With Election Day rapidly approaching, I've been meaning to write about some of theGOP candidates that I have come to know best for some time now. I just never thought I'd be doing so with my thumbs on my cell sitting in my car in the Metro Square parking lot (the only place I can get somewhat reliable cell service.) Funny as it sounds, I've had a country song rattling around in my head for a solid month now. Its refrain goes something like, "Who are you when no one's looking?" It's really a lovely song by Blake Shelton and, believe it or not, while listening to it I had an epiphany - I am uniquely poised through my volunteering with the Middletown GOP to tell all and sundry about the following candidates' characters, something that always matters to me when I am casting a vote.
Let me start at the top. Mayor Sebastian Giuliano - he is what I call a "Mr. Middletown." What I mean by that is someone who knows everything there is to know about the city...and then some. And besides that, he loves this city. I don't think we could have another Mayor who cares for this city so viscerally as does Mayor Giuliano. I really don't. I have knocked on doors in various neighborhoods with Mayor Giuliano and have seen firsthand how much its citizens mean to him and how connected he is to his constituents. Their problems are his problems. He strives to do the right thing, even when it isn't the popular or easy thing to do. That tells me all I need to know about his character.
A footnote on the Mayor - he was at the city's emergency shelter for days. Doing the right thing (yet again) without any self-aggrandizement whatsoever.
Showing posts with label David Bauer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Bauer. Show all posts
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sparks on the Field: July 4th Baseball Game Honors Veteran
No fireworks? Who cares! There are few things more American than baseball, and baseball on Independence Day is double the fun. Earlier today I posted a reminder of the Third Annual Norm Way Classic Memorial baseball game that took place this morning at the Bill Pomfret stadium at Palmer Field in Middletown. Today the local 75er's played Berlin's team. The Middletown American Legion Local Post #75 is coached by Tim D'Aquila and is comprised of players16-19 years old. Today the game was played in honor of the late Norm Way a veteran of WWII who fought 1944-1945 after which he returned to Middletown and was a key figure in local sports & the Legion until his death in 2008. Way fought at Normandy, arriving the day after D-day. Today's game was sponsored by the Middletown Military Museum. 
The opening ceremony was at 10:30 am on the pitchers mound. The Way family was there to honor their patriarch and Way's granddaughter Kelly Deegan threw the first pitch to the Middletown catcher Kyle Krajewski. Mayor Sebastian Giuliano (R) (right photo, with hot dog), flanked by Councilmen Phil Pessina(R) and David Bauer(R) (far right photo), threw the second pitch, all later stayed to cheer on the players. In the stands Councilwoman Deb Kleckowski (R) and B.O.E. Boardmember Ryan Kennedy(R) showed their support for the veterans and the players. Roughly 150 people came to see the game today. The new digital score board showed who is at bat, out's, strikes etc was very user friendly in keeping track of what was going on and well worth the investment.
I have to give the players extra credit too, because they played a double header the day before, and with temperatures over 90 today, they made it look easy as fans watched from the shaded stadium. In honor of all branches of the armed forces, Middletown traded it's traditional blue and white uniforms for tan and brown camo tee shirts printed with their numbers in black, but kept the original light blue pants and darker blue cap normally worn. The very sharp looking tribute tee's were supplied by local sports store Home Team Supply on Saybrook Road. Berlin's traditional red and white uniforms complimented Middletown's blues and made the event all the more patriotic. It was a fashion home run in my book. I am not a sports writer, so I cannot comment too much about the actual game, I have to say that for a non sporty person it was still very exciting and engaging to watch! Regrettably I did not write down player names as I was watching to see who did what- my apologies to the team. It was neat to see lots of slides and no bickering with the umpire.
I will leave the real sports writing to the game's announcer and Middletown legend Jim Bransfield who wrote a fantastic article about the play by play of the game for the Middletown Press that is truly be worth reading. It was a pleasure to listen to Bransfield announce the game today, I think sports I think that voice! I do have to say that by the fourth inning Berlin made a steady practice of trying to steal second base, but this didn't slip by the stealth view of Middletown's pitcher Krajewski (seen pitching in photo on right). Pop fly's seem to be the theme today as far as ball play for what Berlin was hitting. Atleast 2 balls were hit out of the park- one by Berlin ( the red guys) to Washington Street during the third inning and one by a Middletown player (camo & blue) to the parking lot during the fourth inning, which made me duck and cover and almost spill the amazing nachos I got from concessions- which by the way were only $2! Middletown plays Wallingford July 6th at Palmer, 7:00 pm, with the live action, brilliant announcing by Bransfield and very reasonably priced concessions,I recommend taking the whole family and checking out a game or two. More information can be found at the website here. Outcome: Middletown won 2-1 against Berlin
ps Jim Bransfield, if you're reading this please come write for the Eye anytime!
Branfield's article aka real sports coverage
pss The Eye could use some sports coverage :)
Madam Nirvana aka Molly Salafia
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Conservation Commission Meeting Notes 11/12/2009
The Conservation Commission meets on the second Thursday of every month. The November meeting was held on 11/12. There were two members of the public present to address the Commission.
David Bauer addressed the commission to say that it has been nearly a year since we celebrated the 90th birthday of Artie Schiemann, who so generously donated land to the city's Open Space program. Mr. Bauer would like to see a continued annual recognition of Mr. Schiemann, which the Conservation Commission is happy to participate in.
Mr. Bauer also presented a conceptual idea for use of the 252 acres of CVH property in the Maromas section. This land is currently under consideration for several uses, including a golf course, a home for ARTFARM, hiking trails and others (many previous articles in the EYE). Mr. Bauer presented his idea as an undeveloped concept with the overall objective of restoring agriculture to the lands, as they were once used. This would provide multiple benefits by stimulating the local economy with new jobs, encouraging local farming, providing new sources of healthy local food for Middletown residents, and promoting collaboration among many local groups. It was discussed that the Conservation Commission is not in a position to take any direct action on this idea, which would require a great deal of work to develop.
On the same subject, the Commission discussed the need to follow-up with the Economic Development Commission concerning the use of former CVH lands. There has been no response to a letter sent requesting that public input provided during many public hearings held over a two-year period be incorporated into any plan of development for this property. The Commission will send a second letter to reiterate our request, and also express concern about entering into a 99 year lease, which all agreed seems excessively long for any active land use or applicant.
Cindy Jablonski Pashley addressed the commission to indicate her desire to preserve her property as City open space, either through an outright sale or by selling the development rights. The Commission is currently scheduling site walks for several properties that have been offered to the City and are under consideration for preservation as open space, and will include this property in the site walks. Properties are evaluated using a scoring system that provides a consistent way to rank the properties, and determine which properties to pursue for acquisition.
The Commission is working on an update of the current Middletown Trail Guide that will have more accurate maps and include new properties acquired since the last guide was published. The Commission is considering options for presenting the trail guide in various formats and media (online, print), and ways to make the online guide more interactive.
Concerning the Army Base, the Army is currently evaluating several properties as possible wetland mitigation sites. The Commission would like to know if there is any opportunity to provide input into this process and the selection of an appropriate wetlands mitigation site and will follow-up with City staff (none were in attendance).
There are plans in the works for upgrades to the Melilli Plaza parking lot behind Main Street Market and next to the City Hall. The Commission would like the parking lot design to be as low impact as possible and incorporate elements that allow for infiltration and treatment of storm water runoff. As an example, suggested changes that were made by the Conservation Commission for the design of recent improvements to the Palmer Field parking lot on Washington Street were taken into account and are helping to reduce the impact of the lot on the Coginchaug River. The Commission will seek a response to a letter sent to the City recommending changes to the Melilli parking lot design.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Bauer Exploring Changes in Food Distribution Ordinance
"The way the ordinance is written now," Councilman David Bauer said over the phone to me yesterday. "If a Girl Scout shows up at my door selling cookies, I could have her arrested. If a church members are selling a cake at a bake sale, I could have them arrested."
Bauer is referring to an ordinance recently cited in the summons and "arrest" of a Food Not Bombs member for distributing food in one of their weekly shared meals.
"I'm looking to make sure that a whole variety of people are protected in their activities," Bauer said. "And I want to be sure that we are not applying the law selectively."
While Bauer cites the Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and church groups in his effort to amend 166-5, which defines activities in which a license must be obtained for the production or distribution of food, it is Food Not Bombs which is the catalyst for the debate.
Bauer will attempt to bring the proposed ordinance change before the Health Department at their regular meeting Monday afternoon (5:15 PM, Room 208, City Hall), but he has been warned that it may be tabled because of a lawsuit filed by Food Not Bombs against the city.
Food Not Bombs members were cited by the City Health Department after being warned that their weekly meals were illegal according to city and state ordinance. One member, Wesleyan student Abe Bobman, also received a summons and has requested a jury trial for his offense. The State Department of Health is currently conducting a hearing into the matter, and Food Not Bombs has sued the city and state for infringement of its rights to express itself through these weekly meals.
Bauer feels the solution to the problem is one that will be beneficial to all groups who share or distribute food occasionally to the public.
In his proposed version of the law, he extends the groups excepted from licensing.
Ordinance as currently written:
If the Health Department accepts his amendments, Bauer plans to bring the proposed ordinance change to the City Council for consideration.
Bauer is referring to an ordinance recently cited in the summons and "arrest" of a Food Not Bombs member for distributing food in one of their weekly shared meals.
"I'm looking to make sure that a whole variety of people are protected in their activities," Bauer said. "And I want to be sure that we are not applying the law selectively."
While Bauer cites the Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and church groups in his effort to amend 166-5, which defines activities in which a license must be obtained for the production or distribution of food, it is Food Not Bombs which is the catalyst for the debate.
Bauer will attempt to bring the proposed ordinance change before the Health Department at their regular meeting Monday afternoon (5:15 PM, Room 208, City Hall), but he has been warned that it may be tabled because of a lawsuit filed by Food Not Bombs against the city.
Food Not Bombs members were cited by the City Health Department after being warned that their weekly meals were illegal according to city and state ordinance. One member, Wesleyan student Abe Bobman, also received a summons and has requested a jury trial for his offense. The State Department of Health is currently conducting a hearing into the matter, and Food Not Bombs has sued the city and state for infringement of its rights to express itself through these weekly meals.
Bauer feels the solution to the problem is one that will be beneficial to all groups who share or distribute food occasionally to the public.
In his proposed version of the law, he extends the groups excepted from licensing.
Ordinance as currently written:
§ 166-5 Activities excluded.
The following activities are excluded from the licensing and fee requirements of this chapter: nonpermanent fruit and vegetable stands which do not require preparation, refrigeration, cooking and/or heating of any kind, including but not limited to farmers' markets and roadside stands.
Ordinance as proposed:
§ 166-5 Activities excluded.
The following activities are excluded from the licensing and fee requirements of this chapter:
A. Nonpermanent fruit and vegetable stands which do not require preparation, refrigeration, cooking and/or heating of any kind, including but not limited to farmers' markets and roadside stands.
B. A non-profit cooperative wherein no permanent facilities are used for storing or handling food, and which gives food to its members or guests at no charge.
C. A private home, church, private club, or other nonprofit association that gives or sells food to its members and guests at occasional events.
D. A for-profit entity that gives or sells food at occasional events, for the benefit of a nonprofit association, if the
for-profit entity receives no monetary benefit, other than that resulting from recognition for participating in the event.If the Health Department accepts his amendments, Bauer plans to bring the proposed ordinance change to the City Council for consideration.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Finance And Governance Concentrates on Finance
The F&G Committee began with a financial warning and ended with one on Wednesday evening.
Councilman David Bauer, testifying as a public citizen, said that he was worried about a report he had heard from city employees that money was being wasted on a rented sanitation truck.
According to Bauer, a city truck is under repair, and the Sanitation Department rented a used vehicle at a higher price than they could have rented a new vehicle with the same specs as city trucks. In addition, a one-week repair has extended to three weeks, and the department is now requesting an additional $5000, on top of a $900o request for rental and repair costs.
Committee chair Ron Klattenberg recommended that Bauer bring his concern before the council meeting on Monday.
At meeting's end, finance director Carl Erlacher warned committee members that a request for $2.5 million dollars from the reserve fund will be made at Monday's Common Council meeting. Erlacher explained that the expenditure would cover police salaries negotiated in the last contract talks.
Erlacher stated that the expenditure would drop the reserve fund to $9 million.
"I was looking toward the day when Aetna leaves town, in building that reserve," Erlacher explained. "Now we don't have that buffer. Next year we'll have to come up with another plan."
One of the ways the city is looking to make money is through hiring a bill collector to collect on past due bills, fines and license fees. The collection company takes a percentage of the recovered funds. Fourteen thousand past-due bills were handed over to the collector.
In between the financial warnings, the committee sent a series of ordinance recommendations forward to the Common Council recommending expenditures for energy saving measures at Middletown's Public Schools. In a presentation, Kendall Jackson, director of school facilities, and Doreen Hamilton from Honeywell Business Solutions explained how the expenditures would more than payback the original outlay in savings.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Councilman Bauer on Stimulus Priorities
From David Bauer, Middletown Common Council
Melilli Plaza – connect Municipal Employee parking lot and increase parking spaces. $1,000,000
Melilli Plaza is the most highly utilized parking lot serving the central Main Street dining and retail area in Middletown. This project will increase the overall number of parking spaces and facilitate the use of Municipal employee spaces during evenings and weekends.
Water Delivery Upgrade to Westfield section of Middletown, CT. $3,500,000
This project solves public water delivery issues of water pressure, water quality, and adequate water availability for fire emergencies, while removing a potential impediment to development of Middletown’s fastest growing industrial area. This project area includes the headquarters for the State Department of Public Safety.
Municipal Sidewalk repair. $1,000,000
Fixing the backlog of sidewalk repairs would maximize the number of children eligible to walk to schools, reducing school transportation costs and encouraging better health. Sidewalk repairs would also promote pedestrian traffic and use of local mass transit, correct ADA issues, and reduce sidewalk accident complaints.
Middletown Parks Upgrades. $1,500,000
Most of the funds would be used for Pat Kidney Field. It is the most used, and most dilapidated City Park. There are many small capital improvements throughout the City Park System that will increase use and accessibility, while slightly reducing the maintenance costs.
2009 Municipal “Road Bond” work. $3,000,000
This is the minimum scheduled public road re-grading and re-surfacing needed to keep the 200 miles of Municipal roads in working order. This work is already planned and all necessary engineering completed.
Additional Municipal “Road Bond” work. $8,000,000
This road maintenance work is for specific local streets that have already been authorized by Referenda. A significant amount could be ready to complete this construction season with the balance completed by November of 2010.
Why these specific projects?
This $18,000,000 collection of projects has a common theme. All these projects must be done and they will otherwise be paid for 100%, by Middletown taxpayers, through Debt Service. Transferring the project costs to Federal Stimulus funds will reduce the principle and interest and provide needed flexibility to avoid tax increases now and in future budgets.
Why is it important now?
Our current economic crisis will affect Municipal budgets for at least several years ahead. It is likely that the loss of Aetna in Westfield could cause a possible shortfall in property tax revenue of $6 Million per year for five years from 2011 to 2016. Combine these two conditions and it is clear that Middletown must decrease its expenses as much as possible.
In healthier economic times, the voters and taxpayers would absorb steady tax increases and keep electing the same officials to public office one term after another. The elected officials are classically held accountable by two important forces. The first is the Municipal employees. They support elected officials who preserve their benefit package and offer steady salary increases. The second force is the “special interests” that have the power to reward or punish elected officials for their actions, particularly on Election Day. These two forces suddenly seem to be in conflict. The Municipal workforce has been asked to make financial concessions, and they have conceded $1,000,000 in the current budget. Some advocate for more, and some advocate for less, but this agreement is a responsible acknowledgement, by the City workforce, that we need to cut back. The “special interests” are lobbying for many “boutique projects” to be at the head of the line when Middletown’s Stimulus Grants will be distributed. If their message, that their projects are the only ones that can get funded, is all that the Governor and our legislators hear from Middletown, those will be the only projects funded. If the Municipal workforce is willing to sacrifice, we must insist that the “special interests” take a moratorium on “hand outs”.
The Federal Stimulus Funds that Middletown can receive must be focused on reducing expenses. Middletown cannot weather the current economic difficulties without the active help and cooperation of the Municipal workforce. Middletown’s elected officials must apply every revenue resource and expense savings available to reduce the local tax burden. There must be a consistent effort to maintain the core services while sharing the necessary sacrifices – no exceptions.
Just one side note – what is the main characteristic of a “special interest” deal in Middletown? The project is always presented in it’s finished form, and no matter how long the planning took in private, it publicly screams for an immediate decision because there is an “emergency” factor. How many “emergencies” can you remember in the last decade?
Melilli Plaza – connect Municipal Employee parking lot and increase parking spaces. $1,000,000
Melilli Plaza is the most highly utilized parking lot serving the central Main Street dining and retail area in Middletown. This project will increase the overall number of parking spaces and facilitate the use of Municipal employee spaces during evenings and weekends.
Water Delivery Upgrade to Westfield section of Middletown, CT. $3,500,000
This project solves public water delivery issues of water pressure, water quality, and adequate water availability for fire emergencies, while removing a potential impediment to development of Middletown’s fastest growing industrial area. This project area includes the headquarters for the State Department of Public Safety.
Municipal Sidewalk repair. $1,000,000
Fixing the backlog of sidewalk repairs would maximize the number of children eligible to walk to schools, reducing school transportation costs and encouraging better health. Sidewalk repairs would also promote pedestrian traffic and use of local mass transit, correct ADA issues, and reduce sidewalk accident complaints.
Middletown Parks Upgrades. $1,500,000
Most of the funds would be used for Pat Kidney Field. It is the most used, and most dilapidated City Park. There are many small capital improvements throughout the City Park System that will increase use and accessibility, while slightly reducing the maintenance costs.
2009 Municipal “Road Bond” work. $3,000,000
This is the minimum scheduled public road re-grading and re-surfacing needed to keep the 200 miles of Municipal roads in working order. This work is already planned and all necessary engineering completed.
Additional Municipal “Road Bond” work. $8,000,000
This road maintenance work is for specific local streets that have already been authorized by Referenda. A significant amount could be ready to complete this construction season with the balance completed by November of 2010.
Why these specific projects?
This $18,000,000 collection of projects has a common theme. All these projects must be done and they will otherwise be paid for 100%, by Middletown taxpayers, through Debt Service. Transferring the project costs to Federal Stimulus funds will reduce the principle and interest and provide needed flexibility to avoid tax increases now and in future budgets.
Why is it important now?
Our current economic crisis will affect Municipal budgets for at least several years ahead. It is likely that the loss of Aetna in Westfield could cause a possible shortfall in property tax revenue of $6 Million per year for five years from 2011 to 2016. Combine these two conditions and it is clear that Middletown must decrease its expenses as much as possible.
In healthier economic times, the voters and taxpayers would absorb steady tax increases and keep electing the same officials to public office one term after another. The elected officials are classically held accountable by two important forces. The first is the Municipal employees. They support elected officials who preserve their benefit package and offer steady salary increases. The second force is the “special interests” that have the power to reward or punish elected officials for their actions, particularly on Election Day. These two forces suddenly seem to be in conflict. The Municipal workforce has been asked to make financial concessions, and they have conceded $1,000,000 in the current budget. Some advocate for more, and some advocate for less, but this agreement is a responsible acknowledgement, by the City workforce, that we need to cut back. The “special interests” are lobbying for many “boutique projects” to be at the head of the line when Middletown’s Stimulus Grants will be distributed. If their message, that their projects are the only ones that can get funded, is all that the Governor and our legislators hear from Middletown, those will be the only projects funded. If the Municipal workforce is willing to sacrifice, we must insist that the “special interests” take a moratorium on “hand outs”.
The Federal Stimulus Funds that Middletown can receive must be focused on reducing expenses. Middletown cannot weather the current economic difficulties without the active help and cooperation of the Municipal workforce. Middletown’s elected officials must apply every revenue resource and expense savings available to reduce the local tax burden. There must be a consistent effort to maintain the core services while sharing the necessary sacrifices – no exceptions.
Just one side note – what is the main characteristic of a “special interest” deal in Middletown? The project is always presented in it’s finished form, and no matter how long the planning took in private, it publicly screams for an immediate decision because there is an “emergency” factor. How many “emergencies” can you remember in the last decade?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Redevelopment Re-Run
If you were at tonight's Redeveloment Agency meeting, you would be forgiven for thinking you've already seen this movie.
The same two issues were on the agenda:
-Miller & Bridge Street: Nothing new to report.
-Home Ownership in the North End: Not too much change here either.
As he did at last month's meeting, Michael Taylor from Nehemiah gave us an update on the $7 million plan to build 15 units of home-ownership (plus 2 to be developed by Habitat for Humanity) on Ferry/Green/Rapallo. As we know, 10% of the funding for this $7 million project has been secured (that's the City's contribution to the project). The remaining 90% is pending, with much hanging on the upcoming appraisal by Liberty Bank of the after-rehab value of the units. With a favorable appraisal, Michael says they are on target to unlock about $3 million in a DECD HOME grant, and another $2.5 million construction loan from Liberty Bank. There were two new pieces of information about the project funding. We learned of the "wait-list" status of Nehemiah's application for about $400,000 with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Also, Nehemiah has learned of a potential new source for about $425,000, which might replace their plans to apply for $500,000 in State Tax Credits next August (they were denied for those funds in the August 2008 cycle). Michael confirmed that they will wait to sign the construction contract with the contractor until "all the funding is in place", though they may start sooner with a smaller portion of the work, to get the environmental and demolition work going. At the request of Joe Tine (and pending adequate funding), Nehemiah offered a best-case construction schedule that might begin around April and end about a year later.
In other news, we had a visit from Michael Arafeh, who owns the Coffehouse Recording Studio, which is located at 510 Main Street behind La Boca. Michael and I are both part of the Chamber of Commerce "Creative Juice" council for arts/creative businesses. {Before the meeting, Michael mentioned to me that he's been working with a group of kids from Harford for a hospital holiday album -- sounds like a great project, and I think we are lucky to have this resource in our downtown.}
So what brought Michael Arafeh to Redevelopment? The same thing that brought him to countless downtown meetings over the last several years of North End redevelopment -- concern that construction noise would interfere with his sound-sensitive business. He made the reasonable request that he be notified of certain kinds of construction activities (like jack-hammering) so that he could re-arrange his recording schedule. During the construction of the Wharfside Commons project (by the Richman Group), Michael says that about 60 sessions were impacted by construction noise, which could have been avoided with better communication. I hope that Nehemiah can keep him in the loop on their construction!
Perhaps the liveliest part of the meeting came when David Bauer questioned whether Redevelopment should continue to use its meetings to review the North End Home-Ownership project, since the City has already committed funding for its 10% of the project -- and without many contractual benchmarks or timelines that the City could enforce -- and so it could be argued that we no longer have a dog in this race. This question prompted more discussion than any other issue, as several members voiced their various opinions about the oversight of this project, and the future of redevelopment in general. And if you, dear reader, have an opinion on this subject, I invite you to add a comment on this post!
I haven't got much objectivity on this issue -- I hope that we continue to monitor every step of the project, since we have invested $720,000 of city CDBG funds, and should be the first to know if the project hits any new delays or roadblocks. Also, though it's not perfect, we provide a forum where citizens can learn about the project and register any complaints. But I'd also love to see a higher standard of accountability in the Memorandums of Understanding that our City signs.
And now, a note to any followers of the Redevelopment Agency: in the future, we will meet at 5 pm, not 5:30. Still the Third Tuesday of the Month -- see you then.
The same two issues were on the agenda:
-Miller & Bridge Street: Nothing new to report.
-Home Ownership in the North End: Not too much change here either.
As he did at last month's meeting, Michael Taylor from Nehemiah gave us an update on the $7 million plan to build 15 units of home-ownership (plus 2 to be developed by Habitat for Humanity) on Ferry/Green/Rapallo. As we know, 10% of the funding for this $7 million project has been secured (that's the City's contribution to the project). The remaining 90% is pending, with much hanging on the upcoming appraisal by Liberty Bank of the after-rehab value of the units. With a favorable appraisal, Michael says they are on target to unlock about $3 million in a DECD HOME grant, and another $2.5 million construction loan from Liberty Bank. There were two new pieces of information about the project funding. We learned of the "wait-list" status of Nehemiah's application for about $400,000 with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Also, Nehemiah has learned of a potential new source for about $425,000, which might replace their plans to apply for $500,000 in State Tax Credits next August (they were denied for those funds in the August 2008 cycle). Michael confirmed that they will wait to sign the construction contract with the contractor until "all the funding is in place", though they may start sooner with a smaller portion of the work, to get the environmental and demolition work going. At the request of Joe Tine (and pending adequate funding), Nehemiah offered a best-case construction schedule that might begin around April and end about a year later.
In other news, we had a visit from Michael Arafeh, who owns the Coffehouse Recording Studio, which is located at 510 Main Street behind La Boca. Michael and I are both part of the Chamber of Commerce "Creative Juice" council for arts/creative businesses. {Before the meeting, Michael mentioned to me that he's been working with a group of kids from Harford for a hospital holiday album -- sounds like a great project, and I think we are lucky to have this resource in our downtown.}
So what brought Michael Arafeh to Redevelopment? The same thing that brought him to countless downtown meetings over the last several years of North End redevelopment -- concern that construction noise would interfere with his sound-sensitive business. He made the reasonable request that he be notified of certain kinds of construction activities (like jack-hammering) so that he could re-arrange his recording schedule. During the construction of the Wharfside Commons project (by the Richman Group), Michael says that about 60 sessions were impacted by construction noise, which could have been avoided with better communication. I hope that Nehemiah can keep him in the loop on their construction!
Perhaps the liveliest part of the meeting came when David Bauer questioned whether Redevelopment should continue to use its meetings to review the North End Home-Ownership project, since the City has already committed funding for its 10% of the project -- and without many contractual benchmarks or timelines that the City could enforce -- and so it could be argued that we no longer have a dog in this race. This question prompted more discussion than any other issue, as several members voiced their various opinions about the oversight of this project, and the future of redevelopment in general. And if you, dear reader, have an opinion on this subject, I invite you to add a comment on this post!
I haven't got much objectivity on this issue -- I hope that we continue to monitor every step of the project, since we have invested $720,000 of city CDBG funds, and should be the first to know if the project hits any new delays or roadblocks. Also, though it's not perfect, we provide a forum where citizens can learn about the project and register any complaints. But I'd also love to see a higher standard of accountability in the Memorandums of Understanding that our City signs.
And now, a note to any followers of the Redevelopment Agency: in the future, we will meet at 5 pm, not 5:30. Still the Third Tuesday of the Month -- see you then.
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