[Part II of this report is in the process of being edited and will be published on Thursday. Thank you for your understanding; 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21]

[Addition: We have added the Building Inspector's position in the section 'Other Cuts in Personnel' since the status of that position was changed from a part-time position to a contracted service, resulting in a cut in the funding for that position; many thanks to a friend of NewHartfordPlus who pointed out this omission in our report; 10:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21]

[[Correction: The wording of the notice originally quoted at the beginning of this article is the wording in the Notices/Announcements section of the town's website. The notice on the doors at Town Hall is worded slightly differently. We have also added the wording of the notice on the doors to this article. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused; 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 21]

By: Maria Moore

With the Jerram administration now well into its 7th month in office, that is, over a quarter through its term, NewHartfordPlus is looking at the functioning of Town Hall to see what that might tell us about the current administration. Following is Part I of  a two-part report that looks at the changes in the staffing of Town Hall and the way the Jerram administration has handled those changes.  This report follows up on our June 29 report Notices and Help Wanteds: Town Hall.

If you have had occasion to go to Town Hall in the last month or so you will have been met by a notice prominently displayed on the doors of the building that says:

“NOTICE:

Please be advised that summer vacation schedules may have an impact on daily office staffing.

It is always best to call ahead to insure that staff in a certain office will be available to assist you if you have business to conduct that is of a specific nature.

If you have a question or concern, and no one is available to assist you, please stop by the Selectman’s Office.

We thank you in advance for your understanding of employees’ vacation schedules.”

A similar notice is also posted on the town’s website:

“NOTICE:

Town Hall office staffing may be impacted by summer vacation schedules. If you have specific business to conduct that requires the assistance of specific personnel, it is advised to call ahead to ensure that someone with the expertise required will be available to assist you. We thank you for your understanding of summer scheduling.”

Our reporter didn’t remember seeing a sign like this at Town Hall in previous years and she checked around informally to see if anyone else remembered such a notice in the past.  None of the half-dozen residents she asked could remember such an occurrence either.  On checking with Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Administrative Assistant, Christine said that there had been such a notice before and that perhaps people just hadn’t noticed it in the past.   The notice itself may be a moot point: if someone has gotten to the doors of the Town Hall to read the notice, then they may already have made that trip for naught if the person they need to see is out.  The notice is also posted on the Town’s municipal website under Notices/Announcements; however, someone interested in talking to the Assessor, for example, might not think of looking in another section for information pertaining to the Assessor’s Office.

During our own trips to Town Hall over the last couple of months we noticed the following disruption in the service of several offices:

• the Land Use office was unstaffed between Thursday afternoon and the following Tuesday morning during the Memorial Day weekend.  Rista Malanca, who was the only employee who would have been available to staff the office during that time was taking a combination of comp time and a vacation day during that holiday weekend period;
• during the 4th of July, a notice on the door of the Assessor’s Office informed the public that the office would be closed two days during that week.  Laura White was on vacation that week and Beth Paul, the town Assessor was working at the Burlington Town Hall.
• on a Friday morning, the general contractor for the St. John’s Episcopal Church addition was using the credenza in the reception area of the First Selectman’s Office to go through the plans for the addition that he would be leaving with Christine Hayward since the Land Use Office was unstaffed that day.

The service provided by some of the municipal offices has definitely been impacted; however, that is due more to the cuts in the hours and in the personnel of those offices than in the fact that it is summertime.  In the past, each office at Town Hall has been staffed by two employees who staggered their vacation times so that each office was staffed by a member of that office.  With the recent turnover in employees and cuts in the number of hours staff work, it is inevitable that service to the public should suffer.

Since last December 1, when the present administration came into office, the changes in staffing at Town Hall are as follows:

Terminations/Resignations:

1. January 6: Dan LeGeyt, full-time Highway Superintendent was suspended without pay while police investigated the larceny of town money and/or town property.  Dan LeGeyt’s employment was terminated on March 26 for thefts totalling approximately $3,500 over a three-year period.  Dan LeGeyt was one of the highest paid employees on the Town Hall staff with a salary of $63,116.66.  For the specific reasons given for Dan’s termination,  see our March 29 report Town Terminates Employment of Former Highway Superintendent…
2. February: Norm Paul, part-time custodian at the Town Hall, resigned after having been asked to change his work hours from early morning to coincide with the hours Town Hall is open. Norm and the First Selectman were not able to arrive at a mutually-acceptable work schedule and Norm resigned.  Norm earned $17,000 for his part-time position.
3. March 29: Karl Nilsen, full-time Land Use Officer, was suspended without pay while an internal investigation was being conducted into allegations of time card fraud.  Karl submitted a letter of retirement to the town effective April 22. On June 6, the Town reached a settlement with Karl whereby Karl gave up accrued benefits due to him and his retirement was backdated to March 29, the date he had been suspended without pay.  Karl was also one of the highest paid employees at Town Hall with a salary of $61,516.
4. May: Roxanne Helt, part-time Bookkeeper’s Assistant, resigned her position in May for personal reasons.  Roxanne worked 15 hours per week at a salary of $12,573.

Positions Eliminated/Unfunded/Cut In Current Fiscal Year’s Budget:

The following positions were eliminated by the First Selectman in his budget for the current Fiscal Year 2010/2011 which began on July 1, 2010:

1. One full-time road crew position was eliminated.  No-one was laid off due to the move of a crew leader into the Highway Superintendent’s position.
2. One full-time Administrative Assistant position in the Land Use Office was eliminated.  Rista Malanca, who was due to be laid off on June 30 was not laid off due to her move into the Land Use Officer position.  A part-time, 15-hour per week Administrative Assistant has recently been hired for this position.
3. One part-time Administrative Assistant position in the Rec Department was cut from the budget.  Christy Tellier, who works 15 hours per week, is being paid directly by the Rec Department out of its operating budget.  This effectively cut the Parks and Rec budget by $14,000, the amount of Christy’s salary.

Other Cuts In Personnel:

Other cuts in the hours of Town Hall employees made by the First Selectman in addition to the cuts outlined above and which were not part of the new fiscal year’s budget are:

1. The full-time Assessor’s hours available to service the Town’s needs have been cut from 35 hours to 15 hours.  Beth Paul, the Town Assessor has been contracted out for 20 hours per week to the town of Burlington.  When our reporter asked about the arrangement, she was told that Burlington pays a pro-rated amount for Beth’s services.  Beth continues to receive all full-time benefits from the Town of New Hartford, including being enrolled as a full-time employee in the Town’s pension plan.
2. The Tax Collector’s Assistant position has been cut back from 20 hours per week to 12 hours per week.  This means that Debbie Ventre, the assistant in that department is no longer eligible to be enrolled in the Town’s pension fund.  To be eligible for a town pension, the employee must work at least 1,000 hours per year which breaks down to approximately 20 hours per week.
3. The Bookkeeper’s Assistant position has been cut back from 15 hours per week to 10 hours per week.  However, Lila Tuxbury, who is now filling this position is now eligible to be enrolled in the Town’s pension fund because she also works 15 hours per week as the Republican Registrar of Voters; the hours of the two positions combined total 25 hours, more than the approximately 20 hours per week needed to qualify for a town pension.
4. The Building Inspector’s position was changed from a part-time position to a contracted service; see our report of the March 23 Board of Selectmen meeting that includes the First Selectman’s announcement that the Building Inspector’s position had been modified.  As a contracted service provider, Paul Volovski, the town’s long-time Building Inspector was to limit his hours to no more than 15 hours per week at a rate of $40 per hour.   This reduced his salary of $40,558 as a part-time employee to a maximum of $31,200 as a contracted service provider.

These, then are the cuts that have been made to the staffing levels of the different municipal offices.  Part II of this report will look at how staffing decisions have been made by the Jerram administration.

The notice on the right advises visitors that not all Town Hall services may be available due to summertime staffing. Photo: Maria Moore

By: Maria Moore

Tax Collector’s Office Closing At 12:00 Tomorrow, Wednesday

June 30 is the end of the fiscal year for the town of New Hartford. We received the following notice from Linda Sheffield, Tax Collector:

The Tax Collector’s office will close at noon on Wednesday, June 30th for end of fiscal year accounting. The office will resume normal business hours on Thursday, July 1st.

If you are planning to stop by the Tax Collector’s Office, please remember that the office opens at 9:00 a.m., not at 8:00 a.m.  You may also call Linda or her assistant, Debbie Ventre at 860-379-5795, or you may email Linda at lindasheffield@town.new-hartford.ct.us or Debbie at debbieventre@town.new-hartford.ct.us.

To view your taxes online and pay your taxes online: (a charge applies) please see the Tax Collector’s section of the town’s municipal website.

Have You Licensed Your Best Friend Yet?

We mean your dog, of course! We recently received a card from the Town Clerk’s Office reminding us to license our dog by June 30 ~ tomorrow. Beginning July 1, late fees will be assessed for delinquent dogs ~ although, really it should be for delinquent owners!

Town Clerk Donna LaPlante has made it super-simple to license or renew your dog’s license: you may download a Dog Licensing Form from the Town Clerk’s section of the municipal website and you may mail in the licensing form together with the payment due or you may bring the form to the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall. Be sure to bring proof of a current rabies certificate and proof of neutering or spaying. The license fees are $19.00 for a male or female and $8.00 if the dog is neutered or spayed.

Your best friend a cat? Then you’re in luck: you are not required to license your cat/cats.  Enjoy your feline best friend!

For more information about licensing your dog: please visit the Town Clerk’s section on the municipal website, call Donna LaPlante at 860-379-5037 or stop by the Town Clerk’s Office to see Donna or her assistant, Nancy Eldridge.

Help Wanteds, No Layoffs Foreseen At Town Hall

This past week we checked in with the First Selectman’s Office to ask about the potential hiring of new staff to replace those who are no longer employed at Town Hall, i.e. the Assistant Bookkeeper, the Custodian and the Land Use Officer. We also asked about the possibility of layoffs since two positions, that of the Administrative Assistant in the Land Use Office and that of a road crew member, have been cut in the budget for the new fiscal year beginning Thursday, July 1.

Regarding new hiring, Christine Hayward, Administrative Assistant to First Selectman Dan Jerram, said that the town was placing two Help Wanteds in this past Sunday’s Register Citizen, one for a part-time Administrative Assistant in the Land Use Office and one for a seasonal part-time Custodian. Following is a copy of those Help Wanteds, for our readers’ information:

HELP WANTED:
Part Time
Clerical Assistance, Town of New Hartford; 15 hours per week, Computer skills a must. Applications available at First Selectman’s Office, New Hartford Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford, CT or call (860) 379-3389 and ask for Christine.
An EOE/Affirmative Action Employer

HELP WANTED:
Part Time
Summer Custodian, Town of New Hartford Town Hall; 15 hours per week. Applications available at First Selectman’s Office, New Hartford Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford, CT or call (860) 379-3389 and ask for Christine.
An EOE/Affirmative Action Employer

For more information or to apply for either of the above positions, please call Christine at 860-379-3389 or stop by the First Selectman’s Office at the Town Hall. Christine told us that she hopes to begin interviewing applicants for these positions next week.

As far as the Assistant Bookkeeper position vacated by Roxanne Helt in May, that position is currently being filled on a trial basis by Lila Tuxbury, the Republican Registrar of Voters.  We were told that Lila is trying out the position “to see if it’s a good fit for her and for the town.”  Lila’s husband, Steve Tuxbury is the Vice Chairman of the Republican Town Committee.

As far as layoffs, we were told by Christine Hayward, Administrative Assistant to the First Selectman, that no layoffs are foreseen in the Land Use Office since Rista Holda who is currently the Administrative Assistant in that office has been appointed Interim Land Use Officer for the town, a position left open by Karl Nilsen’s retirement; see our June 9 article, Zoning Officer’s Retirement Accepted, Both Parties Drop Claims. In the Highway Department, there are also no layoffs foreseen on the road crew since Doug Spencer, the road crew chief was appointed Interim Highway Department Foreman this past March; see our March 22 article … Doug Spencer Appointed Interim Foreman at Town Garage…

Editor’s Note: With Republican First Selectman Dan Jerram now completing 6 months in office ~ a quarter of his term ~ NewHartfordPlus will be publishing a follow-up article that looks at the recent spate of firings ~ and now new hirings  ~ at Town Hall to see what that may tell us about the functioning of the Jerram administration within the Town Hall structure.

By: Maria Moore

Property Tax Sales Off The Table

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

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

Community Connections Grant Application Deadline Fast Approaching

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

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

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

Update On Earth Weekend Spring Clean Up

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

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

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

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

“Pack It In, Pack It Out Plus!”

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

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

The following press release was submitted to NewhartfordPlus by Linda Sheffield, Tax Collector:

Debbie Ventre, Assistant to the Tax Collector, received the Connecticut Tax Collectors’ Association Community Service Award. The award is presented annually to one of the Association’s members to recognize “extraordinary volunteer service” to their community” during the previous year.

New Hartford Tax Collector Linda Sheffield nominated Debbie because of the work she does with the New Hartford Elementary Schools. She has put in numerous hours serving as the coordinator for the Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Labels for Education programs. Her efforts have resulted in approximately $5,000 received over the past three years to fund programs and provide equipment for the schools which would otherwise not have been available in the school budget. Debbie is also active in the New Hartford PTO, serving as co-Vice President. She has helped with school events such as the Father-Daughter dance, Mother-Son Event, Penny Auction, Market Day and served as co-Chair of the Membership Committee. In 2009, she logged over 300 hours of volunteer service and has truly made a difference.

In addition to the commemorative plaque, the Connecticut Tax Collector’s Association  also makes a donation to the recipient’s charity of choice. Debbie has asked that the donation be made to the New Hartford PTO Playground Fund which has been created to fund a new, fully accessible playscape for Ann Antolini School.

Debbie lives in New Hartford with her husband, Peter, and two children, Carmine and Cecily.

Debbie received the award during the CT Tax Collector’s Association Conference held from March 24 through March 26 in Farmington.

Congratulations: To Debbie Ventre for this wonderful recognition of her volunteer work.

To Read More: About the Box Tops program in the New Hartford Schools, please see Debbie’s January 12 Letter to the Editor Box Tops For Education: Making a Difference, One Dime at a Time.

Debbie Ventre (center) holds the award she received for her extraordinary volunteer service. Shown with Debbie are, on the left, Emanuel Cambra, Jr., C.C.M.C., Tax Collector of Monroe and Chairman of the Awards Committee and on the right, Linda M. Sheffield, C.C.M.C., Tax Collector, New Hartford

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

Friday, March 26, 2010:

• New Hartford Municipal Offices Are Open Friday Mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon. Please note the change in the hours of operation of Town Hall offices: They are now open at 8:00 a.m. (Tax Collector at 9:00 a.m.) and are closing at 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and closing at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. They are open on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon.
• New Hartford Senior Center Activities: Yoga Class: at 11:00 in the Senior Center. To see this month’s scheduled activities at the Senior Center please see our Community Bulletin Board. For more information about the Senior Center please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Children’s Story Time at the Beekley Library: for 3- to 5-year-olds at 10:15 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information please call Andrea Gaedeke at the library at 379-7235.
• Are you hiring?: Please send us the details and we’ll list the job for free: We have many visitors to our Classifieds looking for work! Check out our Classifieds section. We add free ads to this section as they are submitted to us.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Email: newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

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

…NHGrapevine…

“Any news on the outcome of the LeGeyt investigation?”

Our reporter made discreet inquiries here and there yesterday. “Nothing yet!” Was all that came back. Today’s a new day…

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

A path along the banks of the Farmington River on Monday, March 15 after three days of heavy rain. Photo: Maria Moore

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2010:

PLEASE NOTE:: The Tax Collector’s office with be closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 25. Please conduct your business with the Tax Office either today (Wednesday) or on Friday, when that office reopens.
• New Hartford Business Council Steering Committee Meeting: at 8:30 a.m. at the Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast, Church Street, Pine Meadow. For more information please email: Dawn Whalen at: dawn_ctce@charter.net or Bart Baxter at: wbaxter1@metlife.com
• 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 379-7235.
• Northwestern Regional #7 Board of Ed Special Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Botelle School, 128 Greenwoods Road East, Norfolk. For the agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.
• Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting: at 7:00 p.m. in the Sessions Conference Room at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.  Please note: The agenda includes a discussion of outdoor woodburning furnaces; see our March 23 report Bill to Ban Outdoor Woodburning Furnaces defeated…
• Atlantic Salmon Stocking workshop: at 7:00 p.m. at 281 Country Club Road, Avon. For more information, please see our March 22 press release Volunteers Needed to Help Atlantic Salmon.
• Are you hiring?: Please send us the details and we’ll list the job for free: We have many visitors to our Classifieds looking for work! Check out our Classifieds section. We add free ads to this section as they are submitted to us.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Send to newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

…NHGrapevine…

“With total expenditures of $21,201,878 at a 96% collection, that gives an increase of 0.33% or 0.08 mil increase.”

Ben Witte, Chairman of the Board of Finance, summed up the bottom line of the budget that the Board agreed at last night’s meeting to present at the public hearing on April 6. “That’s $8 per thousand, right?” Our editor and another resident confirmed with each other. “WRONG!” Ben Witte emailed our editor this morning: ”Mill rate increase is $8 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, not $8 per $1,000.”   Just when you think you’re starting to get it…

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…

Seniors playing Wii bowling on a recent Wednesday morning. Photo: Maria Moore

[Today's calendar has been delayed due to Maria's work commitments; Thank you for your understanding!]

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010:

• The Tax Collector’s office is CLOSED today, Thursday, March 25: The office will be open again tomorrow, Friday, March 26. The Tax Office hours on Friday are 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
  • Early Childhood Screening at New Hartford Schools:For more information please see the press release from New Hartford Schools which we published on March 17. For more information please call the Student Services Office at New Hartford Elementary School at 806-379-1653.
  • New Hartford Senior Center activities: at Senior Center, Town Hall, 530 Main St., New Hartford. Activities: Line dancing at 9:30 a.m.; Fitness at 10:45 a.m. ($2.50 per person, per class, includes a fitness card which is stamped for every class attended; Yoga at 4:00 p.m. For more information please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
  • Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation: with Laura Dunfield, Reiki Master/Teacher and certified Vibrational Healer. Tibetan Singing Bowls represent the sound of energy. These bowls have been used in sacred ceremonies in the monasteries of Tibet and Nepal for over 3000 years. The sound is deep and allows you to go deep within yourself to a place of peace and healing. This session will cover the history and uses of these magical Tibetan singing instruments, followed by a meditation with them. Please join us for this amazing experience. For more information, please visit Passiflora’s website.
  • Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Send your email to newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.
  • Have an item you’d like to sell?: Sell it in our FREE Classifieds! Send us the details and we’ll list it for you for free! Check out our Classifieds section which we update as we receive the ads.

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

…NHGrapevine…

“Right now, it’s budget, budget and more budget!”

Between covering budget meetings, reporting on them and keeping up with work commitments, Bob and our reporter/photographer/editor are running hard just to stay even. If you’ve asked them to do something for you on NewHartfordPlus and you don’t see it, please send them a reminder at newhartfordplus@gmail.com. Thanks for going through another budget cycle 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…



The anemones in Norma Pappalardo's garden are in full bloom. When going to New Hartford Post Office be sure to go up Church Street North to see what's blooming at Norma's. Photo: Maria Moore



The arched walkway leading through the garden to Norma Pappalardo's home. The small garden, which has been a source of delight to many residents throughout the past decade, may be coming to the end of its life cycle as Norma's house and garden is now up for sale. Photo: Maria Moore

Doug Spencer Appointed To Interim Highway Foreman Position

Doug Spencer, a 37-year veteran of the town’s Highway Department, has been appointed as the Interim Highway Foreman, replacing Selectman Bruce Gresczyk who filled that position from Thursday, January 7 through Friday, March 12. Bruce was appointed by First Selectman Dan Jerram the day after the Highway Foreman Dan LeGeyt was suspended without pay while police investigated the larceny of town money and/or town property.  Doug’s first day as the Interim Highway Foreman was today, Monday, March 22.

Doug is a life-long resident of New Hartford; he was born in Bakerville and he continues to live in that part of town. First Selectman Dan Jerram, who happened by while our reporter was discussing Doug’s appointment with Christine Hayward, his Administrative Assistant, said: “That’s just the type of appointment we like to make!”

Our reporter called Doug at home and chatted for a few minutes about his appointment. He said he has worked in the Highway Department since 1973 and he is the road crew chief. At one time, he said there were two crew chiefs but after the other crew chief retired his position was never filled. Doug had turned down the Highway Foreman (“Foreman” he corrected our reporter, “not “Superintendent” because they only say that to sound important!”) a couple of times in the past but he decided to step up this time because, he said: “It’s good for my family, it’s good for the town and it’s good for the taxpayers.”

Asked if he’s going to take care of our roads Doug laughed and said there’s a lot of little things that can be taken care of, but they have to wait for the money to get to do the bigger things.  Asked if he had any words of wisdom for us to report, Doug said: “Not too many of those around ~ at least not that you can print!” We’ll have our ear to the tarmac, Doug…

To read the Memorandum of Understanding: That was signed on March 8 creating the position of Interim Highway Foreman, please see our March 14 report … Changing of the Interim Guard at Highway Department.

Our reporter/photographer almost snapped a photo of Doug Spencer about a year ago, except the town truck he was in made a quick getaway, just like this town truck appears to be doing. Photo: Maria Moore

Tax Collector’s Office Closed Thursday, March 25

We received an email from the New Hartford Tax Collector’s Office asking us to publicize the fact that the office will be closed this coming Thursday, March 25 for continuing education purposes. For the rest of this week, the Tax Collector’s Office will be open on Tuesday, March 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; on Wednesday, March 24 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; the office will be closed Thursday, March 25; and will reopen for business on Friday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

If you have tax collection questions: Please email Linda Sheffield, Tax Collector at: lindasheffield@town.new-hartford.ct.us or you may call her office at 860-379-5795 or stop by her office during the hours outlined above.

Spring Road Sweeping Begins

Spring road sweeping has already begun, according to a notice on the town municipal website. Following is a copy of that notice:

The sweeper has already begun to clean streets of the excess sand that has accumulated over the winter. Property owners are asked to begin clearing their lawns of debris. You may sweep/rake the sand into the roadway, but PLEASE remove any sticks or twigs as these can damage the sweeper. Also, please note that the sweeper is not designed to pick up large amounts of leaves. Leaves should NOT be placed into the gutters of the roadway. There is no “schedule” of sweeping. Sweeping occurs in areas as time and weather permits. If you have any questions regarding the process, please call the First Selectman’s Office at 860-379-3389.

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

Friday, March 19, 2010:

• New Hartford Municipal Offices Are Open Friday Mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon. Please note the change in the hours of operation of Town Hall offices: They are now open at 8:00 a.m. (Tax Collector at 9:00 a.m.) and are closing at 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and closing at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. They are open on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon.
• New Hartford Senior Center Activities: Yoga Class: at 11:00 in the Senior Center. To see this month’s scheduled activities at the Senior Center please see our Community Bulletin Board. For more information about the Senior Center please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Children’s Story Time at the Beekley Library: for 3- to 5-year-olds at 10:15 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information please call Andrea Gaedeke at the library at 379-7235.
• Are you hiring?: Please send us the details and we’ll list the job for free: We have many visitors to our Classifieds looking for work! Check out our Classifieds section. We add free ads to this section as they are submitted to us.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Email: newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

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

…NHGrapevine…

“And this is a map of the Ellsworth property on West Hill that I had preserved.”

Town Clerk Donna LaPlante told Justin Olson yesterday during a tour of the vault that she conducted for the young college student, as our reporter tagged along. A New Hartford resident, Justin was shadowing Annie Witte, the Bookkeeper at Town Hall for the day and everyone took a few minutes to explain the functions of their office to the young man.

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 end of winter ritual: Johnny, a member of the road crew, taking apart the ice rink on the green on yesterday, Thursday, March 18. Photo: Maria Moore

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2010:

• PLEASE NOTE:: The Tax Collector’s office with be closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 25. Please try to conduct your business with that office either today (Wednesday) or on Friday, when that office reopens.
• 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 379-7235.
• Northwestern Regional #7 Board of Ed Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Regional #7 School, 100 Battistoni Drive, Winsted. For the agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.
• Conservation Commission Meeting: at 7:30 p.m. in the Sessions Conference Room at the Town Hall, 530 Main Street, New Hartford. For the agenda for this meeting please see our Community Calendar.
• Wednesday Night Drop-In Pick-Up Co-Ed Volleyball: at 7:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. in the gym at Ann Antolini School, Antolini Drive, New Hartford. Every week except when school is closed; adults and high-school aged only please.
• Are you hiring?: Please send us the details and we’ll list the job for free: We have many visitors to our Classifieds looking for work! Check out our Classifieds section. We add free ads to this section as they are submitted to us.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Send to newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

…NHGrapevine…

“Hot dog stand New Hartford “

Was the search that brought a visitor to NewHartfordPlus. A sure sign of spring!

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 brook running through the Moores' back yard on Tuesday, March 16. Photo: Maria Moore

And on St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish blessing for us all:

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

By: Maria Moore

The Town Government budget for the coming fiscal year (beginning on July 1, 2010) which First Selectman Dan Jerram presented at the Board of Selectmen Special meeting last night showed a 0.2% increase which, he said, met the request of the Board of Finance for a 0% increase budget.  To get there, the budget cut funding for 4 positions as well as cutting funding to other government-supported areas.  By the end of the meeting, however, the selectmen approved a proposed budget with a 2.6% increase, in which one of the positions cut had been reinstated and other funding cuts to several areas had been restored.  Careful to abide by the Board of Finance’s request, the budget Dan will be presenting to the Board of Finance at their Saturday morning workshop tomorrow, March 13 will be the 0.2% increase budget, with the restored items that would bring the budget to the 2.6% increase level highlighted in yellow.

The 0.2% increase budget gives a total Government Budget of $4,908,408 which is $7,397 higher than the current year.  The 2.6% increase budget gives a total Government Budget of $5,028,750 which is $127,747 higher than the current year.

The Thursday evening meeting, on March 11 had been rescheduled from Tuesday, March 9 and it was attended by employees from five municipal departments who sat among the public, all awaiting news of how the proposed budget would effect their departments.   Also at the meeting were Board of Finance members Alesia Kennerson and Reggie Smith.

Cuts in Funding in Proposed Budget

Dan first read through the 0.2% budget, highlighting the cuts made.  The most important cuts, those to personnel, were as follows:

• Public Safety: One full-time resident state trooper cut;
• Highway Department: One full-time road crew member cut;
• Land Use Office: One full-time Administrative assistant cut;
• Rec Department: One part-time Administrative Assistant position not funded;

There was also a 50% cut in the number of hours worked by the Building Inspector who currently works part-time.  The First Selectman said that on an annualized basis, the Building Inspector made over $80,000, more than anyone else at Town Hall.  Dan did increase the Planning Department’s Professional Fees line item by $10,000, in case the town needed to fund more hours by the Building Inspector.   The Tax Collector’s Assistant also saw a 21.6% cut in her salary; she also works part-time.

Of the above positions, the resident state trooper position was reinstated in the 2.6% budget.  Dan said that the Rec Department will now be funding directly their administrative assistant position out of the fees Rec charges for their programs.

The cutting of the Land Use Administrative Assistant’s position caused concern.   One resident pointed out that it didn’t make sense to cut her position at $28,000 and then have to allocate $15,000 to unemployment.  Dan said that her salary with benefits was about $50,000, and that the $15,000 represented more than one employee; the union representative at the meeting said she thought the unemployment figure was closer to $20,000.  Later in the discussion, Tom Klebart said he’d like to look at ways of restoring the Land Use Administrative Assistant position.  The position is still shown as having been cut in the 2.6% proposed budget.

Government-supported areas that showed funding cuts in the 0.2% budget included the following:

• The two town libraries, each of whose  funding was cut by 15.8% (total cut $41,000);
• Communications expense cut by 41.8% (cut $3,590);
• Assessors’ data processing ($2,000);
• Animal control fund cut by 8.9% (cut $1,300);
• Ambulance Association cut by 9.5% (cut 11,582).

Of the above cuts, the 2.6% budget restored all of the funding to the two town libraries.

Beth Paul, the Assessor was present at the meeting and she was opposed to eliminating the Vision online service her office now makes available to the public.   She said it’s a very popular service and she would have reallocated some of her budget to make sure that the online service was continued.  The First Selectman indicated that she was free to move around her funds as she wished; he was interested in the bottom-line savings.

Other town department heads also voiced their concern in not having been asked for their budgets before decisions affecting their departments had been made.  One department head asked if they could meet as a group with the First Selectman to go over the budget; Dan responded that he had asked about items in their budget, and did not respond to their request for a meeting.

Increases in Funding in Proposed Budget

Employee Salaries and Benefits: Union employees at Town Hall are scheduled to receive a 3.6% salary increase under their union contract.  The First Selectman also increased elected officials’ pay by 2%, including his own salary; his administrative assistant, although not union, is receiving a 3.6% increase.

In the discussion portion of the meeting, Selectman Tom Klebart said that he felt that the town leaders should get a 0% raise to make a statement in such a tough economy.  Dan said he gave all elected officials a 2% raise.  Selectman Bruce Gresczyk supported the raise for the First Selectman saying it would be difficult to attract talented people to the position if it didn’t pay adequately.  The raise was left in place and the First Selectman’s pay is scheduled to increase to $65,309 for the coming fiscal year.

Employee health insurance costs show an 18% increase, a dollar amount of $73,878. Dan said that he has asked the employees’ union to take on a larger portion of that costs; employees now pay 10% of the premium.  The employees’ Pension Fund was also increased by 9.1%, thereby allocating funds for professional management, which in the past had not been budgeted, Dan said.

Highway Department Increases

Despite the cutting of one full-time road crew member who has yet to be identified, the Highway Department saw an overall 4.2% increase in its proposed budget, an additional $55,061, bringing its proposed budget to $1,367,116.  The following items in the Highway Department have been allocated additional funds:

• Tree removal was increased by233%, an additional $14,000;
• Snow sand account was increased by 20%, an additional $10,000;
• Snow salt was also increased by 20%, an additional $10,000;
• and the crack and chip seal account was increased by 369.8%, from $63,860 to $300,000.

These increases were to make up for underfunding of road work in the recent past.  The crack and chip seal account, in particular, was not used to chip seal the roads, leaving them in a “deplorable” condition, according to Selectman Bruce Gresczyk, who has been the Interim Highway Superintendent for the past two and a half months.  This additional funding will allow the town to chip seal approx. 16 miles of roads next year.

Brown’s Corner To Be Completed With “Reallocated Funds”

Completing the work at Brown’s Corner has been one of the First Selectman’s priorities since coming into office.  He is funding the work at Brown’s Corner with funds that had previously been allocated elsewhere, as follows:

• The Rec Department’s $50,000 Capital funds have been reallocated to Brown’s Corner.  Rec had previously earmarked those funds to several small projects in the town’s parks, including the replacement of the lights at Callahan Park to make it more user-friendly.  The funds will be used to pay for fencing and other enhancements to the ball park.
• The $35,000 allocated to the Brodie House to fund whatever was ultimately going to be done with the house has been reallocated to the work at Brown’s Corner.  The Brodie House line item has been eliminated from the Town Government proposed budget, leaving the problems associated with that town property and the lack of a rental arrangement still in limbo.

And The Largest Percentage Increase Of All…

A 5,000% increase goes to the Town Hill Cemetery line item.  Although the Town Hill Cemetery line item shows a 0% increase in the proposed budget, the cemetery is actually shown as receiving $5,000 of reallocated funds on the Reallocated Funds page.  This $5,000, Dan explained, will go to refurbish the Town Hill Church bell at the top of the hill, thus preserving one of the town’s historic treasures.

Capital Debt Service Discussion

The selectmen engaged in an animated discussion at the end of the meeting on whether the Town Government budget was being made to appear higher than it really was by having the Capital debt service for the schools and the Town Hall included in their budget.  The three selectmen agreed that the Capital debt service should be shown separately from Town Government operations.  They will likely broach this subject with the Board of Finance members.

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

Friday, March 12, 2010:

• New Hartford Municipal Offices Are Open Friday Mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon. Please note the change in the hours of operation of Town Hall offices: They are now open at 8:00 a.m. (Tax Collector at 9:00 a.m.) and are closing at 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and closing at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. They are open on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon.
• Free Dental Clinic by the CT Mission of Mercy: beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Aetna Building, Industrial Park, Middletown. For more information please see our March 9 News Updates: … Free Dental Clinic Scheduled.
• New Hartford Senior Center Activities: Yoga Class: at 11:00 in the Senior Center. To see this month’s scheduled activities at the Senior Center please see our Community Bulletin Board. For more information about the Senior Center please call Jean Barnicoat at 860-379-3980 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
• Children’s Story Time at the Beekley Library: for 3- to 5-year-olds at 10:15 a.m. at the Beekley Library, 10 Central Avenue, New Hartford. For more information please call Andrea Gaedeke at the library at 379-7235.
• Are you hiring?: Please send us the details and we’ll list the job for free: We have many visitors to our Classifieds looking for work! Check out our Classifieds section. We add free ads to this section as they are submitted to us.
• Should your event be listed here and you don’t see it? Please email us the info. and we’ll add it! Email: newhartfordplus@gmail.com and write Calendar in the subject line.

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

…NHGrapevine…

“All leaders should get 0% increase to make a statement.”

Selectman Tom Klebart said as the selectmen started to go over the Town Government budget presented by First Selectman Dan Jerram. The budget showed an increase in the salaries for the First Selectman’s Office and position cuts in the Public Safety, Land Use, Highway and Rec departments.

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 Barkhamsted Reservoir this past Sunday, March 7. Photo: Elaine Santoro

Tax Sale Warrants Issued to 8 Delinquent Taxpayers

In response to our follow-up on the tax sale warrants that were to be issued by the town’s Tax Collector, Linda Sheffield, we received the following email from Linda:

“The Tax Collector sent out approximately 20 demands in February. Some of those individuals responded to the demand and are making an effort to bring their balances current. On March 3rd, 8 Alias Tax Warrants were issued to Marshal Art Quinn. These individuals have the opportunity to pay their outstanding balance plus fees to the Marshal to avoid having their property included in the upcoming Tax Sale on June 9th or 16th.

A second sale will be scheduled during the next fiscal year for parcels which were not assigned to the Marshal at this time or for any individuals who do not make regular payments toward their outstanding balance.”

For more information: About the tax sale to be held on June 9 or for contact information for Marshall Quinn, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 860-379-5795.

Many Thanks: To Linda Sheffield for providing us with the above update.

Free Dental Clinic Scheduled In Middletown

The CT Mission of Mercy will be holding a free dental care clinic in Middletown this coming Friday and Saturday, March 12 and 13. The clinic will be held at the Aetna Building in Middletown.

The organizers project that about 1,500 individuals, including hygienists, dentists and oral surgeons will volunteer at the clinic.  They will be providing services to about 2,000 adults and children in need of dental care. The types of services provided include: general health screenings, dental screenings, cleanings, fillings, X-rays, oral surgery, root canals and tooth removal.  There are no eligibility or income requirements and no appointments are necessary: care will be provided to children and adults on a first-come, first-served basis.

This will be the third annual free dental clinic by the CT Mission of Mercy which is organized by the CT State Dental Association.  The first Mission of Mercy took place on April 12-13 in Tolland in 2008. Approximately 1,100 patients were seen, and $500,000 worth of dental care was provided. CTMOM 2009 returned on April 17-18 at the New Haven Public Field House (480 Sherman Pkwy) New Haven.  Approximately 1,800 patients were treated, and $750,000 worth of dental care was provided.

When and Where: This FREE dental care clinic will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13 at the Aetna Building, Industrial Park Road, Middletown.

For more information: For Patients and Volunteers, please visit the CTMOM section of the CT State Dental Association website, or call 866-539-9372.

Many Thanks: To Dr. Bill Rieger who will be volunteering his services at the CT Mission of Mercy free dental clinic this coming Friday and Saturday.   For more information on Dr. Rieger’s dental practice which specializes in preventive and restorative dentistry, please call his office at 860-379-0757, or stop by his office at 536 Main Street in New Hartford, next door to the Town Hall.  Addendum: We were informed by Dr. Rieger’s office that he will not be able to participate in the free clinic since he will be attending the Board of Finance workshop scheduled for Saturday morning, as a volunteer of course!

A photo of the CT Mission of Mercy free clinic held in New Haven in 2009. Photo from the CT State Dental Association website.