By: Maria Moore

The following report is of the New Hartford Schools Board of Ed Meeting held on Tuesday, June 1. The complete agenda for the meeting is included at the end of this article. Please let us know if you believe there are factual errors in the report or if you believe you have been misquoted and we will make those changes we consider appropriate. As always, please be sure to read the official minutes of NH Schools Board of Ed Meetings which are posted in the Past Minutes/Meetings area of the Board of Ed section of the New Hartford Schools website. The BOE meeting minutes are generally available within a week of the meeting, the NewHartfordPlus Crew.

The New Hartford Board of Ed met last Tuesday evening, June 1 and among the items discussed were the following:

Item I: Old Business

1. Region 7 Response: Sue Lundin, the BOE Chair said that she had spoken with the Chairwoman of the Regional #7 BOE, Molly Sexton Read, about the proposal by New Hartford Schools’ BOE to share a superintendent with Regional #7. Sue said that the matter will be added to the agenda of the next Regional Board of Ed meeting to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, June 9. Sue said she would be attending that Regional meeting, and Steve Tuxbury and Bryan Keilty each said they would also try to attend the meeting.

Dr. Philip O’Reilly, Superintendent of New Hartford Schools spoke briefly of the last meeting of the area superintendents whose students attend Regional #7.  Philip said there was interest expressed by the superintendents in sharing services with Regional #7. Philip also said that either the Regional #7 Board of Ed or two of the Regional #7 member towns’ BOEs would have to vote to begin looking at regionalization of  services. He said that Colebrook especially was very interested in the idea.

C. Superintendent’s Report

Both the following items were moved from D. Building Report to C. Superintendent’s Report.

2. 2010-2011 Teacher Assignments: Because of the loss of four teaching positions next year, Philip said that the teaching assignments of 10 teachers had been changed. The teachers and their new assignments are as follows:

In Bakerville School:

• Christine Sullivan: From grade 1 to grade 2;

Antolini School:

• Manny Tancreti: from (Bakerville) grade 2 to grade 3
• Joyce Hinman: from (Antolini) grade 3 to (New Hartford) grade 2
• Monika Kulikowski: from (Bakerville) grade 2 to grade 3
• Kathleen Tancreti: from Kindergarten to Grade 4
• Karin Jones: from grade 3 to grade 4
• Donna Magnotta: from grade 2 to grade 5
• Andrea Gordon: from grade 5 to grade 6
• Karen Casey: from grade 3 to grade 5

Special Ed:

• Bridget Seyer: from grade 4 to Special Ed.

Misc.: Students Reassigned From Bakerville To New Hartford Elementary

Philip also mentioned that 14 students (later confirmed as 15 students by the Superintendent’s Office) were being reassigned from the Bakerville School to New Hartford Elementary due to the uneven number of students in the two schools and the slots available at the schools.  Students’ families were being contacted by Steve Nadeau, Principal of both Bakerville and New Hartford Elementary and Philip said he expected that, for the most part, parents would be understanding about the reassignment.

G. Curriculum

1.  Language Arts (Region 7): Amanda Shaw and Roxanne Pangallo presented a draft of the K-6 Language Arts curriculum that they’ve worked on over the past year together with other teachers in the other elementary schools in the Regional 7 school district.  They said that the draft curriculum will be implemented at all the schools this coming school year and, based on the input from teachers, it will be revised and finalized for the following year.   The curriculum will also be shared with the Middle School at Regional #7 to help ensure a smooth transition for students going into grade 7 at Regional, they said.

Amanda and Roxanne were commended for their work on what Philip termed “a Herculean task.” He said the two had been sent to special training which had helped them lead the regional work done on the curriculum.

Steve Tuxbury made a motion to approve the draft copy of the curriculum without waiting to see the final copy next year as a show of support of the work that was done.  Steve said it had been a long time in coming and he was pleased by it.   Elaine Carmelich seconded the motion, saying the draft was “a great job.”  The Board unanimously approved the new language arts curriculum.

_______________

Board of Education Meeting
New Hartford Town Hall
7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Agenda
A. Chair to Open Meeting

B. Chair to Select Order of Business

C. Superintendent’s Report

D. Building Report
1. Special Education-Annual Performance Report
2. 2010-2011 Teacher Assignments
E. Routine Business
1. Approval of Minutes -May 18, 2010
2. Personnel Report
3. Expenditure/Projection Report

F. Opportunity for Public Comment

G. Curriculum
1. Language Arts (Region 7)

H. New Business
1.
2.

I. Old Business
1. Region 7 Response
2. Policy Revision (Second Reading)
5145 Bullying (Shipman & Goodwin Version)
5145 Section 504 (to replace 3511a & 5145abc…)
4112.5 Security Check/Fingerprinting
4121 Substitute Teachers
4122 Student Teachers
4131 Professional Development
3. Superintendent’s Evaluation (Executive Session Anticipated)

J. Reports
1. Ad Hoc Building Committee (Bakerville)

K. Communications to the Board of Education

L. Adjournment

New Hartford Schools 2010-2011 Calendar, Rev. 6/10

Yesterday, June 7, we received a revised copy of the New Hartford Schools 2010-2011 School Calendar from Janet Condon, the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools.

To download a copy of this revised 2010-2011 school calendar, please click on the following link: New Hartford Schools 2010-11 Approved School Calendar, rev. 6/10 (184)

A school bus headed up Route 44 towards Regional #7. Photo: Maria Moore

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

_______________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agenda Item #VII, Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_______________

Board of Finance Meeting, Tuesday, May 11, 2010

AGENDA

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, May 18, 2010:

• New Hartford Business Council Morning Mingler: at Passiflora Tea Room & Cafe, 526 Main Street. Meeting begins at 7:45 a.m.
• Informational meeting for business owners and professionals on the draft zoning regulations: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Sessions Conference Room at the Town Hall. Rista Malanca, the town’s Interim Zoning Officer will meet with members of the Business Council to answer their questions regarding the new zoning regulations that are nearing completion and will soon be adopted by New Hartford. This meeting is specifically for business owners and professionals who may have questions about how the new zoning regulations may impact their business operation.
• Bakerville Library Story Time for 3 to 5 year-olds: at 10:15 a.m. Bakerville Library, 6 Maple Hollow Road, New Hartford, CT. For more information please call the Bakerville Library at 482-8806.
• 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.
• New Hartford Schools Board of Ed. Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Bakerville Consolidated School, 51 Cedar Lane, New Hartford, CT. See the listing on our Calendar Page to view the meeting agenda.

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…

“Wouldn’t it be great to record the birdsong up here?”

The Moores said to each other as they hiked along the edge of the woods at Brodie Park South last weekend.

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…

One of the paths in Brodie Park South. Photo: Maria Moore

It’s been six months since our article An NPR Moment: An Important Message From Our Editor and I won’t bore you by running through the wonderful reasons why you should support NewHartfordPlus financially.  But maybe I will ~ just a tad:

• An average 1,000 visitors per day come to NewHartfordPlus for their local news coverage ~ a lot of interest in the happenings of our small town of 6,500+ residents;
• Our blow-by-blow news coverage of issues we consider important is unequalled: just look back in our archives beginning in January and see for yourself our comprehensive coverage of the recent budget process ~ over 30 articles (feels more like 300!) covering all New Hartford Schools Board of Ed meetings, all Board of Selectmen meetings, most of Regional #7 Board of Ed meetings and all but one of the Board of Finance meetings (the one I didn’t report on was my symbolic boycott: the April 13 meeting after the Public Hearing on the budget when the Board of Finance made no changes to their proposed budget ~ although I did report the essential outcome of that meeting in the Grapevine quote the next in our April 14 Daily Calendar);
• our attendance at an average of 4 meetings per week, including town boards and commissions, and non-profits.  And this means attending the full meeting, not just a 10-minute stop ~ long enough to shoot a 1-minute video clip, write down 2-3 quotes and then leave ~ as one of the local reporters for one of the newspapers covering our town is now in the habit of doing.
• our unaffiliated view on town politics and events which means sometimes I’ll speak up at meetings and ask the hard questions ~ mostly the ones which residents suggest I ask since they, for their own good reasons, feel they can’t ask publicly;
• link our community in person: one of the huge pleasures of being out in our community at different meetings and events, is being able to connect residents with other residents and local organizations just by saying at the right time: “Oh, so and so would love to contribute to your cause/would be really interested in your service/offers the service you’re looking for/have you thought of getting in touch with…? …”
• link our community on the web:  so many residents let us know “I read about it on NewHartfordPlus!”, “I’m so glad you mentioned that!…”

The only thing that has changed in the last 6 months is that my work hours at my paying job have now increased to an average of 30 hours per week, while Bob continues to work full-time.  NewHartfordPlus is our “extra-curricular” activity, taking up an average of 80 hours per week.  You do the math.  Suffice it to say that when we took a 2-hour break this past Sunday to start work on our garden, we both said: “We have to make time to do this!”

OK, here’s the pitch:

If you enjoy coming to NewHartfordPlus at least a couple of times per week, and you find something that makes you feel more connected to our community, then Bob and I are asking you to consider adding NewHartfordPlus to your “Must Support” list.  $10 per month, gets you listed on our Stakeholders page which we really will get updated ~ another “housekeeping chore” which we’ve put below “cover the news” on our to-do list.

We are not asking the non-profit organization you belong to ~ only one of which in the past 16 months has made a financial contribution to our local news site.  But of course, we would gladly welcome any contribution from any of the non-profits whose events we cover, and to whom we provide a link on our home page to their organization’s website, all for free.

We are not asking the Republican Town Committee or the Democratic Town Committee ~ which appear to interpret “Unaffiliated” to mean “One of Them,” even if the large number of voters in New Hartford identify themselves as “Unaffiliated.”

We are asking YOU, our reader, to consider supporting this independent, local news source that continues to link you to our community and our community to you.  Whether you consider us “the blog“, as Ben Witte, the Board of Finance Chairman, referred to NewHartfordPlus in his comment blasting our “slanted coverage” and in which he gave the results of the budget referendum to our readers even as our reporter was down at Town Hall waiting for the results ~ or as the closest thing to a local newspaper since the “New Hartford News” ceased publication in the 1950s [ ? gotta check the name and the date with Dina Waker, our original reporter about town] ~ NewHartfordPlus IS the place to catch up on our local news.

So, until another unaffiliated news source takes our place (Please let us know and we’ll help you get started!), or I decide I really am more interested in pursuing a Masters in Social Work than in being the self-appointed town reporter/photographer/editor 24/7:

Your financial support is critical in continuing to keep NewHartfordPlus reporting on our community!

Thank You,

Maria

P.S.  I’ve promised myself today that, even with two back-to-back meetings to cover this evening, many “hot irons in the fire,” and 150 unread emails in my Inbox, I will find the time to plant the two pink lily of the valley I bought at the Garden Club’s Plant Sale last Saturday, because as Bob reminded me again this morning:

“We’ve gotta stay playful at this!”

Watch for the photo of the two planted pink lily of the valley plants  in tomorrow’s Daily Calendar…

Ways to contribute to NewHartfordPlus:

• Send a check to NewHartfordPlus at P.O. Box 667, New Hartford, CT 06057
• Use the “Buy Us A Coffee” PayPal link to make a payment using your debit or credit card.

Or, in the traditional, country way: right now we’re in need of a coupla bales of hay for our garden…

The wisteria is blooming freely again on the large maple opposite the Moore's home, a glorious reminder that "tempus fugit" and the opportunity to plant a spring garden is a fleeting one: Seize it! Photo: NewHartfordPlus archives

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

Monday, May 10, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center activities: at the 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. There will be a plant swap during and after the coffee hour. 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 PTO Meeting: at 6:30 p.m. in the New Hartford Schools PTO Multipurpose Room at the Ann Antolini Scool. For more information about the PTO please visit the PTO section on the New Hartford Schools website:
• Public input meeting: The future of Brodie Park South There will be a public input meeting at 7:00 pm third floor of Town Hall, moderated by Dan Eddy. The New Hartford Recreation Commission together with Open Space, Conservation, Seniors, youth sports, and Friends of Brodie are exploring ideas for uses of Brodie South, commonly referred to as the Old Golf Course. For more information, please see our May 5 article: The Future of Brodie Park South, Invitation to Give Your Input:
• New Hartford Village Fire District Annual Meeting: at 8:00 p.m. at the New Hartford Firehouse, at the corner of Greenwoods Road and Route 219, New Hartford
• 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 29,976 visitors (our April stats). Use the “Submit Your Listing” form to send us your information and we’ll list your business.
• 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…

“We were so afraid we we were going to break any of them!”

Said Carol, one of the Garden Club members, about the gorgeous tomato plants at Saturday’s Plant Sale. Fellow Garden Club member, Linda Dryansky, who was responsible for the 250+ tomato plants at the sale, had fostered some of the plants out and, as any good parent, she kept close tabs on their well-being.

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

"The Tomato Lady" Linda Dryansky who was responsible for the 250+ tomato plants ~ with a little help from her fellow gardeners to whom she fostered out some of the plants ~ at Saturday's Plant Sale held by the New Hartford Garden Club at Town Hall. The lunch room never looked so good! Photo: Maria Moore

The entrance to Town Hall on Saturday morning decorated by the Garden Club which was holding its plant sale inside. Photo: Maria Moore

[Article updated to clarify the discussion surrounding 1. Old Business, 3. 2010-2011  school calendar discussion; 10:30 p.m., Sunday, May 9.]

By: Maria Moore

PTO Appreciates Teachers With Breakfast And Luncheon

During this past week, National Teacher Appreciation Week, New Hartford Schools teachers definitely felt appreciated: they were treated to both breakfast and lunch by the schools’ Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Students also brought to their teachers notes of appreciation on Monday, May 3, and something sweet on Thursday, May 6. The PTO also gifted a new picnic table to the Antolini School and new art for the halls of New Hartford Elementary and Bakerville in honor of the schools’ staff. “The teachers and staff were so appreciative!” Debbie Ventre emailed us. Debbie also included photos of both the luncheon and the breakfast at Bakerville School.

Note: The PTO would like to thank all the families that provided items for the luncheons and breakfasts.

The teachers and staff at Bakerville School enjoy the luncheon arranged for them by the PTO as part of the Teacher Appreciation Week. Photo: Debbie Ventre

Teachers and staff at Bakerville School enjoyed breakfast on Wednesday, May 5 hosted by the PTO. Photo: Debbie Ventre

Many Thanks: To all the teachers in New Hartford Schools and in other schools who do so much for the students in their care.

Many Thanks: To all the members of the PTO for bringing together such a nice program to thank the teachers and staff in New Hartford schools.

Schools’ Board of Ed Members Look To Next School Year

The New Hartford Schools Board of Ed met this past Tuesday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bakerville School, even as the Budget Referendum was entering its last hour. Following are some of the items discussed by the Board; the full agenda is posted at the end of this article; the official minutes of this meeting will be posted on the Meetings/Minutes section of the New Hartford Public Schools’ website.

C: Superintendent’s Report

2. Bus Ridership Data: Dr. Philip O’Reilly, Superintendent of New Hartford Schools, said that the data collected showed that there are buses with less than 50% occupancy, and that there are some that have just a few kids riding them. He said he will look at consolidating some of the routes, while keeping in mind that they don’t want to exceed the time students spend on the bus outlined by the Board. Some buses are stopping at every house he said, which is unnecessary.

4.  Magnet School Enrollments: Philip reported to the Board that there are 6 children going to preschool at Magnet Schools.  Board of Ed member Steve Tuxbury asked why they are paying for preschool, and fellow Board of Ed member Bryan Keilty asked what the requirement is for the Board to pay for preschool.  Philip said that they are mandated by law to pay for it, that it is a way to integrate urban kids with suburban kids.  Board member Kate Natale clarified that they pay for a portion of the cost.  Steve said that they have to take a stand or they’ll be contributing to anyone who’s going to a private school.  Philip said he would bring the bill in (to the next meeting) for the Board members.

F.  Opportunity for Public Comment

A parent asked the Board and the Superintendent to use the ALERTNOW message system for all Board of Ed meetings, not just the budget meetings.  The parent said that everyone could use a reminder for the meetings.

H. New Business

1. 2010  Boiler Project: There was an open bid for the boiler replacement at Antolini and 3 closed bids for engineering.  Steve Tuxbury, who is on the Plant Facilities Subcommittee,  recommended that because they were not doing anything new,  they shouldn’t go with an engineer.  The engineering bid for was $30,000 while one of the bids for the boiler was $95,600.  The school has $75,000 in grants for the boiler.  When it came to who would be overseeing the project, Philip said he had the name of a local contractor who could help them with it.  The Board voted to bypass using an engineer for the boiler replacement.

2. Non Union Employee Raises: Kate Natale, Chair of the Negotiations Subcommittee, confirmed that they would like to do something for non-union employees who hadn’t had a raise in two years, but they were split on how much; 3% would be similar to what the town employees or 2% since many people in the community were not getting raises either.  Kate added that next spring they would be going into negotiations with a tough economy.  The issue was in respect to the inequity and concerns with setting precedents.

Pat Okrongly, a teacher at Antolini, had just informed the Board that she would be retiring and this gave the Board members a little leeway.  Steve said that they had just come through a very tough budget that still hadn’t been passed.  Board member Davis Hoffnagle said it shouldn’t be higher than 2%.  Bryan Keilty said it was premature to discuss pay increases with the budget not yet passed.  He said they should have done something with the original budget, not now.  Bryan recommended that they table the matter until the next meeting, Davis seconded it and the rest of the Board agreed to table the item until they knew whether or not the budget had passed.

3.  Director of Student Services: Philip recommended rehiring Connie Hovarth as the Director of Pupil Services for the coming school year.  He said he had heard only positives about her work this past year. The Board passed a motion hiring Connie under the same conditions, i.e. 3 days per week at $680 per day, a portion of which, Philip said, went to Education Connection through whom Connie had been employed.

4. Last Day of School for Students: Philip recommended making Friday, June 18 the last day of school for students; this will allow him to hold teacher professional days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (June 21, 22 and 23).  This was approved by the Board.

Note: Following the meeting, on Thursday, May 6 the following ALERTNOW message was sent to parents and other interested parties from Philip’s office:

“On Tuesday evening, the Board of Education voted to move the last day of school to Friday, June 18, 2010 (barring any emergency closings). This will be a half day of school with a 1:00 dismissal time. AM and PM Kindergarten will both be attending school that day with abbreviated times to be determined later. Preschool’s last day of school will be June 11th.”

5. 2010-2011 Food Service Contract: The hot lunch program for the current year has been spoken of approvingly at previous Board of Ed meetings.  At this meeting a hand-out showed that, through the end of April, the schools’ lunch program is  operating in the black.  The Board of Ed accepted Philip’s recommendation to sign a contract with Education Connection for food service for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year.

I. Old Business

1. 2010-2011 Budget: Philip said he wanted to begin the discussion of the possible reistatement of positions cut from the school budget (for the upcoming fiscal year 2010-2011).  He’d like to see the following positions reinstated (in FTEs):

Psychology: .4; Paraprofessionals: 1.2; Special Ed teacher: 1; Gym: .1; Librarian (?FTEs); Spanish: (?FTEs).

Reinstating these positions would be made possible because of savings that will be realized; some of those savings are $40,000+ in medical insurance costs, $20,000 savings in heating oil savings, and extending the bus contract for 5 years.  After some discussions about the positions and their reinstatement, Sue Lundin, Board of Ed Chairperson, said they would take the matter under advisement and, based on the outcome of the budget referendum, they would take action at the next meeting of the Board.

New Busing Contract With Dattco Approved: As part of the above discussion on reinstating staff cut from the budget, the Board discussed whether they should approve a new busing contract with Dattco, their present transportation company.  Philip said that based on his research, he felt the price from Dattco was very decent, plus they were giving an additional $10,000 reduction in the coming year.

Bryan asked whether they had explored the possibility of collaborating with Regional #7 on busing.  Philip said that always brings up a lot of questions, and right now they hadn’t done that, they were just trying to move forward.  Kate Natale said that given Philip’s investigations and the type of people they were dealing with ~ referring to Dattco’s responsiveness that had been discussed earlier ~ she was in favor of accepting the proposed contract.  Elaine Carmelich said that based on all that had been said recently about school bus safety, she didn’t think they would be changing bus companies next year.  Steve emphasized that they were making a decision that would affect the next 6 years and he said he coudn’t remember when the busing contract had last gone out to bid.  He wanted to put the contract out to bid.

A motion was made to approve Dattco’s proposed 5-year contract; 5 members of the Board voted to approve the new contract and 3 members ~ Steve, Bryan and Davis ~ voted against it.  Dattco’s proposal for a new 5-year busing contract was approved.

2.  School Security: Steve Tuxbury said that the members of the Facilities Subcommittee who had looked into whether to install a security system at the schools were split between whether to do it or not.  He said that both he and Davis Hoffnagle felt they shouldn’t do it.  Their reasons included the cost of even the minimum package and that a security system gives a false sense of  security. The subcommittee’s recommendation was not to install a security system at this time.  The matter was tabled by the Board members.

3.  2010-2011 School Calendar: Board members considered a proposed school calendar for the upcoming school year, 2010-2011.  It eliminates half days during the school year, except for the last day of school and for conferences. Bryan Keilty asked whether it would be possible to hold the team planning sessions at the end of the day to cut down on the substitute line since a substitute would be required to cover the teacher’s classroom during the planning session; the team planning sessions are 2 hours every 6 weeks.  Steve agreed with Bryan, saying that having to hire additional subs was a deal breaker.   Steve made a motion not to approve the calendar with the half days and the motion was not approved; the Board members discussed approving the calendar and then pursuing the other issue separately.  However, Kate Natale said she wasn’t sure if they would want to approve the calendar before sending out a letter to ask that they (the teachers) reconsider the use of the 20 mins per day to meet the Superintendent’s recommendation for professional development.  The Board agreed to send a letter to the teachers’ association asking to reallocate the 20 minutes daily and to consolidate the 20 minutes into a 2-hour session every 6 weeks.    No action was taken on the proposed school calendar until the issue was resolved.

At this point of the meeting, at a little after 8 p.m. our reporter left the Board of Ed meeting to pick up her coverage of the Budget Referendum since the voting had just ended.  The budget was passed, with 271 residents voting for the budget (“Yes”) and 118 voting against the budget (“No”); to read more about the results of the Budget Referendum, please see our May 4 article Both Budgets Approved…

________________

New Hartford Public Schools
Board of Education Meeting
Bakerville Consolidated School
7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Agenda

A. Chair to Open Meeting

B.Chair to Select Order of Business

C.Superintendent’s Report
1. Connecticut Race to the Top
2. Bus Ridership Data
3. Green Energy Projects
4. Magnet School Enrollments
5. Asbestos Periodic Surveillance Sheets
6. Spring After School Enrichment
7. Health Care Legislation

D. Building Report

E. Routine Business
1. Approval of Minutes –March 16, 2010
2. Personnel Report –Retirement
3. Expenditure/Projection Report

F. Opportunity for Public Comment

G. Curriculum

H. New Business
1. 2010 Boiler Project
2. Non Union Employee Raises
3. Director of Student Services
4. Last Day of School for Students
5. 2010-2011 Food Service Contract

I. Old Business
1. 2010-2011 Budget
2. School Security
3. 2010-2011 School Calendar
4. Policy (Second Reading)
4118.51 Use of New Web Tools,
5141.27 First Aid/Emergency Medical Care
5144 Physical Restraint Report Forms
6141.321(a) Computers Acceptable Use of the Internet…..

J. Reports

K. Communications to the Board of Education

L. Adjournment

By: Maria Moore

The official results of the budget referendum are in, and both the town budget, Question #1,(which includes the New Hartford Schools budget) and the Northwestern Regional #7 budget, Question #2,  for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year have been approved. The official numbers are as follows:

District 1:

• Question 1: Yes =123;  No = 46
  • Absentee:  Yes = 3;  No = 0
• Question 2: Yes = 115;  No = 50
  • Absentee: Yes = 3;  No = 0

District 2:

• Question 1: Yes = 145;  No =71
  • Absentee:  Yes = 0;  No = 1
• Question 2: Yes = 137;  No = 75
  • Absentee:  Yes = 0;  No = 1

Out of the 4,462 voters in New Hartford, only 389 voters, 8.7%, turned out to vote in today’s referendum.

On Question 1, which was to vote on the town budget (including the New Hartford Schools), 271 residents voted for the budget (“Yes”) and 118 voted against the budget (“No”).

On Question 2, which was to vote on the Regional #7 budget, 255 residents voted for the budget (“Yes”) and 126 voted against the budget (“No”).

Many Thanks: To both Registrars of Voters, Daria Hart and Lila Tuxbury, and to the Head Moderator, Judy Jones, for making the results of today’s referendum available to us within minutes of the final tally.

By: Maria Moore

Below is a downloadable PDF copy the Northwestern Regional #7 Proposed Budget which we received this morning from Roger Newbury, Business Manager at Northwestern Regional #7. This is the Regional #7 budget that was approved for today’s May 4 referendum at last night’s District Meeting. Paper copies of this budget are available at the Town Clerk’s Office.

To review the proposed 2010-2011 Northwestern Regional #7 Budget, click on the following links:

• Proposed Regional #7 budget, pages 1-5, by line items: Regional #7 Proposed Budget, pages 1-5 (227)
• Proposed Regional #7 budget, pages 6-10, by line items: Regional #7 Proposed Budget, pages 6-10 (219)
• Proposed Regional #7 budget, pages 11-13: Revenues, Assessments to member towns, and Notice of District Meeting: Regional #7 Proposed Budget, pages 11-13 (201)

To review the Town Administration Budget and the New Hartford Schools Budget, pease see our May 3 report Budget Referendum: What You’ll Be Voting For ~ Or Against ~ In May 4 Referendum.

Please Note: We have broken down the 13-page proposed Regional #7 budget into three sections and we have optimized them (reduced the size of each of the three files) since the original 1.51 MB file was too large for us to process.  If you would like a copy of the 13-page proposed budget in one file, please email us at newhartfordplus@gmail.com and we will forward you a copy of the original file.  Thank you for your understanding!

Regional #7 Board of Ed meeting this past February. Photo from NewHartfordPlus archives

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

Tuesday,May 4, 2010:

• CLOSED: New Hartford Senior Center: Due to the Budget Referendum.
• Budget Referendum: from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. First District votes at the Town Hall, Second District votes at South End Fire House.
• Northwestern Regional #7 Budget Referendum: At the same time as the town Budget Referendum, from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. First District votes at the Town Hall, Second District votes at South End Fire House.
• Early Literacy Program: Comprehension Session: at 9:30 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information about this Early Literacy Program please see the flyer posted in our Bulletin Board or call the Library at 860-379-7235.
• Bakerville Library Story Time for 3 to 5 year-olds: at 10:15 a.m. Bakerville Library, 6 Maple Hollow Road, New Hartford. For more information about the library please visit the Bakerville Library website.
• New Hartford Public Schools: Personnel and Negotiations Sub-committee Special Meeting: at 6:30 p.m. at the bakerville School, Cedar Lane, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Calendar.
• New Hartford Schools Board of Ed Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Bakerville School, Cedar Lane, New Hartford. For the agenda for 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.

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…

“Budget Referendum today: Please Vote!”

Voting takes a couple of minutes of our time, and it’s a nice opportunity to say “Thanks!” to those hard-working poll workers and our two Registrars of Voters, Daria Hart and Lila Tuxbury who bring it all together.

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…

Spring flowers at dusk decorate a grave at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery on Monday evening, May 3. Photo: Maria Moore

With a town-wide referendum slated for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4 to vote for (“Yes”) or against (“No”)the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, 2010-2011, which is being proposed by the town’s Board of Finance, we are publishing a round-up of budget-related information for those who would like to review the budget and the discussions surrounding the budget:

• To review the proposed 2010-2011 Town Administration budget, please visit the town’s municipal website and click on the tab CLICK HERE FOR THE PROPOSED NEW HARTFORD TOWN GOVERNMENT BUDGET which will download an 18-page copy of the proposed budget;
• To review the proposed 2010-2011 New Hartford Schools budget, please visit the town’s municipal website and click on the tab CLICK HERE FOR THE PROPOSED NEW HARTFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGETwhich will download a 33-page copy of the proposed budget;
• To view the budget presentations at the Public Budget Hearing held on April 6, please see our April 12 report …Budget Public Hearing Videos.  The 12 video segments include the Northwestern Regional #7 proposed budget presentation, the New Hartford Schools proposed budget presentation and the Town Administration budget presentation.

You may also check out our Archives and read our complete coverage of the budget process, beginning in February 2010.

By: Maria Moore

With the school year winding down, it’s time to look at the wonderful things your school children have been involved in this year and thank their teachers for all of their hard work in making it happen.  This coming week is Teacher Appreciation Week and the New Hartford Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is making sure that New Hartford teachers know that they are appreciated.

The PTO is asking all parents to have their children take a few minutes today and write a note of appreciation which they can bring in to their teachers tomorrow, Monday, May 3, the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week.  Children may also draw a picture and bring it to their teachers on Monday.

The PTO has also arranged the following events to celebrate our local teachers during the coming week:

• Tuesday, May 4: Appreciation Breakfast will be served at Antolini School; Appreciation Luncheon will be served at New Hartford Elementary and Bakerville schools;
• Wednesday, May 5: Appreciation Breakfast will be served at New Hartford Elementary and Bakerville schools;  Appreciation Luncheon will be served at Antolini School.
• Thursday, May 6: The PTO is asking  students to bring  a small sweet treat (a piece of fruit or candy) for their teacher and/or other staff member.
• Friday, May 7: A gift purchased by the PTO will be presented to each school in honor of the school’s staff:
  • Antolini will be receiving a new picnic table;
  • New Hartford Elementary and Bakerville will receive new art for their halls.

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May, this year between Monday, May 3 and Friday, May 7.  Teacher Appreciation Day is on Tuesday, May 4.

For more information about the New Hartford PTO: Please visit the PTO section of the New Hartford Schools website.

Many Thanks: To Debbie Ventre, PTO Vice President of the Bakerville School for informing us of the Teacher Appreciation activities scheduled by the PTO.

Antolini students participated in a Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education program led by Les Ober this past December. The program was arranged by Bridgette Seyer, a 4th Grade teacher at the Antolini School. Photo: Maria Moore

Anne DeMichiel singing the National Anthem during the Veterans' Day program at Antolini School this past year, one of the yearly programs at Antolini under the leadership of principal Kate Rieger. Â Photo: Maria Moore

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2010:

• New Hartford Senior Center: Fitness: at 9 a.m.($2.50 per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended); Wii Bowling at 10:00 a.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Children’s Story Time for 2-year-olds at the Beekley Library: at 10:15 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information please call Andrea Gaedeke at the library at 860-379-7235.
• New Hartford Schools Plant Facility Subcommittee Meeting: at 5:30 p.m. at Central Office at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Calendar.
• Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting, please see our Calendar.
• CANCELLED ~ Regional #7 Board of Ed Meeting: This meeting has been cancelled.
• 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.

…NHGrapevine…

“You should tax everyone, and then credit the tax back to those who bother to show up at the Annual Budget Meeting!”

Our editor gave her tongue-in-cheek solution on how to improve turnout at the town’s most important meeting of the year, which is now a shadow of what it should be. Bah-humbug!

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

The beautiful magnolia tree in full bloom at the Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast in Pine Meadow. Photo: Maria Moore from our archives

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

By: Bob Moore

NewHartfordPlus videoed the Board of Finance Budget Public Hearing held this past Tuesday evening, April 6. Following are videotape segments of the different presentations and the questions from the public and answers to their questions. Segments will be added as I have the opportunity to process them.

Segment 12: Dan Jerram is questioned about the proposed chip-sealing program for New Hartford’s roads. (part 5).

Segment 11: The presentation of the Town Budget continues, with Dan Jerram answering a question about pay raises at Town Hall and discussing the washout at the Industrial Park. (part 4).

Segment 10: Dan Jerram continues the Town Budget presentation, including discussing Browns Corner, the Town Hill Memorial, the Libraries and other items. (part 3).

Segment 9: Dan Jerram continues presentation of the Town Government budget (part 2).

Segment 8: Dan Jerram presents the Town Government budget (part 1).

Segment 7: Regional #7 representatives take questions from the public.

Segment 6: Molly Sexton-Reid continues presentation of the Regional #7 Budget for 2010/2011 (part 2).

Segment 5: Molly Sexton-Reid present the Regional #7 Budget for 2010/2011 (part 1).

Segment 4: Dr. Philip OReilly, Superintendent of New Hartford Schools, concludes the presentation of the 2010/2011 school budget (part 3).

Segment 3: Dr. Philip O’Reilly, Superintendent of New Hartford Schools, continues the presentation of the 2010/2011 school budget (part 2).

Segment 2: Bryan Keilty, Vice-Chairperson of the New Hartford Board of Education, and Dr. Philip O’Reilly, Superintendent of New Hartford Schools, present the 2010/2011 school budget (part 1).

Segment 1: Ben Witte Gives Overview of Proposed 2010-2011 Budget