Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Open forum 6/6

The NHR is reporting:

A plan to develop an 8-acre property at 300 East Johnson Ave., which is being evaluated for inclusion on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List, is being backed by a local businessman whose companies have been accused of doing favors for state officials to obtain "sweetheart deals" on state contracts.

The company that is proposing the development is TJM Environmental Restoration LLC, a firm that, according to Cheshire tax records, is affiliated with Frank Ruocco, a resident whose North Haven companies — Earth Technology Inc. and Earth Technology II LLC — have come under state and federal scrutiny. (by Luther Turmelle)

There was a hail storm in northwest Cheshire today.

The Personnel and Ordinance Review Committees met tonight. Any word on what happened?

Sadly, a driver was hurt and a moose died today when the two collided on the Merritt in New Canaan... I guess the story I heard about a moose up on Prospect Ridge probably was true.

The Courant is keeping up the drumbeat on state Senator Deluca. As they should. There should be outrage.

I think the Parks & Rec meeting is tonight. I believe they will be meeting with the pool consultant. If you have any questions about the report, Matt Altieri is the liaison. So you may want to give him a call.

Cheshire's canada geese are back in the news (WRA, by Mike Puffer).

Anything else happening around town?

Tim White
Town Council, 4th District

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

The situation in town regarding allowing for companies to build is getting out of control. If Enviro Tech did favors for the State, how does that effect Cheshire? We are talking about site cleanup (Which must meet the DEP requirements) and then construction of a new facility which will be tax revenue. The North end of town needs to be developed - I am not saying that the the shops are good or bad either. It seem that it is very difficult to construct anything in town. If people do not want to pay higher taxes, wouldnt we want more homes and buildings to help offset? With the town council and agencies in town, we can control how they look and the impact, but not allow at all.

Anonymous said...

I was away at work at the time, but I can literally see that we had quite a hail storm -- there's a small pile of melon-ball sized hailstones from yesterday sitting in our freezer.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and since this is an open forum post, I'd like to direct everyone's attention to some neat functionality here on TWL. ;)

It's the 'Other' radio-button/check-box under 'Choose an Identity.' I think it's great that we can post anonymously, but for the sake of ongoing dialogue, more of you might want to consider commenting using a handle, name, false name, or something along those lines.

You don't have to have a blogger/google account to enter a name when you select 'Other,' and you don't have to use your real name either. So, stay anonymous if you like, but remember that you can remain so while using a handle.

Anonymous said...

don’t like the CAVEmen
worse is Altieri
clean out the den
the town will be cheery!

Vote Progressive!
Vote Visconti!

Elect Excellence!
Elect Esty!

Anonymous said...

I guess the only thing going on in Cheshire is what goes on "Poles". Can you imagine the Town Planner and the Police Chief have to deal with this crazy problem. What a waste of their time. The newspaper coverage was even more absurd. Maybe we should put solar powered cameras to catch people and congest our court system more. Give me a break. Maybe this might make the Jay Leno show? Only in Cheshire Ct.

Anonymous said...

The voters are not his taste
He loves the pool: a colossal waste
Of whom do I speak?
He makes government reek
One bitten, twice leery
Councilman matt altieri

Anonymous said...

Yeah! At last we have the Pole Polece. When W/S doesn't like something, like the flyers against the zone change, Cheshire jumps.
Who will this unit report to?

Anonymous said...

shill (noun):
1. somebody who pretends to be an interested customer or gambler in order to lure others into buying or gambling.
2. somebody who promotes somebody or makes a sales pitch for something for reasons of self-interest.

Anonymous said...

There are laots of posters on poles in Havana and Caracas. I prefer not living in a town that looks like a third world socialist paradise

Anonymous said...

All the zone change promoters say nothing has happened in the Northend in the last 20 years and nothing will, so we have to change the use from industrial to housing and retail.

Its not true! In just the last few weeks:

1. A plan to develop an 8-acre property at 300 East Johnson Ave., which is being evaluated for inclusion on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List, is being backed by a local businessman

2. On May 21, Fazzone and Zima Developers submitted plans for a 80,000 sq ft industrial condominium complex on Highland Ave. James Fazzone said it's hard for small businesses to to find property that they can own.

3. Front Page MRJ May 31, Islander East Gas pipeline project suddenly has the appearance of moving forward.

Maybe it is time to stop and think?

Smart Growth is happening. Why change the very limited amount of land available for smart growth for very questionable retail and residential.

It's the town planner should be thinking of maximizing the future benefit of the Interchange and not change the zoning for the immediate benefit of a few developers.

Maybe, not enough effort has been made to find the businesses that conform to the current zoning.

The zone has all the right characteristics, good highway access, good local workforce, and the gas pipeline can be a big asset.

Anonymous said...

4. Biodiesel factory

Cavemen are dim
Worse is altieri
Don’t reelect him
We should be weary

Vote progressive
Vote Visconti!

Elect progressives
Elect Esty!

Anonymous said...

If you don't like the shopping in cheshire don't fret
There is still hope yet
WS and the boys gonna give you somphin niceeeee
bars and rest and shoppes
It came to me in a dream
Hot sauce with cream
Go man Go

Anonymous said...

Islander East is not smart growth, it is an environmental mess that we don't need. We will fight hard and win, that won't be built.

Anonymous said...

there was a man named Aramis
who could think of nothing to do but shop
He sat on a log
sent rhymes to a blog
until he family pleased him and moved to Paramus

Anonymous said...

The north end has all kinds of development. The lie that "nothing is happening" is just that...a lie.
Cheshire is being railroaded into a major zone change THAT WE DO NOT NEED.
Wake up before the Development Party sells us out!
As for the poles....isn't it funny how a few "No Zone Change" signs get the police chief excited. Does he work for the developers too.....or just for the town manager who works for the Council run by the Developers Party.
Hmmmm. Something is starting to stink at town hall.

Anonymous said...

Yes, you skink.

Anonymous said...

Only since the Dems have taken over has anything happened, why did it take so long? Why did the Republicans fail to do anything?

Anonymous said...

The land just changed hands recently(legal issues). The R's and D's have nothing to do with it. Don't make this into a political thing. It's private business. If one buys or sells property are town officials involved? No. Same thing for business. If business is good you get activity.The only thing the town can do is give tax abatements to attract businesses. We have done that.

Anonymous said...

Rs and Ds
raise taxes and fees
none am I trustin’
the mall was justin

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of "POLES" in town and many have no signs. Whats the proplem?

Anonymous said...

Power to the People!!!
Seize the property of corporate running dogs to spread the truth!!
Use their electric transmission facilities to fight corporate greed!!!
Save the whales!!! Free Tibet!!! Stop the Mall!! Steal this Book!!

Anonymous said...

Tim, Regarding anything new in town -
The Boe just gave Florio a 4.2% raise for the first year of his new contract making his salary $142,868, plus a $2000 payment for achieving the title of "Dr."
They also gave Detrick a 4.1% raise making his salary $123,000.

It was also noted that these raises were in line with what the teachers' increases will be.

I'd turn this into a rhyme, but I don't have the time!

Anonymous said...

I hope the $2000 was a one time thing and not part of his salary increase. Sounds like another DR we had who gave out a bonus and then became part of the salary forever. 3% on top of 3%. Like compound interest.

Anonymous said...

Their raises were described as a "bargain."
How nice if we all could get 4 percent.
It's really just boe "jargon."
We should wonder if it's money well spent!

Anonymous said...

There are many in in the private sector who get less of an increase but make 5 times what he makes. As one who is in that category I have no problem with that kind of a raise. I would not do his job for 2x that money-so easy folks there is not much to this. Give the guy a break you will not get anyone to take the job (or my job) for alot less.

Anonymous said...

There are many in in the private sector who get less of an increase but make 5 times what he makes.

$143,000 x 5 = $715,000

You make $715,000 per year? And get 2% raises?

Anonymous said...

The cost is about $27/student. I think that a good deal. I could not handle 5000+ students. It's a big responsibility. They are a scarce breed "sups". We must make sure that he spends our (budget) money wisely. Good Luck Dr. Florio.

Anonymous said...

I don't know that saying it's only 27/student is a fair assessment. We've got an Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services; and a Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services; plus 6 Principals, approx. 4 Assistant Principals; not to mention Curriculum Corrdinator, several administrative assistants, etc.
Still think it's a bargain? If you only knew.

Anonymous said...

aye right and the private sector does not have it bloat get real m an what planet yhou livin on

Anonymous said...

Don't Justin A have a lot to do with this proposal? A Dem right? I think the Dems did do a lot to bring this here.

Anonymous said...

Bring what here? The only thing on the table is a text change. I hope the P&Z doesn't think like you. If it gets to step 2 one can only imagine. Your vision is as good as mine.

Anonymous said...

12:04 PM
Once again a PZC regulations genius surfaces advising all of us to relax...its only a text change. And what does almost every 21 year old do on their 21st birthday? They have a drink in a bar because they can. With a text change this happens. Without it a project in another form can happen there.

Another consideration for the folks so eager to credit the democrats for this positive change this could well be a double edged sword. Another and more important observation is that there is plenty of pro and con that includes D's, R's and U's.