By: Maria Moore

After the Saturday morning Budget Workshop held by the Board of Finance, at which they received a clear message that they needed to come back with reduced budgets, both the New Hartford Public Schools Board of Ed and the Northwestern Regional #7 Board of Ed held meetings to review their proposed budgets in light of the Board of Finance’s input.  Below are summaries of their discussions.  Neither one of the two Boards of Ed has submitted a revised copy of their proposed budget to the Town Clerk’s Office.  Hopefully, those revised copies will be available at the Board of Finance’s Special Meeting later this evening, Tuesday, March 22.

New Hartford Public Schools Board of Ed Meeting – March 15:

The Board of Ed members were given a revised proposed budget titled “0% + Special Education” which is the budget they’d been asked by the Board of Finance to come up with.  This they decided, came down to 0% plus $129,000 for Special Ed, resulting in a total increase of 1.71%.  They then had to decide on making cuts of $223,852 to get down to the zero budget.

They eventually decided on the following cuts: two Library Media Assistants; one Grade 5 Teacher; one Curriculum Coordinator; musical instruments; an annuity (for the incoming Principal?); maintenance projects; technology equipment; supplies and textbooks; library.

Two non-tenured teachers would not have their contracts renewed and one of the district’s two curriculum coordinators would return to the classroom.

Having reduced the budget to zero percent increase, Steve Tuxbury moved to accept the budget as amended. The motion didn’t pass; instead Katie Fisk Natale proposed the motion: “To accept the list of recommended cuts identified in the meeting in order to meet the Board of Finance request for a zero budget.” That motion passed.

The Board of Ed members then considered their Capital projects. Steve made the motion to prioritize them as follows: 1. The roof at Bakerville; 2: the replacement of the Piping and the return fuel lines; 3: the windows and doors project at Antolini; and 4: the air handlers at Antolioni. The motion was passed.

It was left to Dr. Philip O’Reilly, Superintendent of Schools, to make the above changes to the New Hartford Schools proposed budget.

Northwestern Regional # 7 Board of Ed Special Meeting, March 16:

The Regional # 7 Board of Ed members discussed the fact that they had received a demand to come back with a zero percent budget, and that the New Hartford Schools had been asked for a zero percent plus Special Ed costs. They decided that since the increases in Special Ed were fixed, they too would reduce their budget to 0% + increases in Special Ed costs. That would result in a 1.55 to 2% overall budget increase. That percentage was later reduced to 1.25% increase in the overall budget.

With that guidance set, Judy Palmer, Superintedent of Schools, said she could go back to her board, and start to make the cuts that were most removed from the students.

The Board of Ed members agreed to leave it to Judy to come up with a revised budget that met their criteria. Judy was to email a copy of the revised budget to the Board of Ed members and they were to hold a special meeting to agree on the revisions before taking that revised budget proposal to any of their towns.

The Board of Ed members agreed to set a Special Meeting for this evening, Tuesday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the revised budget proposal.

We received a copy of an email this morning which is circulating among the town’s taxpayers informing them of the approximately 5.7% property tax increase which would result if the separate components of the budget proposed at this past Saturday’s Budget Workshop were to be adopted as presented.  Even though both Boards of Ed (Northwestern Regional #7 and the local New Hartford Schools) will be meeting to consider their proposed budgets  again before the Board of Finance’s next meeting on March 22, the originators of the email are concerned enough by the possibility of such a large increase that they are asking the town’s taxpayers to contact members of the Board of Finance to express their concern. Following is a copy of that email:

Re: Property Tax Increase

The budget presented to the Board of Finance Saturday calls for a tax increase of 5.69 % or $ 136.50 per $ 100,000 of valuation on your home.

The typical value of a home in New Hartford is $ 300,000 which would result in an increase of $ 409.50 in property taxes, ($300,000 x .024).

Let’s not forget taxes on Autos as well as the Fire District Tax.

Several BOF members do not think you are concerned because no one has contacted them.

Some BOF members want a ZERO increase in taxes this year.

Please send an e-mail requesting no increase in taxes – This is needed before the next Board of Finance Meeting on March 22.

E-mail addresses for all Board of Finance members:

bwitte@doncasters.com (Chairman)
danlcharest@yahoo.com
jjfitzy@att.net
akennerson8926@charter.net
roy.litchfield@snet.net
wjr_klr@hotmail.com
rsmith@bristolhospital.org
sundquist@att.net.

Please inform other residents of the need to contact the Board of Finance members.

Thank You.

Many Thanks to the Friend of NewHartfordPlus for forwarding us a copy of the above email.

Read the Republican American’s article published today New Hartford Proposes 5.7% Tax Increase.

Our own article on the Saturday morning Budget Workshop will be published tomorrow, Tuesday, March 15, before both Boards of Ed meet.

By: Maria Moore

We received a copy of the Board of Selectmen’s agenda for this evening’s meeting after Town Hall closed yesterday, Monday, January 24.  The following article is based on conversations with the First Selectman’s Office after the selectmen’s last meeting on Tuesday, December 14 when a presentation on a tax abatement for emergency personnel was to have been made by Chief Shaw. The tax abatement request was to have been discussed under the Operations Update item of the December meeting. The presentation did not take place since the fire chief was not at the meeting.

Chief John Shaw is scheduled to make a presentation to the town’s Board of Selectmen at this evening’s meeting when he will be asking for the town to approve a tax abatement for firefighters at the South End Volunteer Fire Department where he is chief, for firefighters at the New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department, and for those at the Pine Meadow Fire Department. It is unclear at this time whether the town’s other emergency volunteers at the New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance Association are included in the request.  According to Dan Jerram, the town’s First Selectman, the heads of the emergency services presented the idea of the tax abatements during a meeting he attended with them before the December Board of Selectmen meeting. At that meeting the heads of the emergency services agreed that Chief Shaw would be the one to present the request to the Board of Selectmen. Chief Shaw will present a request for abatement of taxes due to the town based on a volunteer’s length of service.

Our reporter questioned the First Selectman on the request for the tax abatement and he said that the abatement is to recognize the efforts of the emergency services volunteers on behalf of the townspeople. Our reporter asked if the conversation on the tax abatements would also include opening a conversation with the town’s three fire departments on combining their operations to streamline the delivery of services and to realize savings by combining their resources. Dan said that the fire departments already cooperate with each other by providing mutual aid but that they have traditionally been separate operations and it would be difficult to combine them.  Dan added that granting the tax abatements would make good on a promise made by former First Selectman Earl MacInnes to Chief Shaw that the abatements would be granted during the previous First Selectman’s administration.

If the presentation for the tax abatements receives a favorable reception from the Board of Selectmen, the item will be added to the agenda of the upcoming Town Meeting whose date will be set by the selectmen at this evening’s meeting.

The Board of Selectmen will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Sessions Conference Room at the Town Hall. Beginning this month, the Board of Selectmen will hold one regular meeting per month, on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Definition of tax abatement: A reduction of taxes or an exemption from taxes granted by a local government on a piece of real property for a specified length of time.

Basic Information About New Hartford’s Fire Districts

Population in New Hartford: 6,800-6,900 (estimate)

Number of Fire Districts: 3 as follows:

• New Hartford Village Fire District (District 1)
• Pine Meadow Fire District (District 3)
• South End Fire District (District 4 – includes Bakerville and Nepaug).

Fire Tax Rates:

• New Hartford Village:  1.1 mills on the dollar;
• Pine Meadow:  1.5 mills on the dollar;
• South End: 0.6 mills on the dollar.

Other sources of income:

• New Hartford: fundraising; other sources not known;
• Pine Meadow: fundraising; other sources not known;
• South End: $4,000 per month from cell phone tower (to be confirmed); fundraising.

Benefits provided to volunteers:

• New Hartford: none known
• Pine Meadow: none known
• South End: volunteers receive pay per call; small retirement pension.

By: Maria Moore

The Sessions Conference Room was filled with energy at the recent Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting with members both new and old engaging in lively discussion of what their goals should be for the upcoming year. They also reviewed the status of the wastewater treatment plant and that of the architectural design review standards. Following is a report of the EDC’s discussions at their January 10 meeeting.

Architectural Design Review Standards

The first topic of discussion was the status of the architectural design review standards which EDC member Bill Bohan is pursuing with the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission for inclusion in their rewrite of the current zoning regulations. To recap, Bill had originally presented his idea of the town’s adopting a set of architectural design review standards at the public input session held by the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 26 of 2010. Residents as well as representatives of the New Hartford Business Council were at the meeting to give their input on the zoning regulations which the commission is now in the process of reviewing. At that meeting Bill’s ideas received a lukewarm response. He later presented the same idea to the Planning and Zoning Commission at one of their regular meetings and submitted samples of standards for the commission members to consider. P&Z’s legal consultant, Mark Branse supported Bill’s idea of adopting a set of architectural standards; Mark has worked with other communities, including his home town of Glastonbury, to develop just such standards which ensure that a town’s future commercial construction and changes to their existing commercial buildings maintain the town’s architectural character.

The new set of architectural standards in New Hartford would be used by the town’s Architectural Design Review Board to review applications for new commercial buildings and changes to commercial buildings in a specified area, say along Routes 44 and 202. Bill Bohan, who is a member of the Architectural Review Board said that the Board had only done one review. Neither he nor the other EDC members knew any more about the status of the Architectural Review Board but Bill did say that P&Z was nearing the end of their working on rewriting the town’s zoning regulations. NewHartfordPlus reported on the reappointment of the members of the Architectural review Board on December 13, 2010 see our report Architectural Review Board Reappointed…

“Now you don’t have standards. There’s no definition of what you want it to look like.” The EDC members were told. The members discussed getting other groups in town, such as the selectmen and the New Hartford Business Council to support the establishment of a set of architectural standards. The EDC members themselves supported David Childs’ writing a letter from the EDC in support of including architectural standards in the rewrite of the zoning regulations.

They also discussed developing an architectural book which would then be given to developers to use; the goal is “not to turn it (the town) into an East Main in Torrington” the EDC members agreed. They talked about going through the town and and picking out windows, etc. that they would want to include in the book. The idea, one member said, was to get it customized to New Hartford’s look. Bill Bohan said that maybe they could get someone from Connecticut Main Street to come and talk to them about the process. Bill has attended meetings held by Connecticut Main Street, a non-profit organization that helps communities “to identify and develop their unique assets in an integrated and comprehensive way”; for more information see Connecticut Main Street Center’s website.

“It’s a process and you have to start somewhere.” A member of the EDC said, adding: “It may be arbitrary at the beginning (but) it will grow into maturity over time… We have to prepare for the next round of growth.”

Economic Development And the Wastewater Treatment Plant

Next the EDC members focused on the recently completed wastewater treatment plant. The question was asked: “If they were building at Marandino’s (Plaza) would the WPCA be prepared with a plan?” David Childs, EDC Chairman, answered that as far as he knew, there was no plan, which side of the road the sewer would go on, etc. As for who would pay for the line, it was said that it would have to the business itself. Reference was made to the difficult working relationship between the WPCA and the BOC (Building Oversight Committee for the sewer plant) and that they should be working together. Former First Selectman Bill Baxter who is a member of the EDC, said: “It’s up to the selectmen to provide leadership. Until the players sit at a table to resolve (the issue), this is going to be floundering around for a long time… It comes right back to the Selectman’s office.” Bill continued: “Governance is about leadership. You have to deal with (the issue). It’s the elephant in the room!”

One of the members said that the WPCA has a plan but they don’t have any money. Town Clerk Donna LaPlante, also an EDC member at the meeting, said that they (the WPCA members) have always relied on paid officials and volunteers and only occasionally have they had someone with expertise (available). The question was asked whether the WPCA is hiring a professional and the response from one of the members was that they thought they were. The BOC, one of the members said, was working on a septage plan (to allow waste from residents’ septics to be taken to the wastewater treatment plant at a reduced rate). The EDC members returned briefly to the need for new lines and hook-ups and then moved onto other matters.

EDC Goals For 2011-12

David Childs informed his commission members that the EDC will have a budget of $15,000 in the coming year, a $5,000 increase over last year. He gave an update on the Fishing Derby which is going to have a lot more activity this year. He said they are going to have booths in Dave Hurley’s property with casting classes, etc. David said that he and fellow commission member Mark Russo are meeting with a marketing person to develop the event. The Fishing Derby will be the weekend before Memorial Day.

They talked about getting more activities going, and things like advertising in the Hartford Business Journal as ways to market the town. Bill Baxter brought up the 2005 Plan of Conservation & Development which he said provides a plan of where the town should be. “Think of being a catalyst of that kind of change.” Bill told his fellow EDC members. He said they could use the plan to analyze what they’ve done so far and what hasn’t been done. Bill was asked to give a synopsis of the plan to the other EDC members at one of their future meetings and Bill agreed to do so.

The members then discussed the need to develop an image, a personality for New Hartford. They talked about the special features of the town and how to market them; the theme of “A town for all seasons” was suggested. They also touched on the need for marketing materials, especially a hiking/trails map which is being developed by the EDC and a new marketing brochure of the town which the New Hartford Business Council is producing.

The above is our report of some of the discussions at the EDC meeting on Monday, January 10. To read the official minutes of the meeting, please see the Minutes section of the town’s municipal website where the minutes may be posted once they are available or visit the Town Clerk’s Office to access the minutes.

The Planning & Zoning Commission will be meeting on Wednesday, January 26 when they will continue their review of the draft zoning regulations with their attorney, Mark Branse.
____________________

The agenda for the January 10 EDC meeting is the following. Please note that the agenda is the same that had been planned for the EDC’s December meeting that was then cancelled:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010
NEW HARTFORD TOWN HALL – 530 MAIN STREET

1. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS.

2. ATTENDANCE AND DESIGNATION OF ALTERNATES.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2010 REGULAR MEETING.

4. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

5. ARCHITECHTURAL DESIGN REVIEW – P&Z.

6. FISHING DERBY UPDATE.

7. SETTING OF GOALS FOR 2011-2012.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THIS COMMISSION.

MEETING CANCELLED: The meeting for this evening, Wednesday, January 12 has been cancelled due to the winter storm.  The meeting has not yet been rescheduled.

CLARIFICATION: We have been asked to change the wording for the new sports field being proposed at Brodie Park South to “multi-purpose sports field” and not “football field.”  We based our name for the sports field on the fact that the size of the field proposed is for a regulation sized football field, football goal posts and equipment are actually being left at the proposed location for the new sports field and the preliminary studies by Lenard Engineering are labelled “Football Field.”  The proposal by Youth Sports, we learned after this article was published, is for an “Athletic Field”.  The proposed sports field is being referred to variously as a “football field”, a “multi-purpose sports field”, and an “athletic field”. All three names refer to the same proposal to set aside 5 acres of the open field area at Brodie Park South for sports that is being presented to the members of the Brodie Park South Study Group Committee.

By: Maria Moore

Is the charge of the Brodie Park South Study Group Committee to draw up a master plan for the town-owned property or is it to give its blessing to the decision to locate a regulation sized football field on that property?  Almost a year after Andy Riess of the Seniors Advisory Board approached the town’s selectmen for their approval to locate a new Senior Center at Brodie Park South which led to the convening of the Committee, the charge of that Committee is still unclear, even to its own members.  Some members of the Study Group Committee believe their mandate is to draw up a master plan for Brodie Park South, while others consider the drawing up of a master plan for the property as secondary to getting the Committe members to agree to locate a football field on the property. With a meeting of the Brodie Park South Study Group Committee scheduled for Wednesday evening during which the public will be allowed to give input, we give below a status report on the Committee’s work to date.

Initial Progress: Public Input Received, Eco Baseline Study of Brodie Park South Submitted

Pine trees cut back and football equipment scattered around at Brodie Park South

We have not reported on any of the Brodie Park South Study Group Committee (the Committee – see the note at the foot of this article to see the groups represented on this Committee) meetings since May 17, 2010 when we reported on the public forum held by that committee to collect residents’ ideas of future uses for the town-owned property known as Brodie Park South. At that time, residents were told that their input was being sought to help the Committee develop a long-term plan for the use of the park; see our May 17, 2010 report The Future of Brodie Park South: Residents Give Their Input. Subsequently, we published the Brodie Park South Eco Baseline Study paid for by the Committee and undertaken by the Northwest Conservation District; see the original baseline study we published on May 20, 2010 and the updated copy of the baseline study we published on July 13, 2010 with Jean Cronauer’s email explaining the updates that had been made. Jean is the Executive Director of the Northwest Conservation District and a New Hartford resident.

The Committee’s Work Since July 2010

Since last July we have received anectodal updates of the Committee’s meetings. We have not been able to read official minutes of the meetings since none are being filed with the Town Clerk. Our sources informed us of the upcoming meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, which will include an opportunity for public input, unlike prior meetings where the public has been allowed to attend but not to offer input. We asked Dan Eddy, the coordinator of the Committee to update us on the Committee’s work and in response we received a press release which we published on January 6.

Old tires and crates line the edge of a wooded area at Brodie Park South

According to the press release, the Committee members are being asked to set aside 5 acres – the field area – of Brodie Park South to accommodate a regulation sized football field. They are being asked to do this because, the press release says, the Rec Commission has “identified an urgent need to locate approximately 5 acres of land for an additional playing field”. There is no mention of a master plan having been agreed upon by the members of the Committee prior to being asked to set aside the field area for football.

As a former First Selectman of 30-some years ago said when he heard of the contents of the press release: “That’s putting the cart before the horse!” And that appears to be the opinion of the groups represented in the Committee other than Youth Sports and Rec. “I thought I was going to participate in drawing up a master plan for Brodie Park South, not to find a playing field for football.” One of the committee members told our reporter, adding that they had no expertise to contribute to a sports endeavor.

After almost a year of meetings the committee does not appear to be any closer to a master plan than they were at the beginning of the process. After soliciting and receiving residents’ input at the public forum in May of 2010 on how to best use the Brodie Park South property, and after receiving copies of the Eco Baseline Study for Brodie Park South which the Committee had commissioned from the Northwest Conservation District to help guide them towards a master plan, the Committee appears not to have made any progress towards a master plan.

Unclear Charge, Lack of Information Hamper Committee’s Work

The main underlying problem appears to be that the Committee has not been given a clear charge. Half the committee members believe that they are there to produce a master plan for the town-owned property, while the other half believes they are there to secure a permanent home for a football field. And the First Selectman? His input during the public input session in May of 2010 was that with 150 acres there’s enough land there for a piece for everybody. It is unclear how this fits in chronologically with the drawing up of a master plan.

Another underlying problem is the lack of information being made available to Committee members. Those members have asked for information regarding efforts to locate the football field elsewhere and also for locating it on Brodie Park South. Specifically, they have wanted to see cost benefit analysis that has been done for each of the alternate locations. This information has not been made available to them for any of the possible locations. This past Sunday, January 9 we published preliminary studies to locate a football field at the Antolini location and the Brodie Park North location. Those studies were carried out in 2008 at the request of then First Selectman Earl MacInnes and were paid for by the town. The studies are by the town’s consulting engineers, Lenard Engineering. Copies of the studies were obtained directly from the engineering company by one of the members of the Committee who has been asking for more information from the Committee without any information being made available. The Antolini and Brodie Park North preliminary studies have been released to the public over the last 4-5 days by the member of the committee who obtained them and we subsequently published them on NewHartfordPlus.

We checked in yesterday with Town Hall regarding the Antolini and Brodie Park North preliminary studies and Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Assistant said that she was unaware of the studies having being done by the MacInnes administration and she did not have copies of those studies. We checked in with Annie Witte, the Town Bookkeeper, to ask how much the town had paid for those 2008 studies and Annie has said it will take her a couple of days to come up with the information since those records are now in storage. We will publish additional information about those preliminary studies if and when it becomes available.

Where the Committee Now Stands

Without an agreed upon master plan for the property, more than half the committee members have voiced their reluctance to consider setting aside any part of the property for additional playing fields. Other ideas from residents for the use of the Brodie Park South property include locating a Senior Center there and continuing the current use of Brodie Park South for walking, hiking and cross-country skiing. It has also been suggested that the field area be used for community gardens, thus preserving that area as prime farmland as it has been identified in the Eco Baseline study. However, without a master plan many of the committee members are reluctant to consider any specific use for that property.

An “Urgent” Need For A Football Field?

It would be unfair to deprive the young people involved in the football program from being able to participate in their chosen sport. The Wolverines (New Hartford Football and Cheer) have been using Brown’s Corner for their Sunday games and, until recently, for their evening practices. It is being said that Brown’s Corner cannot accommodate football and that there is an urgent need to locate that sport elsewhere; however, no concrete evidence of this has been made available. In the past year, New Hartford has spent a great deal of money on Brown’s Corner to upgrade the sports complex and to enlarge the parking lot. Claims of there not being enough parking available appear to be premature; there is still a large amount of fill in the parking area and as that fill is removed, more parking spaces will become available. In the meantime, it has been suggested that better coordination of when games and practices are scheduled by the different sports at Brown’s Corner could help alleviate many of the problems now being reported. With the numbers of children in town decreasing – according to the enrollment numbers at New Hartford Public Schools – it is difficult to accept the anectodal “urgency” for the need for new playing fields without concrete evidence being made available.

On closer examination we may find that the urgent need for a regulation size football field may be a regional need for such a field. The Wolverines are a regional organization, with players drawn from Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland, Norfolk and Winsted/Winchester; see the statement at the foot of that organization’s website which reads:

“NHYFC: TOWNS WE SERVE: New Hartford is proud to partner with the following communities to build our program’s strength and longevity. Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland, Norfolk & Winsted/Winchester.”

These are precisely the same towns from which the players of the Gilbert/Northwestern Football team are drawn.  The Wolverines are considered the feeder program for the Gilbert/Northwestern Football team and have been credited with providing a ready pool of talented players for the high school team.

A Taxpayer’s View From One Of The Six Towns Served By The Youth Football Program

As a taxpayer in New Hartford, one of the six towns served by the youth football program, it is difficult for our reporter to understand why only New Hartford is being asked to accommodate the need for a regional football field. It would be fairer for all six towns to be asked to participate in identifying an appropriate space for the football field and then to share in the cost of constructing and maintaining the field.

Such a regional effort would also provide an opportunity for Northwestern Regional #7 to have access to a football field in its own school district and potentially bring that sport home to our regional high school. Currently, the majority of the Gilbert/Northwestern players are from Regional # 7 and Gilbert recently increased dramatically the amount it charges Regional #7 for each of its players to participate in the Gilbert football program.  At its September 1, 2010 meeting the Regional # 7 Board of Ed agreed to increase the amount paid to Gilbert for the Northwestern players to be able to continue playing football with Gilbert. The Board also agreed for Superintendent Palmer to schedule a meeting with Gilbert to discuss the future of the cooperative arrangement between the two schools; see the Gilbert Football discussion in the September 1 minutes of the Regional #7 Board of Ed, of which New Hartford First Selectman Dan Jerram is a member.

In our opinion, it would be premature at this time for the town to take on the responsibility and the expense of providing a football field for the youth sports football program without first thoroughly investigating a regionalized solution to this regional need.

Looking Towards The Committee’s Wednesday, January 12 Meeting

We hope that Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Brodie Park South Study Group Committee will address the concerns of some of its members and of the community at large as reported above.  We also hope that the Committee’s leadership will take this opportunity to refocus on the original charge of the Committee: that of crafting a master plan for Brodie Park South that will take into consideration the property’s unique characteristics as well as the recreational needs of the community as a whole.

___________

The Brodie Park South Study Group Committee members represent the Conservation Commission, the Open Space Preservation Commission, the Friends of Brodie, Youth Sports and two members of the Rec Commission. The Seniors Advisory Board is no longer represented on the committee; their representative withdrew from the Committee because, as the members of the Advisory Board told our reporter: “We felt like we were spinning our wheels” after they were redirected from their proposal to build the new Senior Center at Brodie Park South and were asked to consider the Brodie House location, or even the Field House. “We’ve been that route before!” The Advisory Board members said, adding that this is the third administration that the seniors have approached for help in finding a permanent location for their senior center.

Disclosure: Our reporter is a member of the New Hartford Senior Center; she is part of the 23% of the New Hartford population (according to the 2000 Census) who are eligible for membership in the Senior Center, a large constituency of taxpayers who make few demands for town services.

Cross country skiers avoid the goal posts and used tires left behind by football in this communal recreation area at Brodie Park South

The images with this article were photographed at Brodie Park South this past Sunday and show football's presence at the town-owned property

We received the following press release from Dan Eddy, member of the Recreation Commission, who is coordinating the Brodie Park South Study Group. The press release announces a meeting this coming Wednesday, January 12 at which the public is encouraged to attend and at which the public will have an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting to give their input; at previous meetings the public has not had the opportunity to give their input. Following is the press release:

The Brodie South Study Group is having a meeting on Wednesday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the small conference room on the first floor [of the Town Hall]. As always the public is encouraged to attend. We will have a short period at the beginning of the meeting for public input.

The Recreation Commission has determined there is an urgent need to locate approximately 5 acres of land for an additional playing field. The size of the playing field should be 140 yards by 80 yards (approx. 2 1/2 acres) this will allow for spectators and a regulation size team sport field. This area must also be large enough to accommodate parking for team sports. As a comparison, I believe Brown’s Corner is about 18 acres.

Although there are no funds currently allocated to construct such a field, a location must be found prior to any other constructive pursuit of this goal.

The Recreation Commission has been searching for the last three years for such a location, identifying 5 or six spots and having studies done on same. Estimated construction cost of this project run from $200,000 to $300,000. This does not include the cost of land. The construction costs seem to preclude the possibility of leasing land. The Recreation Commission has looked at land at all three schools, Brodie North, and a couple of private sites of approximately 5 acres of open flat land. All have had significant enough development issues to eliminate them as possibilities. Brodie South is 150 acres of town owned land, some of which is being considered as a site to accommodate a new recreation field.

The commission is still looking for other town owned land, or private land the owner would be interested in donating or parting with for a nominal amount. If you have any interest in pursuing such a donation there may be federal income tax advantages, the rec commission would welcome the opportunity to talk to you.

We are a small town with a very active youth sports community. Price must be a very real part of any and all suggestions.

To read our reports about the Brodie Park South Study Group since its inception see our Brodie Park South category (below our masthead).

Football goal posts set up on the large field area of Brodie Park South bordering Niles Road; image from November 2010, NewHartfordPlus archives.

By: Maria Moore

Beginning January of 2011, the Board of Selectmen will be holding regularly-scheduled meetings only once per month, on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.  A downloadable copy of the selectmen’s 2011 Meeting is attached at the end of this report.

This change from two regularly-scheduled meetings per month to one regularly-scheduled meeting per month was approved by the selectmen at their December 14 meeting.  Our reporter arrived late at that meeting and missed any discussion about the change in the schedule; however, Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Administrative Assistant who takes the minutes at the BOS meetings, said that the selectmen have reserved the second Tuesday of the month as a night to call a Special Meeting if needed. Christine also said that Dan regularly attends the Board of Finance meetings on the second Tuesday of the month and the update he gives to the Board of Finance is the same as he has been giving to the Board of Selectmen earlier that evening.

During 2010 the Board of Selectmen have held their regular meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. which have been immediately followed by the Board of Finance Meeting at 7:00 p.m.  at which First Selectman Dan Jerram has given his First Selectman’s report to the BOF members.  The selectmen have also met on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.   During this past year, four of the regular meetings have been cancelled, with one of those meetings being rescheduled as a Special Meeting.

During past administrations the selectmen have held a varying number of regular BOS meetings per month: from what we have been able to determine, Kate Rieger’s administration (2000) met one evening per month; Bill Baxter’s administration (2002-2007) began with holding four meetings per month, with one meeting per week at 8:00 a.m., and in his last term he held two meetings per month, one at 8:30 a.m. and one at 7:00 p.m.; and most recently, in Earl MacInnes’ administration the selectmen met two evenings per month with additional special meetings as necessary.  The current First Selectman, Dan Jerram is also a member of the Board of Education at Northwestern Regional # 7 which schedules two regular meetings per month with the second meeting being cancelled if it were not needed.

To download a copy of the 2011 Board of Selectmen Schedule of Meetings, click on the following link: 2011 Board of Selectmen Schedule of Meetings (121)

Many Thanks: To Town Clerk Donna LaPlante and Christine Hayward for their help in figuring out the meeting schedules of previous administrations.

The December 14 BOS Meeting which was sparsely attended, as has been the case with most BOS meetings recently. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

After many years’ hiatus, the town’s Architectural Review Committee has been reappointed and will most likely be taking an active role in the town’s future commercial development.

The appointments were made by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting this past Thursday, December 8.  All the original members of the Architectural Review Committee were reappointed.  They are:

• David Sessions (3-year term);
• Ken Kimmerle (2-year term);
• Frank Misiorski (2-year term);
• Bill Bohan (1-year alternate);
• Gordon Ross (2-year alternate).

Also appointed to the Committee are Marty Connor, the town’s consulting Planner (1-year term) and Roger Hurlburt, the consulting Engineer (1-year term).

The Architectural Review Committee’s First Task:  Drive-Thru Restaurant at Former Waring?

It has been many years since the Architectural Review Committee met, and it may have met to review only one case: that of the original rehab of the former Waring building in which Collinsville Antiques is located on Route 44 in Pine Meadow.

The reappointed Committee members may find that their first task may also be a project at the former Waring building: a drive-through fast-food restaurant, that is a Dunkin’ Donuts.  Blackhammer, LLC, the owner of the former Waring building has applied for a Special Exception for the Dunkin’ Donuts to be located in their building.  A public hearing has been scheduled for January 12 for that Special Exception.  Architectural plans for the project have yet to be submitted to the Land Use Office, interim Zoning Officer Rista Malanca said today; however, if and when the plans are received, they will be reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee.

The New Zoning Regulations, The Architectural Review Committee And The Future Look of New Hartford

The Architectural Review Committee and setting standards for the Committee to apply is being spearheaded by the Economic Development Committee. For an update on this topic see our January 24 report Architectural Design Review Standards, Economic Development, Goals Discussed At EDC Meeting.

The former Waring building in Pine Meadow is home to an antiques store, a storage facility and perhaps soon, a Dunkin Donuts. Photo from NewHartfordPlus archives

Following are the Community Calendar listings for this weekend, Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26 in New Hartford, CT and surrounding communities. Do you know of an event that our fellow residents might like to know about? Please email us the info. and we’ll gladly add it to this Weekend Calendar: newhartfordplus@gmail.com.:

Saturday, September 25, 2010:

• New Hartford Lions Club Flea Market: from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on the green in front of Berkshire Hall, Brodie Park, West Hill and Niles roads. More than 70 vendor booths offering great deals on arts and crafts, antiques and collectibles, furniture, jewelry, gift, handy and tag sale items, tools and much more! ‘Lions’ Pride’ food booth will serve breakfast and lunch including fresh-squeezed lemonade and home-baked desserts, ‘C-Side Alley’ will provide musical entertainment ~ and all to benefit our local community and eyesight initiatives. See you all there!
• Durham Fair: from 9:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. at the Durham Fairgrounds, 24 Town House Road, Durham. Adults: $15, Children under 11: FREE. For more information, including the schedule of events and directions, please visit the Durham Fair website.
• Goshen Farmers Market: from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Goshen Center School Parking lot, Route 63 North, Goshen. Enjoy goods offered by local farmers, bakers and local artisans.
• Torrington Farmers’ Market: from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Torrington Downtown Plaza (where Staples is located), South Main Street, Torrington. Featuring the freshest produce straight from the farm.
• Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market: from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Center School parking area, Litchfield. For more information, please visit the Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market’s website.
• Norfolk Farmers’ Market: from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. At the Norfolk Town Hall location, 19 Maple Avenue, Norfolk. Fresh farm produce, local artisans, musicians and much more!
• King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire!: from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at 347 Gilead Street, Hebron. Hosted by the CT Renaissance Faire. Escape to the past and forget thy cares in the pageantry, revelry and excitement of King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire! Experience a romantic age lost to time as you wander the streets of an 11th century harvest festival. Thrill to musicians, acrobats, fire eaters, knights, jousting, comedy and magic on nine stages featuring the best variety entertainment at any festival in New England! Shop ’til ye drop at vendor booths featuring hand-crafted and unique items you can’t find anywhere else! Exciting contests and games of skill! Dine like a King on succulent turkey legs, exotic foods, traditional festival fare, tasty treats and scrumptious desserts. Fair runs every weekend through October 24. General Admission (13+): $15; Youth Admission (5-12): $8; Child Admission (4 and under): $FREE. For more information please visit the CT Renaissance Faire website.
• The 29th Annual Family Nature Day: from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at White Memorial Conservation Center, 70 Whitehall Road, Litchfield. An annual celebration of Mother Nature: a must for folks of all ages. This year features butterflies and more with Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory from Deerfield, MA, Julie Ann Collier aka Wing Masters with spectacular birds of prey, Stiltwalkers, Mortal Beasts and Deities, Gerri Griswold aka The Bat Lady and her charming sidekick: a Big Brown Bat named Theo, and fabulous Musician and Comedienne, Nancy Tucker. The day is filled with live animals, guided nature walks, information booths, horse drawn wagon rides. Take a chance at winning a kayak in our annual raffle drawing! Shop until you drop at the artisans market. Get in a bidding war at our silent auction. The used book sale and bake sale are always crowd pleasers. Lots of crafts for the kiddies too! So much to do! Feed your mind body and soul! $6 Non-members, FREE for members and children under 12. For more information, please visit the Calendar of Programs and Events page of the White Memorial Conservation Center.

Sunday, September 25, 2010:

• Visit your favorite Church, Temple, Meditation Center or Meeting House: Be sure to make time today to visit your favorite church, temple, meditation center or meeting house for good fellowship and spiritual uplifting. Please refer to the listings on our front page Houses of Worship to visit the churches’ websites.
• Durham Fair: from 9:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. at the Durham Fairgrounds, 24 Town House Road, Durham. Adults: $15, Children under 11: FREE. For more information, including the schedule of events and directions, please visit the Durham Fair website.
• King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire!: from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at 347 Gilead Street, Hebron. Hosted by the CT Renaissance Faire. Escape to the past and forget thy cares in the pageantry, revelry and excitement of King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire! Experience a romantic age lost to time as you wander the streets of an 11th century harvest festival. Thrill to musicians, acrobats, fire eaters, knights, jousting, comedy and magic on nine stages featuring the best variety entertainment at any festival in New England! Shop ’til ye drop at vendor booths featuring hand-crafted and unique items you can’t find anywhere else! Exciting contests and games of skill! Dine like a King on succulent turkey legs, exotic foods, traditional festival fare, tasty treats and scrumptious desserts. Fair runs every weekend through October 24. General Admission (13+): $15; Youth Admission (5-12): $8; Child Admission (4 and under): $FREE. For more information please visit the CT Renaissance Faire website.

*** PLEASE be sure to check the details of the events we list, either by the website or by telephone. Last-minute changes, cancellations or plain mess-ups at our end have been known to happen so double-check before you go and enjoy these great local events.***

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

Friday, September 24, 2010:

• WOW (Women of the World) Forum: from 7:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, Main Street, Torrington. The only full day professional development opportunity for business women in this region! For more information please visit: www.wowforum.org
• Storytime for 3s and 4s at the Beekley Library: from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. This early literacy program with Miss Ericka for our preschool friends includes stories, songs, dances, and finger plays, followed by a craft they can take home. Please note: This Friday program is a repeat of yesterday’s (Thursday’s) program. For more information please call the Library at 860-379-7235.
• New Hartford Senior Center Activities: Yoga Class: at 11:00 a.m. For more information about the Senior Center please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• New Hartford Farmers’ Market. From 4:00 p.m. to Dusk on the Green in Pine Meadow. Grab your recycled shopping bags and head on down to our local farmers’ market for a HUGE assortment of local produce: Corn, tomatoes, watermelon, apples, cantaloupes, green beans, eggplant, perennials, cut flowers, and sunflowers and pumpkins too! And freshly-baked breads and desserts from our bakers. And there are always surprise vendors: Jewelry, home-made salsa, soaps, different every week! Shop to the music Sweetheart Mountain. Make it a perfect Fall evening by picking up something to eat at one of the food booths at the market and sit at one of the tables and enjoy a picnic while watching the market action around you. And don’t forget to stop by the NHFM tent and check out the Farmers Market Sudoku QUILT that will be on display; raffle tickets are being sold at the NHFM tent, $2 each or 3 tickets for $5. Got your ticket yet?…
• Full Moon Reflections Kayak Paddle with Robyn Dinda: at 5:30 p.m.; meet at the Bridge on Whites Woods Road, Litchfield. Bring dinner and a flashlight! Call Robyn Dinda for more information 860-567-0738.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Email: newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

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 UPDATED Community Bulletin Board where you can see flyers on upcoming events, monthly calendars and information on local non-profit groups.

…NHGrapevine…

“Ready or not, it’s here: FALL!”

OK, we know there’s golds and oranges appearing on the trees but really ~ FALL already?!?! For the sticklers for details: the first day of Fall this year was on Wednesday, September 22!

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard – or seen – in town and it may end up being one of our daily Grapevine quotes. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

The view from the Farmington River from just beyond Bridge Street looking towards Jones Mountain on Thursday, September 23.

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

Thursday, September 23, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Mystic Seaport Trip leaving the Town Hall at 9:00 a.m; you MUST have signed up for this trip; 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., Monday through Thursday.
• Storytime for 3s and 4s at the Beekley Library: from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. This early literacy program with Miss Ericka for our preschool friends includes stories, songs, dances, and finger plays, followed by a craft they can take home. For more information please call the Library at 860-379-7235.
• Small Business Opportunities During Times of Change: from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Senior Center at Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. Hosted by the New Hartford Business Council; Refreshments provided; open to New Hartford Business Council members and prospective members. RSVP to nhbusinesscouncil@yahoo.com.
• Thursday Night Gather With Friends at Passiflora: American Sign Language (ASL) with Colleen Brunetti: Enjoy an evening of information and fun for parents and educators, focused on using American Sign Language (ASL) with children. Materials are geared for all children, ages infant to third grade, and children with special needs. Learn how signing can encourage bonding, reduce frustrations, contribute to early literacy and language development, and just be a lot of fun!! Chef’s choice organic dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit Passiflora’s website , or call Passiflora at 860-379-TEAS.
• Still a great time of the year to hold that Tag Sale! Send us your tag sale information and we’ll list it for FREE in our Classifieds Section for upcoming Tag Sales in New Hartford.

Our 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.

…NHGrapevine…

“Fences make good neighbors!”

Was repeated several times by a couple whose family has farmed the same land in town since the town was founded. Unable to put an end to the discord which arrived with their new neighbors, the couple had come to Planning and Zoning to ask for permission to put up a 12-foot fence around their extensive property.”Good neighbors don’t come cheap!” Our reporter wrote in her meeting notes.

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard – or seen – in town and we’ll add it to our Grapevine in this Daily Calendar. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

The New Hartford Garden Club: their hardworking members are responsible for the beautiful plantings seen around town. Image is of the Garden Club's booth at New Hartford Day this past Sunday. Photo: Maria Moore

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

Wednesday, September 22, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at the Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 9 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Wii bowling at 10 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.
• Toddler Playtime for children under 3 at the Beekley Library: from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. Join Miss Ericka in the Children’s Department to make friends and have fun! The program will start with songs, stories, and finger plays, and then the children will have a chance to play with toys and puzzles and read books. For more information, please call the Library at 860-379-7235.
• Regional School District #7 Board of Ed Meeting: at 6:00 p.m. in the Newbury Library at Regional #7, 100 Battistoni Drive, Winsted. Under New Business will be discussed: Initial Meeting of Regionalization Committee. For the complete agenda, please see our Community Calendar.
• Planning and Zoning Special Meeting: at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Sessions Conference Room at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. The Special Meeting will be to consider a special exception for a 12-ft. high fence to be installed by a resident on Reservoir Road. The Regular Meeting will be a continuation of the discussion of the draft zoning regulations with Attorney Mark Branse, which may include a discussion of including regulations to control the architectural style of commercial development as proposed by a member of the Economic Development Commission. For the complete agenda, please see our Community Calendar.
• 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.

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 flyers and information on local groups and events.

…NHGrapevine…

“Boy, I was hoping it was going to be the beginning of the battle of the signs. You know, my sign is funnier than yours, and may the candidate with the funniest signs win!”

Our editor joked with a friend yesterday as they both noted the disappearance of the tombstone sign supporting a political candidate that had sprung up yesterday next to the political sign in front of the Village Cemetery. Put away those stiletto wrestling boots and Darth Vader masks ~ at least ’till Hallow’een…

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

Charlie Barden takes on the biggest pumpkin of them all: "Go Charlie!" Photo: Maria Moore

STEEL BRIDGE on 219 near Farmington River Turnpike: According to the revised date posted on signs around town, this bridge work is now scheduled to END on OCTOBER 1 ~ just in time for the skiing season. Hang in there and remember: If your new route takes you through a neighborhood PLEASE drive slowly and with care, just as if you and your loved ones lived there!

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

Tuesday, September 21, 2010:

• Home School Day at the Children’s Museum: from 10:00 a.m. until 3:40 p.m. at the Children’s Museum, 950 Trout Brook Drive. This is the third Science Education Day dedicated to homeschool families. Classroom and planetarium programs begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. For more information please visit the section on Homeschool Day at the Children’s Museum on the Children’s museum on the website.
• New Hartford Senior Center activities: At the Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St. Fitness: 10:45 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); CANCELLED: Massage with Mindy Lee; Crafts: at 1:00 p.m.; Cribbage ‘n cards: 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.
• New Hartford Schools Board of Ed Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at Ann Antolini School, Antolini Road, New Hartford. On the agenda are the Jobs Bill and Federal Funding, and a Collective Bargaining Workshop with Shipman & Goodwin. For the complete agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.
• CANCELLED: Pension Board Meeting. Meeting has been rescheduled to September 28.
• Are we missing your special meeting or event? Please send us the information and we’ll add it to this calendar; email us at newhartfordplus@gmail.com.

Our 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…

“Up 219, through in the middle of town, there is a sign for Linda McMahon’s campaign that sits out next to the cemetery wall. This afternoon, someone has put up a fake tombstone next to the sign…”

A friend of NewHartfordPlus sent a tip to our editor and sure enough, a little farther down Town Hill there was the scene as described. Politics and Hallow’een: what prankster could resist???

Contribute to the …NHGrapevine… Let us know what you’ve heard – or seen – in town and it may end up being one of our daily Grapevine quotes. So let’s hear what you’re hearing around town…

A Hallow'een prankster just couldn't resist having a little fun at the expense of a political candidate. Photo courtesy of a friend of NewHartfordPlus.