Dossin Beach Showdown?

Apparently, there is a conflict brewing between two local organizations dedicated to enjoying the natural environment Meriden provides.

I received this e-mail from Anna Neumon today.

"The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association needs your help.

I am sending this email as an individual and former Deputy Mayor of Meriden. I am very concerned and appalled that an action of The Meriden Linear Trail Advisory Committee will jeopardize the presence of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association Headquarters in Meriden at Hanover Pond.

The QRWA has a lease with the City, which gives them use of eighty feet of land around the building as well as water access.

On April 23, 2009, @6:30 p.m. Meriden City Hall, room 28, the Linear Trail Committee members will vote on the design of Phase II of the trail. The design shows that the trail will be constructed directly behind the building which QRWA leases and effectively obstruct access to the water. It is irreprehensible that this would be allowed to happen and that the actions of a Committee of the City would cause financial harm to a non-profit organization. This action will heavily impact income from any water related programs as well as make it physically difficult to cross over a paved trail with pedestrians, bicycles, roller blades, baby strollers and wheelchairs etc. passing while carrying a canoe or kayak by staff and youth members.

The QRWA has offered alternative solutions which have fallen on deaf ears (see minutes of meetings posted on City website). The committee seems intent on placing the trail behind the building, regardless of any concerns of or consideration of the QRWA.

Should the committee decide to construct the trail behind the building, it may force the QRWA to move its headquarters and programs to another location in another city. Should you agree that the trail must NOT go behind the building, please attend the meeting on the 23rd if you can not attend, call or write the following, as well as forward this email to inform any interested party of what is about to take place."

Anna P. Neumon

Now, Anna has a long history of community involvement, including terms on the City Council (and its Deputy Mayor) and the Conservation Commission. So, too, does Joe Zajac, who has been heading up the Linear Trail Committee since its successful inception of Phase I of the Meriden Linear Trail. At issue here is the extension of the trail under Phase II, which was approved by the City and undergoing planning for some time. I'm not aware of the details, but it seems strange that there is a possible argument over access. The City has provided property to both organizations to develop greater appreciation of the natural resources in Meriden. I can't see a trail blocking access to Hanover Pond from the QWRA building, nor can I see why trail builders cannot make sure a crossing point can be designed to accommodate the carrying of kayaks, canoes and boats to the pond. Coincidentally, Mary Mushinsky, the Executive Director of QWRA is also the prime supporter of the Wallingford Linear Trail. I'm sure her years of experinence with both entities can provide some enlightened solution.. Before this escalates into another episode of Meriden fighting Meriden, let's hope all parties (The Linear Trail Committee, QWRA, the City) can get in a room and reason together.

There's plenty of outdoors for everybody.

Boards and Commissions II

It looks like we have a controversial appointment this season. Democrat Ross Gulino, a potential alternate to the Planning Commission, has been called into question by someone who believes he has a lawsuit against the city. The Record Journal has weighed in via its editorial page as well.

Because another interested party was not accepted as an appointee by the mayor since she had lodged a complaint regarding potential discrimination over bidding notifications, a cloud formed over Gulino because of a lawsuit filed with his name on it a decade ago regarding the Ridgeline Protection Act. The mayor, desiring to be fair, wants to be sure the vetting rules are being applied consistently.

As noted in an earlier post, the vetting process has never been overly formal. As long as the appointee was an elector, paid up in taxes, and expressed a desire to serve the City in some appointed capacity, they were generally approved. Usually, there was no deep dive into one's background...their word was usually good enough. And a willingness to volunteer for normally thankless jobs in this "let someone else do it" day and age was a big qualification. But, over recent times, a check of the registrars' and tax records was made to confirm the word. Litigation never really was an issue discussed or pursued.

This year is different. Because of the recent flap over Gulino's appointment, a more formal vetting process is being proposed. Letters are to go out to all potential appointees, whether new or veteran board members or commissioners, seeking light on matters of current political affiliation, taxes and legal actions against the City. It is hoped that the responses will show taxes paid, and courts and regulatory agencies free of any initiatives on the appointee's part. It will be interesting to see what happens, though, if any prominent folk owe a motor vehicle tax for several years, or have a "slip and fall" suit that's been lingering for years. And even the best vetting process will have its flaws, as President Obama continually finds out.

As to Gulino, I understand that he has no ownership interest in the corporation that filed suit under his father's name 10 years ago, and that in fact he doesn't believe the corporation, of which he was secretary in order to meet the filing guidelines, even exists anymore. If that's true, and should be easily found out, this particular objection to his appointment should be removed.

I'm sure his opponents will come up with something else, though.

Boards and Commissions

As recently reported in the Record Journal (Boards and Commissions), the Mayor has submitted his appointments to the City Council. The City Charter grants the mayor this power of appointment:

§ C3-3. J. How appointments by City Council made. The Mayor shall recommend any and all appointments to officers or positions within the appointing power of the City
Council (except as to chairpersons of Council Standing Committees to the City Council) for approval. The City Council may, within its next two regular meetings after submission of a recommendation by the Mayor, reject said recommendation by
majority vote of the entire membership except as herein otherwise specified, in failure of which said recommendation shall be deemed confirmed.

Most often, the appointments are ratified readily, although there have been fights. The Council debated heavily on the reappointment of Roger DeZinno to the planning commission by former Mayor Joe Marinan. DeZinno was reappointed on parliamentary procedure. Curiously, back in 2006 when I started this blog, Ross Gulino was appointed in place of Art Geary, who had fought his removal. (Week in Review). Art was ultimately reappointed. This time, Ross is to be appointed, as an alternate, and Art will be leaving once again. And I recall rejecting former Mayor Mark Benigni's replacement for Brit Hall on the ZBA several years ago. The Republicans wished to replace Brit with another of their party. Brit wanted to stay on, and he had been doing a good job in my estimation. I supported him, even though we've disagreed on a number of zoning appeal issues, but I didn't think there was a good reason for a good man like him to be ousted. The mayor reappointed him, and the Council approved.

That's the way it works. Openings occur from time to time on all the boards and commissions. Usually recommendations to fill positions come from the respective party chairmen, but occasionally citizens will write or contact the mayor directly with their interest. The mayor may consider the offer, see if there's a good fit on a board, and presumably does some vetting of the individual (a local elector, no tax delinquency, a commitment to serve, and ideally some expertise in the area the board or commission controls). When I was Majority Leader, I would review the proposed recommendations with the Mayor before they were presented to the Council to see if there were any problems, and to advise whether the Council would have any potential objections. (for example, the Brit Hall removal several years ago.). The Charter requires a two-meeting vetting period after the list is presented to the Council, and then it's generally approved. Mark Benigni started the 2 week vetting period for the off-cycle appointments, and that seems to have been working well.

This is Mayor Mike Rohde's first time at appointments, although he's well-versed in the process, having served as Majority Leader twice before his appointment by the Council last July. I have no doubt his recommendations are sound. It's interesting that he's added We the People representatives along with the regular mix of Ds, Rs, and Us. One thing I don't necessarily agree with though: I don't think length of service should be a major reason to remove a board or commission member. New blood is a good thing, if the process allows for it. But if a member has been serving well, a minimum of absences, and isn't totally out of whack philosophically with the Mayor, they should be allowed to continue if they choose. If it is the philosophical reason, then say so. For example, the mayor has made it clear that the current ZBA Chair, Ed Jones, should resign. Although he's not up for appointment this year, I have no doubt the mayor would not accept Mr. Jones offer to continue. But that's all up front as it should be. If it's just length of service, then some politicians should not be allowed to run again; Mr Weischel would not have been able to serve Southington as its town manager so well over the last 3 decades. And I'm not going to comment on the mayor of Wallingford's number of terms in office. AndI'm sure there are a number of fine Meriden citizens who've been serving for years on boards that are not being asked to leave, just because they've been there a long time. Fair's fair.

If you want to review the list of appointees, call the City Council office for a review. If you have comments on any, let your City Councilor know. And then see how the vote goes in a month.

Update on State Board of Ed nominee

I see that Linda McMahon was appointed to the state Board of Ed after successful votes in the House and Senate. (See post below).

After emailing all our House delegation, I had heard back from Buddy Altobello, who noted the Senate had approved her, and Cathy Abercrombie, who was waiting to hear the debate on the floor. I did not hear from Chris Donovan.

Checking the vote tally, all three voted in favor of the appointment. I'm still wondering what Ms McMahon's qualifications were, beyond being a contributor to Governor Rell's campaigns, and that she's a trustee of Sacred Heart University.

Gubernatorial Chats

Former General Assembly Speaker James Amann came to the Meriden Democratic Town Committee this past week to discuss his candidacy for Governor. He is the only declared candidate so far, but Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and Stamford Mayor Dann Malloy are only a press conference away from joining officially. Unofficially they've been off and running.

The meeting was attended by a reasonably good crowd of town committee members, elected officials from the City Council and BOE (the state delegation is busy in session), several Teamsters there to support Jim, and a few other interested parties.

Jim gave a brief history of his knowledge of Meriden (no better or worse than other politicians outside our city) and a nod to the fact that we're the home of a past Majority Leader (Tom Luby) and his current successor as Speaker, Chris Donovan. After giving his pitch on becoming governor, he took questions. I say took, because instead of directly answering most of them, he recounted the history of why some of the issues were so important: jobs, educational funding, avoiding the divisiveness of primaries, release of approved bonding monies. All were important to the attendees, and while Jim clearly had a command of the facts, he shared little of what he would do if elected governor. It may be because it's too early in the game to get pinned down, but it will be interesting to see how his competitors will answer those questions when they come to town. Susan Bysiewicz is up to bat next month.

State Board of Ed Nominee

I was surprised to see that the State Senate almost unanimously voted for Linda McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment for a position on the State Board of Education.

Linda McMahon Story

I only know of the woman from what I've read, and while her entertainment acumen seems strong, just having an interest in education doesn't seem enough credentials for this important board. Kudos to State Senator Joan Hartley of Waterbury for her lone vote against.

It now goes to the House, and I've written our Meriden delegation on my opinion that they vote to oppose. Or let me know why they think she'd be a good add. We'll see what happens.

Fielding

I think the Meriden City Council was prudent in holding off any decision to move the Jack Barry Little League from its current site on Brittania St. The City has invested both its own and state money to improve this complex over the years, and its a great venue for those kids in that part of the City. We should look to solving the flooding problem, and I'm pretty sure that area is part of the flood control implementation study being led by Phil Ashton these many years. Even if you move the league, the flooding needs to be resolved, so let's do it. As to the 90 foot major field, I hear the American Legion is selling its field. The City should buy it and maintain it as a field that can be used and shared by Jack Barry, Ed Walsh and So Meriden Leagues. (If you're interested in helping out the Jack Barry Little League, check out this interesting and creative method found in MyRecordJournal.com):

bigbassdrum

02-12-2009 03:21 PM

---

You can Help Jack Barry Little League

Jack

Barry Little League has been nominated for the Frosted Flakes Plant a Seed program. If Jack Barry were to be one of the 30 winning fields in the country, they will come in and rebuild the playing fields at no costs... Imagine that! But it is based on votes on the website so we need people to vote, many times each - kind of like Florida politics! Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/helpjbll
Please forward onto everyone in your network and take the time to vote for Jack Barry...takes 1 minute.

_____________________________________________________
I don't agree with moving the Raiders to Ceppa, either, and I'm glad that organization agrees. One of the main reasons we redeveloped Falcon Field was to remove the stress that regular football placed on Ceppa. Keep them in Washington Park as they wish, let them continue to earn money to support themselves at the concession stand, and leave the rest of the park unfenced.

Time to dust off....

Wow, it's been almost two years since I posted here! It goes to the belief that blogs are not easy to keep up with, even though everyone seems to have one. While on the City Council, I thought it would be a good way to keep information flowing, but learned how hard it was to write here with council activities, regular (read: paying!) work and family commitments eating up the day's time. No guarantee that won't occur again. But I don't have the City Council's workload anymore.

So here's another attempt to reach out into the blogosphere, where there are as many entries as there are stars, it seems, some with great followings, some just a place to jot musings with nary an echo. Also, with the advent of the Record Journal's blogs and forums, there is a central place to check what's going on in the city and observe, opine or just plain vent. But there's room for other places to visit, and I hope this can be one.

There's a lot to talk about in Meriden: the looming budget, the Plan of Conservation and Development (full disclosure, I was on the committee that created the update); zoning issues, economic development (or non-development, depending on your point of view), educational issues, the fall municipal elections, our state delegation's notoriety of late...plenty to jaw about.

Let's see if I get any echoes on anything.

Budget Time

There have been two meetings so far concerning the 2007-2008 Municipal Budget. Both have been televised, and based on feedback I've been getting around town, that's been appreciated.

The Finance Committee has heard presentations from Planning, Code and Enforcement, Public Utilities, Public Works, Parks and Rec, Police, Fire, Library and Finance. The council members have been asking good questions, not necessarily poking holes in the City Manager's recommendations, but not leaving them unchallenged either. Especially in the Police and Finance budgets, both which have positions either being left unfilled (Police) or eliminated (the Tax Collector in the Finance Department). The latter is the most radical, and bears close scrutiny.

I've told my fellow councilors that everyone of us has favorite areas we've supported over the years...it's no secret I've worked hard over the years to keep the BOE satisfactorily funded to meet its goals, and the Library open and staffed as much as possible...but this year the line must be seen and held.

The public is invited to listen and ask questions of the staff or councilors regarding the budget. Unfortunately, only one or two do, and they are at most meetings enjoying their time in front of the camera. The BOE's budget is on tap for review next Thursday, April 12. As it consumes near half the city budget, it would be a good one for people who have strong opinions to come and ask their questions. You will get answers...maybe not the ones you want, but this is the time and place. Brian Kogut has been doing a good job managing this portion of the meetings, making sure questions are asked and answered. As he points out, the time for comment will be at the public hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, starting at 6 pm. We've arranged to have the public hearing held at Lincoln Middle School, and it will be video-taped. Again, that time is for public comment, not debate, on the budget. The Council will be listening, I assure you. Of course, your input via the normal channels, letters to the editor, emails or calls to the council members, informal meetings around town at the stores, fields, coffee shops and restaurants, or even posts to this blog will be acknkowledged as well. At least by this councilor...

More on Revaluation

Many of us on the City Council have heard quite a bit about revaluation, both in the public wherever we happen to be, and in emails. Below is a good sample of some that I've received, and a response from the City Manager. (I replied directly as well, but I thought Larry's was a good answer worth sharing). For privacy's sake, I removed personal identification of the writer, other than his first name.

The City Council continues to assess what steps can be taken to soften the overall effect of the revaluation, from phase-in, to spending actions, to increased economic development opportunities. As always, your input and ideas are welcome. Please share at our email addresses found on the City's website .

Subject: Mill Rate and assessments

Mayor Benigni and Mr Kendzior and City Council Members,

I am writing this letter as a result of the recently received reassessments of the homes in Meriden and the running commentary in the Record Journal about the mill rate. First let me start by saying that I was alarmed by the amount of the increase in the assessment value of my home. I also find it very strange that the assessment increased so much in a housing market that is beginning its decline. Meriden has always been a reasonably priced place to live, however, the assessments and the proposed 30% mill rate will make that no longer a reality.

Let me explain. For the working class person with a family of four, the average increase will be somewhere between $100-$150 per month. Where do you propose that the money comes from? The only really acceptable mill rate is somewhere between 20-22. That would afford a minimal increase in the residents taxes and would be understandable. At a 30 Mill rate the increase is almost a 25% increase on property taxes per year! I would also like to know what additional services we will be getting if that 30% Mill Rate is applied. Will we not have to pay for bulky waste any more? Will the overcrowded classrooms become less? Will you finish the sidewalk all the way up Liberty Street since I was told that you ran out of money for that project for this year? Will the city be cleaner?

What happens when we run out of money and can’t pay our taxes? Is there no penalty for us like there is no penalty for the city not servicing the residents when they run out of money for things? I think not.

I ask you as a citizen of the city to look at that mill rate very carefully. 30% is by no means a bargain to live in this city. I have heard and seen people throwing around that number with a smile. We as residents of Meriden are not smiling about that, or the proposed increases. We are not receiving any more benefits than we have and now we will have to pay 25% more to live here. In a declining housing market and a tough economy, you would be making it very easy for us to leave (and leave quickly) the city and pay taxes to a smaller town that keeps their expenses in check and does not make the residents who live, work, shop etc in their communities pay through the nose to help pay for budget shortfalls that are attributed the government of the city, not necessarily the residents.

I look forward to you re-visiting these issues and making a favorable decision for the residents of this city.

Brian, Meriden Taxpayer

___________________________

Dear Brian-

Thank you for your well written note. The impact of revaluation is a serious concern to all of us as residents and taxpayers, and to all city officials and staff. As someone with responsibility for setting City policy, it is good to hear from concerned citizens like yourself.

State law requires that all classes of real property be revalued every five years. The change in your assessment's a change from the last revaluation in 2001. The impact of each revaluation depends on the relative change in real estate values among the different classes of property: residential, commercial and industrial. In 2001 commercial and industrial values increased at a greater rate than residential values, and as a result a greater portion of the overall local tax burden was shifted onto owners of business property, and residential owners were impacted very little. That revaluation went into effect with very little public notice for that reason.

In 2006, the situation is different. Residential values rose in the period from 2001 to 2006 at a rate that is almost twice that of commercial property and five times that of industrial property. The new assessments reflect actual sales data taken over a 2 1/2 year period, right up to the end of September, 2006. Although the housing market in Meriden has slowed, the sales data reflects only a small decrease in the last two months. The trend was taken into consideration, and the new assessment for residential properties sold during the period when that sales data was collected average seven percent less than the actual sales.

However, the relatively greater increase in residential values does cause a shift in the tax burden, one that is not taken lightly. While we will not know what the new mill rate will be until after all the assessment appeals are heard and the list of taxable property, including motor vehicle and business property figure which are not yet available, is finalized, and we are able to estimate the amount of state revenue and other revenues the City will receive, and decisions on the budget are made, it is clear that the percentage of the local tax bill paid by residential owners will increase and the portion paid by commercial and industrial property owners, and motor vehicle owners, will decrease, on average.

This occurs even if local taxes are not raised as a whole. At 28.25 mills, assuming that the motor vehicle and business property part of the tax list remains the same, every extra dollar paid by a residential owner is offset by a dollar decrease to commercial, industrial, motor vehicle and business property owners. In other words, revaluation does not result in additional revenue or result in increased spending., even though it causes the tax bill of residential owners to increase on average.

The impact of revaluation is something that the Mayor, City Council and city staff have been concerned about for some time, and we have tried to take steps with regard to expenses to offset that impact to the extent possible. The cost of the amount authorized for city projects paid from bonding was cut by half two years ago and is proposed to be cut by half again this year. The wage increase negotiated with our employee bargaining units have been lowest ever, and employees pay a greater share of their health care costs than ever before. Positions have gone unfilled, filled at a lower rate of pay, and departments reorganized to decrease wage costs, which are the primary city expense. (Italics mine. STZ)

I'm quite sure that this year the examination of the proposed budget will be even more intense. However, just like homeowners, some City expenses, like electricity, gas, gasoline, heating oil, and health care, increase despite our best efforts. Steps that we have taken have lessened the rate of increase of those types of expenses, but the absolute costs still have risen.

At this point, it appears you are taking the proper step of making sure that your own assessment reflects the value of your property. I did take a look at your assessment, and the increase is somewhat less than the average residential increase, but you should ensure that the revaluation company has all its information on your home correct and bring to their attention any appraisal information you may have or information on the sale of similar sized homes in your neighborhood. A quick check of the change in your tax situation, assuming your assessment on your home and motor vehicles doesn't change, and using the revenue neutral mill rate of 28.25, shows that your annual tax bill would increase by approximately $370 for the year. That is not an insubstantial amount, but it is less than the $100-150 a month mentioned in your note. Of course, all of those numbers are only estimates until the budget is set.

There are options allowed by law to phase in the new assessment numbers over more than one year, and I know that the City Council will be examining those very carefully. We do need to lessen the impact of revaluation on residential owners as much as possible, but at the same time there has to be equity for owners of other kinds of property whose taxes would otherwise decrease. Once you are satisfied that you have done what you can to ensure that your assessment correctly reflects your property value, and as the budget hearing process goes forward, you have the opportunity to offer your ideas and thoughts on the level of spending necessary to maintain those essential services you mentioned, and I am confident that the Mayor and Council will be paying attention, particularly this budget year.

Lawrence J. Kendzior

Meriden City Manager

Christmas in the Village

A little history from one of the founders of this popular annual event, one that is growing in popularity each year. It represents what people can do when they get together as a community.

Christmas in the Village 2006
By Keith Gordon

8^th Annual Christmas in the Village will take place on Saturday December 2, 2006.

Christmas in the Village started over a cup of coffee and a Snapple at Tom’s Place. Tom Caliendo, owner of Tom’s, and myself were talking about how we could bring some additional unity back to the Village of South Meriden. We decided to have a yearly Christmas in the Village celebration not knowing if it would take off and continue. It took off and it has been continuing each year even though we did get snowed out around three years ago. Tom and I started to talk to other stake holders in the Village, i.e., business, neighborhood leaders, churches, schools, South Meriden Fire and our community police officers. Well, we put it together, and the first year we had over 600 attend. The event now brings over 2,000 each year to the Village where neighbors greet neighbors, friends meet friends, and newcomers come and meet new friends and families come together to enjoy the sprit of the holidays.
We open the event with the Santa parade at 2:00 p.m. led by the Washington Drum Corp and a host of seasonal personalities. Santa is then stationed at The Fire Station where children get the opportunity to sit with Santa and tell him their holiday requests and get their pictures taken. Kellie and Sean Moore provide holiday music and sing-alongs from the beginning to the end at the fire station, along with face painting which is provided to all who choose to enjoy the art of Ruth Gordon from Fantasy faces by Ruth. For the past two years we have had Meriden Police crime prevention officer Tom Cirillo and his assistant doing AMBER Alert registration at the fire station. Also this registration helps keep our children safe and is a free service.
South Meriden Trinity United Methodist has a children’s bazaar and games, and New Life Church this year will have a Living Nativity and goodies to munch on.
If everything goes correctly Hanover School will have its annual holiday book sale also.
The Main stage has entertainment happening during the event with master of ceremonies Ralph Riello giving away numerous gift items. There is the world’s best baked cinnamon apples stationed at Data Link Corp. located at Main and Camp Street, manned by Jim Cournoyer and Ed Haberli and crew. We have popcorn, chestnuts, cider, candy and hot chocolate. There are games and arts and crafts. The Meriden Library book mobile is out on Main Street also. We also have participation from the stores on Main Street, Deb’s Deli, Panda House, our New Karate School, Pet Parlor, Canine Training School, and the South Meriden Package Store. The two horse drawn wagons travel around the Village giving scenic rides, letting people off at several stops along the way.
Hanover School students supply the artwork decoration for the storefront windows, and the Christmas in the Village committee decorates the streetlights with seasonal wreaths that have been purchased by the committee.
South Meriden Volunteer Fire Fighters handle the Bon Fire each year that is located at the Riverside Park on Main Street. The Christmas tree at Riverside Park will be lit by a student from Hanover School while seasonal songs are song with Mr. and Mrs. Santa a little after 5:00 p.m.

Revaluation

The revaluation notices have been sent out. I will tell you, my eyebrows raised as much as everyone else's when I saw the increased assessment. I've been getting an earful in my wanderings around the city, and I know my fellow Councilors have been getting the same. We knew there would be a lot of anger and complaints over the values. Yet, the City must go forth, as revaluation is a state-mandated task, for all towns and Cities.

Because it only happens once every four years, (it used to be 10!), people forget the intent and process. That's why we asked the City Manager to have the City Assessor, Mike Modarski, to give a presentation at a recent City Council meeting. He also wrote an op-ed in the Record Journal, to give folks a bit of a heads up.

Doesn't matter. People are still upset, and I can't blame them. I did respond to an emailer through the City website with the following, trying to give some answers as I know them at this time:

HI, (E-mailer), thank you for your note, and it's not the first nor last that the City Council will be hearing on the matter of revaluation. It's one of the reasons we had the City Assessor give an overview of the process a couple Council meetings ago, and also had him write an op-ed, to help prepare and educate Meriden's citizens. Clearly, we have more work to do in this regard.

Revaluation is a jarring event for most home owners, but a necessary (and state-mandated) task the City must undergo every four years. It's even more daunting given the increase in market values of property in those past few years, the most being in residential values. The last revaluation saw the bigger hit on commercial properties. The purpose of revaluation is to "even" out and make fair property assessments against benchmarks that take into account current market values of similar properties. But I know it's hard to accept when you don't "see" the value of your home rising so fast on a regular basis. On the other hand, would you accept the current assessment number (figured at 70% of market value) as a reasonable offer on your house? You'd most likely be insulted.

What you're seeing is the first part of the process, the re-setting of your home's assessment value to bring it to current levels. The other critical component is the adustment of the mill rate, downward, which in theory provides a revenue-neutral figure for overall taxation purposes. However, that theory gets adjusted for a number of variables, and that's where it gets sticky for everyone. Our City Manager was posed some of the questions you asked on expected tax increases. Here was Larry Kendzior's response:

"I'm hesitant to identify a mill rate because that rate could change dramatically if the Council adopts a phase in, and different phase in plans would have different effects. I also don't want to be held to a specific rate without some idea of where the budget is headed. The other problem is that any projection on the mill rate is dependant on the final grand list number, which will change even more than usual because the Board of Assessment Appeals will undoubtedly lower many assessments. But we can certainly emphasize that the mill rate will be substantially reduced."

As you can see, the City Council and administration still have a lot of work to do, not only with the budget bu also we need to know where the grand list will land, and that information won't be known for some time. I know this may not serve to calm your nerves, but I ask that you be patient, and let the process go forth. As your notice said, there are appeals available, but until all the info is gathered, final answers can't be given just yet.

One positive note that rarely gets mentioned, however: motor vehicle taxes will be reduced as they will be assessed against that same lowered mill rate. Perhaps not enough to offset any tax increase due to revaluation, but it's something.

I hope I helped here a little, at least in information.

I'll be asking the City Manager to provide updates about revaluation from time to time as part of his report to the City Council at the end of our meeting. We have a lot to do on this. And I look forward to your comments.

This Land is Our Land....

This press release went out at 6 pm today:

"City Councilors Brian F. Kogut and Stephen T. Zerio, members of the Meriden City Council’s Ad Hoc Power Plant Committee, announced today that the transfer of approximately 357 acres of land located in Meriden has taken place. The closing on the property, resulting in the land transfer to the City of Meriden, took place on October 19, 2006 between the City of Meriden and Meriden Gas Turbines (MGT), the owner of the power plant site. It is expected that the land transfer documents will be recorded in the office of the Meriden City Clerk tomorrow, October 20. 2006. The 357 acres are in Meriden and are located around the power plant site and property around Beaver Pond. MGT is retaining the land on which the power plant is located.

“I’d like to credit the efforts of my fellow committee members, Brian Kogut and former City Councilor Joseph Ferrigno Feest, Mayor Benigni, the City Council and the local state delegation for their patience and persistence in working to see this important land transfer finalized after so many years,” said Zerio, the ad hoc committee chairman. “The City also owes a special thanks to the CT Siting Council and the Office of State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. The Siting Council took extraordinary steps in directing NRG to meet its original commitments, with cooperation from the Attorney General. We’d still be waiting for this day to happen without their strong support.”

“The transfer of the 357 acres to the City of Meriden was a condition of the original power plant approval,” said Kogut. “It has taken very long time and I am happy that the transfer has finally been concluded.”

The transfer of the land to the City of Meriden by MGT was the subject of an enforcement action brought by the CT Siting Council against MGT to require that the land be transferred to the City of Meriden. The City was represented by the law firm of Brown Rudnick, Associate City Attorney Deborah L. Moore and City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior. That action was settled in January, 2006. As part of that settlement, the City of Meriden was allowed to undertake a complete environmental review of the property.

BACKGROUND

PDC-El Paso Meriden applied to the CT Siting Council for a Certificate to build a 544 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant in the City of Meriden on August 27, 1998. The Siting Council approved the request on April 27, 1999, with the requirement that approximately 357 acres of excess land surrounding the power plant site located in the City of Meriden be donated to the City of Meriden. PDC-El Paso was later acquired by Meriden Gas Turbines (MGT) and its parent company NRG in December, 2001. According to Siting Council records, MGT suspended construction on the plant approximately two years later.

The CT Siting Council, through the Office of the Attorney General, initiated an enforcement action against MGT and its parent company NRG in CT Superior Court in August, 2005 seeking the transfer of the land to the City of Meriden. The Superior Court approved the settlement between the Siting Council, MGT and the City of Meriden (as a party of interest to the proceedings) in January, 2006. As part of the settlement agreement, the City of Meriden undertook a thorough and comprehensive environmental review of the property."

Great news for the City. Although there have been concerns and opponents of this project, to date the City has received over $11 million in undisputed tax payments, and now 357 new acres in the north part of our city, a tremendous addition to a land poor municipality. I've been asked what the City's plans are for the property, and my response is it's not going anywhere, there's no rush. We should just savor the moment.

Council Roundup

First, let me thank the stalwart few that have kept checking in on this blog over the past 3 months. Although there have been no new posts, people are still looking in, and I'm happy about that. And today I even got a response to an old post about bulky waste. (Check it out in the Bulky Waste post).


The City Council is working on a number of actions, projects and initiatives as Fall hits its peak. These are just a few:

• Finalizing plans for demolishing the Hub in late October, paving the way for a greenspace, flood control improvements, and opportunities for economic development;
• Concluding the sale of 55 West Main St, improving a key corner with commercial space, artist housing, and the continuance of the Castle Craig Playhouse;
• The restructure of the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department to allow more accountability and efficiency;
• Planning phase II of the Linear Trail, linking the Gorge by Red Bridge through Dossin Beach onto West Main St;
• Considering becoming the first City in Connecticut to call for and support actions by the General Assembly in achieving Universal Health Care for all;
• Awaiting the results of the committee looking to rebuild Falcon Field within the budgetary limits given ($2 million from the State, $2 million from the City);
• Preparing for the effects of revaluation of property in the coming year.

There is much more, but you can see the Councilors are busy. How are we doing?

Catch up.

I know, I know...where have I been?

Well, it is summer, and Council and committee meetings have been reduced (one wag said everytime we cancel a meeting we save the City $1 million!). Our house is in shambles due to long overdue remodeling as a result of water damage over a year ago; my paying job is in the middle of its busy season; and weekends are devoted to my daughter's softball team. So it's been hard to hit the blog of late, but I haven't forgotten it.

The best news we've recently received was an increase from Moody's for our bond rating, to A3 from Baa1. This is basically a financial report card which states to municipal investors that Meriden is not only financially sound, but with a solid future. It also means our taxpayers save money when the City does have to obtain financing for capital projects (street repair, building improvements, school construction...and yes, Falcon Field). I'm very pleased with this rating, which dropped several years ago. It's been one of my goals on the Finance Committee to see it return to this level, and this goal has been achieved. Now we need to maintain it, and seek to improve it once more in the future.

The Council approved the sale of property (the old Hanover House and adjacent lots) on Hanover St last week, as a result of placing it on the open market from one of our "on rotation" realtors. It happened to be Maier Real Estate who handled the sale, and yes, it's owned by one of the councilors, Sandy Maier Schede. However, she abstained from all discussion, debate, and voting on anything to do with this piece of property (she herself did not represent the City in the sale; one of the brokers in her office did) as the Code of Ethics requires. Nevertheless, the losing bidder, and some members of the public, would like to imply that this was a "shady" deal. It was not, and I will spend some time in a future post to explain how the City acquires and disposes of property...all with an approved process.

I'm amazed at the dialogue occuring regarding Councilors Lynes' and Santiago discussion on bilingual signs aimed at controlling litter. Both women may have their own point of view, but the piling on regarding what languages are on signs is frankly distracting everyone from the real issue: people are littering in the City, making it look a mess, and spitting in the eye of personal responsibility. The Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you' is known in all languages, and really shouldn't even need a sign. Come on, pick up after yourselves! And special kudos to the woman I saw early last Sunday morning, obviously on her walking exercise regime, with a plastic bag in her hand. She traversed apace south on Bee St, and east on East Main, all the while stopping periodically to pick up a can, stray piece of paper, or small bit of trash as she moved forward. I lost track of her by Dunkin Donuts, but I looked back, and the street was litter-free. And I know she didn't think anyone was watching. But I'm real glad she lives in Meriden.

If everybody did a little of what that walking woman did every day, we wouldn't need any signs...and people would have to find something else to pick on Patty and Hilda about.

Soap Box

We're back. It's been a busy month in our family, and time and family, work and Council activities hasn't let me post for a bit. Nevertheless, a few stalwarts have been sending in notes, and I appreciate that. I'll try to post more and respond better in the next few weeks.

The City is picking up some overdue expenses of the Humane Society, which provides the City a needed service in animal control, but has suffered from board turnovers and policies that work against them. How would you improve this situation?

The estimates for the Falcon Field project came in, at $5.6 million. The reaction of the Council was: no way! The Finance Committee, after much study and public input, did agree and recommend to the Council to support up to $2 million to match the State grant. We frankly can't believe the planners didn't pay attention to that limit of $4 million. The Finance Committe will take the matter up this Thursday. This councilor will not be supporting any increase.

The Bicentennial festivities are starting to heat up. I hope all of Meriden partakes in some of the excellent events planned. Let's really be proud of our 200 years and show it at the parade.

What's on your mind about the City?

The Soap Box

Well, as a recent poster noted, it's gotten pretty boring around here. The budget is done, the Daffodil Fest is over, the softball fields are open, the cops are on the street, and the mayor and his wife have had their new baby.

So time to put out the soap box and see what's on your mind.

Meriden's Budget, 2006-07

The City Council will be voting tomorrow night on the budget recommended by the Finance Committee. Barring any major changes proposed and debated on the floor, this budget will produce an increase of 1.99 mills, or an overall tax increase of just under 5%. A good portion of this increase, near 78%, is due to increases in education and public safety. Increased cost of health care, and energy increases are also significant cost drivers.

The BOE is receiving a little over $2 mllion from last year's original approved amount, a large amount no doubt, less in percentage than recent years. (Last year's appropriation was adjusted up due to a return of a part of the BOE's surplus, but this figure was not used as a "base.").The committee considered the excess paid to ACES for Edison School tuition, both in the current fiscal year and the proposed budget request for FY2006-07. The Finance Committee also factored in an expected increase of funds to come from the State for both special education and increased energy expenses. If the State does not grant these funds to the BOE, the Finance Committee will need to consider other appropriations for these costs to the BOE.

One of the few areas where the Finance Committee increased the City Manager's recommended budget was in the Police Department. Based on a recommendation from Council leadership, an increase of $170,000 to the Police overtime budget was inserted. This amount was approved by the Finance Committee as a necessary expense to increase the operations of the Crime Suppression Unit, in order not only to suppress crime in our inner city, but also to prevent it. The Finance Committee also added in $30,000 to assist funding of next year's Daffodil Festival, a line item that was not funded in the City Manager's recommended budget. Although this year's event enjoyed superior weather and crowds, which will raise funds for all involved, it is important that the City continue its support for this signature event.

This is my 11th budget since first elected to the Council. They get tougher every year, and I hear the constituents' pleas to cut. Unfortunately, the "Big Idea" for cutting taxes was not forthcoming, either by the City Manager, the Finance Committee, or the public. Unfortunately, the costs of government are impacted by many areas where we do not have control. The War on Terrorism, Katrina rebuilding, an unstable energy environment, and the Bush Administration's tax cuts all seem to require that the Federal Government decrease appropriation to the states. The states in turn must decrease the level of fundings to the municipalities, without reducing previous mandated legislation from both the federal and state level that cities and towns must implement. The ones left at the bottom of the hill are the local property owners, you and me. I pay the taxes too, and wish there were a way to reduce them. At best, we were able to minimize the increase. And next year brings revaluation....

HB 5525 and the City's Power Plant

On a separate front involving the power plant that is yet to be completed in Meriden, there is a bill in the General Assembly that, among other things, would allow the regulated utilities, (read CL&P, UI) to re-enter the energy generation market, one that was de-regulated several years ago to improve efficiencies and stabilize rates. In reading the bill, I think this section is detrimental to Meriden, in that it would forestall and perhaps eliminate the completion of this plant, one that was allowed in the first place for the taxes it would generate, and the land that would be transferred to the City. After a long hard-fought battle, it appears the land will be Meriden's soon. With this bill, however, the tax part of the deal is now in danger. I wrote the following email to our delegation and copied the Council tonight.

It is my understanding that this bill, "An Act Establishing an Energy and Technology Authority" contains provisions that could be detrimental to Meriden. If approved as proposed, it could seriously delay and even suspend the completion of the independent power project in Meriden currently owned by NRG. (Detailed status on the bill can be tracked here).
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Specifically, allowing the regulated utilities back into the generation business will upset the capital markets that have financed existing efforts by the private sector since energy deregulation was implemented, and will increase ,not decrease rates. Currently, private investors have several billion dollars invested in generation in CT as designed by de-regulation. The incremental re-regulation envisioned in HB 5525 will serve to put all of those assets at greater risk in the market. Lenders will respond as they always do by requiring higher return for their investment. Cost of debt service will increase at the vast majority of the plants in CT.

Consequently, allowing regulated utilities back into generation will cause the cost of capital for proposed approved projects, not only in Meriden, but also Oxford and Middletown, to increase to the point that they cannot be competitive. The result is they will not be built now or ever. Meriden's reason to allow its plant to be built was to assure a strong and increasing tax revenue over time. Passage of this bill will negate Meriden's efforts to accomplish that goal.

Another part of the bill, as I understand it, specifically excludes natural gas as a fuel for a plant proposed under the RFP. (Meriden's plant is designed to be fueled by natural gas, which is why it was located where it is, near the Algonquin Gas Line). It mandates that coal, utilized as fuel for an IGCC plant, be the only fuel allowed. This despite the fact that integrated gasification combined cycle technology (IGCC) is not a competitive source of energy and cannot be financed without a placing most of the risk (as much as two billion dollars of risk in the bill) on rate payers. Financial markets / lenders will not underwrite an unproven technology, constructors will not guarantee operation or performance and component manufacturers will not guarantee more than their individual component's operation. The risk of technology failure rests on rate payers. $2,000,000,000.00 of risk! I strongl believe that the state's rate payers, if asked, would pass on that risk. They are relying on their legislators to make that decision for them.

Buddy, I know you voted for this in committee, and there are parts of the bill that make sense for the state, I'm sure. But I think the delegation should work to remove language that allows the re-entry of the regulated utilities into the generation business, one the state was compelled to de-regulate because they were not efficient when they DID generation before, and let the private markets do their job when the energy industry and its financing stabilizes. Otherwise, Meriden will have a mausoleum on its hillside, instead of a tax generator.

Thanks for considering this long post. I do not speak for the City Council, but am copying them as they should be interested in how this bill could reduce the possibility of future tax revenues they worked hard to obtain, over a difficult 6 years.

This is one of those issues discussed at the State level which isn't sexy, but could have a real impact on our City in the long run. A lot of money is on the table surrounding energy (just consider what it is costing us to heat our homes, light our rooms, and fuel our cars, and the punishing changes occuring there on a daily basis, not just monthly or yearly). A lot of Meriden's future revenue is on the table with this bill, and we need to make sure Meriden's interests are protected. What do you think?

NRG Land Transfer update

The City Manager advised City Council leadership yesterday that we are one step closer to obtaining the land owed to the City by NRG. The City is due approximately 330 acres as part of an agreement with NRG when they received approval to build a power plant on the former Summitwood property. Earlier this year the State Attorney General's office filed an injunction on behalf of the Siting Council to enforce their order given in 1999 to complete the transfer. (see the 1/14/06 R-J article reporting on the AG and Siting Council's action here.).

The City has completed its environmental assessment and title search as part of the agreement and will formally request the transfer from NRG next week. At that point, according to the agreement, NRG has 60 days to transfer the land. NRG has a number of encumbrances to remove, but that should not forestall the transfer, otherwise the Siting Council can take further action, including revoking NRG's permits for the power plant. That action could have severe financial consequences for NRG, and not in their best business interests.

Once again, the City has done what has been required, as we have ever since the power plant project began. It is time for NRG to complete their part of the deal.