The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Nov. 30, 2010

State: Gov. Rell has reversed herself, thank goodness. She will not suggest cuts in rail service to Danbury, Waterbury and New Canaan to save $$.

Meriden: a drawback of a purposeful device like SeeClickFix.com may be that it creates expectations that every problem reported will be corrected within a week. That is not possible now for Meriden or any other town or city and it has never been possible: people need to be realistic.

Wallingford: town will build a new transfer station to allow for dumping at ground level, a boon to residents.

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Nov. 29, 2010

Meriden: the education gap. It is frustrating to watch officials with fine instincts and credentials working the brains out to try and end distinctions defined by a heartless and pointless test aimed at teachers as much as teaching. The underlying issues are poverty and family disintegration.

Southington’s Apple Harvest Festival has continued Melissa Ericksen’s role as coordinator for sponsors for next year’s event. Congratulations to her and thanks for her hard work.

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Nov. 28, 2010

Southington: Lingering smells can afflict almost any building, we guess, but it’s particularly tough in a library which is expected to smell like books.

Cheshire: the town is proceeding with performance based contracting for four buildings and energy-saving procedures, materials or technology. Good place to go.

The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Nov. 27, 2010

Southington: Contracts which include more expensive “green” materials or technologies can be helped by “performance-based” contracting, which involves loans up front to enable cost-saving steps, which return the money over time in cheaper operations. Makes sense.

It’s going to take more than angry negotiations to change Pratt & Whitney’s corporate mind that it wishes to close operations in Connecticut, notably Cheshire and East Hartford. It’s too bad that the management and the union have always seen themselves as unalterably opposed in interest – which is not true – and have not worked together before interests became too polarized for any compromise.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Nov. 26, 2010

Southington: Parking at the high school does seem to be a perennial problem, even now, we guess, when cars for students’ exclusive use might be expected to be somewhat reduced in number thanks to the economy. Why not tell students they can’t drive to school until they are seniors, or some other makeshift solution?

Meriden: it’s an interesting idea that Superintendent Benigni is floating to save school costs by bringing outplaced special needs kids back to the city for education in in-town placements. The decision in each case has some fine and careful lines to follow.

The Editor's Notepod, Thurs., Nov 25, 2010

Meriden: under current plans, the city could have a renewed chance at acquiring some of the Undercliff property which it would desperately like to add to its developable resources. This is a situation folks will be watching with keen interest.

Southington: with one councilor taking himself out of the picture to avoid a conflict, the Town Council deadlocked over appointments to the Board of Police Commissioners. Time for a little bi-partisan spirit, isn’t it?

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Nov. 24, 2010

Southington: interviews for the town manager’s position proceed before the councilors. This is an important event for the town and there is a certain amount of suspense building.

Meriden: the expense of grease-trapping systems seems to be descending upon the school system. While we could understand the need for such equipment if the system were operating full-scale kitchens at which food was prepared from scratch, it’s our impression that most food served these days is merely micro-waved, with waste going directly into trash. Where’s the grease?

Wallingford/Meriden: good police work nabbing the guys suspected of grabbing an ATM from a gas station. It’s one thing to steal money from the till, but it gives a crime quite a different twist when it’s the cash machine which is taken.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Nov. 23, 2010

Wallingford: the auditor says it about the housing authority. “The tone starts with the board of directors,” he said. “As soon as that tone stops, you’re vulnerable to things. They should be looking at what their director, Mr. Nere, is doing — not because he’s doing something wrong, but to make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to.”

Southington: so the finance director takes medical leave and a substitute is paid from overtime accounts as directed. This depletes overtime, however, and when request is made for more cash, it’s turned down all around; this makes very little sense.

In the Meriden schools, it seems that the cheese sandwich ploy has worked, and that kids who were served cheese sandwiches instead of the regular meal have persuaded parents to pay up. Apparently, as far as the kids are concerned, cheese sandwiches are not the lunch of choice.

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Nov. 22, 2010

Wind turbine at the Y Outdoor Center on High Hill Road, Meriden. Constructed with a grant by Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, it should help the greening of Connecticut.

There will be improvements coming soon to 11 miles of trails in the north end of Wallingford's Tyler Mill Conservation and Recreation Area. It will be good to have areas clearly marked and to have damages done by illegal ATVs repaired.

We’re not convinced that tight state control over elections is a necessary response to the mess in Bridgeport on November 2. But is there any legitimate reason why Bridgeport should object? Do they really want to be able to order ballots for fewer than the miserable percentage which turned out for elections four years ago?

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Nov.21, 2010

Southington: the irritation with the process and the progress on Mt. Vernon Road repaving is easy to understand, but it’s true that grants under federal programs, like state programs and like municipal funding, must meet standards other than merely do it quickly and come in on budget. Patience is about the only answer.

The empty seats on the Cheshire Town Council are pretty unusual, but there shouldn’t be too much trouble finding people to fill them. How many vacancies – just speculating – would be enough to justify, if possible, a special election?

The advice on assessing elderly parents and other relatives during Thanksgiving visits, as offered by experts at VNA and Masonicare in Wallingford is excellent. Of course, one of the touchy parts of such a process is that often enough those aging parents may not appreciate the scrutiny.

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Nov.20, 2010

Cheshire: Selling the pool is now the option being considered by the council. It’s hard to imagine a more divisive municipal facility, and this pool has established quite a record of rejections. Maybe the best solution is to fill it in.

The fiscal audit provided to the Wallingford Housing Authority’s policies and practices is full of many suggestions. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the recommendations.

SmartMusic, which students at Wallingford’s Moran and Lyman Hall are using, allow them to see where their mistakes occur during practicing. This should prove a helpful and creative innovation in music instruction.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Nov. 19, 2010

Meriden: the rumor mill, churning away at that $11 million projected shortfall for fiscal 2011-12, promptly started grinding out schools allegedly “to be closed” – all with no foundation in fact. At an informational session, it was stated clearly that the possible closing of a school is at the bottom of the list of options, but it was also clear that finding $11 million would not be an easy job.

Southington: it’s too bad that difficulties over the closure of part of West Main Street in Plantsville have come to the fore. It’s late to solve them and late to change the plans and no one wants to injure anyone’s business in this economic environment.

Cheshire: is there any concern over the exact reason for encouraging (or extracting, or forcing or arranging) the resignation of the High School Girls’ Soccer Coach? Did he get in trouble for disagreeing with the policy on punishing teen drinking when it occurs off-campus, or for expressing a difference with the board, and is this a policy appropriate to the administration?

The Editor's Notepod, Thurs., Nov 18, 2010

Meriden officials are going to need some clever thinking to determine how to compensate for an $11 million gap in funding for the school system next fiscal year. There’s no way this isn’t going to hurt in many places.

Wallingford’s Housing Authority will probably have an energetic discussion of that financial audit authorized by Democrats earlier in the year. But it’s possible the new majority will simply deep six it.

Southington is having a police investigation into an incident on a recent middle school field trip. Such news, without any word on charges, should either be buttoned up until a full charge is made or the case is dismissed, or the full allegations made public even before investigation begins; the rumor mill is fed by this sort of thing.

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Nov. 17, 2010

Meriden: how can anyone judge whether the “slaughtering” process on Bee St. is offensive and if the animals are mistreated in any way? What will it take? Photos?

Meriden: MFT has unanimously approved the schedule change to allow conferences on Thursday. Obviously, this is a strongly-felt need and there seems to be no outcry from parents.

Southington: The Learning Experience proposal for a daycare center on West Street drew fire, mainly, it seems, because it’s near a 55-and-older condo. The company is a leading franchiser of day care and capacity here is set at 190, which seems rather large. It’s an interesting development in daycare.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Nov. 16, 2010

State: in thinking about the election audit, it would be helpful to remember that it’s only a few years that we’ve had these optical scanning machines where ballots had to be ordered in some quantity. The old voting machines simply went on recording votes mechanically . . . although they could become full.

Connecticut liquor wholesalers have agreed not to ship and deliver caffeinated high-test alcoholic drinks – which have been banned in four other states. Dealers are to be commended for their public-minded decision.

Those beech trees along Broad Street in Meriden, nearly removed several years ago when the corner at Pratt was developed, have proved their usefulness as well as their beauty, stopping a car headed into the ravine after a crash. It’s too bad that these fine trees are diminished in their health, as they should remain with us for many years.

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Nov. 15, 2010

The discussion of Wallingford’s ability to pay, vis-à-vis the union arbitration awards offers some fascinating philosophical opportunities. Unfortunately, this is politics, not philosophy.

Meriden: It’s great that the Y is taking over where the public schools cannot go and running the Gifted and Talented program. It still is unclear to us, though, why the answer for G&T kids always seems to be more school.

From the words of shoppers at Westfield Mall in Meriden, there seems to be some cautious optimism as the holiday shopping season gets underway. Lots of people will be holding their breath to see what happens.

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Nov.14, 2010

It’s a classic story of hard times, and we wish the very best to anyone from Meriden, Wallingford or anywhere else facing long-term unemployment especially if combined with medical issues and other expenses.

Southington’s Rails to Trails committee really needs to get whatever is needed to make the new stretch of the trail user-safe in place. The town could certainly help out with a little authoritative initiative, too, maybe advancing whatever cash might be needed to secure and finish off the job: it seems silly to wait with an 85% finished job until April.

The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Nov. 13, 2010

Yet another piece of fall-out from Wallingford’s budget hard-line: to save $6,000, the winter indoor pool program is cancelled. Citizens, rise up and demand to pay more taxes to keep your services.

Cheshire’s search for a new chief is down to three finalists, one of whom is the acting chief. That could be a very difficult moment for the panel doing the work.

It’s good to know that Hartford's mid-Conn trash-to-energy plant was built to handle minor explosions such as last Friday morning’s shredded propane container. But that’s surely not among the items which should be sent to the plant – rather more energy than expected.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Nov. 12, 2010

Wallingford will lay off people from other unions beside firefighters in the time-honored and scandalous process of part-timers and latest hired being dumped first. There’s something so anti-human about such a process.

Meriden: sudden closure of Tim Horton’s demonstrates how tough it is to compete these days when one outfit gets the upper hand. Nothing against Dunkin, but we already see them everywhere we look!

Meriden: firefighters taking time to explain their jobs. This is a good activity, and one which other municipal workers and others might attempt, since many citizens make huge assumptions (often grossly incorrect) about the chief activities of jobs.

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Nov. 10, 2010

Southington: if work crews actually do call “Call before you dig” and the information does not match reality, what can anyone do when a gas line is ruptured? Older communities do tend to suffer this sort of incident. Patience and care.

Wallingford: cuts to emergency services in response to arbitration award will not be popular. To make up the $350,000 shortfall would take something like $8 a person in additional taxes; surely that’s an option?

Cheshire: shouldn’t fixing roads, at least up to a certain point to avoid flooding and potholes, be some sort of a local concern?

Governor Rell seems poised to conduct an orderly transfer of the governorship to her successor, Democrat Dan Malloy. This is consistent with her dignified handling of her office throughout her tenure.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Nov. 9, 2010

State: One might say that nothing becomes Foley’s race so much as the leaving of it. Now convinced by numbers, he takes the high road and concedes.

Hayes sentenced to death in the Cheshire home invasion case, and it’s only three years and four months since the crime. Now the clock will tick on the years which elapse until sentence is executed.

State: legislators are considering a plan which would bring Hartford students to suburban schools which have closed, opening them with 25percent Hartford kids, which sounds interesting but fraught. How about the reverse? Induce suburban families to move to Hartford and send their kids to public schools?

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Nov. 8, 2010

Wallingford revaluation is nearly ready to be mailed to property owners, and the assessor says because of the up and then down in values since the last reval, the new assessments may not be all that different. Quite possibly, but residents will probably want to wait and see before they stop worrying.

While it was a good thing to have that extra hour of sleep between Saturday and Sunday, we are not at all convinced that Eastern Standard Time is welcome, with its early darkness in the evenings, a true misery for office workers, who see neither morning sun nor evening (supposing its sun, not cloud). But really, it’s the shorter hours of daylight to blame, and we can’t have it both ways.

Proposals to do “something” about the shortage of ballots in Bridgeport and elsewhere have the usual smack of too late smart. At a top price of $1 a ballot (can it possibly be true that municipalities pay that much for copies?) it’s silly not to have a ballot for every potential voter. Now we know.