REMINDER - ‘Party for a Cure’ scheduled Sept. 4

What : “Party For A Cure” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Where : Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, 1074 S. Colony Road.
When : 5:30 p.m. Sept. 4.
Cost : $50 donation to MDA.
Information, tickets, donations : Call Zandri’s at (203) 269-6695.

WALLINGFORD — The Labor Day Telethon’s annual “Party for a Cure” will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, 1074 S. Colony Road.

The admission charge will include a buffet dinner, open bar, entertainment and a silent auction. Proceeds will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

WTIC-TV will broadcast live from Zandri’s during the telethon. For information or a reservation, call (203) 269-6695.

Parking lot vote could be a deal breaker

Simpson Court business owner says he’ll opt out if referendum overturns deal

As published in the Record Journal, Wednesday August 31, 2011

By Robert Cyr
Record-Journal staff
rcyr@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224

WALLINGFORD — If a long-term lease allowing municipal parking to continue behind the buildings on Simpson Court is overturned by a potential town-wide referendum, the owner of a portion of the parking lot says he’ll back out of a previous short-term lease providing public access to his land.

The Town Council recently approved a 30-year agreement with three property owners allowing the town to make repairs as needed to the group lot behind four uptown businesses on Simpson Court and North Main Street in exchange for the lot remaining open for free public parking.

The agreement, written by former Corporation Counsel Adam Mantzaris, essentially updates and amends a year-to-year lease the town has had with varying configurations of property owners since 1961.

The owner of 2 N. Main St., John M. McGuire, had sent the town notice on Aug. 18, 2009, that he was withdrawing from that earlier year-to-year agreement a day after the Zoning Board of Appeals rejected his application to add a third story to his building, home to TD Bank.

McGuire said Tuesday that the ZBA’s decision had nothing to do with his letter informing the town of his one-year notice to exit the agreement, but that he would keep his notice pending due to the upcoming possibility of a town-wide referendum that threatens to overturn the council’s decision to approve the new long-term lease.

The council approved spending up to $500,000 on improvements to the lot, including paving and lighting, as part of Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr.’s 2011-12 budget, passed earlier this year. The money would come out of the capital non-recurring fund made up of revenue from the Electric Division.

A group of local residents including Town Councilor Nicholas Economopoulos have so far collected more than half of the 2,491 signatures required by Sept. 8 to hold a town-wide referendum to reverse the council’s decision.

“My response,” McGuire said, “would be to treat my property as private property and restrict it to people who use my buildings, period. Why should I be maintaining the property for other people? If the town is not going to come in and maintain it as a public parking lot, then I’m going to treat it as a private parking lot.”

McGuire said he had been working to establish the recently approved lease for the past six years and is still strongly in favor of it remaining in place. He has owned his North Main Street property for 11 years, he said.

Town Attorney Janis Small said McGuire was one of the most influential property owners in getting the 30-year agreement with the town to go through, but never submitted a written retraction of his one year notice to exit the prior year-to-year lease.

“He’s always been in favor of the agreement as it is now,” she said. “He continuously negotiated the deal, and I don’t know that he’s told people to stay off the property.”

Wallingford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow Wednesday August 31, 2011

According to the Wallingford Public School channel (99 on AT&T U-verse)  school has been cancelled for Wednesday August 31st.

Unfortunately buses still cannot travel down many roads in town. Wallingford Public Schools will not be open on Wednesday, August 31, 2011.

Only administrators, clerical staff and custodial staff report to work.

There is now an update on http://www.wallingford.k12.ct.us/

WALLINGFORD - Hurricane Recovery - Parking Ban is still in effect

This is not so much “are they enforcing it” (because we all know historically they do not) but rather “if you ARE actually towed – here’s why”

As posted on the Town’s Website (as of noon on 8/30):

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A parking ban remains in effect in the Town of Wallingford on Tuesday, August 30, 2011.

The ban is necessary to facilitate the efficient and safe restoration of public utilities.

No vehicle shall be parked or allowed to remain on any public street while the ban is in effect.

Vehicles found to be in violation of the ban will be tagged and towed at the owner's expense. The parking ban will remain in effect until further notice.

WALLINGFORD - Hurricane Recovery - Electric Division - Updated Information

As posted on the Town of Wallingford website as of 2PM 8/30:

The Wallingford Electric Division (WED) continues its efforts to restore power to all of its customers. The WED system sustained substantial damage from Hurricane Irene, with power lines down in a number of locations.

Safety remains our primary concern and our first priority has been to secure all downed wires and hazardous sites. In addition, beginning yesterday, we deployed our line crews and Engineering personnel to perform damage assessment and to begin making system repairs. The assessment phase is nearly complete. Restoration work began Sunday afternoon and is ongoing.

The first priority in the restoration process is to repair the distribution feeders that make up our system backbone. This approach enables us to provide power to the greatest number of customers in the most efficient manner. As we get the primary system conductors back in service our crews will begin repairing damaged service wires to customers. This process will continue after the completion of system backbone repairs until all customers are connected.

The WED provides electrical service to the Town of Wallingford and to the Northford section of the Town of North Branford. We estimate that approximately 9,500 WED customers were without power immediately following Irene. Since that time, we have restored power to approximately 8,500 of these customers.

Based on our assessment of the work remaining to be done, we anticipate that there will be less than 500 customers without electric service by the end of today, Tuesday, August 30. Due to the variety of problems that may affect individual customers’ service wires, we are unable to provide a precise time frame at this point for restoration of service to all customers.

The WED has called upon outside resources to supplement its regular work force in order to restore service in the shortest time feasible.

The work force engaged in the field with the restoration effort:

• 7 WED line crews

• 6 line crews from Thirau, LLC, the WED’s line emergency line restoration contractor (3 crews are on site and 2 crews are in-bound).

• Line crews from neighboring municipal electric systems, through the WED’s Mutual Aid Agreement with the Northeast Public Power Association

• 2 from Chicopee MA Municipal Light

• 1 from South Hadley MA Electric Light Dept.

• 1 from Westfield Gas and electric Light Dept.

• 3 tree clearing crews from Asplundh Tree Expert Company

We ask our customers to remember that they are responsible for certain components of the facilities to which the WED delivers service. If any customer-owned facilities are damaged due to a storm or accident these facilities must be repaired by a licensed electrician before the WED can safely restore power. WED crews can only work on WED equipment.

Customers who have questions regarding which components of their electrical service are their responsibility should contact the WED Customer Service Group at 203-265-5055 or 203-294-2020.

To aid in the restoration of power, the WED has prepared a helpful diagram, entitled, What You Need to Know About Your Electric Service Connection.

Customers who use or plan to use a portable electric generator should follow basic safety guidelines detailed in the WED Home Generator Safety Checklist.

WALLINGFORD - Hurricane Recovery - Compost Center Expands Hours

As posted on the Town of Wallingford website:

The Wallingford Compost Center on John Street will observe expanded hours this week to accommodate residents who wish to compost yard debris generated by the recent storm.

The expanded schedule is as follows:
Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

PRESS RELEASE - Town of Wallingford Hurricane Irene Recovery

Town of Wallingford - Hurricane Irene Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lieutenant Marc Mikulski
Wallingford Police Department
135 North Main Street
Wallingford, CT
(203) 294-2814

 

Wallingford Electric Division (WED)

The WED continues its efforts to restore power to all of its customers. The WED system sustained substantial damage from Hurricane Irene, with power lines down in a number of locations.

Safety remains our primary concern and our first priority has been to secure all downed wires and hazardous sites. In addition, beginning yesterday, we deployed our line crews and Engineering personnel to perform damage assessment and to begin making system repairs. The assessment phase is nearly complete. Restoration work began yesterday afternoon, continued through the night and is ongoing.

The first priority in the restoration process is to repair the distribution feeders that make up our system backbone. This approach enables us to provide power to the greatest number of customers in the most efficient manner. As we get the primary system conductors back in service our crews will begin repairing damaged service wires to customers. This process will continue after the completion of system backbone repairs until all customers are connected.

The WED provides electrical service to the Town of Wallingford and to the Northford section of the Town of North Branford. We estimate that approximately 9,500 WED customers were without power immediately following Irene. Since that time, we have restored power to approximately 5,000 of these customers.

Based on our assessment of the work remaining to be done, we anticipate that we will restore power to at least 85% of the remaining out-of-power customers by the end of the day, Wednesday, August 31st. Due to the variety of problems that may affect individual customers’ service wires we are unable to provide a precise time frame at this point for restoration of service to all customers.

The WED has called upon outside resources to supplement its regular work force in order to restore service in the shortest time feasible.

The work force engaged in the field with the restoration effort:

- 6 WED line crews
- 5 line crews from Thirau LLC, the WED’s line emergency line restoration contractor (3 crews are on site and 2 crews are in-bound).
- Line crews from neighboring municipal electric systems, through the WED’s Mutual Aid Agreement with the Northeast Public Power Association
- 2 from Chicopee MA Municipal Light
- 1 from South Hadley MA Electric Light Dept.
- 1 from Westfield Gas and Electric Light Dept.
- 3 tree clearing crews from Asplundh Tree Expert Company

We ask our customers to remember that they are responsible for certain components of the facilities to which the WED delivers service. If any customer-owned facilities are damaged due to a storm or accident these facilities must be repaired by a licensed electrician before the WED can safely restore power. WED crews can only work on WED equipment. Customers who have questions regarding which components of their electrical service are their responsibility should contact the WED Customer Service Group at (203) 265-5055 or (203) 294-2020.

We would all like to ask our customers to help keep our linemen safe as they work to restore power with the proper use of emergency generators. Please do not connect your home generator directly to your home or business’ wiring. The generator should be connected through an approved cut-off switch that will automatically disconnect the home or business from the power grid when the generator is being used. This work must be done by a licensed electrician.

 

Wallingford Police Department

The Wallingford Police Department received 205 calls for service between Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 8AM and Monday, August 29, 2011 at 8AM. The majority of the 205 calls for service were 71 calls for Public Hazards and 54 calls for residential and commercial alarm activations.

 

Wallingford Fire Department

The Wallingford Fire Department during the same operational time period responded to 60 calls for service. No one was transported by Wallingford Fire Department Town Ambulance for storm related injuries. Currently the fire department is experiencing normal call volume.

 

Wallingford Department of Public Health

Any Wallingford restaurant that has lost power is required by state statute to notify the Health Department at 203-294-2065. Residents are also encouraged to throw all refrigerated foods if there has been no power for more than four hours. “When in doubt, throw it out!” Residents that are served by well water who do not have electrical power are encouraged to use bottled water. When power is restored to well pumps the water lines should be flushed for five minutes prior to use. At this point water is not available from the American Red Cross

The Wallingford Health Department has made arrangements with the YMCA to allow Wallingford residents impacted by Hurricane Irene (those without water) to use the YMCA shower facilities. Facilities will be available from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.  This is a temporary agreement related to the storm.

The Wallingford Emergency Shelter closed at 9pm on Sunday August 28, 2011. Residents are encouraged to seek overnight accommodations, if needed with, family/friend who are not impacted by current electrical outages.

 

Wallingford Public Works

Wallingford Public Works continues to clear trees limbs and debris from the roadways.

Public Works Department will be conducting a town wide brush only pick-up, the week of September 6, 2011. Brush to be collected must meet the following conditions; brush must be no longer than 4’ long and 6” in diameter. It must be tied in bundles so that one person can pick it up.

This week the Town of Wallingford Compost Center will remain open every day from 8AM to 4PM through Saturday September 3, 2011.

 

Wallingford Superintendent of Schools

Wallingford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, August 30, 2011.

*This will be the last press release from the Wallingford Emergency Operations Center regarding Hurricane Irene

Please visit www.town.wallingford.ct.us as well as Wallingford Government Access Television, Comcast Xfinity - Channel 20 and AT&T U-verse - Position 99 for up-to-date local Wallingford information.

Wallingford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow - August 30, 2011.

Wallingford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow - August 30, 2011.

All teachers, secretaries, and custodians should report at their regular times.

Professional development will be conducted for all teaching staff.

All staff should check their district email for more information.

Please check back to this site for any changes.

Wallingford Police Department Hurricane Information

I had this forwarded to me from Town Councilor Vincent Cervoni (thanks Vinny) and I thought it made sense to get it out to everyone so I am cross posting it to my blogs, Facebook and the Record Journal forums.

The full details of this can be downloaded HERE

What is important to note immediately is that there will be a parking ban in effect as of 11PM Saturday the 27th.

There is additional information within the PDF so I would suggest that everyone read through it in detail.

WALLINGFORD – Updated Hurricane Irene information via the town website - Hurricane Preparation Recommendations

Credit where credit is due – the town has done a good job of providing information regarding the upcoming storm.

Here are the links as provided by the Wallingford Municipal Website.

As originally published - Hurricane Preparation Recommendations

Hurricane Watch

Hurricane conditions are a threat within 36 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued.

Hurricane Warning

Hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

Preparations

Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service.

Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).

Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.

Fill your car’s gas tank

Create an evacuation plan

Plan routes to local shelters

Clear catch basins near your home to prevent flooding

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, foods for infants or the elderly, snack foods, non-electric can opener, cooking tools / fuel, paper plates / plastic utensils

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag (insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc).

Pet care items for home and evacuation to a shelter. Proper identification / immunization records / medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, muzzle and leash

WALLINGFORD – Updated Hurricane Irene information via the town website - Huracán Irene - Recomendaciones para Prepararse para el Huracán

Credit where credit is due – the town has done a good job of providing information regarding the upcoming storm.

Here are the links as provided by the Wallingford Municipal Website.

As originally published - Recomendaciones para Prepararse para el Huracán

FYI – I don’t know Spanish so I am taking this off the website as is; if there are any clarifications or anything needs to be appended I am sure one of my friends that knows Spanish will help me out. (Where are Dora and Boots when you really need them?)

Departamento de Policía de Wallingford

Información sobre refugio

Llamadas de Emergencia 9-1-1

Para reportar pérdida de energía eléctrica 203-265-5055

Servicios Rutinarios de los Departamentos de Policía y Bomberos 203-294-2800

El refugio para el Huracán Irene, en caso de y cuando se declare la emergencia será
Mark T. Sheehan High School
142 Hope Hill Road, Wallingford, CT. 06492.

QUE DEBE TRAER AL REFUGIO

• Documento de identificación con foto (Licencia de conducir)

• Comida para bebés/formula, pañales, pañitos húmedos, gel para las encías, pomada

• Mudas de ropa

• Cobijas

• Alimentos & refrigerios, no perecederos con suministro para 3 días

• Sleeping bags

• Teléfono celular

• Almohadas

• Linternas y pilas adicionales

• Productos de limpieza sanitaria

• Radio de pilas con pilas adicionales

• Medicinas recetadas y sin receta médica

• Anteojos

• Objetos para entretenerse (juguetes, libros, juegos, etc.)

• Dentadura postiza

• Dinero en efectivo, chequera, tarjetas de crédito

Documentos Importantes:

• Tarjeta de Seguro Social

• Prueba de Residencia (escritura o contrato de arriendo)

• Pólizas de Seguro

• Certificado de Nacimiento

• Certificado de Matrimonio

• Acciones, bonos y otros certificados negociables

•Testamentos, escrituras, copias recientes de formularios de impuestos.

Consejos/Recomendaciones Para Prepararse Para el Huracán

Conozca la Diferencia

Estar Pendiente de la Tormenta (Hurricane Watch)

Las condiciones del huracán representan una amenaza en 36 horas. Revise sus planes para el huracán, manténgase informado y esté listo para reaccionar si se emite una advertencia.

Advertencia de Huracán (Hurricane Warning)

Las condiciones del huracán se esperan dentro de 24 horas. Complete sus preparaciones para la tormenta y salga del área si las autoridades así lo indican.

Recomendaciones para Prepararse para el Huracán

• Escuche la estación de radio “NOAA Weather” para recibir importante información del Servicio Nacional del Estado del Tiempo.

• Guarde adentro de la casa todo lo que pueda ser levantado por el viento (Bicicletas, muebles del patio etc.)

• Ponga el termostato de la nevera en el punto más frío y manténgalo cerrado lo máximo posible, de esa manera los alimentos durarán más tiempo si se pierde la energía eléctrica

• Llene el tanque de gasolina de su vehículo

• Prepare un plan de evacuación

• Planee rutas al refugio local

• Agua – Por lo menos un gallón diario por persona de 3 a 7 días

• Alimentos – suficiente para por lo menos de 3 a 7 días empacado de manera no perecedera o enlatada/jugos, alimentos para bebés o ancianos, refrigerios, abridor de lata no eléctrico, materiales para cocinar/combustible, platos/cubiertos de plástico

• Botiquín de Primeros Auxilios / Medicinas / Medicinas con Receta Médica

• Linterna / Pilas

• Radio – de pilas y en la estación de “NOAA Weather”

• Teléfonos – completamente cargados y con batería adicional

• Dinero en Efectivo (con billetes de cantidades pequeñas) y tarjetas de crédito- Bancos y cajeros automáticos no estarán disponibles por algún tiempo

• LLaves

• Documentos – en un contenedor o paquete a prueba de agua o (seguros, documentos médicos, número de cuentas bancarias, tarjeta del seguro social, etc.).

• Objetos para el cuidado de las mascotas para el hogar y para la evacuación hacia un refugio. Identificaciónadecuada / información sobre inmunizaciones / medicamentos / gran cantidad de alimentos y agua, una caja o cargador de mascotas o jaula, bozal y correa

Areas Propensas a Inundaciones

Esta tormenta pronostica producir una cantidad aproximada de 10 pulgadas de agua de lluvia, en algunas aéreas puede llegar a 14 pulgadas. Esto ocasionará enormes crecimientos en las quebradas y los ríos que pronto ocasionarán inundaciones en sus riberas. Esto pone a los residentes en el área en una situación muy peligrosa al igual que a los trabajadores de la seguridad pública. Las personas que viven en estas áreas más propensas a las inundaciones deberían hacer planes de evacuación de manera voluntaria.

Vehículos Cruzando en Agua en Movimiento

La mayoría de los carros flotarán (y se irán arrastrados) en niveles de de 18 a 24 pulgadas de agua en movimiento.Camiones y camionetas no resisten más de 6 a 12 pulgadas adicionales. Quebradas y ríos pueden crecer rápidamente y el fondo de las vías también puede desaparecer haciendo el agua más profunda de lo que parece.

Control del Tráfico

¡Suspensiones en el servicio de energía eléctrica significan que los semáforos no estarán funcionando!

Los oficiales de la policía no podrán estar presentes en todas las intersecciones. Los conductores deben parar en todas las intersecciones que tengan semáforos que no estén funcionando, para cerciorarse que es seguro seguir adelante.

WALLINGFORD – Updated Hurricane Irene information via the town website - Precautions During Storm Conditions

Credit where credit is due – the town has done a good job of providing information regarding the upcoming storm.

Here are the links as provided by the Wallingford Municipal Website.

As originally published - Precautions During Storm Conditions

Power Outages

This storm is expected to arrive this weekend with the strongest winds forecast between Sunday, 4:00 a.m., through midnight. Power outages will occur. Prepare to be without power for 3 - 5 day, perhaps longer.

To report an outage, please call the Wallingford Electric Division at: 203-265-5055. If busy, please wait a few minutes and try again. Only call if your power is out.

If you encounter any downed wires, assume that they are live and stay away at 25 feet.

 

Flooding Prone Areas

This storm is forecast to produce an average of 10 inches of rainfall. In some areas more the 14 inches will fall. This will cause extensive flooding of streams and rivers that will quickly overrun their banks. This causes an extremely dangerous situation for residents as well as public safety workers. Plans should be made to voluntarily evacuate these flood prone areas.

Vehicles Crossing Moving Water

Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24 inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs are not much better with only 6 - 12 more inches of clearance. Creeks and rivers can rise very rapidly and the road bottoms can also wash away making the water much deeper than it appears.

Traffic Control

Power outages mean traffic lights will be out of order.

Police officers will not be able to respond to every intersection.

Motorist must stop at all intersections that have inoperable traffic lights to make sure that it is safe to proceed.

WALLINGFORD – Updated Hurricane Irene information via the town website - Hurricane Irene - Shelter Information

Credit where credit is due – the town has done a good job of providing information regarding the upcoming storm.

Here are the links as provided by the Wallingford Municipal Website.

As originally published - Hurricane Irene - Shelter Information

Wallingford Police Department
Shelter Information

EMERGENCY CALLS
9-1-1

Routine Police and Fire Department Services
203-294-2800

Routine Electric Power Outages
203-265-5055

The shelter for Hurricane Irene, if and when declared open, will be Mark T. Sheehan High School 142 Hope Hill Road, Wallingford, CT. 06492.

 

WHAT TO BRING TO A SHELTER

• Photo identification (Driver's License)

• Baby food/formula, diapers, wipes, teething gel, ointment

• Change of clothing

• Blankets

• Food& snacks, non-perishable, 3-day supply

• Sleeping bags

• Cell phone

• Pillows

• Flashlight& extra batteries

• Hygiene or sanitary products

• Battery powered radio & extra batteries

• Medications, prescription & over-the-counter

• Eyeglasses

• Entertainment (toys, books, games, etc.)

• Dentures

• Cash, checkbook, credit cards

Important Papers:

• Social security cards

• Proof of residence (deed or lease)

• Insurance policies

• Birth certificate

• Marriage certificate

• Stocks, bonds, and other negotiable certificates

• Wills, deeds, copies of recent tax returns

President Obama has signed the Connecticut Emergency Declaration

President Obama has signed the Connecticut Emergency Declaration. See email from the White House below.

Please contact Colleen Flanagan with any questions.

Colleen Flanagan
Director of Communications
Governor Dannel P. Malloy
Colleen.Flanagan@ct.gov
860.770.8090

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2011

President Obama Signs Connecticut Emergency Declaration

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Connecticut and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Irene beginning on August 26, 2011, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all counties in the State of Connecticut.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV

###

PARTY FOR A CURE - Telethon changes, but local MDA ‘party’ goes on

As published in the Record Journal Friday August 26, 2011

By Russell Blair
Record-Journal staff
rblair@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2225

Fast facts
What : “Party For A Cure” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Where : Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, 1074 S. Colony Road.
When : 5:30 p.m. Sept. 4.
Cost : $50 donation to MDA.
Information, tickets, donations : Call Zandri’s at (203) 269-6695.

WALLINGFORD — Fifteen years ago, representatives of the Muscular Dystrophy Association came into Jim Zandri’s office looking for a donation, and left with much more. “MDA kind of became my thing,” Zandri said. “They were just asking for a donation, but I volunteered to host an event.”

Zandri’s Stillwood Inn, 1074 S. Colony Road, is hosting its 15th annual “Party for a Cure” fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m. For a $50 donation, guests can enjoy an open bar, a buffet-style diner, entertainment and a silent auction.

The party will last until midnight and feature live cut-ins on WTIC-TV. The restaurant will be showing the telethon on a big screen TV, and those in attendance will have a chance to watch themselves on camera.

“The cut-ins are always a lot of fun,” Zandri said.

Zandri’s event is one of two MDA telethon parties being held in the state. The other event is being hosted at Mohegan Sun.

Zandri said he became involved with the MDA because he was always a big fan of Jerry Lewis, the comedian who hosted the telethon from its inception through last year. The MDA announced several weeks ago that he would no longer be part of the telethon.

John Sullivan, a town councilor and friend of Zandri’s, has been a regular at the event and helped co-host it over the years.

“It’s an incredible charity,” Sullivan said. “And the money raised stays in Connecticut.”

Over the years, Zandri said, $309,000 has been raised. Last year’s event alone raised $41,000. Much of the money comes from a silent auction of items donated by area businesses.

“This year we have a scooter, a recliner, Yankees tickets, Red Sox tickets,” Zandri said. One of the most popular items every year is a handmade afghan knitted by Joan Parisi, the wife of Town Council Chairman Robert Parisi, he said.

“There’s something for everyone,” Zandri said.

This is the first year the telethon will be held without Lewis — and strictly in prime time instead of spread over 22 hours — but Zandri said he doesn’t foresee that hurting the event. The most rewarding part, he said, is helping those in need.

“It makes you realize that you could be on the end where you’re in need of help,” Zandri said.

“Until you learn, you don’t realize how many different diseases fall under the umbrella of MDA,” Sullivan said. “Research to find a cure can’t be done without these events. I look forward to it every year.”

FROM WALLINGFORD - Vision and sophistication

This week’s from Wallingford is written by Stephen Knight and is presented as published in the Record Journal on Sunday August 21, 2011

Halleluiah! An agreement to extend the lease of the parking lot behind Simpson Court has been reached. Not only that, but the Town Council has very wisely voted to invest (more on that word later) almost $500K in improvements to the property.

But almost instantly, a group of people, all of whom cut their teeth on the Wooding- Caplan referendum of yore, took to the streets denouncing the agreement as contrary to the public interest because the money is to be spent on improvements to private property. I want to analyze their contention in three ways: the maintenance of a healthy downtown, the investment to the property and the use of public funds.

First of all, who benefits from the improvements? Opponents would have us believe that only the four property owners do. Nonsense. We all do, because a viable town center benefits each and every one of us, whether it’s in the property values of our homes or the quality of life we all wish to have. And that viability only exists because people want to come downtown. And they will only drive downtown if they know to a certainty that safe, convenient parking is available for their car. No parking? No people. No people? No successful downtown.

Secondly, let’s look at this investment. Yes, the Town of Wallingford is spending taxpayer money improving a piece of private property. But we are leasing this property. The owners are giving up control of the property. For thirty years.

Frankly, I think it took a real leap of faith on the part of the four owners to make this deal. Without the parking behind their buildings, their property is worth zilch. It is a credit to them, and to the town government, that there is enough trust between the parties to enter into such a sweeping and lengthy arrangement.

Lastly, let’s put two public investments announced in the same week side by side: the $500,000 for downtown parking, and the $323,000 for solar panels at Gaylord Hospital. Now before I go any further, let me just state that I think the world of Gaylord, its work and its management. This isn’t about them. It’s about comparing public benefits.

Okay, so the Town of Wallingford spends money on the parking lot. It directly benefits every single merchant downtown, and it indirectly benefits every single property owner in town because the downtown remains vibrant. You don’t need to be a professional urban planner to see the bright line connecting this investment with the benefits to the entire community. It’s obvious.

And yet, the same people of the same political persuasion that find this project such a breach of public protocol will hail handing a check for $323,000 of taxpayer funds to a private entity where the direct public benefit is virtually nonexistent, and even the indirect benefit of supposedly helping to save the planet is, putting it as kindly as I can, tenuous. With all due respect to Gaylord Hospital, all the benefits that will accrue from this government largesse will only benefit them. They will save $25,000 a year in heating oil cost, and this government handout will enable them to recoup their $550K investment in a reasonable nine years rather than the twenty-two years it would take if they had to pay for the entire project themselves.

When municipal governments turn their back on their downtown centers, the result is more than the sight of boarded up storefronts, empty streets, decaying buildings and economic loss. The real loss is in the sense of community that a strong, pleasant and inviting downtown brings to a town. Keeping that from happening takes both vision and sophistication: the vision to see the totality of the benefits and the sophistication to see that those benefits are accruing to all the citizens and not just a few. Surely the citizens of our town have both in abundance.

Small says Wallingford isn't on hook for $500,000

As published in the Record Journal, Tuesday August 23, 2011
By Robert Cyr
Record-Journal staff
rcyr@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224

WALLINGFORD - A petition drive seeking to stop the town from spending a half-million dollars on improvements to a privately owned parking lot could harm the town's ability to use the space for municipal parking while still leaving it responsible for maintenance, officials say.    
The Town Council recently approved a 30-year agreement with three property owners allowing the town to make repairs as needed to the group lot behind four uptown businesses on Simpson Court and North Main Street in exchange for the lot remaining open for free public parking.

The agreement, written by former Corporation Counsel Adam Mantzaris, updates a three-decade-long version of a year-to-year lease the town has had with varying configurations of property owners since 1961, said Town Attorney Janis Small.

If the petition is successful and the new lease is defeated at referendum, the town and property owners would revert back to the year-to-year lease, leaving the town responsible for maintenance, but without the same guarantees. Any party can back out of the year-to-year agreement at any time.

The council approved the updated lease agreement, but with dissent from two of its members, who said using public money to fix private property was a bad decision. A day later, Robert Gross began a petition drive to overturn the council's decision at referendum. As of Friday, Gross had collected 1,400 signatures, more than half the 2,491 he needs by Sept. 8.

"The whole purpose of getting the lease is so the town could justify making an investment," Small said. "It would be up to the property owners to decide if they want to continue with the status quo."

The council approved spending up to $500,000 on improvements to the lot, including paving and lighting, as part of Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr.'s 2011-12 budget, passed earlier this year. The money would come out of the capital non-recurring fund made up of revenue from the Electric Division.

Small said the lease agreement contains no dollar amounts or spending stipulations and that it simply gives the town the option to make improvements as needed. The capital earmark and the agreement are two separate issues, she said.

"It was drafted in that manner so we wouldn't be in a position where the property owners dictate each and every thing the town did," she said. "There's this idea that the town is committed to spend that amount of money, but there's no such thing."

Councilor Nicholas Economopoulos, a Democrat, voted against the lease and has been helping Gross and others collect signatures around town. He said his decision wasn't made along party lines and that the money could be better spent elsewhere.

"I wanted to be my own person on this one and I feel very strongly about this," he said.

Councilor John Sullivan, also a Democrat, was not present at the council meeting when the vote took place. He said he would have supported the lease, however, because there's no contractual language forcing the town to spend all of the money it has already voted to put aside for lot repairs.

"The jury's out as to how much we're going to put into the property," he said. "The key to this lease is the language that states the town may make improvements. I understand some people feel we are making an improvement on property we don't own. But 30 years is a long time. But if that referendum changes the decision, this could cripple the downtown area."

Like Economopoulos, Town Councilor Craig Fishbein voted against the lease, but worried that a referendum could have negative consequences.

"Let's say there's no lease because the referendum is successful, but it doesn't challenge the expenditure," said Fishbein, a Republican. "Does the referendum address that at all? They're just challenging the lease. We'd still have that money we voted to spend on the lot."

Comptroller James Bowes was not available for comment.

Gross, who has set up an email address for his petition drive at parking500k@aol.com, said the money approved for the lot could be reassigned to other projects in town, such as fixing school buildings and the Parks and Recreation Department building.

"In this economy," he said, "it's just too much to spend on private property."

Is this a time for a COLA? - Some councilors question pension cost-of-living adjustment

As published in the Record Journal on August 21, 2011

By Russell Blair
Record-Journal staff
rblair@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2225

WALLINGFORD — The Town Council voted last week to approve a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase in pensions for retired town employees, but some councilors questioned the decision at a time when many current town employees face a wage freeze.

Personnel Director Terrance Sullivan said town employee union contracts require the council to consider a cost-of-living increase every three years. In the past, the increases have been 3 percent, but Sullivan said Tuesday the 1.5 percent figure was a compromise given tough economic times.

“We decided on an increase of less than 3 percent but more than zero,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said there are 406 retirees and beneficiaries in town, and 310 will be affected by the increase. The increase, which won’t go into effect until next year, will initially cost the town $93,215.

Councilor Craig Fishbein, a Republican, voted against the increase because he felt it wasn’t the right economic time for an increase in pension payments.

“We take the position of no wage increases for current employees, but increase pensions by 1.5 percent for past employees,” Fishbein said.

Fishbein also questioned the language of the contract, and whether or not it would be possible for the council to approve an increase, but delay the start by a year. Some councilors who voted in favor of the increase did so because they didn’t want pensioners to go five years without a cost-of-living adjustment. John LeTourneau, a Republican councilor, voted in favor of the increase.

“In these tough times, people living on a town pension, that’s all they get,” LeTourneau said.

As for the current employees with no wage increases, LeTourneau said that – for the people working – he felt the wage freeze will eventually be negotiated.

“They’re going to get their raises,” LeTourneau said.

Some councilors asked about an annual review for cost-of-living adjustments, but Sullivan said that, given the contract language, it wasn’t possible. Sullivan added that since the raises compound every year, a 1 percent increase for three consecutive years would cost the town more than a 3 percent increase every three years.

Fishbein said that he was worried the increases would affect the budget not just this year, but in subsequent years too. Sullivan said that his staff was still extrapolating the data to estimate how much it will eventually cost the town.
There hasn’t been a cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security recipients since 2008, a fact that Fishbein said shows it’s possible for town retirees to get by on their current pensions.

“Look at all the seniors on Social Security who haven’t seen an increase in two years,” he said.

Nick Economopoulos, a Democrat, also voted against the cost-of-living increase.

“The people that are paying for this increase can’t afford to put food on the table,” Economopoulos said. “I just don’t think it’s the right time.”

LeTourneau said that in the grand scheme of things, the increase doesn’t result in a lot of extra money. Going five years without an increase, he said, is “just not right.”

“I don’t think it’s fair to penalize the retirees,” LeTourneau said.

Jepsen: Town will benefit from Covanta settlement

As published in the Record Journal Thursday August 18, 2011

By Robert Cyr
Record-Journal staff
rcyr@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224

WALLINGFORD — State Attorney General George Jepsen told an audience at the Democratic Town Committee meeting Wednesday night that the town may benefit in some way through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection from a recent settlement with Covanta Energy over dioxin emissions last year. “As you might guess, we’re under a lot of pressure from the Malloy administration to put as much money as possible into the general fund,” he said. “Our lawyers wanted $200,000 to go to Wallingford and it turns out it’s hard to write a settlement that is so narrowly focused, and the DEP, as a matter of discretion, will be focusing on Wallingford.”

The trash-to-energy plant on South Cherry Street was ordered to pay the state a $400,000 fine stemming from high dioxin levels in one of its operating stacks last summer. Former Attorney General Richard Blumenthal brought the suit against Covanta on behalf of the DEP.
Town Councilor Vincent Testa Jr., who is running for Mayor, told Jepsen the council had recently voted to authorize Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. to send the DEP a letter requesting that Wallingford be considered to receive part of the settlement. “Since it happened in Wallingford, Wallingford should benefit from that fund,” he said. “It was also suggested that we ask for the whole $400,000.”

Committee Chairman Vincent Avallone, who had requested Jepsen’s presence at the meeting to answer questions about the Covanta suit, said the recent court ruling differed from other cases in which the company violated emissions standards and were only sued. This was the first instance of an enforceable court ruling, with stiff penalties for future violations.

“Covanta now sees this and they’re on their toes,” he said. “The penalties get worse and worse.”

According to the suit brought by the state, the plant was fully operational after officials discovered on May 27 that a stack was emitting more than twice the allowed limit of dioxin. The stack remained in use until Covanta shut it down. The lawsuit called for Covanta to pay a fine of $25,000 for every day the stack remained in use.

Under terms of the settlement filed last month in Hartford Superior Court, the company will pay $200,000 to the state treasurer and $200,000 to DEEP for a project to enhance environmental protection or conserve natural resources. They will also be held to more strict emissions standards for the next three years.

State Attorney General George Jepsen will be at the Wallingford Democrat Town Committee meeting tonight–Wednesday August 17, 2011

State Attorney General George Jepsen will be at the Wallingford Democrat Town Committee meeting tonight–Wednesday August 17, 2011.

The public is invited to come meet the State Attorney General as we welcome him back to Wallingford.

He is scheduled to speak regarding the recent judgment against Covanta Energy which has been ordered to pay a $400,000 fine and upgrade one of its incinerators as terms of a settlement with the state over emissions violations last summer.

The meeting starts at 7:30pm and is held at 350 Center Street in Room 212.