The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Feb. 15, 2012

Because estimates were so badly wrong, Southington’s town council is considering how to ease impact on property owners along West Street, Williamsburg Drive and some other residential streets. While this may be a good idea, it could also set a precedent for aiding all sewer projects – which is maybe a good idea as well, but is certainly one for discussion.

Wilcox Tech in Meriden is embarking on a “like-new” make-over which will take a good three years plus. We wonder what square footage rules have been applied to Wilcox, considering the issues about Platt’s and Maloney’s auditoriums?

Giorgio Fareira certainly managed to sing for his supper at the right time and place (Wallingford’s Sonic). We hope the Fairfield man’s good luck is amplified into something lasting and good.

Wallingford added $5,000 to its Fuel Crisis Program at Mayor Dickinson’s request, following cuts in federal monies. We hope this will get people through the winter.

Meriden city council’s finance committee has recommended buying and razing two buildings along South Colony St. for the relocation of Harbor Brook in flood control efforts. This would be a sensible step in this long and expensive project.

Connecticut’s Supreme Court has okayed a secret list of UConn donors, in what amounts to a blow at the Freedom of Information Act. This has become standard for the court over the years.

Southington is trying out a Safety Camera Enforcement Pilot Program which will place cameras on school buses to record drivers illegally passing. That should definitely demonstrate whether this is a major problem or not, but it could also be used, one would think, to keep tabs on what goes on inside those school buses, where, from time to time, discipline can be a problem.

Meriden’s new augmented website includes a wealth of information not only about projects in various stages of planning but also with maps and various data sets which can answer just about all your questions.

According to some on the City Council, voting districts in Meriden are to be “slashed,” by which is meant reduced in number from 17 – admittedly a very odd number – to something more in line with what other cities have, with a resulting savings, it is thought, at polling places with election staff. It’s always good to save money, but one does wonder whether such a change would confuse voters and actually save enough to make it worthwhile.