Rell Visits Keigwin

From the Governor's Office

On February 23, Governor M. Jodi Rell visited the Keigwin Middle School in Middletown to thank students for their fundraising to help relief efforts in Haiti (see attached photo).  The students raised $3,500 through a district-wide campaign called Hearts for Haiti. The school accepted donations of at least $1 to buy a “heart.” The heart, with the donor’s name on it was displayed throughout the school.

In January, Governor M. Jodi Rell and the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) announced a special fund-raising appeal from Connecticut schoolchildren and their parents for Haitian relief efforts that will address the needs of Haitian children.  Funds raised will be targeted to help rebuild schools, provide educational supplies as well as medicine and health care for children.

The Governor’s office worked with CAS to set up a special account through the Bank of America in Connecticut to accept monetary donations, checks, cash and even coins. The bank has agreed to sort and roll the coins at no charge. Checks can be made payable to the “Connecticut Association of Schools” with a notation on the check memo line identifying “Haitian Relief Fund.” Children, their parents and others who want to help this special effort may bring their monetary donation to participating local schools or to a Bank of America branch.

CAS, which represents 1,100 public and private schools,  and the Governor’s office have worked together in the past for similar school-wide appeals, including a 2005 campaign to raise funds for school supplies for children affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf states.

Police Obtain New Search Warrant at Kleen Energy Plant

From the Middletown Police Department
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Yesterday, February 23, 2010 the Middletown Police Department in conjunction with the Connecticut State Fire Marshal’s office obtained an additional search warrant for the Kleen Energy Plant site. The purpose of this warrant is to allow investigators to seize and analyze evidence located during the original Administrative Cause and Origin search warrant which expired at midnight last night. Cause and origin has yet to be determined definitively. Investigators continue to work diligently yet thoroughly in this endeavor.

All of the involved agencies; local (Middletown Police, South Fire), state (Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Connecticut State Fire Marshals Office, Connecticut State Police), and federal (OSHA, CSB, Connecticut United States Attorney’s Office), continue to work in concert to complete their respective investigations.

All necessary investigative efforts at the Kleen Energy Plant site are ongoing and it is unknown when this site work will be completed.

Farm Animal Regulations at P&Z Tonight

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight on proposed changes to the ordinances pertaining to the keeping of animals.

The current regulations regarding the keeping of animals, adopted in 1934, are both terse and restrictive:

The keeping of poultry and other species of birds, cattle, horses, swine, goats, and sheep within a distance of 200 feet from a dwelling is prohibited, unless authorized by the board of health.

These regulations would apparently bar even a farmer from having a chicken coop very close to the farm house. This regulation has always been puzzling to me, since many residents throughout the city, including downtown, kept chickens (and perhaps swine and goats as well). Especially during harsh economic times, such as 1934, chickens are the perfect animal: providing eggs, garden fertilizer, meat, all in exchange for eating all the table scraps and food waste. Still today, there are undoubtedly many backyard farmers who are unwittingly violating the 1934 animal ordinance.

The proposed new ordinance is much longer, and is more nuanced, applying different regulations to different types of animals. The Director of Health is given the authority to regulate animals which might pose a nuisance or public health hazard. Persons may keep animals if the following conditions are met:

• Animals must be at least 25' from a property line, 75' from a well or water supply, and 10' from a public road.
• Animals must be fenced appropriately.
• Manure must be stored according to State statutes, must be 75' from a well or water supply, and must be managed to break up reproductive cycle of insects.
• Each horse or cattle requires a minimum of 1 acre, each additional horse or cattle requires 1/2 and additional 1/2 acre.

The Ordinance Study Committee and the Board of Health have already approved the ordinance. After P&Z reviews the proposed changes, it will pass an advisory opinion to the Common Council.

Planning and Zoning meets at 7PM in Council Chambers. The public hearing is one of the earlier items on the agenda. There will also be a continuation of the Public Hearing on the proposed special exception for The Public nightclub on Main Street.

Kaspers Dedicate Mass to Kleen Workers

Councilwoman Hope Kasper and her husband Jack will dedicate a special Catholic mass Saturday at St. Mary's Church on South Main Street for the workers killed and injured in the Kleen Energy plant explosion.

The service is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m.

The Public Nightclub Hearing Continues Tonight

The Planning and Zoning Commission will tonight continue to hear public testimony on the application by The Public nightclub for a Special Exception to expand and modify its bar area. This application is for work done by the owner, Tyler DeVecchis, last year.

At the last P&Z meeting, the commission heard from customers and workers associated with the nightclub how important this venue was to the youth of Middletown. Downtown Business District members unanimously voted to oppose the application, and Mayor Giuliano raised concerns about public safety.

The Commission continued the public hearing primarily to hear directly from the Police Department about safety issues.

The commissioners could deny the application and instruct the applicant to dismantle his expansion, or they could approve the application with or without attached conditions. Mr. DeVecchis is represented by attorney Ralph Wilson.

All of the documents for this application are available.

Green Street Raises $23K for After School Programs

From the Green Street Arts Center

Green Street Arts Center of Wesleyan University held its 5th anniversary celebration and first-ever auction on Thursday, February 18th, raising over $23,000 for the After School Arts and Science Program and its scholarship fund. The magical evening was filled with conversation, laughter, live music and salsa lessons, food from around the world and over 175 unique items and experiences for guests to bid on.

As guests entered Green Street they were greeted by the sounds of Wesleyan students Will Monson and Matt Bernstein playing saxophone and bass guitar. Throughout the evening participants enjoyed performances by hip hop troupe ThoroEnergy, a Carnatic Trio, John Bergeron playing keyboard, The Remainders rocking out on guitars, The Adam Kubota Band playing jazz music, and Jocelyn Pleasant and Friends on African drums. 

Popular items from our auction included an instant wine cellar, handcrafted jewelry and XX, tickets to the Blue Man Group, Hartford Stage and other theatre and entertainment tickets, a ride to school on a fire truck, wine tastings across the state, framed photos and artwork, and family fun events.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Green Street After School Arts & Science Program. Over half the students enrolled in our program reside in the North End; our location is so convenient for them that many are able to walk home after our program. This past year, 98% of all our students receive scholarship awards.

Every child has a creative spark. Our job at Green Street is to ignite that spark, by helping our students identify and nurture their talents. Our after school curriculum includes courses in Sound Recording, Songwriting, Music, Videography, Art and Science, Photojournalism, Creative Writing and Performance, Choreography, Salsa, Breakdancing, Tap, and Visual Arts. Green Street gives young people the chance to explore their creativity, increase their self-esteem, cultivate their appreciation of the arts, and develop practical skills for everyday life.

 For more information about Wesleyan University’s Green Street Arts Center, visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org. Or call us at 860-685-7871 or email us at gsac@wesleyan.edu.  Registration for our evening and weekend classes for spring is on going. Try salsa, yoga, blogging, writing and more. A full catalog and description of class is available at our website.

First Look at a Busy Week (2/24-26)

Wednesday February 24:

The Russell Library presents "The Impact of Impressionism", the latest installment in its fine "Lunch & Learn" series.  Local artist Jackie Peterson will tell the story of the "Impressionist" movement, the group of artists who helped make their paintings popular and influential and display her own paintings.  Bring your lunch and the Library staff will provide beverages.  The event runs from 12noon - 3:30 p.m. and,, like all the Russell Library's arts offerings is free and open to the public.

The Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut presents Bernardo Bertolucci's 1993 movie, "Little Buddha" at 7 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree. Starring Bridget Fonda, Keanu Reeves, and Chris Issak, the movie's storyline is described thusly by the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB): Lama Norbu comes to Seattle in search of the reincarnation of his dead teacher, Lama Dorje. His search leads him to young Jesse Conrad, Raju, a waif from Kathmandu, and an upper class Indian girl. Together, they journey to Bhutan where the three children must undergo a test to prove which is the true reincarnation. Interspersed with this, is the story of Siddharta, later known as the Buddha. It traces his spiritual journey from ignorance to true enlightenment. The event is free and donations are welcome.  To find out more, go to www.bffct.net/. 

Thursday February 25:

"Unexpected: Voices of Incarcerated Women" is a collaboration between Wesleyan students and inmates of the York Correctional Institute in Niantic.  Directed by Ron Jenkins, the script has been created from the writings of the inmates, many of whom worked with novelist and UCONN professor Wally Lamb (who will read from his latest novel, "I'll Fly Away" during Thursday's show.) Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday amd take place in the CFA Hall (the former CFA Cinema.)  For more information, call the Box Office at 860-685-3355.

Friday February 26:

Professor Neely Bruce presents "Three Sopranos and Three Pianos" at 7 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall. Using the poetry of e.e. cummings as his springboard (it's the final piece of the performance), Bruce has created a program that also utilizes the words of Emily Dickinson, Middletown resident John Basinger and the first public performance of “Five Songs From Fellowship Place”, a community in the New Haven area that works with people recovering from mental illness.  Joining Bruce will be vocalists Phyllis Bruce, Elizabeth Saunders and Laura Cook and pianists Erika Schroth and Nicholas Luby. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office number above or go online to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa. 

The Buttonwood Tree presents guitarist Robert Hill & Trio in concert at 8 p.m.  Joining him will be vocalist Joanne Lediger and bassist Mark Murphy for a program of blues, folk and more. To find out more, go to www.roberthillband.com. 

It will be a night of raucous blues at Boney's Music Lounge when Junior Krauss & The Shakes make their Middletown debut.  Krauss plays blues harp and is the vocalist while Andy MacDonald handles the electric guitar.  You'll hear influences from the heyday of Chicago blues as well as more modern players.  The joint gets "jumpin'" at 9 p.m.  To find out more, go to www.myspace.com/jrkraussandtheshakes.  

Grand List: Correction

Earlier today I published the top ten grand list, with a mistake in the calculation for what the tax would be, a corrected table is below.

Property owners are charged a tax on 70% of the assessed value of their property. The "Assessment" in the table, is AFTER that 70% has already been calculated. Thus, the tax which property owners would pay (if the mill rate does not increase) is about 1/3 higher than I had in the earlier post.

The tax paid by the Kleen Energy is more complicated because of the 2003 tax deal.

Taxpayer		Assessment	tax if NO mill rate increase
1) Aetna Life (Including lessor’s)	Insurance	$216,341,550	$5,516,710
2) United Technologies	Manufacturing	$144,349,820	$3,680,920
3) Connecticut Light & Power	Utility	$67,639,270	$1,724,801
4) Middletown Power LLC	Utility	$45,332,710	$1,155,984
5) Kleen Energy Systems LLC	Utility	$44,997,740	It is complicated
6) Northwood Apt Assoc LLC	Apartments	$23,619,040	$602,286
7) Chestnut Hill Apt Assoc LLC	Apartments	$21,765,650	$555,024
8) Fairfield Midtown Brook LP	Apartments	$21,609,110	$551,032
9) Fairfield Midtown Ridge LP	Apartments	$21,337,320	$544,102
10) New Boston Windshire	Apartments	$17,959,480	$457,967

Kleen Energy and Property Tax

According to Damon Braasch, Assessor for the City, the agreement with Kleen Energy is for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), specifically on the power plant. Other parcels of land, and a water plant, are not part of the PILOT agreement.

The assessment given above includes all of the Kleen Energy property. Braasch said that the assessed value of the plant itself (on October 1) was $40.9M, this would normally generate a tax of $1.04M. However, since the agreement calls for "the lesser of $1 million or the amount determined as if this Agreement were not in effect," the tax will be $1M. Kleen will pay a normal tax rate on the remaining $4.1M assessment, about $100,000.

Just to make things even more complicated, property owners also pay tax to one of the three fire districts. As there is no apparent agreement with the South Fire District, Kleen would pay full fire taxes on the entire assessment. A couple of years ago the South District mill rate was 3.4, this would yield about $150,000 in taxes from Kleen Energy for the South District.

Squabble Preview: Council vs. Mayor

If the draft agenda for Monday's upcoming Common Council meeting is any indication, the ongoing power struggle between the city's executive branch, the mayor, and its legislative branch, the Common Council, will continue in public.

In three draft resolutions, the Common Council challenges the authority mayor Sebastian Giuliano has claimed for the office of the mayor.

In one resolution, the Council demands that the mayor freeze all open positions in the city, only to be "unfrozen" with a request to the Council.  In another resolution, the Council is proposing a 10% reserve on every line item in the General Funding, excluding salaries, contractual obligations, debt service and the Board of Education.  This reserve will stay in place until the end of the fiscal year, and replaces a general 10% operating fund reserve formerly placed by the Common Council, but ignored by the mayor.  Finally, the Common Council proposes advising the mayor to "correct" his actions in approving the creation of positions in the Police Department.

The Council will take up all resolutions at Monday's Common Council meeting.

Local Union to Host Kleen Worker Fundraiser

From the MMPA

Connecticut had one of its worst work related disasters in decades on February 7, 2010, at the “Kleen Energy System” power plant on River Road in Middletown, Connecticut, when a natural gas explosion occurred. Six (6) workers lost their lives in the accident. Three workers were members of the “United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #777”; two other workers were employees of “Keystone Construction & Maintenance Services”, and oneworker was employed by “Coverflex”. Twelve (12) other men on the job site were seriously injured.

Six hard working men are gone forever. Their families will struggle not only emotionally, but financially as well. Middletown and many other labor organizations are volunteering to hold a fundraiser in honor these fine men. Our objective is to raise money through a dinner, and show our respect to them and their families. Funds generated will go to financially assist the families until they can get back on their feet.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Middletown High School, located at 200 LaRosa Lane, Middletown, Connecticut.

An organizational meeting for the fundraiser will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the Middletown Police Departments “Community Room”, on 222 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut, at 5:30 p.m.

Anyone wishing to volunteer and assist with the fundraiser should attend this meeting. There is parking in the Court Street parking arcade, behind the Police Station.
Thank you.

Grand List Stable

Note: this article as originally posted, had incorrect values for the projected tax. I have corrected the table below, see Correction for further explanation.

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The city's grand list of October 1, 2009, rose by only 0.1% over a year earlier, to $3,506,962,608. The grand list is the sum of all taxable property in the city, largely consisting of real estate, personal property, and motor vehicles.

The 0.1% increase is less than the 0.7% increase of a year ago, reflecting a delayed effect of the recession on property values. Without any increase in the mill rate, the city would receive only $78,000 in added revenue from the 0.1% increase in property value. In June of last year, after appeals and adjustments, the grand list was reduced by approximately 0.1%, so ultimately the city may be able to count on no change at all in property tax revenue in the coming budget.

The top 10 taxpayers in the city remain Aetna, Pratt & Whitney, and CL&P; Kleen Energy is 5th. [According to the tax abatement discussed earlier, in the period between construction commencement and commercial operation, Kleen pays "the lesser of $1 million or the amount determined as if this Agreement were not in effect." If Kleen goes into commercial operation, the taxes as a percentage of its value would be dramatically lower.]

Below is the list of the top tax payers, their October 1, 2009 assessment, and the taxes they would pay in the coming fiscal year if the mill rate is not changed.

Taxpayer		Assessment	tax if NO mill rate increase
1) Aetna Life (Including lessor’s)	Insurance	$216,341,550	$5,516,710
2) United Technologies	Manufacturing	$144,349,820	$3,680,920
3) Connecticut Light & Power	Utility	$67,639,270	$1,724,801
4) Middletown Power LLC	Utility	$45,332,710	$1,155,984
5) Kleen Energy Systems LLC	Utility	$44,997,740	It is complicated
6) Northwood Apt Assoc LLC	Apartments	$23,619,040	$602,286
7) Chestnut Hill Apt Assoc LLC	Apartments	$21,765,650	$555,024
8) Fairfield Midtown Brook LP	Apartments	$21,609,110	$551,032
9) Fairfield Midtown Ridge LP	Apartments	$21,337,320	$544,102
10) New Boston Windshire	Apartments	$17,959,480	$457,967

Democratic Candidates in Town Thursday night.

Thursday night the Democratic Town Committee hosted the first of a series of Democratic Candidate forums. During the course of the evening

approximately 50 members of the public, partook in all, or part of the ninety-minute forum. The DTC acknowledged that the light turnout might have been due to family vacations scheduled during the school break. Dan Russo, in fact had heard from some members of the DTC informing him that they would not be able to attend for that reason. Perhaps the television coverage of the Olympic Games was a greater draw for others. The meeting had been advertised, and all members of the public invited to attend through notices on this blog, and in the Middletown Press. Russo stated to me that all meetings of the DTC that are held in council chambers are open to all members of the public. Many democrats from the Common

Brad Spahn and Dan Levine

 Council where present; Daley, Klattenberg, Kasper, Faulkner, Loffredo, and Streeto. Other members of the State democratic "team" sitting in the audience were Representatives Serra, and Lesser, and Senator Doyle, as well as former Mayor Dominique Thornton, and the 2009 democratic candidate for Mayor, Dan Drew. The DTC includes two Wesleyan Students who where in attendance at this meeting.

The forum got of to a late start, with Chair Dan Russo stating apologies all around for the informality of the schedule due to the tight schedules of the candidates in attendance. All of the candidates took time to express their condolences regarding the Kleen Energy explosion, and took a moment to acknowledge the caring way in which Middletown, and the Middletown
Democrats handled themselves in the face of this tragedy on a world stage.
Candidates also thanked the city's DTC for supporting their candidacy.

The images and text follow the order in which candidates spoke.

NED LAMONT

Ned Lamont, the only officially declared candidate for governor started off the evening of campaigning. He stressed the importance of creating jobs to keep our youth in CT, and his commitment to education. He also stressed his experience as a businessman, and prior to that as a job creator.  He promises an honest budget and a challenge to the status quo.  He waved goodbye with apologies for not taking questions as he campaign manager ushered him out the door in order to make a scheduled meeting with channel 3's Dennis House and "Face the State."

the Honorable Joseph D. Marino

Judge Marino, is on the campaign trail once again and running for a 7th term for Judge of Probate, District 15. Probate Judges serve 4 year terms, Marino's first term started in 1986. The judge explained that Middletown was not effected in the Probate Court's recent redistricting per the reform bill signed into law by the Governor on June 9, 2009, and act that closed 63 of 117 Probate Courts in the state.

NANCY WYMAN

Nancy Wyman is also running again for a 5th term as State Comptroller. She has served in this position since 1994 and at that time became the first women to hold the office since it's creation in 1786. Prior to her election as Comptroller, she served as a State Representative for the 53rd District in Tolland.

MARY GLASSMAN on left with Rep. Serra looking on

Mary Glassman of Simsbury is in the exploratory stage of a run for governor. She originally hails from New Britain, and now resides in Simsbury. She served four terms as first selectwoman of the town--from 1991-1991--before stepping down, and then working for eight years in state government; rising to chief of staff in the Lt. Governors office. During that time she also ran for Lt. Governor.  In 2007, and 2007 she was re-elected as first selectwoman in Simsbury . One of the many assets she believes she would bring to the Governors office is a broad perspective on local, state, and legislative workings, given her experience in all levels of CT government.

Dan Malloy

Dan Malloy was the last of the three candidates for governor to address those assembled at the DTC forum. He opened with a statement declaring that  he believes in government and the process of running government as government; stating that he would not run the Governor's office like a business. He spoke in detail and at great length, making clear the differences between the two approaches, across a wide swath of topics-- including education, job creation, what it would take to bring new business to the state, the nets of safety government provides, and statewide economic growth--with a strong command of all the topics.

Kevin Lembo

Kevin Lembo, was the last speaker. He is seeking election to the office of Lt. Governor. Currently he is serving a second, four year appointed term as leader of the Office of Health Care Advocate, an independent state agency, that helps CT residents untangle the complexities of the health care system. When he started they where an office of three, and have since become an office of seven serving the public.

Middletown audience in Council Chambers