The Oresteia

"Deep in the nature of theatre is a sense of ritual."

-John Berger (Art critic, Artist, Novelist)

The Teen Repertory Company is only a few weeks into the rehearsal process for The Oresteia. The focus has been on understanding the Ancient world of the play and finding a way to translate and communicate that meaning to a modern audience. A great amount of time has focused on 'ritual'.

Ritual

Function: noun

1: the established form for a ceremony; specifically: the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony
2a: ritual observance; specifically: a system of rites b: a ceremonial act or action c: an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner

A Boy Scout at Inland Wetlands

Andrew Fazzino picked a productive meeting of the Inland Wetlands Agency to attend for his Boy Scouts merit badge. Andrew is a 6th grader at Keigwin School, he sat attentively throughout the 90 minute meeting.

Retroactive permit granted.

The Agency approved the application by Phil Armetta for a permit to damage about 1000 square feet of wetlands on Newfield Street. As part of the application, Armetta proposed to enhance a 3000 square feet, man-made wetlands, and to create a new 1500 square feet wetlands, both on a nearby property very close to the Mattabesset River. The property is on the other side of the railroad tracks between Newfield Street and the Mattabesset (see picture below), at the edge of the "Floating Meadows" which line the Mattabesset near its confluence with the Connecticut.

The wetlands creation and enhancement plan was put together by Richard Snarski, a Registered Soil Scientist, Professional Wetlands Scientist, and Certified Sediment & Erosion Control Specialist. Snarski indicated that the existing man-made wetlands has no topsoil. The proposal calls for excavation of 6-12 inches, followed by filling with either topsoil or leaf compost, and the placement of wood debris to provide structure for wildlife. The area will be seeded with appropriate grasses, and nearly a thousand herbaceous wetland plants, including sedges, iris, monkey flower, and Canada rush.

Exotic, invasive plants and cattails will be removed for three years after construction, eradicated either by digging with a hand shovel, or spraying with herbicide "Rodeo". The wetland will be monitored for three years, with annual monitoring reports sent to the Inland Wetlands Agency.

The original parking lot expansion on Newfield Street, which destroyed wetlands, will not only remain, but it will become paved. Zoning Enforcement Officer Bruce Driska told me after the meeting that the slope of the lot after paving will improve the current situation, as it will cause some of the water run-off to move away from wetlands on the neighboring property (the

Toyota dealership).

Commissioner Hector Bartoli asked Snarski if hydrocarbons from oil and gasoline could travel from the parking lot into the wetlands. Snarski acknowledged they would, and agreed to shorten the parking lot and to plant a strip of grass which would filter the water before it went into the wetlands.

Commentary.

The kerfuffle which began with the unauthorized destruction of wetlands by Phil Armetta 6 months ago has ended with an agreement with the potential to increase the quality and

quantity of wetlands in the Mattabesset River floodplain. The application put together by Snarski is specific enough that it will be straightforward for the Zoning Enforcement Officer of the Planning Department to verify compliance with its proposals.

The ZEO should verify that the use of "topsoil or leaf compost" and "wood debris" is responsible and appropriate for wetlands and wildlife habitat. Most importantly, the ZEO should verify that the annual "monitoring reports" accurately reflect what the application promises, in terms of plantings and removal of exotic invasive species.

More generally, and in my opinion, unfortunately, this is not the only retroactive application which has recently been approved in City Hall. Within the past month, citizens elected or appointed to the Inland Wetlands Agency and the Planning and Zoning Commission, have given unanimous permission for actions which violated regulations but were already done. Although each of these decisions was a reasonable one, they are part of a pernicious pattern which I have heard many in City Hall characterize as, "It is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission."

This approach to land use decisions is unfair to the responsible residents of the city, who may suffer delay, frustration, and extra costs for being aware of and following the regulations. For someone who follows the rules, it must be galling to see a car dealership benefit for six months from an extra parking lot created without any consideration of the required wetlands destruction permit.

The "forgiveness" approach also jeopardizes the land, by reducing or eliminating any penalties for ignoring the regulations of the city and the state. In this particular case, the wetlands destroyed was not a significant loss to the environment or flood control. However, one does not have to look far to find highly significant wetlands which are bordered by land coveted for other uses. In fact, the wetlands which will be created by tonight's application are between the Cromwell Meadows and land which Armetta wishes to develop for future uses, according to Snarski.

The land is near the site of a possible Bale-to-Rail Trash Plant which the City has discussed with Armetta. The City should ensure that all of the wetlands surrounding Cromwell Meadows, including those enhanced or created as part of tonight's application, are clearly demarcated and protected, and that retroactive permit approval is not the cheapest and easiest approach for developers to comply with regulations.

In the aerial photo below, the approximate position of the enhanced wetlands is indicated by an asterix (*). Armetta owns both of the two parcels outlined in green. They are currently being used for storage of dumpsters and large metal freight shipping containers.

Milardo Reflects on Hartley Appointment

COMMENTARY

John Milardo, Superintendent of Parks, in Middletown, and President of the Middletown Managers and Professional Association (Local 6092), shared these thoughts with union members about the appointment of Parking Director Thomas Hartley in the MMPA News.

 Middletown has hired a Director of Parking, who is also a new MMPA member, Mr. Thomas Hartley. He was approved during last night’s Common Council meeting, by an 11-1 vote. Mr. Hartley worked many years for the Disney Corporation and one of Connecticut’s casinos.    His worked entailed the areas of parking, retail, production, and other areas for these companies.


The only descending vote was from Councilman Vincent Loffredo. Councilman Loffredo stated his vote was based upon the State of Connecticut’s financial problems, and had nothing to do with Mr. Hartley’s qualifications. He felt Mr. Hartley was well qualified, but did not feel it was the proper time for Middletown to hire a director. Apparently, the Councilman relies too much on the State of Connecticut’s financial assistance; or lack there of, to Middletown.


Councilman Thomas Serra informed the audience there was $400,000 worth of unpaid parking tickets in our City, and no one attempting to collect them.


Councilman David Bauer stated that Middletown is “perilously close to losing Federal” monies for parking and business funding, because we have no one in charge of the parking issues in Middletown.

Councilman Gerry Daley stated that Middletown is “leaving a lot of money on the table the way we run parking.” The Councilman, who is also a State of Connecticut employee, felt hiring a Parking Director, was “an investment in our future.”

Considering the State is approximately $19 billion dollars in the hole, and experiencing what has been called a “fiscal tsunami”, they still have to build, fix, hire, and continue to keep the State going. So does Middletown.

Councilwoman Debra Kleckowski explained the City’s Parking Division should be self funding. She believed Mr. Hartley’s comment; regarding parking as an “asset”, along with his experience, far outweighs any reason Councilman Loffredo gave for not hiring a Parking Director.


I really didn’t think any of our Councilmember’s would vote no for this Parking Director. During the PRC meeting, if I had a concession stand selling drool towels, I could have made a fortune. The candidate was that impressive.

The only thing which could possibly make anyone vote in the negative was an international spy ring scam: which there wasn’t. Leave it up to Councilman Loffredo to try and sell everyone that we shouldn’t hire someone because the State of Connecticut is screwed up. Maybe the Councilman wanted to use the Parking Directors salary to pay for some of the deficit our City is going to have this year and next, due to a Democratic budget? I believe Finance Director Carl Erlacher stated it was $6 million dollars.


The one comment that I had a good laugh over came from Councilman Robert Santangelo, when he said: “I like what you said (referring to Parking Director candidate Hartley), about running the department like a business. All of our department Directors should think like that.” What the hell does he think we try to do? It’s impossible when the Common Council has the final say on the budget.


When we recommend charging fees for services and programs; they say no! When we recommend eliminating services or certain programs; they say no! When we give them ideas to reduce expenses, they say no! If anyone isn’t running the City like a business, it’s the Common Council. They’re more interested in politically slapping each other around and arguing over the dumbest things. “I’m in charge! No, I’m in charge! It’s my idea! No, it’s my idea!” It’s gotten all so ridiculous, we’d be better off without them.

They really are not performing a service to the community as they should be. They are more interested in creating Commissions and Committees to oversee every little item for self glorification. They want to be so involved in the “business” that they are preventing it from working properly. Is that how successful businesses operate? I don’t think so.

The Week in the Arts (through March 5)

Wednesday March 3:

The Russell Library continues its monthly "The Many Faces of Marlon Brando" film discussion series at 12noon in the Hubbard Room. Film critic Richard Alleva is the host and presenter this month and the title of his talk is "Will the Real Marlon Brando Please Stand Up?"  He'll discuss the actor's many and varied roles.  The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, call 860-347-2528, ext. 135.

Playwright David Henry Hwang, best known for "M. Butterfly", "Golden Child", and, most recently, "Yellow Face", will deliver a talk at 7 p.m. in Wesleyan's Memorial Chapel.  Hwang wrote the "book" for the 2002 revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The Flower Drum Song" and the Disney 2000 adaptation of "Aida." he written the librettos for 3 of composer Phillip Glass's operas.  In 1991, Hwang, in association with the Los Angeles, California-based East-West Players, created the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute, which provides a series of writing classes "designed to foster new works for the stage...plays that embrace the voice of multi-ethnic America."Hwang's talk is free and open to the public.

Thursday March 4:
The Buttonwood Tree presents its monthly Open Mic, hosted by Bob Gotta, at 7 p.m.  The sign-ups begin at 6:30 p.m.

Raphaëlle Brochet's Graduate Recital takes place at 7 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall.  Titled "Wings That We All Have", the concert is a culmination of her studies in ethnomusicology. While attending Wesleyan, Ms. Brochett has studied South Indian music.  Her root are in jazz performance but she has a great interest in Eastern music.  The program is free and open to the public.  To find out more about her, go to www.raphaellebrochet.com.

Friday March 5:

The quartet known as Harpeth Rising calls its music "Neograssiclassicana", an acoustic blend of classical, bluegrass, Celtic and folk music influence.  Based in the Nashville, Tennessee, area (where the Harpeth River flows), they're in the midst of an East Coast tour promoting their self-titled and self-released debut CD and they'll be stopping for a 7:30 p.m. date at The Buttonwood Tree.  Composed of Jordana Greenberg (violin, vocals), Rebecca Reed-Lunn (banjo, vocals), Ruthie Valente Burgess (cello) and Chris Burgess (hand drums), they first came together while attending Indiana University. Their music is poetic, rhythmical, melodic and exciting, with passionate playing and fine harmonies.  To find out more, go to www.harpethrising.com.  Click here to hear excerpts. To reserve a seat or 2, call 860-347-4957.

The soulful sounds of Soul Tsunami can be heard at 9 p.m. in Boney's Music Lounge.  Members of the band include Ed Corvo, John Corvo, Matt Z and Ramon.  For more information, call 860-346-6000.

Farmer's Market Tomorrow at Wesleyan!

From Katherine Bascom, Carina Kaufman & Melody Chang, Market Masters, Wesleyan Farmers' Market
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This Wednesday, March 3rd, is the last indoor Farmers' Market of the semester. Please join us:

Beckham Hall, Wyllis Avenue
11 am- 2 pm

Celebrate and support local Connecticut farmers. We have several featured vendors this week along with the return of old favorites, including:

• Bohichitta Farms: Mushrooms and organic greenhouse-grown vegetables.
• Hidden Brook Gardens: Orchard with a variety of apples and apple products including apple butter, apple sauce, and apple cider.
• Maria's Kitchen Crafts: Homemade soups and preserves.

Returning vendors include:
Ladies of Levita Road (cheese, milk, yogurt), Winding Drive Jams (jams, vinegars, oils), Shoreline Roasters (coffee), Sugar Maple Farms (maple syrup), Three Sisters Farm (honey, soap, jewelry), Auntie Arwin's Spices, Sweet Linda's Bakery (pastries and baked goods) Meriano's Bakery (stuffed breads, baked goods).

Council Honors Fortuna, Kleen Victims

The Common Council solemnly honored former Planning and Zoning Commissioner James Fortuna, and the victims of the Kleen Energy blast at Monday's meeting.

Council member remembered Fortuna by calling him, "a great man who gave a great service to the community."

Todd Berch represented  Local 777, Pipefitters Union in thanking the council for their heartfelt condolences provided to the victims of the Kleen Energy blast and their families and friends.  Berch also thanked Council member Hope Kasper for dedicating a mass in honor of the victims at St. Mary's Church last Saturday.

Hartley Appointed Parking Director

On Monday, the Common Council appointed Thomas Hartley as Parking Director, after near-unanimous praise from the council.

Hartley, who has acted as parking director for Disney World, and for one of the Connecticut casinos, answered questions for Councilors.

Only Council member Vinnie Loffredo opposed the appointment, and not on the ground of qualifications.  Loffredo painted a dire picture of the state budget deficit in upcoming years, and was reluctant to approve an appointment in town for a director who, with benefits, would have a "$100,000 salary."

Other councilors defended the hire as prudent because of Hartley's commitment to treat the parking department like a business, to create revenue and to make each parking space a city asset.

IT Department Proposes $1.5 Million for Public Safety Software at Common Council Workshop

Middletown's director of Information Technology (IT) Bill Oliver made a public presentation at a Common Council workshop Monday presenting information that he intended to make in private at an executive session of the Common Council last Thursday.

In his presentation, Oliver presented the findings of a research committee that a new suite of hardware and software, at a total cost of $1.5 million should be purchased for police, fire, parking and dispatcher departments in the city.  That includes $745 thousand for a software suite, and $745 thousand for infrastructure.

Last week the Council attempted to hold the entire workshop in executive session, but postponed the workshop after the Middletown Eye complained that it was a violation of freedom of information laws.

Monday, a resolution to hold the workshop partially in public, and partially in executive session, passed and Oliver presented some of the findings of his committee in public, including the methodology used to select two vendors, and the standards set for the software.

The Return of the MSA

Back in the day, when Middletown parents had a concern about the schools, they took it to the MSA. That group, which typically included the leadership of all the PTA/PTO's in town plus assorted activists, would meet monthly and talk about "the big picture" of how the school system was doing.

MSA stands for Middletown Schools Association, and it's been dormant for at least two years. Tonight, a group of current and former PTA/PTO parents, brought together by Parent Resource Coordinator Donna Marino, met to discuss the possibility of getting the group up and running again.

I've been a part of the Macdonough PTA since the days when my (now 18-year-old) son was a kindergartner. I remember going to MSA meetings in the mid-nineties and finding a large group of experienced volunteers with many a bake sale under their belts. They played a role that was part cheerleader and part watchdog and served as a sounding board for the superintendent and the Board of Ed.

On the practical level, the monthly MSA meeting was a forum for sharing fundraising and programming ideas between parents from different schools. But at its most powerful, it played a role in real change in town. For example, our current system of having staggered four-year terms for Board of Ed elections was a successful charter initiative of the MSA. When a big issue came up, such as the redistricting of attendance boundaries in town, you could bet that the MSA would be involved.

In addition the MSA veterans who attended tonight's meeting, there were parents from Moody, Wesley, Spencer, Macdonough and Middletown High. The combined years of PTA/PTO experience in the room surely pushed past the century mark, and everyone agreed that the school district has its best chance at thriving when there is an active and informed group of parents in the loop.

The next step is to identify officers who will be willing to lead the new MSA. If you are a person who cares about the schools and might be interested in MSA in any capacity, now is not the time to hide your light under a bushel! Please contact Parent Resource Coordinator Donna Marino at marinod@mps1.org. The next meeting will likely be on Monday, March 22nd, at 6:30 pm, at a location to be determined.

Recovering Costs to the City for Response to Kleen Emergency

Commentary

Tonight the Common Council will vote to appropriate $700,000 in funds to the mayor's office and the fire department for the city's response to the blast at the Kleen Energy plant.

There is no doubt that the Council should fund this response, and praise the men and women who responded quickly and effectively to the emergency. These responders did exactly as they were trained, risking their own safety to be sure that members of the community were safe. We should be happy to have a force which responded so quickly and effectively.

According to sources, this funding is not likely the last of city funds that will have to be appropriated to the emergency.

A police and fire investigation at the site has just been completed. If it is determined that there was any negligence at the site which caused the blast, or if common safety standards and regulations were disregarded, the city should do all in its power to recover the costs of the emergency response, and the Council should make a resolution to that effect.

While the city benefit from tax revenue if the plant recovers and is rebuilt to generate power, the cost to the city of this emergency is an indication of the risk the city has taken in allowing such a plant to be constructed here.

Nothing can make up for the loss of life and the injuries that occured at the site, but the city must be sure that it does not become the party responsible for monetary losses due to negligence.

Common Council Meeting Tonight

The Common Council will address the authority of the mayor to spend money and to hire individuals in the city work force at their monthly meeting tonight.

• Resolutions 13-1. "Approving freezing positions for fiscal year 2009-2010 and requiring Mayor, prior to approval, to follow proper procedures by requesting positions be unfrozen before hiring individuals and approving transferring all frozen salaries, except for $1 into Salary Reserve."
• Resolution 13-2. "Approving a 10% Reserve in each line item in the General Fund, exclusive of salaries, contractual obligations, debt service, and the Board of Education to be held in a reserve account by the department through the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010."
• Resolution 13-3. "Approving advising the Mayor to correct the action of creating positions in the Police Department without the proper Council authorization and in the future to proceed in a manner that does not usurp the authority and responsibility of the Council."

In other matters:

• The Council will vote on Appropriation Requests for costs related to the Kleen Energy incident, including $600,00 for the Mayor's Office, and $100,000 for Middletown Fire.
• They will vote on whether to approve the confirmation of Thomas Hartley as Director of Parking.
• They will also vote on a resolution honoring James Fortuna, who died in November after serving for many years as a member of Planning and Zoning and other city boards and commissions.

The regular meeting starts at 7PM, in Council Chambers; it is preceded by a meeting for "Questions to Directors" at 6PM. The full agenda is available.

Saturday: Auction to Benefit MHS Project Graduation