Am I That Dumb? The Elimination of the Car Tax

Let me see if I got this right.  Governor Malloy said in his speech today that car taxes would be eliminated...Hooray!  Oops, wait a second.  Let me think about that.  New Milford -- like every Town -- has a Budget of $X.  That $X is raised by taxing vehicles, real property and personal property.  If the tax on vehicles is taken out of that equation, OOPS! real property and personal property taxes have to go up to raise that $X.

Well, you say, I'm a renter and I don't pay real property tax.  No?  Well, your Landlord does and guess what's going to happen.  Yes, your rent is going up.

What a cute sound bite.          

Mayor: Town Working On School Security

This Press Release was issued by the Mayor today:

The tragic events of December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School have motivated all of us to take a second look at how we manage our school campus security.  To that end, our Community, School and Police agencies continue to review, upgrade, enhance and strengthen our policies, plans and infrastructure to meet today’s needs.  In addition, we have decided to hire an outside agency specializing in security to conduct a school vulnerability assessment of each campus.  Through this process our schools can continue the actions necessary to prevent, mitigate and lessen potential risks with continued development of customized school emergency management plans.  We appreciate your suggestions and your cooperation as we work collaboratively within our Community to keep our schools as safe as possible for our children.

Chief of Police Shawn Boyne was tasked by the Mayor to make recommendations for school security enhancements and he updated the Town Council last night in a warned executive session.  On her Editor's behalf, News-Times reporter Sue Tuz voiced an objection to the report being made in executive session even though Town Attorney Randy DiBella opined that the executive session was appropriate.

Section 1-200(6)(C) of the Connecticut General Statutes allows an agency to hold an executive session to discuss, among other topics, "matters concerning security strategy or the deployment of security personnel, or devices affecting public security."  I I think this could not be any clearer.  In addition, I think common sense dictates that the details of the Chief's plans should not be publicly aired; there's no sense in educating a would-be miscreant. 

  

Sympathy Card from New Milford to Newtown

Please take a moment to stop at Town Hall and sign this sympathy card.  Please note that the other side of this card is full so be sure to sign soon.

PLEASE VOTE!

My choices:


1A   Romney and Ryan

2A   Linda McMahon

3A   Andrew Roraback

4A   Clark Chapin

5A   Cecilia Buck-Taylor

Update: Recycling Center Open Now

Recycling Center Will Open Saturday, November 3

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."
 

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.

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.

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.

Traffic Advisory: Bridge Work Starts Tomorrow, August 23

I received this information from Mayor Murphy's Administrative Aide, Tammy Reardon:

"Beginning on Thursday, August 23^rd, 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 23^rd and 24^th from 9am until 3pm; and on Saturday and Sunday, August 25^th and 26^th 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."