The Editor's Notepod, Thur., Feb. 9, 2012

Again, regarding its two high schools (and thank goodness there’s no law which says each municipality must have one school no matter how large), Meriden built its schools at the same time, so their similar needs now is no surprise. No matter when improvements are carried out, people will complain about the price, so it makes sense to pick a course and stick to it.

More money for Meriden and anywhere else, as proposed by Governor Malloy, for schools under the Education Cost Sharing system, is wonderful and welcome. But observe that the $1.78 million suggested must be applied to a gap of $4.5 million.

Northeast Utilities owns nearly 15 square miles of Connecticut, larger than several of the state’s municipalities. We are glad for this and other reasons that the Connecticut Fund for the Environment has asked to intervene in the regulatory review of the proposed purchase by NU of NSTAR, the giant holding company which owns Boston electrical operations.

The homeless woman who enrolled her son in Norwalk schools last year using her babysitter’s address instead of in Bridgeport where she could be said to have “lived,” is going to plead guilty to theft of $15,000 of services and the prosecutor is recommending 5 years in prison. Considering what some bank embezzlers receive, many of them people who might be thought to know better, that recommendation seems cruelly excessive.

It will be interesting to learn how Meriden’s new and functioning police communications system can be made accessible for those who want to listen in. It’s an important capability in keeping police activity transparent to the public it serves.

The Wallingford Education Foundation will give town adults – parents, politicians, teachers, professionals – a chance to demonstrate their spelling skills. Or not. The event, which is designed to be fun rather than competitive, is in aid of the Foundation’s project of upgrading the Mahan Planetarium at Sheehan High School, a project of great vision (what else?).