Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 31

Javapalooza
330 Main St.
860-346-5282

After days of following Phileas as he runs about town, you must be in need of a brief respite. Before Phileas takes off for his next location, stop into Javapalooza for some java rejuvenation. In addition to offering locally roasted organic coffees, fine teas, and an array of freshly baked goods as any coffeehouse might, the European style café also has available micro brews and fine wines to pair with savory sandwiches and soups that are made fresh daily. This versatile juntion is the perfect place to catch up with friends, to read a book, to use the free Wi-Fi, or to enjoy live, local music every evening!

Hours:
Mon.-Thu., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fri., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sun., closed

"I am flabbergasted"

Those were the words of a very happy Commissioner Catherine Johnson as the Planning and Zoning Commission finished agreeing on a set of principles to guide the new Plan of Conservation and Development.

The Commission met in a workshop format, facing each other around a table set up on the floor of the Council Chambers. Commissioner Johnson led off the meeting with a 30 minute presentation on Smart Growth, laying out its goals and principles. She said these include creating a range of housing opportunities, fostering neighborhoods which have a strong sense of place, providing a variety of transportation choices, and building compactly to efficiently use land.

Smart Growth planning would relax the zoning of specific regions of the city to allow mixed use, but would tighten restrictions on the design of new developments. This would invert the current land use philosophy, which has tight restrictions on zoning (for example, only residential developments are allowed in an R60 zone), but has few restrictions on the design of a new development. Johnson illustrated her talk with examples which contrasted neighborhood based design and planning with the sprawl that a pure zoning approach has led to.

Johnson echoed many of the points made in a presentation by the town planner of Hamden, Leslie Creane, at a May meeting of the P&Z (New Approach to Zoning Regulations Presented at City Hall). The Commissioners were enthusiastic about Creane's presentation, and responded

very positively to Johnson's as well. Commissioner Deborah Kleckowski commented that she had heard many residents complain about the lack of retail and cultural attractions in Middletown. Commissioners seemed to agree that in the long term, neighborhoods with a mix of different kinds of housing (apartments, duplexes, and detached homes), offices, and retail, would increase the quality of life for residents.

The Commissioners worked on a set of principles from lists provided by City Planner Bill Warner. After a general discussion that revealed only minor differences of opinion on what kind of city Middletown should be, the Commissioners efficiently reached unanimous agreement on preliminary language for the guiding

principles for the POCD. [Note, what follows may not be the final versions of the principles, my notes were less than complete, and the commissioners felt that some of these "principles" might be better as examples or goals, rather than over-arching principles. I include them all to give a sense of the Commissioner's approach to the POCD. The final language will be refined by Warner with input from the Commissioners.]

Environment

• Encourage environmentally responsible and sustainable development
• Introduce new road standards in rural areas to reduce impacts of impervious pavement
• Preserve and connect open space, farmland and critical environmental areas.

Urban Design

• Improve design quality of development with design standards.
• Encourage compact building design.
• Promote development compatible with the unique character of neighborhoods to create a strong sense of place
• Create walkable neighborhoods.
• Provide a mix of uses in neighborhoods to ensure a city's vitality: commercial, civic, residential, recreation.

Transportation

• Encourage transit to provide a variety of transportation choices, including public transit, cars, bicycles, rail, and pedestrian.
• Invest in sidewalks, road connections, bike paths, and street trees to encourage walking and biking.
• Invest in infrastructure to increase rail, to provide linkages to neighboring communities.
• Locate jobs near housing, transit, and services.

Concentrate Development

• Reinforce downtown as our economic and cultural center.
• Concentrate development along major transportation corridors already served by water and sewer.
• Offer incentives to rehab brownfields, preserve historic structures and rehab housing and schools.
• Encourage compact development.
• Mix land uses.
• Create a lively mixed-use downtown, connect to the riverfront.
• Limit the sprawl of low-density housing.

Housing

• Create a range of housing opportunities and choice.

Economic development

• Increase the commercial tax base, lowering tax burden on residential property owners.
• Attract office, light industry, retail, and entertainment.
• Create partnerships between Education and Industry.
• Expand on the existing medical infrastructure.

After reaching consensus on these draft guiding principles, the Commissioners enthusiastically agreed to hold another workshop on the POCD at their next meeting, on October 14.

Public Comment About Schools Redistricting.

Under the regular item at the end of the meeting ("Public comment on topics which are not or have not been the subject of a public hearing"), I spoke as a member of the public. I commented that the Board of Education will be making a decision about possibly significant redistricting this year. I urged the Commissioners to work with the Board of Education on this issue, which is impacted by (and has impacts on) neighborhoods, transportation, and development.

Burglary Suspect Taken Into Custody on Highland Terrace

From the Middletown Police Department
(This report made available through nixle.com where residents can sign up for immediate notification of Police, Fire and Emergency reports)

On 9/23/09 at approximately 12:57pm Officer’s from the Middletown Police Departments Patrol Division responded to 53 Highland Terrace, Middletown for a report of a burglary in progress.

Initial investigation showed that a neighbor observed a “young looking” white male, whom she identified as a person whom does not reside there, enter the rear of the residence. At this time the neighbor contacted police who arrived a short time later.

Upon officer’s arrival it was discovered that the suspect had just fled the area and officer’s immediately set up a perimeter to contain the suspect. A description of the suspect was given to Police and a K-9 was called in to conduct a track of the suspect.

While on a perimeter set up, Officer Yepes of the Middletown Police Department’s Patrol Division observed a subject matching the description given by the neighbor. Ofc Yepes stopped the subject and through further investigation identified him as the suspect, the suspect was then taken into custody without incident.

The person who was arrested in this incident has been charged with Burglary 3rd and has been identified as a Youthful Offender, therefore his name is being withheld at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Middletown Police Department at 344-3200.

Armed Robbery at TD Bank North on Washington Street, Possible Bomb Left Behind

According to a source in the Police Department, an armed robbery just occured at TD Bank North on Washington Street, near Camp Street, and a possible bomb has been left behind.

Traffic on Washington Street may be interrupted as a result. No injuries have been reported.


UPDATE FROM THE MIDDLETOWN POLICE DEPT.

The Middletown Police Department is currently investigating a Bank Robbery that occurred at the TD Bank North facility located at 911 Washington St, Middletown.

On 9/23/09 at approximately 10:58am Middletown Police received a report of a robbery at the above location. Initial investigation indicates that a white female entered the bank and approached the counter. The white female suspect then handed the teller a note that requested the teller to give her money. The suspect then placed an unknown type bag on the counter and advised the teller that the bag contained a “Bomb”. At this time the suspect was given an undetermined amount of money and fled the area.

It is believed that the suspect left in a blue van, possibly a Chevy, which was driven by an unknown black male and fled Westbound on Washington St.

Upon officer’s arrival the bank was evacuated, secured and the immediate area was cordoned off. Middletown Police obtained the assistance of the Hartford Police Bomb Squad who arrived a short time later. Members of the Hartford Police Bomb Squad entered the bank and their investigation showed that the bag did not contain an explosive device. The bag was removed from the building and Detectives from the Middletown Police Department proceeded with their investigation.

Middletown Police Detectives obtained surveillance footage of the suspect and have identified a person of interest in this case. The person of interest has been identified as Heather Brown, age 35 of Norwich Ct.

At this time Detectives are looking into the possibility that this incident may be related to other Bank Robberies that have occurred recently in Montville Ct and Westerly RI.

There were no reported injuries during this incident and Middletown Police Detectives are requesting that if anyone has information regarding this incident please contact the Middletown Police Department at 344-3200.

Uber, Under, Sideways Down in Middletown With Boy Crisis

Wesleying springs the new Boy Crisis video, Dressed To Digress, on the world, replete with references to Woodrow Wilson, Bruce Springsteen and the Wes Women's Swim Team. And visual references to our 'hood, from balcony dancing and walking cig pack along the (Lee Osborne designed) all-access ramp to Russell House, to the undercarriage of the Arrigoni Bridge (Portland side), and some fancy quarry zip line shots. Directed, cheesy effects and all, by Ray Tintori. Who says the Wes kids don't love Middletown?

Attorney General Blumenthal's Letter Concerning Health Code

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 30

Around The World in 80 Days Auditions
Oddfellow's Playhouse
128 Washington Street
860-347-6143

Join in on the original "Amazing Race" with Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant Passepartout, both of whom are in a mad race against the clock! They travel by rail, boat, foot or by any other means available in 1872, attempting to circumnavigate the globe (that's 3,786 miles) in a mere 80 days. As if that wasn't hard enough, Phileas must outwit Detective Fix who believes Fogg to be a bank robber. Adapted from the classic by Jules Vern, Jeffrey Allen directs the action, adventure, romance, and comedy filled tale that is sure to please audiences of all ages.

Auditions will take place on September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.

Rehearsals:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M and Monday, Saturday (time to be determined).

Performances:November 12-14, 20-21

Tuition: $250

New Health Show on WESU

Today a new show, Conversations on Health Care debuts on WESU, 88.1 FM at 4:30 PM. Today's show features an interview with Nancy Pelosi and Dr. Mitch Katz, health director for San Francisco.

Drug Bust on Rapallo

From the Middletown Police Department

On 09/22/2009 The Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Detective Division and the Patrol Division executed a Search Warrant at 15 Rapallo Ave 2^nd floor West. We had been receiving numerous complaints concerning this address from concerned citizens that reside in the area.

Upon entry into the residence the target of our investigation was in the residence holding his small infant child. The suspect, Andre Rich D.O.B. 11/09/1975, was being investigated for selling narcotics in the cities north end. Also in the residence were two other children that lived in the residence with Rich. After conducting a search of the apartment the Street Crime Unit located suspected crack cocaine along with a small amount of suspected marijuana.

Rich was arrested for the narcotic charges as well as Risk of Injury to Children. The charges are as follows;

• Possession of Narcotics
• Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell
• Possession of Narcotics 1500ft of a School Zone
• Risk of Injury (3 counts)
• Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Andre Rich was transported to Middletown Police headquarters where he was processed and held on a $300,000.00 Dollar Surety Bond with a court date of 10/06/2009.

Any citizen willing to give information concerning possible illegal activities is encouraged to contact Sergeant Chris Lavoie of the Street Crime Unit at 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.

Attorney General Blumenthal Encourages Change In Health Code

In light of the controversy engendered by Food Not Bombs refusal to admit they are under the jurisdiction of state health regulations, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has written a letter to the State Senate President and the House Majority Leader urging them to modify the statute.

As written, the law provides an exception to non-profit and charity organizations which sell food, not prepared in licensed kitchens, in order to raise funds for that charity. The law does not exclude organizations which gather and prepare food and distribute the food for free to those in need.

Last Friday, Blumenthal met with a delegation from Middletown who urged him to examine the law and provide his interpretation.

His letter expresses his belief that the intent of the law is likely to allow for an exception for those charitable organizations which distribute and share food with those in need, but he urges the legislature to be explicit in this intent.

The Eye will provide the entire letter when received from the Attorney General.

23rd Annual Rockfall Symposium at MxCC to focus on Jobs, Energy & Education for a Sustainable Future

The 23rd Annual Rockfall Symposium titled, "Green Light for Our Economy" will be held Friday, October 9th from 8:30 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. at Middlesex Community College, Chapman Hall, 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown, Connecticut.

Five distinguished speakers will discuss the effects new green jobs, a refreshed energy policy and progressive education will have on Middlesex County's environment and economy.

· Wilfredo Nieves, President, Middlesex Community College, Middletown, Connecticut
Education - Opportunities

· William Leahy, Director, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Eastern Connecticut State University Energy &Jobs-Environmental Solutions and Sustainability Planning

· John Hall, Director, Jonah Center for Earth and Art, Middletown, Connecticut
Embracing Change-Eco-friendly Practices

· Jiff Martin, Connecticut Director, American Farmland Trust
Eating Green-Farms, Farming and Marketing

· Stephen Tagliatella, Innkeeper, Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, Old Saybrook Connecticut
Green Business Practices-Process and Pay-off

Who Should Attend: Local elected and appointed officials, land use planners, developers, architects, attorneys, real estate agents, educators; town planning, zoning, wetlands and appeals board and commission members, and all who are concerned with effective community planning.

Registration: The Symposium fee of $50.00 includes all materials and coffee breaks. Because space will be limited, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration forms must be received no later than October 2nd. Optional buffet lunch immediately following the program is $15.00. No refunds can be made after October 7th.
Date & Time Friday, October 9, 2009

9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. program (8:30 a.m. registration)

12:15 - 1:00 p.m. optional catered lunch

1:00 - 1:30 p.m. tour of MXCC campus and nature trail

Program and Registration Information See www.rockfallfoundation.org or contact the Rockfall Foundation office at 860-347-0340.

The Rockfall Foundation, located in Middletown, CT, supports environmental education, conservation programs and planning initiatives in Middlesex County. As one of the state's oldest environmental organizations, its primary goal is to help promote a healthy balance in the county between development and environmental conservation.

Trevor Davis, Symposium Chair - 860-347-8738

Claire Rusowicz
Development Director
The Rockfall Foundation
27 Washington Street
Middletown CT 06457
(860) 347-0340
crusowicz@rockfallfoundation.org

"Greening & Growing Middlesex County for 75 years"

Democratic Mayoral Candidate Confounded by Soup Kitchen Citation

Democratic Mayoral candidate Dan Drew has come out strongly against the Health Department citation against the St. Vincent dePaul Soup Kitchen. He indicated it was within the mayor's discretion as chief executive in the city to decide whether or not to pursue the violation.

"The mayor has the ability to use his judgment," Drew said. "I just can't believe this is happening at a time when people can't feed themselves, in a time when the soup kitchen is needed the most. It makes me wonder if Mayor Giuliano is going to go after the Girls Scouts."

"I disagree with the approach Food Not Bombs has taken, but I'm supportive of providing food to the hungry," Drew said. "But in the case of the soup kitchen I don't understand why there is a drive to shut it down."