New Doctors in Town

Jennifer Alexander and Mark Masselli, town leaders and activists were awarded for their accomplishments, their devotion to the city of Middletown, and their vision with honorary degrees from Wesleyan University today.

The commencement was held under brilliant skies after morning thunderstorms fled South and left the air crisp and warm.

President Michael Roth, invoking the memory of murdered student Johanna Justin-Jinich, reminded the students that the event which rocked the college and the city two weeks ago, was a reminder of the work that needed to be done in the world. He told students they could honor Justin-Jinich by pursuing improvements in woman's health, by working to make more sensible handgun laws, and by working to abolish violence against women.

"The status quo is idiocy," Roth reminded students.

In accepting her honorary degree Jennifer Alexander quoted from Charlotte's Web reminding graduates that they were like Charlotte's babies - aloft on a wind to new places and experiences where they would build their own webs. She also said that some spider children will build their webs close to home, and that it's not only good for those around the spider, but for the spiders themselves.

"The simple act of staying," Alexander said of her decision to remain in Middletown after graduation. "Brought more joy and accomplishment than I could ever have imagined."

Mark Masselli, CEO of the Community Health Center, told graduates that he would speak a few words that were not being spoken at graduations around the country."

"We're hiring," Masselli said of his health center for underserved populations. "Let me repeat that once for the parents. We're hiring."

Masselli acknowledged that student may not take him up on his offer but that these Wesleyan grads, like many before would find ways to to good in the world.

Author Anna Quindlen began her talk by admitting, "I am not Barack Obama." She urged students to forgo material gain for other rewards.

"Stuff is not salvation," she said as she urged students to pursue meaning and accomplishments in ways that would provide adventure and innovation.

UPDATE: Watch all the speeches here.

Design Review & Preservation Board meeting - 10 December 2008

From Jennifer Saines:

A belated report on the Design Review & Preservation Board (usually referred to simply as DRB) meeting which immediately preceded the P&Z meeting Wednesday evening. I was only present for the presentation period of the meeting, and did not stay on to hear the board deliberate and discuss minutes or old business.

A similar thread ran through the Board’s response to the three projects that were presented – the role of the stationary automobile in design considerations. A major goal of the board is to recommend the reduction of parking spaces to the minimum required by city code, to ameliorate the heat radiated by parking lots by planting trees in islands, and to prevent the construction of parking lots in front of residential buildings.

For example, the proposed parking lot for business condos off of I-91, which is known as "Centerpoint" and boasts a gold LEED plan (see the story by Fishmuscle about the P&Z meeting last night in today’s Eye for more details), exceeded the minimum number of recommended spaces. The chairman, Mr. Jeff Bianco, advised that the number of parking spaces be reduced to the city minimum requirement. He also requested that the signage that will be visible from I-91 be reduced in size, as it exceeded code. Another board member recommended that the architect incorporate other types of surfacing such as pressed concrete to break up the monotony of the asphalt in the expansive parking lots. Pedestrian pathways could be delineated by such surfaces, he recommended. When asked if he had considered using porous surfacing material, the architect responded that the type of subsurface on the site was not conducive to proper drainage.

The Price Chopper proposal also came under scrutiny with respect to the sea of asphalt that fronts it. The board strongly recommended that the islands in that lot be planted according to DRB guidelines, and to consider constructing more islands. The representative from Price Chopper responded with the contention that any fewer spaces in the lot would be unacceptable to his corporation. Mr. Bianco noted that there exists plenty of overflow parking in the adjacent lot (Home Depot). Mr. Bianco also questioned the design of the front of the building (with respect to perceived access); according to a Price Chopper representative, the design was not accurately depicted on the drawings provided to the board.

The proposal by Habitat for Humanity to build a duplex on Ferry St. with two separate driveways and parking in front of the house garnered criticism from Mr. Bianco as well as members of the public (myself included). The design of the duplex could be changed and aligned close to the street in keeping with traditional streetscape design. And a single driveway could be used to gain access to the back of the house for parking. Habitat for Humanity representatives argued that an adjacent home had parking fronting the street, but Mr. Bianco pointed out in response that a bad precedent should not be imitated. Jennifer Alexander, as a member of the public, recommended that Habitat incorporate the design of the existing structure on the site, which will be razed as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Ferry and Green Street areas.


The house on Ferry St., to be demolished by Nehemiah Housing/Habitat for Humanity. Photo added by Jen Alexander.

The Urban Dilemma and other topics at Planning and Zoning - Nov. 12

Planning and zoning commissioners met Wednesday in Council Chambers to discuss the future of Middletown's residential downtown, to discuss the organization of the commission for the next year, and to review several land use proposals and a zoning text change.

Many residents of downtown came to speak about the proposed Plan of Conservation and Development, a document which will guide Middletown's land use decisions for a decade or more. Tonight's public hearing was on Chapter 8: Addressing the Urban Dilemma and Statement on Alternate Modes of Transportation. Residents spoke passionately about the joy of living within stroller distance of so many amenities, from Russell Library in their heart to MacDonough Elementary School at one end and Wesleyan at the other. Jennifer Alexander set the tone for all the comments when she urged the commissioners to change the name of the chapter from "Urban Dilemma" to "Urban Opportunity". All urged the commissioners to adopt language and policies that would celebrate and strengthen the vitality of Middletown's urban neighborhood.

The comments from these self-described "new urbanists" ranged from detailed suggestions for zoning and enforcement changes to more global policy changes. Ruth Veleta, in a letter read by Jennifer Saines, spoke of the effect on safety and the appearance of neighborhoods when cars and trucks are parked on the tree lawn (snow shelf) between the sidewalk and the house. Ed McKeon, another downtown dweller, requested enforcement of ordinances dealing with nuisance crimes like speeding, noise violations, parking on sidewalks. Ms. Saines spoke of the need to establish urban design guidelines and the need for civic buildings that foster a sense of community. Ms. Alexander spoke of the importance of finding the right balance between the number of owner occupied and and number of rental properties. For Ms. Alexander, it was not clear what the ideal balance would be, but she felt that the current ratio, which is less than 50% owner occupied, was far too low. She pointed out that renters are less likely to be invested in the quality of the school and other long term issues of the neighborhood. Both Mr. McKeon and Ms. Alexander decried the high number of properties that are devoted to social services such as alcohol and drug rehabilitation houses, half-way houses, and other group homes. They both stated that Middletown was home to vastly more of these than is warranted by our size. Mr. McKeon said that the current language in the POCD "got a bit mealy mouthed" regarding social services housing. Alexander concurred, "The city must take the strongest stand possible in limiting any future development of group homes within the traditional residential neighborhoods of downtown."

Transportation was also discussed, and again residents wanted a different title. Beth Emery suggested that the title be changed from "alternate modes of transportation" to "meeting the transportation needs of the citizens of Middletown". She urged the Commissioners to have both short term and long term goals for the city and the region, ranging from regulations on the number of bicycle racks required, to education of employers and businesses. John Elmore spoke philosophically about the role of Planning and Zoning Commissioners, "You can make a difference, you can require bike racks. Your job is to appeal to our better selves."

A Zoning Code text amendment was also the subject of a public hearing. Josh Eddinger applied to add the R15 zone to the list of zones that would allow year round farm markets (R15 allows residential lots of 15,000 square feet, about 3 houses per acre). This change would only apply to actively farmed parcels of 20 acres or more that are on a state highway in Middletown. Currently, the only property that meets these criteria is owned by Mr. Eddinger, on Randolph Road. Mr. Eddinger, who owns several farms in Middletown, and raises plants and bushes in greenhouses and in the ground, expressed his desire to open a year-round farm market. He pointed out that such markets make farming economically viable, and therefore preserve farmland, open space, and the rural character of our city. He also said that farms pay taxes on both land and structures, and do not use many city services such as education. However, several neighboring residents spoke in opposition to the amendment, expressing fears that a farm stand would be popular, and that it would be inappropriate near their houses. One of those neighboring residents, Sebastian Giuliano, who gave as his addresses both Maple Shade and DeKoven Drive, told the Commissioners that if they adopted this zoning code text amendment, it "would open the city to a lawsuit for spot zoning." The zoning code text amendment failed to pass, receiving only 4 Yes votes.

Also on the commissioners' agenda was the annual election of officers. Perhaps reflecting tension over this election, the commissioners began the meeting with a testy debate over the protocol for seating alternates on the commission. Commissioner Les Adams requested a change from the customary pattern of rotating the seating of the possible alternates, and instead requested that an alternate from the same political party as the missing regular member should be seated. Chairwoman Barbara Plum insisted that the normal protocol be followed. The commissioners agreed to disagree for the moment, and postponed the election of officers until the December 10th meeting.

Jennifer meet Tony

(Jennifer and Bob Alexander in the limo for their ride to the Tony's - Schilke photo)

Jennifer Alexander and her dad, Bob Alexander had VIP seats at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, and tickets to the after-party. Here's here account:



Since I followed the rules (apparently I was the only one) I didn't bring a camera in or to the gala afterwards (hence no paparazzi-like photos).

There were many cool moments though -- we had great seats in the Orchestra, and Patti Lupone's Everything Coming Up Roses was like a sonic boom, and nailed my dad and me to our seats.

My personal highlight was when the kid sitting next to me (who happened to be one of the actors from the play 13 which was just at the Goodspeed) asked me what my kids names were, and I said "Tenzin...Maggie..Karma..." and he said "Oh, I know Tenzin! We're friends on Facebook!" And he wasn't kidding. Like, maybe I should be paying more attention to what Tenzin's up to!

The In the Heights folks must have been at another party because I didn't see them at the Gala. Sigh.

Of course, I did get a Swag Bag on exit, but where the nominees got shoes and personal electronics, we got stuff like limited edition mint M&M's and gourmet cat and dog treats. Kobi is currently trying all four mini-tubes of eco-toothpaste right now.

(Tony swag bag contents photographed by Jen Alexander)

The EYE opens

Today marks the official blog publication date for The Middletown Eye, a cooperative news, information and opinion blog created by, and for the residents of Middletown CT.

Inspiration for the Eye came from Jennifer Alexander who mentioned more than a year ago that such a web presence would be valuable for Middletown (because of that, it's an honor and pleasure to feature a posting by Jennifer as the opening blog). Jennifer also noted on hearing about the Eye, that the name of the blog has a triple meaning - "eye" as in seeing, "I" as in created for and by residents, and "aye" as in voting for progress.

In addition, the success of the Wesleying blog, created by and for the Wesleyan community, but not officially linked to the university, has been a huge source of inspiration.

Please bookmark the page, and feel empowered to contribute. Our initial goals will be modest - at least four original postings a day, with hopes that by the 6 month mark we'll have 500 daily visitors.

And so opens the Eye. Let's see what there is to see.