Council mtg 12/12
I think the Council meeting went surprisingly smooth.
We added one item to the agenda. We took the "underage drinking prevention program" grant off the consent calendar and voted on it as an individual item. I believe it passed 8-1 (Schrumm opposed). For more info on stopping underage drinking, please visit Cheshire Cares.
We seemed to jump all around the agenda for the rest of the evening, but probably started with:
1) Legislative package -
I don't even recall Dave Schrumm really getting into much of a discussion with Mary Fritz about binding arbitration. Tom Ruocco got into the BA discussion though. I thought he made some very good points and I was glad that he did. I really don't understand why the legislature, refuses to revisit BA. There are win-win opportunities out there. But they simply have no interest in listening to any ideas when it comes to this one.
The conveyance tax was discussed. I suggested that taxes should be related to one's ability to pay. Therefore, review of the conveyance tax should be addressed in terms of comprehensive property tax reform. Personally, I prefer a sales tax as it is the only major tax we use that provides the individual with personal choice. I really don't want to see the legislature simply provide for a homestead exemption. The way that would probably work would be to give all properties (business & residential) an exemption for... say... the first $100,000 in value. But then what happens? We shift the burden... to the businesses that are already hurting and leaving our state?
The "telecommunications personal property PILOT" (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) was discussed. Rep. Nardello suggested that she would provide Cheshire with help on this matter after the town provided her with a list of all other towns in the state that would benefit from such a change in legislation.
Interestingly, two years ago, I was in Hartford to testify on behalf of a similar change in legislation. (It related to "non-profit nursing homes PILOT"... something that would apply to Elim Park.) Rep. Adinolfi asked me to testify on behalf of the town. So I went to Hartford and testified. However, I was curious to know if the legislation had any chance of passing. Al said he felt that it did because he had already taken the time to create a list of all other towns in the state that would benefit from such a change in legislation.
Elderly Tax Relief was supported by all legislators.
Funding for both the wastewater treatment plant prison overcapacity issue and mine remediation programs were supported unanimously.
The last issue which drew comment was probably the water main fund. Mr. Schrumm spoke, but I forget what his stated concerns were.
2) Support for bringing the Vietnam Wall ("The Wall that Heals") to Bartlem Park was unanimous. Ralph Zingarella intends to have his students set up the wall (with professional guidance) and to have a 24 hour vigil maintained for the six days that it is here. Total cost is estimated to be $6,000 - 8,000. If you'd like to personally support the wall, Ralph Zingarella is accepting donations. I believe you can email him at RZingarella@CheshireCT.org.
3) Although there was no vote scheduled, we had some discussion on possible changes to the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development (this would be for the proposed lifestyle center in the northend). Tom Ruocco and Dave Schrumm both made good points about knowing the financial impact of the changes, particularly the proposal for "mixed use." That translates to housing in the northend. So not only would this impact the FD, PD, DPW et al., this could also impact the schools. So the concerns are appropriate. The only comment that left me blank was when Dave Schrumm repeatedly used the word "we." I really didn't understand why he kept using that word. I think when I get up on my soap box and start pontificating (lol), it's really just about how "I" feel.... My main question last night was to ensure that with such a significant electricity problem already in existence (both generation and distribution), we ask the developer to at least seriously consider alternative forms of electricity (such as onsite generation and clean, renewable energy. i.e. photovoltaics).
4) The Norton Energy Improvements were on the agenda. I simply reiterated my desire for having the town and schools create a master plan for any proposed energy improvements. These improvements may very well all be worth the money. But in total, they may cost in the tens of millions of dollars. And that would require us to do the projects in pieces... pieces which should be prioritized, based on payback.
5) A few other items were brought to a vote, but largely without discussion.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
5 comments:
I watched most of the meeting last night and here's my thoughts and concerns:
Mary Fritz started out explaining that the State is facing a possible $200,000,000 deficit. Then in the next breath she mentioned she was still supporting the artificial turf project at CHS and was trying to get the $850,000 grant approved. Now does that make any sense to anyone?? I know the $850,000 comes from the bonding commission but it's really just another pot of money and it's our tax dollars not being put to good use. Wouldn't it be wiser to direct money to fully fund the circuit breaker program? And what about the underfunded teacher's retirement?
Binding arbitration - not surprisingly the legislators didn't think it needed fixing. Tom Ruocco made some excellent points on the subject...too bad the legislators don't want to listen to him or to their constituents.
I found it quite surprising that the legislators said that they're hoping the ECS formula will be reworked and are hoping it will bring more money to Cheshire. If anyone recalls from last year, the superintendent and even some of the same legislators said that we should be careful in what we wish for with the ECS formula. They expected that if it was reformulated it would likely bring LESS money to Cheshire than what we already get.
I was disappointed in the council majority's comments on the elderly tax relief. In particular, Mr. Altieri said that there's only so much a town can do (for seniors). He wanted the State to do more, which would be nice, but as most seniors recall the dem. majority ran their campaign promising much larger credits for our seniors. It didn't happen.
And I give a lot of credit to Mr. Kunde...wish he was elected to the BOE. He follows so many meetings, articulates his remarks extremely well, and always has excellent ideas. I hope he runs again for either the BOE or the TC.
And one last thing...I know the meetings can run late, but I thought since the TC meets usually just once a year w/legislators, it would have been more appropriate if Mr. Hall didn't rush the remarks of the councilors..he should have allowed ample time for discussions/questions.
I haven't seen a BA case in the last year that wasn't found in favor of the government. The arbitration panels made up of three professional arbitrators - one from each side and one accepted by both sides. What's your problem?
4:05... My problem with BA is simple... I'd like to see the legislature adopt the CCM-recommended changes. Barring that (which our delegation refuses to even consider), during the campaign I suggested another change. Here's the scenario:
Your boss offers you a $10 raise.
After taxes, you get $6.
Instead, you could be offered $8 for something like a 401k.
The BOE can spend an extra $1 on textbooks.
The Council can cut spending by $1.
I haven't investigated this in detail. But it seems to me to be a reasonable request for our legislators to consider.
Will they? No. They're not interested.
So, what's my problem?
Elected officials who refuse to listen.
There is a web site set up to make a donation to the Wall project on-line:
http://www.wall2cheshire.com/
the elected officials listened to the blowhard on BA who offer no viable solution to the issue. Listen carefully-turn the page get over it and move on to something else. Turn the channel and watch another show because this movie ends the same way. The only citizens who really want action on this item can be counted on one hand. The legislature studied the issue and now it is done.
Post a Comment