Budget Work Underway

By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — While working to resolve a potential deficit in this year’s budget, Mayor Scott D. Jackson is also seeking public comment for the next budget.

The first public conversation on the 2010-11 budget will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the M.L. Keefe Community Center, 11 Pine St. Another forum will be held 5-7 p.m. March 4 at the Social Hall of the Miller Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Ave.

Jackson said he wants to give residents the chance to tell him their priorities for fiscal 2010-11. In previous years, public input hasn’t been taken until after the Legislative Council received the mayor’s budget.

“By cultivating these conversations earlier in the budget season, I can focus my budget based on the service needs of Hamden’s citizens,” Jackson said.

With regard to this year, officials are controlling expenditures and the expense side of the budget should result in a surplus because of the controls according to Jackson’s chief aide Curt Balzano Lang.

Some revenues, especially those from the state, have not yet materialized and that could play a role in a potential deficit. There are also potential shortages in several accounts.

Meanwhile, the town’s medical self-insurance fund could be at least $5 million in the hole this year. The 2009-10 budget listed $22 million for medical self-insurance, but expenses could now be more than $27 million, according to Leng.

The money for medical self-insurance is passed through the operating budget, but is an internal service account that is supplemented with employee contributions. Additional money to cover the deficit does not exist.

“The two driving problems with this year’s budget are a drastically increased medical self-insurance expense. We won’t know until the end of year, but it’s millions more than expected,” Leng said.

Higher medical insurance costs, more employee claims and more prescriptions filled caused the jump. The town switched to medical self-insurance in the 1990s.

“It’s a higher medical year and the trend is showing next year isn’t going to be any better,” Leng said.

There also is an internal deficit in the fund of about $6.5 million because annual contributions have fallen short of needs.

“The mayor is working very hard on ways to reduce the overall cost with a host of different possibilities,” Leng said.

Some of those options may take effect before the end of the fiscal year. The changes will also be reflected in the 2010-11 budget.

The challenges for next year’s budget include maintaining the pension fund and controlling spending as much as possible, Leng said. “The mayor is very hesitant to pass on a significant tax increase to residents who are struggling with the other economic problems that every person is facing,” Leng said.

“But to balance a budget that has such significant commitments is going to require additional revenue and we’re not ready yet to say where that revenue is going to come from.”

The budget has to be presented by mid-March.

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Proposals Will Be Sought for New Fire Station

Hamden wants plans for fire station site

Published: Thursday, December 17, 2009

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By Ann DeMatteo
Special to the Post-Chronicle

HAMDEN — By year’s end, the town will seek proposals for sites for a new fire headquarters and replacement for the dilapidated Circular Avenue fire station.

“We’re going to be extremely flexible in terms of how the submissions come in,” Mayor Scott Jackson said.

Jackson is interested in hearing from property owners or builders who could provide options, from a long-term lease to building on town-owned land on Putnam Avenue with the town leasing the facility back from the builder.

The Legislative Council in early October gave then Mayor Craig B. Henrici permission to seek proposals for a lease-build arrangement in an effort to save money. The town had bought the former Dadio Farm on Putnam Avenue with the idea that four acres would be used for a fire headquarters, training center, space for administration and a replacement Station 2, Circular Avenue. Then, the Henrici administration floated the lease-build idea, which Jackson is carrying out.

“We’re looking at options for cost-effectiveness and speed of construction,” said Curt Balzano Leng, chief administrative officer.

Jackson, who took over as mayor Nov. 29, said he expects to seek proposals by the end of the year. The council will then review the information, he said.

He is hoping that the information he receives will give the town an idea of what commercial properties are available for development, including space for an animal shelter. Getting an animal shelter is second on Jackson’s list after a new fire headquarters and Station 2.

After the plan to put the animal shelter on Rocky Top Road failed, Henrici suggested the Maselli Farm as a location when the town acquired the 34 acres off Dunbar Hill Road and Gilbert Avenue. Neighbors, however, opposed having barking dogs so close to their homes.

Jackson on Monday said people got ahead of themselves on the idea because the Maselli Farm was bought around the time the Rocky Top plan had dissolved. Maselli Farm now is being considered for various farming alternatives, but there are no plans to put the animal shelter there. Putting an animal shelter at Maselli would be difficult because of neighbors’ opposition, he said.

Dolores Giannini, president of the Hamden Happy Tails Foundation, said that the only plan was at Rocky Top and Shepard Avenue. “From that point on, we were evaluating Maselli and a couple of other places,” she said. She doesn’t want any option taken off the table, because the town desperately needs an animal shelter.

Hamden rents space at the North Haven Animal Shelter, which is getting more unacceptable for a number of reasons. “The animals are being kenneled for longer periods of time than they should be because of lack of accessibility. People don’t want to travel (to adopt an animal),” she said.

Giannini doesn’t think dogs should be housed near fire stations because they will howl when they hear sirens, but a shelter is needed immediately. Cats also need a place where they can stay because they’re “being abandoned and not in the most humane way.”

Return to Full-time Service to the Town

Leng appointed as Hamden's chief administrative officer

Published: Friday, December 4, 2009 - Post Chronicle

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By Staff

Hamden – Mayor Scott Jackson is pleased to announce the appointment of Curt Balzano Leng as the Town's new Chief Administrative Officer. Leng has served Hamden for the past 14 years as Director of Government Operations, Community Development Manager, Councilman and Councilman-At-Large.

Leng began in Hamden government a 6th District Councilman in 1997 and was selected in 1999 to serve as former Mayor Carl Amento's Director of Government Operations. In 2002, he was hired as the Town's Community Development Manager, working in the Economic and Community Development Department, where he worked for two years until deciding to run for office again as Councilman-At-Large. Since then he has served on the Council and as the Council's Finance Committee Chairman for the past 6 years.

Leng is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, with a Degree in Political Science and has a Master's Degree in Education from the University of New Haven.

Before taking the position of CAO, Leng resigned his seat as the 6th District Councilman to dedicate his efforts to his new role full-time.

“While I have loved serving on the Legislative Council, I know that I can do more for the Town and its citizens by dedicating myself to working full-time on the many important issues facing our Town. Working to help our new Mayor implement his goals of fiscally responsible, effective and transparent government will be my top priorities in the job,” Leng said.

“He has a tremendous amount of experience, having served in the job previously,” said Jackson. Also, Jackson said he believes that Leng’s experience as chairman of the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee will be “invaluable during what will be a very difficult budget year.”

As an individual who has served both in the Mayor's Office, as a Department Manager and on the Legislative Council, Leng will be uniquely suited to be the Town's liaison to the Legislative Council. “I respect the Legislative Council and its members, many of whom I have served with. I look forward to working closely with them, both Democrats and Republicans, and will have an open door to them at all times.”

Leng can be reached via e-mail at cleng@hamden.com or at 203-287-7100.

Re-Election in Full Force

Hello friends,
Lawn signs are available, walking cards are going around, mailers are being sent. Call or e-mail with questions or if you'd like to help - we'd love to have your assistance. Thanks in advance - councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com or 203-887-4599.

Lawn Signs Coming Soon !

E-mail if you'd like one at councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com - thanks so much !

Hamden's Democrats Pick Scott Jackson for Mayor 2 to 1

By: Ann Dematteo HAMDEN — Voters came out in dribs and drabs Tuesday, but in the end, Democrats chose Scott Jackson to be their standard-bearer in November by a margin of almost 2 to 1.

The mood was happy and the temperature was hot at Jackson headquarters on Dixwell Avenue, where the numbers were coming in that gave him and his supporters more good news as each moment passed.

Jackson received 2,986 votes to 1,558 for retired fire chief and Councilman James Leddy, D-9.

At the Whitney Avenue headquarters for Leddy, the mood was somber, and supporters could see by the numbers being posted on the wall that their candidate wasn’t going to make it. By the time unofficial tallies for five of the nine districts had been called in, Leddy conceded that his fight against the Democratic machine didn’t succeed.

“I want to thank everybody who gave it 150 percent,” Leddy said before he went to Jackson’s headquarters.

When Leddy arrived, Jackson said, “We have somebody here you all know. Give him a round of applause.” The revved up crowd did. Standing arm and arm with Jackson, Leddy said: “Congratulations on your win. It was a great campaign. You beat us good.”

Leddy then said that he would soon sit down with the Jackson team and “make sure the party’s united” for the November election, when Jackson will run against Republican mayoral candidate Ronald Gambardella, a former councilman.

Jackson was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee after Mayor Craig B. Henrici decided not to seek a third term. Leddy took the direct primary route. Jackson is Henrici’s chief administrative officer.

Jackson thanked his supporters for everything they did.

“We get to relax tomorrow, and then we’ve got another race. ... There are no substitutes for hard work. We have to remember to work harder and work smarter,” he said.

The results of the Legislative Council races in districts 1, 2 and 9 patterned the mayoral results. Party-endorsed candidate Michael McGarry won over Kevin Bohan in the 1st District, 218-152.

In the 2nd District, the Rev. Anthony Brown, who was party-endorsed, beat Gina Cahill 219-191. In the 9th District, Don Werner got 341 votes to 229 for challenger Dave Howell.

Twenty-eight percent of the town’s 16,042 registered Democrats turned out.

In 2005, 36 percent of just over 13,000 Democrats voted when then- challenger Henrici defeated the incumbent, Carl Amento, in the September primary.

Democratic Town Chairman Joseph McDonagh attributed Jackson’s landslide win to the “honorable” campaign he ran.

“Jim Leddy was ill-used by his managers. The results are because of negative campaigning. Jim’s a good guy. ... I hope he comes back and continues to work for the Democratic Party and the town.”

Asked to react to McDonagh’s comments, Leddy said Jackson won instead of him because, “It’s what the people wanted.”

Hamden earns low interest rates on bonds

By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — The town has obtained low interest rates on bonds it has sold for various projects.

Acting Finance Director Jennifer Charneski said the town received a 0.60 percent interest rate on a $30 million one-year note, a 3.72 percent rate on a $12.2 million tax-exempt bond issue, and a 5.09 percent rate on a $4 million taxable bond.

“We were really pleased. It’s a sign people are confident with our rating,” Charneski said.

About $20 million of the $30 million note will provide cash flow for the first year of the Memorial Town Hall renovation project. The project also includes a police station addition and the refurbishment of Station 4, the fire house which adjoins the town hall at Whitney and Dixwell avenues. The rest of the notes will cover other approved capital projects, she said.

The tax-exempt bond issue includes $2.2 million in pre-construction expenditures for the town hall project and other capital projects, Charneski said.

The taxable bond of $4 million covers a portion of the purchase of the 11-acre Dadio Farm. Investors are paying the taxable rate had to be applied because the town sold three of the four lots at the Putnam Avenue site to private concerns for the expansion of the adjoining industrial park.

The fourth lot was being reserved for a town fire headquarters.

The bonds and notes were competitively sold last week at Webster Bank in Hartford, under the direction of town financial adviser Barry Bernabe and attorney David Panico of Robinson & Cole, the town’s bond counsel.

Mayor Craig B. Henrici said the good news about the bond sale supplements other financial good news the town has received in recent weeks.

Two New York rating agencies, FitchRatings and Standard & Poors, have given the town bond ratings of A+.

“We’re very proud to be upgraded in the worst economy in 80 years,” Henrici said.

With respect to the town hall renovation, town officials estimate there will be a $1 million savings on financing over 20 years because of the low interest rates the town will be able to attain as a result of its improved bond rating. They estimated more will be saved on the other projects because of the low interest rates.

The town had to obtain new bond ratings because of the bond and note sales for the town hall and other projects.

Economic and Community Development Director Dale Kroop said the rating agencies were interested in brownfields that were being converted to housing and about projects that would result in more tax revenue for the town, such as the expansion of Quinnipiac University and Whitney Center.

Hamden bond rating climbs to a stable A+

By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — Officials were all smiles Thursday when they learned the town’s bond rating went up a step.“It went up from A with a positive outlook to A+ and stable. It’s fantastic. It’s great news in a recession and for going to the bond market,” said Mayor Craig B. Henrici.

Henrici said he learned of the upgrade Thursday afternoon from the town’s financial adviser, Barry Bernabe, vice president of government finance for Webster Bank.Standard & Poor’s delivered the news to Bernabe, the result of a teleconference Henrici, Bernabe and other town officials had Monday with Standard & Poor’s.Bernabe said he worked closely with Henrici, acting Finance Director Jennifer Charneski, Chief Administrative Officer Scott Jackson and Economic and Community Development Director Dale Kroop on the rating presentation.A rating is necessary before a community plans to borrow money, according to Bernabe and Charneski. Another rating agency will hear the presentation Tuesday, he said.

According to Charneski, the town will receive bids on bonds and notes Aug. 12 for the $36.35 million Memorial Town Hall, police station and fire station renovation project. Jackson said 115 vendors have obtained bid packages. The bids were to be opened Thursday, but because the town and agents for the project are in the middle of answering questions from potential bidders, the bid opening was postponed to Aug. 13.Charneski said the town will take out long-term bonding of $2 million for money already spent on preconstruction work involving the Town Hall project. Then, the town will take out $21.5 million in one-year notes for the first year of construction, based on the estimated cash flow.Also in August, the town will seek bonding on some capital improvement projects from fiscal 2006-07 and 2007-08, including purchase of the Dadio farm on Putnam Avenue.

The highest rating given is AAA. There are three AA ratings, followed by an A+ and below.Rating agencies look at demographics, the management team, a municipality’s debt position and financial performance before issuing ratings.Bernabe said Standard & Poor’s said Hamden had a low debt burden with a faster than average debt amortization. The town has $78 million in debt.Hamden had a AAA rating about 15 years ago, but demographics have changed, meaning wealth levels based on per capita income have dropped over the last 20 years, Bernabe said.The rating agency said the town’s fund balance is adequate, but it would like the town to increase its fund balance, which is now at 4.4 percent, or $7.7 million, of a $176 million budget.“They like to see 5 percent or higher,” Bernabe said.Republican mayoral candidate Ron Gambardella welcomed the improvement in Hamden’s bond rating, but disagrees with the method of achievement.“The Henrici-Jackson administration has obtained this rating off the backs of the taxpayers as a result of three consecutive tax increases,” said Gambardella, saying that he fears a “financial tsumani” without a change at the top.

Jackson, who is running for mayor and is being challenged in a September primary by Councilman James Leddy, said that it was “extraordinary” that the town would get a rating increase in such a bad economic climate and that the town will save a lot of money in bonding because of it.Leddy could not be reached late Thursday.

75% of Hamden Democrats Endorse Scott Jackson for Mayor

Hamden Democratic Elected Officials Overwhelmingly Endorse Scott Jackson for Mayor

Hamden - In an overwhelming sign of support, the Jackson for Hamden campaign is very pleased to announce the endorsement and support of the following Hamden elected officials who are supporting Scott Jackson for Mayor. This list represents a clear majority of elected officials in Hamden.Announcing their support today are the following:

Council-At-Large

Council President Al Gorman
President Pro Tem Carol Noble
Jack Kennelly
Jim Pascarella

District Council Members

Majority Leader, Matt Fitch, 1st District
Ossie Brown, 3rd District
Gretchen Callahan, 4th District
Kathleen Schomaker, 5th District
Curt Balzano Leng, 6th District

Board of Education Members

Chairman, Michael D’Agostino
Secretary, John Keegan
Valarie Stone
Adam Sendroff
Myron Hul

These elected officials joined Mayor Craig Henrici who immediately endorsed Scott at his campaign announcement on May 14th.”I’m very thankful to have the trust and support of so many great public servants,” said Scott Jackson.

“Receiving the endorsement of these 15 elected Democratic leaders is an overwhelming sign of support from,” said Adam Sendroff, Campaign Manager. “It also shows our residents who their elected representatives have confidence in and feel they can best work with on the issues facing our Town.”

“These are challenging times for any municipality and we need a leader who has the experience to effectively and efficiently manage our Town ,” said Councilman Curt Balzano Leng, Finance Committee Chairman. “Without question, Scott Jackson is the most qualified candidate to manage our Town‘s finances in a responsible and fiscally conservative manner.”

For more information about Scott and the Jackson for Hamden campaign, please contact Scott directly at Scott@jacksonforhamden.com or visit www.jacksonforhamden.com or visit Supporters of Scott Jackson on Facebook.###

2008-2009 Budget Projected to Balance - Very Good News !

By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — Despite revenue shortages, town officials believe they will end fiscal 2008-09 in the black.

Acting Finance Director Jennifer Charneski told the Legislative Council Monday night that she was confident that with some transfers, the $174.17 million budget, which ended June 30, would be balanced.Charneski said she doesn’t have exact numbers for any shortfall because revenue is still coming in, and because it will take a few months to reconcile the budget.The town started the last fiscal year in the hole for about $250,000 because the state didn’t provide as much Payment in Lieu of Taxes for colleges and hospitals. But, several other grants brought in more, so the town was short only $181,000 in state grants.So far, the town has a $500,000 surplus on the expense side because of hiring and spending freezes.

But on the revenue side, the town didn’t take in $1.8 million in building permit revenue because of the delay of the Whitney Center expansion. And, building permit revenue from the Quinnipiac University expansion ended up being counted toward fiscal 2007-08.Also, $1 million in anticipated income didn’t come through because the sale of the former Hamden Middle School on Newhall Street didn’t materialize by June 30.And because of the economy, the town took in $550,000 less than planned in interest income.

“It was a difficult year across the board,” Charneski said in a report to the council. “We’re really hoping we break even.”Charneski hopes that shortfalls can be made up by transferring $500,000 to $750,000 from unexpended capital funds into the general fund.The town also will use some of the $6 million it recently received as a result of the transfer of the Wallingford trash-to-energy project from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority to Covanta Energy. Of the amount, $2.1 million was used as revenue in the current budget. Some of the remaining $3.9 million will help cover the 2008-09 shortfall. If anything is left over, it will become part of the town’s fund balance, which is close to 5 percent of the budget, she said.

Meanwhile, Charneski told the council she is “very optimistic” about the 2009-10 budget because it was developed based on the experiences of 2008-09. Also, about $2 million in insurance savings was recently realized.The town is preparing to go to the bond market in August. It plans to permanently finance $16 million for capital improvement projects in progress, such as the school fire alarm system and the purchase of the Dadio farm on Putnam Avenue. And, the town will be seeking $20 million in temporary notes to cover cash flow for the start of renovating Memorial Town Hall and the adjoining fire station. The project includes the addition of a police station.After the meeting, several council members said they were pleased that it looks like the 2008-09 budget will be flat.

“We did the best we could,” said President Al Gorman, D-at large. “We’re minding our assets. The economy hurt us and we started the year with a deficit.”

Hamden Police Station / Town Hall Renovation Update Article

By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — The cost of the proposed renovation of Memorial Town Hall has increased by $555,000 because its walls, ceilings and concrete floor are mixed with asbestos.

The additional hazardous material abatement increases to $36.4 million the proposed cost to renovate the 1924 edifice and adjoining fire station plus add on a state-of-the art police station. Close to $4 million already has been spent in development and preparatory costs.

A joint meeting of the Legislative Council and the Town Building Committee, made up of council members and residents with experience in the building trades, was held Tuesday night. Construction Manager Tom Walsh of A.P. Construction Co. of Stamford, architect Jeff Bianco and Scott Jackson, the town’s chief administrative officer, explained the most recent revised cost estimate for abatement produced by Fuss & O’Neill of Trumbull.

Walsh explained that 77,000 square feet of plaster work in the old town hall needs to be abated; “virtually all the ceilings and walls,” because there is asbestos in them. “We also found that all the concrete floors in this building are hot,” he said.

Previously, Fuss & O’Neill reported that only 22,000 square feet needed to be remediated. An earlier estimate reserved $515,000 for hazardous materials abatement, but members of the Town Building Committee pressed for a more thorough examination.

Councilman Curt Leng, D-6, asked Jackson for a 20-year bonding analysis, taking into account a 2 percent annual increase in the town’s operating budget.

In the coming weeks, the Legislative Council will be faced with weighing the need for the new police station and other renovations with how much they think Hamden can afford. The town is hoping to bid the project later this month. A town financial adviser has already said that it would cost the average homeowner whose house is assessed at $180,000, $106 more a year in taxes over the life of a 20-year bond issue, if $35 million were to be bonded.

Councilman Matt Fitch, D-1, said he’s not sure the actual cost has gone up because there is a large amount reserved in contingencies. “Realistically, with the economy the way it is and contractors desperate for work, many people feel portions of the job can come in under what’s been budgeted. The one thing I do know is that delay is no longer an option. We have an impending disaster at the existing police station. The longer we wait, costs are only going to escalate.”

But Councilman Craig Cesare, R-At large, said Wednesday that while he believes police need a new building, “this is a horrible time to be spending $40 million.” Councilman James Leddy, D-9, said he would favor an amount “considerably lower” than $40 million.

Councilman Jack Kennelly, D-At large, a former police chief and member of the building committee, said he continues to absorb all the aspects of the project and is undecided. “The building committee has said it’s comfortable with $36.4 million as realistic to bond. The council has to decide if this is an expenditure it’s willing to commit to,” Kennelly said.

New Hamden Police HQ and Memorial Town Hall Restoration

New information is in on the project, including a lower estimated cost. More information will be coming shortly and you can expect to see more information from the Town Building Committee and the Legislative Council in the weeks to come. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts!

Still No Word on Police HQ Information

Still waiting for a response from the Mayor on the memo sent to him about the Police HQ/ Memorial Town Hall project. I'm sending a follow-up memo today. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for Feedback on PD HQ

A quick thank you to everyone who has e-mailed or called over the last couple of days regarding your thoughts on the new Police HQ/Town Hall Renovation project. I appreciate your opinions and promise to keep you posted as we get more information. For those of you who don't have the information, I can be reached via e-mail at councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com.

Best Regards,

Curt

Hamden Police Headquarters Questions Sent to Mayor

This is a copy of a memo sent this week to the Mayor regarding our proposed Police HQ/Town Hall Renovation project. The goal of the memo is to get a discussion started about what options we can make to ensure that a project gets started this year if the full $40-$45 Million project doesn't have full support because of the ever growing price tag.

Please e-mail with your thoughts - councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com.

Legislative Council

Memo

TO: Mayor Craig Henrici

FROM: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District;

Finance Committee Chairman

Jack Kennelly, Councilman-at-Large

Town Building Committee (Sub-Chairman)

John DeRosa, Councilman 8^th District

Town Building Committee Member

RE: New Police HQ/Memorial Town Hall Renovation Project

DATE: January 7, 2009

The new Police HQ/Memorial Town Hall Renovation Project, with $5 million Parking Garage, has grown in cost to an estimated $41.8 million project. The most recent estimates presented to the Town Building Committee was brought into question because several of the members considered the project sub-costs to be conservative which could drive the overall project north of $45 million.

We are concerned that a project with such a high price tag may not have the support of the Legislative Council when it comes time to request funding approval. This could risk the timetable set to get the project started this summer.

It is our understanding that a reduction of square footage has been requested and may result in some savings to the overall cost of the project. However, we are still looking at a $40+ million project.

As such, we respectfully request that you consider directing the

Project Team to develop more cost-effective alternatives, should

support for the project in its current form and cost not be there.

Alternatives would ensure that we get a project started this summer

in one form. Spending a small amount of the most recently

approved $1.2 million on alternatives would allow you to

maximize use of these funds.

We believe that there is real universal support for getting our

Police Department out of the inadequate and unhealthy

environment they currently reside in. Without preparing some

alternatives we would risk doing nothing in 2009 should the

current $40-45 million project not be approved. This is

unacceptable.

We hope you can support the preparation of project alternatives and/or project “phasing” options, including but not limited to:

(l) Cost estimates for a “stand alone” facility on-site;

(2) Cost estimates for potential elimination of the parking

garage with the alternative of site acquisition, additional

regular parking and related security.

(3) A plan for “phasing” the project in, with construction and

completion of the Police Department Headquarters

finishing first.

(4) Other alternatives that would ensure a new Police

Headquarters started in 2009.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. Working together we can ensure that Hamden has a shovel in the ground for this most worthwhile project in 2009.

cc: All Council Members

Town Building Committee Members

Police Chief Wydra

Scott Jackson, CAO

Charter Revision ... Hiccup or Back to Basics?

There was a Special Meeting of the Legislative Council tonight to approve the appointment of a 9-member Charter Revision Commission. Now, after we unanimously approved the establishment of the Commission one would think that this vote would have sailed through, but clearly that would be too simple for Hamden ...

The meeting was a mess of confusion as a majority of Council members didn't know if the make-up of the new Commission was in conformity with state regulations. The main point of confusion centered on the rule that states no more than 1/3 of the commission can be made up of elected or appointed officials of the Town.

5 of the 9 members presented for appointment were in fact Town Commission members. Now, it appears that a couple of them were willing to resign their other commission posts to serve on the Charter Commission, but no one did by the meeting time. We tried to verify the rules with the Town Attorney, but she was trying to make sure that we were in complete compliance and couldn't give a definitive answer until she could research the matter thoroughly.

In the end, the Council tabled the item, in a 7-6 vote (I voted to table). Hopefully we can address the confusion, ensure that we are doing everything legally and appropriately and get Charter Revision back on track. Better to do things right then to push things through incomplete or out of compliance.

If anyone has any questions or comments, please e-mail me at anytime at councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com.

Charter Revision Approved for Hamden

By: Ann DeMatteo, New Haven Register

HAMDEN — Because of action taken by the Legislative Council, members of Charter Reform Now will not be collecting signatures at the polls Tuesday.

The grassroots group, which wants the town charter amended, had threatened to be out on Election Day to force the Legislative Council to open the charter for examination.

But the council has unanimously voted to appoint a Charter Revision Commission of five to 15 persons. The commission will be appointed in about 30 days.

Councilwoman Carol Noble, D-at large, chairwoman of a charter exploratory committee, said her recommendation is for the charter to be reviewed very carefully and for the commission to seriously think about changes.

Michele Mastropetre of Charter Reform Now urged the council to vote in favor of opening the charter, as it has not been looked at in 25 years.

Councilman Curt Leng, D-6, said he thought having charter revision was a positive step, something he hoped would improve governmental operations and transparency, but he said caution and care had to be taken in making changes.

Council President Al Gorman, D-at large, said that he expects nine members to be appointed. Anyone who wants to serve should call the council office at (203) 287-2577.

Charter Reform Now spokesman Bill Burns said that the council action eliminates the need for petitions on Election Day.

“We thank the Legislative Council for its forward-looking action,” Burns said.

A Little Local ... A Little National

Did my best to take a principles stand against removing money that was allocated for sidewalk repair last night at committee, but after a lengthy debate the matter did pass with several of us in opposition.

We'll have another chance at full Council next week ... so we shall see.

A bit of bright news on the national front - check this link:

http://news.yahoo.com/election/2008/dashboard

September Council Committee Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

7:00 P.M. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance Amending an Ordinance appropriating

$5,798,000. for Various Public Improvements for Fiscal

Year 2007-2008 and authorizing the issuance of $5,798,000.

Bonds of the Town to meet said Appropriation and pending

the issuance thereof the making of temporary borrowings

for such purpose

1. Approval of 8-24 Review - 40 Edgecomb Street for purchase

and sale of property to Habitat for Humanity

2. Resolution authorizing the acquisition and sale of

property at 40 Edgecomb Street, Hamden

3. Approval of 8-24 Review - discontinuation/abandonment of

a portion of Kimberly Road

4. Resolution abandoning/discontinuing a portion of Kimberly

Rd. from the Town of Hamden's Highway System

5. Approval of 8-24 Review - sidewalk construction on Town

property at 177 Sherman Avenue

6. Approval of Sidewalk construction at 177 Sherman Avenue

7. Resolution authorizing the Town to make application for

funds to the Ct. Dept. of Economic & Community

Development and to accept and expend funds for the

Highwood Square Project

8. Approval of Transfer of $100,000. within the Capital

Improvement Program for 2007-08 FROM: Sidewalk

Improvements Account TO: Paving Account

9. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement between the Town and

the Hamden Economic Development Corporation (HEDC)

10. Ordinance amending an Ordinance appropriating $5,798,000.

for various public Improvements for fiscal year 2007-2008

and authorizing the issuance of $5,798,000. Bonds of the

Town to meet said appropriation and pending the issuance

thereof the making of temporary borrowings for such purpose

11. Approval of Purchase and Sale Agreement for property on

Gilbert Avenue (Maselli Farm)

12. Resolution approving Explanatory Text related to the

Referendum on the Adoption of the Connecticut City &

Town Development Act

7:05 P.M. PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING COMMITTEE:

1. Transfer of Funds- Public Works Dept.- $50,000.(Overtime)

FROM L/C OVERTIME ACCOUNT

2. Transfer of Funds -Engineering Dept.-$2,000.(Special

Projects) INTERNAL TRANSFER

3. Appointment to the Solid Waste & Recycling Commission

(William Sikorsky) for a term ending July 1, 2011

7:10 P.M. PUBLIC SAFETY & PROTECTION COMMITTEE:

1. Approval of Payment of $3,500. to Crossing Guard upon Resignation (Kathrina Kaminskas)

2. Transfer of Funds - Crossing Guards - $500. (Uniform

Purchase) FROM Crossing Guards Salary account

7:15 P.M. ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE:

1. Re-Appointment to the Energy Use & Climate Change

Commission (Giovanni Zinn) for a term ending July 31,

2011

7:20 P.M. FINANCE COMMITTEE:

BUDGET UPDATE REPORT/ FINANCE DIRECTOR

1. Refund of Property Taxes collected after July 1, 2008

(4) totaling $1,995.56

2. Refund of Property Taxes for Certificates of Correction

issued after July 1, 2008 and before June 30, 2009 (76)

totaling $15,341.63

3. Transfer of Funds -Tax Office -$1,680.(Pay Differential)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

4. Approval of Bid Waiver in favor of Segal Companies to

provide a Claims & Membership Audit

5. Approval of Bid Waiver in favor of Young Audiences of Ct.

$7,000. for After-School workshops

6. Approval of Bid Waiver in favor of RFP for Small Business

Loan Program

7. Approval of Bid Waiver in favor of RFP for Web-site

Upgrades

7:25 P.M. ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:

1. Approval of Retirement Benefits - Larry Gershman

(Fire Dept.) $4,040.88

2. Approval of Retirement Benefits - Daniel Figuenick

(Public Works Dept.) $23,492.86

3. Transfer of Funds - Registrar's Office - $750. (Election

Supplies) FROM E & C ACCOUNT

4. Transfer of Funds - Town Clerk - $11,500. (Fee

Reimbursement) FROM E & C ACCOUNT

5. Appointment to the Retirement Board (Robert Anthony)

for a term ending June 30, 2011

7:30 P.M. RECREATION COMMITTEE:

1. Transfer of Funds - Parks/Recreation - $9,000. (Overtime)

FROM L/C OVERTIME ACCOUNT

2. Transfer of Funds - Parks/Recreation - $19,386.78 (Rink

Overtime) FROM L/C RINK OVERTIME ACCOUNT

3. Re-appointment to the Historic Properties Commission

(Douglas Baker) for a term ending Sept. 30, 2011

4. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept & expend a

Grant in the amount of $5,760. from the State of Ct.

Commission on Culture & Tourism

7:35 P.M. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE:

1. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with RSVP of South

Central Connecticut extending its Agreement with the Town

of Hamden for 3 additional years.

2. Appointment to the Fair Rent Commission (Georgia Goldburn)

for a term ending June 30, 2011