout (with a referendum) compared to a town meeting. Reggie, thinking back to his time as First Selectman in the early 90s with a very active Taxpayers’ Association said: ” I have seen 20 people (at a town meeting) or 500 ready to lynch you!”

Agenda Item #VIII. Other Items to Come Before the Board

The Board of Finance members then discussed setting the mill rate which Ben said they had to do at that meeting in order to get the tax notice out to the taxpayers. Without a copy of the mil rate calculation sheet ~ there were just enough copies for the Board of Finance members ~ and without other visual aids, our reporter had a difficult time following the technical part of the mil rate discussion. The final outcome of the discussion is as follows, as emailed to our reporter by Ben Witte on May 12 in his correction to the figures she had incorrectly reported in our May 12 Grapevine:

“The tax increase is 0.42% (not 0.1%). The mill rate is 0.10 mils increase. This is identical to what was presented at the budget hearing (0.33% tax incr, 0.08 mils & 96% collections), with a slight change to the grand list based on BAA (Board of Assessment Appeals) appeals settlements subsequent to the hearing.”

Following is some of the discussion surrounding the setting of the mill rate.

Ben asked the question: “What do we want to set for the mill rate and for the collection rate?” And then he went around the table getting each BOF member’s response:

• Roy Litchfield: Roy said: “”I’d like to go to zero and would like to see us discuss zero increase in the mill rate. we can do that by adjusting mill rate, and have the opportunity to finance any shortfall shoul it materialize. I really think we started at zero, came close, can keep it at zero.”
• Reggie Smith, Jr.: Reggie asked if anyone had a list of the collection rate over the last 5 years and Ben answered: “The collection rate has been over 98%. We can do anything we like with it.” Ben then cautioned that there was a tight collection rate coming up, that they hadn’t adjusted for appeals.   Reggie asked about moving money from the surplus fund.  ”We can’t move money from surplus after the budget is passed, correct?” Ben agreed, saying the only thing they can change is the collection rate.  Reggie said that they had told voters they would take an additional $30,000 (out of the surplus?) to get to zero.  Ben calculated what the collection rate would have to be to get to zero, and he came up with 96.4.  He said: “If we go at 96, we can put that as a hedge for next year.”  Reggie’s final word: “I’m very concerned about the revenue from the state. I support support 96.4%.”
• Laura Sundquist: ”I admire going for 0%. We’ve passed it and I would rather keep it for insurance for next year.”
• Alesia Kennerson: Alesia agreed with Laura, supporting a 96% collection rate.  ”I accept the figures as on the sheet (mill rate calculation sheet), and keep it as insurance for next year.”
• Jim Fitzgerald said: “(The difference is) so small, and based on what we said, stick with it.”
• Gordon Ross said: “Nobody would really notice it.”
• Ben said: “We will want to budget 97% for next year.   I recommend (we) take 96 and go with that.”
• Dan Jerram said: “It wouldn’t bother me either way.”
• Jim Fitzgerald asked what the collection rate had been over the last two years and Gordon answered: “98.6% Annie (Witte, the town Bookkeeper) told me today.”

Ben then proposed a motion based on a collection rate of 96%.   However, before it could be voted on, Denton Butler asked to speak and in a very forceful tone of voice, he asked whether they had considered how it would be interpreted by their constituents, when they came in with an increase?  ”The last time the collection rate has been at 96% was in ‘91-’92.”  He pointed out.     “The bigger issue is if you have the fortitute to stand your ground.” Denton went on. “I defended you through this process. You lost, and now you’re dinking around over the collection rate.”

Denton’s remarks led to another round of discussion over the collection rate.  Jim asked Ben directly what the collection rate is and Ben answering: “98% plus if it makes a difference to you!”  The Board touched on the fact that they had initially said 0% and then had presented 0.8%, which the voters had approved. Ben said that they had been very open at public meetings, and that the additional funds (collected) always go towards funding the next year’s budget.  Never one to like to pay taxes before they’re due, our reporter commented that as a taxpayer, she’d rather the town collected only the taxes needed to fund the budget, rather than to keep collecting more and then putting it towards next year’s budget.

With everyone having had an opportunity to have their say, Denton said: “It’s a philosophy.  I’ve had my say ~ move to a vote.”  Reggie also asked they move to a vote, which the Board did.  Roy who is an alternate on the Board, did not vote. All the other Board members, with the exception of Reggie Smith Jr., voted in favor of the motion, which set the mill rate at 0.08 mils based on 96% collections.

_______________

Board of Finance Meeting, Tuesday, May 11, 2010

AGENDA

I.Seating of Alternates
II.Adoption/Revision of Agenda
III.Superintendent / BOE Report – Dr. O’Reilly
IV.Approval of Minutes a.3/9/10 – Regular Meeting b.3/13/10 – Special Meeting c.3/23/10 – Special Meeting d.4/6/10 – Special Meeting e.4/13/10 – Regular Meeting
V.Opportunity for Public to Speak
VI.WPCA Update
VII.Reports: a.Bookkeeper’s Report – Annie Witte b.Treasurer’s Report – Gordon Ross c.First Selectman’s Report – Dan Jerram
VIII.Other Items to Come Before the Board
IX.Adjournment

A view of Town Hall from under the fragrant tree in front of the Misiorski building across Route 44. Photo: Maria Moore

A Note from the NewHartfordPlus crew: A comment was made at the end of this meeting to the effect that NewHartfordPlus would misreport the meeting anyway.  For the record, our reporter does her best to report on the wide array of topics discussed in the many meetings she attends ~ and not always with the benefit of documents handed out to board members.  If you are aware of an error in our reports, please let us know and we will publish the correction, clarification,  etc. as soon as we become aware of it.  Our corrections are noted at the top of the report in question.  The only corrections we are not able to make are those that would knowingly favor one political viewpoint over another, or one group of residents over another.  As Bob, our techie, is fond of reminding us: “We want to stay playful at this!”

Following are the Community Calendar listings for today in New Hartford, CT:

Tuesday,April 20, 2010:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Building Oversight Committee (BOC) Meeting: at 8:30 a.m. at Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting see our Calendar section.
• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 10:45 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Massage with Mindy Lee at 12:00 noon; Crafts at 1:00 p.m.; Cribbage ‘n cards at 1:00 p.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Early Literacy Program: Comprehension Session: at 9:30 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information about this Early Literacy Program please see the flyer posted in our Bulletin Board or call the Library at 860-379-7235.
• Bakerville Library Story Time for 3 to 5 year-olds: at 10:15 a.m. Bakerville Library, 6 Maple Hollow Road, New Hartford. For more information about the library please visit the Bakerville Library website.
• Board of Selectmen Special Meeting : at 5:30 p.m. in the Sessions Conference Room at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Low Impact Development Stakeholder’s Group MLUE Grant: at 7:00 p.m. in the Senior Center at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Have a Spring-related business you want to advertise?: Check out our BRAND NEW Yellow Pages: an economical, simple way to get your business in front of our 32,066 visitors (this past March). Use the “Submit Your Listing” form to send us your information and we’ll list your business. Looking for a lawn care service? Check our Yellow Pages where we’ll be listing companies as soon as their info. is submitted to us.

Our Community Calendar section provides additional information about the events listed above and information on past, current and future events - a permanent record of events in New Hartford. Also check out our Bulletin Board where you can see flyers on events happening around town, and where we have listed information on local non-profit groups.

…NHGrapevine…

“Excellent person involved!”

Said Wayne Conner to the Regional #7 Board of Ed members as they talked about Ken Chichester’s starting as the new High School Principal on July 1. Ken was sitting among the audience at last night’s Board of Ed meeting.

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard - or seen - in town and we’ll add it to this listing, and also add it to the …NHGrapevine.. section. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

A view of the the center of New Hartford along the banks of the Farmington River from the Route 219 bridge on Monday afternoon, April 19. Photo: Maria Moore

[Updated on April 15 to correct Alesia Kennerson's place of work to Waterbury; my apologies for the error, Maria]

By: Maria Moore

In a lightly-attended Board of Selectmen meeting last night, Tuesday, April 13 the two Selectmen present, First Selectman Dan Jerram and Selectman Tom Klebart disposed of the agenda items in less than an hour before going into executive session with Board of Finance Chairman Ben Witte. The executive session item was listed as “re. Land Use Administrator” and no information was given before the executive session and no outcome was announced after the session ended.

The two selectmen were the only ones sitting at the conference table since Selectman Bruce Gresczyk was absent and Christine Hayward was on vacation, and the meeting was more a briefing by Dan on the agenda items than one requiring action. The complete agenda for the Selectmen’s meeting is added below; this report includes the following items:

Items #6,Central Ave. ~ Traffic Complaints/Concerns, and #8, Appointment of Legal Traffic Authority

Dan informed Tom that he had received a letter from Jim Steadman, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission expressing concern over the parking on Central Avenue and Bridge Street. P&Z said it feels the parking situation is causing Public Health, Safety and Welfare issues and needs to be addressed immediately. P&Z asked the selectmen to look into the parking situation and to take whatever action necessary to remedy it; a downloadable copy of the P&Z letter to the Selectmen is included at the end of this report.

Everyone present agreed that the traffic situation has gotten a lot worse since the old library building at 2 Central Avenue reopened and businesses had moved into it. Dan said that the concern was mostly for the on-the street parking on Central Avenue, a narrow road that connects Route 44 with Steele Road across Route 219. He said he’d watched the traffic from Frank Misiorski’s Corner House and he attributed part of the problem to the traffic turning from Route 44 into Central Avenue. “If there’s cars coming down Central Ave. they (the cars that had just made the turn from Route 44) have to stop and wait (for the other cars to complete coming down the road).” Those present at the meeting were all aware of the problem with that stretch of Central Avenue. Donna LaPlante, Town Clerk who was at the meeting, said that once when she had been driving down Central Avenue and there was a funeral at the Catholic Church (on the opposite side of the road from the old library building), people had parked on both sides of the narrow road.

Roy Litchfield, Board of Finance member also at the meeting, asked what the original plan was when the proposal for the rehabbing of the old library building had been presented. Dan said that currently there were no parking requirements for businesses in the central village area, something that is being looked at by P&Z in their ongoing revision of the zoning regulations. Donna said that part of the original plan of improvement for Central Avenue was to consider making the road one-way. In 1995, she said, the recommendation had been to close Central Avenue to traffic. “Common sense has not prevailed,” Donna said, adding that there is currently plenty of parking in town, but people take the closest base during the bad weather and then don’t park elsewhere later. “We’re fortunate not to have had any accidents there.” Donna concluded. Dan agreed, saying there were no accidents, but that ticketing had occurred.

Alesia Kennerson, Board of Finance member who was at the meeting, said that she has a 10-minute walk from where she parks for free in Waterbury to her office. She added there could be assigned parking to balance the need to keep the center viable.

Our reporter, speaking as a resident asked whether short-term, the town might approach the Beekley Library to allow parking in the empty lot (where the old Foothills Trader building had been located) between the old library and the new. Dan said: “That land belongs to the library.” And our reporter agreed but added that the town made a large contribution to the library and might be able to ask them to help out.

Our reporter also asked about the status of the $250,000 STEAP grant that the town has for the realignment of the Central Avenue intersection. That grant has most recently been looked at by the town to help pay for sewer line repairs in that portion of Main Street. Dan said that it was still open how to best use that grant, that it was something the BOC (Building Oversight Committee of the Wastewater Treatment Plant) would be taking up again soon.

Dan said he’d appointed himself the Legal Traffic Authority, adding that he, the selectmen and the police could all be appointed to handle the traffic situation.

Tom asked: “In the short term, are you looking at making it one way?” To which Dan answered: “I’m looking exactly at what P&Z asked us to do: to assess the situation.”

The matter was kept on the agenda for a future board meeting.

A view looking down Central Avenue towards the center of New Hartford this past March. Photo: Maria Moore

Item #5: Industrial Park Washout

The washout area in the Industrial Park seen from Route 219

Dan updated Tom on the Industrial Park washout.  He said this (second) washout was located in front of the Inertia property where Hitchcock Chairs had once been located.  He said there’s a Cease and Correct order in place and that the town has to develop a plan of action.  The large tree in the Carter Street property had been removed and he has an engineering bid from Lenard Engineering for $15,000 and a bid from a soil scientist.  He said the Wetlands alone will be about $8,700.  He emphasized that the order to correct was under the condition of “if feasible” and he will be going back to Inland Wetlands (Commission) for what’s feasible to the Commission.

Tom asked about the first washout and Dan said the prices included both washouts.  He said the soil was starting to erode at the first washout location and the fix for that washout was not if feasible, it was something that had to be fixed.

For a downloadable copy of the Cease and Correct order: for the washout, please see our report on the March 23 BOS Meeting Summary.

Operations ~ Brown’s Corner Concerns

As part of the Operations Update which Dan provided on the various town projects going on right now (Item # 4: Sand and Salt Shed: “we’re getting it off the mark”; West Hill overlay: “bids will be opened on the 14th”) and various grants updates, Dan LaPlante, Planning and Zoning Commission member who was at the meeting, asked whether the dirt piles at Brown’s Corner needed to be fenced in and, hearing that it wasn’t part of the work being done right now, Dan LaPlante asked: “If something happened would the town be liable?”   Going on to add that kids have been riding their ATVs all around the sand piles.

Roy filled in the history for those who might not have known it: that the former First Selectman had called the insurance company and had reported the situation to them.  Dan Jerram said he would look into the insurance situation.

Our reporter asked whether there was a Cease and Correct order issued by Planning and Zoning for Brown’s Corner and Dan Jerram said there wasn’t, that he’d had only received a note from Rista (Malanca in the Land Use Office) about the silt fence and soil that had washed onto Pine Hill Road during the recent heavy rain.

Item #7: Appointment of Deputy Fire Marshall

Dan announced that at the request of Bill Baldwin, the town’s Fire Marshall, he has appointed Bill Baldwin, a firefighter, as Deputy Fire Marshall.

____________________

Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
5:30 PM
Town Hall

AGENDA

1.)Opportunity for Public Comment
2.)Operations Updates
Sewer plant financing
Budget Update
3.)Grant updates
4.)STEAP – sand/salt, ARRA- West Hill project
5.)Industrial Park Washout
6.)Central Ave – traffic complaints/concerns
7.)Appointment of Deputy Fire Marshal
8.)Appointment of Legal Traffic Authority
9.)Any Other Business to Come Before The Board
10.)Executive Session – re: Land Use Administrator

A view of the washout area from the Industrial Park road looking towards the two houses on Carter Street with Route 219 and Cottage Street in the background. Photo: Maria Moore

Following is the latest wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) construction progress report #10, emailed to us by Denton Butler of the Building Oversight Committee (BOC).

_______________

TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: WWTP - Building Oversight Committee (BOC)
SUBJECT: Project Status Report #10
DATE: April 8, 2010

(1) Item: Construction Progress

Installation of UV disinfection units. Photo: John Chudzick

Status: As of March 24, the WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) upgrade is 322 days (44%) into the allotted 2-year contract period. The project is estimated at 70% completion (in the amount of the revised contract value of $7,213,480. This reflects the adoption of Change Orders totaling $415,743.) A total of $5,006,574 has been expended to date. Please refer to the financial summary at the end of this Report.)

With the installation of blower pipes, the yard piping is now completed. The influent head-works channel has been prepped for the receipt of the automated screens, which should be delivered no later than April 15. Internal SBR piping is completed. The submersible mixers for the SBRs are also scheduled for delivery and installation. Processing filters and the UV units were also installed during this period along with SBR Aeration Blowers and the Scum Tubes.

The maze of electrical wiring continues as we approach the plant start-up operations, now scheduled to formally begin the week of April 19 and continue through May 7th. This start-up is not to be confused with the Plant becoming operational. As the name implies, this function is designed to selectively test each component of the operation, followed by integration of the components as a system and finally Plant commissioning which provides for full operation.

SBR Aeration blowers. Photo: John Chudzik

Our continued thanks to John Chudzik, CDM for taking the pictures accompanying this report.) (a) UV Disinfection; (b) Aeration Blowers; (c) SBR Scum-Tube.

Item #2 - Change Orders and Credits

Status: There were no Change Orders processed during this period. A PCO (Potential Change Order) for the inclusion of an additional fire hydrant was rejected by the BOC, following consultation with Chief Worsman, as cost prohibitive. A series of PCOs will be processed near-term for AC/Heating; lighting; influent manhole replacement; hot water heater; and a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for the EQ Pump. Charges for these changes will be offset by job credits and are yet to be finalized.

(3) Item: Buy American Provisions

Status: Air conditioning/heating units continue to be the subject of an ongoing review for USDA waivers. The Lighting issue previously reported has been resolved with an added expenditure of $1,097 to Buy American.

(4) Item: Funding Initiatives - USDA Application Status

Status: The BOC remains concerned that the WPCA, which met with USDA in June of 2009, has failed to execute an application with the USDA for possible funding for line expansion. It is our understanding, from USDA, that access to available funds will terminate in July 2010. It’s our opinion that line expansion is critical to the long term financial viability of operations.

(5) Item: Near-term Project Look Ahead

Status: The immediate look ahead includes the CL&P changeover from temporary to permanent power panels; placement of the automated screens; UV wiring; submersible pump placement; wiring completion and Plant start-up as previously noted.

(6) Item: Integration of A Plant Operator

Status: As previously noted in this report: Co-Chairman Litchfield formally notified the WPCA in October 2009 of the pending schedule to bring the WWTP on line for the Commissioning Process. The Plant Operator RFP process has not yet been completed by the WPCA. In the absence of a WPCA selected certified operator, manufacturer’s training programs will need to be duplicated at a later date. The BOC has requested the oversight engineers to determine the additional expense involved in this activity.

Financial Summary As of March 31, 2010:

Installation of the SBR piping. Photo: John Chudzik

Following are the Community Calendar listings for today in New Hartford, CT:

Tuesday,April 6 2010:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Building Oversight Committee Workshop Meeting : at 8:00 a.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials and Northwestern CT Council of Governments Special Meeting: at 9:00 a.m. at the UCONN Extension Center, Univesity Drive, Torrington. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Early Literacy Program: Comprehension Session: at 9:30 a.m. For more information about this Early Literacy Program please call the library at 860-379-7235.
• Bakerville Library Story Time for 3 to 5 year-olds: at 10:15 a.m. Bakerville Library, 6 Maple Hollow Road, New Hartford. For more information about the library please visit the Bakerville Library website.
• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 10:45 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Cribbage ‘n cards at 1:00 p.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Planning and Zoning Special Meeting : at 6:300 p.m. in the Senior Center at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Board of Finance Special Meeting Annual Budget Meeting : at 7:00 p.m. in the Senior Center at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Have a Spring-related business you want to advertise?: Check out our BRAND NEW Yellow Pages: an economical, simple way to get your business in front of our 32,066 visitors (this past March). Use the “Submit Your Listing” form to send us your information and we’ll list your business. Looking for a lawn care service? Check our Yellow Pages where we’ll be listing companies as soon as their info. is submitted to us.

Our Community Calendar section provides additional information about the events listed above and information on past, current and future events - a permanent record of events in New Hartford. Also check out our Bulletin Board where you can see flyers on events happening around town, and where we have listed information on local non-profit groups.

…NHGrapevine…

“See you at the meeting.”

A resident emailed our editor. The meeting she was referring to is the Board of Finance Budget Hearing tonight, Tuesday April 6. See you all there!

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard - or seen - in town and we’ll add it to this listing, and also add it to the …NHGrapevine.. section. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

A cat named Sunflower enjoys reading Calvin and Hobbes. Photo: Christian Goddu

By: Maria Moore

With slushy snow on the ground and with more snow in the forecast, the selectmen met this past Tuesday evening, February 23 for a meeting that lasted just long enough to handle the business at hand.  Following is a brief summary of the items discussed at that meeting; for the agenda for the meeting, please see the end of this report.

Item #3: BOC (Building Oversight Committee for Wastewater Treatment Plant) Re. recommendation for sewer repairs

Our reporter was present at the meeting for part of the discussion on the BOC’s recommendation for sewer repairs.   When it became obvious that her presence was impinging on the ability of those present to discuss pricing associated with the BOC’s recommendations, she excused herself from the meeting.

The BOC went over the results of the video analysis of the different areas of the sewer lines they were reviewing to make a recommendation to the selectmen for an updated remediation plan; see our January 5 report BOC Meets, Starts Work on Assessing Sewer Lines.

The BOC recommended to the selectmen that the Brook Street line be rehabbed by installing short liners, grouting and standard manhole repairs.  This is projected to cost less than the $250,000 STEAP grant available.

The BOC also recommended a heavy washing and subsequent videotaping of the areas of the Main Street lines that were impenetrable to camera access during the recent video survey.

Another recommendation by the BOC was to pursue whether an additional $250,000 grant from the DECD (Department of Economic and Community Development) that was originally intended for the intersection of Central Avenue, Bridge Street and Route 44 might be changed to allow its use to undertake sewer pipe rehabilitation in that area rather than for paving and to make cosmetic changes as originally intended.

The selectmen approved the following motion proposed by Selectman Bruce Gresczyk: “To expand the scope of the BOC to include that they are authorized to act upon the recommendations made to the Board of Selectmen regarding the repairs needed for the Brook Street sewer line while continuing to research the western Main Street sewer line, including the heavy cleaning and additional camera observations of the line, not to exceed the $250,000 DEP STEAP grant.”

Item #4: Linda Sheffield ~ Tax Sale

Linda Sheffield, the town Tax Collector, had originally asked to bring this item to the Board of Selectmen because she believed that she would need to have funding approved by the selectmen to pay a real estate company to handle the tax sale.  However, she had found that state marshalls would handle the tax sale without upfront costs, and so she presented the item to the selectmen “as an FYI” as she told our reporter.

Linda said that as of the date of the selectmen’s meeting, February 23, there were 20 properties whose owners were severely in arrears with their tax payments.  The properties ranged from single-family homes to undeveloped lots.  Each of the properties had at least $10,000 owing in back taxes, with a total of $343,540 owed to the town.  She had been unsuccessful in collecting those back taxes and was now setting in motion the steps necessary to hold tax sales of the delinquent properties.

Linda had sent out letters informing the property owners that warrants would be issued on Wednesday, March 3 if they did not respond by that date.   The date she has set for the tax sale is June 9.

Our reporter checked in with Linda today, March 1, and she said that so far 4 of the property owners had come through, bringing the list down to 16.  She also confirmed that the last time the town had held a tax sale was 10 years ago.

We will update this item in a News Update when more information becomes available.

Item #5: Operations Update:  Interim Highway Superintendent Position Discussed With Union

The selectmen continued Bruce Gresczyk’s appointment as Interim Highway Superintendent until the next Board of Selectmen meeting.  This is to allow for discussions to continue with the road crew’s union to discuss leadership so that details might be completed.

Our reporter checked with the First Selectman’s Office today and she was told there was no additional news available either on the investigation or on the ongoing discussions with the union.

Addendum ~ Brodie House Lease

Our reporter also asked today, as she does periodically, whether there have been any developments in the lease negotiation between the town and Don Birden, the road crew member who is currently living in the Brodie House on the basis of a lease signed with former First Selectman Earl MacInnes on March 26, 2009 which was found to be invalid by the town’s attorney; see our October 8, 2009 report Brodie House Lease, Cost of Moving Fill: Issues Recycle Through BOS  Meeting, the last time this matter was discussed by the previous administration.  Our reporter was again informed by the First Selectman’s Office that there was no development on this issue either.

A view looking down Central Avenue towards the center of New Hartford. Photo: Maria Moore

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Agenda
Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
7:00 PM Town Hall

1.Minutes

2.Opportunity for Public Comment

3.BOC – re: recommendation for sewer repairs

4.Linda Sheffield – Tax Sale

5.Operations updates Grants Update – STEAP (sand salt shed)

6.Correspondence ( Girl Scout Proclamation)

7.Request for Tax Refunds

8.Any Other Business to Come Before This Board

Following are the Community Calendar listings for today in New Hartford, CT:

Thursday, February 18, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Line dancing at 9:30 a.m.; Fitness at 10:45 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended; CANCELLED: Yoga No Yoga class today ~ will resume next week. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Building Oversight Committee (BOC) Meeting: at 9:00 a.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Republican Town Committee Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Democratic Town Committee Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. No agenda is available for this meeting.
• Thursday Night Gather With Friends at Passiflora: Learning Mindful Meditation
  with Amla Mehta. Program begins at 7:00 p.m., Chef’s choice of organic dinner at 6:00 p.m. For more information, please visit Passiflora’s website.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Send your email to newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.
• Have an item you’d like to sell?: Sell it in our FREE Classifieds! Send us the details and we’ll list it for you for free! Check out our Classifieds section which we update as we receive the ads.

Our Community Calendar section provides additional information about the events listed above and information on past, current and future events - a permanent record of events in New Hartford. Also check out our Community Bulletin Board where you can see posters and information on local groups and events.

…NHGrapevine…

“The guys started at 3 and finished at 10.”

Bruce Gresczyk said to our reporter yesterday at the First Selectman’s office about the hours the town crews were putting in to clear the snow. “At 3 p.m. and finished at 10 p.m.?” Our reporter clarified. “No, at 3 in the morning until 10 at night.” Bruce corrected. Now that’s a long work day!

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard - or seen - in town and we’ll add it to this listing, and also add it to the …NHGrapevine… section. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

A view of the chapel in the Village Cemetery during a snow storm this winter. Photo: Maria Moore

Following are the Community Calendar listings for today in New Hartford, CT:

Wednesday, January 20, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center: Fitness: at 9 a.m.($2.50 per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Wii Bowling at 10:00 a.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Early Literacy Program: Phonological Awareness: at 9:15 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information please call the library at 860-379-7235.
• Take a Walk Series: Winter Walk in Catlin Woods with Wildlife Biologist Dave Rosgen at 10:00 a.m. at White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield. Meet in the Museum. For more information on the adult programs at White Memorial Conservation Center, please visit the Adult Programs section of the White Memorial Conservation Center.
• Children’s Story Time for 2-year-olds at the Beekley Library: at 10:15 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information please call Andrea Gaedeke at the library at 379-7235.
• Building Oversight Committee (BOC) of the WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) Meeting: at 1:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. The meeting will be to continue discussion of the sewer lines on Main Street and Brook Street. The BOC is working towards coming up with a recommendation to the selectmen of how to best use grant money the town has received for sewer line repairs.
• Conservation Commission Special Meeting: at 5:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford.  For more information please see our Community Calendar.
• Wednesday Night Drop-In Pick-Up Co-Ed Volleyball: at 7:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. in the gym at Ann Antolini School, Antolini Drive, New Hartford. Every week except when school is closed; adults and high-school aged only please.
• Are you hiring?: Please send us the details and we’ll list the job for free: We have many visitors to our Classifieds looking for work! Check out our Classifieds section. We add free ads to this section as they are submitted to us.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Send to newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

…NHGrapevine…

“Why do you think they’re holding it in New Hartford?”

Our editor, Maria Moore, asked a friend about the swine flu clinic which has been scheduled in very short order at Antolini School this Thursday. “Maybe your articles prompted them to do something here!” Was the answer. Whatever prompted it, the flu clinic is the first walk-in the health district has scheduled. Just stop up to Antolini school between 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. if you’d like to be vaccinated.

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard - or seen - in town and we’ll add it to this listing, and also add it to the …NHGrapevine.. section. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

Ice fishing became a social event for this group on West Hill Lake this past Sunday. Photo: Maria Moore