At a Board of Education Budget Committee meeting Monday evening, Superintendent Michael Conner previewed his BOE budget presentation for Tuesday's regular meeting. Conner said he will ask the Board to pass a 2.89% budget increase over the 2017-2018 operating budget. The increase amounts to a $2,365,000 increase over the current year.
Conner emphasized that the new budget will not count on Alliance Grant funds from the state to be used in the operating budget. Governor Dannell Malloy has proposed a $650,000 increase in school aid for Middletown. The legislature needs to ratify that amount.
Conner said that Alliance Grant dollars will be used exclusively for their intended purpose of addressing core priorities in the district including educational innovation, closing the achievement gap, improving teacher effectiveness.
In previewing the budget, Conner said that he was happy to present the city with a budget that took advantage of new efficiencies, organizational coherence, strategic use of grant dollars and efficiencies in use of facilities. Conner said a status quo budget increase would have meant a request for a 7% increase.
DATTCO Lowest Bidder
In other news. Richard Labrie, from Futures, the company contracted by the BOE to handle bus contract bidding announced that DATTCO was the lowest bidder. The full board will vote to accept the bid at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday. The five year contract begins with an annual busing budget of $6, 381,546 for the school year ending in 2019, with 2.5 % increases in each of the remaining four years of the contract. The only other company that placed a bid was Specialty Transportation.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Mardi Gras Concert Tonight, in Essex
From Trevor Davis.----------------
The 8 piece Occasional Dixieland Jazz Ensemble will be playing for a one hour concert at 7pm, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Essex, with a great singer, Phred Mileski. Free will offering. Go wild before Lent!
City to Receive $450,000 Multi-year Grant to Support Single-parent Families
From The Connection.
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Our city has won the Boston Federal Reserve “Working Cities Challenge,” which promotes economic growth throughout cities in Connecticut, as well as other parts of New England. This grant provides $450,000 in a multi-year commitment to support the implementation of different strategies and resources to help single parents in need begin their journey towards financial stability and economic independence.
The collaborative team, led by the Middlesex United Way and The Connection, has received the $450,000 grant to reduce the percentage of Middletown single-parent families living at or below the Federal Poverty Level from 35% to 20% over a ten-year period.
During the first year, the initiative named Middletown Works will address the root causes that hinder low-income single parents from securing opportunities that will lead to a living wage job. Middletown Works will focus on creating vocational pathways to sustainable careers, specifically in healthcare, STEM, logistics and manufacturing, where there is an identified local need. Part of the plan is to link existing employment services in Middletown and give job seekers multiple points of access to these resources. Middletown Works also hopes to raise employer awareness about the needs and strengths of single parent employees, through outreach and engagement efforts, with help from the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
The collaborating, diverse core team who will continue to work on this initiative are co-leads Middlesex United Way and The Connection as well as representatives from the City of Middletown, Middlesex Community College, Wesleyan University, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, Department of Children & Families, ACES/Early Head Start, Shiloh Christian Church, and several other community members/parents who represent the target population for this grant.
Middlesex United Way, The Connection and The Peach Pit Foundation each have committed to providing an additional $45,000 collectively as part of a required match to receive the grant.
Middletown competed against sixteen qualifying cities during the application process when The Reserve Bank’s Working Cities Challenge officially launched in Connecticut in 2016. Middletown is joined by East Hartford, Danbury, Hartford, and Waterbury as the awarded communities selected.
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Our city has won the Boston Federal Reserve “Working Cities Challenge,” which promotes economic growth throughout cities in Connecticut, as well as other parts of New England. This grant provides $450,000 in a multi-year commitment to support the implementation of different strategies and resources to help single parents in need begin their journey towards financial stability and economic independence.
The collaborative team, led by the Middlesex United Way and The Connection, has received the $450,000 grant to reduce the percentage of Middletown single-parent families living at or below the Federal Poverty Level from 35% to 20% over a ten-year period.
During the first year, the initiative named Middletown Works will address the root causes that hinder low-income single parents from securing opportunities that will lead to a living wage job. Middletown Works will focus on creating vocational pathways to sustainable careers, specifically in healthcare, STEM, logistics and manufacturing, where there is an identified local need. Part of the plan is to link existing employment services in Middletown and give job seekers multiple points of access to these resources. Middletown Works also hopes to raise employer awareness about the needs and strengths of single parent employees, through outreach and engagement efforts, with help from the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
The collaborating, diverse core team who will continue to work on this initiative are co-leads Middlesex United Way and The Connection as well as representatives from the City of Middletown, Middlesex Community College, Wesleyan University, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, Department of Children & Families, ACES/Early Head Start, Shiloh Christian Church, and several other community members/parents who represent the target population for this grant.
Middlesex United Way, The Connection and The Peach Pit Foundation each have committed to providing an additional $45,000 collectively as part of a required match to receive the grant.
Middletown competed against sixteen qualifying cities during the application process when The Reserve Bank’s Working Cities Challenge officially launched in Connecticut in 2016. Middletown is joined by East Hartford, Danbury, Hartford, and Waterbury as the awarded communities selected.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Friday, February 9, 2018
PCSE Spring Speaker Series
The Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship has a series of Wesleyan alumni, professionals, and leaders from the nonprofit and business worlds coming to speak. Topics range from Legal Basics with Dave Menard from Murtha Cullina LLP, to Startup Impact with Ojala Naeem from reSET, to Effective Organizational Leadership with Muzzy Rosenblatt of Bowery Residents Committee.
All guests will speak at two identical sessions in Allbritton 004 (222 Church St.):
10:20-11:40
1:20-2:40
They have a limited amount of seats in each session that are free and open to the public.
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Daley, Nesci Attempt To Invalidate Progressive DTC slate
The following letter was sent to the State Democratic Party by former Middletown Democratic Town Chair, Sal Nesci, and Councilman Gerry Daley.
DISCLAIMER: Middletown Eye authors Ed McKeon and Stephen Devoto are members of the recently-elected Democratic Town Committee.
(click to enlarge)
DISCLAIMER: Middletown Eye authors Ed McKeon and Stephen Devoto are members of the recently-elected Democratic Town Committee.
(click to enlarge)
Exhibit of Pierre Sylvain's Work Opens at Russell Library
Pierre
Sylvain
Fantastical
Journey: Voodoo, Slavery, Jazz
February
9 – March 31 2018
From
February 9th through March 2018, Russell Library will exhibit
paintings representing the past ten years of artist Pierre Sylvain’s work.
Focusing on Voodoo, Slavery, and Jazz, the art portrays cultural themes of the
African American experience. An opening reception is planned for the evening of
February 9 from 6 – 8pm in the main lobby of the
library, and will feature the jazz trio, “Liviu Pop and Friends”.
Pierre Sylvain has generously donated a painting to be auctioned off online to benefit the Russell Library. Bidding opened Monday, February 5th 2018 at 10AM, and runs through February 14th 2018 at 5PM. Please see the full list of Online Silent Auction Rules. The painting is called "Love at First Sight" and the size is 14"x14" acrylic and collage. You can access the auction at:
 |
| Liviu Pop Jazz Trio: is composed of Rich Goldstein on guitar, Yahn Frenkel on organ, and Liviu Pop on drums. They will be playing at the exhibit opening Friday, February 9 beginning at 6:00pm. |
The exhibit Pierre Sylvain: Fantastic Journey: Voodoo,
Slavery and Jazz can be viewed during library hours through March 31, 2018.
The exhibit kicks off a series of Black History events at the library sponsored by the Connecticut Humanities.
Another City Hall Employee Files Letter of Complaint
A second female Middletown City Hall employee has filed a formal letter of complaint with the city's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management. Other complaints have been filed by Board of Education Human Resource Manager Michele DiMauro, and employee Linda Reed who has requested to speak about her role as Zoning Enforcement Officerto the attorney hired to investigate the mayor's office.
"I think it becomes harder for the city to say, 'there's nothing wrong here," when there are multiple complaints," said UPSEU (mid-level managers' union) local president Geen Thazhampallath, who is also the city's Director of Parking.
Debbie Stanley, Recreation Manager, filed the complaint on January 30 after reading a letter sent by city attorney Brig Smith to the Common Council on January 25 indicating that he anticipated Stanley's complaint.
Stanley's letter claims that Mayor Dan Drew "targeted me, based on my gender and political affiliations and in turn impacted my tangible work benefits."
Smith's letter was written to inform the Common Council that the city's insurer, CIRMA, (Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency) had assigned Attorney Mike Rose
Thazhampallath calls DiMauro's complaint less about a dispute in pay level and more about "principal and honor." He feels that DiMauro's willingness to challenge the city inspired other women who feel they have been wronged to speak out.
Smith explains in his letter that the outside attorney is necessary because "of the potential liability to the City for Ms. DiMauro's claims" and because "the investigation places my office in a conflict of interest."
A local grievance hearing on the DiMauro complaint by the city Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management has been held, but a finding has not been issued. One is expected as early as early as Friday February 9.
"I hope this investigation will lead to a cultural and organizational shift in the way City Hall operates," Thazhampallath said.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Wesleyan Student Film Screening and More at The Buttonwood Tree
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| We are pleased to present our weekend lineup starting off on Thursday evening! For more info go to www.Buttonwood.org or call (860) 347-4957 | |||||
Come see four new films! Refreshments and Q & A to follow. Click on the picture to read more.
|
||
What a great place to try out a new
story or an oldie that needs polish or as a neophyte just to get your
feet wet in front of the storytelling community. The first half of the
program is an open mic session for anyone to venture into the excitement
of story. The second half will feature a familiar voice to the
Buttonwood, Joe Flood. Joe has performed many times before Buttonwood
audiences and has delighted people with his unique musical style.
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Westfield Fire District Election of Commissioners
The main item on the agenda was the election of three commissioners to three year terms
202 votes were cast.
Greg Ami, ran unopposed for the firefighter's seat, and received 92 votes.
3 men vied for the two non-firefighter's seat. Brian White (180 votes) and David Peterson (112 votes) won election over John Lockwood (106 votes).
The crowd of people who stayed after voting included many who had served the fire district either as firemen or as commissioners. Ross Andrew, who was first elected to the Commission in 1959, pointed proudly to his son, Lieutenant Dana Andrews, and his grandson, firefighter Owen Andrews.
The outgoing Chair of the Commission, Fred Jones, read the annual report to the assembled crowd. The department responded to 1213 incidents in 2017: 713 Medical Calls, 108 Fire Alarms, 106 Auto Accidents, 70 Mutual Aid Calls, 47 Smoke or CO conditions or investigations, 42 False Alarms, 20 Police Assistance, 17 Water Problems, 13 Haz Mat Calls, 11 Vehicle Fires, 4 Structure Fires, and 62 Miscellaneous.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Tonight at The Buttonwood Tree!
Secondary Messengers
February 3rd, 8-10pm, $10
A Professor of Biology at Amherst College, reedman Dick Poccia has played in jazz groups in Western Massachusetts for 30 years, recording with the Valley Big Band, Jeff Holmes Big Band, Amherst Jazz Orchestra, and the Lowe-Jaffe Repertory Big Band. Currently a member of the Secondary Messengers, the Amherst Jazz Orchestra, Creacion Latin Big Band, Never Been to Spain, and Jeff Holmes Big Band. Played in back up bands for the Temptations, Ernie Watts, Claudio Roditi,
Yusef Lateef, John Abercrombie, Steve Turre, Al Cohn, Rufus Reed, Karrin Allyson,
Steve Davis, Sheila Jordan, George Garzone, Peter Erskine, John Fedchock, and the
Ringling Brother Circus and the Monadnock Chorus. Has twice toured in Russia playing at the White Nights Jazz Festival. Has performed at Sculler’s, the El Morocco, Sandy’s, Berklee School of Music, the Philharmonic Jazz Center in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Estrada State
Theater in Moscow, and DOCKS television program in Lisbon. Played with the
Nelson Riddle Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Festival Orchestra with Gunther
Schuller at Amherst College.
Trumpeter Dave Bilodeau is a professional mechanical engineer and works as
Manufacturing Automation Engineering Consultant at Bilodeau Automation. He has
been a professional freelance trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet player for thirty plus
years. He plays in various jazz, rock, show, pit and big bands as well as orchestras
and brass groups around the Northeast. He studied at Boston Conservatory, Berklee
College of Music and Northeastern University. He also plays currently with Moment’s
Notice, Intertrip, Joe Velez Latin Big Band, and Interplay. He is also a professional
mechanical engineer by day.
Pianist Michael Stamm, MD, received a Bachelor’s degree in music and chemistry from Emory University in Atlanta and an MD from the University of Virginia. He was a specialist in head and neck surgery who is with the Pioneer Valley ENT Surgeons in Florence MA but has since moved his practice to Keen, NH. He has been playing jazz piano in the Pioneer Valley since 2000. He is heavily influenced by Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Lennie Tristano. He also plays Hammond B3 and trumpet. In addition, he plays keyboards in a variety of classic rock and blues bands including the Mike Hooker Experience. He is an avid mountain biker.
Bassist Mark Dunlap, from Holyoke, MA, is a PASS Region I Assistant at the Federal Aviation Administration. He has studied bass with accomplished NYC bassists Santi DeBriano and Joe Fonda, and composition and improvisation with long-time mentor, Dr. Ed Byrne. He is a founding member and serves on the board of the Western New England Double Bass Society, a group of 200 performing double bassists that sponsors bass workshops and concerts in New England. Mark serves as the Chairman for the Holyoke Cultural Council under the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Mark co-leads The Interplay Jazz Band, Frain/Dunlap Jazz Trip, InterTrip and performs with other bands including Berkshire Jazz Underground, Eastern Standard Time, and Disciples of Cool in New England and New York. He co-owns the independent recording label and publishing company Simmer Music has released a CD with guitarist David Frain entitled “Pull The Shades” and has organized festivals including the Holyoke Latin Jazz Festival and the Reggae Rager and Future Roots Festival.
Drummer Bill Matthews PhD., a professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, has been playing drums since his teenage years. In the late 1980’s, he studied music intensively, taking workshops and lessons at the Drummer’s Collective in NYC, Jazz in July at the University of Massachusetts, and later where he had the opportunity to play with the legendary Archie Shepp. Since, the early 1990’s, Bill began and continues his study with the great Boston based drummer, Bob Gullotti of the Fringe. Bill played for 2 years in the Valley Jazz Ensemble under the direction of trombonist Ed Byrne and with DBRAZZ, a piano trio. He has performed in numerous concerts at local venues in the Valley including Moment’s Notice and the Eclectic Jazz Quartet.
605 Main Street / PO Box 71, Middletown, CT 06457
www.buttonwood.org / 860.347.4957
Friday, February 2, 2018
At First Church: History and Racial Justice in Middletown
Listen and Learn: A Presentation on History
and Racial Justice in Middletown
Sunday, Feb. 11,
4pm, at
First Church
190 Court Street
Middletown, CT
You are invited to attend an afternoon program that explores history and racial justice in Middletown. The event will take place on Sunday, February 11, at 4pm, at First Church, 190 Court Street, in Middletown.
Learn of the days when Middletown was a booming port, as speakers tell two stories: One of Middletown merchants and investors who made fortunes by shipping
home-grown provisions to Caribbean ports and returning with a cargo of highly profitable sugar; the other, of the lives of enslaved laborers who raised,
harvested, and loaded the sugar. Guest speakers include Debbie Shapiro, president of the Middlesex County Historical Society, and Precious Price, director of the Middletown Racial Justice Coalition.
This gathering is the first in a series of public events hosted by First Church, in our 350th year, to celebrate our history and to open up honest conversations about episodes in our history, some of which do not make us proud.
The program is based in part on Middlesex County Historical Society's ongoing exhibit, A Vanished Port, and represents a collaboration of Middletown artists and historians, and members of community
organizations working for social justice and racial equity.
First Church is an open and affirming congregation and is located at 190 Court Street, in Middletown.
_________
and Racial Justice in Middletown
Sunday, Feb. 11,
4pm, at
First Church
190 Court Street
Middletown, CT
You are invited to attend an afternoon program that explores history and racial justice in Middletown. The event will take place on Sunday, February 11, at 4pm, at First Church, 190 Court Street, in Middletown.
This gathering is the first in a series of public events hosted by First Church, in our 350th year, to celebrate our history and to open up honest conversations about episodes in our history, some of which do not make us proud.
First Church is an open and affirming congregation and is located at 190 Court Street, in Middletown.
_________
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