While he has noted repeatedly that a cut in the school budget, particularly at the level suggested by Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, will require teacher layoffs, Superintendent Michael Frechette said that no teacher had received notice of potential layoff as required by state law.
State school law (chapter 166, section 10-151) states that non-tenured teachers may be laid off at any time for a number of reasons, including "elimination of the position to which the teacher was appointed." Otherwise, the contract of the teacher is continued into the next school year unless notified otherwise by April 1.
Several Connecticut communities have sent layoff notices to teachers in anticipation of municipal budget cuts. But in response to a question by Council member Deborah Kleckowski, Frechette called such notices "scare tactics," and that it was his intent to achieve a budget that would not anticipate layoffs, while admitting that the prospects of budget cuts make layoffs likely.
Chairman Ted Raczka explained further after the meeting that the Board of Education and the administration had no intent of layoffs if they can have a school budget passed without the proposed $2.4 million cut.
"We don't want the layoffs, but if we don't get the budget, those teaching positions will be eliminated and we will be forced to let those teachers go," Raczka said. He also noted that Frechette's warning of layoffs was not a "scare tactic" but a reality.
"If we don't have the budget, we can't pay those teachers," Raczka said. He explained that the Board was not required to notify of layoffs by April 1 because it was their intent to move forward without layoffs if they could convince the Common Council and taxpayers that cuts should not be made.
Superintendent Frechette also said, after the meeting, that if the full $2.4 million was restored to the budget that summer school programs, which have currently been eliminated, would be restored.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
South Fire District Approves Budget
The residents of the South Fire District have approved the budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
There were 615 "Yes" votes and 469 "No" votes.
There were 615 "Yes" votes and 469 "No" votes.
Superintendent Defends Budget Before City Council
At tonight's City Council Budget Meeting, several departments presented their 2011-2021 budgets to the City Council. All departments were directed by the Mayor to prepare level funded budgets from last year except where legislated increases were mandated. For example, the Probate Budget went up 1/2 of 1% (or $239.00) because Middletown's share of these costs increased. Probate Judge Joseph Marino seemed surprised when Councilman Thomas Serra pointed out that his budget had actually been cut by the Mayor. Marino then laughed and said his budget was mandated by state statute so he really hadn't paid attention to what the Mayor did.
Town Clerk Sandra Russo-Driska told the Council that her department is working on a project to make land documents available on-line for $1 a page, and that the current revenue from this project is $150 per month. Once fully operational, the expected revenue will be $500-$700 a month. Russo-Driska also told the Council that her goal is to move toward a paperless system.
Tom Hartley, Director of Parking, told the Council that since January, 116,000 transactions have been recorded between the new parking lot next to City Hall and the Arcade lot. Even though the parking fee was dropped from $1 per hour to $.75 per hour, there has been a 300% increase in revenue. New IPS meters are scheduled to be installed on Main Street starting at the end of May, and these meters will be able to accept cash or credit card, and they will also be able to record usage data. Hartley commented: "We're finally getting our lots up to industry standards," and he told the Council that this will be good for both customers and merchants on Main Street. The increased parking revenues will be used to pay off the bonds used to fund the new parking lot construction and the new meters. Hartley was grilled about several increases in his budget (postage and cell phones for parking attendants, for example) but he replied that he has a new billing process and that the phones are part of the new technology that came with an automated parking system and new parking meters.
Justin Carbonella, Director of Youth Services, promoted a new website, www.assetpromise.org, that seeks to link Middletown's youth to a Developmental Assets program. This program ultimately focuses on building community by teaching "characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people." Also on Carbonella's agenda for next year is a focus on Bullying and on teaching youth about using social networks responsibly. Although he too is at the same funding level from last year, Carbonella pointed out a few changes to his budget. Specifically, he was asked to include a line-item for the sell-back of 30% of unused sick time. This represents a $2300 cut that he had to account for in other places.
The remainder of the evening's meeting was dedicated to Superintendent Michael Frechette's presentation of the 2011-2012 School Budget. There is a $2.4 million dollar difference between the Mayor's budget and the Board of Education's budget. While Governor Malloy has promised to fund the state's educational cost sharing at last year's level (meaning the state will replace the federal stimulus funds that came last year but ran out this year), the BOE budget is a 3.45% increase over last year's budget. The majority of this increase comes from contractual increases such as salaries, and Superintendent Frechette told the Council that he made a 0% budget increase work the last two years, but that it wouldn't work for a third year: "Middletown is the only district out of 18 districts listed as needing improvement to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress on the CMTs (Connecticut Mastery Test) this past year....I would like to think that our instructional quality would continue even if the budget is cut, but it will mean higher class sizes, a greater work/stress load on our teachers, and a lot less opportunities for our students." Frechette read a "draft" list of budget cuts to the Council, and roughly 20 teaching positions, summer school at all schools, middle school athletics and several other support staff positions (included special education and duty aides) are tentatively targeted for elimination should the Council not fully fund the BOE budget as requested.
Councilman Pessina commented, "I'm really disappointed that you would even consider reducing staff," and Superintendent Frechette replied, "I know all the reasons not to, but 88% of our budget is labor-related. How or where else can I make these kinds of cuts?" Pessina continued: "It's just mind-boggling to me...we need to reach deep and save these positions but at the same time, we need to answer to the taxpayers and be responsible with their money." Frechette responded: "The Board of Education has done its part for the last two years by having a zero-increase budget, but we can't do it another year."
There were several questions regarding budget specifics like why there is such an increase in the diesel fuel budget (fuel for this year was pre-paid from last year's budget, so there was no fuel budget for 2010-11); what's the difference between a travel allowance and travel reimbursement (one requires specific receipt documentation and one doesn't); and will any of the Superintendent's "wish list items" happen if funding is restored (no, any additional funding will go first to restoring teaching positions).
While the conversational tone between the Council and the Superintendent was generally polite, there were bits of strain and frustration that peeked through lines of questioning over how the BOE decides to spend left-over funds at the end of the year and what money does or doesn't get returned to the City. Superintendent Frechette told the Council in his opening remarks that he returned $50, 776 to the city last year, but Councilman Pessina challenged this: "How come the Finance Department has no record of this return?" Frechette replied, "I can't speak for the Finance Department."
Several Council members tried to get the Superintendent to say specifically how the quality of education would be impacted if the school budget isn't fully funded, and Councilman Serra tried to get the Superintendent to say what specific amount of money (less than the $2.4 million asked for) he could function with. Dr. Frechette would only reply, "I'm not going to undercut the budget we've asked for....any additional funds I receive will go first to re-instating teachers."
In the end, Councilman Streeto asked the Superintendent for a copy of his "nightmare list" as soon as possible as the Council wants to see the specifics of what will be cut to accomplish a $2.4 million budget reduction in a $69 million+ budget. Superintendent Frechette told the Council he'll propose this list to the Board of Ed at its May 10 meeting, and then he could share whatever the BOE decides it will do to make the cuts. The Council will decide on its budget on May 15, and council members asked for every possible moment to be able to consider what they can fund or not. Board of Education Chairman Ted Raczka had a chance to address the Council: "Unless the funding for this budget is fulfilled, the momentum this district has gained will be lost....The bedrock of economic stability in this community is the school system, and you're fooling yourself if you don't believe a good school system is the key to maintaining a healthy economy here....please join us in making a commitment to preserving our community."
There is a public hearing on the budget THIS THURSDAY (4/28) in Council Chambers at City Hall at 7pm. The most recent BOE Spotlight on Education was on the proposed 2011-2012 budget, and this video is available by clicking the link on the District website. Also available on the same page is the Budget Book in pdf format. The BOE Budget Committee will meet at 4pm on Monday, May 9, at the District Office on Huntington Ave. The next BOE meeting is on Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm.
Middletown Department of Planning Conservation & Development Semi Annual Report
Middletown Planning, Conservation & Development Newsletter- April 25, 2011
provided via Michiel Wackers of the MPCD Dept.
APRIL 2011 SEMI-ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFIDENCE SURVEY
Middletown’s recovery from the recession is well underway. For the first time since this survey was begun, more than 50% of firms are seeing increased revenues. A third of firms are now expecting to take on new employees over the next six months. All this activity has raised the confidence score by three-tenths to a new high of 6.5.
44% firms have significantly increased their online marketing efforts, up from 32%.
The slow recovery nationwide is still the biggest factor preventing business growth, followed by regulation and tax concerns with lending/financing issues coming in third. 30% of businesses expect government to keep taxes low to encourage new economic activity. 16% have concerns about parking and public infrastructure improvements, specifically with the new parking pricing and Melilli lot improvements.
The full report can be downloaded at:
MIDDLETOWN STATISTICS REPORT- APRIL 2011
↑ Local Economy-.Unemployment dropped by 0.4% to 8.8%. Hiring is up 13% since March and 188% since April 2010. Middletown Confidence Survey is up again, with 82% of firms seeing same or increasing revenues and 94% of firms hiring or maintaining staffing levels. Available commercial properties decreased by 8.4%. Business starts are up.
↔ Housing- Building permits are up versus a year ago for January and February. Days on the market for single-family and condos are decreasing. Price have edged down slightly, likely to winter lull. Foreclosures are down 51% versus a year ago.
↓ Web Presence- All indicators are down. Likely a cause of staying out of the national news.
The full report can be downloaded at:
MIDDLETOWN SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS- APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
The City of Middletown has a new grant programs to help start-ups or expanding small business.
This program offers up to $1,500 to small businesses for a wide range of operating cost on a reimbursement basis after qualification using program guidelines. An additional $500 grant is available after successfully taking advantage of Middletown's free small business development center.
The program provides funding on a first-come-first-serve basis and is funded through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program.
For an application or more information please contact either Michiel Wackers or Rick Kearney at
We can also be reached by email at:
For a one-page summary of both programs go to: http://www.middletownplanning.com/documents/CDBG_ED_Program.pdf
MEETINGS OF THE WEEK
Conservation Commission
Monday, April 25, 2011, 7:00 PM, Room 208
- Officers and Committee Reports
- Annual Report
- Review of By-Laws
- Trail Guide
- Commission Vacancies
- Roadside Vegetation management
- Open Space Referendum
- Wesleyan GIS Projects
- Public Relations
Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 5:00 PM, Room 208
- Brownfields Redevelopment Public Presentation
Design Review and Preservation Board
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 5:30 PM, Room 208
- Main Street Extension - CVS New Structure Review - Robert Medeiros
- 241 Middle Street - Galleria LED Billboard - Jerry Martorelli
- 633 Washington Street - Walgreens Façade Renovation Review - Robert Medeiros
- 545 Washington Street - Sears Auto Center Signage- Michiel Wackers
Planning and Zoning Commission
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
- 465 Middlefield Street - Request for Location Approval for general repairer - Rides by Ryan
- Proposed Zoning Code text amendment to modify Section 32.01 Uses in the B-1 zone - P&Z Comm.
- east side of Coleman Road - six (6) lot resubdivision - Philip A. Reynolds, Trustee/Frank C. Magnotta, PE
- Riverfront Planning workshop
RECENT COMMISSION ACTIONS (Unofficial results)
Citizens' Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 5:00 PM, Room 208
- 2011 CDBG Grant Allocations
RECOMMENDED 2011 ALLOCATION
---Salvation Army/Teen Center-$10,000
---Russell Library/Job and Career Services-$10,000
---St. Vincent DePaul/Amazing Grace Food Pantry-$5,000
---Middlesex Business & Industry Foundation/Worker Preparation Program-$5,000
---Kuhn Employment Opportunities/Mobile Work Crew-$5,000
---Connecticut Legal Services/Housing Legal Aid-$5,000
---City of Middletown/Senior Center-$87,250.95
---City of Middletown/Bin de Soleil-$20,000
---Middletown United Fathers/Community Garden-$5,588.42
---North End Action Team/North End Parks-$12,650
---Community Health Center/Handicapped Lift-$15,345
---Middletown Public Schools/Hall House Building Improvements-$30,000
---Gilead Community Services/Improvements to Affordable Housing-$14,000
---City of Middletown/Remington Rand Incubator-$100,000
---City of Middletown/After-School Scholarship Program-$20,000
---City of Middletown/Micro-grant/loan program for Seniors-$10,000
---City of Middletown/Small Business Creation/Expansion Incentive-$50,000
---City of Middletown/Program Administration-$80,000
You can find agendas, minutes and legal notices at www.middletownplanning.com
If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please email your request to
Inside the Teen Brain Event Tomorrow (4/27)
Ever wonder why teens act impulsively? What in the world are they thinking when they make poor choices? Why do they act that way? How can adults talk to teens?
Come find out on Wednesday April 27th from 6-8 at Middletown High school in the second floor lecture hall. How Are They Wired? Understanding the Teen Brain; A Path To Better Communication.
Come find out on Wednesday April 27th from 6-8 at Middletown High school in the second floor lecture hall. How Are They Wired? Understanding the Teen Brain; A Path To Better Communication.
Confessions of an Urban Planning Junkie
There's a meeting at City Hall tonight that I'm pretty excited about (and I'm not talking about the budget cross-examination in the council chambers.)
It's the presentation and discussion of the Downtown Gateway Study up in Room 208 at 5 pm, which takes place during a special meeting of the Redevelopment Agency (full disclosure: I'm the acting chair of the agency.)
Now don't drowse off, please. If you're one of those people who has ever said "when did THEY decide to do THAT in town," then you owe it to yourself to follow this project. The decisions made at these meetings are often the first step to projects that come to fruition years later - and it's usually too late to have your opinions considered at that stage. But tonight, they're throwing the door open to hear what you think. Don't say I didn't warn you.
So what's the Downtown Gateway Study? Here's what you need to know (with as little jargon as I can manage):
It started with the Brownfields Assessment. The planning office has been studying what to do with old, contaminated properties that might find new life if we could figure out exactly how contaminated they are (the feds have been footing the bill). This study has been under the wing of the Redevelopment Agency, and for many months (or maybe it's been years) the consultants at VHB, Inc. have been assessing our brownfields -- those properties that have a history of industrial or commercial use that gets in the way of new owners and productive business ventures because of fears of liability and environmental risks.
Eventually, the Redevelopment Agency decided to focus on two areas - the north tip of Main Street and the area of Main Street Extension, just south of Middlesex Hospital and Route 17. Each of these is an important gateway to our Main Street, and has brownfield properties.
If we play our cards right, we might be able to put some grant money into cleaning up these properties and getting them ready for redevelopment.
Once we decided to focus on these two areas, VHB (and their friends at Milone & MacBroom) began to study what kinds of new development might be appropriate - hence the "Downtown Gateway Study".
Tonight is the meeting for public review and input on the findings of the study.
In addition to lots of cool maps, there will be presentations about what kinds of businesses (retail, etc.) might be suitable on these properties, with data (and more maps) about what kinds of shops appeal to people who live in our region. In other words, if people really love to buy towels, but we don't have lots of towel shops in town, well then maybe a towel shop would fly. Without this information, towel shop developers and the banks who loan them money wouldn't know if Middletown is a good risk. A towel shop is just an example, of course. Maybe you have other ideas about what you would like to see in town?!
If you've never been to one of these meetings, they're actually fun. This is the brainstorming stage where everyone considers what kinds of projects might work. Would a developer want to do it? Would it be good for town? Would it generate new tax revenue or would it create a drain on services? Would it complement our historic Main Street, or would it make us look like everyone else?
All kidding aside, this is participatory government at its best. If you want to shape the development of our downtown, then join us at tonight's Redevelopment meeting. See you there.
Lesser Speaks to Westfield Residents
Representative Matt Lesser gave his perspective on the state’s budget woes and fielded questions from concerned residents at the Third Congregational Church in Westfield last night. Lesser, who represents about half of Westfield in the Capitol, was the featured speaker at the Westfield Residents Association quarterly meeting (disclosure: I am vice-chair of the WRA). About 25 residents came to hear from him about the impacts of decisions in the Capitol on Middletown.
Lesser blamed the state’s $3.3 Billion deficit on previous governors, in particular John Rowland, whom he said used “gimmick accounting” and borrowed money to finance too many pet projects.
Connecticut’s newly elected governor, Dannel Malloy, has agreed with the Democratic leadership in the State Legislature on a balanced budget which relies on $2 Billion in concessions from state workers, consolidates state agencies and raises taxes. Lesser said that these negotiations were not completed, but he seemed hopeful
Lesser acknowledged that state expenses must be cut, “We’ve got to cut spending, but you’ve got to do it intelligently.” He said about taxes, “Priority has to be to protect middle class and seniors.” He said Governor Malloy’s budget plan was fair, in that it requires a sacrifice from everybody, “The good news is that everybody is unhappy.”
Lesser said that the budget maintains last year’s level of funding for Middletown, most of which comes in the form of an Educational Cost Sharing grant.
Energy costs were another topic of concern to both Lesser and residents of Westfield. Lesser, who serves on the Energy and Technology Committee, said one of his priorities in the budget is to make sure that it contributes to a lowering of electricity prices. He also called for a reduction in the use of energy by the State.
Lesser said that he was opposed to a proposed 3 cent increase in the state gasoline tax.
The most vocal Westfield residents in attendance were concerned about the efficiency of government operations, expressing outrage about the number, the salaries and the performance of state workers. Ed Dypa also expressed his concern that in a state with an aged population of 20%, the State Department of Aging has only 4 or 5 employees.
At the end of the 90 minute presentation and discussion, Lesser received warm applause from residents, who were grateful to Lesser for the opportunity to hear what is happening at the State Capitol.
Monday, April 25, 2011
To open your mind, your heart
submitted by The Buttonwood Tree
FREE AT LAST PLAYERS
Performing at The Buttonwood Tree - Tuesday, April 26 @ 7 pm, FREE
The Free at Last Players is a not-for-profit theater group dedicated to dispelling the myths and misconceptions that surround mental illness and substance dependency. Founded in 1989, the group has performed all over Connecticut and the United States with shows consisting of songs, poems and skits created by the group’s members. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of dealing with mental illness or substance dependency is overcoming the misunderstanding surrounding each malady. By showcasing their first-hand perspectives via performance art, the Free at Last Players combat this misunderstanding. The group consists of members who recognize that every person deserves to be seen as just that: a person. With strengths and weaknesses just like anyone else. As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, The Free At Last Players continue to reach out to new groups who might benefit from and/or appreciate the group’s message. Finding in performance art a labor of love, The Free at Last Players make the world a more accepting place – one audience at a time.
"This program is enlightening and entertaining, mind-expanding and humorous. If you know anyone with "mental health issues", (and who doesn't?) this short program is highly recommended to help you understand them better." Anne-Marie Cannata
South Fire District Budget Vote Tomorrow
The proposed budget is available as a PDF.
Tomorrow night: History of the Universe in a Nutshell: From the Big Bang to Life and the End of Time
From the Wesleyan Astronomy Department
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John C. Mather, Nobel Laureate (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)
John Mather will tell the story of how we got here, how the Universe began with a Big Bang, how it could have produced an Earth where sentient beings can live, and how those beings are discovering their history. Mather was Project Scientist for NASA' s Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite, which measured the spectrum of the heat radiation from the Big Bang, discovered hot and cold spots in that radiation, and hunted for the first objects that formed after the great explosion. For this work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006. Mather now serves as Senior Project Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the great Hubble Space Telescope.
Reception to follow, as well as public viewing at the Observatory (if clear).
----------------
John C. Mather, Nobel Laureate (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)
John Mather will tell the story of how we got here, how the Universe began with a Big Bang, how it could have produced an Earth where sentient beings can live, and how those beings are discovering their history. Mather was Project Scientist for NASA' s Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite, which measured the spectrum of the heat radiation from the Big Bang, discovered hot and cold spots in that radiation, and hunted for the first objects that formed after the great explosion. For this work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006. Mather now serves as Senior Project Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the great Hubble Space Telescope.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 8:00 pmThis entertaining, thought-provoking talk will be accessible to all.
Daniel Family Commons, Usdan University Center (3rd Floor)
Reception to follow, as well as public viewing at the Observatory (if clear).
Readers' Theater Returns to Russell
"The Substance of Fire", a play written by Jon Robin Baitz, centers on publisher and Holocaust survivor Isaac Geldhart and his thorny relationship with family. The elder Geldhart is happy to publish books of limited interest but his son Aaron, the CFO of the company, is worried about the disappearing bottom line. The son calls a meeting of his brother and sister, the other stockholders in the family business to try and convince the father to publish a novel with contemporary themes that has great commercial potential. The father hates the book, refuses to listen and the results are disastrous for the already tenuous relationships within the family.
The staged reading, featuring (among others) Barbara Gallo, Steve Liskow, Mark Engelhart, and Naomi Kamins (narrator), is free and open to the public. I get to play Isaac Geldhart and a young woman named Erin (I admit to forgetting her last name) plays my daughter (Poster's note - her name is Erin Sullivan.) Refreshments will be served.
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