Dr. Py and the Children of New Milford

Some time ago, the Mayor and Town Council cooperated in giving to Medinstill, formerly the Nestles facility on Housatonic Avenue, a five-year tax abatement valued at more than $1,000,000. In addition, at a cost of $4,200,000 in State and Local funds, the Town extended the sewer line to the facility.

Even the Sewer Commission helped Medinstill by granting a special fee to accept its sludge-handling until the sewer system was connected. Finally, the Sewer Commission based its hookup fee on historical water use rather than on a square foot assessment as is the rule for new commercial hookups. Combined, these sewer benefits saved Medinstill hundreds of thousands of dollars. The hookup fee was allowed to be paid over a 10-year period.

The total of these tax and sewer benefits exceeded $5,000,000. The Town of New Milford has never done this before.

All of this was based upon representations from Medinstill’s President, Dr. Daniel Py, that the company would expand its employee base by several hundred people thereby affording job opportunities to many New Milford residents.

It's been more than a year and those jobs have not materialized.

Given this unprecedented financial relief and the value added to the property, I think that it would be appropriate and an indication of Dr. Py’s good faith to donate to the Town of New Milford the existing Bulls and Volunteer fields for the benefit of today’s and tomorrow’s children.

This is Dr. Py’s opportunity to really become a part of the New Milford Community.

Odor Problem Solutions?

New Milford Farms has plans. Read them here.

Surprise! BOE Has A Surplus!

BOE Super JeanAnn Paddyfote reports that "Mr. Miller has determined that the unaudited 2008 year-end balance is $741,083.90. We will be discussing the year-end balance at our Sept. 2nd Operations Meeting.

A few of the items and/or reasons that contributed to the balance are listed below:

--an additional $100,000 in special education excess cost reimbursement than was forecasted;
--more funds encumbered in oil, gas, and electricity than were expended;
--a milder winter than was expected;
--Energy Education program, and other energy conservation programs are working;
--savings in transportation due to the mid-sized buses versus mini-vans."

Will the surplus be turned over to the Town to be used for tax relief? Don't hold your breath.

A Reader Asks About Store Closings

A long-time reader asks, "So what do you think about all the closings in Town? Dominos, Quiznos, Boston Market and Mariachis is next, I hear. Times they are not good!!"