By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@nhregister.com
HAMDEN — The Legislative Council added a new member Wednesday night, and with Republican Raeanne V. Curtis on board, there was a unanimous vote to provide a second year of tax relief for elderly and disabled residents.
The tax relief program would be equivalent to a tax freeze for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Some senior and disabled residents may even see a tax reduction if the value of their houses declined enough during revaluation, officials said.
The council recently tabled the tax relief ordinance, though it was approved in committee, because the town attorney needed to review some wording in the ordinance.
Last year, 752 families participated in the program, producing a revenue loss of about $800,000. The cost to extend the freeze for a second year is $60,430.
Tax relief will be $1,000 to $1,500, depending on income. Single people whose income is less than $16,151 would receive $1,500 in tax relief. The same goes for a married couple earning less than $19,751.
Single applicants whose income is $16,151 to $32,300 will get $1,000, and those who are married and earn $19,751 to $39,500 would get $1,000.
The ordinance has a provision that any eligible applicant whose July 1 tax bill increases by more than $500 will receive a tax credit equal to that increase.
“If tax bills are greater than in 2010, there will be an additional benefit,” said Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng.
Council members said they were happy the town was able to provide the relief for another year.
“This is one of the best programs we have in the town,” said council President James Pascarella, D-at large. “I’m please to see it’s utilized. It’s critical to provide this assistance, and I hope those eligible realize it’s there.
People should contact the assessor’s office for more information.
Last week, Republican Craig Cesare resigned his council seat because he is now the town public works director. Also last week, the Republican Town Committee nominated Curtis to fill the vacancy. The council then unanimously certified the selection, and Curtis was sworn in by Judge of Probate Salvatore Diglio.
Curtis first served Hamden as chief aide to the late Mayor John DeNicola Jr. from 1985-87. She later was chief of staff for the state Consumer Protection and Public Works departments; deputy commissioner for the state Department of Transportation; and state Department of Public Works commissioner for three years until December.
Democrats and Republicans said they were impressed with her resume. They also thanked Cesare for his work on the council the last three years. Cesare, who was in the audience, told the council he couldn’t think of a better person to fill his seat. “She has a resume a mile long; lengths beyond most of us.”
“In bipartisan fashion, I would like to welcome her. We met many moons ago when I was a Republican. She’s accumulated an absolutely fabulous resume,” said Councilwoman Carol Noble, D-at large.
“Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to working with all of you because I know we all share and have feelings for what’s good for the town and its people,” Curtis said before taking her seat at the council table.
During a caucus after the meeting, Republicans chose Curtis to be minority leader, a role that belonged to Cesare. Curtis now serves on the Police Commission, but hasn’t decided whether she’ll resign. She will decide in a few months whether she will seek election to the council.
Call Ann DeMatteo at 203-789-5716.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Traffic Calming Safety Initiative Funding Approved
Article from HamdenPatch.com
Traffic calming has been identified by town officials as being a priority for residents, so on Monday the Legislative Council authorized Mayor Scott Jackson to spend almost $100,000 in LOCIP funds on doing just that.
The council authorized Jackson to "apply for, accept and expend funding up to $99,766 in state of Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program funds for Traffic Calming Phase I projects."
The money will go towards what have been identified as problem areas -- specifically, areas in and around both private and public schools, as well as at Farmington Canal crosswalks.
"Improvements include additional signage, new reflective bars for increased visibility, in-street message painting, new crosswalk painting, the installation of "in-street" signs (crossing totems), the purchase and installation of permanent speed compliance units, the purchase of traffic humps/pads and other calming tools," Jackson wrote in a memo to the council.
"As traffic calming is a top priority of our residents, I urge your review and approval of this grant allocation so that we can begin implementing these safety improvements immediately," Jackson wrote.
Jackson gauged the public's interest in the project at a community forum held with state Rep. Peter Villano last spring, where "we received excellent reports and testimony from numerous civic associations and other stakeholders," he said.
Jackson said he has created a "citizen's working group" that will oversee the first phase of the project and plan for the second phase.
"Their input has been extremely valuable," Jackson said.
Phase one of the project has two parts: the School Zone and Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Project, and the Farmington Canal Traffic Calming Project.
The school zone portion targets all school zones throughout the town, Jackson said, in order to curb problems with speeding in those areas using several tools including signage, street painting, speed bumps and speed compliance units.
Two permanent speed compliance units, which display the speed of passing vehicles, will be installed in the two areas identified as the most problematic: Hamden Middle School and Helen Street School, according to Jackson's chief administrative officer Curt Balzano Leng.
The units won't initially be equipped with cameras, Leng said, but eventually will.
"In Connecticut you can't enforce with cameras, but it is more of a deterrent," he said. "Whether it is a deterrent or enforceable, we are planning on putting the cameras in as soon as they arrive."
Measures will be taken at all of the town's public schools, as well as at Sacred Heart Academy on Benham Street, St. Rita's School on Gilles Road, St. Stephen's School on Ridge Road, Highville School on Leeder Hill Drive and Wintergreen Magnet on Wintergreen Avenue.
Work also will be done on several town roads where the Farmington Canal crosses, including on Brooksvale Avenue both near Brooksvale Park and by Still Hill Road, and on River Road, Shepard Avenue, Todd Street, Skiff Street, Haig Street, Treadwell and Marne streets, Alling Street, Dudley Street, Morse Street, Goodrich Street and Hamden Parks Drive.
The cost for that work is $17,869 while the work near the schools will total $81,897.
"I like the approach of working around the schools and the linear trail," said council member Kath Schomaker. "It's a hot issue that people talk to me about a lot."
"Traffic calming is a word you will be hearing a lot in 2011," Leng said. "This is going to help us get it going."
PHOTOS (1)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Traffic calming has been identified by town officials as being a priority for residents, so on Monday the Legislative Council authorized Mayor Scott Jackson to spend almost $100,000 in LOCIP funds on doing just that.
The council authorized Jackson to "apply for, accept and expend funding up to $99,766 in state of Connecticut Local Capital Improvement Program funds for Traffic Calming Phase I projects."
The money will go towards what have been identified as problem areas -- specifically, areas in and around both private and public schools, as well as at Farmington Canal crosswalks.
"Improvements include additional signage, new reflective bars for increased visibility, in-street message painting, new crosswalk painting, the installation of "in-street" signs (crossing totems), the purchase and installation of permanent speed compliance units, the purchase of traffic humps/pads and other calming tools," Jackson wrote in a memo to the council.
"As traffic calming is a top priority of our residents, I urge your review and approval of this grant allocation so that we can begin implementing these safety improvements immediately," Jackson wrote.
Jackson gauged the public's interest in the project at a community forum held with state Rep. Peter Villano last spring, where "we received excellent reports and testimony from numerous civic associations and other stakeholders," he said.
Jackson said he has created a "citizen's working group" that will oversee the first phase of the project and plan for the second phase.
"Their input has been extremely valuable," Jackson said.
Phase one of the project has two parts: the School Zone and Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Project, and the Farmington Canal Traffic Calming Project.
The school zone portion targets all school zones throughout the town, Jackson said, in order to curb problems with speeding in those areas using several tools including signage, street painting, speed bumps and speed compliance units.
Two permanent speed compliance units, which display the speed of passing vehicles, will be installed in the two areas identified as the most problematic: Hamden Middle School and Helen Street School, according to Jackson's chief administrative officer Curt Balzano Leng.
The units won't initially be equipped with cameras, Leng said, but eventually will.
"In Connecticut you can't enforce with cameras, but it is more of a deterrent," he said. "Whether it is a deterrent or enforceable, we are planning on putting the cameras in as soon as they arrive."
Measures will be taken at all of the town's public schools, as well as at Sacred Heart Academy on Benham Street, St. Rita's School on Gilles Road, St. Stephen's School on Ridge Road, Highville School on Leeder Hill Drive and Wintergreen Magnet on Wintergreen Avenue.
Work also will be done on several town roads where the Farmington Canal crosses, including on Brooksvale Avenue both near Brooksvale Park and by Still Hill Road, and on River Road, Shepard Avenue, Todd Street, Skiff Street, Haig Street, Treadwell and Marne streets, Alling Street, Dudley Street, Morse Street, Goodrich Street and Hamden Parks Drive.
The cost for that work is $17,869 while the work near the schools will total $81,897.
"I like the approach of working around the schools and the linear trail," said council member Kath Schomaker. "It's a hot issue that people talk to me about a lot."
"Traffic calming is a word you will be hearing a lot in 2011," Leng said. "This is going to help us get it going."
PHOTOS (1)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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