Mayor presented his budget proposal to the Legislative Council tonight.
Budget is strong, responsible, conservative and fair. Details are available at www.hamden.com.
More details tomorrow in most news forums!
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Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Reval Results
Printed from www.patch.hamden.com
From Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng:
The town's grand list, the total value of all taxable property and motor vehicles, has decreased, following the recently completed town-wide revaluation process. Revaluation of property values is required under state law every four years.
The grand list decreased from $4,310,212,858 to $4,022,853,966, a reduction of $287,358,892, or -6.67 percent. Overall, the revaluation produced a major change, seeing a reduction in the value of residential property and an increase for commercial property.
The following is an overview of the results:
Prior to the revaluation, the median residential single family residential dwelling assessment was $189,000; following the revaluation, that average assessment dropped to $171,600, a 10 percent reduction;
Prior to the revaluation, the median condominium assessment was $122,700; following the revaluation, the average dropped to $109,310, an 11 percent reduction;
Commercial property value increased by approximately 6.5 percent;
Motor vehicle values increased by approximately 3.6 percent.
(These totals and averages were supplied by Chief Assessor Jim Clynes)
“Completing the state-mandated revaluation on-time proved to be the right thing to do for Hamden residents. The results shift some of the tax burden off of residential properties, which were valued high during the last revaluation process due to the housing market bubble,” said Mayor Scott Jackson.
The town’s mill rate is currently 31.16. If the new grand list values were in place for last year’s budget, the mill rate to collect the same amount of taxes would have been 33.39 mills.
This calculation is given as a point of reference for people wondering how the new value of their home will be realized in their tax bill. The majority of residential properties saw a reduction in value.
To ensure that residents are fully aware of their property’s new value, new mill rate and how that change affected their tax bill, Mayor Jackson and Tax Collector Barbara Tito will issue tax bills with additional information in July.
The new information will include the 2010 assessed value, mill rate and total tax due, alongside the 2011 assessed value, mill rate and tax due. This will allow an accurate and transparent comparison of exactly what taxes each resident paid in 2010 and what will be owed in 2011.
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From Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng:
The town's grand list, the total value of all taxable property and motor vehicles, has decreased, following the recently completed town-wide revaluation process. Revaluation of property values is required under state law every four years.
The grand list decreased from $4,310,212,858 to $4,022,853,966, a reduction of $287,358,892, or -6.67 percent. Overall, the revaluation produced a major change, seeing a reduction in the value of residential property and an increase for commercial property.
The following is an overview of the results:
Prior to the revaluation, the median residential single family residential dwelling assessment was $189,000; following the revaluation, that average assessment dropped to $171,600, a 10 percent reduction;
Prior to the revaluation, the median condominium assessment was $122,700; following the revaluation, the average dropped to $109,310, an 11 percent reduction;
Commercial property value increased by approximately 6.5 percent;
Motor vehicle values increased by approximately 3.6 percent.
(These totals and averages were supplied by Chief Assessor Jim Clynes)
“Completing the state-mandated revaluation on-time proved to be the right thing to do for Hamden residents. The results shift some of the tax burden off of residential properties, which were valued high during the last revaluation process due to the housing market bubble,” said Mayor Scott Jackson.
The town’s mill rate is currently 31.16. If the new grand list values were in place for last year’s budget, the mill rate to collect the same amount of taxes would have been 33.39 mills.
This calculation is given as a point of reference for people wondering how the new value of their home will be realized in their tax bill. The majority of residential properties saw a reduction in value.
To ensure that residents are fully aware of their property’s new value, new mill rate and how that change affected their tax bill, Mayor Jackson and Tax Collector Barbara Tito will issue tax bills with additional information in July.
The new information will include the 2010 assessed value, mill rate and total tax due, alongside the 2011 assessed value, mill rate and tax due. This will allow an accurate and transparent comparison of exactly what taxes each resident paid in 2010 and what will be owed in 2011.
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Sunday, March 06, 2011
Federal Money Approved for Emergency Snow Grant Funding
With the stroke of his pen, President Barack Obama's signature became the silver lining to the Jan. 12 winter storm that walloped the state with historic snowfall totals and busted already cash-strapped municipal budgets.
The federal government is going to help cover the multi-million dollar price tag of the cleanup, and Hamden is expected to share in that payout.
It was announced Friday that Obama has approved Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's Feb. 18 request for a major disaster declaration for federal aid in connection with the Jan. 12 snowstorm. This declaration includes Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, New Haven, New London and Tolland counties, including the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nations.
A preliminary cost estimate for storm cleanup in those counties in the 48 hours following the storm’s onslaught tops $14.5 million. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse approximately 75 percent of that cost, said Brenda Bergeron, a spokesperson for Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMH).
“It’s very exciting to be getting this back,” she said.
New Haven County’s cost topped the state charts at $3.5 million. Due to the county’s high cost and the amount of snow that fell there, Bergeron said the area is eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred during the 72-hour period following the storm. That could put the county’s cost above $3.5 million, since that number was based on a 48-hour response time to the storm that dumped upwards of two feet of snow and essentially put the state at standstill.
In Hamden, that storm alone costs in the hundreds of thousands to clean up, adding to a snow removal bill that has topped a million dollars.
The Legislative Council has made several special appropriations from its Emergency and Contingency account to pay the bills, practically exhausting the line item.
Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng has said that he anticipates the town receiving as much as $75,000 from the federal government in emergency payments.
"The town is very thankful to have the opportunity to recoup some of the snow removal costs, which for Hamden topped $1.1 million - almost three times our annually budgeted amount," he said. "This will help us to fill the hole this winter season has created in the budget."
The President did not declare a major disaster for Middlesex and Windham counties, so the state will be appealing to have them included. Bergeron is hopeful relief will come to those counties, too.
Snowfall totals in Middlesex and Windham counties were a couple inches short of FEMA’s guidelines, but the costs incurred there more than met requirements, Bergeron said.
“The process to determine what each town will get is just starting,” she said.
The first step is an applicant briefing during which representatives from FEMA and the state’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland meet with municipal leaders in each of the state’s counties. She said those meetings should be set up within the next three weeks. Then FEMA and state officials will meet with town and city officials to nail down final figures.
All in all, she said, “I think it takes several months.”
“The major disaster declaration that President Obama declared will help our cities and towns with the gaping holes in their budgets left by a brutal, relentless winter,” Malloy said. “I’d like to thank President Obama and FEMA for their quick action in this regard. However, Middlesex and Windham Counties were not spared this winter, and I’m already moving forward with an appeal to this ruling on behalf of those counties.”
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, also weighed in on the news. “This critical aid will help Connecticut residents and businesses get back on their feet after the record-breaking storms we have had this winter. I applaud President Obama’s quick approval of the majority of the state’s applications, but I am concerned that Middlesex and Windham Counties, which each saw a staggering 22 inches of snow during the Jan. 11-12 storm, were left out. I will be working with Governor Malloy and federal officials to ensure that we secure the needed assistance for these counties, and will continue to support the state’s subsequent applications for the addit.
The federal government is going to help cover the multi-million dollar price tag of the cleanup, and Hamden is expected to share in that payout.
It was announced Friday that Obama has approved Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's Feb. 18 request for a major disaster declaration for federal aid in connection with the Jan. 12 snowstorm. This declaration includes Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, New Haven, New London and Tolland counties, including the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nations.
A preliminary cost estimate for storm cleanup in those counties in the 48 hours following the storm’s onslaught tops $14.5 million. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse approximately 75 percent of that cost, said Brenda Bergeron, a spokesperson for Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMH).
“It’s very exciting to be getting this back,” she said.
New Haven County’s cost topped the state charts at $3.5 million. Due to the county’s high cost and the amount of snow that fell there, Bergeron said the area is eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred during the 72-hour period following the storm. That could put the county’s cost above $3.5 million, since that number was based on a 48-hour response time to the storm that dumped upwards of two feet of snow and essentially put the state at standstill.
In Hamden, that storm alone costs in the hundreds of thousands to clean up, adding to a snow removal bill that has topped a million dollars.
The Legislative Council has made several special appropriations from its Emergency and Contingency account to pay the bills, practically exhausting the line item.
Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng has said that he anticipates the town receiving as much as $75,000 from the federal government in emergency payments.
"The town is very thankful to have the opportunity to recoup some of the snow removal costs, which for Hamden topped $1.1 million - almost three times our annually budgeted amount," he said. "This will help us to fill the hole this winter season has created in the budget."
The President did not declare a major disaster for Middlesex and Windham counties, so the state will be appealing to have them included. Bergeron is hopeful relief will come to those counties, too.
Snowfall totals in Middlesex and Windham counties were a couple inches short of FEMA’s guidelines, but the costs incurred there more than met requirements, Bergeron said.
“The process to determine what each town will get is just starting,” she said.
The first step is an applicant briefing during which representatives from FEMA and the state’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland meet with municipal leaders in each of the state’s counties. She said those meetings should be set up within the next three weeks. Then FEMA and state officials will meet with town and city officials to nail down final figures.
All in all, she said, “I think it takes several months.”
“The major disaster declaration that President Obama declared will help our cities and towns with the gaping holes in their budgets left by a brutal, relentless winter,” Malloy said. “I’d like to thank President Obama and FEMA for their quick action in this regard. However, Middlesex and Windham Counties were not spared this winter, and I’m already moving forward with an appeal to this ruling on behalf of those counties.”
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, also weighed in on the news. “This critical aid will help Connecticut residents and businesses get back on their feet after the record-breaking storms we have had this winter. I applaud President Obama’s quick approval of the majority of the state’s applications, but I am concerned that Middlesex and Windham Counties, which each saw a staggering 22 inches of snow during the Jan. 11-12 storm, were left out. I will be working with Governor Malloy and federal officials to ensure that we secure the needed assistance for these counties, and will continue to support the state’s subsequent applications for the addit.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tax Collection
Hamden hires firm to collect back tax debt. For more info visit www.hamden.com.
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Thursday, February 10, 2011
Budget 2011
Almost full time work on the Town budget set to begin tomorrow. We are working double time to get our budget to sustain services and keep our taxes stable. It's a tall order, but we can do it with a little help from everyone.
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Thursday, January 20, 2011
Snow Reimbursement Grant
We are hard at work on an excellent grant funding opportunity for serious reimbursement from FEMA for the last blizzard. If successful, Hamdn could see reimbursement of 75% of our expenses!
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Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Despite difficulties, upbeat audit for Hamden
Despite difficulties, upbeat audit for Hamden (video)
Published: Tuesday, January 04, 2011
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@nhregister.com
HAMDEN — When it comes to last year’s $8.3 million operating deficit, the town is in recovery mode.
The town had a lot of financial pressures in the fiscal year that ended June 30, but issues are getting resolved, said the town’s auditor of three years, Scott Bassett of McGladrey & Pullen of New Haven. Bassett reviewed the audit report with the Legislative Council Monday night; it was accepted.
Officials noted that it was the first time in years that the town will be submitting its audit to the state on time. It will be delivered today, Bassett said.
The town’s savings account, also known as the fund balance, was at $574,675, a decrease of just over $8 million from the previous fiscal year.
Finance Director Kathleen Etkin said the fund balance will begin to creep up with the addition of $1.7 million as part of the refund the town received from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, which no longer operates the trash-to-energy plant in Wallingford. Another $109,000 from CRRA will be added in April, she said.
Council President James Pascarella, D-at large, said there were no surprises in the audit. Responding to a question from Pascarella, Bassett agreed that the town dealt with shortfalls, including shortfalls in building fees of $1.27 million and conveyance taxes, but was able to hold down expenditures, which helped the bottom line. The town also lost $3.39 million in expected educational cost-sharing grant money, for example.
“We’re pleased you recognized the internal service funds were replenished,” Pascarella said, referring to the town’s efforts to cover deficits in medical self-insurance and worker’s compensation accounts.
Pascarella added that facing those deficits, the administration and council tackled them together.
The town refinanced debt service and used savings to fill in an $8.6 million gap in medical self-insurance, which had grown over several years. The 2010-11 budget was funded at about $36 million, he said. The contribution to worker’s compensation jumped from $750,000 to $1.5 million, he said.
“The auditors and the rating agencies recognize the very aggressive moves by the administration, and the council greatly turned the matter around,” Pascarella said.
“They went out of their way to say we took care of a structural imbalance,” said Curt Leng, Mayor Scott D. Jackson’s chief aide. “Last year’s priority was restoring the medical self-insurance deficit. This year’s goal is to get the fund balance back, and that’s already under way.”
Published: Tuesday, January 04, 2011
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@nhregister.com
HAMDEN — When it comes to last year’s $8.3 million operating deficit, the town is in recovery mode.
The town had a lot of financial pressures in the fiscal year that ended June 30, but issues are getting resolved, said the town’s auditor of three years, Scott Bassett of McGladrey & Pullen of New Haven. Bassett reviewed the audit report with the Legislative Council Monday night; it was accepted.
Officials noted that it was the first time in years that the town will be submitting its audit to the state on time. It will be delivered today, Bassett said.
The town’s savings account, also known as the fund balance, was at $574,675, a decrease of just over $8 million from the previous fiscal year.
Finance Director Kathleen Etkin said the fund balance will begin to creep up with the addition of $1.7 million as part of the refund the town received from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, which no longer operates the trash-to-energy plant in Wallingford. Another $109,000 from CRRA will be added in April, she said.
Council President James Pascarella, D-at large, said there were no surprises in the audit. Responding to a question from Pascarella, Bassett agreed that the town dealt with shortfalls, including shortfalls in building fees of $1.27 million and conveyance taxes, but was able to hold down expenditures, which helped the bottom line. The town also lost $3.39 million in expected educational cost-sharing grant money, for example.
“We’re pleased you recognized the internal service funds were replenished,” Pascarella said, referring to the town’s efforts to cover deficits in medical self-insurance and worker’s compensation accounts.
Pascarella added that facing those deficits, the administration and council tackled them together.
The town refinanced debt service and used savings to fill in an $8.6 million gap in medical self-insurance, which had grown over several years. The 2010-11 budget was funded at about $36 million, he said. The contribution to worker’s compensation jumped from $750,000 to $1.5 million, he said.
“The auditors and the rating agencies recognize the very aggressive moves by the administration, and the council greatly turned the matter around,” Pascarella said.
“They went out of their way to say we took care of a structural imbalance,” said Curt Leng, Mayor Scott D. Jackson’s chief aide. “Last year’s priority was restoring the medical self-insurance deficit. This year’s goal is to get the fund balance back, and that’s already under way.”
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Official Town Parking Ban
Please be advised that as of 11am on Sunday, December 26th, 2010 a parking ban will be in effect until further notice. The parking ban prohibits parking on the ODD SIDE of Hamden streets.
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Saturday, December 11, 2010
Drainage Improvement Study
From www.patch.hamden.com
In addition to contamination fears, residents living in the Newhall and Highwood areas of southern Hamden have had to put up with flooding for years due to an antiquated system of undersized water pipes.
With the state Department of Environmental Protection's remediation project underway, this as an opportunity to address the flooding problem while roads are already being dug up, town officials said.
"The Newhall Street neighborhood has been the victim of severe flooding for many years," said Mayor Scott Jackson's chief administrative officer Curt Leng. "The town of Hamden is working to address this issue by conducting a comprehensive drainage study."
A request for proposals has been sent out for an engineering firm to do studies of both the Newhall and Highwood neighborhoods, Leng said, the cost of which will be paid from the town's capital projects account.
"Once completed, the study will be used by the town to seek Federal and State grant assistance to implement the infrastructure improvements," he said. "The study is timely, as the town will take advantage of the on-going environmental remediation work by the Department of Environmental Protection to allow greater visual access to the town's storm water drainage system."
The DEP commenced the project earlier this year to remediate properties built on an old landfill. Dozens of homes will be remediated under the state DEP project. More than two dozen are completed, and as many as 60 could be done in the next year.
With that work ongoing, it's the perfect time to address the flooding problems, Jackson said.
"The Town will have a rare opportunity to take advantage of the open ground," he said, "and allow the engineers to develop comprehensive solutions to this long standing problem."
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In addition to contamination fears, residents living in the Newhall and Highwood areas of southern Hamden have had to put up with flooding for years due to an antiquated system of undersized water pipes.
With the state Department of Environmental Protection's remediation project underway, this as an opportunity to address the flooding problem while roads are already being dug up, town officials said.
"The Newhall Street neighborhood has been the victim of severe flooding for many years," said Mayor Scott Jackson's chief administrative officer Curt Leng. "The town of Hamden is working to address this issue by conducting a comprehensive drainage study."
A request for proposals has been sent out for an engineering firm to do studies of both the Newhall and Highwood neighborhoods, Leng said, the cost of which will be paid from the town's capital projects account.
"Once completed, the study will be used by the town to seek Federal and State grant assistance to implement the infrastructure improvements," he said. "The study is timely, as the town will take advantage of the on-going environmental remediation work by the Department of Environmental Protection to allow greater visual access to the town's storm water drainage system."
The DEP commenced the project earlier this year to remediate properties built on an old landfill. Dozens of homes will be remediated under the state DEP project. More than two dozen are completed, and as many as 60 could be done in the next year.
With that work ongoing, it's the perfect time to address the flooding problems, Jackson said.
"The Town will have a rare opportunity to take advantage of the open ground," he said, "and allow the engineers to develop comprehensive solutions to this long standing problem."
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Youth Center and Sidewalks
Pleased to report that work is underway on phase two of the sidewalk replacement/repair program - northern Hamden and Whitneyville should be seeing sidewalks poured!
Also, our Youth Center has moved to 60 Putnam and were working hard to male improvements that will make us proud!
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Also, our Youth Center has moved to 60 Putnam and were working hard to male improvements that will make us proud!
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Saturday, October 09, 2010
Come Visit Hamden Facebook Page
Come visit and become a fan of the Town of Hamden official Facebook page. Search "Town of Hamden" in Facebook search engine and click "Like". Bringing Hamden info right to your computer!
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Thursday, October 07, 2010
Parks Getting Great Upgrades!
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@newhavenregister.com
HAMDEN — By next week, Bassett Field should have a spiffy new look, just like Legion and Cesare Memorial fields before it.
That’s because the Public Works Department and the mayor’s office have worked together to provide parks maintenance workers the tools and the time they need to get the job done.
The mayor’s office had fielded calls from citizens and sports groups about the disrepair, according to Chief Administrative Officer Curt Leng.
“We had meetings and talked about strategically hitting the fields and bringing them to safer and more playable condition,” he said. “The parks division has done a tremendous job of upgrading the fields.”
As a result, field maintenance work had to be reorganized and prioritized, said acting Public Works Director Jack Kennelly, who took over at the end of August because Director Joseph Velardi is on sick leave.
Now, fields will be fixed one at a time until all the work is finished, Kennelly said. Previously, parks maintenance crews would be sent to the ball fields whenever a complaint arose.
“They were taken in many directions and nothing was completed,” he said.
Kennelly, a Democratic at-large councilman, said at a recent council meeting that the crews are good at their jobs, and the “results speak for themselves.” To fix a field properly takes a minimum of four people two to four days to prepare the field, depending on its size and how many diamonds it has. While some workers are mowing and removing weeds, others are pulverizing, scarifying and belt raking the playing areas. Legion, Cesare and Bassett will also be getting new page fence back stops.
To prepare fields for the fall playing season, a more efficient way of doing things with fewer people had to be figured out, Kennelly said.
Due to budget cuts, nine parks workers who had worked under the Parks and Recreation Department were transferred to Public Works. But, three seasonal employees who spent summers helping to maintain the fields got laid off. Another full-time parks worker was laid off. Fields were in disrepair for some time and didn’t get fully repaired going into the summer season.
When Bassett Field is completed, the workers will move to Rochford Field. Discussions will take place to determine which field to tend to next.
Meanwhile, an enclosed trailer has been delivered to Public Works following Legislative Council approval. Employees are happy because they will no longer have to load and unload equipment onto open trailers on a daily basis, saving time and manpower. The enclosed trailer has been equipped with storage racks and cabinetry for the equipment. The trailer cost $11,284.
It had taken 45 minutes to an hour each morning and at the end of each workday to load and unload the two open trailers that carry the equipment and place it in the garage, a waste of manpower, Kennelly said. Having the trailer will save 18 man-hours a day, 90 hours a week and 360 a month, Kennelly said, for an annual total of $217,000.
“We had to scramble every morning. This way, everything is all there,” said Ken Paecht, a foreman and parks and recreation union president.
Employees had asked for an enclosed trailer previously.
The town also is depending on teams, coaches and parents to work with the town to keep things clean. Boy Scouts recently painted over graffiti of dugouts at Legion Field, Leng said.
adematteo@newhavenregister.com
HAMDEN — By next week, Bassett Field should have a spiffy new look, just like Legion and Cesare Memorial fields before it.
That’s because the Public Works Department and the mayor’s office have worked together to provide parks maintenance workers the tools and the time they need to get the job done.
The mayor’s office had fielded calls from citizens and sports groups about the disrepair, according to Chief Administrative Officer Curt Leng.
“We had meetings and talked about strategically hitting the fields and bringing them to safer and more playable condition,” he said. “The parks division has done a tremendous job of upgrading the fields.”
As a result, field maintenance work had to be reorganized and prioritized, said acting Public Works Director Jack Kennelly, who took over at the end of August because Director Joseph Velardi is on sick leave.
Now, fields will be fixed one at a time until all the work is finished, Kennelly said. Previously, parks maintenance crews would be sent to the ball fields whenever a complaint arose.
“They were taken in many directions and nothing was completed,” he said.
Kennelly, a Democratic at-large councilman, said at a recent council meeting that the crews are good at their jobs, and the “results speak for themselves.” To fix a field properly takes a minimum of four people two to four days to prepare the field, depending on its size and how many diamonds it has. While some workers are mowing and removing weeds, others are pulverizing, scarifying and belt raking the playing areas. Legion, Cesare and Bassett will also be getting new page fence back stops.
To prepare fields for the fall playing season, a more efficient way of doing things with fewer people had to be figured out, Kennelly said.
Due to budget cuts, nine parks workers who had worked under the Parks and Recreation Department were transferred to Public Works. But, three seasonal employees who spent summers helping to maintain the fields got laid off. Another full-time parks worker was laid off. Fields were in disrepair for some time and didn’t get fully repaired going into the summer season.
When Bassett Field is completed, the workers will move to Rochford Field. Discussions will take place to determine which field to tend to next.
Meanwhile, an enclosed trailer has been delivered to Public Works following Legislative Council approval. Employees are happy because they will no longer have to load and unload equipment onto open trailers on a daily basis, saving time and manpower. The enclosed trailer has been equipped with storage racks and cabinetry for the equipment. The trailer cost $11,284.
It had taken 45 minutes to an hour each morning and at the end of each workday to load and unload the two open trailers that carry the equipment and place it in the garage, a waste of manpower, Kennelly said. Having the trailer will save 18 man-hours a day, 90 hours a week and 360 a month, Kennelly said, for an annual total of $217,000.
“We had to scramble every morning. This way, everything is all there,” said Ken Paecht, a foreman and parks and recreation union president.
Employees had asked for an enclosed trailer previously.
The town also is depending on teams, coaches and parents to work with the town to keep things clean. Boy Scouts recently painted over graffiti of dugouts at Legion Field, Leng said.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Ridge Hill School Renovation Coming Soon
HAMDEN — For the Board of Education, Ridge Hill School has been No. 1 on the capital improvements list and has been approved to undergo a series of renovations.
The School Building Committee, made up of members of the school board and Legislative Council, Wednesday night approved an architectural services document for interested firms to follow when they submit proposals.
The document will be reviewed by the council and then proposals will be sought.
The council has set aside $1.2 million for renovations to the school on Carew Road, though the list of what needs to be done is estimated at $1.6 million. When firm prices for the work are decided, some of the work would probably be eliminated, officials said Wednesday night.
Repairs include new carpeting, floor and ceiling tiles, bathrooms, replacing hallway dividers with permanent walls and upgrades in various areas such as lighting and the building management system. All restrooms also will be renovated.
Meanwhile, $422,000 in energy improvements are already underway, according to Mark Albanese, director of facilities for the school system. The town’s energy consultant, Power Point, has completed about 95 percent of the lighting upgrades. Miscellaneous fixtures and controls upgrades will be done by mid-October, Albanese reported.
“There is a tremendous difference in the lighting. We’ve reduced the number of fixtures and wattage, but we have more lighting,” he told the committee.
Roughly half of the money for the energy improvements came from a United Illuminating grant, according to mayoral aide Curt Leng. The rest of the money is coming from town resources and a UI financing program, he said.
Albanese said that the goal is to start working on renovations over the Christmas, February and April vacations. Work cannot begin until all of the proposals are back and the best proposal is selected.
Leng said that the repairs for Ridge Hill made it to the front burner because of complaints about the school’s condition.
“Ridge Hill is one of the oldest buildings in the district which hasn’t undergone any type of renovation,” Albanese said.
Ridge Hill was built in 1969 and still contains a lot of original materials, including the bathrooms, water fountains and ceiling and gymnasium tiles. The gym and ceiling tiles contain asbestos and will have to be carefully monitored when removed.
Kimberly Scroggins is a Register intern. Assistant Metro Editor Ann DeMatteo contributed to this report.
The School Building Committee, made up of members of the school board and Legislative Council, Wednesday night approved an architectural services document for interested firms to follow when they submit proposals.
The document will be reviewed by the council and then proposals will be sought.
The council has set aside $1.2 million for renovations to the school on Carew Road, though the list of what needs to be done is estimated at $1.6 million. When firm prices for the work are decided, some of the work would probably be eliminated, officials said Wednesday night.
Repairs include new carpeting, floor and ceiling tiles, bathrooms, replacing hallway dividers with permanent walls and upgrades in various areas such as lighting and the building management system. All restrooms also will be renovated.
Meanwhile, $422,000 in energy improvements are already underway, according to Mark Albanese, director of facilities for the school system. The town’s energy consultant, Power Point, has completed about 95 percent of the lighting upgrades. Miscellaneous fixtures and controls upgrades will be done by mid-October, Albanese reported.
“There is a tremendous difference in the lighting. We’ve reduced the number of fixtures and wattage, but we have more lighting,” he told the committee.
Roughly half of the money for the energy improvements came from a United Illuminating grant, according to mayoral aide Curt Leng. The rest of the money is coming from town resources and a UI financing program, he said.
Albanese said that the goal is to start working on renovations over the Christmas, February and April vacations. Work cannot begin until all of the proposals are back and the best proposal is selected.
Leng said that the repairs for Ridge Hill made it to the front burner because of complaints about the school’s condition.
“Ridge Hill is one of the oldest buildings in the district which hasn’t undergone any type of renovation,” Albanese said.
Ridge Hill was built in 1969 and still contains a lot of original materials, including the bathrooms, water fountains and ceiling and gymnasium tiles. The gym and ceiling tiles contain asbestos and will have to be carefully monitored when removed.
Kimberly Scroggins is a Register intern. Assistant Metro Editor Ann DeMatteo contributed to this report.
Hamden Repairing Sidewalks!
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@newhavenregister.com
Concrete foreman Mike Donaghy of BIRM-1 of Ansonia prepares to pour fresh concrete while repairing sidewalks damaged by tree roots along Woodlawn Street In Hamden. The town repairs sidewalks year-round, except for winter. (Peter Casolino/Register)
HAMDEN — If you live in Spring Glen or the southwestern section of town, you may see contractors repairing sidewalks.
That’s because the town is using about $775,000 in state grant money and capital funds to pay for repairs to cracked and raised sidewalks damaged by tree roots.
The work is being done to combat a 15-year backlog of residential requests, according to Curt Balzano Leng, chief administrative officer to Mayor Scott D. Jackson.
“One of the mayor’s objectives was to clean the list up. We thought it was an eight-year backlog, but it’s really 15 years,” Leng said.
The goal for 2010 is to clear up complaints made through 1999. While contractors are on those streets, newer complaints on the list also will be handled so that streets can be finished and up to date, Leng said.
In order to determine which areas of town should be done first, the Engineering Department split the town into quadrants and looked at the areas with the largest number of old complaints. Southwestern Hamden and Spring Glen were at the top of the list. Two different companies were hired to tackle the cracks.
BIRM-1 of Ansonia is working in Spring Glen and Blue Ribbon Services Inc. of East Haven is taking care of southwestern Hamden.
The town opened bids May 20 and issued purchase orders for the work July 16, said Purchasing Agent Richard Cumpstone.
BIRM-1’s bid was $199,132.50 for the Spring Glen area. Blue Ribbon’s purchase order was for $54,000, while its bid was $86,010. Town officials said the purchase order will be raised to the higher amount, because more capital funds became available Aug. 25.
According to Town Engineer Robert Brinton, sidewalks in southwest Hamden on Belden and Twin Brook roads; Saint Mihiel and West Side drives and Woodin Street have been repaired.
In Spring Glen, Elihu, Filbert, Greenway, Harmon, Waite and Woodlawn streets and Whitney Avenue have been completed, Brinton said.
Tonight, the Legislative Council will act on the acceptance of $200,000 from the state’s local capital improvement program. The town already accepted $200,000 from the grant program in May. The council approved $275,000 for sidewalk repair in this year’s budget, and there is roughly $100,000 left from previous capital allocations.
The town will also be seeking bids for sidewalk replacement work in the northern, southeastern and Whitneyville sections of town. One or more contractors will be hired, Leng said.
The only areas that won’t be part of the sidewalk repairs this year are Hamden Plains, which had a lower number of complaints that dated from 1995 to 1999, and the Newhall area, where yards are being remediated and sidewalks repaired at the same time, Leng said.
The Engineering Department, rather than the mayor’s office, is now determining which sidewalks will be done. “We work with them to set policy and get funding to do their job,” Leng said.
(QUESTIONS - E-MAIL me at curt.leng@yahoo.com)
adematteo@newhavenregister.com
Concrete foreman Mike Donaghy of BIRM-1 of Ansonia prepares to pour fresh concrete while repairing sidewalks damaged by tree roots along Woodlawn Street In Hamden. The town repairs sidewalks year-round, except for winter. (Peter Casolino/Register)
HAMDEN — If you live in Spring Glen or the southwestern section of town, you may see contractors repairing sidewalks.
That’s because the town is using about $775,000 in state grant money and capital funds to pay for repairs to cracked and raised sidewalks damaged by tree roots.
The work is being done to combat a 15-year backlog of residential requests, according to Curt Balzano Leng, chief administrative officer to Mayor Scott D. Jackson.
“One of the mayor’s objectives was to clean the list up. We thought it was an eight-year backlog, but it’s really 15 years,” Leng said.
The goal for 2010 is to clear up complaints made through 1999. While contractors are on those streets, newer complaints on the list also will be handled so that streets can be finished and up to date, Leng said.
In order to determine which areas of town should be done first, the Engineering Department split the town into quadrants and looked at the areas with the largest number of old complaints. Southwestern Hamden and Spring Glen were at the top of the list. Two different companies were hired to tackle the cracks.
BIRM-1 of Ansonia is working in Spring Glen and Blue Ribbon Services Inc. of East Haven is taking care of southwestern Hamden.
The town opened bids May 20 and issued purchase orders for the work July 16, said Purchasing Agent Richard Cumpstone.
BIRM-1’s bid was $199,132.50 for the Spring Glen area. Blue Ribbon’s purchase order was for $54,000, while its bid was $86,010. Town officials said the purchase order will be raised to the higher amount, because more capital funds became available Aug. 25.
According to Town Engineer Robert Brinton, sidewalks in southwest Hamden on Belden and Twin Brook roads; Saint Mihiel and West Side drives and Woodin Street have been repaired.
In Spring Glen, Elihu, Filbert, Greenway, Harmon, Waite and Woodlawn streets and Whitney Avenue have been completed, Brinton said.
Tonight, the Legislative Council will act on the acceptance of $200,000 from the state’s local capital improvement program. The town already accepted $200,000 from the grant program in May. The council approved $275,000 for sidewalk repair in this year’s budget, and there is roughly $100,000 left from previous capital allocations.
The town will also be seeking bids for sidewalk replacement work in the northern, southeastern and Whitneyville sections of town. One or more contractors will be hired, Leng said.
The only areas that won’t be part of the sidewalk repairs this year are Hamden Plains, which had a lower number of complaints that dated from 1995 to 1999, and the Newhall area, where yards are being remediated and sidewalks repaired at the same time, Leng said.
The Engineering Department, rather than the mayor’s office, is now determining which sidewalks will be done. “We work with them to set policy and get funding to do their job,” Leng said.
(QUESTIONS - E-MAIL me at curt.leng@yahoo.com)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Summer Construction
Three neighborhoods getting major sidewalk reconstruction. Updating the infamous damage list from 1995 to this decade!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, April 02, 2010
Budget Thoughts
I would like to encourage residents to give me all of your budget ideas at cleng@Hamden.com. Many ideas have been coming in and it's all been very helpful. I would like to encourage as much discussion as possible. I look forward to our conversations.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Hamden's Budget Proposal
We've posted Hamden's proposes budget in full on the Town website at www.Hamden.com. Take a look and I look forward to hearing your feedback. Email me at cleng@Hamden.com.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Budget Address
Mayor's budget address is one week away, March 15, at 7:00 pm, Thorton Wilder Hall, at the Miller Library Complex.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Budget Community Meetings Begin
By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
HAMDEN — One thing is for certain in next year’s town budget: There will be fewer employees and a reduction of services.
“The question is: What people and what services?”
That was the question Mayor Scott D. Jackson posed to a citizen roundtable Thursday night at the M.L. Keefe Community Center.
It was Jackson’s first budget conversation with the public. Another session will take place 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Miller Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Ave.
Because of the difficulties facing the town in the preparation of the 2010-11 budget, Jackson wanted to reach out to the residents to gather their ideas. Jackson explained that the biggest driver in the upcoming budget is rising medical insurance costs.
“If we did nothing to try to reduce medical costs, we’re looking at an increase of $7 (million) to $8 million, roughly 2 mills,” Jackson said.
The current budget is $175 million, $125 million of which is funded through taxes. The tax rate is 29.5 mills. Based on town department requests and recommendations for medical and pension costs, the tax rate would jump to 37 mills.
“That is not doable,” said Jackson, who wants to present a budget to the Legislative Council next month that “doesn’t rip out the essential core of Hamden and its services, but doesn’t tax people out of town.”
Except for a suggestion from resident John Melillo to reduce the number of deputy chiefs in the Police Department from three to one, the session didn’t generate ideas for budget cuts. Instead, the nine residents who attended learned more about what goes into making the budget from Jackson and his chief aide, Curt Balzano Leng.
“I liked it a lot. It was more questions than suggestions,” said resident Michael Lockett.
Residents asked about town operations, and gave Jackson the impression they supported schools and libraries.
The cost to regionalize services and a lack of state funding were also discussed.
Jackson said after the meeting that what he heard from residents is that they support the schools and libraries.
HAMDEN — One thing is for certain in next year’s town budget: There will be fewer employees and a reduction of services.
“The question is: What people and what services?”
That was the question Mayor Scott D. Jackson posed to a citizen roundtable Thursday night at the M.L. Keefe Community Center.
It was Jackson’s first budget conversation with the public. Another session will take place 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Miller Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Ave.
Because of the difficulties facing the town in the preparation of the 2010-11 budget, Jackson wanted to reach out to the residents to gather their ideas. Jackson explained that the biggest driver in the upcoming budget is rising medical insurance costs.
“If we did nothing to try to reduce medical costs, we’re looking at an increase of $7 (million) to $8 million, roughly 2 mills,” Jackson said.
The current budget is $175 million, $125 million of which is funded through taxes. The tax rate is 29.5 mills. Based on town department requests and recommendations for medical and pension costs, the tax rate would jump to 37 mills.
“That is not doable,” said Jackson, who wants to present a budget to the Legislative Council next month that “doesn’t rip out the essential core of Hamden and its services, but doesn’t tax people out of town.”
Except for a suggestion from resident John Melillo to reduce the number of deputy chiefs in the Police Department from three to one, the session didn’t generate ideas for budget cuts. Instead, the nine residents who attended learned more about what goes into making the budget from Jackson and his chief aide, Curt Balzano Leng.
“I liked it a lot. It was more questions than suggestions,” said resident Michael Lockett.
Residents asked about town operations, and gave Jackson the impression they supported schools and libraries.
The cost to regionalize services and a lack of state funding were also discussed.
Jackson said after the meeting that what he heard from residents is that they support the schools and libraries.
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