Planning Committee agenda -- 7:30pm, Sept 29

The 20th Council took office last December. At that time I realized that the pool and the operating budget were going to occupy most of the Council's time through the May / June timeframe. Then summer vacations and the capital budget occupied July & August. But September is here and the Planning Committee has a full plate:

1. Roll Call

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Sidewalk repair planning.

4. Pavement management review.

5. Rosemary Lane project.

6. Potential school gas line hook-ups.

7. Drainage issues at Cheshire High School boys’ locker room.

8. Boulder Knoll pond.

9. Potential cell tower at Waste Water Treatment Plant.

10. Linear Park extension.

11. Adjournment.

Most interesting to me is the first discussion item on the agenda: sidewalks. This relates directly to one of my good government efforts in the former Council. Back in August 2008 and since then, I've suggested:

using staff's recommendations, the Council should vote to establish the criteria used in prioritizing improvements to roads (along with sidewalks, curbs and perhaps tree trimming)... then the Council should set the budget (subject to voter approval at referendum) and there should be no deviation from those lists unless there is an emergency.

This idea has taken on new importance this month. It's not only about making government work, it's about appropriately using the $200,000 sidewalk fund created by the Council in the capital budget last month. Do we know how and where that money be spent?

Another item of great interest to me is Rosemary Lane. Why did we repave the road in 2008, then install dry wells in 2010? You can see some of my recent posts here, here and here.

And another item of particular interest that I've been following is Cheshire's increased natural gas capacity, including for schools and households.

I thank the Planning Committee Chairman, Jimmy Sima, for placing all of this on the agenda.

As for why the Council is discussing the linear trail... got me. I have no idea. I know one Councilman who loves it, but as far as I'm concerned, the 2010 vote on the pool and especially the 2005 vote on the linear trail should have sent a very clear message to the Council. And frankly, in looking at recent trends in referenda results, I'm wondering if the voters will view this November's track referendum as a school project or a recreation project? We'll see in another month....

Tim White