Should Seniors Be Tested for Driving Competency?

I say absolutely yes.

The News-Times is reporting that it was Bill Webster, 92, who was driving the car that struck and killed a woman on 202 yesterday evening long before dark. According to the report, Webster, a long-time Fire Company devotee, said that he was "unaware" of the incident.

This is a perfect example of why seniors should be subject to testing.

Here's how the State of California handles the problem.

At 70+, the California Department of Motor Vehicles require that renewal licenses be obtained in person. There are vision and written tests. In addition, Police Officers may request that a senior take a test if he or she thinks it is necessary. Doctors must report certain listed illnesses that may impact a senior's driving ability and friends and relatives may also ask the DMV to require testing.

According to the California DMV, "DMV may issue a license to a customer who has a physical and/or mental condition if that person is able to demonstrate, during a driving test, that he/she compensates for the condition and can drive safely. The driving test you will be asked to take is called a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (SDPE). In certain situations, if the Supplemental Driving test is too difficult for your abilities, you have the option of taking an Area Driving Performance Evaluation (ADPE). You and the DMV examiner will pre-determine the driving test area and if you pass that driving test, your driver license will be restricted to that area."

Makes sense to me. I doubt that Bill Webster has had a driving test in 75 years.

Town To End Fiscal Year With 4-5 Million Dollar Deficit

"It appears that we will be ending the 07/08 fiscal year with a deficit of between four and five million dollars," said Ray Jankowski, Town Treasurer and Director of Finance. "We're not exempt from what's going on out there."

"This results from a number of factors," Ray explained, among them the Town's yield on investments is down $500,000, conveyance fees are down $200,000 and the State ECS (Education Cost Sharing) is down $566,000.

"We need to contain costs," he said.

Budget Squeaks By

The Town Budget passed by 276; the BOE Budget passed by 16.

There had to be a recount because the vote passed on the first count by less than .5% and the recount fixed discrepancies in the East Street and Northville vote numbers.

The turnout was 18.767%; 3139 people voted.

Tonight! The Evils of Loosestrife

A few of the comments on my last post made me think of this. Can't imagine why.

Tonight at 6pm in the E. Paul Martin Room of Town Hall, Donna Ellis, Extension Educator in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Connecticut, will give a 1 hour presentation on Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

The presentation is open to the public and will include a discussion about controlling this invasive plant and an opportunity to ask questions.

Budget Dates

The Town Meeting will be held at 8:00 p.m. on May 13 in the Lecture Room at the High School.

The Referendum will be held on May 20.