Posted by Bob on July 24, 2009 under Daily Blogs | 
Much of our time this week has been devoted to finding a solution to prevent further damage to residents in the Nettleton Avenue area effected by recent flooding. Recent weather has produced consistent and sometimes torrid rain storms which have further strained our waste water drainage system in certain neighborhoods. During the most severe storms which produce multiple inches of rain in less than an hour’s time, certain areas of our infrastructure have the potential to be compromised.
Water damage after a particular storm was significant to certain residents along Nettleton Avenue. After further reviewing the situation, it has become apparent that there are several problem areas that need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Our office has undertaken efforts to efforts to solve the short term and long term challenges to our waste water infrastructure.
Nettleton Avenue Area Waste Water Drainage System
On Wednesday, Borough Engineer James Stewart oversaw the flushing of the line that goes under the properties of certain Nettleton Avenue residents. Water flowed through the pipe, giving us an initial indication that there is probably not any significant blockage. Unless some other deviation is discovered when the pipe is viewed electronically next Wednesday, it is likely that the problems are being caused due to capacity rather than blockage.
Proposals to address the Nettleton Avenue issue should be ready for an engineering study by next Friday, with hopes that completion of the engineering work required can be done within the next forty five (45) days. Attempting to reconstruct pipes and/or redirect water without proper engineering could result in failure to properly address the problem at best, or greater damage to property at worst. This issue has apparently been ignored for many years. While it is not a new problem, our administration will not allow it to continue to be an old one. The Borough is currently investigating several funding sources from grant money to remaining bonding capacity from previous projects.
We would like to thank our state and federal legislative delegations, Borough officials, and Borough employees for their timely response to this issue. Their continued commitment to our community is much appreciated.
Solving the problem at Nettleton Avenue, however, is only the beginning. Naugatuck, like many older communities with high population densities, has old, small water pipes never designed to handle the development that has occurred around them. Many of the homes in certain neighborhoods would never be allowed to be built given modern concepts of planning, zoning and engineering. There are several areas of concern around the Borough which must be addressed.
Our administration has requested that the engineering department conduct an analysis of all potentially problematic areas in the Borough which have had capacity issues and/or caused flooding over the years. This will allow us to develop an improvement plan to address problems strategically rather than react to issues after they have negatively impacted citizen’s lives and property. While fixing the Nettleton Avenue situation quickly is the immediate concern, we must not simply hope that such problems do not occur in the future to other neighborhoods.
Posted by Bob on July 21, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
Department of Labor Career Express Bus
The Department of Labor Career Express Bus will be coming to the Borough on Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The bus will be parked near the Whittemore Library and/or the Green.
The Career Express Bus will provide job search assistance in the following areas on a first-come, first serve basis:
- online job searching;
- online job resource information;
- resume drafting and critique;
- interviewing tips; and
- Department of Labor/CT Works programs and services.
The Career Express Bus is part of the Borough’s economic resource initiative developed and implemented by Mayor Mike Bronko during the past spring. Special thanks to Constituent Aide Lisa Levesque for all her diligent efforts in bringing the bus to Naugatuck and the ongoing support from the Naugatuck Social Service Network.
For more information regarding services and resources available through the program, please contact Lisa email at llevesque@naugatuck-ct.gov or by phone at 203-720-7009.
Posted by Bob on July 15, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
No one involved in government expects all decisions to be easy choices. Elected officials are often required to weigh competing interests where both positions have legitimate merit. Many times such decisions involve taxpayer dollars. Last night’s Joint Boards meeting presented such a choice.
Through diligent effort Naugatuck’s Fire Department presented the Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses with an opportunity to capitalize on a federal grant program which would have allowed the Borough to employ four (4) additional firefighters. Known as the SAFER Grant, and acronym for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, the federal program reimburses qualifying municipalities for hiring additional firefighters. Funding reimbursements are highest in the first (1st) year at ninety (90%) percent descending in percentage to the lowest in the fourth (4th) year at thirty (30%) percent, with a requirement that the municipality fund the newly created position completely in the fifth (5th) year. More information on the grant program can be accessed through this link.
Naugatuck’s Fire Department has been operating below recommended staffing levels for many years. The last increase in staff occurred in 1996. Many changes have taken place in the fire fighting industry during this time, both nationally, regionally and locally. Volunteers willing and/or qualified to provide fire protection have decreased throughout the country. Naugatuck’s volunteer department has long-since disbanded and will not return. While volunteer departments in smaller surrounding towns such as Prospect, Beacon Falls, Middlebury and Oxford still provide mutual assistance during fires, availability of volunteers during business hours combined with longer response times provide many obstacles. In addition, the Waterbury Fire Department has increased its workload as a result of taking on first-responder status for medical calls. While mutual aid to Naugatuck still exists, the capacity to respond has decreased in recent years.
For many years our fire department has requested an increase in staffing, only to be denied during budget time. While there appears to be general consensus that more firefighters are needed, it is hard to justify the additional costs associated with hiring during these difficult economic times.
While the SAFER grant provided Naugatuck the opportunity to meet this important need through the assistance of grant funding, there would still be a significant cost to the Borough. Because of the existing four (4) shift schedule designed to ensure maximum safety and fire protection, it would be extremely difficult to add firefighters in any number other than four (4). Given the expected costs to the Borough associated with accepting the SAFER grant, I opposed authorizing funds to be expended to meet the local obligations under the program. Such costs include but are not limited to increases in wages, medical benefits, overtime, training, vacation and sick pay, workers compensation and pension. Many of us were surprised at the projected totals of these cumulative costs. A fiscal analysis of the Borough’s obligations if the grant was approved can be viewed here. The Joint Boards rejected a motion to accept the grant by a vote of eight (8) to four (4).
I applaud our Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Commission Members and Firefighters for professionally applying for the grant and presenting it to the Joint Boards. It is not lost on us that our department does an outstanding job protecting our community at much lower staffing levels than departments serving other similar towns. (See the Torrington Fire Department summary here). In addition, our Local 1219 Firefighters Union has been bargaining with the Borough in a cooperative and good faith manner as we address our difficult budget constraints this year and moving forward.
We, as a community, need to develop a long-term plan to address staffing ratios with regard to our fire protection. The additional burden (approximately $71,000.00) imposed by the SAFER grant on our existing budget was simply too much given the assumptions adopted this spring. Costs in future years would only increase. Hopefully we can address pressing needs in future years within the confines of the budget process.
Posted by Bob on July 14, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Mayor and Burgess tonight, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at 6:00 P.M., in the Hall of Burgesses. Please view the agenda here.
The primary order of business outside of executive session will be to act on bids for supplies and/or materials relating to public works functions for fiscal year 2009-2010. This represents a new policy implemented by our administration, the purpose of which is to provide adherence to the bidding process. In past years, departments would procure services as needed under the bidding process limit of FIVE THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($5,000.00) DOLLARS. The new process promotes better transparency and prevention against the same companies obtaining mulitiple bids under the limits but over the aggregate during the fiscal year. We would like to thank the department heads that have worked to implement the new policy.
The Joint Boards of Finances and Mayor and Burgesses will meet at 7:30 P.M. Please view the agenda here.
The primary order of business for the Joint Boards will be a presentation from Veolia Water North America, the contractual operator of Naugatuck’s sewage treatment facility. The brief presentation will be followed by a question and answer session with Joint Boards members.
There will also be a brief Retirement Board meeting as well. Please view the agenda here.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
Deputy Mayor Tamath Rossi reported the following with regard to our Senior Property Tax Review Committee at the Tuesday, July 7, 2009, Borough Board meeting:
“Elderly Tax Credit Sub Committee
The group met last week to discuss the direction and fact gathering. It was agreed that Wayne (McAllister) would gather information from OPM (Office of Policy and Management), Tax Assessor Joyce Alegi would put together a package of all of the programming available here in Naugatuck and Tamath (Rossi) would contact CCM (Connecticut Conference of Municipalities) and enlist their Research Department to provide information as to what other Municipalities have utilized for Elderly tax Credit programming. CCM just supplied information to the group today and the group is still awaiting the information from OPM. The group will meet again in early September to discuss the findings and to explore the possibilities available here in Naugatuck. The goal of the group is to make a presentation to the Board in September.”
Special thanks to Deputy Mayor Rossi and all the members involved with the committee for their ongoing efforts.
Posted by Bob on July 9, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
In accordance with yesterday’s blog regarding the Chapter 90 contract extension and corresponding early retirement incentive package, please view additional information regarding potential savings to the Borough. The attachment assumes hypothetical replacement costs of a straight replacement of all retiring positions.
Posted by Bob on July 8, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
The Naugatuck Board of Mayor and Burgesses unanimously approved the creation of a Blight and Beautification Council at Tuesday’s (7/7/2009) Borough Board meeting. The Council will address the following questions and/or issues:
- Current blight laws and/or lack thereof - What does Naugatuck current law provide? What language should be used to create a new blight ordinance? What are the successes and failures of existing blight ordinances in similar communities?
- Enforcement -What are current enforcement methods? How successful are current enforcement options? How will the Borough enforce any new blight laws or ordinances? Who should be responsible for enforcement efforts in whole or in part?
- Resources - What existing resources are used for enforcement? How much would enforcement of any new laws or ordinances cost? What is the cost of any marketing or educational campaigns?
- Education - How can we educate residents and businesses to keep their properties clean and free from blight? How can we spread the message of keeping our community clean through our schools and community groups and organizations? What is the correlation between a clean community and economic factors such as property values and the ability to attract businesses?
- Beautification - What groups and/or efforts have been successful in improving the image of our community (i.e. Naugatuck Garden Club, Scouts, Earth Day Clean-Ups, Gateway Sponsorships and Signage, etc.)? How can we encourage property owners to take more pride in their properties (i.e. Beautification Awards)? Should there be any common themes and/or unification of effort to existing beautification endeavors? How do we increase awareness of and appreciate for beautification efforts through education?
The Council is not intended to become a “witch hunt” or impose unreasonable expectations during difficult economic times. Creative solutions, clean neighborhoods and common sense are the goals for which we should be striving. Together, we can all make a positive impact on improving the quality of life in the Borough.
Please view a list of Council members appointed at the meeting. Thanks to all who have expressed interest to become involved. Response has been tremendous.
Anyone interested in joining and/or becoming involved with the Council should email their intentions to Ed Carter (ecarter@naugatuck-ct.gov), or call Nancy Dimeo at 203-720-7009. Information regarding the first meeting will be posted as the same is available.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
The Board of Mayor and Burgesses unanimously approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the Chapter 90 supervisors union which extended the contract currently in place through June 2012. The highlights of the agreement are as follows:
Wages
- Zero (0%) percent in 2009-2010;
- One and one half (1.5%) percent increases as of June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2011; and
- One and one half (1.5%) percent increases as of June 1, 2011, and January 1, 2012
Health Benefits
Benefit levels and contribution requirements remain the same
Pensions
All further members entering the bargaining unit will be in a defined benefit contribution plan, which will generate significant savings to the Borough in future years. Actuarial tables shall follow upon receipt from the Finance Department.
In conjunction with the aforementioned extension, the Board approved an early retirement package that was accepted by the following six (6) members of the bargaining unit: Street Superintendent; Assessor; Animal Control Officer; Park Superintendent; Borough Clerk; and VNA Director. In exchange for this incentive program, the Street Superintendent and Assessor positions will be removed from the bargaining unit upon the retirement of the current individuals performing those positions. Removal of two (2) positions from the supervisory bargaining unit is a significant concession obtained by the Borough.
As a result of the retirements, the Borough will have significant opportunity to address reform in areas of government such as public works.
The following are financial summaries and/or analysis’ of the specifics of both the memorandum and early retirement incentive program:
early retirement package;
member (employee) wage analysis; and
member (employee) pension/early retirement analysis.
An estimated analysis of the impact of the early retirement to the Borough shall follow.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
Congratulations to the following new commission members appointed to last night’s Borough Board of Mayor and Burgesses meeting:
Bruce Whitaker – Police Commission. Bruce is a former state police trooper recently retired after twenty-seven (27) years on the force. In 2004, Bruce graduated from the 217th Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. Bruce will bring a wealth of experience and practical knowledge to the Commission. Please feel free to view Bruce’s resume here. Bruce will fill the expired term of Commissioner Andy Bottinick, to whom we are grateful for his service to Naugatuck.
Daniel Sheridan – Alternate Finance Board Member – Dan will become the first (1st) unaffiliated voter to assume a position as an alternate on the Finance Board, giving a voice to the over nine thousand (9,000) unaffiliated voters in Naugatuck. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dan has served in various purchasing, logistical, research and development positions for over thirty three (33) years, the overwhelming majority of which was spent in a management capacity at Crompton Corporation. Please view Dan’s resume here.
Maria Rodrigues – Visiting Nurses Association – Maria, who will fill the expired term of Mark Yanarella, brings over twenty five (25) years of management experience in the banking industry. In addition to serving as Branch Manager of Naugatuck’s Connecticut Bank & Trust – Fleet Bank for the past nineteen (19) years, Maria has served her community on the Board of Directors of the United Way, Youth Services, the Red Cross and the Portuguese-American Political Action Committee (P.A.P.A.C.). Special thanks to Mark Yanarella for his tenure on the board and his continued service to our community.
Congratulations to all members of boards and commissions who were reappointed. The Borough appreciates and values your service.
Posted by Bob on July 7, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
Please view the agenda for Tuesday’s (7/7/2009) Board of Mayor and Burgesses meeting. The meeting will be ajourned at 6:00 PM, with an Executive Session to follow. The public portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.
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