Out and about in the Quiet Corner this weekend

The forecast for this weekend is warm if not a bit windy, but a great couple of days to get out and enjoy some fresh air. Please also see a separate story about the Hebron Maple Festival, on Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11.

Saturday March 10

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 11835, will host a Hebron Maple Festival pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Family parish hall (185 Church St.). Cost is $7 adults, $5 children (under 12). Info: T. J. McGuire (860) 228-1618.

NURSERY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

The Lebanon Cooperative Nursery School will host an open house from 9 a.m. to noon. Come and view the school, meet the teachers, and speak with current parents/board members. Info: www.lebanoncoop.org or call (860) 642-7719.

LAUGHTER YOGA

The Saxton B. Little Free Library, Columbia, will host Laughter Yoga with Laura Li at 10 a.m. at Yeoman’s Hall, Route 87, Columbia. Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. No yoga mats required. However, registration is required at ckubala@columbiactlibrary.org or (860) 228-0350.

HEBRON MAPLE FEST POLISH DINNER

St. Peter’s Church will hold a Polish dinner in Phelp’s Hall, 30 Church St. (Route 85), Hebron from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Cost is $12 adults, $6, 12 and under (under 6 is free). Info: (860) 228-3244 or visit the church web site at www.StPetersHebron.com

Sunday March 11

THE “MAGIC SCHOOL BUS” COMES TO JORGENSEN

Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs-Mansfield (on the UConn campus), will host two matinees at 1 and 3 p.m. of the Magic School Bus. Adults $13, children $11. Information/tickets: call the box office at (860) 486-4226 or order online at jorgensen.uconn.edu

COMMUNITY FARM PRESERVATION PROGRAM

The Ashford Grange will host an informative program with Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky, who will talk about the new Community Farm Preservation Program. The program will be held at Knowlton Hall, Route 44, Warrenville (Ashford), at 3 p.m. The Ashford Grange will precede the program with a potluck lunch at 12:30 and a short business meeting at 2 p. m. All are welcome.

LENTEN VESPERS

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 414 Valley St., Willimantic, will host the Connecticut Deanery for Lenten Vespers at 4 p.m. The public is invited.

VENDORS WANTED — FLEA MARKET

Cedar Hill Market Place, 828 Route 32, Franklin, invites vendors for a flea market to be held on March 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Info: (860) 642-1899.

And coming up this week…

Monday March 12

ORGANIC GARDENING WORKSHOP

The Columbia Conservation and Agriculture Commission will spon­sor an organic gardening workshop led by Bryan O’Hara at 3 p.m. in Yeoman’s Hall, 323 Route 87, Columbia. Come learn about natural ways to enhance your gardening experience. Free to the public. Info: (860) 228-0440 or e-mail lmcdonald@columbiact.org

WINDHAM THEATRE GUILD AUDITIONS

The Windham Theatre Guild will hold open auditions for the comedy “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward at Windham Middle School, Quarry Street, Willimantic, at 7 p. m. Info: Director Victor Funderburk at ( 860) 450-6419 or visit windhamtheatreguild.org

SECOND MONDAY SOCIAL ACTION FILM SERIES

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Storrs, 46 Spring Hill Road, Storrs-Mansfield, will present “Flow: For the Love of Water” at 7 p.m. Info: (860) 423-6727.

Tuesday March 13

STORYTIME

The Douglas Library, 2 Main St., Hebron, will host a story time for children aged 2 and 3 years old at 10 a.m. Info: call the library’s children’s department at (860) 228-9312, ext. 3.

TOWN-GOWN MEETING — ECSU

The community is invited to join Eastern Connecticut State University staff, Windham town officials, students and neighbors to discuss issues of interest and concern in the community from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Johnson Room 204, ECSU Eugene Smith Library. All are welcome. Info: visit http://www.easternct.edu/towngown

BOOK DISCUSSION

The Saxton B. Little Free Library, Columbia, hosts a book discussion of “A Secret Kept” by Tatiana de Rosnay at 7 p. m. Book highlights com­plex family relationships and how the power of a past secret threatens to change everything in the present. Books provided by the library, all welcome. Info: (860) 228-0350 or ckubala@columbiactlibrary.org

QUIET CORNER FIDDLERS

The Quiet Corner Fiddlers will perform at Fred’s Brick House Café, 1681 Main St., Willimantic, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. New fiddlers are always welcom to join in. Info: (860) 423-5403 or (860) 742-1547.

Wednesday March 14

INTERFAITH SEWING AND SERVICE GROUP

First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., Willimantic, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Projects: CWS — schools bags and layettes, Haiti maternity dresses. Snow date: March 15. Info: (860) 228-9658.

HOSPICE HOSPITALITY LUNCHEON

Hospice of Eastern Connecticut will hold its hospitality luncheon at Pine Acres Restaurant, Route 6, Chaplin, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Social gathering of people who are successfully moving on with their lives after a loss. Open to the community. (860) 456-7288 ext. 293 for further information.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

The Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Lebanon Fire Safety Complex, 23 Goshen Hill Road, Lebanon, from 1 to 5:45 p.m. Info: (800) 733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org Sponsored by Lebanon Lions Club. (Also see separate story in Mansfield Today about March is Blood Donor month)

MARCH MADNESS MOVIE

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs-Mansfield, CT will host a March Madness movie, “Hoosiers” at 1 p.m.

Posted March 10, 2012

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Will Gov Malloy’s education ‘reforms’ hurt small towns?

Rep. Sawyer said towns like Andover are doing everything they can to help their schools. “The town is willing to put so much time and money into their schools,” said Sawyer. “Why would you then penalize them for their hard work?” Under the governor’s proposal, school districts that meet the criteria but fail to regionalize would lose 10 percent of their state aid the first year, with 10 percent increments each year up, to a maximum loss of 50 percent by the fifth year.

Andover officials are worried about the negative impact Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s education reform bill may have on the town.

The governor wants to regionalize school districts with populations under 1,000 students, and those where per-pupil expenditure exceeds the state per-pupil average, effective the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Thirty-one of the state’s school districts could be affected including regional school districts in Scotland, Hampton, Chaplin, Franklin, Columbia and Willington.

Andover is also on that list — with a catch.

Andover’s per pupil spending, which was $12,282 in fiscal year 2011, isn’t in excess of the state per-pupil average.

But Andover Superintendent Andrew Maneggia is still concerned.

“I’m worried about a lot of the legislation at this time,” Maneggia said. He added that he is most worried about the possible regionalization of Andover Elementary School.

Andover, which was regionalized with Hebron and Marlborough several years ago, currently isn’t and Maneggia says he knows it doesn’t work for the younger schoolchildren.

“We went through (regionalization),” said Maneggia. “As far as the regionalizing of grades 7 through 12, it makes sense, but at this level it doesn’t.”

State Rep. Pam Sawyer – whose district includes Hebron, Andover and Marlborough – said she “highly disagrees” with the proposed legislation.

“They used to have four different elementary schools (in three towns),” Sawyer said and recalled that the single superintendent responsible for the district couldn’t focus on every school. “Since they have broken off, every town’s scores have gone straight up. They are all doing very well now.”

Under the governor’s proposal, school districts that meet the criteria but fail to regionalize would lose 10 percent of their state aid the first year, with 10 percent increments each year up, to a maximum loss of 50 percent by the fifth year.

Currently, the state sends $78.8 million each year to the 49 towns with fewer than 1,000 students that don’t spend above the amount the state deems acceptable. (There are more towns than districts because some towns fall below Malloy’s criteria even though they already belong to regional districts.)

Andover received $3,057,025 in fiscal year 2011 and would lose more than $300,000 if it were to be penalized.

Sawyer said she knows Andover currently wouldn’t be affected by the legislation, but is still worried. “It doesn’t mean they won’t in the future,” she said “One of the concerns I have is that it penalizes school systems that are doing well.”

Sawyer said she sees Malloy’s plan as “counterproductive.”

“Why would you want to disrupt success?” asked Sawyer. “Why would you do that? Especially when the focus should be on the larger schools that have the greatest failure rate.”

Sawyer pointed out that the smaller districts only have personal property taxes to fund the schools. “These schools don’t have the support that help fund education like the bigger, more commercialized towns and cities do,” said Sawyer.

“I believe it is essential that we look for state support of education that is balanced and balances out the tax structure somewhat,” she said.

Sawyer said towns like Andover are doing everything they can to help their schools. “The town is willing to put so much time and money into their schools,” said Sawyer. “Why would you then penalize them for their hard work?”

Sawyer, who has been visiting teachers in all of her towns, said this session is going to be “very interesting.”

“Not only does every legislator have a school, every legislator went to school and many have children that are still in school,” said Sawyer. “How does this plan help the children?”

Maneggia said there still needs to be “a lot of discussion” about all of Malloy’s education reform proposals.

“(Malloy) is approaching it the wrong way,” said Maneggia. “It would be better off saying we have these benefits that you can gain rather than penalizing towns financially.”

Posted March 7, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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High winds could cause damage, outages in parts of Connecticut

Gov. Malloy will open the state's Emergency Operations Center Saturday morning, Feb. 25, to respond to any emergencies resulting from high winds, forecast to reach as much as 48 mph. Photo source: NOAA gov web site, shows effects of a "macroburst" in 2006

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced today that he will partially activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 8 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 25) to respond to any emergencies that might arise as a result of high winds forecast for tonight and early Saturday.

Currently, a High Wind Warning has been issued for Windham, New London and Southern Middlesex Counties for overnight. The strongest winds expected after daybreak tomorrow.

A High Wind Warning is issued for forecasts of sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph and gusts possibly in excess of 58 mph.

A less serious alert, a Wind Advisory, has been issued for the rest of the state.

The EOC will be staffed by the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Division of the State Police, Department of Public Health, Department of Transportation, Military Department, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, State Fire Coordination, and the state’s utilities.

Posted Feb. 24, 2012

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Shamrockin Bowl!

Please join us on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2012 for some duck pin bowling. Have fun and raise funds for local children's summer camp scholarships! All proceeds will go to AHM Youth and Family Services and Hebron Parks and Recreation Scholarship Funds.

Please join us on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2012 for some duck pin bowling. Have fun and raise funds for local children’s summer camp scholarships!

There will be music, glow lights and all who attend will have a chance to win a Nook Color.

All proceeds will go to AHM Youth and Family Services and Hebron Parks and Recreation Scholarship Funds.  AHM provides services to the towns of Andover, Columbia, Hebron (Amston) and Marlborough.

The event will be held at the Holiday Lanes in Manchester, CT at various time slots between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for individuals or $45 for a team of four and are being sold at AHM Youth Services, 25 Pendelton Drive in Hebron as well as the Hebron Parks & Recreation Office at Burnt Hill Park, and the Gilead Congregational Church during office hours.

Questions? Please call the Gilead Church at (860) 228-3077 or visit The Gilead Congregational Church Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GCCBoardofMissions

Posted Feb. 23, 2012

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Church of the Holy Family offers fish dinners for Lenten season

Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, CT will offer fish dinners on all Fridays beginning Feb. 24 through March 30, 2012.

The Church of the Holy Family, 185 Church St., Hebron will offer a sit-down, Lenten fish fry for the community on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on all Fridays beginning Feb. 24 through March 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and on Good Friday, April 6, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Cost is $12.50 for adults, $10 for seniors (age 65 and over) and $6 for kids (age 10 and under).

Take-out meals are also available.

The menu will include fresh fish (baked, fried or a combination), french fries, and homemade coleslaw. A children’s menu will feature macaroni & cheese and/or fries/cole slaw and fish. Also included, a weekly dessert special for the adults, cupcakes for the kids and a sugar-free dessert option.

Stations of the Cross will be held upstairs in the Church every Friday during Lent at 7:30 p.m. for those who are interested.

Questions? Call (860) 228-0096.

The Church of the Holy Family serves the communities of Hebron, Andover, Marlborough, and Columbia, CT. For more information on programs and services at the Church of the Holy Family, contact the parish at 860-228-0096 or online at www.holyfamilyhebron.org

Posted Feb. 22, 2012

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Columbia could be penalized for not meeting ed budget minimum

Columbia failed to meet the state's MBR requirement – the education budget is $158,723 less than the prior year. Therefore, Columbia is required to come up with the remaining funds by June 31, the end of the fiscal year or lose ECS funds. File photo: Students arrive at Horace Porter School, September 2011 by Al Malpa

Columbia is not in compliance with the state’s Minimum Budget Requirement for the current fiscal year and is working with legislators to address the situation.

The law requires school districts to allocate at least the same amount of funding that was in the budget the previous year.

Columbia failed to meet the MBR requirement – the education budget is $158,723 less than the prior year. Therefore, Columbia is required to come up with the remaining funds by June 31, the end of the fiscal year.

Columbia First Selectwoman Carmen Vance called the MBR law “ludicrous” because it mandates districts to spend the same amount every year even if they find budget savings, as Columbia did last year.

According to Vance, Columbia’s school board returned approximately $428,000 to the town in the 2010-11 budget cycle and is on track to have another budget surplus this fiscal year.

Columbia Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz said Tuesday (Feb. 21) that those savings came from $387,161 in the tuition line item and $41,266 in the pupil transportation line item.

Luiz said the town didn’t have the opportunity to comply with the MBR law because it was put into place after Columbia voters approved the 2011- 12 budget in May.

Town officials will have to deal with the problem – not the Board of Education – because it’s the town that receives grants for the schools.

Vance said Tuesday, the town, fiscal planning and allocation commission, board of education and superintendent need to discuss how any additional funding would be allocated.

Luiz said if the decision is to appropriate an additional $158,723 to the education budget prior to July 1, when the penalty would take effect, it would likely come from the town’s fund balance. Currently, there is approximately $3 million in that fund.

Columbia Superintendent Francine Coss said the MBR is meant to be a “safety net for funding public education.”

However, Coss has proposed a 2012-13 budget with a zero-percent increase from the budget. The Board of Education has not yet voted on the education budget.

Law is under review

State Rep. Timothy Ackert, R-Coventry, who serves Columbia, called the MBR law “ridiculous,” particularly when it penalizes districts such as Columbia for being efficient.

“They’re doing a great job over there,” he said of Columbia school administrators and staff.

Rep. Ackert said the law needs to be reviewed and either modified or eliminated.

In fact, the law will be reviewed Wednesday (Feb. 22) at the Capitol, when town officials are invited to testify. “It’s time to make some immediate changes,” Rep. Ackert said.

Luiz will testify on behalf of the town before the state Board of Education this week about the impact of various state mandates, including the MBR.

Penalties for non-compliance

Penalties for not complying with the MBR law are related to the amount of funding allocated to towns under the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant program.

If Columbia does not make up for its shortfall by June 31, its 2013-14 ECS grant will be reduced by double the shortfall, or $317,446. Since ECS funding for 2012-13 is already finalized, the penalty would apply to the following year.

This year, the town received approximately $2.6 million in ECS funds; the grant is expected to remain level next year.

In a letter to the Chronicle published Monday (Feb. 20), Vance wrote: “Ideally the law should be repealed or at least amended… Penalties should be waived for a municipality that successfully demonstrates it allocated an adequate amount of funding to its local school district.”

Vance said town officials are speaking with Rep. Ackert and Rep. Edith Prague.“We’re trying to get our legislators to work with us,” she said and added that the town would likely appeal any penalty.

Posted Feb. 21, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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State leaders concerned about deportation program in Connecticut

DHS’s program activates on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 according to Lawlor’s press release. “Secure Communities” was piloted in 2008 under the George W. Bush administration, beginning in Texas. It does not reimburse participating local law enforcement jurisdictions for any additional costs.

Under Secretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Mike Lawlor today (Feb. 20) released a statement on the Federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decision to activate the “Secure Communities” program statewide in Connecticut.

DHS’s program activates on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 according to Lawlor’s press release.

“Secure Communities” was piloted in 2008 under the George W. Bush administration, beginning in Texas. It does not reimburse participating local law enforcement jurisdictions for any additional costs and it has met with heavy criticisms in many of the states where it is now in effect.

Under the “Secure Communities” program, suspects’ fingerprints are submitted by local law enforcement to the FBI and ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). If the fingerprints match those of a non-U.S. citizen (including those here legally), the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) of ICE is notified, and there is an investigation of the individual’s immigration status and criminal history.

ICE may then direct local law enforcement to hold a suspect for up to 48 hours beyond his/her scheduled release date, while ICE initiates the deportation process. Undocumented immigrants can be deported even if they haven’t committed a crime, and legal immigrants who commit certain serious crimes can be deported.

Originally, states became a part of the program voluntarily through a “memorandum of understanding,” or could choose to opt out. However, that is no longer the case and the DHS goal is to implement the program nationwide by 2013.

According to a report in the Huffington Post in October 2011 (“Secure Communities Agreements Canceled, Participation Still Required”), ICE director John Morton wrote a letter to governors that states, “ICE has determined that a [memorandum of agreement] is not required to activate or operate Secure Communities for any jurisdiction.”

Lawlor notes, in his statement, that “Six months ago, when the Department of Homeland Security announced that Secure Communities was scheduled to go ‘live’ statewide in Connecticut, Gov. Malloy asked for and received a delay in the activation because of these concerns.”

“While we are very mindful of the need to enhance public safety, there are legitimate concerns when it comes to the implementation of the Secure Communities program,” Lawlor said.

The program, “essentially converts local law enforcement officers into de facto agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE),” he states.

“This policy could lead to a situation where victims and witnesses in the immigrant community would be reluctant to cooperate with local and state law enforcement, something that would completely undermine the goals of this program,” Lawlor states.

He also points out that a federal Task Force that studied the program emphasized the purpose is to “selectively” pursue removal of illegal immigrants who “pose a threat to public safety, such as criminal aliens and national security threats, as well as repeat immigration law violators and recent border entrants.”

To spend time and money on other than these priority cases, “hinders our public safety mission by clogging immigration court dockets and diverting resources,” the report states.

However, there have been reports from other states where the program has been activated that it is being used in a much more sweeping fashion for general deportation or has been applied inconsistently.

Gov. Malloy has asked CT Department of Corrections Commissioner Leo Arnone to create an ongoing review “of how this program is implemented and what the ramifications are, and see what if any corrective action is needed going forward,” Lawlor states.

Posted Feb. 20, 2012

Related links: Additional links on the Homeland Security site for info about “Secure Communities” http://www.ice.gov/secure_communities

“President Obama’s policy on deportations is unevenly applied,” New York Times, Nov. 13, 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/us/politics/president-obamas-policy-on-deportation-is-unevenly-applied.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

An analysis of the program with data on the number of deportations on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Communities

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Gov. Malloy promises more education funds – and bonus for new Alliance Districts

As part of his proposals to reform education practices from early childhood through college, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently announced an additional $50 million in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) grant funding to schools.

According to a statement made by Gov. Malloy on Feb. 8, 2012 a total of 130 towns will receive more ECS funding than they did in 2011-2012 and no town will see funding drop from 2011-2012 levels.

New, however, is the plan to make additional dollars available to something he calls Alliance Districts.

Alliance Districts will be groupings of the state’s 30 lowest-performing school districts.

Nearly $40 million will go to Alliance Districts – if they implement Gov. Malloy’s education reform strategies.

According to Gov. Malloy, an additional $4.5 million in competitive funding will be offered to all districts, with preference given to 30 Alliance districts, to fuel “ambitious innovations and deeper reforms.”

Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor commented, “The governor’s proposal acknowledges that resource constraints are one obstacle to many of our low-performing districts’ ability to improve their schools – while recognizing that increased funding alone will not improve student achievement…

“Rather, it is essential that these districts also embrace reforms rooted in best practices. The conditional funding model provides added resources and increased accountability. We look forward to working in alliance with these low-performing districts as they implement their reforms and elevate their achievement levels.”

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman added, “I strongly believe that every child in our state deserves the opportunity to get a quality education, regardless of where they live. That is why one of our first priorities after taking office was to fully fund the ECS for all towns, and that is why we are making this targeted investment – to give that equal chance to children who happen to attend an under-performing school.”

Alliance Districts

Gov. Malloy’s proposal identifies the state’s 30 lowest-performing school districts as participants in a Performance Alliance between these districts and the State, which makes them eligible for significant increases in state funding.

To qualify for these funds, Each Alliance District must submit a reform plan that includes elements of “reform strategies” in the governor’s proposal.

The State Department of Education will review these plans and recommend which ones should be approved.

Alliance Districts can choose from these “reform strategies”:

• “tiered district interventions” for schools based on school-level student performance;
• additional learning time, including extended school day and year;
• career ladders for school personnel;
• a professional development system “informed by educator evaluations”;
• plans to ensure K-3 reading mastery;
• coordination of early childhood education services;
• creating a community schools approach by establishing “wraparound services” for students with links to health and social service providers;
• and other strategies as determined by the Education Commissioner.

Alliance Districts will have new funding phased in at the rate of 2.47 percent of the gap between what they currently receive in ECS funding and the new formula amount – other districts will receive 1.4 percent of the funding amount gap – according to Gov. Malloy’s statement.

Posted Feb. 19, 2012

Related link: More details about Gov. Malloy’s plans for Education Reform http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?A=4010&Q=498746

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Proposed 2012-2013 Columbia budget loaded with capital projects

Columbia Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz told the Board of Selectmen $1.16 million is allocated for capital projects next year, including approximately $265,000 for road resurfacing and $1.8 million to be used for replacing the roof on Horace W. Porter Elementary School.

Columbia Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz revealed his proposed 2012-13 general government budget at the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting Feb. 7.

At $19.4 million, it is a 15.33 percent increase – or $ 2.57 million more than this year’s $16.83 million budget.

Luiz said this year, property taxes were affected “significantly” by the Grand List, which dropped 13.19 percent.

He also said the proposed 2012-13 budget includes funds for upcoming capital projects.

He said $1.16 million is allocated for capital projects next year, including approximately $265,000 for road resurfacing and $1.8 million to be used for replacing the roof on Horace W. Porter Elementary School.

The funding for the elementary school roof will come from the town’s fund balance, which has approximately $3 million in it, Luiz said.

“Can we afford to do that?” asked Deputy Selectmen Richard Szegda.

Luiz said he thought there still would be a healthy fund balance.

Other expensive capital projects include $261,000 for public works equipment and $287,400 for preliminary work on the town’s library project, which has not yet gone to referendum.

Selectmen discussed altering the funding for youth services in Columbia – Szegda said he feels it isn’t enough. The town has been considering increasing youth services, he said.

Selectmen agreed to increase the line item from $17,082 to $36,944.

Open-space funding was also discussed.

Luiz said he did not put open-space funding in the budget because the town has a “pending deal.”

“It’s best to get that done, then put it in,” he said.

Another category that was reviewed was legal expenses. The current 2012-13 budget allocates $65,000 and Luiz said the town will likely spend “every penny”.

Szegda said he wants to review legal expenses at the end of the 2012- 13 budget process to see if the town “got a good deal last year on legal representation.”

Selectmen will continue to review the proposed budget and after making any adjustments will send it to the town’s Financial Planning and Allocation Commission (FIPAC).

FIPAC will make its review and possibly make adjustments before the budget is presented to voters at a town meeting on May 8, 2012.

The Board of Education has not yet finalized its budget.

Posted Feb. 10, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook and follow us ( @HTNP) on Twitter!

Columbia voters overrule selectmen on library project referendum

Appealing to a certain segment of the town’s residents with an April referendum “just seemed like voter suppression,” said Napolitano, who circulated petitions to protest the Board of Selectmen's decision.

The Columbia Board of Selectmen will revisit the timing of a referendum on the library renovation/ expansion project in response to voters who Wednesday (Feb. 8 ) protested the board’s decision to have the vote in the spring.

Hundreds of residents crowded Horace W. Porter School in response to petitions filed by resident Lisa Napolitano in favor of a November vote.

Columbia Town Administrator Jonathan Luiz said total costs for the library expansion will be approximately $10.7 million, including financing costs. The town’s share would be about $8 million. The project would be bonded over 20 years, Luiz said.

The cost of the project, however, was not discussed Wednesday. The focus was on the timing of the referendum

Napolitano said she was prompted to circulate the petition in response to selectmen who have said an April referendum would draw voters who had educated themselves about the library project, whereas in November there will be large numbers of voters because of the presidential election – who also may not know much about the project they are voting on.

Appealing to a certain segment of the town’s residents with an April referendum “just seemed like voter suppression,” said Napolitano.

This morning (Feb. 9) First Selectwoman Carmen Vance called that view “a bit far-fetched.”

However, she also said the town meeting represented “what small-town politics is like” where people have an opportunity to discuss issues. “It was a good meeting,” she said.

At the meeting, Columbia Financial Planning and Allocation Commission Member Michael Robertson Jr., speaking as a taxpayer, said he supports a November vote. “It is important that we get the maximum voter turnout,” he said.

According to registrars, historically there has been an 88 percent turnout for presidential elections and 25 percent turnout for other town votes.

At the meeting, those present were asked to vote on whether they wanted to:

• Overrule the board of selectmen’s previous decision to have the library referendum in the spring (Yes)

• Recommend selectmen reconsider the referendum’s timing and possibly have it in November. (Yes)

Selectman Richard Szegda said he feels selectmen should honor the townpeople’s wishes to hold the vote in November, although he personally feels spring is the best time.

Szegda also stressed the importance of public hearings, yet to be scheduled, during which residents will be able to learn more about and ask questions about the project.

“This is a really important decision,” Szegda said.

Vance pointed out that by moving the project further into the year, after a November referendum, this delay could translate into higher bids from contractors.

Selectmen did not reach a decision. Discussion will likely continue at the board’s next regular meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

The library project

Discussions about library renovation/expansion date back to 2007, when the Board of Selectmen appointed a library building committee.

Over the past five years, committee members have been fleshing out the scope of the project and associated cost estimates, as well as other details.

Drummey, Rosane Anderson Inc., an architectural firm with an office in South Windsor, was hired for the project.

At this week’s meeting, Library Building Committee member Hank Schwartz agreed with selectmen, that the voters at a spring referendum would be more focused on the library project, versus at the presidential election in November.

Regardless of when the vote is held, if the project does not pass at referendum, town officials have argued the town will still need to update the library — including heating, ventilation and air-conditioning work and roof repairs.

Columbia has already budgeted $20,000 for the library roof project, pending the outcome of the referendum.

Posted Feb. 9, 2012 as Edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan; byline error corrected Feb. 22, 2012

See related story: “Columbia resident petitions for election day vote on library expansion,”  Jan. 18, 2012 http://columbia.htnp.com/2012/01/18/columbia-resident-petitions-for-election-day-vote-on-library-expansion/

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