The Recycling Center has been closed because a primary electrical cable is on the ground at the Center's exit and there's no power to operate the compactors. Mike Zarba, Director of Public Works, said that the Center will be open on Saturday even if electricity isn't restored. "If the electricity isn't on," he said, "the cable will be moved and we'll use open containers rather than our compactors."
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pat Erickson: 'Grossman An Embarassment'
Last night I attended the debate for the 67 State Representative seat being vacated by Clark Chapin. I was shocked at how nasty one candidate was during the debate. For some reason, Andrew Grossman chose to say very negative things about Clark Chapin.Then he proceeded to find fault with how our town is run. He had a lot to say and it was all negative. I wondered why he choose to move here two years ago. As a life long resident, I had never witnessed a candidate who was so arrogant.
One young lady in the audience who attended her first debate asked me "are these things always this nasty"? She said it made her very angry, I too felt the same way.
I felt embarrassed for the Democratic Party because I know this is not how its Members operate in our Town . We have many Democrats serving in our Town who work well with others and are very civil.
Mr Grossman was an embarrassment to our Town. God forbid he represent us in Hartford. I realize he has only lived here two years but this is not how I expect a candidate to behave.
My sincere thanks to Nicholas Payne and Cecilia Buck-Taylor for being cordial and acting with decency throughout the debate.
They kept on topic and did not feel the need to be rude and disrespectful to each other or any other elected officials.
One young lady in the audience who attended her first debate asked me "are these things always this nasty"? She said it made her very angry, I too felt the same way.
I felt embarrassed for the Democratic Party because I know this is not how its Members operate in our Town . We have many Democrats serving in our Town who work well with others and are very civil.
Mr Grossman was an embarrassment to our Town. God forbid he represent us in Hartford. I realize he has only lived here two years but this is not how I expect a candidate to behave.
My sincere thanks to Nicholas Payne and Cecilia Buck-Taylor for being cordial and acting with decency throughout the debate.
They kept on topic and did not feel the need to be rude and disrespectful to each other or any other elected officials.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Tom Sprong, Town Engineer, Dismissed
Director of Public Works Mike Zarba confirmed that Town Engineer Tom Sprong is no longer employed by the Town of New Milford. Mr. Zarba had "no comment" about the circumstances of his dismissal.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Household Hazardous Waste Day
Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012 Rain or Shine
Time: 9-3
Where: Railroad Station, enter from Bridge Street, drive straight through to exit onto Young's Field Road.
Who: Residents (no businesses) of New Milford, Brookfield, Sherman, Warren and Washington; bring proof of residence.
Yes: Drain or oven cleaners, old chemistry sets, metal polish, arts and crafts supplies, photo chemicals, floor cleaners, dry cleaning fluids, wood preservatives, wood strippers, septic system cleaners, paint thinner and lead-based paint and lead paint chips, rust preservatives, oil-based paints, transmission fluid, solvents, degreasers, sealant, antifreeze, brake fluid, engine and radiator cleaners, dioxin, silvex or 2, 4, 5-T, grill or camping size propane tanks, pesticides and herbicides in five-gallon or small containers, insect spray and rodent killers, pool chemicals, muriatic acid, no-pest strips and PCB contaminated items, fluorescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs, cell phones, mercury thermometers. (List not exhaustive).
No: electronics (may be dropped off for free at the Recycling Center during normal business hours), latex paint, used motor oil, Freon, unknown gases, tires, infectious or medical waste, smoke detectors, explosives and highly reactive materials, garbage, ammunition or fireworks, radioactive materials or drugs. (List not exhaustive).
More information: Health Department (860) 355-6035; Public Works (860) 355-6040.
Time: 9-3
Where: Railroad Station, enter from Bridge Street, drive straight through to exit onto Young's Field Road.
Who: Residents (no businesses) of New Milford, Brookfield, Sherman, Warren and Washington; bring proof of residence.
Yes: Drain or oven cleaners, old chemistry sets, metal polish, arts and crafts supplies, photo chemicals, floor cleaners, dry cleaning fluids, wood preservatives, wood strippers, septic system cleaners, paint thinner and lead-based paint and lead paint chips, rust preservatives, oil-based paints, transmission fluid, solvents, degreasers, sealant, antifreeze, brake fluid, engine and radiator cleaners, dioxin, silvex or 2, 4, 5-T, grill or camping size propane tanks, pesticides and herbicides in five-gallon or small containers, insect spray and rodent killers, pool chemicals, muriatic acid, no-pest strips and PCB contaminated items, fluorescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs, cell phones, mercury thermometers. (List not exhaustive).
No: electronics (may be dropped off for free at the Recycling Center during normal business hours), latex paint, used motor oil, Freon, unknown gases, tires, infectious or medical waste, smoke detectors, explosives and highly reactive materials, garbage, ammunition or fireworks, radioactive materials or drugs. (List not exhaustive).
More information: Health Department (860) 355-6035; Public Works (860) 355-6040.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Traffic Advisory: Bridge Work Starts Tomorrow, August 23
I received this information from Mayor Murphy's Administrative Aide, Tammy Reardon:
"Beginning on Thursday, August 23rd, Michael Baker Engineering, Inc and its sub-consultant, GM2 Associates Inc. will be performing a bridge safety inspection on the Veteran's Bridge (No. 00901) over the Housatonic River on State Routes 202 & 67, in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Transportation Bridge Safety & Evaluation Department.
The bridge inspection will take place on Thursday and Friday, August 23rd and 24th from 9am until 3pm; and on Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th from 6am until 1pm.
During these times, there will be only one-way alternating traffic due to the inspection equipment necessary to be set-up on the bridge. New Milford Police Department will be utilized for traffic control during inspection times.
Please plan your trips accordingly, utilize alternate routes and allow for extra time during your travels due to the anticipated traffic delays."
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Speakers' Appalling Lack of Due Diligence at Last Night's Town Meeting On Road Bonding
Readers are familiar with my number one rant: get the facts. Please don't waste everyone's time and energy airing your ignorance...ask questions first! Do a little homework!
With the exception of Warren Braren, not one of the speakers last night bothered to call Town employees or officials before speaking. That's appalling. Mike Zarba, Director of Public Works, Ray Jankowski, Director of Finance and Mayor Pat Murphy all confirmed that none -- other than Mr. Braren -- had ever called to address the issues that they raised last night. And what happens when these folks make these misstatements to their friends and neighbors? The rumors spread and, unfortunately, the taxpayers may suffer.
Here's a simple example. A speaker decried the borrowing at 2.5% Well it's not 2.5%, it's more like .0379% It would have been a disgrace if this package had been defeated because people based their vote on this misinformation.
If you can't address the facts appropriately, then it's my guess that you're there with a personal, perhaps political, agenda that has no place in this forum.
I am especially surprised at statements made by former Director of Public Works, Pat Hackett. I have very specific recollections that he was angry that people were attacking DPW without ever picking up the phone to get the facts. Pat, that's exactly what you did last night! You did the very thing that upset you so much when you were the Director.
Come on, people. Don't complain about transparency if you can't pick up the phone and ask questions or ever attend a Town Council Meeting where all of this has been discussed. We should be able to do a lot better than this.
The Bond Package passed.
With the exception of Warren Braren, not one of the speakers last night bothered to call Town employees or officials before speaking. That's appalling. Mike Zarba, Director of Public Works, Ray Jankowski, Director of Finance and Mayor Pat Murphy all confirmed that none -- other than Mr. Braren -- had ever called to address the issues that they raised last night. And what happens when these folks make these misstatements to their friends and neighbors? The rumors spread and, unfortunately, the taxpayers may suffer.
Here's a simple example. A speaker decried the borrowing at 2.5% Well it's not 2.5%, it's more like .0379% It would have been a disgrace if this package had been defeated because people based their vote on this misinformation.
If you can't address the facts appropriately, then it's my guess that you're there with a personal, perhaps political, agenda that has no place in this forum.
I am especially surprised at statements made by former Director of Public Works, Pat Hackett. I have very specific recollections that he was angry that people were attacking DPW without ever picking up the phone to get the facts. Pat, that's exactly what you did last night! You did the very thing that upset you so much when you were the Director.
Come on, people. Don't complain about transparency if you can't pick up the phone and ask questions or ever attend a Town Council Meeting where all of this has been discussed. We should be able to do a lot better than this.
The Bond Package passed.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Grove Street Mud-Slinging Likely Going to Court
O', I just feel it in my bones. I can sense it, even smell it. The comments here. The letters in the paper. The rumor mill. It will be the owners of the properties below the Looneys against the Looneys for the results of their alleged negligence in clear-cutting their property without regard to the potential impact on the properties below them. A report from a geologist will be very telling. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Budget Passes
With a lot of rain and a little turnout (just north of 11%), the Budget passed yesterday.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Work Commences Today on Main Street West
- From Public Works:
- West Main Street and Sidewalks on Green - Reconstruct West side of Main street and sidewalks on the Green. Colonna Concrete & Asphalt Paving LLC has been awarded the bid. Work will begin Friday May 4th and substantial completion will occur within 45 days per contract. Saw cutting and excavation begin Friday 5/4, BUSINESSES ARE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE, thru traffic should consider alternative routes
Friday, April 27, 2012
Misleading Budget Data Circulated By E-Mail
The fear-mongers are at it again. Who they are I don't know but the people from nmbudgetfacts.com who are circulating these e-mails in an attempt to defeat the Budget are either confused, deceitful or both. Unfortunately, their attempts to defeat the Budget may be very costly.
The first ridiculous and misleading claim is that the Town has overbudgeted for utilities. Wrong! Those of us who receive bills for electricity or oil know that prices fluctuate. The Town budgets that are prepared in February contain only projections of utility costs; they are fluid. Rates can go down, winters can be mild. The Director of Finance monitors rates and takes advantage of market prices whenever he can. What are the results? Savings!
OK, great. So where do the savings go? They go into the undesignated account where they are available to be used for emergencies like the Chinmoy problem or other projects that otherwise couldn't be done because of budget constraints.
The second ridiculous and misleading claim is that the Town Budget has grown "7.5 times as much as the Board of Ed." Kids, if it's your parents who are writing this trash, would you please take a moment to give them a short arithmetic lesson? Please explain to them, as you know well, that they shouldn't be using percentage comparisons unless the budget numbers are identical. A $100 increase on a $1,000 budget is 10%. A $100 increase on a $10,000 budget is 1%.
In addition, even if the arithmetic comparison was valid, one needs to look at what's included in the two Budgets to make a fair comparison. For example, the Town has all the debt and bonding on its side. Another good example. Of the 2 million coming out of the Internal Service Fund, 1.5 million went to the BOE and only $500,000 went to the Town. The moral of the tale is that to make a proper comparison, one has to look at every element of every line in both budgets.
The people who are writing these e-mails are doing a disservice to the Community. Of course I support their right to speak up but Moody's watches the Town's budget process very closely. It will be very costly if their unfounded claims result in Budget defeat.
The first ridiculous and misleading claim is that the Town has overbudgeted for utilities. Wrong! Those of us who receive bills for electricity or oil know that prices fluctuate. The Town budgets that are prepared in February contain only projections of utility costs; they are fluid. Rates can go down, winters can be mild. The Director of Finance monitors rates and takes advantage of market prices whenever he can. What are the results? Savings!
OK, great. So where do the savings go? They go into the undesignated account where they are available to be used for emergencies like the Chinmoy problem or other projects that otherwise couldn't be done because of budget constraints.
The second ridiculous and misleading claim is that the Town Budget has grown "7.5 times as much as the Board of Ed." Kids, if it's your parents who are writing this trash, would you please take a moment to give them a short arithmetic lesson? Please explain to them, as you know well, that they shouldn't be using percentage comparisons unless the budget numbers are identical. A $100 increase on a $1,000 budget is 10%. A $100 increase on a $10,000 budget is 1%.
In addition, even if the arithmetic comparison was valid, one needs to look at what's included in the two Budgets to make a fair comparison. For example, the Town has all the debt and bonding on its side. Another good example. Of the 2 million coming out of the Internal Service Fund, 1.5 million went to the BOE and only $500,000 went to the Town. The moral of the tale is that to make a proper comparison, one has to look at every element of every line in both budgets.
The people who are writing these e-mails are doing a disservice to the Community. Of course I support their right to speak up but Moody's watches the Town's budget process very closely. It will be very costly if their unfounded claims result in Budget defeat.
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