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Sunday, February 27, 2011

FROM WALLINGFORD - Leave the ‘zero’ offer behind

As published in the Record Journal, Sunday February 27, 2011

Jason SCOW America shirt

The discussion has come around again with respect to union contracts, pay raises and the possibility of binding arbitration.

As we have already seen here in Wallingford, we never win a binding arbitration case. When you take something to arbitration you can say that the outcome is an unknown but not here in Wallingford; we always lose.

This is mainly because arbitrators review the case and consider the union position and the town’s “last, best offer” and compare the two.
Our last, best offer lately has been “zero.”

Salaries are compared with other union contracts in town, and pay rates for similar positions in towns with a comparable financial picture. Wallingford’s finances are assessed and it’s reviewed whether the town is able to afford pay hikes. Because of years of frugal spending habits and tight money management, Wallingford is so fiscally responsible that in this small circumstance success works against us. All of these factors end up making it impossible for the town to win an arbitration case.

This is best addressed by agreeing that the arbitration process is broken. When a negotiation reaches the point at which it goes to arbitration, arbitrators cannot properly consider objectively and simultaneously what is best for both the town and the union. When a town such as Wallingford ends up in this situation, it’s “rainy day fund” is often looked at like a solid resource available to fund the arbiters’ decision. In fact, that rainy day fund is really the fruit of responsible spending set aside for real costs and emergencies.

Wallingford and other towns should be proactive to work with lawmakers to address the arbitration process to make it fairer and more balanced in future situations. In the meantime Wallingford needs to understand what “bargaining in good faith” really means. It does not mean “zero percent raises regardless for the entire X year agreement” or “let’s set this now at zero and possibly re-negotiate it as needed later.” Unions would not be stupid enough to accept this. They know full well that no town would come back to the table merely because conditions have changed for the better. Most municipal employers — or any other kind for that matter — are not set up to respond that way.

We all understand that 16 percent of the workforce is unemployed or underemployed and that 9 percent of them are collecting unemployment. What needs to be understood as well is that the remaining 84 percent are working. We are dealing with rising fuel costs, food costs, insurance costs, local, state and federal taxes, and so forth. These things are not all sitting idly at zero percent inflation. It should not be assumed that pay should remain at the zero point either.

I am keenly aware that pay raises for municipal employees is one catalyst which causes taxes to go up. I am also keenly aware that going to arbitration generally leads to the cost of the arbitration itself and very often more in actual judgments than what was asked / negotiated for in the first place. That raises taxes even higher.

Wallingford needs to find a better understanding of what the actual work climate is for those still working and to obtain a proper understanding of what competing salaries are for given jobs. Then it must work to provide the best and fairest deal for all.

Otherwise the decision gets taken out of Wallingford’s hands and is made by others. Historically that has amounted to a win for the unions only. Good for them for winning those arbitrations, too, if the town is not being smart about playing the game under the current rules.

As I have said before, Wallingford does many smart things and they have worked well for years. I wouldn’t suggest changing anything that still works. But there are clearly some things that no longer work the way they used to. This is another perfect example of where we need to change up our game.

Friday, February 25, 2011

FROM CITIZEN MIKE - BULLETIN: The Court has ruled against the Mayor on the American Legion building

We have a new message from Citizen Mike regarding his upcoming broadcast as well as an update on a ruling on the American Legion building issue.


FROM CITIZEN MIKE:

The Citizen Mike Show is on the air at 9 p.m. Watch Comcast channel 18 or Uverse 99 for WPAA. Also, check out the video on demand feature on the station's website, so you can see shows you missed.

(From Jason - It is cross posted here from the
WPAA VideoAlive page. )



image


Rosa Delauro is a guest at the end of the current show and we talk about the state budget with State Rep Vince Candelora (R) at the beginning. In the middle of the show, we talk about the Housing Authority and the Town Council's vote on some labor contracts

BULLETIN: The Court ruled against the Mayor on the American Legion building issue. I was at the trial and I was called to testify as to the efforts or lack thereof to deal with the building, and the actions/inaction & votes etc. of the Town Council while I was on the Council.

The ruling did not come as a surprise as the Mayor and his witnesses demonstrated to the judge an arrogant disregard of the law rather than a good faith attempt to comply with it. Thus, the judge ruled that the Town had not shown that demolition was the only reasonable alternative for the building. Had the Town shown some good faith efforts to do something other than demolish the building, the Town would have won. The judge rejected all the legal arguments the mayor had.

Now, there is a court order preventing the town from demolishing the building, and there seems to be three choices for the building:
(1) sell it;
(2) let the building decay until it falls down or burns down; or,
(3) the town finds some use for it.

The mayor has pledged not to go with choice #3. The Council makes the decision on choice #1.

If the mayor is feisty enough, he will encourage a futile appeal.

Citizen Mike


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

This is why I am such a patriot and why I felt compelled to save Wallingford’s Fireworks

It’s a ten and half minute video and worth every second of your time.

The sacrifices made by our founding fathers for YOUR freedom today.

Please consider supporting our cause in honor of the birth of our nation and in honor of these great men.

Testa primed to face Dickinson

As published in the Record Journal Tuesday February 22, 2011

By Robert Cyr
Record-Journal staff

rcyr@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224

WALLINGFORD — Town Councilor Vincent Testa Jr. may be the Democratic hopeful for the mayor’s seat this fall, in what would be his second attempt to defeat Republican William W. Dickinson Jr., the state’s second-longest serving top municipal official.

Since 1985, many have tried and failed to oust the 64-year old Dickinson from office, and there’s good reason for it, says Nicholas Economopoulos, a Town Council Democrat — people like the charismatic mayor, a guitar-playing, well-spoken lawyer. “He buys open space, people like that stuff,” Economopoulos said. “He keeps taxes down and he keeps his salary down. He has this image of being prudent and paying attention to everything — and it’s not true.”

Dickinson could not be reached Monday for comment. Testa, the 51-year-old father of two, said he hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll formally announce his bid for office, but said he was very interested in running. He said he’ll likely get a better idea of his plans after talking with party officials at the Democratic Town Committee meeting March 16 at 350 Center St.

“I’ve had an interest for a while — I haven’t made that a secret,” Testa said Monday. “I haven’t made the decision yet, but I’ll be making a decision soon.”

Testa ran in 1997 in a municipal election with relatively low voter turnout and lost by a more than two-to-one margin. He said he lacked the experience in government to fare better, having served on the school board for four years.

“A lot of time has passed since then,” he said. “I learned a lot more about how the town operates. I was the one who pushed to get the town’s self-insurance model. It has saved us a lot of money.”

But the question remains: can Dickinson be beaten?

“Everybody’s beatable,” said Vincent Avallone, Democratic town chairman. “You need the right candidate focusing on the issues and people working together. It also takes getting more voters out — below 50 percent come out for municipal elections, and it’s not enough to beat him.”

A big issue for Democrats is the town’s handling of union contracts, which recently drew attention when two unions won arbitration awards and Dickinson cut staff and services to meet the pay raises in the awards.

“There’s got to be a major change in the way we negotiate those contracts. The stand that the mayor’s been taking is just not in keeping with current labor practices,” Testa said. “Every union has made suggestions on how they can help in this budget crisis. What he’s refused to consider is individual union concessions. We’ve missed a lot of opportunities to save money. We go to arbitration and we lose, and it’s not an effective strategy.”

Unseating Dickinson will take more than a few new ideas, however, said Republican Jerry Farrell Jr., council vice chairman.

“I was a freshman in high school when he was elected, just to put perspective on it,” said Farrell, who joined the council in 1996. “It’s not impossible to beat Dickinson but you’re really climbing a mountain.”

The idea of Testa running for mayor didn’t come as a shock to the two other Democrats on the council, and both said it would be a good fit. Testa started his political career in 1990 on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, and served eight years on the Board of Education. He’s been on the council since 2004.

“He’s come up through the chairs — he’s well spoken and well educated and he has a real understanding of how government works in town,” said John Sullivan, council Democrat. “In order to beat Bill Dickinson you have to have a majority of registered voters turn out. We need to energize the young people and get them actively involved in government. It’s best for the entire town.”

Sullivan said town government could be made to run more efficiently, and the mayor’s hard-line reaction to financial troubles overlooked streamlining and tightening costs, instead of trimming staff and services or raising taxes.

Along with getting more businesses into town, Testa said government should be evaluated for efficiency and that cutting jobs or services tied to public safety should be a last option.

“We’ve got a very stagnant economic development plan and we need to bring more businesses in,” he said. “Our Grand List has declined while other towns’ have gone up, even though the economy is tough. There’s only so much we can do in cutting. We can’t keep raising taxes.”

But Farrell says the success Dickinson has enjoyed with conservative fiscal policies is due to a formula that will have to be used and bettered by his opponents.

“His calling card has always been keeping the town on a fiscally conservative path, but he also tries to keep in mind what it all means to the average taxpayer. That’s been his winning formula,” Farrell said. “If someone wants to beat him, they’d have to take that formula and prove they’re more of a fiscal conservative than he is and still manage services. That’s a very high order.”

Monday, February 21, 2011

Jason Zandri Warms up Wallingford, CT’s 4th of July Firework Display

Examiner.com is the inside source for everything local powered by Examiners, the largest pool of knowledgeable and passionate contributors in the world providing unique and original content with your local city in mind.

One such Examiner is Maggie Griffin, a journalist who’s contributions are in the fields of the performing arts and entertainment as well as writing for charities, events and people and organizations that devote their time to humanitarian efforts.

Maggie dropped me a note letting me know she was posting a story about Wallingford’s efforts to raise money for the second year to restore the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration scheduled for this July 2nd.

You can read her article “Jason Zandri Warms up Wallingford, CT’s 4th of July Firework Display” on the Examiner.com website.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

AGENDA - WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers

February 22, 2011

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer – The Reverend Dean Warburton, First Congregational Church

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#551 - #576) totaling $23,772.51
Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Consider and Approve Request for use of Parade Grounds by Yalesville/Wallingford Lions Club Inc. on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from approximately 9:00 A.M. to Noon – Mayor

3c. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $259 to Youth
and Social Services Special Fund Donations Acct # 213-1042-070-7010 and to Expenditures Acct # 213-3070-600-6000 – Youth and Social Services

3d. Acceptance of Federal/State Highway Safety Grant and Appropriation in the Amount of $2,122 to Revenue Highway Safety Acct # 001-1050-050-5883 and to Police Overtime Acct # 001-2005-101-1400 – Police Chief

3e. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $1,450 to Self-Insurance Claims Acct # 001-1603-800-8280 from Contingency #001-7060-800-3190 – Town Attorney

3f. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $10,000 to Purchased Professional Services-Negotiations Acct # 001-1300-9002-00 from Contingency-General Acct # 001-7060-800-3190-00 – Mayor

3g. Budget Amendment in the Amount of $3,000 to Maintenance Structures & Improvements Acct # 431-8640-651 from Transportation Equipment Acct# 433-9012-392 – Water Division

3h. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $40,000 to Injuries and Damages Acct # 431-8920-925 from Employee Pension & Benefits Acct # 431-8920-926 -Water Division

3i. Consider and Approve job description revision for position of Stock Supervisor-Electric Division/Personnel

3j. Approve with regret the resignation of Tom Vitali from the Vo-Ag Building Committee effective immediately – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3k. Approve with regret the resignation of Fred Monahan as a Commissioner of the Wallingford Housing Authority effective immediately – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3l. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of February 8, 2011

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with regard to strategy and negotiations with respect to Collective Bargaining – Board of Education

6. Discussion and Possible Action regarding UPSEU, Local 424, Unit 18B, Computer Techs Union, effective July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013– Board of Education

7. Discussion and Possible Action regarding UPSEU, Local 424, Unit 31, Clerical Union, effective October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2013– Board of Education

8. Discussion and Possible Action regarding UPSEU, Local 424, Unit 18, Management Union, effective July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013– Board of Education

9. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

10. Discussion and possible action on soliciting audit(s) and recommendation(s) relative to municipal telephone services – Councilor Craig C. Fishbein

11. Discussion and possible action on making the tax assessor's field cards available online – Councilor Craig C. Fishbein

12. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

13. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6) (B) of the Connecticut General Statutes pending litigation, Nucor v. Town of Wallingford – Director Public Utilities

14. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $60,000 to Outside Services Acct # 923 from Retained Earnings as discussed in Executive Session - Director Public Utilities

15. Discussion and action regarding selection of firm to conduct the Town’s audit - Comptroller

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

GOVERNOR MALLOY TO HOLD SERIES OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS ACROSS CONNECTICUT

(HARTFORD, CT) – Over the next seven weeks, Governor Dannel P. Malloy will hold a series of 17 town hall-style meetings across the state. These meetings will allow the Governor to discuss the state’s pressing economic and budgetary issues face-to-face with state residents, while listening to their own thoughts and suggestions, as well.

Beginning February 21 in Bridgeport and culminating in Danbury on April 6, Governor Malloy’s town hall series will reach all sections of the state, will be open to the public, and will provide residents with the ability to meet with the Governor in a way that will be unprecedented in recent state history.

“It really is my preference to be out there, talking with people in the flesh, hearing their thoughts and communicating in a civil manner that will bring out the best and most productive changes benefitting the State of Connecticut,” Governor Malloy said. “It’s important that we have a chance to talk about some of the changes I’m proposing to help create new jobs and get our state’s fiscal house in order, and I want to hear what people think.”

The Governor held similarly styled constituent meetings during his time as mayor of the City of Stamford and he said he would like to continue meeting with residents in a similar fashion. He is scheduled to deliver his proposed budget to a joint session of the Connecticut General Assembly on Wednesday.

Governor Malloy’s town hall meeting schedule is as follows:


BRIDGEPORT
February 21, 7-8 PM
City Hall Annex Auditorium
999 Broad Street

TORRINGTON
February 24, 7-8 PM
City Hall Auditorium
140 Main Street

NEW LONDON
March 2, 7-8 PM
Jennings Elementary School
50 Mercer Street

WATERBURY
March 8, 7-8 PM
Veteran’s Memorial Hall
235 Grand Street

NORWICH
March 9, 7-8 PM
City Hall, 3rd Floor
100 Broadway

BRISTOL
March 14, 7-8 PM
City Council Chambers
111 North Main Street

MERIDEN
March 15
Time & Location TBD

MIDDLETOWN
March 16, 7-8 PM
Common Council Room
245 DeKoven Drive

HARTFORD
March 21
Time & Location TBD

STAMFORD
March 22, 7-8 PM
Government Center
4th Floor Cafeteria
888 Washington Boulevard

NEW HAVEN
March 23, 7-8 PM
Aldermanic Chambers
165 Church Street

GREENWICH
March 28, 7-8 PM
Town Hall Meeting Room
299 Greenwich Avenue

MANCHESTER
March 29, 7-8 PM
Lincoln Center Hearing Room
494 Main Street

WINDHAM
March 30, 7-8 PM
Town Hall Auditorium
979 Main Street

NORWALK
April 4
Time & Location TBD

NEW BRITAIN
April 5
Time & Location TBD

DANBURY
April 6
Time & Location TBD

###

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2011
Contact: David Bednarz
David.Bednarz@ct.gov
860-524-7315 (office)
860-770-9792 (cell)

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy

Monday, February 14, 2011

WALLINGFORD - Parking Ban in Effect UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

As originally posted on the Town of Wallingford Website:

Under the Municipal Parking Ordinance, the Chief of Police is authorized to declare a parking ban to facilitate the removal of snow and maintain the safe flow of traffic on town streets.

Due to excessive snow and the need to widen Town roads, the PARKING BAN WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT INDEFINITELY.

It is important to note that the parking ban will remain in effect until it is publicly lifted and NOT when the snow is removed from any particular street location.

IMPORTANT:   Vehicles found to be in violation of the parking ban will be ticketed and towed.


Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Citizen Mike Show – A discussion with Democrat Town Councilor, Vincent Testa

The Citizen Mike Show is on each night at 9PM except Sundays on Comcast channel 18 and on U-Verse channel 99.

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The February 3rd episode, featuring his discussion with Democrat Town Councilor Vincent Testa, is now available on demand. I have it cross posted here and it is available on the WPAA VideoAlive page.

The episode presents Vincent Testa, Democrat Town Councilor and the topics discussed were Wallingford's Grand List and its decline this year for the first time in over 25 years, the mill rate and taxes here in Wallingford. Also discussed was the recent revaluation and the proposed Board of Education budget among other topics such as planning and zoning and ordinances.

It is a MUST watch for anyone that would like more information on all of the details on these topics.

Again – I HIGHLY recommend the Citizen Mike Show as “must see TV.”

FROM WALLINGFORD - Grand List consequences

As published in the Record Journal, Sunday February 13, 2011

          by Jason Zandri       Jason Suit

Changes in area Grand Lists were recently outlined in a story in the Record Journal. Meriden showed slight growth in 2009 of 0.31 percent which was their best year since 2007. In Cheshire the increase was 0.52 percent. Southington finished up 1.17 percent.

A recent article in the New Haven Register outlined that even the City of New Haven showed a respectable 2.97 percent increase over 2009.
Things may not be back to 2007 levels but they are better than they were last year.

Here in Wallingford the Grand List went down 3.04 percent over 2009, the first decline in 25 years. (2008 to 2009 was effectively a wash at just a slight uptick.) Mayor Dickinson was quoted in the paper saying “This isn’t a rainy day — it’s a rainy decade.”

No it’s not.

2008 and the start of 2009 — sure, I can agree with that. It seemed as if the rain was never going to end. Times were the worst they have been since the Great Depression; “were” being the operative word.

Yes, unemployment is still sitting at 9 percent and that only counts the people collecting. The real number of unemployed / underemployed is 16 percent. These still are high rates but they are improved from the worst of it.

I am not suggesting that everyone go out and do the Snoopy dance. It is not going to be sunshine, rainbows, and dogs and cats living together in harmony forevermore. Certainly not right away.

Just like the winter we’re experiencing currently, it is still here and who knows how long the snow is going to stick around. Even after it’s gone there will be a ton to clean up. Repairs will continue into the summer.

Having said all that, the corner has been turned. To keep looking back is a waste of energy and shows a lack of proper direction. Also, continually having a downbeat outlook often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So what is our plan? We have great schools, competitive taxes and the lowest electric rates in New England. It’s the same tune we’ve been singing for the past quarter century. So why are we experiencing additional contraction in our Grand List? Can’t the general public hear us singing our siren song anymore?

Take another look at the numbers above. Our downdraft in the Grand List is pretty significant especially when you consider it has occurred AFTER everyone else has clearly begun their respective, slight recoveries.

When you consider that and the fact that we have things to offer that other towns cannot you have to ask yourself “isn’t it time we took another look at our playbook”?

Wallingford does many smart things and they have worked well for years. I wouldn’t suggest changing anything that still works. There are clearly things that no longer work the way they used to and we do need to look at changing up our game.

We are competing with the likes of Cheshire, Meriden and North Haven for new residents and businesses and the tax dollars (and the tax costs) that come with them.

We need to be proactively going after them, courting them if you will.
We can’t rely on old standbys anymore of “our taxes are low and we have the best electric rates.”

Our taxes are lower but the disparity isn’t what it once was and the same is true of our electric rates; they are cheaper but not as much cheaper as they once were.

These things alone are clearly not enough to entice new families and businesses to make Wallingford their home.

If our town is to grow and prosper we must move forward proactively; we will not be able to continue to do it as we have in the past. The game has changed and if we are to keep playing we need to roll with the change and tackle it head on.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

AGENDA – WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

February 8, 2011

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer – Deacon Eugene Riotte, Most Holy Trinity church

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#537 - #550) totaling $20,520.36 Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Approval of Merit Increases for two employees - Personnel

3c. Consider and Approve a bid Waiver Request for Capital Region Education Council (CREC) Raising Reader’s Program in the Amount of $7,220 – Youth & Social Services

3d. Acceptance and Appropriation of Donation to Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Enhancement in the amount of $500 to Donations Acct # 302-1045-040-4052 and to Trail Enhancement Acct # 302-1403-816-3052 – Town Engineer

3e. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $45,000 to Materials & Supplies Acct # 001-5015-401-4100 from Contingency-General Purpose Acct # 001-7060-800-3190 – Public Works

3f. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $45,000 to Overtime Acct # 001-5015-101-1400 from Contingency-General Purpose Acct # 001-7060-800-3190 – Public Works

3g. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $10,000 to Purchase Professional Services-Tree Contract Acct # 001-5015-901-9023 from Contingency- General Purpose Acct # 001-7060-800-3190 – Public Works

3h. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of January 25, 2010

3i. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of January 11, 2010

3j. Approve minutes of Special Joint Town Council meeting with Planning & Zoning of December 20, 2010

3k. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of December 14, 2010

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. Request report from Public Works with regard to snow removal/snow plowing – Councilor LeTourneau

6. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

7. Report regarding selection of a firm to conduct a municipal audit for FY 2011, 2012 and 2013 - Comptroller

8. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

9. Executive Session to discuss pending litigation Lubee v.Town Council pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-200 (6) (B)

10. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6) (B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending workers’ compensation matter of Delfino v. Town of Wallingford – Town Attorney

11. Motion to Consider and approve a settlement of the pending workers’ compensation matter of Delfino v. Town of Wallingford as discussed in Executive Session – Town Attorney