Testa’s running for mayor again; Dickinson hasn’t thought about it

As published in the Record Journal, Thursday May 5, 2011

By Robert Cyr
Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD — Local elections are many months away and town councilors are waist deep in municipal budget deliberations, but many have already determined what they plan to do in November. Most of the Town Council members said Wednesday that they are interested in running again for their seats. This year, Democrat Vincent Testa Jr. will run for mayor, his second attempt at the office. Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr., a Republican and the second-longest serving mayor in the state, has said he has not even started thinking about whether he’ll run or not.

Testa’s bid for mayor precludes him from running for council, a position he’s held for eight years now. He said he enjoyed his spot there but has set his sights completely on winning — and then retaining — the mayoral office.

“We have plenty of good people to fill my council position and we’ll be fine,” he said.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Vinnie Avallone said he was not worried about finding six strong Democratic candidates for council seats, the maximum amount either party can hold on the council. There are now three Democrats and six Republicans on the council.

“We hope we get six — both parties obviously have the desire to have a majority on the council,” he said. “We haven’t had any trouble in the past getting candidates and we haven’t seen any trouble so far this year.”

Avallone said he’s received two notices of interest for council seats, including Jason Zandri, who along with Republican Councilor Craig Fishbein helped save the Fourth of July fireworks display when the town cut funding for the event.

Official party endorsements are in July.

Fishbein said he started an exploratory committee to begin fundraising for his run this fall and will switch it to a candidate committee within 10 days after a possible party nomination. Other Republicans, such as Chairman Robert F. Parisi and Vice Chairman Jerry Farrell Jr., said they had not begun to think that far ahead, and were still uncertain whether to make their run official yet.

“I’m leaning toward running, but I’m not really ready to commit, to be honest,” said Parisi, who has a combined 33 years on the council.

Republican Town Committee Chairman Robert Prentice did not return calls Wednesday. Councilor Rosemary Rascati, a Republican, said she would seek a fourth term “if the party will have me.” Republican Vincent Cervoni, still in his first term, said he would seek another.

Democrat John Sullivan, also in his first term, said his last campaign cost more than $4,000, but he would likely run again.

“But it’s still kind of early in the game,” he said.

Democrat Nicholas Economopoulos said he also intended to run again.

Republican John Le-Tourneau, now in his second term, said he would seek a third.

“I feel like I still have some unfinished work to do,” he said. “The first term is a learning experience and the second term is rolling up your sleeves.”

REMINDER – WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND – FINAL FUNDRAISER

FUNDRAISER

WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS

FUND

CONCERT NIGHT

Scheduled to play

The Suspects

Bluzberry Pi

42nd Street

ZANDRI’S STILLWOOD INN – 7:00P.M.

1074 SO. COLONY RD.

FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 TICKETS: $10.00

We are a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization; our tax id# is 27-2576599

For more information, please contact:

Jason Zandri – (203)294-4647 – Jason.Zandri@wallingfordfireworks.org

or visit our website http://wallingfordfireworks.org/

Pepsi Refresh Project - Help us Fund the 2011 Wallingford Fireworks Celebration

Pepsi Refresh Project - Help us Fund the 2011 Wallingford Fireworks Celebration

http://pep.si/hsXMYO

VOTE NOW!

AGENDA – SPECIAL WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET – May 5, 2011

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

Special Town Council Meeting

May 5, 2011

6:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Personnel

Risk Management

Employee Insurance & Benefits

Insurance Property & Casualty

Pension Funds

Pepsi Refresh Project - Help us Fund the 2011 Wallingford Fireworks Celebration

Pepsi Refresh Project - Help us Fund the 2011 Wallingford Fireworks Celebration

http://pep.si/hsXMYO

VOTE NOW!

AGENDA – SPECIAL WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET – May 3, 2011

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

Special Town Council Meeting

May 3, 2011

6:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Public Works

Engineering

Cap & Non-Recurring

Capital Appropriations

Parks & Recreation

Crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s of nonprofit - Local News from Myrecordjournal.com

Crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s of nonprofit - Local News from Myrecordjournal.com

As published in the Record May 1, 2011

It’s nice to see that the board is adding Bill Fritz of Wallingford, a lifelong Democrat, and Republicans Jim Farrell of East Haven and Donna Spose of North Haven. As the article points out, this gives all three district towns representation and crosses party lines which also allows for some additional balance.

I would encourage everyone to review the story to get the details and then if there are any questions I am sure Mr. Parisi would be willing to follow up personally with anyone that has them.

WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND – possibly collecting today (Sunday May 1) at Stop and Shop

After 11:30 I am going to head over to Stop and Shop to see about getting set up to collect donations. We’ve gotten permission to collect there if the groups that have reserved the space do not show up. (We’re hoping for that today). Otherwise there’s nowhere for us to set up today.

If we can set up I am figuring to be there to 5PM (again, if we can get set up and if we can stay).

I’ll have a little money collected from yesterday and a few checks that have come in so I will have new totals to publish tonight.

I’ll be sure to follow up – thanks everyone for the support over these final 30 day. (The Mayor needs the funds in to commit the town by the end of the month so it is do or die time for 2011).

AGENDA – SPECIAL WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING – FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET – May 2, 2011

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BUDGET WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP FORMAT

Sub-Committee Meeting:

Wallingford Housing Authority Selection Process for Tenant Commissioner

AGENDA – SPECIAL WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET – May 2, 2011

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

Special Town Council Meeting

May 2, 2011

6:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Board of Assessment Appeals

Board of Ethics

Board of Selectmen

Civil Preparedness

Probate Court

Registrars of Voters

Zoning Board of Appeals

WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND – CONCERT NIGHT FUNDRAISER

FUNDRAISER

WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND

CONCERT NIGHT

Scheduled to play

The Suspects

Bluzberry Pi

42nd Street

ZANDRI’S STILLWOOD INN – 7:00P.M.

1074 SO. COLONY RD.

FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 TICKETS: $10.00

We are a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization; our tax id# is 27-2576599

AD BOOK DONATIONS (All advertisements are black and white)

Full page ad ( 5 x 8 ) – $250.00

1/2 page ad ( 5 x 4 ) – $150.00

1/4 page ad ( 2.5 x 4 ) – $80.00

For more information, please contact:

Jason Zandri – (203)294-4647 – Jason.Zandri@wallingfordfireworks.org

or visit our website http://wallingfordfireworks.org/

Wallingford Fireworks Fund is looking for volunteers

Wallingford Fireworks Fund is looking for helpers for this weekend and over the next few weeks.

With the final five weeks of donation collecting upon us, we are in need of volunteers that can stand and collect donations.

We need help each of the next few weekends starting with this Saturday the 30^th. If you can spare a few hours every other weekend we could use your help.

Please contact me directly at 860 614 6069 or via email at Jason@Zandri.net

AGENDA – SPECIAL WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING –FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET - April 28, 2011

Special Town Council Meeting

APRIL 28, 2011

6:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Finance

Assessor

Purchasing

Tax

Debt Services

Contingency

Mayor

Pension Funds - Scheduled for May 5, 2011

Special Wallingford Town Council Meeting - FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET - APRIL 27, 2011

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

Special Town Council Meeting

APRIL 27, 2011

6:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Library

Economic Development Commission

Social Services

     Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW)

     Wallingford Center Inc. (WCI)

     Senior Center

     Master’s Manna

     Police Department

AGENDA – WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

April 26, 2011

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

Opening Prayer - Reverend Margaret Jay, First Congregational Church

1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#659 - #668) totaling $1,444.87 Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Approve Reappointment of Candace Brashears as a member of the Historic Properties Commission effective immediately for Term to Expire March 27, 2016 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3c. Approve Reappointment of Tara Knapp as an alternate to the Historic Properties Commission effective immediately for Term to Expire March 27, 2016 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3d. Approve the Appointment of William Austin as an alternate to the Historic Properties Commission effective immediately for Term to Expire March 27, 2016 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3e. Approve the Appointment of Kimberly Lode-Dellaselva as an alternate to the Historic Properties Commission effective immediately for Term to Expire March 27, 2016 – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3f. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $16,273 to Maintenance of Vehicles Acct # 2030-550-5000 from Volunteer Tax Abatement $4,598 Acct # 2030-101-1800 from Heating System Controls-Headquarters $ 9,500 Acct #2030-999-9028 from Radio Pagers for Volunteer Firefighters $2,175 Acct # 2030-999-9032 - Fire Chief

3g. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $12,000 to Professional Services-Lawyers Acct # 001-1320-901-9002 from Professional Services- Specialists Acct # 001-1320-901-9003 – Town Attorney

3h. Schedule a Public Hearing for May 10, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.

AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,268,000 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS MUNICIPAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 2011-2012 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $2,268,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE

3i. Confirmation of Reappointment of the following Board of Ethics members Three-year term effective immediately and expiring 3/1/2014

Sean Doherty
Mary Paquette
Reverend Dean Warburton
Jon Paul Venoit (currently serving as alternate; is being appointed as full member)

Alternate: Iris Papale (effective immediately and expiring 3/1/2013)

Requested by Mayor

3j. Consider and approve the following Resolutions

Resolved, that the Wallingford Town Council authorizes the Wallingford Board of Education to apply to the Commissioner of Education and to accept grants for the Asbestos Removal Projects at the Cook Hill Elementary School, Dag Hammerskjold Middle School, Highland Elementary School, Lyman Hall High School, James H. Moran Middle School, Pond Hill Elementary School, Rock Hill Elementary School, Mark T. Sheehan High School and E. C. Stevens Elementary School.

Resolved, that the Wallingford Building Committee is hereby established as the building committee with regard to the Asbestos Removal Projects at the Cook Hill Elementary School, Dag Hammerskjold Middle School, Highland Elementary School, Lyman Hall High School, James H. Moran Middle School, Pond Hill Elementary School, Rock Hill Elementary School, Mark T. Sheehan High School and E. C. Stevens Elementary School

Resolved, that the Wallingford Town Council hereby authorizes at least the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the Asbestos Removal Projects at the Cook Hill Elementary School, Dag Hammerskjold Middle School, Highland Elementary School, Lyman Hall High School, James H. Moran Middle School, Pond Hill Elementary School, Rock Hill Elementary School, Mark T. Sheehan High School and E. C. Stevens Elementary School

3k. Approval of appointment of the following Building Committee members for the Asbestos Abatement Project- Tom Hennessey, Kathy Castelli, Salvatore Menzo, Mark Deptula – Superintendent of Schools

3l. Approve minutes of Special Town Council meeting of April 11, 2011

3m. Approve minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of April 12, 2011

3n. Approve minutes of Special Town Council meeting of April 13, 2011

3o. Approve minutes of Special Town Council meeting of April 14, 2011

3p. Appointment of John J. Andrews as Deputy Fire Marshal effective immediately – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

3q. Appointment of Brian R. Schock as Deputy Fire Marshal effective immediately – Chairman Robert F. Parisi

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

6. Discussion and possible action on appointing Thomas Dacey as Interim Tenant Commissioner to the Wallingford Housing Authority until (at least) a regular appointment is made. – Councilor Craig C. Fishbein

7. Discussion and possible action of nomination of former Tenant Commissioner Patricia Hogan as Interim Tenant Commissioner to the Wallingford Housing Authority until such time an election of such as set up by the Wallingford Housing Authority takes place – Councilor Nicholas Economopoulos

8. Discussion and Possible Action to appoint Town Councilor Nicholas Economopoulos to serve as a liaison between Wallingford Town Council and the Wallingford Housing Authority– Councilor Nicholas Economopoulos

9. Bid waiver for interruptible gas for 7/1/11 – 6/30/12 at Moses Y. Beach Elementary School, E. C. Stevens Elementary School, Yalesville Elementary School, Dag Hammerskjold Middle School, Lyman Hall High School and the Vocational-Agricultural Building at Lyman Hall High School (Dual fuel capability facilities) – Board of Education

10. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $196,367 to Various Accounts (attached) for AFSCME 1183 Pay Raises from Various Accounts (attached) for AFSCME 1183 Pay Raises - Comptroller

11. 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

12. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(B) to discuss pending litigation involving the matter of Town of Wallingford v. Zapp– Town Attorney

13. Motion to Authorize action involving pending litigation as discussed in Executive Session – Town Attorney

FROM WALLINGFORD - Looking ahead to the Fourth of July

by Jason Zandri
As published in the Record Journal Sunday April 24, 2011

With the end of May fast approaching, fundraising for the annual fireworks show is now in high gear. As you may recall, last year funding for the annual fireworks celebration was cut from Wallingford’s budget and the show was simply cancelled.

On April 18th, after the budget talks ended, I decided I was going to dedicate the time to try to raise the fund to save the event. With the help of some other dedicated citizens and very generous donations from major contributors like Choate as well as hundreds of smaller donations from other businesses and John and Jane Citizen, the show was saved; $30,347 was raised in 34 days.

This year too, the show is going unfunded so we have been hitting the ground since the beginning of March collecting for the event. As of this April 18th our fundraising balance is $13,000.

From the “good” perspective, we are $13,000 farther along than we were at this time last year. The “bad” perspective is the fact that if you average forward six weeks to the campaign deadline based on the take of the past six weeks you can see how we are going to potentially miss our goal by about $4,000.

I am not without hope that we couldn’t pull this off and I intend to collect it all or run out of time trying.

As with last year, we need about $30,000 to restore the show. We had originally hoped that by starting earlier we could collect $40,000 and restore the R Band and their performance to the event but given the current campaigning averages there is no way we’re going to be able to do that. Last year we didn’t consider trying but we were more hopeful this year.

We do have one final major fundraiser coming up on May 6th; a concert night planned at the Stillwood Inn at 7PM featuring The Suspects, Bluzberry Pi and 42nd Street. We are hopeful that with that event, the additional collecting of donations that we are doing at local businesses, and the one off donations that people are mailing to us that we can make that final amount as we did last year just under the wire.

This event is a nice thing to have. It is not a necessity but it is something I would like to see preserved and available for future generations to enjoy. I am in good company with respect to the generous donations that I am receiving from people. Clearly it is a minority of people, but with a town of 46,000 and an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 that attend the event it is only a minority of the town that goes to the show anyway.

The celebration of the birth of our nation is worth my time, effort and a fairly large sum of my own money to try to preserve the 4th of July fireworks celebration.

I get a lot of, “what a waste of money — to be blown up in the sky for a 30minute show” from the nay-sayers. They are entitled to their opinions.

I disagree, as does every single person that drops a dollar into one of my collection buckets. By offering a means to save the event through the collection of donations I am stimulating the economy — if there was no show there would be no vendors making money that night on do-dads and ice cream. There would be no overtime earned by the police, fire and public works employees (paid for by the fund — we are covering all costs).

All this and we are offering a nice family event for one and all.

In this day and age of “nothing to do and no time to do it” I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday night.

See you at the fireworks!

Special Wallingford Town Council Meeting - FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

Special Town Council Meeting

APRIL 25, 2011

6:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

FY 2011 – 2012 BUDGET

AGENDA

1. Moment of Silence

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Public Utilities Commission

Water-Sewer Divisions

Electric Division

Program Planning

Government Television

Youth & Social Services

Wallingford Fireworks Fund totals as of April 16–$12,912.27

So there’s some good news / bad news / good news to be said here.

So the first good news piece here is that this time last year we didn’t have a dime towards the cause and already this year (because we started 45 days ago) we have nearly $13,000.00.

The bad news is that at this pace, we are going to reach the deadline of the end of May and be short by nearly $6,000.00. We also have some advertising costs to consider for the next fundraiser that will generate about $1,000.00 more in expenditures that we’re going to have to cover.

The other piece of good news is that we still have the WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND CONCERT NIGHT fundraiser scheduled for May 6th and that should help us some of the way towards closing this gap. How much remains to be seen but I am hopeful it could pull us very close like the fundraiser dinner did last year.

The one nice thing about clearing $12,000.00 is that we now have all the money the town needs to pay for all of the town services. Every dime collected from this point forward goes towards paying for the fireworks cost themselves.

I plan to continue to collect every spare moment I get until I get everything we need or until I run out of time.

I’ll see you around town over the next 45 days.

Fundraising collections for Saturday the 16th 2011 for the Wallingford Fireworks Fund

Hi Gang,

Today, Saturday April 16th, we’ll be collecting at the Landfill and the Recycling Center from 8AM to about 2PM. That’s the plan at least. We may leave a little earlier if the volume of cars is low because of the weather

Our current collection totals stand at $11,488.10.

Last year we just started our collecting on April 18th so I am hoping to clear the total we need for all the town services before the weekend is over.

As I have them, they are:

I’ll update everyone on Sunday morning as to where we are.

If you can stop by and see us that would be great.

Don’t forget as well about our final major fundraiser on Friday May 6th:

 FUNDRAISER

WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND

CONCERT NIGHT

Scheduled to play

The Suspects

Bluzberry Pi

42nd Street

ZANDRI’S STILLWOOD INN – 7:00P.M.

1074 SO. COLONY RD. FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 TICKETS: $10.00

We are a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization; our tax id# is 27-2576599

AD BOOK DONATIONS (All advertisements are black and white)

Full page ad (5 x 8) – $250.00

1/2 page ad (5 x 4) – $150.00

1/4 page ad (2.5 x 4) – $80.00

For more information, please contact:

Jason Zandri - (203)294-4647 - Jason.Zandri@wallingfordfireworks.org

or visit our website http://wallingfordfireworks.org/

Fundraising collection for Friday April 15th and Saturday the 16th 2011 for the Wallingford Fireworks Fund

Hi Gang,

Today, Friday April 15th my father will be at the Dunkin Donuts on South Colony Road and I will be at the one on North Colony Road from about 7AM to about 10AM.

Tomorrow Saturday April 16th we’ll be at the Landfill and the Recycling Center from 8AM to about 2PM (or whenever the rain starts coming down too heavy).

Our current collection totals stand at $11,060.27.

Last year we just started our collecting on April 18th so I am hoping to clear the total we need for all the town services before the weekend is over.

As I have them, they are:

Police Overtime                       $7,747.00
Fire Department / Overtime       $1,900.00
Port-o-lets                             $   990.00
Fire Marshall                           $   850.00
Public Works                           $   325.00

Total                                    $11,812.00

I’ll update everyone on Sunday morning as to where we are.

If you can stop by and see us that would be great.

Don’t forget as well about our final major fundraiser on Friday May 6th:

 FUNDRAISER

WALLINGFORD FIREWORKS FUND

CONCERT NIGHT

Scheduled to play

The Suspects

Bluzberry Pi

42nd Street

ZANDRI’S STILLWOOD INN – 7:00P.M.

1074 SO. COLONY RD. FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 TICKETS: $10.00

We are a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization; our tax id# is 27-2576599

AD BOOK DONATIONS (All advertisements are black and white)

Full page ad (5 x 8) – $250.00

1/2 page ad (5 x 4) – $150.00

1/4 page ad (2.5 x 4) – $80.00

For more information, please contact:

Jason Zandri - (203)294-4647 - Jason.Zandri@wallingfordfireworks.org

or visit our website http://wallingfordfireworks.org/