Posted by Bob on February 21, 2012 under Daily Blogs | 
Hearings for the Borough’s 2012 – 2013 budget will begin next Monday, February 27, 2012. Initial presentations for each department’s budget will be made to the Board of Finance in the coming weeks. A calendar of upcoming hearings can be viewed here. Regular hearings begin at 6:30 PM in the Commissioner’s Corner, Fourth Floor of Town Hall (229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770). Public comment is reserved for the public hearing scheduled before the budget is finalized, but all meetings are open to the public.
Posted by Bob on February 17, 2012 under Daily Blogs, Events |
The Naugatuck Cultural Council is pleased to announce the selection of Ethel and Bernie Grant as the 2012 African-American Mayors of the Day. In honor of African-American History Month, the Naugatuck Cultural Council will host a brief ceremony and flag raising at Town Hall next Friday (February 24, 2012) morning beginning at 11:00 AM. The ceremony is open to the public and will take place on the patio facing the Naugatuck Green. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Hall of Burgesses on the fourth (4th) floor. We invite you to join us for coffee and pastry in the Hall of Burgesses immediately following the ceremony.
Mr. and Ms. Grant are long-time residents of the Borough who contribute their time and talent to numerous civic endeavors. We would welcome your presence at the ceremony next Friday (2/24/2012) to honor this incredible couple. A brief biography of Mr. and Ms. Grant prepared by Senior Center Director Harvey Frydman can be viewed here.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs, Events |
The Naugatuck Cultural Council (“NCC”) will host a Community Conversation on Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 12:00
Noon to 4:00 PM at Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770. Trained facilitators will engage participants in small group discussions focused on issues of cultural diversity in Naugatuck.
The Community Conversation is open to anyone who wants to make Naugatuck the best community it can be. Participation is free, and light refreshments and child care will be provided. The NCC will attempt to accommodate English-language learners with translation services if possible. Anyone interested in registering can contact Ed Carter at 203-720-7208 or ecarter@naugatuck-ct.gov. Please include your name, contact information (email and/or phone number) and any special requests that would make your experience more enjoyable.
The recent release of 2010 Census information confirms what many of us see in our everyday lives: Naugatuck continues to become a more diverse community comprised of individuals and families representing numerous cultural backgrounds. Recently, the NCC was formed to recognize and celebrate the numerous cultural heritages that embrace the American Experience in the Borough of Naugatuck. Over the past two (2) years, the NCC has been working to ensure that Naugatuck is an open and welcoming community to new and emerging populations while honoring the numerous, cultural traditions embedded in our great Borough.
The guided discussions will encourage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to speak in a respectful and thought-provoking manner on issues related to cultural diversity in Naugatuck. A discussion guide is currently being prepared to focus the conversations. Through this process, the NCC hopes to:
- Build education and awareness by creating a place for people to tell their stories and to find commonalities, making sure that everyone knows their voice can be heard in some way.
- Create cross-cultural communication strategies that encourage opportunities for sharing cultural views, experiences, needs and desires to enhance community participation.
- Welcome and support new populations to participate in local activities and events by breaking down barriers that prevent people from participation in community life.
The NCC is seeking anyone interested in serving as a facilitator for the Community Conversation. This represents a great opportunity to to learn the marketable skill of facilitating small group dialogues. A facilitator training session will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Naugatuck Historical Society, 195 Water Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770. We are grateful to the organization Everyday Democracy, which will be providing facilitator training to support the Community Conversation at no cost to Borough taxpayers. Anyone interested in registering for the training can contact Event Coordinator Sandra Heller at sphdmh@aol.com.
Posted by Bob on February 15, 2012 under Daily Blogs |
The Borough has received notice that additional funds have been awarded for procurement of garnet recycling containers. The NINETY EIGHT THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SIXTY and 00/100THS ($98,160.00) DOLLAR grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”), Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (“EECBG”) program administered through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”).
Borough Recycling Coordinator Sheila Baummer and Administrative Assistant Ed Carter pursued the application upon learning that DEEP was making additional funds available from the original ARRA grant awarded in 2009. The Borough received a similar amount in 2009 which was used to purchase garnet recycling containers for the initial implementation of the automated collection program in 2010. This second (2nd) award from the same program funds will allow the Borough to provide garnet recycling containers to two (2) additional routes that were not scheduled for conversion until the 2013-2014 fiscal year due to funding constraints. The grant will be used to fund the purchase of approximately two thousand forty five (2,045) garnet recycling containers. It is anticipated that by the end of 2012, one hundred (100%) percent of the Borough will be on some version of the automated recycling program with garnet containers, and approximately eighty (80%) percent of Naugatuck residences will have the grey municipal solid waste (trash or “MSW”) containers.
The Borough’s automated MSW and recycling program has already helped the Borough to increase recycling throughout Naugatuck. This not only has environmental benefits, but reduces tipping fees paid by the Department of Public Works. In addition, the Borough benefits from lower workers compensation costs typically associated with providing traditional sanitation services, and reduced personnel costs through attrition. We would like to thank the DEEP for awarding the additional EECBG funds to the Borough. We would also like to commend Ms. Baummer and Mr. Carter for diligently pursuing this grant within a tight time frame.
Posted by Bob on February 8, 2012 under Daily Blogs |
The Human Resource Director position for the Borough of Naugatuck and Naugatuck Board of Education (“BoE”) was recently posted on February 3, 2012. The job posting can be viewed here. Potential applicants have until Friday, February 17, 2012, to submit applications. The posting represents an attempt at further collaboration between the Borough and the BoE with regard to common business functions.
The Borough’s former Human Resource Director, Jeannette Deschesnes, recently retired. Ms. Deshesnes played a critical role in shaping our Human Resource Department, which is a relatively new function of Borough government. We would like to thank Ms. Deschesnes for her years of professional service to the Borough and establishing the strong foundation for the department’s growth. We wish her much success and happiness in all her future endeavors.
Prior to her retirement, Ms. Deschesnes had been investigating possibilities for combining the Director position with the BoE. While various individuals in the BoE business office perform human resource tasks, our school district has never had a true director to oversee employment matters. While recommendations were made to create such a position, limited resources were devoted to more pressing, educational needs.
Upon learning of the vacancy resulting from Ms. Deschesnes’ retirement, talks between Borough and BoE representatives have accelerated to combine the position for mutual benefit. Over the past two (2) years, the Borough’s Comptroller has been the BoE’s business manager. Using this model, the current proposal anticipates a similar arrangement for a Human Resource Director with one (1) significant distinction. Given the fact that the BoE has approximately twice as many employees as the municipal government, the new Human Resource Director would be a BoE employee located at the Tuttle Building (eventually at the renovated high school when BoE offices are relocated there in the next few years).
An interview committee comprised of both municipal and educational representatives will oversee the selection of potential candidates. Attorney Nick Grello, who represents both the Borough and BoE on labor and employment matters, will assist with the process. Once a finalist is selected, employment will be subject to standard background checks and the successful negotiation of an employment agreement between the individual and the BoE. The Borough would retain the position of Human Resource Associate in Town Hall. It is anticipated that the Borough will reimburse the BoE a stipend similar to what the BoE pays to the Borough for the business manager arrangement.
The BoE will discuss this matter at its regular meeting scheduled for this Thursday, February 9, 2012, 7:00 PM, at Maple Hill Elementary School. The Board of Mayor and Burgesses was updated on the job posting for a new Human Resource Director at this past Tuesday’s (2/7/2012) meeting. While there are a few towns in the state that have utilized this joint arrangement, the proposal is relatively unique to Connecticut local government. Difficult economic times, however, require creativity to maximize resources and improve operations. I would like to thank BoE Chair David Heller and Superintendent Dr. John Tindall-Gibson for there time and commitment to exploring this arrangement. I look forward to discussing the plan in greater detail with my colleagues on the BoE.
As stated in the job posting, interested applicants should submit their respective resume, cover letter, completed employment application and salary history to the following: Borough of Naugatuck, Attention: Carmella Rinaldi, Human Resource Associate, 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770. All submissions are due by Friday, February 17, 2012. Any questions may be directed to Ms. Rinaldi at crinaldi@naugatuck-ct.gov (email) and 203-720-7003 (phone). Employment applications are available here, or may be obtained by visiting the Borough’s Human Resource Department in the basement of Town Hall (229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770) between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. The Borough of Naugatuck and Naugatuck Board of Education are equal opportunity / affirmative action employers.
Posted by Bob on February 1, 2012 under Daily Blogs |
Naugatuck High School and the Naugatuck Cultural Council are proud to co-sponsor the second (2nd) annual International Cultural Heritage Night to be held on Thursday, March 15, 2012, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Naugatuck High School
(“NHS”). The event will begin with tabletop displays showcasing cultural themes in the NHS cafeteria. Appetizers from various ethnic traditions will be available courtesy of the NHS Culinary Department and participating local restaurants. Artistic and musical performances with cultural themes will follow in the auditorium.
The event is free and open to the public. Organizers are currently soliciting participants for tabletop displays and artistic performances. The participation sign-up form with instructions and contact information may be accessed here in Microsoft Word format. A .pdf version is also available.
Last year’s International Cultural Heritage Night was a complete success. Attendance for the new event exceeded expectations. We are hoping to make this year’s celebration even bigger and better. The night presents a great opportunity to learn about the numerous rich and diverse cultures that comprise the American Experience here in the Borough. If you are interested in sharing the experience of your family’s heritage, please register before March 1, 2012. Organizers will be happy to assist with ideas and logistics. Please feel free to contact NHS Event Chair Anne Marie Chuckrey at chuckrea@naugy.net, or contact our office at bob@bobmezzo.com (email) or 203-720-7009.
Restaurants with applicable permits are also being sought to sample ethnic foods. Please contact Mary Johnson at johnsonm@naugy.net for more information. Any local business interested in sponsorship opportunities which will defray the costs of hosting the free event should contact Ms. Chuckrey at chuckrea@naugy.net.
Posted by Bob on January 18, 2012 under Daily Blogs |
Reports of potential gunfire in the vicinity of Field Street caused the Naugatuck Police Department (“NPD”) and school officials to institute a “Code Yellow” and temporary lock-down at Naugatuck High School and Western Elementary School. After a thorough investigation by NPD, no evidence of shots being fired was found. The Code Yellow has been lifted and regular activity has been resumed at both schools.
Such situations are very fluid and often change by the minute. When our Police Department receives information such as it did this morning (1/18/2012), an investigation is initiated and all precautions are taken. One of the standard precautions is to “lock-down” any schools and/or day care facilities in the area. Information is often not reported to the public immediately because there is no verifiable information to report until all the facts are investigated. Reporting false information often is sometimes counter-productive to public safety and the ability of our police officers to do their job. We were informed that despite the report of gun shots, police could find no apparent evidence of shots being fired. That being said, it is important to take all precautions and follow standard protocols.
Posted by Bob on January 6, 2012 under Daily Blogs |
It never ceases to amaze me how relatively minor matters assume a life of their own in local government. For the past couple months our administration has been responding to a long-standing issue related to trash and recycling collection on the private road of Caitlin Circle, along Porter Avenue. Our Mayoral Aide, Ed Carter; Recycling Coordinator, Sheila Baummer; Director of Public Works, Jim Stewart, Borough Attorney, Ned Fitzpatrick; and myself have been aware of this situation to varying degrees for months. The matter was referred to the Street Commission, which is the appropriate forum to set policy for such matters. In recent weeks, we were once again contacted by the property owners at the end of the street to provide assistance. The situation is, in fact, an all too common result of decisions made long ago.
Caitlin Circle is one of numerous private roads in the Borough. Private roads are those that are not accepted as public property, and there is generally not a requirement for local government to assume maintenance, plowing and/or provide other services. Many such roads are owned in common by the property owners living in a particular subdivision serviced by the street. For whatever reasons, decisions have been made over the years to provide various levels of service, particularly trash collection, to private roads provided trash and/or recyclables were brought to the end of the street. While the Borough was not under any obligation to collect trash and/or recyclables, calls were likely made to the powers that were and decisions were made to provide such services. In many cases, including the case with Caitlin Circle, this has been done for decades. I would expect that Naugatuck is not alone with regard to such arrangements.
Our administration and the Street Commission having been working to reach a global resolution with regard to services provided to private and/or unaccepted roads. As one might imagine, this a complex and lengthy process. While residents along some private roads may not be entitled to services such as trash collection, it is certainly a disruption when such a service is ended for a property after having been provided for many years. Our goal while resolving this issue has been to achieve a solution that has the least disruptive impact to residents while improving the efficiency of service delivery, and ultimately providing an equitable system for taxpayers. It is very possible that the Street Commission will recommend eliminating trash and recycling collection in the coming months for certain private roads. Such a decision, however, will be made intelligently, in conjunction with a sound implementation plan. Any changes to practices that have existed for years will need to be explained to those impacted.
The situation with Caitlin Circle is easily explained. In the late 1980′s, a subdivision was created along Porter Avenue called the Porter Hill subdivision. Six (6) homes were constructed within the subdivision and a private road was created called Caitlin Circle. As is common with subdivisions, a declaration with various covenants and restrictions was recorded on the Borough’s land records. When such covenants and restrictions are recorded, they bind all owners to the requirements thereof, regardless if said properties are later sold to subsequent owners. The declaration effecting Caitlin Circle states that property owners within the subdivision were not entitled to trash collection.
Despite this provision in the declaration, a decision was made to collect trash for Caitlin Circle residents if the trash was placed at the end of the street. One can argue about the logic of such a decision, but the fact is that for whatever reason, the Borough has been collecting trash for Caitlin Circle residents for what appears to be a period greater than twenty (20) years. As local officials were attempting to address the numerous private road issues throughout the Borough, Public Works would continue to collect trash and recyclables, but for the continued complaints from the property owners at the end of the road.
The property owners of the lot at the end of the road have been concerned at the level of debris caused by neighbors who bring trash to the end of the road. The portion of the road itself is actually owned by property owners of the first lot, a fact that was recently discovered by the Borough. Without the property owners permission, the Borough does not have the right to enter upon private property to collect trash. After very respectful and productive dialogue with the property owners, a temporary compromise was reached to provide residents along Caitlin Circle with garnet and grey containers with instructions to place the same on the opposite portion of the private road. The containers should prevent the type of litter and debris from being scattered on the road if used properly. Hopefully this arrangement will work in the short term, while the larger solution to this Borough-wide issue is determined by the Street Commission.
I am sure that WTNH Channel 8 would like to claim credit for “resolving” this matter. Changes in the media have forced statewide, television news networks to become creative in attracting viewers. Channel 8′s marketing hook is something to the effect of “we’ve got your back”, which was incorporated into its recent Naugatuck story involving Caitlin Circle. The Channel 8 reporter, Ali Reed, did a very professional job investigating the facts and reporting the information accurately. Once the story hits the air, however, the tone changes to enhance the role played by Channel 8. Apparently the lead-in to the story made a claim to the effect that our office was not involved until Channel 8 ran the story. That is simply not accurate.
Our office, primarily through Mayoral Aide Ed Carter, has been working with the Department of Public Works to find a solution to the Caitlin Circle matter for months. The temporary solution which will be implemented is very similar to one that had been proposed previously. The Street Commission has been aware of the matter for some time as well. The easiest solution for our office would simply be to eliminate collection immediately, as we are under no legal obligation to provide it. This may ultimately be the action taken, but we would prefer to implement the same in accordance with a broader Street Commission policy.
I wholeheartedly admit that aside from an occasional weather forecast, I rarely if ever watch state television news broadcasts. It is interesting, however, how such relatively minor issues are portrayed. Every so many months news outlets like Channel 8 come to the Borough to do a story based on a phone call from a resident, and/or after a story appears in another form of media. The Caitlin Circle matter was actually first reported in the Waterbury Republican-American by reporter Alia Malik on Sunday, January 1, 2012. There is really no way to prove it and I am not alleging it happened in this situation, but I wonder how many times a local reporter from the Republican does the initial homework for a statewide television news story.
The usual pattern of Channel 8 is to send a reporter to a community to interview various parties on a time frame that fits into the mid-day or evening news cycle. If local officials offer to provide greater detail at a particular time which does not fit nicely into the news agency’s deadline, one runs the risk that it will be reported that locals officials were “unavailable for” or “refused to” comment. Maybe it is a coincidence, but it usually seems to me that such stories pertain to public infrastructure and/or local service delivery issues during slower news cycles. Ms. Reed requested and was granted two (2) interviews with me, and took the time to learn the facts about the situation. Our first interview, which can be viewed here, covers the history and the facts. What results, however, is a couple seconds of the interview being spliced into the usual template of Channel 8 being a major actor in the relatively minor issue.
The last time I recall Channel 8 becoming involved in a local government matter in Naugatuck was during the heavy rain storms in March, 2011. The story that day claimed something to the effect that Channel 8 was on the scene to assist a resident attempting to obtain Borough services about a flooding issue. The implication was that, but for Channel 8′s involvement, the Borough would ignore the particular resident’s concerns. There was only one problem with such an assertion: Borough Public Works crews had been on the street the entire morning before the Channel 8 crew arrived. Sometimes there is no need for the facts to get in the way of a good “we’ve got your back” story.
I get it. The Information Age has forced certain media outlets to get creative to compete in today’s marketplace. Those who read blogs such as this probably do not rely on short features on television to obtain their understanding of local issues. Those who truly believe that the Channel 8′s of the world “have their back” probably are not reading this. It is strange to me, however, that of all the serious and big-picture matters that local communities face on a daily basis, how much time is devoted by television news coverage to stories that impact so few and often times are already being addressed. Our administration believes that providing access to the media to cover local government is our responsibility, and is vital to a healthy democracy. While I doubt my opinion matters to media outlets like Channel 8, I would hope that someday statewide television media would someday return to covering local communities for journalistic reasons consistent with their noble profession rather than simply using towns as pawns in their marketing strategies.
Posted by Bob on December 30, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
The Board of Mayor and Burgesses (“BMB”) held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2011, to consider the proposals contained in the Charter Revision Commission’s Final Draft Report. The process, which begin in its initial stages over a year ago, requires the BMB to approve or reject the substantive proposals that were submitted to the Borough Clerk earlier in the month. The following is a summary of the action taken by the BMB on each specific recommendation made by the Charter Revision Commission.
Proposal to Change the Date of Municipal Elections to November – Approved
The BMB voted unanimously to change the date of all municipal elections to the first (1st) Tuesday after the first (1st) Monday in November, beginning in 2013. If the proposal is approved by Naugatuck voters, this would postpone the May, 2013, elections that are currently scheduled, to November, 2013; and all future municipal elections would be held in the month of November.
Proposal to Change the Term of Office of Mayor from Two (2) to Four (4) Years – Approved
The BMB voted seven (7) in favor to approve the recommendation, two (2) opposed, with one (1) abstention to extend the term of the office of mayor from two (2) to four (4) years. If approved by the Naugatuck voters, this change would take place beginning in November, 2013 (if the change to November elections is approved); or May, 2013 (if the change to November elections is rejected).
Proposal to Change the Percentage of Signatures Required to Force Additional Budget Referendums – Approved
The BMB voted unanimously to change the percentage of signatures required to force a second (2nd) and third (3rd) budget referendum from eight (8%) percent of the registered electors to four (4) percent. Said proposal does not change the percentage of registered electors (8%) required to force the initial referendum.
Proposal to Change Municipal Offices – Approved
The BMB considered two (2) separate motions on this particular recommendation. The initial motion focused solely on changing the currently elected position of Town Clerk from an elected to an appointed position and requiring the Assistance Town Clerk to also be appointed by the BMB. The BMB voted five (5) to five (5) on the motion to accept this particular proposal, with my tie-breaking vote made in favor of the change. The BMB then unanimously approved the recommendation to eliminate the following offices: Jurors, members of the Board of Public Charities; Selectmen and members of the Board of Relief.
Proposal to Eliminate Outdated Language – Approved
The BMB voted unanimously to eliminate various outdated and unnecessary language from the Charter. Much of the language recommended for removal (which can be read in detail in the report) pertains to local criminal codes which have been supplanted by applicable state statutes.
Proposal to Eliminate the Borough Bidding Process from the Charter – Rejected
The BMB voted five (5) to five (5) votes to approve the recommendation from the bidding process from the Charter, and likely govern the same by local ordinance of the BMB. I broke the tie to reject said proposal from the Charter Review Commission.
A process exists by which registered electors can petition to have any proposals recommended by the Charter Review Commission but ultimately rejected by the BMB, taken to a public referendum.
All approved changes will be submitted for final legal review and language will be finalized. Upon completion, the same will be presented to the BMB for approval. The BMB can choose to include all questions into one (1) ballot question, or separate into multiple questions for each specific recommendation. Ultimately, all proposals would be subject to approval by the voters of the Borough. The BMB also voted on Wednesday (10/28/2011) to include any Charter Revision Commission recommendations on the Tuesday, November 6, 2012, presidential election ballot.
We would like to thank all the members of the Charter Revision Commission for their collective time, dedication and talent devoted to this lengthy process. Led by Chair Andrew Bottinick, Esquire, the Commission tackled a tremendous amount of subject matter related to the Borough’s Charter. While there was not universal agreement on every issue, the Commission’s work generated excellent ideas and spurred interesting debates. The BMB engaged in very lively but respectful discussions on the issues as a result the Charter Revision Commission’s proposals. In addition to Attorney Bottinick, Commission members included Attorney M. Leonard Caine III, Second Deputy Mayor Michael Ciacciarella, David Cronin, Brian Gregorio, Christian Herb, Dorothy Hoff, Burgess Robert Neth and Sarah Poynton. Changing charter provisions is rightfully a difficult endeavor, but all members deserve much praise for advancing the proposals discussed above to this point in the process.
Posted by Bob on December 24, 2011 under Daily Blogs |
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and best wishes to all for the happiest of Holiday seasons. May you and your family be blessed with good health and much joy during this special time of year. God Bless all of our troops throughout the world who are spending the Holidays far from family and loved ones in service to our Country.
If you have not received a Christmas card from our family yet, please feel free to select from one of the following reasons:
A. Mezzo’s are historically late sending Christmas cards;
B. It is hard getting our dog Awesy to sit still for a picture;
C. We were waiting for a certain family member to arrive;
D. All of the above.
We are shooting for Happy New Year’s cards this year.
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