[This report is being published live; 3:00 p.m., Thursday, September 9]

Two “hot” issues were on the Board of Selectmen’s agenda of their last meeting: outdoor woodburning furnances (OWFs) and the town’s rental properties. The issue of OWFs was the one that was dealt with at the meeting, while the issue of the town’s rental properties was set in motion and will be discussed at the second selectmen’s meeting in September, on the 28th.

The meeting was held in the intimate setting of the lower level (”Jaildoors”) conference room on Tuesday, August 24, and among those in attendance in addition to the three selectmen were, from left to right, Reggie Smith Jr. (Board of Finance), Dan LaPlante (Planning and Zoning Commission), Larry Terra, Alesia Kennerson (Board of Finance), and former First Selectman Earl MacInnes.

The selectmen quickly went through the first five items on their agenda (see the copy of the agenda at the end of this report) before tackling item #6, the issue of outdoor woodburning furnaces.

Item #6: Outdoor Woodburning Furnaces ~ Discussion

All three selectmen ~ First Selectman Dan Jerram, and Selectmen Tom Klebart and Bruce Gresczyk ~ fully participated in the discussion on OWFs and in the voting on the motion at the end of the discussion; see our Footnote on the participation of all three selectmen in the discussion at the end of this report. Larry Terra, who was recently admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association, had submitted to the selectmen information on OWFs, including a fact sheets published by the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) on the deleterious health effects of the smoke from OWFs.

First Selectman Dan Jerram began the discussion by saying that the issue had been tabled by the selectmen to allow Larry Terra time to submit information to them.  Dan said that in the past the issue had been sent by the selectmen to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), which had sent it back to the selectmen again. See our March 25, 2010 report … Outdoor Woodburning Stoves Issue Again Before P&Z. Dan said that P&Z had chosen not to regulate those devices (OWFs) even though they have regulated other energy-producing devices such as solar. Referring to the information from DEP which Larry had submitted, Dan said that DEP “opines” that they may not be the best in terms of health, but the DEP does not regulate them. He said he had gotten feedback about regulating OWFs per an ordinance and he’d had a conversation with Christine (Hayward, his Administrative Assistant) and there were lots of questions on how that would proceed. Christine, who was at the meeting taking the minutes, said that there had been concerns expressed by the police concerning the enforcing of an ordinance in terms of being a nuisance to a neighbor. “How do you define it and how do you enforce it? There are issues already with open burning.” Christine said. P&Z also had concerns about enforcing with their (limited) personnel and as for the police, with their limited manpower, enforcing ordinances was not a priority, she continued.

Tom Klebart said that he had gone through the materials and that there’s reason to believe that they’re not a really efficient means of heating. He said there were 10-11 towns that have regulated OWFs and he agreed that it shouldn’t be via an ordinance but rather it should be P&Z that set it up. “I agree with the police,” Tom said, “I’d rather see them doing police work.” He added that it was mostly done by regulation, that P&Z was best suited to do it. He emphasized that there was enough history and research to study the matter, and not to set it aside.

Dan responded that there were lots of different ways it could have been considered by P&Z, by special exception for example. He added: “My neighbor has one (an OWF), and you wouldn’t know it.” Bruce noted that the town had a 200′ setback, which was more than the state was doing.

Dan asked if the recommendation was to go back to P&Z to have them consider putting it (regulation of the OWFs) in their regulations. Tom said that there’s enough reason to recommend that they set it up as a regulation, but also for them to do a study on it and go beyond.

Bruce said that at the state level “it didn’t get out of committee.” He emphasized that there was a difference between an oversized unit and an undersized one. “It depends on your location,” Tom responded. “On whether the smoke is coming in low to the ground and gets into the house.”

“You get that with regular woodburning stoves.” Bruce responded. “The smoke is more hazardous.” Tom answered him. “That’s in cold rather than hot mode.” Bruce contended, “That’s partial combustion.” Tom responded that wood stoves burn hot.  He recommended sending it to P&Z for them to study and see if they want to put in some form of regulation.

With the discussion ended, the selectmen voted on the following motion, which they passed unanimously:

“To recommend that the Planning & Zoning Commission revisit the inclusion of a regulation limiting the use of Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces (OWF’s) within New Hartford’s Zoning Regulations.”

Our reporter obtained the wording of his motion directly from Christine Hayward, since the wording was changed slightly several times before being voted on.

Once the motion was passed, Dan suggested they cosign a letter to the P&Z Chairman to show they support some inclusion. Tom agreed, saying there was enough reason to support something in the regulations.

Later in the meeting, under Item #10, Opportunity for Public Comment, Larry Terra briefly summarized some of the information he had provided to the selectmen. He said that since their last meeting two more towns had banned OWFs, Cheshire and West Hartford. He emphasized that regulating OWFs would have no impact on indoor woodburning stoves, nor would it impact open pit burning.  And as far as the DEP report that had been compiled from studies it had a big “Yes!“ that the smoke was harmful to people. He added that he was not aware of any equipment capable of meeting regulations and that the Public Health Act gave the selectmen the authority to do all that they need to protect residents. He ended by saying that, according to the DEP leaflet Thinking of purchasing an outdoor wood-burning furnace?, one OWF emits as much particulate matter (i.e. toxic air pollutants) as 3,000 homes, and New Hartford has 12 of them.

Dan thanked him and said he had found support for them to give a letter to the P&Z recommending they revisit it and add some level of regulation.

Smoke from the Gresczyk Farms' outdoor woodburning furnace envelops the farm buildings and drifts towards residences on Dings Road in March 2010. Photo from NewHartfordPlus archives.

Item #7: Distribution of Brodie – Surdam Task Force Report

[This item is being published live]

_______________

Footnote: Selectman Bruce Gresczyk participated fully in the discussion regarding whether or not to regulate OWFs. Bruce and his family own Gresczyk Farms on Route 202 and they operate an OWF on their farm. At past meetings Bruce has voiced opposition to any regulation of OWFs; see our report of the May 25 Board of Selectmen meeting. Bruce had been asked at a previous Board of Selectmen meeting whether he would recuse himself from any upcoming discussion on OWF and he said he was considering doing so. After the August 24 meeting, being reported on above our reporter was asked by a number of residents to check in with the First Selectman to see whether a legal opinion had been sought on Bruce’s participation in the discussion at the meeting. First Selectman Dan Jerram said that he had consulted with the town attorney, Chip Roraback and he had been told that there was no conflict. Dan pointed to the outcome of the discussion ~ to send the issue back to the Planning and Zoning Commission asking them to include OWFs in their zoning regulations ~ and said that he was perfectly comfortable with the process.

________________

Board of Selectmen

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

7:00 PM

Town Hall

AGENDA

1.)Minutes

2.)Operations Updates

3.)Grants Updates

4.)Adoption of Non-Discrimination Resolution

5.)Adoption of Loan Resolution – USDA

6.)Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces – Discussion

7.)Distribution of Brodie – Surdam Task Force Report

8.)Request for Tax Refunds

9.)Correspondence

10.)Opportunity for Public Comment

11.)Any Other Business to Come Before this Board

By: Maria Moore

This past Monday, May 10, about 100 residents gathered at Town Hall for a public forum to collect residents’ ideas of future uses for  the town-owned property, Brodie Park South located across the way from Brodie Park on West Hill Road.  This public forum was hosted by representatives from several groups with special interests in the future of the park; see our May 6 article The Future of Brodie Park South: Invitation To Give Your Input setting the stage for this forum.  The forum was moderated by Dan Eddy, member of the Rec Commission which is spearheading a feasibility study of Brodie Park South in order to develop a long-term plan for the use of the park.

Dan Eddy points out features of Brodie Park South

Dan started the meeting by saying that he had recently discovered that the whole of Brodie Park South is in the Nepaug Watershed District and that he will be looking into whether that has any effect on possible uses of the parcel.  Dan said that some of the uses that have been proposed for the park include reestablishing the golf course, establishing play space for youth sports and locating a Senior Center there.  He added that the study will probably take a year and there is no money available to immediately follow up on it.

Residents’ input at the meeting included the following:

• A resident suggested submitting the plan developed by the group to a town meeting for approval.  Dan responded that the group would take that into consideration.
• A resident asked why the current Senior Center was no longer going to be used.  Andy Riess, representative of the Seniors in the study group, said that the present center was too small and that it had no cooking facilities.
• A resident asked whether the study would be a collaborative effort of all the members of the group.  Dan Eddy said it would be.
• A reporter from a neighboring town asked why there was a push to develop this property when the town was so protective of its open space.  Dan answered that the property has the potential for many uses.
• A resident who is a member of the football group said that the group really needs a multi-purpose field.
• A resident asked about a design for a sports field that had been presented at a Planning and Zoning meeting.   Dan responded that Youth Sports had gotten their own plan together for use of the meadow area.
• A resident suggested using 5-6 acres for a multipurpose athletic field.
• A resident commented that the town is looking for a master plan, and then P&Z could move forward on 5-6 plans at the same time.  Dan said that was the philosophy: to come up with a package.
• Another resident commented that the different ideas would be mutually exclusive, to which Dan said that they would hopefully integrate all the ideas, and that the goal is not to have a piecemeal approach.
• A resident asked whether the group was going to look at integrating Brodie North into the plan, that it seemed the smart thing to do.
• The comment was made that there already was a plan in place for Brodie Park North.
• A resident then suggested that the study group should take a look at the plan that dated from when the property was first bought.  She added that she understood the needs of today need to be met.
• A resident who had just joined the meeting said that he didn’t think the term “football stadium” was broad enough;  he suggested they should refer to it as a “multipurpose field.”

Dan added context to the Youth Sports’ need for more room; he said that two-thirds of the student population plays sports and the fields at Brown’s Corner that were laid out for soccer have now been lined for football and baseball as well, something that can be very confusing to 2nd and 3rd grade players.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the Economic Development Commission (EDC) members joined the Public Input Forum.  The EDC meeting was scheduled for the same evening and at the same time as the forum and as soon as the EDC meeting ended, about a half-dozen EDC members joined the forum.

Residents’ input continued as follows:

• A resident suggested exploiting the natural resources of the property, i.e. natural gas, something that he said he was not really in favor of but that might be worth considering.


The Moores' border collie,Murray during the family's hike in Brodie Park South this past weekend. Photo: Maria Moore

• A resident wanted some ability to walk dogs on the property.    He said that he had been told that the “football people” want all dogs banned, which was immediately denied by a “football person” who said that “football loves dogs.”
• Another resident said that an important aspect missing was the current use of the land, and that the property was a popular place for people to walk their dogs.  A discussion followed on whether dogs were allowed on the property; some said there were signs prohibiting dogs on the property, and others said there were no signs.  One resident said that when the original plan had been done, it had said no dogs.  ”It did say ‘No dogs’ “she emphasized.  Dan said that he was sure they could make accommodation for those types of uses.
• A resident emphasized that, in his view, the very important point was that the group was disregarding the current uses of the property.  The answer came that that was why people were asked to that evening’s meeting.
• A resident said that whatever the use the park might be put to ~ tennis, bocci, etc. ~ that they use organic means of fertilizing the fields to protect the lake nearby.


Part of the hiking trail at Brodie Park South

• A resident asked that what’s already at Brodie Park South be respected, and specifically he asked whether the 2 1/2 to 3 miles of hiking trails would be affected and whether there would be a buffer zone.  Dan answered that they don’t practice near the hiking trails and that everyone’s input is important to help generate a comprehensive plan and at that point the study group would have a similar type meeting to fine tune the plan.
• A resident commented he was in favor of multipurpose fields, that they want to bring the community together and that is an excellent way of doing that.  He and another resident both said that the town had done an excellent job in doing that.
• The First Selectman, Dan Jerram said that he loves the hiking there and he mentioned a bike trail.  He said there’ll be more meetings and that with 150 acres he thinks there’s enough land there for a piece for everybody.
• A resident agreed with the First Selectman and added that maybe this is an opportunity for the property to be named protected space.
• There was a suggestion of a nature trail that would go all around the property.
• A comment was made (by Dan Eddy?) that once they know what’s actually up at the property, when they know what’s in the report (that the Rec, Open Space and Conservation Commissions are paying to have done) they can consider the suggestions.
• A resident commented that the property was a very valuable asset and that rather than try to match the asset to the need, maybe they should look at trading the site for for something more suitable.
• Mary Kent, the Chairwoman of the Commission on Aging said that the seniors of the future will want to be a part of the plan, they will be hiking and biking, etc.
• A resident commented that if they look at the original plan for Brodie Park, it was to make the park the recreation center of the town.  The resident said they should engage as many people as possible and that they should develop new language that would be a little more open to meet the needs of the future.  The resident gave lacrosse as an example of a sport that would soon be coming.
• Bill Michaud, Chairman of the Open Space Commission and a member of the study group said that he doesn’t see a conflict between open space and the use of the property by townspeople.  He said they should review the language of protection of open space, look at the input and see what fits and what doesn’t fit.
• A resident said that the town should look at buying the the Hurley building (on Greenwoods Road), that it is an historical building and with the flat field next to it, it could be used as a combination youth and senior center.  Dan answered that they had already talked to the owner and that he doesn’t want to sell it.
• A resident said that not everyone has the same visual of the property and she suggested organizing a town outing or a town picnic so that the proponents of the different ideas could show where they would put their projects.
• A resident said that a 30-50 year plan for the property should include a school.
• A resident commented that having a master plan is pretty important at least from what we want to see as a whole.  His concern is that as different things pop up they want a piece of the property and that at some point, we don’t want everything.  A master plan would show a long and short-term plan.
• the same resident as above voiced his concern that the development of the property is in conflict with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCAD) which says that development should be focused on using existing infrastructure.  He said we should be looking at the Antolini School property which has enough space for the fields.  He said that when the Plan of Conservation was being written they had heard over and over “We want to preserve the rural character of the town.”  He said that if we develop one part we will be changing the character of that area.  The town supports open space, he said and this is currently unprotected open space.  He emphasized that we should look at a different location for this (development) because it doesn’t fit with open space.
• The same resident as above said that it comes back to what to do with the space: the space is not unused but is currently being used.  ”It’s a jewel” he said and he suggested we continue using it as now.  Another resident responded to the above by saying that he was discounting other jewels that the town has.
• A resident said we need to look at the components of the environment with a baseline study.  Dan Eddy said that the study being done includes the current wetlands.
• A resident asked a question about Mr. Helt’s house (Mr. Helt had been the caretaker of the property while it was owned by the Brodie family before the town acquired it).  He was told that Mr. Helt had lived in the house now known as Brodie House and he had moved across from the park when he had bought his own house.
• A resident said that she had heard older residents of the town say that when the town had acquired the property, Mr. Brodie had wanted a clause that none of the property could be sold off.  The answer came that there was no restriction in the deed.  Another resident said that Mr. Brodie had been surprised that it was not in there.
• Another resident said that the solution was to use existing infrastructure, that it may be less costly than developing new infrastructure.

After all residents had given their input, Dan Eddy said that he welcomed additional input from residents which they could email to him at: danieljeddy@gmail.com.

The next step: The group is having a baseline study of the Brodie Park South property done by the Northwest Conservation District. The study, which is being paid for by the Rec commission, the Open Space Commission and the Conservation Commission, will provide general wetlands information, as well as information about the flora and fauna and the topography of the land ~ a snapshot of what the land currently holds. The study is due to be completed by May 17. We will provide updates as more information becomes available on the development of a future plan for Brodie Park South.

The meadows at Brodie Park South, an area which is currently being used by Youth Sports as practice fields. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

The New Hartford Republican Town Committee held a Candidate Night this past Thursday evening and the Senior Center was filled to capacity with Republicans and invited guests eager to hear what the candidates had to say.  Candidates at the meeting are in the running for state and national seats.  Following in the order of their appearance, are the candidates who presented at the meeting:

Rob Simmons, Candidate for US Senate:

Rob simmons

Rob Simmons, a former Congressman and the first Business Advocate to be appointed in Connecticut, talked negatively about the government’s new healthcare legislation.  He also asked rhetorically: “How much has the stimulus done for you?” And answered “Zero!” to his own question.  He emphasized that his immigrant grandfather hadn’t come to the United States for a handout, but rather for the opportunity to do well in his new country.  He also criticized his Democratic rival, Attorney Richard Blumental as being unfriendly to small business.  As a candidate, he said, he brings the ability to win at a grassroots level.

Mr. Simmons answered the following questions from the audience:

• The closing of Gitmo (Guantanamo Bay detention camp):  ”I don’t support the closing of Gitmo and bringing the criminals to the US.”
• Repealing the LLC tax: “The $250,tax where they hit you with a tax before you make a nickel” Mr. Simmons  called “Disgraceful.”

Linda McMahon, Candidate for US Senate

Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon, who, together with her husband, ran the successful company World Wrestling Entertainment for 29 years, spoke about taking control of the national debt “the way you run your household.”  She said we need to stop spending instead of raising taxes to cover our spending.  In our government, she said: “let’s at least break even.” She also said the way to make the country business friendly is for the government to create the climate, and then people will create the jobs.

Ms. McMahon’s answers to questions asked by the audience:

• Asked if she has contributed to (Attorney Richard) Blumenthal’s campaign, she said she hasn’t, that in the past she has contributed to the Democrats because of personal and business relationships, but not to Blumenthal.
• Asked about her stance on Iran’s getting nuclear weapons, Ms. McMahon characterized the Iranian President, Ahmadinejad as ” a crazy man” and Iran as “a rogue nation.”  She said the US could shut down Iran with its own sanctions, without Russia and China.
• Asked about her stance on financial reform, Ms. McMahon said that we have enough agencies already, that there are financial measures already in place and that they just need to be used.  ”The SEC should step up to the plate!” She added.  Reggie Smith, a member of the town’s Board of Finance, asked her what she would do about the national debt and Ms. McMahon said that she would use all the money that’s been paid back to reduce the national debt.

Mark Boughton, Candidate for Governor

Mark Boughton

Mark Boughton, the Mayor of Danbury, spoke of his having been elected in a Democratic stronghold.   In his tenure as mayor, he said, Danbury has achieved the lowest property taxes in the state, the lowest water rates and the lowest crime rate.  He outlined his 3Rs of government: Revitalize the state’s economic development strategy, Redesign the state government, and Rethink the vision of what state government should be.

Mr. Boughton’s responses to questions from the audience:

• Asked how he would deal with the anti-business climate in the state, he said: “When I get a bill that’s anti-business, I will bring it right back to the local organizations.”
• Asked if he could be counted on to veto any anti-gun bills, he said: “I don’t own a gun ~ it’s a personal choice.  But I wouldn’t support any new (anti-gun) legislation.”  He went on to say: “To fix violence, you have to give them hope.   You need a very strong economy.”

Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Candidate for Governor

Michael Fedele

The Lt. Governor said his family emigrated to the US looking for opportunity, something which he said he doesn’t believe is available to our childen.  He said: “We have to get people back to work.” And he said the governor has to be the one who creates jobs both here and abroad.  ”The next governor can’t be someone who needs on the job training, it has to be someone who knows the job.”  He then went on to highlight his own experience in business.

Questions answered by the candidate:

• Lt. Governor Fedele was asked whether he had a work for welfare program, he said that not too many people will be going back to the jobs they previously held and that there was a need for training programs at the community colleges.
• Alesia Kennerson, a Board of Finance member, said she agreed with a redirection in government but she wanted to know how that could be done smartly so as not to create another problem.  The Lt. Governor’s response was that they needed to look to technology, and do it through attrition and smart growth.
• First Selectman Dan Jerram asked how a small town can compete when the state has lots of incentives available only to large towns.  Lt. Governor Fedele said that it would have to be through transparency and by having small towns and large towns sitting at the same table.

Mark Zydanowicz, Candidate for the 1st Congressional District

Mark Zydanowicz

Mark Zydanowicz said that he has three special interest groups , his three children! He is the Marketing Director of Guida’s Dairy Products. He said that as part of his work he is talking to businesses every day. He said there’s a need for a fresh approach and that he believes in term limits. He said there’s a need for sustainable jobs, and for tax incentives. He also said that he would support the repeal of health care, that we: “Can’t fund it, and can’t support it.”

Mr. Zydanowicz gave the following answers to questions he was asked:

• He was asked what he felt about Arizona and the border issue in general and he answered: “When a rancher gets killed, we need to do something.”  He said we need to do a layered defense, that it needs to be part of national defense and needs to be taken seriously.
• Asked  if he was for renewable energy, Mr. Zydanowicz said he saw it as a way to lower the tax base, to have green companies in green areas of Connecticut.

Ann Brickley, Candidate for the 1st Congressional District

Ann Brickley

Ann Brickley, a former GE executive who works with businesses to improve performance, said she couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch problems go unsolved. On unemployment, she said that excess government spending was not doing anything to promote jobs. On healthcare, she said the health care bill will only make the situation worse ~ it is throwing money at the system and not the problem. On energy and the environment, Ms. Brickley who is a Master Gardener, said it’s more sensible to pursue natural gas and responsible drilling.

Questions she answered included:

• Whether she had given thought to social security going broke in 2010 to which she answered that we need to start asking the tough questions and that she needs to study it some more.
• On the financial regulation Ms. Brickley said he strongly disagrees with it, that it puts the government in the position to decide who’s too big to fail.
• On health care reform, she said she is for repealing it.
• Asked her thoughts on keeping jobs in Connecticut, Ms. Brickley said she believes in free enterprise and that we need to support it.  She said to keep jobs here we need to be more productive and she supports educational training and developing the infrastructure.
• Asked about her thoughts on companies relying more on contractual workers who are seen as consumable and discrimination against older workers, Ms. Brickley said we need to invest in job training, in more innovation.
• Asked about her thoughts on No Child Left Behind, she said she was disappointed that we don’t get a better education in the US, that we need to support teachers more and get technology into the classrooms and increase the school day.

Jerry Farrell, Jr., Candidate for Secretary of State

Jerry Farrell, Jr.

Jerry Farrell, Jr. who is currently the state Commissioner of Consumer Protection, said it’s very important to elect Republicans and that the Secretary of State is the keeper of all records. He said in his current position he has looked at how to make his department more efficient and less costly. As Secretary of State he would go from agency to agency to work with them to make their processes more efficient. Renewing licenses online is one example of such an efficiency.

Questions he answered included:

• Jim Fitzgerald, RTC Chairman, asked about the paper ballots and Mr. Farrell said we’re now invested in the system and we need to make sense of the paperwork, to make it simpler to process.
• Asked how long he has practiced law, Mr. Farrell said 11 years as a practicing attorney and that he won’t need an attorney to approve his qualifications.
• Asked about his feelings towarad ROVAC, he said he’d like to see questions answered more quickly, to try to give timely, consistent answers.

As Jim Fitzgerald was giving the closing statement to the meeting, he was informed that another candidate, Martha Dean had been able to make it to the meeting and she was given the opportunity to address the meeting.

Martha Dean, Candidate for Attorney General

Martha Dean

Martha Dean, a business owner who has actively practiced law for 22 years, said that the state is becoming so anti-business, our children are going to other states. She said it was meaningless to talk about jobs, that: “Jobs are like leaves on trees, they’re going to naturally occur if you have good soil.” She sees the need to be not only an economic one, but one of leadership ~ the need for a principled approach to life. She went through her platform which is built on three pillars, Freedom, Faith and Fortune: Freedom from undue oppression and government mandates; Faith ~ that Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of this country and that the separation of church and state was never meant to take religion out of public ceremonies, public places, or public things; Fortune ~ that taking money from those who have it and spreading it around only makes those who have it leave. Ms. Dean supports ending the improper involvement of government in businesses and Connecticut interfering with entrepreneurship, but rather to support their great ideas.

The meeting was brought to an end, and the candidates appeared well-pleased with the event. One candidate expressed it this way: “I’ve been to many such gatherings ~ this is an excellent one!”

Many Thanks: to the Republican Town Committee for bringing together such a professional Candidate Night, especially Jim Fitzgerald, Alesia Kennerson and Steve Tuxbury.

The Republican Town Committee drew a large attendance for its Candidate Night at its RTC Meeting on Thursday, April 29. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

Property Tax Sales Off The Table

A tax sale of properties with delinquent taxes which had previously been scheduled for June will not be taking place, town Tax Collector Linda Sheffield confirmed to our reporter today, Monday, April 26; see our March 9 report Tax Sale Warrants Issued…

Linda said that all property owners had now responded and had made arrangements to pay off the back taxes they owed. “As long as they all keep to their arrangements, we’ll be fine.” Linda said. Good news for all concerned!

Community Connections Grant Application Deadline Fast Approaching

We received the following press release from Community Connections, publishers of the New Hartford Telephone Directory:

Calling on all New Hartford non-profit organizations, New Hartford Community Connections is ready to give out the  5th round of grant dollars, proceeds from the advertising of the 2010 New Hartford Telephone Directory. Get your applications in today! Deadline is MAY 1st. Go to www.nhcommunityconnections.org to download the application.

In the first 4 years Community Connections has given back to our community over $40,000. The organization is are now waiting for your completed application today!!! If you have any questions feel free to call Phyllis Webb at 860-489-5156.

Update On Earth Weekend Spring Clean Up

We have been asked whether the Earth Weekend Spring Clean Up has been postponed as reported in today’s Register Citizen. In response to our query, Madeline McClave, emailed us the following:

“We’re not sure yet if we may be rescheduling the entire event or just set up a time to do the Cub Scouts tree planting, etc. separately.”  Madeline went on to say that the Land Trust has a very busy schedule in May.

NewHartfordPlus was informed on Sunday that the the clean up has been cancelled.  We will, of course, publish any changes in this status as they may become available.

In the meantime, we’d like to suggest one way we can all help clean up our environment:

“Pack It In, Pack It Out Plus!”

If we all make an effort to pack out that little bit more litter than we packed in, not only are we not littering, but we’re actually helping to leave a more picked-up area behind us, one small piece of litter at the time…

Along the banks of the Farmington River on Saturday, April 24. Photo: Maria Moore

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

Thursday, April 22, 2010:

• Today is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day! Check out the Official 2010 Earth Day Campaign section of the Earth Day 2010 Action Center website to see how you take action on Earth Day.
• 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; Bingo at 1:00 p.m.; Yoga at 4:00 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.
• Reading Group: at 6:45 p.m. at Little Women’s Kitchen across the street from the Town Hall on Main Street, New Hartford. For more information, please see our April 20 article … Annie’s, Little Women’s Sponsor Reading Group…
• Thursday Night Gather With Friends: Clean Energy for Earth Day: with Judi Friedman at 7:00 p.m. at Passiflora’s Cafe, 526 Main Street, New Hartford. Judi Friedman, Chair of PACE (PEOPLE’S ACTION FOR CLEAN ENERGY) will discuss the latest net zero energy homes and residential ideas for saving energy. Included in the discussion will be a Radalert (radiation measuring device), a Trifield meter (for electro-magnetic measurement), a marvelous Thermal Leak Detector, a model solar house and handouts on a variety of environmental energy topics. Green is the new red, white and blue! Event is FREE; A chef’s choice organic dinner will be served from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit Passiflora’s website.
• Waging Peace In A Time Of War with Colman McCarthy: at 7:00 p.m. in the Founders Hall Auditorium, Northwestern Community College, Winsted. Lecture sponsored by the Rose B. Nader Circle; Reception will follow lecture. Veteran journalist, lecturer, and peace advocate, Colman McCarthy has taught peace studies for over 25 years at Georgetown Law School, American University, Washington, D.C. high schools, and elsewhere. In 1985, he founded the Center for Teaching Peace and has authored numerous books on peace studies including I’d Rather Teach Peace. McCarthy’s Washington Post column ran from 1969 to 1997 and he is currently a columnist for the National Catholic Reporter. Call ahead for guaranteed seating: 860-738-3138.
• 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 you added your green act to the Billion Acts of Green Campaign ?: Check out our article …Billion Acts of Green ~ One Act At The Time… to learn how you can add your green act to the Billion Acts of Green Campaign being sponsored by the Earth Day network. Let us know what your green act is and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a New Hartford Farmers’ Market gift basket! See our upcoming article.

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…

“”I’ll park in the municipal parking lot in the center of town and walk to my various destinations.”

Our editor, Maria Moore, pledged her her green act ~ the 31,460,101st ~ in the Billion Acts of Green campaign on the Earth Day website. Take 1 minute of your time today to register your act, let us know what your act is at newhartfordplus@gmail.com and you could win the New Hartford Farmers’ Market gift basket!

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 stand of trees on Highland Avenue shows the natural beauty we're surrounded by everywhere in New Hartford. Photo: Maria Moore

The following press release with details of the New Hartford 2010 Earth Weekend Spring Cleanup was forwarded to us by the New Hartford Land Trust, one of the event’s organizers.

New Hartford residents can actively observe Earth Day’s 40th birthday and the arrival of spring by cleaning up parks and playscapes, performing trail maintenance on an open space preserve and eliminating invasive plants along the Farmington River and at other sites on Sunday, April 25. Those interested in volunteering can pre-register to be eligible for raffle prizes and should gather at 12:30 p.m. behind Town Hall (530 Main Street) for sign in, inspiration and instructions, and light lunch fare. Leaders and teams of volunteers will then go out to seven sites around New Hartford to pick up trash, weed, prune and remove debris.

The New Hartford Land Trust, the Town Conservation Commission, Cub Scouts Pack 19 and the Friends of Brodie Park are organizing the annual New Hartford Earth Weekend Spring Cleanup. Hoffmann Hardware is contributing trash bags to support the event. The Foothills Delery and Subway are donating food. Volunteers who pre-register will be eligible to win a variety of raffle prizes including a perennial from local plant purveyor Dan-Dee Acres, gift certificates from Passiflora and Radwick’s Coffee & Sandwich, a gift basket from Renaissance Farm, tours of a local CT Zero Energy Challenge home and other earth-friendly items.

Steve Worthington, a volunteer parent with New Hartford Cub Scout Pack 19, said that the Scouts ”will continue the tradition of supporting New Hartford Earth Weekend Cleanup by helping clean the downtown park areas and planting a tree in honor of the 100th anniversary of scouting.”

Organizers ask that those interested in participating in the Earth Weekend Spring Cleanup sign up for the event as soon as possible by visiting www.newhartfordlandtrust.org or by calling 860-489-4118. This will help with planning. Others are also welcome to just show up. Volunteers should bring a water bottle, gloves, hat, sunscreen, bug spray and pruning shears or a rake if possible. Children under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Please check the New Hartford Land Trust web site or call for additional information.

A spokesperson for the New Hartford Land Trust said “For many years, the annual cleanup was held on a Saturday morning but we all decided to move it to Sunday afternoon so that it won’t compete with the opening day of youth baseball. We hope more families will be able to participate at the new time. Last year, about 85 residents of all ages came out to spruce up the town and we are hoping for an even bigger crowd to honor Earth Day turning the big 4-0 and to acknowledge the importance of environmental awareness and action. We need lots of help to accomplish our list of tasks for the day.”

The New Hartford Land Trust: is an all-volunteer, private, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the permanent preservation of farmland, forest, and other open space and natural resources in New Hartford.

Friends of Brodie Park, LLC: is a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining and preserving Brodie Park.

NewHartfordPlus is a contributing business of  the New Hartford 2010 Earth Weekend Spring Cleanup.

Members of Cub Scout Troop 19 and others cleaning up along the Farmington River last year. Photo: Maria Moore from NHPlus archives

Paul Mahoney of the Conservation Commission talks to the high school student volunteers who helped maintain the trail at Jones Mountain as part of last year's Earth Weekend Cleanup.

Billion Acts of Green ~ One Act At The Time

How many acts of green does it take to make a difference? One of course, and that one is yours! And what if you could add your green act to those of millions of others around the world? Or maybe a BILLION others?

That’s just what the Earth Day Network wants you to do. To help celebrate the 40th Earth Day Celebration, the Network has set up a Billion Acts Of Green Campaign where they’re collecting green acts from participants around the world. Add your green act today and watch that number grow. When our reporter started writing this report, the number stood at 31,460,51 and now it’s grown to 31,460,101, with that last “1″ being hers!

To have your green act count towards the Billion, please go to the Earth Day 2010 website and add your act.

Share Your Green Act With Us And Win A Gift Basket From The New Hartford Farmers Market

Let us know you added your green act to the Billion Acts Of Green campaign, and we’ll enter you in a free drawing for a gift basket filled with goodies from our friends at the New Hartford Farmers’ Market. We’ll announce the winner of our gift basket at 12:00 noon on Sunday, April 25 on NewHartfordPlus and the basket will be available for pick-up at the Earth Weekend Cleanup in New Hartford Center.  How sweet it is to act green…

To enter the drawing for the NewHartfordPlus gift basket: filled with goodies from the New Hartford Farmers’ Market, please email us at newhartfordplus@gmail.com and include your name and the details of the green act you added to the Billion Acts of Green campaign.

By: Maria Moore

With Opening Day of the new fishing season just a few hours away, we thought we’d do our part to spread more good news:

Fishing and Hunting Fees Reduced

Just in time for the opening of fishing season, the state Department of Environmental Protection has announced the reduction of fees for fishing, hunting and state parks. This reduction is part of the state’s Deficit Mitigation Plan, House Bill 5545 signed into law on Wednesday, April 14. The reduced fees were posted on the DEP website yesterday, April 15.

Below is a copy of the fees affected by the reduction; fees not affected by the reduction are not included. There is no provision for a refund for licenses already issued. For once, it’s the late bird that gets the worm!

To view only the Fisheries Licenses and Permits: Please visit the Fisheries Licenses and Permits section of the DEP’s website.

For information on buying licenses online: Please visit the Online Sportsmen Licensing section of the DEP’s website.

Breakfast Stops Along The Way

Fisherman’s Breakfasts are as much part of the Opening Day tradition as getting up at the crack of dawn. Following is a list of breakfast stops along the way ~whether you’re a fisherman, fisherwoman, or just someone who loves to watch the activity along the river.

Along Route 202 in New Hartford:

Fisherman’s Breakfast: South End Firehouse

The firefighters of the South End Firehouse will be serving breakfast at their firehouse on Antolini Road, at the junction of Routes 202 and 44 from 4:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

The firefighters will be serving a full breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, home fries, and coffee.

There will also be a raffle for fishing gear; buy as many tickets as you like and help support this great group of our town volunteers.

Price: $5 Adults; $3 Children 12 and under; $4 Seniors.

Radwick’s Coffee and Sandwich: In the small plaza, Bakerville Center

Jeff will be opening at his normal time, 7:00 a.m.  on Saturday morning.  He will be serving his regular breakfast menu.

On the Farmington River Side of Town:

Neither of the two firehouses next to the river will be holding fisherman’s breakfasts; the New Hartford Fire House breakfast has been cancelled.  These are the breakfast options available along Route 44:

Early-Morning Breakfast: Michel Angelo’s Restaurant in Pine Meadow

Michel Angelo’s Restaurant will open at 5:00 a.m. and will be serving their regular breakfast menu.

Eateries Opening Normal Hours for Breakfast, Lunch:

The following eateries will be opening at their normal hours and will be serving their regular menus:

• Portobello’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, in Pine Meadow: Opening at 11:00 a.m.
• Master Wok Chinese Restaurant, 860-693-8870,  in the Marandino’s Plaza: Opening at 11:00 a.m.
• Athena’s Restaurant, 860- 693-0767, in the Marandino’s Plaza: Opening at 11:00 a.m.
• Foothills Delery (Deli and Bakery), next to Upcountry Fishing: Opening at 8:00 a.m.;
• Collinsville Baking Company (Bakery and Deli), in the Jeannine Building on Wickett Street: Opening at 7:30 a.m.;
• Blue Sky Foods Restaurant (Fresh Fish specialties): Opening at 11:00 a.m.;
• Tonio’s New Hartford Pizzeria, 860-379-1512, New Hartford Center: Opening at 11:00 a.m.;
• Chatterly’s Restaurant, New Hartford Center: Opening at 11:00 a.m.;
• Passiflora Cafe, New Hartford Center: Opening at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast and lunch;
• Little Women Bake Shop, Opposite Town Hall, 860-738-9523: Opening at 11:00 a.m.

With a weather forecast of 49 degrees with showers, we wouldn’t be surprised find just as many people enjoying a warm breakfast or lunch inside one of these nice eateries as there will be fishermen and women along the river.

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

Thursday, April 8, 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; Bingo at 12:45 p.m.; Yoga at 4:00 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.
• WPCA Special 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.
• Spring Cleanse: at 7:00 p.m. with Laura Roy. Each year, the average American consumes more than 4 pounds of chemical preservatives and food additives. How can we overcome the effects of living in such a toxic environment? Find out how a cleanse can be as easy as sipping a cup of herbal tea, without harsh side effects that rely on laxatives, with benefits that can include: a deeper sleep, more energy, less swelling, brighter complexion, improved digestion and elimination. A chef’s choice organic dinner from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 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…

“Can you believe this weather?!!!”

Was heard several times around town yesterday. With the temperature reaching 92 degrees, it felt more like mid-summer than early spring ~ welcome relief from the winter cold just a month ago.

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…

The Jones Mountain trail this past Easter Sunday had an ethereal, early-Spring look. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Jiff Martin, Working Land Alliance

More than 200 farmers, conservationists, anti-hunger advocates, students, locavores, and others interested in farmland preservation from across Connecticut will gather for a conference on Saturday, March 27 hosted by the Working Lands Alliance (WLA) coalition to consider ways to improve farmland access, grow community farms and link farmland protection with economic development, smart growth and public health goals.

USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan will give the conference keynote address, with an introduction by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.

” ‘Plowing Ahead’ is an opportunity to take stock of our progress in farmland preservation and to harvest ideas for the next 10 years to keep Connecticut farmland producing fresh, healthy food for our citizens. Don’t miss this ‘once-in-a-decade’ event,” said WLA Chairman Terry Jones, of Jones Family Farms in Shelton.

The conference will focus on strategies to accelerate the protection of Connecticut’s remaining farms over the next 10 years while nurturing new opportunities for local farms and food. Plowing Ahead: Farmland & Preservation in 2010 & Beyond will be held on Saturday, March 27 at Kroon Hall on the campus of Yale University in New Haven from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

There will be workshop offerings on policy, programs and innovative approaches to building support for protecting farms in Connecticut communities. Presenters from national conservation organizations such as American Farmland Trust and Trust for Public Land will review farmland preservation policy tools from other states.

Practitioners from local community farms in Wilton and Woodbridge will share their models of education and food production. Leaders from Vermont Land Trust, Peconic Land Trust, and the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Boston will discuss their innovative programs to increase farmland access for new farmers.

The conference is made possible by generous financial support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Connecticut Farmland Trust, Connecticut Farm Link, Connecticut Food Policy Council, Farm Credit East, The Farmer’s Cow, Jones Family Farms, edible Nutmeg, Wholesome Wave, and the members of American Farmland Trust. Additional sponsors include Connecticut Farm Bureau, Connecticut State Grange, Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Common Ground Center for Environmental Education and Leadership, Eastern CT Resources Conservation & Development Area, Inc., Halloran & Sage Governmental Affairs, KofKoff Egg Farm, and Trust for Public Land.

For more information on the Plowing Ahead conference: Please visit the Working Lands Alliance Conference section on the Working Lands Alliance website.

The above article was first published by the Valley Independent/Sentinel on March 24.  We are publishing it on NewHartfordPlus with permission from Working Lands Alliance.

Many Thanks: To CT Environmental Headlines for bringing this conference to our attention.

The Phillips farm is one of the New Hartford farms that has preserved its farmlands. Photo: Maria Moore

PLEASE NOTE: Several hours after this article was published we received the agenda for the town’s Planning and Zoning Meeting on Wednesday, March 24.  That agenda includes an item “Discuss Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces.” As Bob the Techie commented: “There must have been something in the air…”

By: Maria Moore

The bill that would have prohibited the use of outdoor woodburning furnaces for home-heating between April 15 and October 15 was defeated in the Environment Committee this past Friday, March 19.  The vote was 17-12 against the bill.

Smoke from an outdoor furnace on a farm blows towards Dings Road

The proposed bill, #126 specifically exempted from regulation woodburning furnaces used for agricultural purposes and fire pits, wood-fired barbecues and chimineas.

The Environment Committe had held a public hearing on the bill at the beginning of March and the following organizations testified in person or in writing:

• The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) said that the outdoor woodburning furnaces, when properly used, can be an important source of heat energy. However, it also pointed to health concerns and said it has received 750 complaints since 2005 .  DEP called for more stringent regulations like those that are now in place in neighboring states.
• The Connecticut Association of Directors of Health, which represents local health district directors testified that while its members believe that all woodsmoke is potentially harmful, the definition of woodsmoke was so vague that it potentially placed the local directors of health in an untenable position.
• The state farm bureaus opposed the bill entirely, saying that they supported the use of alternative fuels, including wood.
• Nancy Alderman, President of EHHI (Environment and Human Health Inc.) supported the ban from April through October.  She also supported the exemption for farmers, although she asked that the current 200-foot setback from a property line be extended to 1,000 feet for new furnaces.

Map from www.ehhi.org

Following the defeat of the bill, Nancy Alderman wrote the following in a letter to Chris Zurcher of CT Environmental Headlines:

“… This was a hard one to loose because we have so many sick people - attached is the map of the complaints received by the CT DEP (see map).

The people who voted it down argued that the state already had outdoor wood furnace regulations and that they were adequate - and that all that was needed was better enforcement.  This of course is NOTtrue - and if they had read our testimony and looked at our study they would know it was not true. If they had read the harmed people’s testimonies - or listened to any of them them - they would know that was not true.  EHHI’s study showed that the inside air of people who live in the vicinity of outdoor wood furnaces where the furnaces are within the state regulations - created particulates and wood smoke within neighbors’ houses that were so high as to cause illness among those families.

Not only was the state legislature unwilling to do anything at all about outdoor wood furnaces - they would not even deal with wood smoke as a public health nuisance…”

A similar bill to ban outdoor woodburning furnaces was defeated in 2009; see . At the same time, two New Hartford families approached the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission to have them address the issue at a local level and they were told to bring their concerns to the public hearing for the new Zoning regulations, which will be scheduled in the next month or so; see our March 4 report Poor Air Quality Limits Use of Outdoors…

From the remarks of the organizations that testified before the Environment Committee, we can be sure that future bills will be introduced at the state level to address the health concerns of Connecticut residents; at the local level, the new Zoning Regulations will soon be brought to a public hearing for residents’ input. We will provide information on that public hearing as soon as it has been set.

Smoke from an outdoor furnace outside a home on Dings Road; on the other side of the small thicket of pines is another residence

Wood smoke from a furnace on Cottage Street blows across Route 219 this past January. Photo: Maria Moore

A small change in the direction of the wind and the smoke is shown blowing down Cottage Street this past January. Photo: Maria Moore

To read the text of Bill #126: That was that was under consideration by the Environment Committee, please visit the cga.gov website.

To read the full text of Nancy Alderman’s letter: Please see Bill to Ban Outdoor Woodburning Furnaces Dies… on CT Environmental Headlines.

To read about the public hearing: On the bill to ban outdoor wood burning furnaces held by the state Environment Committee, please read the March 8 reportProposed Wood Furnace Ban Provokes Controversy in the CT News Junkie.

To read about the health effects of wood smoke: Please see the Woodsmoke section of the Environment and Human Health Inc. website.

Many Thanks: To Chris Zurcher of CT Environmental Headlines, for allowing our reporter to once again “mine” the resources of his excellent website.  CT Environmental Headlines is a a community of individuals and organizations who share an interest in and a commitment to the conservation and preservation of Connecticut’s environment.  “Thank you, Chris for the invaluable work that you do!” NewHartfordPlus

Avon Turns Down Wild And Scenic Designation

The Town Council of Avon voted at its March 4 meeting to turn down the “Wild And Scenic” designation from the federal government for its stretch of the Farmington River.  The vote was 3-2 against the designation with 3 Republicans voting against the designation and two Democrats voting for it.   The Town Council members who voted against the designation didn’t see enough value coming to Avon from the designation in return for accepting the additional layer of Federal oversight.  According to a Hartford Courant report, if the Lower Farmington River towns were to receive the designation, they could then individually apply for Federal grants of up to $200,000 per year for the river.

In 1994, with the help of the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA), 14 miles of the Upper Farmington River stretching from Colebrook to Canton, including New Hartford, were added to the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic Rivers system with an act of Congress.

The Farmington River Watershed Association has been working with the 10 towns in the Lower Farmington River to help them achieve the national designation.  Those towns are Avon, Bloomfield, Burlington, Canton, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, Simsbury, and Windsor.

So far, 7 towns have voted for the designation, Avon has voted against it, and Burlington and Windsor still have to vote on the designation.  Once all the towns have voted, the FRWA will submit a report of its findings to Congress for final approval.

To read more on the Avon Town Council vote: Please read the March 21 report in the Hartford Courant Avon Votes Against Wild And Scenic Designation.

To learn more about the Lower Farmington River Wild and Scenic designation: Please  visit the Lower Farmington River & Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study website.

To learn more about the Upper Farmington River Wild and Scenic stretch: Please visit the Farmington Wild & Scenic River website.

To learn more about the Farmington River Watershed Association: Please visit the FRWA website.