Posted by Bob on October 30, 2011 under Daily Blogs | 
Andrew Avenue Elementary School (140 Andrew Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770) will be open as a “warming station” for Naugatuck residents as of 10:00 AM this morning (10/30/2011), until 8:00 PM tonight (10/30/2011). Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Residents may also charge cell phones and/or personal computing devices at the school if necessary.
Andrew Avenue does not have the capacity to function as a shelter, and is not intended for long-term and/or overnight stays. We have been informed by Connecticut Light and Power that it could take several days before power is restored to residents throughout Connecticut. Naugatuck residents without power are encouraged to seek shelter with relatives and/or friends if at all possible.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
The American Red Cross has a shelter open in Waterbury at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School located at 16 South Elm Street, Waterbury, CT 06706. There is available space as of 7:50 AM this morning (10/30/2011). There is no shelter capacity in Naugatuck. We are investigating the opening of warming centers in the Borough, and more information will be forthcoming.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
Any resident needing to charge a cell phone or other personal computing device may do so at any public building that is open today (10/30/2011) in the Borough. As today (10/30/2011) is a weekend day, this will not include schools at this time. Buildings currently open today (10/30/2011) include the Naugatuck Fire Department (41 Maple Street) and the Naugatuck Police Department (211 Spring Street).
Posted by Bob on October 29, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
Power outages will continue to present challenges as heavy, wet snow weakens trees and branches near lines. The Connecticut Light and Power (“CL&P”) outage map can be accessed here.
To report downed power lines, call 911. To report power outages, please call CL&P at 800-286-2000.
Residents are urged to avoid travel if at all possible and observe typical parking ban prohibitions to allow plows maximum ability to sand and clear roads.
Posted by Bob on October 28, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
While Halloween has not officially arrived, a strange “Winter” storm is expected to hit Connecticut Saturday (10/29/2011) afternoon into evening. Current projections estimate that four (4″) to eight (8″) inches of heavy, wet snow may fall, with the possibility for strong winds. While the snowfall projections may seem moderate compared to last Winter, the weight of the snow on trees already weakened by Hurricane Irene has heightened concern for downed lines and power outages. Residents should be prepared for the likelihood of poor driving conditions into Sunday (10/30/2011) morning and the potential for power outages.
The text from a recent weather alert from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection follows:
VERY RARE MAJOR WINTER STORM EXPECTED ON SATURDAY…
WINTER STORM WATCHES ISSUED FOR LITCHFIELD, HARTFORD, TOLLAND, WINDHAM AND NORTHERN FAIRFIELD AND NORTHERN NEW HAVEN COUNTIES…
SIGNIFICANT POWER OUTAGES EXPECTED…
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches for much of Connecticut, Southeastern New York, and Central New England for Saturday Afternoon and Saturday night.
The latest computer models are forecasting that a major Winter Storm will impact our area Saturday Afternoon and Saturday night with heavy wet snow across interior Connecticut and a mix of rain and snow at the coast. The latest track forecast for this storm is predicting that a low pressure system will form off the North Carolina Coast Saturday morning and then rapidly intensity as the storm moves Northeast Saturday afternoon. Rain and wet snow are forecast to move into Southern Connecticut around noon on Saturday and changeover to all wet snow by late-afternoon away from the immediate coast. The wet snow is expected to become heavy at times Saturday afternoon and continue into Saturday night before tapering off to flurries before daybreak on Sunday. Total snowfall is expected to be elevation dependant with valleys receiving 4 – 8 inches away from the immediate coast and the higher terrain above 500 – 1000 feet receiving up to 12 inches of heavy wet snow.
The main threat from this storm will be from the heavy wet snow bringing down tree limbs and some whole trees causing a significant number of power outages. A secondary threat from this storm will be from very heavy snow which will result in very poor driving conditions Saturday evening.
The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) will continue to monitor the latest forecasts and will issue another update at 2:00 PM this afternoon.
Posted by Bob on October 27, 2011 under Daily Blogs, Naugatuck High School Renovation |
The following, financial documents were distributed at the Naugatuck High School Renovate-as-New public hearing which took place last evening (10/26/2011):
Our Finance Department, led by Comptroller Wayne McAllister, chose to present a conservative plan based on a $30 Million local cost rather than the optimal figure of approximately TWENTY FIVE MILLION and 00/100THS ($25,000,000.00) DOLLARS after state reimbursement (which would maximize the 75% state reimbursement on all eligible portions of the proposed renovation). The $37 Million plan represents a worst-case scenario, if the state grants no waivers on the square footage / school population guidelines.
Microsoft Excel versions of the debt management plans for $30 Million and $37 Million, with supporting graphs, can be accessed here. An itemized list of the Borough’s existing debt obligations, including maturity dates, can be viewed here.
The proposed project is subject to approval at public referendum to authorize bonding, said referendum to take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Polls open at the Naugatuck Train Station / Historical Society Museum at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM on said date.
Posted by Bob on October 25, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
The public hearing on the Naugatuck High School (“NHS”) Renovate-as-New project will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 6:30 PM, in the auditorium of NHS, at 543 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770. The public hearing will be co-hosted by the members of the proposed Building Committee and the Long Term School Facility Planning Committee.
The public hearing will begin with a tour of NHS at 6:30 PM, followed by a presentation about the proposal and corresponding financial information. The hearing will then invite comments and/or questions from the public about the project.
Please make all effort to attend the public hearing and learn about the proposed renovation. A public referendum to authorize funding for the project will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, with voting to take place at the Naugatuck Train Station / Historical Society Museum located at 195 Water Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770.
Posted by Bob on October 21, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
Naugatuck Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator Sheila Baummer has announced the following, special collections upcoming for residents of Naugatuck surrounding Central Naugatuck Valley towns:
Leaf Collection Weeks (Naugatuck ONLY)
Leaves will be collected in 30 gallon paper bags on residents regular trash day during the following weeks;
October 31st through November 4th
November 14th through November 18th
November 28th through December 2nd
Paper bags of leaves are also accepted at the Recycling Center Thursday or Saturday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Free Electronics Collection (Naugatuck ONLY)
The Recycling Center now accepts computers, TV’s, printers, fax machines, radios, cell phones, and similar electronics at no charge – any Thursday or Saturday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day (for Residents of Central Naugatuck Valley including Naugatuck)
Shepardson Community Center
1172 Whittmore Road, Middlebury, CT
Saturday, October 22nd, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Accepted: Cleaners, Gasoline, Oil Based Paint & Thinners, Pesticides, Mercury & Thermometers, Bug Spray
NOT Accepted: No Latex Paint, (Propane Tanks, Antifreeze & Motor Oil are accepted at the Recycle Center)
Prescription Medicine Take Back Day (for Residents of Central Naugatuck Valley including Naugatuck)
Middlebury Transfer Station
1 Service Road. Middlebury, CT
Saturday, October 29th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Additional locations can be found at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.
Accepted: Prescription Medicines, Over the Counter Drugs
NOT Accepted: Hypodermic Needles, Illegal Drugs
Questions and/or request for additional information may be directed to Ms. Baummer by email at sbaummer@naugatuck-ct.gov or phone at 203-720-7071.
Posted by Bob on October 14, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
Naugatuck’s conversion to automated trash and recycling collection expanded to the Ridge Neighborhood this week. Garnet (recycling) and grey (regular trash or municipal solid waste – “MSW”) containers were recently distributed to residents in the neighborhood that includes many of the streets on the North side off Osborn Road. An additional expansion of the automated collected program is scheduled to occur next Fall.
All residents receiving the new containers are reminded to keep approximately three (3) feet between the bins so that the automated arm has enough space to maneuver. All questions and/or issues related to the automated collection system can be directed to the Department of Public Works at publicworks@naugatuck-ct.gov or 203-720-7071. Recycling Coordinator Sheila Baummer continues to do a fantastic job coordinating the implementation of the automated system in the Borough.
Posted by Bob on October 12, 2011 under Daily Blogs, Naugatuck High School Renovation |
Some of the most frequently asked questions associated with the Naugatuck High School Renovate-as-New proposal surrounds the impact of the plan on Naugatuck taxpayers. If the project is approved at public referendum scheduled for November 8, 2011, the renovations will be financed initially through bond anticipation notes and ultimately by general obligation bonds. The debt management plan prepared by the Borough’s Comptroller can be viewed here.
The information in the table is a bit complex, but columns “A” “L” and “N” provide detailed projections regarding the impact on taxpayers. The A column is the year in which the fiscal year ends. The L column indicates the amount of new debt service in a particular year relative to the Naugatuck High School Renovate-as-New project. The N column shows the net impact to the Borough’s outstanding debt service as the project becomes due and other debt obligations are retired.
The construction phase of the project would be financed through bond anticipation notes, which are described as “a short-term interest bearing security issued in the anticipation of larger future bond issues.” (Investopedia.com). Similar to common terms of a conventional construction mortgage, the Borough would pay primarily interest only on the notes during the construction phase of the project. Municipal bond anticipation notes usually have a term of no more than two (2) years, but can be refinanced into a second (2nd) series of notes. If the referendum is approved, it is expected that the construction period for renovations would be approximately three (3) years, beginning in the Fall of 2012.
Once construction is complete, bond anticipation notes are converted to fixed general obligation bonds. The debt management plan shows that initial repayment of general obligation bonds would begin in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. As a result of other debt retiring during repayment, the debt management plan projects that the greatest net impact of debt service payments associated with the Naugatuck High School renovate-as-new project in any given year would be FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED THREE and 00/100THS ($429,803.00) DOLLARS (in fiscal year 2017-2018 according to the table). This projection does not assess the impact of any future bonding projects that could take place during the repayment period.
It is difficult to say what the exact tax implication is for each year because of unknown variables such as the value of the grand list (including the impact of revaluation), the amount of revenues and/or expenditures and the value of a mill in subsequent years. For this year’s budget, one (1) mill equates to approximately ONE MILLION NINE HUNDRED FORTY THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE and 14/100THS ($1,943,145.14) DOLLARS.
A detailed explanation of the financial impact of the project will take place during the public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 6:30 PM, in the Naugatuck High School Auditorium (543 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770). The public hearing will begin with a tour of the high school followed by a presentation and public participation.
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