Posted by Bob on November 23, 2010 under Daily Blogs | 
Due to the likely increase in regular trash resulting from the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Department of Public Works will waive the ONE and 00/100THS ($1.00) DOLLAR per bag collection fee for any regular trash (that does not fit in the new trash containers) brought to the recycling center through Saturday, December 4, 2010. This waiver applies to customers who have received new containers pursuant to the transition to automated trash and recycling collection. This waiver shall not apply to bags of regular trash items that includes recyclables. Please feel free to contact our Department of Public Works at 203-720-7071 should you have any questions
Posted by Bob on November 22, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
Two (2) new recreational areas are on scheduled to open by the Spring of 2011. While each is unique in its own right, the Gunntown Passive Park and Nature Preserve and the Fawn Meadow Field will offer residents new recreational space at a relatively low cost.
The Board of Mayor and Burgesses voted in 2009 to reserve the long-debated, thirty nine plus (39+) acre property along Gunntown
Parking area at Gunntown being prepared.
Road for passive recreational space. The decision put an end to a decade-plus controversy which caused tension between supporters of active and passive recreation. Since the vote, the Naugatuck Park Commission has spent countless hours planning the parameters of a passive nature preserve at the Gunntown property. A deed restriction was approved earlier this year which limits activity at Gunntown to passive forms of recreation as defined by the Park Commission regulations. Such activities include nature trails, bird and wildlife observation areas, fishing, educational opportunities and low-impact activities such as kite flying or tossing a football.
Work to create a parking area and the observation area is currently being performed by the Naugatuck Department of Public Works. Completion is scheduled for the end of the year (2010). There are also plans being discussed to host an educational opportunity at the park this Winter before a formal opening next spring.
In addition to their obligations at Gunntown, the Naugatuck Public Works Department has been preparing the Fawn Meadow Field on
Future site of Fawn Meadow Field.
the east side of town. Designated as field space per the subdivision approval earlier in the decade, the field has gone unused for many years. Earlier this year (2010) our Parks Commission invited residents in the area to a meeting to discuss any neighborhood concerns before proceeding. The general sentiment expressed was to ensure utilization is consistent with that of other neighborhood fields and provide a buffer to homeowners immediately adjacent to to the field.
Naugatuck Public Works has already planted trees that will provide a natural buffer to residents, and will be installing a guardrail for the parking area shortly. Work is expected to be completed in time for use in the Spring of 2011. Current plans determined by the Naugatuck Parks Commission will have Union City Little League permitted for use of the field during for the spring season, and Pop Warner Football for the fall.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
The transition to automated trash and recycling collection is proceeding according to plan. While our Public Works Department is still resolving minor glitches and responding to residents questions, the overall process has gone smoother than expected.
One of the most common complaints we have received is from residents who have not yet received the new containers. The change to the automated system was finance by funds from two (2) primary sources. The overwhelming majority of the money came from settlement proceeds due the Borough related to the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (“CRRA”) Enron litigation. The remaining funds were from an energy block grant distributed through the State of Connecticut from federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”) or stimulus funds. To date, Borough resources were limited to the staff time devoted to implementation.
Those funds were used to purchase an automated refuse truck, an automated recycling truck and lifters for the regular collection trucks in the fleet. The remaining dollars allowed the Borough to purchase enough containers for approximately one half ( 1/2 ) of the Borough. New cans will be added, but the funding will have to be debated and approved during the budget process unless other grants become available. Our fiscal year is July 1, through June 30. The containers are not cheap, but the long term savings that will result from the change to automation will reduce costs. Unfortunately we do not have the resources to purchase enough containers for the entire Borough all at once.
Streets receiving containers were chosen on a number of factors including but not limited to their geometry, the amount of on-street parking, density of homes and correlation to existing routes. There are some streets in Naugatuck where it will likely be impossible to ever collect trash and recyclables using the automatic arm. While residences in such areas will eventually receive containers, the implementation will be gradual and such areas will likely be the last to receive the new carts.
Our Public Works employees have also been adjusting to the new system. We value their collective feedback on how we can improve the system and increase efficiency. One request is to encourage residents to leave enough space between the regular trash and the recycling container so that the automatic arm has enough clearance to grab the cart. Ensuring that the containers are not too close to other objects such as telephone polls, mailboxes and fire hydrants is also helpful. A general rule is to leave four (4) feet of free space on both sides of the containers.
Residents seeking more information regarding the change to automated trash and recycling collection are encouraged to visit the Borough’s website ( www.naugatuck-ct.gov ) or contact the Naugatuck Department of Public Works at 203-720-7071.
Posted by Bob on November 9, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
This Thursday, November 11, 2010, Naugatuck will once again celebrate Veterans Day. Like the other patriotic holidays that take place throughout the year, the Naugatuck Veterans Council will honor those who have served this great country in military service.
Every May, Naugatuck residents turnout in record numbers on Memorial Day to pay homage to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Under the leadership of the late Franklin E. Johnson, Sr., Naugatuck’s Memorial Day Parade grew to one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Mr. Johnson’s fellow Veterans assisted with this effort and continue the tradition to this day. Energized by the promise of summer, a long weekend and family picnics, the Borough’s Memorial Day Parade represents an elaborate yet appropriately solemn tribute to the men and women who perished defending our freedoms.
Naugatuck’s Veterans Day celebration also includes a parade, which will begin at 2:00 PM on Church Street. While much shorter in length than the procession on Memorial Day, the Veterans Day Parade nonetheless is a significant expression of Naugatuck’s respect and honor for those who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces during times of war and military conflict. While attendance is relatively small, our Veterans Council takes much pride in the events of the day, culminating in the parade. The weather is colder, the holiday often falls midweek and not everyone is free from work obligations; but the message of supporting our Veterans remains just as important.
The most striking trait I have noticed when being in the company of Naugatuck’s Veterans is their humility. Our Veterans ask for nothing, not even thank you, for the numerous individual and collective sacrifices they have made throughout the years. This is truly an amazing concept, but I would like to respectfully ask the citizens of Naugatuck something on their behalf: Please, if at all possible, make every effort to attend Naugatuck’s Veterans Day Parade to show your support for these wonderful and selfless human beings. Yes, the parade will go-on without you; but it will be all the more special if we attend in record numbers and show Naugatuck’s Veterans the support they deserve.
If you are a new Veteran who has not previously been involved in the parade or other service-related activities, please join your fellow Veterans and march with them this Thursday (11/11/2010). Assembly begins at 1:30 PM, or 13:30 hours, at the Naugatuck Savings Bank parking lot, 87 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770. One of the main reasons people do not join clubs or organizations is that feeling of awkwardness we all have wondering who will we know or who we will talk to that first time we attend a new activity. I can assure you that Naugatuck’s Veterans will not only welcome you with open arms, but will be sincerely grateful for the opportunity to see a new generation of Veterans join their efforts.
On Thursday, November 11, 2010, at 2:00 PM, we celebrate the service of those who have sacrificed years of their lives to protect the freedoms and liberties we often take for granted. Let us show our Veterans, for one (1) hour on Thursday, our appreciation for that sacrifice.
God Bless our Veterans.
Posted by Bob on November 2, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
Naugatuck Public Schools is soliciting feedback from families and community stakeholders in conjunction with the development of a new strategic plan for the district. The process, which began in September, 2010, is currently in the information gathering phase. More detailed information from Director of Curriculum and Instruction Brigitte A. Crispino, can be viewed here.
The following are links to complete an online survey which will allow interested parties to participate:
Naugatuck Public Schools Survey for Families:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6HYFDF9
Naugatuck Public Schools Survey for Community Stakeholdes:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6HW2Z2M
Those without internet access can obtain a hard copy of the survey at the Tuttle Building.
For more information, please contact Brigitte A. Crispino at crispinb@naugy.net or 203-720-5265.
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