The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Dec. 31, 2010

Debate over sales tax on Internet sales this year in the Connecticut legislature should be highly entertaining, not to say passionate. There are many citizens who shop on-line precisely because of its non-taxable status, but many government observers see little reason (particularly when Internet sales eat into sales tax revenues) not to tax purchases made by this means.

Meriden’s school board has an open door policy at meetings and is willing to listen to anyone on a matter scheduled for discussion by the board for three minutes, but takers are few. It’s not a secret: schools are expensive, it’s complicated, but the members are interested to hear the people and to be as responsive as possible.

There’s only one way to enforce the rules against liquor-selling establishments, it seems, even though education is carried out in Southington. A sting operation caught 50 percent of the outlets checked.

So Connecticut's Senator-elect Blumenthal got a good seat (although he paid for it) at a Huskies game for security reasons, according to the head of the athletic department, and the situation has led to speculations on ethics. There will be some observers, though, who grumble and wonder what the point of being a public official is if it doesn’t bring with it anything as trivial a front-row seat, be they at a ball game or at the symphony?

The Editor's Notepod, Thurs., Dec. 30, 2010

A judge has rejected Sen. Elect Markley’s (R. Southington) suit over electric rate surcharges used to finance a sale of future revenue bonds. It’s an interesting political/legal question which should draw some additional attention, even if it is equally an ingenious revenue ploy. Meanwhile, state customers of CL&P and UI will see 7.8 and 1.5 rate reductions as of January 2.

Connecticut’s public higher education system is preparing for tight budgets coming at them. The state pays only about a quarter of the total cost of operating universities and colleges compared to the tuitions paid by students, and has risen by only 83 percent over two decades (compared to the near 300 percent rise in tuition), and voters and legislators are reminded that there are only two sources of revenue for public education: taxes and tuitions.

Southington used the Townwide alert system during the snowstorm early this week and was pleased to find that the system actually worked quite well. As for citizens, well, some of them, who haven’t been particularly aware of certain electronic developments, were kind of bewildered about the calls, wondering how the town had obtained their numbers.

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Dec. 29, 2010

Meriden and Wallingford have begun to think about establishing a reserve fund for any costs associated with pollution law changes affecting operations at the trash to energy plant. This is a good idea as well as a potential way to cooperate on a mutual responsibility.

Cheshire is looking at the next step in water pollution control, and a $30 million upgrade at the plant which will also remove phosphorus. Town by town, these are upgrades which are expensive, but necessary.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues., Dec. 28, 2010

The jump in average household income in Southington over the last decade (according to the cen-sus) is quite remarkable. $70,000 to $90,000 is a long way

With the results in, Connecticut seems not to have received as much snow and wind as other places around the northeast and New England. As Gov. Rell out it, we caught a bit of a break.

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Dec. 27, 2010

It’s interesting to see the definition of blizzard all spelled out, and it’s easy to see why towns in central Connecticut and across the state need to be precise. Relief comes in accordance with definitions: without “blizzard conditions” no money for the weather damage.

Meriden is discovering one interesting fact after another about grease interceptor. Imagine enacting a law requiring such equipment in this year of challenge!

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Dec. 26, 2010

Southington: the post-mortem is underway concerning the selection of the new town manager, with such observations as that four of those who voted in the new guy are in their first council term. That’s an unusual situation on Southington’s council, which has featured longevity over the last 30 years, but that doesn’t affect the validity of any of its decisions.

Wallingford’s gamble on the savings of diesel generating power may be spiked by the spike in diesel prices. That’s how this cookie seems to be crumbling.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Dec. 24, 2010

Congressman Murphy’s bill to create more specialized housing could help prevent a repeat of incidents where differing populations of tenants come into conflict, as happened in Meriden at Community Towers a couple of years ago.

It was found that more than 42 percent of Connecticut Department of Transportation projects ran more than 10 percent over budget between 2001 and 2010, while only 37 percent of that work was finished on time. It’s a big case of a day late and a dollar short, but the important question is what can be done about the situation?

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Dec. 22, 2010

It was probably a good thing that the special Housing Zone change was not passed by the Wallingford Town Council Tuesday evening. Everyone seems to have a rather different idea of what it might accomplish, and we should have more definition before enacting something of this kind.

It appears that a good many of the present workers at Pratt & Whitney plants in Cheshire and East Hartford are electing to accept the buyout offer reached a couple of weeks ago. With 469 out of the 500 anticipated, the job of figuring out which jobs will go where will be simplified.

Fixing the Meriden water filtration plant at Broadbrook will be more expensive than anticipated but should fix the taste problem that many have complained about. Remember that a clean public water supply is the single most important element of public health.

Word that the next Great Connecticut Jazz Festival will have to wait until July of 2012, due to a slight drop in attendance which made backers reluctant to schedule another event so soon. It will be all the more eagerly awaited at the Four Points, Meriden, in a year and a half.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Dec. 21, 2010

Open comment session of Meriden’s City Council drew 12 speakers Tuesday evening, and seemed to afford those who came a chance to express various concerns. Is this a First Amendment right? Who knows? More important, though, is “what happens next?”

Stream flow is back before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Regulations Review Committee, this time minus ground water rules which derailed the measure before. This is a step which needs to be taken in the public interest in ready and fair distribution of water supplies among towns, businesses and ecological concerns.

While legislators Adinolfi (Cheshire) and Fasano (Wallingford) are seeking to beef up three-strikes laws regarding “violent” offenders, they should reduce judicial discretion with great care. It is that discretion which protects many values.

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Dec. 19, 2010

CL&P has offered to extinguish streetlights in downtown Meriden after midnight for businesses which request such a change. Judging from initial reactions from several different interests, public and private, commercial and non-profit, there will be few takers.

Officer Michael Boothroyd will join the Neighborhood Initiative Unit in Meriden in January. His job will focus on assessing community concerns and instituting traffic enforcement at select locations, which may help bring drivers into line with the law.

The Department of Children and Families with help from Meriden's Maloney High School’s DECA organization held a party for kids in adoptive or foster homes this week. The event, which included a visit from Santa, has been in the planning since the summer.

The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Dec. 18, 2010

We hope that the Parks and Recreation Department building in Wallingford will get a patch which will last at least through the winter. The place has had some problems lately.

First public comment session set for after the City Council meeting in Meriden, this Monday evening. It will be interesting to see how the meeting runs.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Dec. 17, 2010

Meriden School board is moving toward requiring recess on a daily basis in al; the elementary schools. It may only be 15 minutes, but it’s time that belongs to the students.
The repair job done on electric lines along Gravel Street in Meriden
may have been designed to demonstrate that public utility projects can be finished within the time period promised. The only problem – a slight one – was that CL&P was too quick and didn’t take as long as they expected.

Meriden City Council’s Economic Development, Housing & Zoning Committee is on a cusp regarding digital billboard approval for city property near I-91. There are a number of the changing signs around Connecticut and if the concern is distraction, they’re way less bothersome than cell phones.

In voting to terminate the term of Cheshire’s town historian every two years when a new council is seated, the majority has shown a scant appreciation of the fact that history lasts for more than two years. There was no need that anyone can see to make such a change without even listening to the current incumbent.

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Dec. 15, 2010

Cheshire’s Town Council has voted to accept the state grant for the artificial turf field at the high school. With this decision now settled, we hope this long delayed project can move foreward quickly and usefully.

Governor-Elect Malloy has met with leaders of Connecticut industry and told them that when he takes office the state will be “open for business.” We will await with interest the exact shape of that promise.

Southington Education Foundation has set its sights on a “big ticket” plan, an educational facility focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A long term project, the foundation has hopes of locating it at the Y’s Camp Sloper.

While it’s good to know that Covanta has located the source and cause of pollution leaks at the Trash-to-Energy plant in Wallingford, and halted them, it will be more reassuring to know that the leaks will not be repeated.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Dec. 14, 2010

Southington: the deal with North Center School not transparent? Perhaps, but it is an ingenious solution to the twice rejected plans to replace antiquated town buildings with something more suitable for modern working conditions.

Wallingford’s Board of Education naturally wants to be involved in the film proposed about the Powder Puff Game in consideration of the kids, etc. But consider the probable shape and quality of a film made by ten different directors, the professional and nine others.

The probate headquarters of the merged court will be in Cheshire rather than Southington, based on the available space, but that should make no difference to those with business before the judge, who will hear matters in both communities.

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Dec. 13, 2010

Last Sunday was rainy, just to put it mildly, with about 2.5 inches during the storm, in the Meriden area. We all know that into every statistical period a little rain must fall, but must it drop the full monthly quota of precipitation all at once?

The artwork done just last month at Meriden's Lincoln Middle School by bilingual students featuring the Charter Oak on Christmas ornaments under the direction of Mark Patnode wound up on display at the White House, a fine event. But was it history or art?

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Dec. 12, 2010

Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Joette Katz, who was the youngest person ever appointed to the state high court 18 years ago, is resigning to accept Governor-Elect Malloy’s appointment to be Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families. It’s a challenging job, both managerially and politically, butKatz can do it if anyone can; one likes what one reads of her.

The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Dec. 11, 2010

Bond Commission approved cash for uncovering Harbor Brook at the Hub in Meriden as well as for bridges in Wallingford and Southington and new rolling stock for Shoreline East and buses for the Vo-Tech schools. Of course, we’ll all have to pay for them.

When Lisa Sinclair’s 6th grade classes at Meriden’s Washington Middle School did not know who Adolph Hitler was, she changed courses and invited Bernie Frydenberg, a Holocaust survivor who lives in the city, to come and speak, an excellent signal of school-room flexibility. One can’t help noting that the days in which there will be people around who can relate first hand memories of that horror are becoming numbered.

The DOT will store sediment removed from Harbor Brook near the Cook Avenue bridge in Meriden on a lot at the corner of Miller and Center Streets. Seems like a good place for a time until all can be tested, though if anything dangerous emerges (and there’s no sign it will) further precautions would be needed.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Dec. 10, 2010

Meriden Superintendent Mark Benigni took a group of local realtors around to city schools after giving a slide show on the plus side of his city. Benigni’s approach is to be applauded and supported as both useful and innovative.

It’s hard to see any justification for opposition in principle to state regulations on stream flow and ground water use, such as seems to be coming from Wallingford. Surely, in principle, there’s as much reason, in a world soon to be short of fresh water, to regulate as there is to set standards for waste water.

Southington: it’s evident that all is not smooth sailing among members of the Board of Finance. We hope they work matters out, as that sort of discord makes a hash out of functioning.

State: another kind of fuel, liquefied natural gas, is going to be sold at a station near Bridgeport along I-95. This is the third alternative stations this fall, the first two being hydrogen and electricity stations.

The Editor's Notepod, Thurs., Dec. 9, 2010

Wallingford has won approval for a new Incentive Housing Zone, a six-block area in the heart of the town. It will be very interesting to watch how and if this develops as hoped.

An additional 8-classroom wing for all-day kindergarten at Meriden's Hanover School is approved. Presumably, the planners have figured out how the new wing will fit onto the property, and it appears that the city owns a good chunk of land.

It appears that the potential budget cuts facing Meriden’s schools may not be as huge as foretold. We hope that turns out to be the case, but a contingency plan is still a good idea.

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Dec. 8, 2010

Meriden: it sounds as if the new or redesigned high schools will change mainly in the technology capability. If it looks “too much” like today’s schools, will the plan be hard to sell?

Southington: The Learning Experience planned facility on West Street needs to be accompanied by up-to-date traffic prognoses and by serious info about noise and management.

The Editor's Notepod, Tues. Dec. 7, 2010

Meriden: One is concerned that the decision on the animal slaughtering issue may have taken the matter too far and been motivated too much by non-health-related concerns. On the other hand, there should be a clear understanding of just what might be culturally required and what isn’t; there are limits.

Wind power is proving controversial as Prospect considers a plan to build two in that nearby community. In Wyoming there are large fields of wind towers which operate regularly and supply a considerable portion of the state’s electricity, and they look a lot better than, say, any one of Connecticut’s filthy five.

State: no argument with the fact that Connecticut has badly neglected equipment – and many other things – at the vo-tech schools, so that kids graduate learning to use machines which are generations removed from what is actually in use. This is a good place for the state to invest.

The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Dec. 6, 2010

Requiring a fourth year of high school math education for Meriden students is a good step, but care should be taken not to do so at the expense of other subjects. One wonders, too, if that fourth year could not be eased into the existing three by accelerating studies for those most attuned.

Billboards, electronic, at the end of Barr Road in Meriden, near I-91? Why not, since we’ve already gotten into the business. The ultimate question, though, is “How many are enough?”

The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Dec. 5, 2010

Wallingford: no big surprise that residents have not been furiously calling about the new assessments received in November, despite a December 9 deadline for appeal. But even though the general assessment was downward, people can still face tax increases based on either reallocation of tax burden from commercial to residential or on an increase in expenditures.

The movement in Connecticut to change the rules on access to original information concerning adoption is interesting and important particularly regarding medical history. But the actuality of ex post facto changing a legally private arrangement after the fact because social views have evolved is somewhat troubling.

Southington’s denitrification plant has some glitches which are interesting chemically (since this is an inherently interesting process) but kind of expensive to control. It’s a good effort to have completed this plant and saves the cost of buying nitrogen credits while helping the plants and animals which inhabit Long Island Sound and which play a part in the state economy.

The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Dec. 4, 2010

Meriden: Swings in the student population would seem to be an inevitable result of local demographics. It would be wise to see what can be done to improve retention rates at the high schools, though that may be an expensive undertaking.

The Southington PTO is began its undertaking to beef up the high school’s library with a book drive at the vo-ag building. It’s certainly sensible to begin with as low-cost a strategy as possible.

The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Dec. 3, 2010

Meriden: A large project (over a mile of roadway and $8.7 million) is in the works for Gravel St. and Baldwin Ave. It seems to be a good thing that work is not to be connected to the federal stimulus program, as that causes delays.

Southington and Cheshire seem still to need to work out the necessity of accommodating the newly merged probate court. It’s a hard issue for both communities, probably best handled before and not after the merger takes effect.

It was elected officials who turned out to help fund Platt and Maloney High School’s Youth and Government program, trimmed earlier this year. This was a singularly appropriate source of help for the popular Meriden program, but much appreciated all the same.

The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Dec. 1, 2010

Meriden: School board is working out how to craft policies which will help provide recess time for kids in school every day. This is an excellent direction in which to move.

Justice Joette Katz of Connecticut’s Supreme Court has been tapped by governor elect Malloy to serve as his Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families. This is a critical job and one for which the soon-to-be-former justice appears to have a number of important qualifications.