Last night's vote was 5-3, with Democrat Walter Bayer breaking ranks and voting in favor.
John Lillis addressed the Shelly Pruss issue saying that the reason he didn't vote for Joe is that he didn't want to make the same mistake twice. You may recall that at the last go-round, John said that he wouldn't vote for Joe because "the voters didn't elect him" to the BOE. A peculiar position in view of the fact that he voted for fellow Dem Shelly after "the voters didn't elect him" either.
I wonder how Shelly feels this morning, knowing that his Party Chair thinks that it was a "mistake" to vote for him.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
BOE "Returns" Surplus
In today's News-Times, you can read Nanci Hutson's story about the Board of Ed's decision to return its $741,000 to the Town's General Fund. In her lead, Nanci wrote, "Tuesday night's split vote of the Board of Education will send the district's $741,000 balance back into the town's general operation fund rather than the board's capital reserve account."
What's wrong with this picture? Simple. BOE Member and attorney Bill Wellman was absolutely right when he said that the BOE had no legal right to have any say whatsoever about the disposition of this money. It had no legal right to keep any of it for its capital reserve fund or for any other purpose. Not $250,000. Not $200,000. Not one cent.
That unexpended money belongs to the taxpayers and should have been "returned" to the General Fund immediately without a stop at a BOE Meeting. And what's amazing is that there isn't a person in the BOE Finance Department who doesn't know it, including old-timer Tom Corbett. Before even allowing it on the Agenda (prepared by the Administration), Board Chairman Lisa Diamond should have asked the Board's attorney about its rights. If he's worth his salt, he'd have confirmed my claim.
Further, the idea of the Board putting the money into its Capital Reserve is illegal. See Section 10-241 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Board of Ed v. City of New Haven 237 Conn. 169 (1996) in which the Supreme Court distinguished between capital and operating accounts. The Town Council controls for former, the BOE the latter. If the BOE wants to add money to its Capital Reserve it must seek COuncil permission as it has done in the past.
Kudos to Chairman Lisa Diamond for breaking with her party and a "thumbs down" to Dave Lawson, Tom McSherry and the other Democrats for their hubris and utter failure to pay attention to their legal obligations and their obligations to the taxpayers-at-large. It just shows you the mind-set.
What's wrong with this picture? Simple. BOE Member and attorney Bill Wellman was absolutely right when he said that the BOE had no legal right to have any say whatsoever about the disposition of this money. It had no legal right to keep any of it for its capital reserve fund or for any other purpose. Not $250,000. Not $200,000. Not one cent.
That unexpended money belongs to the taxpayers and should have been "returned" to the General Fund immediately without a stop at a BOE Meeting. And what's amazing is that there isn't a person in the BOE Finance Department who doesn't know it, including old-timer Tom Corbett. Before even allowing it on the Agenda (prepared by the Administration), Board Chairman Lisa Diamond should have asked the Board's attorney about its rights. If he's worth his salt, he'd have confirmed my claim.
Further, the idea of the Board putting the money into its Capital Reserve is illegal. See Section 10-241 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Board of Ed v. City of New Haven 237 Conn. 169 (1996) in which the Supreme Court distinguished between capital and operating accounts. The Town Council controls for former, the BOE the latter. If the BOE wants to add money to its Capital Reserve it must seek COuncil permission as it has done in the past.
Kudos to Chairman Lisa Diamond for breaking with her party and a "thumbs down" to Dave Lawson, Tom McSherry and the other Democrats for their hubris and utter failure to pay attention to their legal obligations and their obligations to the taxpayers-at-large. It just shows you the mind-set.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Failla Withdraws Council Bid...For Now
Joe Failla withdrew his name last night, facing a negative vote from all four Democratic Council Members and an absence of two Republican Members.
The Democrats said that the voters didn't elect Joe to the Board of Education. Apparently they forgot about Shelly Pruss (D).
Calling it "politics at its worst," Mayor Pat Murphy said, "This is the Town Council, not the Board of Ed. Joe is qualified, I think he'll do a good job and he has the unanimous support of the Republican Town Committee."
Without doubt, Joe's name will be brought up again when Republicans Pete Bass and Bob Guendelsberger return. The Mayor will vote to break the likely 4-4 tie leaving the Dems in a very uneasy position when he sits at their table.
The Democrats said that the voters didn't elect Joe to the Board of Education. Apparently they forgot about Shelly Pruss (D).
Calling it "politics at its worst," Mayor Pat Murphy said, "This is the Town Council, not the Board of Ed. Joe is qualified, I think he'll do a good job and he has the unanimous support of the Republican Town Committee."
Without doubt, Joe's name will be brought up again when Republicans Pete Bass and Bob Guendelsberger return. The Mayor will vote to break the likely 4-4 tie leaving the Dems in a very uneasy position when he sits at their table.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Volinski Resigns From Council, Failla On Deck
Republican Town Council Member Terry Volinski submitted her resignation from the Town Council. Joe Failla will likely be recommended by the RTC to fill her seat. An attorney who practices in New York, Joe is a former Member of the Ethics Commission and Board of Education.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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 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.
Monday, August 11, 2008
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!!"
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Odor From Nestle's Farms
From parents and children at the ballfields, from the Recycling Center and from as far away as Old Stilson Hill Road, there have been many complaints about the odor from the Nestle's Farms' composting facility. It travels with the wind.
The Town's Health Department has no jurisdiction over the matter although Director of Health Mike Crespan and the Mayor are well aware of the problem and have spoken to the owner repeatedly. "They've been very cooperative and concerned, Mike said, "They may not be able to resolve the problem immediately but they are working on it." And so is the State DEP.
Lou Santos, a DEP Air Pollution Control Engineer III, is investigating the problem. He said today that he has yet to officially declare Nestle's Farms as the source of the odor. While it seems apparent to all of us, he explained that he must rule out all other potential sources before making that formal declaration. The odor may very well be coming from the composting facility," he said, "I am doing air inspections and will do a compliance inspection later next month."
Mr. Santos also said that he will also be referring the matter to the DEP Water Department because he saw some leacheate from the area where restaurant food waste is dumped. The facility has a Permit to accept the food waste which is then mixed with brush and other organic materials before it is composted.
I am assured that the odor is not toxic and results from the composting process.
The Town's Health Department has no jurisdiction over the matter although Director of Health Mike Crespan and the Mayor are well aware of the problem and have spoken to the owner repeatedly. "They've been very cooperative and concerned, Mike said, "They may not be able to resolve the problem immediately but they are working on it." And so is the State DEP.
Lou Santos, a DEP Air Pollution Control Engineer III, is investigating the problem. He said today that he has yet to officially declare Nestle's Farms as the source of the odor. While it seems apparent to all of us, he explained that he must rule out all other potential sources before making that formal declaration. The odor may very well be coming from the composting facility," he said, "I am doing air inspections and will do a compliance inspection later next month."
Mr. Santos also said that he will also be referring the matter to the DEP Water Department because he saw some leacheate from the area where restaurant food waste is dumped. The facility has a Permit to accept the food waste which is then mixed with brush and other organic materials before it is composted.
I am assured that the odor is not toxic and results from the composting process.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Murphy/Jankowski Cut Costs
It's amazing what you can find out if you just ask. Kostes, are you reading?
Last week, Mayor Murphy's and Finance Director Ray Jankowski's vigilance saved taxpayers more than $700,000.
First, a call date with regard to 1999 School Bonds allowed refinancing and a savings of more than $650,000.00.
Second, they took advantage of a brief opening that permitted a renegotiation of the Town's electricity costs. Savings? $65,000.00.
Great work.
Last week, Mayor Murphy's and Finance Director Ray Jankowski's vigilance saved taxpayers more than $700,000.
First, a call date with regard to 1999 School Bonds allowed refinancing and a savings of more than $650,000.00.
Second, they took advantage of a brief opening that permitted a renegotiation of the Town's electricity costs. Savings? $65,000.00.
Great work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)