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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agenda Item #VII, Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Board of Finance Meeting, Tuesday, May 11, 2010

AGENDA

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

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

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

Dear Editor:

The loss of our zoning officer KARL NILSEN leaves New Hartford residents with big shoes to fill. I have worked with Karl on many issues with my properties going back some 15 years or so. I have also worked with Karl as a member of the Inland Wetlands Commission. I have attended training and meetings on weekends and nights with Karl. Since knowing him, I have never found him to be anything but professional, knowledgeable and helpful with his extreme understanding and experience in his chosen field.

I am writing this letter because the man I’m talking about served this town for 25 years with dignity. I have talked with engineers, lawyers, surveyors, builders, and residents who have worked with Karl, and everyone had nothing but the utmost respect for this man. Whether or not these allegations are true, I cannot answer without ALL THE FACTS. Knowing Karl he will prove them to be false. The First Selectman has forced a man that many people could come to with questions to leave his position before he was ready. On top of that, he is also after his well-deserved pension without first being found guilty. As a taxpayer, I will remember how this was handled, as should we all come election time. If these allegations are proved to be unfounded, this town could be headed for a lawsuit. This unfortunate incident could have been avoided had this been found to be true first before taking action. I would also like to urge all taxpayers to get a copy of the budget before voting on May 4th to see exactly where your money is going.

Good luck Karl in your new endeavors,

Troy LaMere

Board of Finance Saturday workshop on March 13, when a number of Town Hall employees attended the meeting. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

Resignation Letter received by Town

Karl Nilsen, the town’s Land Use Coordinator (which includes the functions of Zoning Officer and Inland Wetlands Officer) submitted a letter of resignation to the town of New Hartford on April 22, notifying the town of his retirement effective April 22.  The letter, addressed to First Selectman Dan Jerram, was hand-delivered to the First Selectman’s Office on the same day that Karl officially resigned from his part-time position as Zoning Officer in the town of Burlington; see copy of Karl’s resignation letter at the end of this report.

The news of Karl’s resignation letter to the town was first reported by Kari Banach in today’s print and online issue of the Republican American and was later picked up by the Register Citizen on its website.   The news of Karl’s resignation from his part-time position in Burlington was first reported by David Hutter of the Register Citizen on April 24; David’s report made no mention of Karl’s resignation from his New Hartford full-time position.  Karl’s resignation from both positions came exactly one week after the Register Citizen published, on April 15, 20 pages of documents related to the investigation which the newspaper obtained from the First Selectman following an FOI (Freedom of Information) request seeking all documentation related to Karl’s suspension; see also our April 15 report announcing that NewHartfordPlus would not be publishing those documents, believing their release to be premature due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Karl’s Resignation Not Acted Upon By Town

Our reporter’s uppermost question of the First Selectman’s Office this morning was to ask why her almost daily question of “Are there any developments?” or “Are there any changes?” to the ongoing investigation did not elicit the letter. The response from the First Selectman was: “It depends on how you ask the question. Your question has to be specific.” “So my asking if there were any developments in the zoning office situation wasn’t enough?” “No, because there haven’t been any developments as far as the town is concerned.” First Selectman Dan Jerram said, adding that Karl’s status with the town is unchanged: he is still an employee. Dan added that if the town terminates Karl for cause, then he won’t be eligible for a pension or benefits. Dan provided our reporter with two photocopies supporting this:

• the first, Section 7 from the municipal employees’ union contract which says that unused personal and compensatory time, and one-third of the portion of sick leave accumulated will be forfeited if the employee is terminated for cause;
• and the second, Section 12.2 from the town Pension Fund, which says that if an employee is involuntarily terminated due to fraud or dishonesty, at the discretion of the Retirement Board, he will forfeit payments and benefits under the fund.

Our reporter asked whether the retirement package had been forwarded to Karl and Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Assistant said that there is no retirement package, that normally the employee informs the First Selectman of their intention to retire and the First Selectman then asks the pension fund company to calculate the employee’s benefits. Our reporter asked if the town had done that for Karl and the response was that the town had not done so.

Our reporter then asked whether the employees’ union had been informed of Karl’s letter and Dan said he had communicated with the union after the weekend; Dan did not release a copy of his communication to the union. Our reporter then spoke with Nancy Eldridge, the employees’ union president, specifically when she had received a communication from the First Selectman’s Office and Nancy said: “On Tuesday afternoon.” ~ three days after Karl’s letter had been received, and on the same day that the Board of Selectmen’s meeting had been cancelled, and the Annual Budget meeting where, without discussion, the budget was sent to referendum for a “Yes” or “No” vote.

Conversation With Attorney Rosenblatt, Karl’s Attorney

This afternoon our reporter spoke with Attorney Leon Rosenblatt, an attorney specializing in employment and labor law, regarding Karl’s status. Attorney Rosenblatt emphasized two points:

1. As he had told Kari Banach for her interview, an employer cannot decline an employee’s resignation.  ”We don’t have slaves or indentured servants in the US!”
2. The town will find that the provision in the Pension Fund regarding forfeiture of an employee’s pension is not legal.   Attorney Rosenblatt said that Karl has been employed by the town for 25 years and that: “Forfeiture of an employee’s pension rights isn’t in the cards.”

This report will be updated as more information becomes available.

The information on the letterhead has been whited out to preserve the privacy of an individual, in accordance with our policy on NewHartfordPlus

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

Monday, April 26, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitnessat 9:00 a.m. ($2.50 per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Coffee at 10:00 a.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Inland Wetlands Commission Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda of this meeting, please see our Calendar.
• Open Space Preservation Commission Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda of this meeting, please see our Calendar.
• Have a Spring-related business you want to advertise?: Check out our BRAND NEW Yellow Pages: an economical, simple way to get your business in front of our 32,066 visitors (this past March). Use the “Submit Your Listing” form to send us your information and we’ll list your business. Looking for a lawn care service? Check our Yellow Pages where we’ll be listing companies as soon as their info. is submitted to us.
• Do you know of an event that should 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 new Community Bulletin Board where you can see posters and information on local groups and events.

…NHGrapevine…

“There was a whole team of us out there this morning.”

First Selectman Dan Jerram told our reporter this past Friday morning. On that bright, sunshiny day, Dan said he and Brenda Schauffler, Christine Sloman and Roger Worsman had cleaned up the flower beds around the building ~ and Kenny Krohner had lent them his pick-up truck to haul the mulch in. And the Town Hall looks all the nicer for it ~ thanks, everyone who pitched in!

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…

Brenda Schauffler pauses in her planting of the bed in front of Town Hall to chat for a minute with First Selectman Dan Jerram this past Friday, April 23. Photo: Maria Moore

Brenda Schauffler working on the flower beds at the Town Hall this past Friday, April 23. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

Rista Malanca Appointed Interim Zoning Officer

Rista Malanca, the Assistant in the town’s Land Use Office has been appointed as the Interim Zoning Enforcement Officer, Rista confirmed to our reporter this afternoon, Thursday, April 15.   Rista was appointed by the Commission during the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission Special Meeting on Wednesday, April 6.  At that meeting the Commission members had at first set aside the appointment in order to seek legal counsel; however, after receiving the input of First Selectman Dan Jerram, the Commission members appointed Rista.

With this appointment Rista will be performing both the Zoning and Inland Wetlands enforcement in the town’s Land Use Office on an interim basis while Karl Nilsen, the town’s Zoning and Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer, has been  suspended without pay while allegations of irregularities in his time cards are being investigated; see the News Update below.

It is unclear as yet how Rista will be paid for the work she will perform as both the Zoning Enforcement Officer and the Inland Wetlands Officer, and this was likely the focus of the discussion at Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, when the Selectmen held a an executive session with the Chairman of the Board of Finance to discuss the Interim Land Use Administrator.  Rista’s predecessor, Lynn Charest also performed some of the Zoning Officer’s duties and, in her case, we understand that she was asked to record separately the time she put in for inspections and the time she worked as an assistant in the office.

Rista is currently employed by the town as the Land Use Administrative Assistant at an annual salary of $28,319.  Rista is also employed by Barkhamsted as its part-time Zoning Officer. In her interim duties as Zoning and Inland Wetlands Officer Rista will be performing the duties of the town’s Zoning Officer whose salary for the current fiscal year is $61,516 per year.   Both positions are union positions; however, the Administrative Assistant position is due to be eliminated in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2010-2011.  This budget is due to be brought to a town referendum on May 4.

One of the applications before Planning and Zoning right now is the expansion of the parking lot at Inertia Dynamics in the Industrial Park. Photo: Maria Moore

Time Card Documents Released To The Press

Documents related to the ongoing investigation of alleged time card fraud by the town’s Zoning Officer, Karl Nilsen have been released to the press following a Freedom of Information request. The Register Citizen today published 20 pages of documents they obtained including New Hartford’s accounting firm’s report to the town’s labor attorney on the discrepancies the accounting firm identified in the times card. To review the documents released, see the Register Citizen’s report published today, April 15.

Our Position

After the investigation of the Zoning Officer was originally announced on March 30 (see our News Update: Zoning Officer Suspended…), our reporter spoke with Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Assistant about the time cards and she was told that they were documents related to an on-going investigation and so not available to the press.

NewHartfordPlus will not be publishing copies of the released documents, believing their release to be premature. We will provide a news update when the results of the official investigation are released.

A view of the area between the Industrial Park road and Carter Street where there is a Cease and Correct order from the Inlands Officer to remediate two washouts that have occurred there over the last year. Photo: Maria Moore

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

By: Maria Moore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Item #5: Industrial Park Washout

The washout area in the Industrial Park seen from Route 219

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

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

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

Operations ~ Brown’s Corner Concerns

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

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

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

Item #7: Appointment of Deputy Fire Marshall

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

____________________

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

AGENDA

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

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

By: Maria Moore

In trying to keep up with our coverage of the budget process for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2010-2011, we find that we have not yet reported on the Board of Selectmen Special Meeting held on March 23, 2010. Below is our summary of that meeting which will continue unbroken our coverage of the town’s Board of Selectmen meetings for the past 14 months ~ that’s a lot of meetings under our expanding belt-line!

The March 23 meeting of the Board of Selectmen was moved to 5:30 p.m. from its regular 7:00 p.m. time slot so that First Selectman Dan Jerram could present the proposed Town Government budget to the Board of Finance Special Meeting held later that evening at 7:00 p.m.; please see our March 25 report of that meeting Board of Finance Almost Gets to Zero…

Item #4: Executive Session ~ Personnel ~ Building Inspector Negotiations

At the beginning of their meeting the selectmen went into executive session to discuss negotiations with the Building Inspector, Paul Volovski.  At the conclusion of the executive session, First Selectman Dan Jerram announced that the Building Inspector’s employment with the town had been modified; Paul would no longer be a part-time employee of the town but rather he will be a contracted employee at a rate of $40 per hour, not to exceed 15 hours per week.

Item #3: Operations Updates

2nd Industrial Park washout:

First Selectman Dan Jerram gave an update on the washout at the Greenwoods Industrial Park, the second since one occurred last year; see our August 5, 2009 report Industrial Park Washout Repair Work Underway, one of several reports on last year’s washout.

Dan said that a separate section had slumped into the wetlands, that emergency repairs had stopped the problem getting worse and that engineers and Planning and Zoning were evaluating the situation. Two out of the three discharge pipes have failed, Dan said, and the repairs to the original washout were not up to standard. Inland and Wetlands were asking the town to fix the situation. “It will be comprehensive and not cheap.” Dan said.

Note: On March 23 the town’s Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer, Karl Nilsen, had hand-delivered a Cease and Correct order to the Town of New Hartford to cease and correct the situation; a downloadable copy of that Cease and Correct order is included at the end of our report on the Industrial Park washout.

On March 30 the Inland Wetlands Commission held a Show Cause Hearing for the Cease and Correct order at the Industrial Park.  The Commission “reiterated the need for the Town to communicate with the Inland Wetlands Commission prior to commencing work of this nature. Several members also commended the Town for addressing this issue promptly.”  The Inland Wetland Commission voted to continue the Cease and Correct order in the matter of Town of New Hartford, Washout and repair, Industrial Park Road, noting that the Commission is pleased with the Town’s efforts to date in addressing this issue, and requesting that the Town update the Inland Wetlands Commission as the work continues; to read the official minutes of that meeting, please see the Inland Wetlands Special Meeting 3/30/10 minutes in the Minutes and Agendas section of the town’s municipal website.

To download a copy of the Cease and Correct order: in place for the Industrial Park washout: Cease and Correct Order Industrial Park Washout, 03 23 10, p.1 (172), Cease and Correct Order Industrial Park Washout, 03 23 10, p.2 (164).

Personnel Changes:

• Dan informed the other members of the board that Doug Spencer had been appointed the Interim Foreman at the town’s Highway Department; see our March 22 News Updates: Doug Spencer Appointed Interim Foreman At Town Garage…;
• Dan also informed the other members of the board that the Town Hall janitor had resigned.  Our reporter later verified that Norm Paul, the part-time janitor at Town Hall had been asked to change his work hours and that the parties involved had not been able to arrive at a mutually-acceptable work schedule.

USDA/Wastewater Treatment Plant Funding:

First Selectman Dan Jerram gave a funding update to the other selectmen. He said he had met with the USDA to understand who would design the payment structure. He said the town has to send the USDA the parameters it wants for the payment plan and the USDA will then slot in the payments. Dan said he is looking at implementing an annual payment plan, with payments made in arrears so that the first payment would not be due until September 11, 2011. This means that the wastewater treatment plant will not impact the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, 2010-2011 (for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011).

Item #6: K-12 Regionalization

Dan informed the other selectmen that the Regional #7 Board of Ed had considered the question of whether to undertake a self-study for a K-12 Regionalization plan.  The Regional #7 board had decided to table the matter until after the budget process was completed.  Dan said that the study would take time and that if the recommendation is for a K-12 Regionalization, then it would be brought to referendum.

Dan asked whether the Board of Selectmen wanted to go on record as supporting the self-study plan.  Tom Klebart said he would go on record recommending it.  ”I want to see if there are financial savings and if there are benefits to have the same programs within the four towns (which make up the Regional #7 district).”  Bruce Gresczyk asked: “How many split school systems are there?” Referring to the local elementary schools being the responsibility of each of the four towns, while the middle school and high school are regionalized.  ”Not many!” Dan answered.

The selectmen voted unanimously to go on record in support of the Regional #7 Board undertaking a K-12 Regionalization self-study, the first step in any eventual regionalization of the elementary schools.

Item #5: Budget Review

In reviewing the Town Government Budget which First Selectman Dan Jerram was to present to the Board of Finance later that evening, a discussion ensued among the selectmen about the strategy to be implemented for the maintenance of the town’s roads.  In the town’s proposed budget the Chip and Seal line item is being increased 322.8% from $63,860 in the current year’s budget to $270,000 in the proposed budget for  upcoming Fiscal Year 2010/2011.  At the same time, the Asphalt/Bituminous Paving line item is being decreased  by 40%, from $250,000 in the current year’s budget to $150,000 in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Tom Klebart said this appeared to be a switch in philosophy from paving roads to crack and chip sealing them.  Tom referred back to a study that had been undertaken a few years back which had recommended moving away from chip sealing to paving roads.   The other selectmen asked who had done the study and Tom said he remembered that a group of townspeople in the industry had been members of the task force.

Bruce Gresczyk said that from his experience and from a course he had taken, chip sealing was the most effective way of maintaining roads.  Tom said he understood that the town hadn’t been doing any chip sealing in recent years and that the roads had to be in good enough shape to chip seal.  He said the study looked specifically at paving versus chip sealing.

The other two selectmen advocated for chip sealing the roads.  Bruce said: “I question the study.”  and Tom answered:  ”If we’re shifting philosophy, we should at least read the study and decide if it makes sense.”  Dan said he didn’t think there had been 2 miles of roads paved in town last year.  Tom agreed but he said that it had nothing to do with last year or the year before, that he just wanted to be sure they were doing the right thing.

Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Administrative Assistant, said that it might have been a Roadways Task Force set up by Bill Baxter that had come up with the study.  Tom said that group had shifted the philosophy away from chip and seal.  Bruce said: ”And they went to cold mix ~ a little bizarre. Nobody has had an understanding of maintaining the roads in the last few years.” Tom answered: “I happen to remember something (a study) was done. Before we do a flip-flop we should at least look at that and evaluate it.”

Bruce came back with: ”That philosophy hasn’t worked. I know sealing is the best way to go!”  Dan again said that if they paved, they would only end up doing 2-3 miles and that they could never keep up with it.  He said the CRRA money  ($148,000; see the Bookkeeper’s Report in our May 19, 2009 report of the Board of Finance meeting) could fund repairs to the lower portion of Steele Road, “from the corner at Lindell’s to Pine Hill.”  He added: “If you try to take the money out of the budget, the budget is gone!”  Tom responded: “As long as the chip seal is used for what it’s supposed to be used.  I don’t want to change philosophy if it’s not the right thing to do.”

Bruce said: “It costs $100,000 per mile” to pave a road, to which Tom answered: “Sometimes that’s what has to be done.” Dan’s last comment in favor of chip sealing was: “In terms of fairness to everybody, so every taxpayer has some money come back into their neighborhoods. So they can see we’re not just dumping it in one corner of town.”

“Let’s move on.” Tom said. And the board went on to discuss other aspects of the budget.

To read about Dan’s presentation of the Town Government budget: to the Board of Finance later that evening, please see our March 25 report Board of Finance Almost Gets To Zero…

To see the video presentations: of the three proposed budgets that make up the Town Budget ~ New Hartford Schools, Northwestern Regional #7 and Town Government ~ at the Board of Finance’s Budget Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 6, please see our report Budget Public Hearing Videos.  Bob Moore, our patient Techie, has uploaded 8 videos and he promises there are only 2 ~ maybe 3 ~ left to go.

____________________

Agenda for the March 23 meeting:

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOS MEETING FOR MARCH 23, 2010 AT 7:00 PM HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND THIS SPECIAL MEETING IS CALLED FOR 5:30 PM.

Board of Selectmen
Special Meeting
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
5:30 PM
Town Hall

AGENDA

1.)Minutes – March 11, 2010
2.)Opportunity for Public Comment on Agenda Items Only
3.)Operations Updates
Industrial Park Washout
Appointment of Interim Highway Foreman
Town hall janitor
USDA/WWTP funding update
Proclamation – Boy Scouts
4.)Executive Session – personnel- building inspector negotiations
5.)Budget Review
6.)K-12 Regionalization
7.)Recycling
8.)Request for Tax Refunds

Rista Holda Appointed Interim Wetlands Officer

Rista Holda, the Land Use Administrative Asssistant has been appointed to the position of Interim Wetland Agent effective immediately. This appointment was made by the Inland Wetlands Commission members at their emergency meeting yesterday evening, Tuesday, March 30. According to the agenda for the meeting, the reason for the emergency meeting and appointment was due to “the urgent need of inspections to be performed due to the severity of rain fall occurring during the last several days and the need for immediate enforcement action.”

Rista will be performing the duties of the Wetlands Agent while the investigation by the First Selectman’s Office into allegations of time card fraud by Karl Nilsen, the town’s Wetland Agent is ongoing.

At their meeting commission members also discussed two situations for which Karl had previously issued Cease and Correct orders: the first, for the washout at the Industrial Park and the second, for a sedimentation and control failure on East Cotton Hill Road. In a conversation with Rista this morning, we understand that both situations are in the process of being remediated. Rista said that she is also handling other problem situations which have been caused by the heavy rain.

Planning & Zoning Appointment Pending

Our reporter checked in with Christine Hayward, Administrative Assistant to the First Selectman on whether an Interim Zoning Officer will also be appointed. Christine said that Jim Steadman, Chairman of the P&Z has been contacted about the matter and he will be holding a meeting in the near future. We will update this news item as soon as more information becomes available.

In the meantime, Christine reminded our reporter, Paul Volovski, the town Building Inspector is able to handle any Zoning inspections, etc. Paul was originally both the Zoning Officer and the Building Inspector for the town.

A view of the Farmington River looking west towards Cottage Street from Black Bridge. Photo: Maria Moore

Please Note: Beginning April 1, the daily email ~ RSS feed, etc. ~ will be a PREMIUM service offered by NewHartfordPlus. Please let us know if you would like to continue this service @ $5 per month, and we will add you to our list of subscribers. Thank You!
Following are the Community Calendar listings for today in New Hartford, CT:

Tuesday,March 30, 2010:

• Early Literacy Program: Comprehension Session: at 9:30 a.m. For more information about this Early Literacy Program please call the library at 860-379-7235.
• Bakerville Library Story Time for 3 to 5 year-olds: at 10:15 a.m. Bakerville Library, 6 Maple Hollow Road, New Hartford. For more information about the library please visit the Bakerville Library website.
• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 10:45 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Cribbage ‘n cards at 1:00 p.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Inland Wetlands Special Meeting : at 6:30 p.m. in the Senior Center at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Community Calendar.
• Have a Spring-related business you want to have seen?: Check out our BRAND NEW Yellow Pages. Use the “Submit Your Listing” form to send us the details and we’ll list your business. Looking for a lawn care service? Check our Yellow Pages where we’ll be listing companies as soon as their info. is submitted to us.

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

…NHGrapevine…

“What is going on at Town Hall?”

A long-time resident of New Hartford asked our editor, Maria Moore this morning, shaking his head in disbelief. Not an easy question to answer right now.

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…

An attractive scene at the entrance of a home selling antiques on the corner of Route 44 and Church Street in the Pine Meadow section of New Hartford this past weekend. Photo: Maria Moore

Monday, March 22, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 9:00 a.m. ($2.50 per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Coffee at 10:00 a.m.; Scrapbooking Demonstration at 10:00 a.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• New Hartford Lions Club Meeting: at 6:30 at P’Sams, Eastwoods Country Club, 1301 Torringford West Street, Torrington. For more information please see the Lions Club website.
• Inland Wetlands Commission Meeting: at 7:00 at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.
• Open Space Commission Special Meeting: at 7:00 at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.
• Car For Sale: Check out the new listing in our Classifieds section. Do you have a a vehicle for sale? Let us know and we’ll list it for FREE in our Classifieds.
• Do you know of an event that should 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 new Community Bulletin Board where you can see posters and information on local groups and events.

…NHGrapevine…

“It’s got a different tuning: you know when it sounds wrong you’ve got it right.”

Chris Rosser explained the quarter tone tuning of the stringed instrument he was playing at the Nights at the Beekley concert this past Saturday.

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…

Never too early to kayak: A kayaker on West Hill Pond with ice still on the lake. Photo: Allynda Deloy

Monday, February 22, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 9:00 a.m. ($2.50 per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Coffee at 10:00 a.m.; Book Club at 10:30 a.m.; Advisory Board/Friends/Building Committee Meeting 11:00 a.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Board of Assessment Appeals Meeting: at 3:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. Please see our Calendar section for the agenda for this meeting.
• Inland Wetlands Commission Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. Please see our Calendar section for the agenda for this meeting.
• Open Space Commission Special Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. Please see our Calendar section for the agenda for this meeting.
• Apartments Available: Check out the listings on our Classifieds section. Do you have a place for rent? Let us know and we’ll list it for FREE in our Classifieds.
• Do you know of an event that should 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 new Community Bulletin Board where you can see posters and information on local groups and events.

…NHGrapevine…

“Let’s get with it!”

A resident emailed our editor, Maria Moore regarding the lack of an organized network of social services in town ~ a sentiment expressed by many to our editor at yesterday’s Frozen Farmers’ Market.

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

A view of the Frozen Farmers Skating Party and Farmers Market at Chapin Park on Sunday, February 21. A great time was had by all! Photo: Maria Moore

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

Monday, January 25, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Fitness at 9:00 a.m. ($2.50 per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Coffee at 10:00 a.m.; Book Club: at 10:45 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.
• Lions Club Meeting: at 6:30 p.m. at P Sam’s, 1301 Torringford West, Torrington. Guests are welcome to attend. For more information on attending this meeting, please call Penny at 860-482-7935.
• Open Space Preservation Commission Special Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. Please see our Calendar section for the agenda for this meeting.
• Inland Wetlands Commission Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. Meeting is confirmed.
• RRDD#1 Meeting: at 7:30 p.m. at the Recycling Center, Route 44, Barkhamsted. Meeting not confirmed. For information please call RRDD#1 at 860-379-1972.
• Apartments Available: Check out the listings on our Classifieds section. Do you have a place for rent? Let us know and we’ll list it for FREE in our Classifieds.
• Do you know of an event that should 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 new Community Bulletin Board where you can see posters and information on local groups and events.

…NHGrapevine…

“It’s not often little New Hartford has two Olympic Gold Medalists come into town.”

Deb Kuszaj of Blue Sky Foods said to our editor of the visit into town by Bill Johnson and Phil Mahre, 1984 ski champions. The pair were at Ski Sundown on Saturday, January 23 for the First Annual Sam and Mary Humphrey Memorial Vertical Challenge for The Bill Johnson Health Care Trust. Lots of skiers and boarders took the Vertical Challenge at Ski Sundown on a perfect day on the slopes. A great day in New Hartford!

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…

Bill Johnson (on left) and Phil Mahre (on right) pose for the media with the two first-place winners of the Vertical Challenge. Photo: Maria Moore

Bill Johnson (second from left) and Phil Mahre (second from right) with the team that placed first in the Vertical Challenge. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

The Board of Selectmen has changed its meeting schedule so that its first meeting of the month falls on the second Tuesday of the month to coincide with the Board of Finance which has traditionally met on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.  The first Tuesday evening meeting of the selectmen was yesterday evening at 5:30 p.m. and the selectmen did a valiant job of getting through most of the 16 items on their agenda before bringing their meeting to a close so the Board of Finance members could begin their meeting.

Following are items discussed at yesterday evening’s meeting, not necessarily in the order that they appeared on the board’s agenda (see end of report):

Agenda Item #11:  Appointment of Interim Highway Superintendent

First Selectman Dan Jerram announced that, on advice of counsel, he has entered into an agreement with Selectman Bruce Greczyk to continue on an interim basis as Highway Superintendent.  Bruce stepped into that position on Thursday, January 7, the same day that Dan Jerram announced that on January 6 the town had suspended an employee without pay while police investigated the larceny of town money and/or town property.  Bruce will be paid $30 per hour, without benefits, and he will have the use of a town vehicle and a gas card.  He started as an employee on Friday, January 8; Thursday, January 7 was a voluntary, unpaid day.

Tom Klebart agreed with Bruce’s interim appointment until the next selectmen’s meeting, scheduled for January 26.  Tom said he prefers to go from meeting to meeting and see where the investigation stands.

Other Appointments:

Item #8:  Appointments to Boards and Commissions: Roy LeMere was appointed to the Inland Wetlands Commission, and Bill Michaud was appointed to the WPCA.

Item #10: Appointment of Subregistrars: Jason Montana and Chris Ryan were appointed as Subregistrars, as requested by Town Clerk Donna LaPlante.

Item #9:  Appointment of New Hartford Assessor: The board didn’t take up this item, but rather continued it to their next meeting on January 26.  Although the current Assessor, Beth Paul, a full-time town employee, her position is one that is reappointed by each new administration, in accordance with a town ordinance.

Item #3: Mike Dezzani ~ Update on Sewer Line Repairs

Mike Dezzani, Building Oversight Committee (BOC)  member, reported to the selectmen on their ongoing review of problem sewer lines so the BOC might make a recommendation to the selectmen on which of the lines they should expend the STEAP grant which the town was recently awarded; see our January 5 report Building Oversight Committee Meets…

Mike distributed a handout which summarized the information BOC members had collected on the three companies they had contacted for quotes on videotaping inside the sewer lines, something they felt was necessary for them to be able to make a recommendation on which of the lines to repair.  The three companies contacted were Yankee Water Services, CT Sewer Service and New England Pipe Cleaning.  After considering the exact services each company would be providing, the assistance each would need from the town to do the actual videotaping, and the different prices quoted, the BOC recommended hiring the New England Pipe Cleaning Co. to do the videotaping.  At $3,910 the company was the cheapest and also the only one which had sent its workers to New Hartford to look at the work to be done.

Tom Klebart asked whether the money would be paid out of the grant.  Christine Hayward said it wouldn’t be out of the grant, since it was money spent prior to the execution of the grant.  Tom asked where the money was coming from and he was told by Dan Jerram that it would be coming out of the Highway Engineering line item, in which there is a balance of $15,000.  The selectmen then passed a motion approving the work to be done by the New England Pipe Cleaning Company.

Item #5: Denton (“Bud”) Butler ~ WWTP Progress Report #9

Denton Butler’s progress report #9 on the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) construction project was posted on NewHartfordPlus on Monday, January 11 and on the WPCA section of the town’s municipal website, so Denton was at the meeting to answer any questions on the report.    The only question was about the April 2010 date as the date the completion date.  Denton answered that early April was the date to bring the WWTP on line for the commissioning process.  He mentioned November as the likely time the plant would be fully commissioned (i.e. placed in active service).  Dan Jerram said the WPCA is currently working on an RFP (Request For Proposal) for an operator for the plant and the selectmen should have it by the first week of February.

Item #5: Alison Murdock ~ Request for Clean Energy Supplier

Alison Murdock, Chairperson of the Conservation Commission and Paul Mahoney, member of the Conservation Commission’s Energy Task Force, came before the selectmen to ask them to enroll municipality in the clean energy options, as outlined by Paul in his article Go Green And Save Money… posted by NewHartfordPlus on January 9.  Alison reminded the selectmen that in 2008 the town had made a commitment to the “20% by 2010″ Campaign; see the resolution on the CT Clean Energy website.

Alison said that by switching to a clean energy source the town, which uses 20,000 kW per month, would pay a premium of $260 per month.  However, by opting for a supplier other than CL&P, the town  could recoup that money.  Dan said he wanted to see the town break even on the switch.

Denton asked whether by consolidating all the town facilities, the town might qualify for a contract rate with CL&P.   Alison said they had looked into that several years ago but the fire departments and the schools are billed separately.  The schools actually belong to a group that purchase electricity together, but other town facilities dodn’t qualify to join that group.

When asked for a specific recommendation out of the list of a dozen or so options, Alison and Paul said there were many factors to consider.  Dan asked to carry forward the item to the next board meeting, when the Conservation Commission would make a recommendation of which options the selectmen should adopt.

Item #7: Year End Projections ~ FY2009-2010

Dan went briefly through the year-end budget projection which shows that the town is $110,000 over-expended at the half-way point in its fiscal year which runs from July 1 through June 30.   The budget figures were analyzed in depth during the Board of Finance meeting which immediately followed the Board of Selectmen meeting.  This item will be included in our Board of Finance report which is next in our reporter’s ‘Pending’ list; we will add a link here to the Board of Finance report once it is completed.

__________________

Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:30 PM
Town Hall
AGENDA

1.)Minutes of December 21, 2009
2.)Opportunity for Public Comment
3.)Mike Dezzani – update on sewer line repairs
4.)Bud Butler – WWTP progress report
5.)Alison Murdock – Request for Clean Energy supplier
6.)Operations Updates Grant Updates, Engineering Services, Others
7.)Year End Projections – FY 2009-2010
8.)Appointments to Boards and Commissions WPCA, Inland-Wetlands, others?
9.)Appointment of Town of New Hartford Assessor
10.)Appointment of Subregistrars (Vital Statistics)
11.)Appointment of Interim Highway Superintendent
12.)Resolution – re: West Hill Road Overlay
13.)Resolution – re: Housing Rehab Grant
14.)Set time, date, manner of Special Town Meeting (consideration of dates- January 25, 2010; January 26, others)
15.)Correspondence
16.)Any Other Business to Come Before This Board

[Updated January 6 to clarify 'Main Street West']

By: Maria Moore

The Building Oversight Committee (BOC) for the wastewater treatment plant met last Tuesday, December 29,2009  to begin work on another sewer-related project: that of reviewing the information available for the two sewer lines in need of repairs so that they can make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen on which of the two projects should be funded with the STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant which the town recently received from the state. The two projects, one for sewer line work on Main Street and the other on Brook Street, were both part of a grant application for $500,000 submitted by the town for STEAP funding. New Hartford was only awarded $250,000 and it now has to decide which of the two projects will be funded by the STEAP grant. The Board of Selectmen decided at its last meeting on December 21 to expand the scope of the BOC to include this review and recommendation on the two projects; see our December 22 report on the BOS meeting Appointment of New Labor Attorney,…

In attendance at the meeting were: the BOC members, Mike Dezzani, Roy Litchfield, Denton Butler and Ken Krohner (who is also chairman of the WPCA); First Selectman Dan Jerram, Karl Nilsen, Inland Wetlands Officer; and Ray Adamaitis from CT Water.

The group reviewed what was known about each of the projects, as follows:

Brook Street Project:

Ray said that, as a result of storms in 2008, the bank of the brook has eroded away and the sewer line is now exposed.  The sewer line, which is cement, is now in the brook.  There is infiltration going into the line, although the line is not broken.

A preliminary study was done by Weston and Sampson Engineering, and that firm’s recommendation was to move the sewer line from the brook to the middle of the road.  This would mean that residents would have to use pumps instead of gravity, which is now the case.  The Weston and Sampson study had an estimated cost for the project of $235,000 in 2008.

“Is there anything to say that we have to take the pipe out of the water?” Denton asked, and Ray said there wasn’t.  However, since the course of Mountain Brook has changed, it’s now encroaching on Brook Street.  Ken said he’d been thinking that if they moved the brook over to make it a straighter line, then they could put material over the line and riprap it.  ”Cost-wise, it’d be a lot cheaper.” Ken said.  Denton added that putting the line in the middle of the road still left the problem of the erosion of the bank to be solved.  Ken said there was pressure to the left (bank), so the pipe should be moved to the right, moving it back to where it was.  ”Sounds like a definite ‘Maybe’.” Mike Dezzani said.

Asked for his opinion, as the Inland Wetlands Officer, Karl agreed that it was a possibility, although he voiced concern if there was infiltration going on.  Ray emphasized that there is no break in the line, and if it were buried properly, then there would be no infiltration.  ”From Inland Wetlands. Karl said, ” If it’s not going into virgin ground, that’s a possibility.”  Karl agreed that it was much easier and cheaper than to take the line up onto the road.  Ray agreed, saying that if he had to make that choice, that would be it.

The discussion then turned to cameraing the pipe.  ”If (you’re) going to riprap over the line,  (you) would want to know the condition it’s in.”  Roy said.  The group decided they would camera both projects; see below.

Main Street Project:

The group then went on to consider the Main Street project, acknowledging that both projects were serious problems, and that there was only money for one.  ”This is a crapshoot.” Mike said, on their need to decide on one of the two projects.

Preliminary engineering work was done by the Maguire Group for the Main Street project in 2006, but no cost estimate was included.

Denton said it would be smart to do Main Street, saying that while Brook Street is a potential disaster, on Main Street they already have a sewer line that was crushed, with sewage probably making its way into the river.  ”(I) Would like to see us come out of this with one project done and engineering done on the second ~ to then be able to look for money for it.”  He said.

The Main Street sewer line is not just the sewer line that runs along the side of Route 44; it also includes the sewer line running along the side of the Farmington River, see our photo at the foot of this report. However, there are some houses a little further down from the post office that are not connected to the sewer, but have septic systems.   Asked what  they were calling the Main street problem, Ray answered: “From Bridge Street all the way down!”

For easier reference, the group decided to name the different segments of Main Street included in the sewer project into: Main Street East (from 535 Main to the Bridge Street intersection); Central Main Street (from #535 to #551 on the post office side); and Main Street West (from #551 on to the end of the houses).  The group then discussed problems relating to the different segments of Main Street.

Main Street East: The section of line going to Bridge Street is suspect, with potential problems lurking, but they won’t be known for sure until the line is cameraed.

Central Main Street: Ray said that this is the only stretch that has been cameraed and it showed the pipe was actually crushed and there are no lateral connections.  Ray showed a 2005 picture showing that there was no connection at all.  Mike asked about a backup in the police department, and Ray confirmed it, saying that as the line breaks, it (the debris) gets pushed to the next manhole.

Main Street West: The group was told of a blockage within the last couple of weeks that was taken care of by the town of Farmington, using their equipment.  Fortunately, Farmington only back-charged the town for its costs.

Ray said that the Main Street line and the River line (to which the remaining houses on Main Street collect) are the most important lines to take care of right now.  Asked if there was a root problem, he said: “Definitely!”  Asked if the line should be cameraed, he again said: “Definitely!”  In his opinion, he said they’d find that the line had collapsed.

Mike asked how old the system is, and Ken, thinking back, said it was done in the 1960s.  Ken said the reason that the original wastewater treatment plant was built back then was to clean up along the river.  ”We were out of high school.” He said.  ”It had to have been in the ’60s.”

Actions to be taken:

The BOC decided to camera the lines in the two projects that had not already been cameraed: Brook Street, Main Street East and Main Street West.  The cost to do this will be approximately $1,200 which Dan said his office would cover.

The BOC members will be meeting with the representative from USDA today, January 5 to determine if there is funding available from that agency for the two sewer line projects.  The BOC will also be looking into other funding options.  The BOC will also be meeting with the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) to discuss the STEAP fund administration, to gain that agency’s approval of the way the BOC plans to solve both the sewer line projects.

In a break toward the end of the meeting, our reporter asked if the BOC still planned to present its recommendation to the selectmen at their next board meeting on January 12, and she was told: “We haven’t missed a deadline yet!”  And another BOC member joked: “Even if it’s only to say we aren’t ready!”  We will, of course, report on their progress on June 12.

Co-Chair Appointed:

Our report left the meeting a few minutes before its end.  She later learned that Denton Butler had been appointed as Co-Chair with Roy Litchfield.

To read the official minutes:  Of this Building Oversight Committee meeting when they become available, please see the Minutes and Agendas section of the town’s municipal website.

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BOC AGENDA
Tuesday, December 29 2009

A.) Discussion of STEAP Grant provisions – DEP Involvement/Reporting; Optional Funding
B.) Review Of Available Information – CT Water/Zoning-Inlands/Wetlands Officer/First Selectman
C.) Prioritizing Projects – Main St/Brook Street
D.) Action Plan – Report To BOS
E.) Discussion – Co-Chair Option

A sewer manhole cover about 5' from the edge of the Farmington River. Photo: Maria Moore

Brook Street in New Hartford center. Photo: Maria Moore