Parking Request Forwarded By Finance and Governance

The Finance and Governance Operations Committee forwarded a request by Tom Hartley, Middletown's Parking Director, to conduct an engineering study which will provide a "service assessment" of the town's existing parking arcade on Dingwall Drive.

F&G approved the $6,500 expenditure for the study after questioning Hartley about a previous study.

"I don't want to pay for something we've already paid for," F&G member and Common Council member Gerry Daley said.  "We paid for a study back in 2008.  What did we pay for then, and what has changed?"

Hartley explained that the 2008 study provided information about needed repairs, such as resurfacing the roof and fixing leaks in the arcade (work that is currently underway), but that "it did not go into details of what we have to do in maintenance over the next five years."

The Common Council will have to vote to approve the expenditure for the study.

F&G also forwarded a request for $740,000 to complete citywide parking upgrades which will include metering, lighting, security and gates for all lots, and will allow for a rate structure which discounts parking in lots over parking on the street.

"It provides the opportunity for people to choose between convenience and value seeking," Hartley said.
 
The change in parking rates is designed, among other things, to encourage employees of Main Street businesses to park in long-term, off-street parking.

F&G Committee member Phil Pessina emphasized that some of that responsibility ought to be borne by business owners.

"The chamber has got to get more assertive with employees," Pessina said.  "And these restaurants have to tell employees 'you cannot park here.'"

Well, Water

The Water Department requested a temporary shift in personnel which would unfreeze a frozen position and create a temporary position to allow the Water Department to anticipate staffing increases now that new wells at the Kleen Energy site are coming on line.

The two new wells, one owned by Kleen Energy, and one given to the city by Kleen Energy, will be staffed by Water Department personnel.   Under the agreement, Kleen Energy will pay for all water pumped from either well.


Klattenberg Mum on Conservation Funding
(hed suggested by G. Daley)

F&G approved forwarding a training request for Public Works Department diesel mechanics, and asked that a certification training request by the IT department be forwarded to them by email for consideration.  However another request for Recycling Coordinator Kim O'Rourke to renew membership with the Connecticut Recyclers coaliation was denied after a motion proposed by Daley failed to achieve a second.  The $125 fee was denied because it did not lead to certification of any kind.

"We pride ourselves on being a leading community as regards environmental consciousness," Daley said, as he urged his colleagues to second his motion.  He chided F&G committee chair Ron Klattenberg who is known in town as an environmental champion.


"I can't believe it...$125," Daley said as the motion was disregarded.