I understand that the meeting will include discussions on two state grants:
1) $525,000 for artificial turf
2) $100,000 for West Main sidewalks (phase 3)
I have no idea if there will be nine Council members at the meeting.
Tim White
As I mentioned yesterday, I'll be resigning from the Town Council. Here's the five minute vid of me making my announcement... I got a bit choked up near the end... not the easiest thing to do:
And the local newspapers had some online coverage today, including the MRJs Jesse Buchanan and the WRAs Lauresha Xhihani writing:
During his seven years in the council, White has represented the fourth district and is known for walking his district year-round and talking to residents. Independent minded, White often broke ranks with his own party on issues.
Tim White
I’d like to announce tonight that I’m resigning from the Town Council, effective October 24.
I am resigning from the Council because I have accepted a position as the Director of Administration and Finance for the Haitian Health Foundation. HHF is headquartered in Norwich, CT, but I will be living and working in Haiti for the next year or two.
Having just spent time in Haiti,* one of the poorest nations in the world, I was again reminded of my appreciation for America’s freedoms and material abundance that we so often take for granted.
I was deeply moved by the tragedy of the earthquake and wanted to do more than just donate money. I’ve never been particularly concerned with making a lot of money, as much as I’m concerned with trying to make a difference for the common good.
I wanted to personally contribute the best of my skills. Having lived in the developing world – I lived in Vietnam from 1995 to 1998 – I know I’d be comfortable living in Haiti. And having studied in Paris, my French language skills will be helpful.
My position with HHF will allow me to contribute my CPA skills as their director of finance, and to do humanitarian work directly with many Haitian people in the field.
I have loved serving the residents of the fourth district and all of Cheshire.
I have been most motivated by the basic principles of good government: accountability, transparency, responsiveness and effective long-term planning.
During my seven years on the Council, I’ve strived to bring each of these to you with some success.
At times, some may have thought that I was harsh on management. But that’s because the taxpayers have little tolerance for waste and mismanagement and they want people held accountable for their actions. Times are tough and we need to use our tax dollars wisely. Having reduced the number of town take-home vehicles is one of the ways in which I’ve helped to reduce wasteful spending.
I’ve also tried to increase transparency in local government, successfully advocating the addition of Council meeting video to the town website and increasing the use of new media by the town, including the forthcoming addition of Council meetings and government channels to AT&T’s U-verse.
And I’ve tried to be responsive. Besides policy issues, I have a list of about 30 outstanding constituent concerns. When my replacement is named, I’ll contact him or her to ensure a smooth transition of your concerns. And if you’re interested in serving the fourth district, please contact the Republican Chairman, Adam Grippo.
More effective long-term planning is another improvement we’ve seen. From modernizing the town’s pension plans, to comprehensively addressing the approach taken by the Public Works department, and with various other projects, we’re making solid progress for Cheshire’s future.
As for my blog, it’s really a diary of sorts. I expect to continue posting on it, but I don’t expect to focus on local issues. If you want to stay in touch or learn more about my time in Haiti, you can still visit my blog or friend me on Facebook!
Finally, during my four terms in the 17th through 20th Councils, I’ve served with 17 different Council members. I thank all of you. I thank all town employees for your work. I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me this time. I thank the voters of the 4th district for giving me the opportunity to serve you. And I especially thank my two biggest supporters – thanks mom and dad.
But this isn’t a goodbye forever. This is just au revoir – until we meet again.
God bless you all and God bless America.
Tim White
* See here, here and here.
The MRJs Jesse Buchanan wrote a piece on the difficult relationship between the Historic District Commission and Historic Disctrict residents.
Tim White
Anne Giddings is holding an Ordinance Review Committee meeting on Tuesday @ 7:30pm in Town Hall. I expect the hot topic will be the Historic District.
AGENDA:
1. Roll Call.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Historic District ordinance.
4. Prison Advisory Committee / Public Safety Commission possible merger.
5. Adjournment.
Tim White
The agenda for Tuesday's Council meeting:
1. Roll Call.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Presentation of Youth Risky Behavior Survey results and video.
4. Health Care Reform overview.
5. Cheshire Public Schools Administrative Personnel bargaining agreement.
6. Approval of minutes of August 24, 2010 Special Meeting.
7. Adjournment.
My understanding is that the discussion regarding the rollout of President Obama's health care plan will be significant.
Tim White
Here's the Council meeting agenda for Tuesday night:
The main issue I question is 7A -- PBC assignments. While the PBC -- as a body -- is much improved from twelve months ago, I believe the TMs representation to the PBC is unchanged. That is unfortunate for both the town and the taxpayers. The election was ten months ago. I hope the Council takes action soon. The taxpayers deserve it.
In other under-the-radar situations though, my GOP colleagues are making great efforts at giving the taxpayers a fair shake. Such is the case with the WPCA. I understand the TMs representation to the WPCA has changed. And that's an improvement.
Frankly though, I don't understand why all the necessary changes aren't yet made. To me, it's quite simple. Either the TM makes the necessary changes in his management team or the Council changes the TM.
Tim White
Signing off for a couple weeks. I may stop by and post, but I expect it'll be far from everyday. For the time being I've shut down comments. I intend to open them again after I'm back blogging on a regular basis.
Couple meetings to keep in mind...
August 31 -- 2010 / 2011 capital budget vote
September 7 -- Historic District Commission "open forum"
September 14 -- regular Council meeting
I'm expecting to be posting before the September 14 meeting.
Hope you have a good Labor Day weekend! Mine will certainly be interesting....
Tim White
7:30 P.M., MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010
AGENDA:
1. Roll Call.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Building Commission ordinance revision.
4. Review of Solid Waste ordinance.
5. Prison Advisory Committee / Public Safety Commission possible merger.
6. Reconfirmation of benefit plans and OPEB amendment for pension
ordinance.
7. Historic District fees.
8. Firefighters tax abatement ordinance extension.
9. Adjournment.
Tim White
Since the Finance and Parks & Rec Departments are both up tomorrow night, I figured I'd give you both tonight... for those of you who are considering attending. As for the details on both the Pool Replacement Bubble and Expansion of Linear Trail, I'm covering only items in the current year capital budget for the most part. But since both of them tend to generate a lot of discussion around town, I'll probably post the TMs details sometime soon... just not tonight.
Anyway, here's the TMs proposal for the Parks & Rec Department's five year budget:
Here are the details on Park Improvements:
And here are the details on Equipment Replacements:
As for the "rule" that capital budget items:
1) cost more than $110,000; and
2) have a life expectancy greater than five years
without researching it, I'm guessing that the TM is proposing these items get covered with the operating budget (not the capital budget) via the Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) account. By using the capital budget's CNR account, we wouldn't bond the money to buy a truck. We'd be paying cash. And that's appropriate IMO.
Tim White
Here are the meetings currently scheduled by the Budget Chairman, David Schrumm:
Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Overview
Finance
Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Library
Public Works, Public Property
Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Education
Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Fire
Police
Water Pollution Control Department
Economic Development
Planning
Senior Services
Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Public Hearing
Recap (immediately following the Public Hearing)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
adoption of budget
Tim White
Here's the agenda for Tuesday's Council meeting:
I'm glad to see Council Chair Slocum asking the Ordinance Review Committee (Chaired by Anne Giddings) to look at the Town's pension plans. I have hope that the union contract still in negotiations (Town Hall, Public Works & Library) will eliminate Defined Benefit Pension Plans for future union hires.
A year ago the Council eliminated DB plans for future non-union hires.
Tim White
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
7:30 P.M., TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TOWN HALL, 84 SOUTH MAIN ST., CHESHIRE, CT
AGENDA:
1. Roll call.
2. Pledge of allegiance.
3. Salaries for Registrars of Voters.
4. Proposed FY 11 budget reallocations for the Library, the Water Pollution Control Department and the Planning Department.
5. Job description for Environmental Planner.
6. Job description for Zoning Enforcement Officer/Wetlands Agent.
7. Non-union pay classification plan for FY 10-11.
8. Non-union Personnel Rules and Regulations.
9. Settlement of Heart and Hypertension claim, executive session.
10. Adjournment.
Also on Tuesday will be the pool vote. Please remind your friends to go to Cheshire High School to vote!
Tim White
Here's the agenda for tonight's Planning Committee agenda:
Jimmy Sima has a lot on his plate... and he's agreed to help me with something that I've wanted to see happen for years.
After the Energy Commission meeting adjourned, I attended part of the Planning meeting. There was talk of a 150' to 180' cell tower going at the sewer treatment plant. The options discussed for prettying up the tower were:
1) one of those silly looking pine trees they have down on the Merrit / Hutch; and
2) a big flag pole... problem with that is the flag is ginormous... and it'd need to stay up 24 hours and lighted and it wears out quickly.
I understand the barn will probably be demolished.
Tim White
The agenda for next Tuesday's meeting:
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
JOINT WITH PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION FOR ITEM # 5
7:30 P.M., TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2010
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TOWN HALL, 84 SOUTH MAIN ST., CHESHIRE, CT
AGENDA:
1. Roll Call.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. West Main Street Streetscape status report.
4. Dodd Kitchen project status report.
5. Public information session on Community Pool proposals.
6. Call for public hearing on appropriation for Community Pool.
7. Personnel issues, possible executive session.
8. Adjournment.
And on a blog-related note, I'm about to get buried in some school-related end-of-semester work. So I doubt I'll be posting daily over the next week or two. In the mean time, anyone wanna do a front-page post? Anyone is welcome with any well-written viewpoint.
Tim White
Of interest to me and several of you... the TM advised us that Town Government and BOE meetings may be available on AT&T U-Verse TV as soon as the summer.
Any other comments about the meeting?
Tim White
The agenda for tomorrow's Council meeting:
The ICMA report is on the agenda, but not sure if there'll be any Council discussion. It may be discussed as Item #14 under Personnel Issues.
Tim White
