Town Government

Flanagan's $2M Idea Shot Down

The Hamden Legislative Council (sorry about the poor quality). File photo

By Sharon Bass

Even Councilman John Flanagan didn't think his proposal to slash the $70.7 million school budget by $2 million would fly. And it didn't. At a special Council meeting last night, only the man himself voted in the positive, while Council members Carol Noble and Mike Germano abstained. The rest said no.

Still, the Board of Education took no chances. School administrators, teachers, parents, PTA members and board members stocked the audience. They were joined by the Hamden Homeowners for Tax Relief brigade, most of whom wanted to see a school budget cut. All told, about 70 people parked their rears on folding chairs in the stuffy, air-deprived Council Chambers, hoping their elected officials would do right by them.

This was Flanagan's second time at bat. The '06-'07 budget was approved May 11. In mid-June, the councilman first proposed lopping off two mill from the school side. His measure failed. So he tweaked the dollar amount from $2 million to $1.9 million, since a motion that was voted down can't be reconsidered without a change. Flanagan said his cut would reduce the mil rate by a half-point.

He pushed the motion forward because he said the BOE always gets hikes, and the Council's school budget deliberations this spring were truncated and needed more discussion.

And that it got.

First Spoke the Public

"I'm in favor of a reduction of the Board of Education budget," said Don Werner of Mix Avenue and a Council regular. "I learned that the board found enough money to purchase textbooks for next year. The Board of Education people [at a recent Republican town meeting] said they turn over unused money to the town."

Werner said it is general practice for the police, Elderly Services (where he works) and other town departments to hand over their surpluses at the end of the fiscal year. "I do not recall the Board of Education ever giving money back to you folks," he said to the Council. "So I believe there's an opportunity there to give some tax relief."

There are too many school administrators, he said. "There's something we should look at."

PTA Council President Tim Nottoli followed.

"I think you're going to damage the educational program for children" with a $2 million cut, he said.

Applause.

A West Woods teacher said, "You want to take another big hunk [out of the budget] and I think that's unreasonable."

Applause.

Sharon Adrian of HHTR said it's not a cut. It's a reduction of the 5 percent or so increase the BOE got for 2006-2007. "I'm very concerned about this town," she said. "I think it's obvious if you don't have the money you can't spend it. The Board of Education is not willing to sacrifice as the rest of us do. How in the world are we going to support this" budget?

Applause. One woman dragged out her clapping. Council Prez Al Gorman pounded his gavel and told everyone to cut the clap.

"I looked at the [school] salaries and benefits and it's amazing," said Carol Podgwaite. "I don't particularly want to lose my home."

HHTR member Kelly McCarthy said while she is gunning for tax relief in the form of a revaluation phase-in, she did not support cutting the school budget.

"I understand we need tax relief, but that comes from wiser spending," she said, her voice growing louder and more emotional. "But when has it worked to take a big chunk from the Board of Education? When has it ever worked? Who is going to pay that price? The children are! I just don't see why this is a good idea.

"The white elephant no one talks about is the huge companies that get large tax breaks. Meanwhile [homeowners] are being hurt," said McCarthy.

Applause.

Hamden teacher aide Ruth Resnick Johnson said cutting the budget is an insult to the school staff. "I know how hard our teachers and administrators work. By not cutting the school budget you are validating [their] very hard work," she said.

Applause.

"I think this cut is a sham," said Aaron Gustafson, a HHTR member. He said it would save homeowners just $100 while a phase-in would save them $500.

Applause.

But Is It Legal?

Councilwoman Kath Schomaker was the first to bring up the legality of changing the budget and mil rate, after they'd been approved. She asked Assistant Town Attorney Mike Kamp, also Council parliamentarian, for his opinion.

Flanagan immediately objected to the lawyer's testimony, saying it would have to be in writing.

So Schomaker spoke of an "informal" conversation she'd recently had with Kamp. "My information is that you can't legally change the budget," she said. The exception being an infusion of outside money to the town or schools. Then that same amount can be taken out of a budget.

Furthermore, the councilwoman said, if $2 million was cut it would have to go into the town's emergency and contingency fund (E&C), not to reduce the budget in order to lower the mil rate. "I don't see any legal way to reduce the Board of Education budget," she said.

Councilman Ron Gambardella said he agreed with both sides. But then rattled off some numbers in support of leaving the budget alone. He said Superintendent Alida Begina's original budget request was cut by about $5 million after the board, the mayor and the Council tinkered with it.

"I'm not a bleeding heart liberal," said Gambardella. "But I am a proponent of education."

Flanagan's Turn

"Finally, we get to talk about the Board of Education budget," he started. He described how the education budget was quickly pushed through last month. He said during the Democratic caucus before the budget vote was taken, Majority Leader Matt Fitch left the caucus room to ask the two Republicans on the Council if they'd agree to $70.7 million.

"He came back in and said he now had the votes," said Flanagan.

"I want to give people who have lived here a long time a tax break. The superintendent brings in a wish list. This is the 20th increase," he said. "People on the town side get laid off and take pay freezes. We owe our children the best education we can afford. Not the best money can buy."

He disagreed with Schomaker's legal opinion. "Is it legal? Absolutely," said Flanagan, who picked up the Town Charter and read from Section 3-5: "The Council shall have the power to increase or decrease the budget or any item thereof." Period. No further elaboration.

"I would urge my fellow Council people to vote in favor of the taxpayers. I'm asking for a half a mil for the residents of Hamden," he said.

Jim Pascarella, the BOE's most ardent supporter and defender on the Council, shook his head. "It's too late to be discussing this. It's against state law. I've talked with high-level officials," he said.

He told his colleagues if they ever hope to get along with the BOE "we ought to leave this budget alone."

Councilwoman Gretchen Callahan said she too questioned the legality of changing the budget after it was passed. Betty Wetmore repeated what she's said before. She wouldn't vote to cut the school budget but "I won't give them an extra penny next year. I feel we gave them a large increase this year."

Both Carol Noble and Mike Germano asked for a written legal opinion. "I think it's naïve to think the budget won't be increased next year," Councilman Germano responded to Wetmore's pledge. (Council members Curt Leng, Matt Fitch and Berita Rowe-Lewis were absent.)

Gorman apparently had the legal riddle solved all along. Flanagan was partly right and so was Schomaker. The prez said the town attorney told him the budget can be legally altered but not the mil rate.

"Certainly the Board of Education has been put on notice to curtail spending," said Gorman.

In the end, Flanagan stood alone.

Afterwards, Republican BOE members Ed Sullivan and Austin Cesare said they would research the possibility of cutting central office administrators. "It's definitely worth looking into," said Sullivan.

"We have to justify every position," said Cesare.

"Every administrative position is on the table," said Sullivan. "Austin and I ran on not cutting teachers, books or supplies or sports. Cut from the top."

Kinks of the Road

Kelly McCarthy on the future Lake Road pedestrian trail.

Lots of bumps to smooth for a proposed walking path in Whitneyville

Story and photos by Sharon Bass

When the Davis Street Bridge was under repair about 15 years ago, little Lake Road in Whitneyville was closed off to traffic. The one-fifth-mile-long back street, which runs along Lake Whitney, was never reopened.

Now the town is planning to turn it into a walking trail with an expected $100,000 state grant, and extend it northwards by a mile or so. The Legislative Council voted unanimously June 13 to accept the money.

"Hamden can always use another walking trail. Hamden is becoming a destination point for the physically fit," said Chief Administrative Officer Scott Jackson.

Meanwhile, tenants at the abutting Lakewood Apartments wanted to reopen the road and create parallel parking spaces, said Scott. But that idea was scrapped.

Kelly McCarthy of the Whitneyville Civic Association said her group was against reopening Lake Road to traffic. "We have all these lakes and there's no way to enjoy them or get to them," she said Thursday afternoon, while walking along the heavily wooded, vehicle-free road.

"It's all about parking," she said of Lakewood wanting to reopen the street to traffic. "They said it was a hardship for the residents. There was not enough parking." According to a March 7, 2006, letter she wrote to the town, Lakewood has 140 units and "more than 108 spaces … Some are unoccupied and many of the residents are elderly and no longer drive. On any given day, at any time, their lots are not full."

Lakewood LLC, owner of the apartment building, could not be reached for comment.

McCarthy claimed that the apartment building, which has four parking lots with one undergound, was illegally subdivided when it was renovated, creating more units and more need for parking. "They have too many people living there," she said. A message left for Town Planner Leslie Creane yesterday afternoon was not returned.

End of the road. Where Lake meets Davis.

Lake Road is off Putnam Avenue, behind Whitney Avenue's Books & Company. It ends at Davis Street. A jersey barrier at Davis and Lake keeps traffic from turning in, and on the other end of Lake Road a large gate keeps out cars. The closed-off portion is paved. A rusty guardrail and fence run the length, which separate the street from a sharp grassy incline that leads to the lake.

Jackson said as soon as the grant money is in the town's hands -- in about a month -- a bid will go out for an architect or engineer, who will be paid in the neighborhood of $10,000. Then a panel of Spring Glen and Whitneyville residents will be formed to confer with the consultant on the design.

It's unclear how the walking path would be constructed. Much of Lake Road is quite narrow -- at one point just 17 feet across -- and widening it could mean chopping down trees, building a bridge or somehow leveling off the sharp drop to the lake. The extension would run behind the Whitneyville United Church of Christ, which is private property, and go toward Spring Glen. The town might have to purchase a strip of the church land, but Jackson said he still thinks the project wouldn't run over $100,000.

"[$100,000] goes a long way with a walking trail like this," he said. "The stretch of land is going to be pretty narrow. If you're thinking Farmington Canal, you're thinking too wide. This one is more pastoral. More conducive to the senior citizens. We're talking about stone dust here. Fine, gray gravel as opposed to the paved surface of the Farmington Canal." With the exception of the already paved Lake Road portion.

While she's in favor of the walking path, McCarthy said she was irked that public opinion wasn't solicited and is worried about trees coming down.

"The part of our concern now is that we think it's a good idea, but a small group of people [who live in condos that face Lake Road] brought it to the mayor and he went ahead with it, without holding public hearings. In other towns, if you're going to make major changes on roads they put up signs and hold a meeting," she said. "That isn't the way we do things here. What happens is people have major changes in their roads and communities and have no idea."

Jackson countered that the walking project will "definitely be community-driven. We're going to do something that adds to the neighborhood.

"There will be several public meetings to help generate consensus about what the folks want. If there is widespread opposition to taking down even one tree, that would impact the project," he said. However, he said, the trail might have to be widened to allow for wheelchairs.

Unsure if Regional Water Authority land will be used, Jackson said nevertheless "RWA endorses our plan. They'll be at the table to tell us what we need to do." For instance, ATVs and other motorized vehicles would not be allowed on the trail or near the water.

"It's going to be a beautiful walking trail," said Mayor Craig Henrici. "We'll have to do something creative."

He Says & He Says

Town Hall and a community activist bump heads on whether a reval phase-in is the way for Hamden to go

By Sharon Bass

Bottom line, said Chief Administrative Officer Scott Jackson, a property tax phase-in would hurt those most needing relief and help those needing it the least.

Bottom line, said Mark Sanders who's spearheading a grassroots phase-in effort, is actually the reverse.

"I will state unequivocally that the precise opposite is true. The vast majority of phase-in winners will be from the large middle range of home values," said Sanders, a member of Hamden Homeowners for Tax Relief, a group that formed in response to the hefty tax increases many residential property owners are facing, partly due to last fall's revaluation. Last week, he explained his three-year phase-in proposal to the Legislative Council, contending the average homeowner will save $335 in the first year -- the only year that can be accurately calculated as no one knows what future revenues and expenses will be.

Yesterday, Jackson released a statement basically saying a phase-in is a bad idea. He said the administration studied and nixed it a couple of months before the budget was approved. In order to realize the $335 in savings, he said a home would have to be appraised at $333,850. And if a homeowner's motor vehicles are worth at least 10 percent of their house value, there is no savings. At the June 26 Council meeting, Jackson said he expects to voice his viewpoint to the Finance Committee.

"Phase-in is a classic case of adding insult to injury" for many homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes and young families, he said. Asked how many fall into these categories, Jackson said, "It's impossible to know."

"It's not a good idea for many, many reasons," Henrici said. "It's not going to look good to our credit agencies. It doesn't help the people who need it the most."

Jackson said using aggregate numbers, as Sanders did in his analysis, is misleading. "To me aggregates and averages yield social science mistakes," he said. "I can tell you that the average salary in the world is $5,000. But that doesn't mean a thing. You have to put it into context." For instance, the average salary in India would be irrelevant to that in the United States.

With home values shooting up an average 89 percent since the revaluation, tax-relief ideas have been tossed around. In addition to a phase-in, Councilman John Flanagan has proposed slashing over $2 million from the school budget.

"I think they're looking for creative solutions to real-world problems," Jackson said of the HHTR's proposal. "I commend them for their efforts, but it's not the way to go."

He said the higher the home value, the higher the savings under a phase-in. The reason for that, he said, is high-end houses got off easiest with revals because they can be upped just so much. "The Hamden market can't support $2 million houses," said Jackson.

At the same time, he said, "it is absolutely possible for a young family to pay more with a phase-in at every income level."

What?

"I'm dumbstruck that the administration is attempting to paint phase-in as a proposal which will benefit the wealthy disproportionately," said Sanders. "What they are trying to do is put a spin on who will benefit most.

"I fear that the administration is dealing with the phase-in proposal as a political football. The focus appears to be on next year -- an election year," he said. "If, as they suggest, we 'bite the bullet' this year by absorbing the full impact of revaluation, then it will be easier for the incumbents to create an impression that they are holding the line on taxes. In reality, though, that game of political perceptions will have been financed by a loss of $10 million in homeowner phase-in savings and enormous 2006 individual tax increases."

Sanders said his group researched the properties owned by 14 of the 15 Council members. (Matt Fitch is not a homeowner.) The assessed value of their homes range from $136,430 to $298,830, he said..

"The average phase-in savings for this representative mid-range group is $770, compared to the $615 town-wide average we cited in our numerical presentation," Sanders said. "The home of the councilperson with the greatest phase-in savings is actually situated within the Newhall remediation consent order boundaries."

To be continued June 26, Council Chambers, 7 p.m.
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Betz on Debt

The finance director. Photo/Sharon Bass

By Sharon Bass

How much is Hamden in the red these days?

About $110 million and climbing, said Finance Director Mike Betz. But that ain't bad.

"According to rating agencies like Moody's, it's considered moderate for a town our size," he said.

Like most communities, Hamden takes out short- and long-term loans, so to speak, primarily for major building projects. Notes are issued for one year, and bonds for many years. The town is just now paying off bonded debt from 1998, while new loans were approved this year by the Legislative Council -- $9.5 million in bonds, $6 million in notes, all to be sold to national investors on July 12. The town repays the investors, with interest.

"Only wealthy communities like Greenwich pay with cash," said Betz.

Hamden has a debt service fund. In the current budget, $9.5 million was dumped into it. The '06-'07 budget calls for an $11 million contribution.

The recently approved notes and bonds are primarily for the new middle school, high school renovations, the Farmington Canal trail, the purchase of the Dadio Farm ($4.5 million), sidewalk repairs and "outstanding little projects from '03-'04," said Betz.

Per state orders, the town had to authorize bonding for the middle school's entire $54 million tab, even though Hamden is only responsible for 37 percent of it. The state kicks in the rest. But only bonds for the town's portion have been issued, said Betz.

The reason for notes, he said, is that "you need cash flow from day one of a project. And you don't know the real cost of the project. You only want to bond what you've actually spent."

Bonds are used to pay for anything that has a life span of five or more years, like land acquisitions, the finance head said. "The community pays it off over time and we get use of it over time," he said.

More indebtedness is likely on its way. "It depends on what the mayor and Council want," said Betz.

Moving Budget

Flanagan. File photo

By Sharon Bass

One might have assumed that the new town and school budgets were put to rest May 11, when the Legislative Council approved $163.6 million to keep the town running and the schools humming.

And one would have assumed incorrectly.

An emerging activist group Hamden Homeowners for Tax Relief is pushing the Council to act on its proposal to phase in this year's sharp tax hike that stung nearly every homeowner. A phase-in would require a mil rate and other changes. And at last week's special Council meeting, member John Flanagan presented a rather controversial budget-altering idea.

He made a motion to slash $2 million from the $70.7 million school budget. Councilman Jim Pascarella decried the motion and successfully moved to end debate on it, and take the vote. Only Flanagan and Councilman Mike Germano voted in favor. But Flanagan's not going away. He's doing a little revamping and hopes to get his tweaked proposal on the June 26 Council agenda.

"I'm going to be rewriting my motion for the $2 million cut. I have to adjust the number. I'll go up a little," he said, noting the BOE had a half-million-dollar surplus this year, which is reportedly going to Latin textbooks. "I can take it up to $2.5 million now that I know they don't need it.

"They already spent $500,000 on next year's budget from this year's budget. So basically they're building in a surplus for next year, and the taxpayers are getting hammered," said Flanagan. The BOE is supposed to return year-end surpluses to the town, he said.

"I want to show the other members of the Council that they're spending surpluses while they're crying poorhouse," said Flanagan.

It's up to Council Prez Al Gorman whether Flanagan's item gets on the June 26 line-up.

"He hasn't spoken to me about it so I don't know anything," Gorman said late yesterday afternoon. "I don't know how that would impact the Board of Education budget. But you can see from the preliminary vote that happened last week ..."

He said he would look at the proposal although he thinks it's too late to do budget surgery. "For reasonable people it's too late. Can it be done? Of course," Gorman said.

Regarding the half-million-dollar surplus, he said the BOE typically holds money until the end of the year in case there's an emergency need. "It's not unusual," he said.

Councilman Curt Leng, who chairs the Finance Committee, said taking $2.5 million out of the school's '06-'07 purse would have a dramatic impact.

"That would mean that the district would need to close a school or end an important program, such as all-day kindergarten. I could never support such a proposal that would be such a step backwards," he said.

Messages left for BOE Finance Director Tom Pesce were not returned.

Flanagan attributed the defeat of his motion last week to a misconception among Council members, especially the greener ones.

"We have a lot of relatively inexperienced people on the Council who assume that the parents' vote is determined by the Board of Education's actions and budgets. And they're assuming that's what got them elected. But it's not. Never has been an education bloc," said Flanagan. "There weren't many parents at the [budget] hearings this year because they also don't like what's going on. There's usually 100 at least. There were two including [Tim] Nottoli," president of the PTA Council.

Germano said he voted for Flanagan's cut because "the Board of Education had a 7 percent increase, that's way too much. No [town] departments get anywhere near a 7 percent raise."

He also agrees with Flanagan that not enough time was spent deliberating over the school budget. "I was also upset that the debate was limited [at last Tuesday's Council meeting], especially with something as important as this," Germano said. "You should allow your colleagues to speak. The taxpayers are asking for relief. I hope something does come up" at the June 26 meeting.

Flanagan, a former schoolteacher, said he didn't arbitrarily come up with the $2 million figure. He said he went over the school budget with "people who have experience with education budgets. They said $67 to $68 million would allow [the BOE] to have what they have, covers cost increases but no new programs." He wouldn't say who the people with experience are.
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Hamden Dems Get Their Marching Orders

Penny Bellamy charges the DTC with a partisan mission.

Story and photos by Sharon Bass

This election year Connecticut is considered a battleground state for Congress, and the Hilltop Brigade told the Hamden Democratic Party last night how it should fight.

"We have three of the 15 seats needed nationally to flip," said Penny Bellamy of the brigade, referring to Connecticut's three Republicans in Congress. The volunteer brigade -- vigorously supported by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3) -- formed last year "to recruit volunteers in 'safe' Democratic congressional districts and to put them to work in 'battleground' congressional districts," so says its Web site.

The flip Bellamy speaks of is the changing of the party guard in Washington. Turning the battlegrounds into safe turf. There are 28 more congressional Republicans than Democrats. If 15 more Ds are elected this November, party power flips. And the fate of Connecticut's three GOP seats is being closely watched by the media and political types nationwide.

Bellamy, a guest at the Democratic Town Committee meeting, asked for campaign volunteers for the Dems who are challenging Connecticut's three: Joe Courtney versus Congressman Rob Simmons for the 2nd District; Diane Farrell versus Congressman Chris Shays for the 4th; and Chris Murphy versus Congresswoman Nancy Johnson for the 5th.

The 2nd and 4th congressional districts are the ripest for a Democratic victory, Bellamy said. But emphasized that Johnson's seat is not set in cement.

Bellamy outlined a typical campaign of phone banking and going door to door. She asked for volunteers to work on three autumn Saturdays. "This is the kind of field effort that can turn this around," she said.

"I'd like to see Hamden volunteer 50 bodies to the campaign," said DTC Chair Joe McDonagh. "I come from a state [Massachusetts], in its infinite wisdom, has 11 congressmen and they're all Democrats."

A Doctor in the House?

ER doc Phil Brewer, Adinolfi's Democratic challenger.

Hamden has just one Republican state representative, Al Adinolfi in the 103rd District. He's going for his third term this year and will face Democratic newcomer Phil Brewer, an emergency room doctor.

With his campaign manager by his side, Brewer, 54, introduced himself to the DTC last night. He said there are currently no physicians in either the state House or Senate.

"I see things that happen in the ER and at least part of the solution is legislation," he said. "I want to become the only doctor in the state Legislature. I'm not just interested in health care. I'm a news junkie. I've been involved with the Legislature from the outside, trying to effect legislation."

If elected, the doctor said he'd introduce bills that would help revamp the emergency room process. Increasing numbers of people use the ER for primary care because they lack insurance and money to visit a doctor. Other patients, he said, are sometimes left in ER beds for hours waiting to be admitted to a hospital room, because of unnecessary delays. The resources -- nurses, doctors, examining rooms - can't keep up with the growing demand.

This is Brewer's first run for political office.

"It's going to be an important race," said McDonagh. And doable. In 2002, Adinolfi won by 196 votes out of 8,000, the DTC chair said. "And he outspent his competitor three to one." In 2004, Adinolfi fared better, winning 6,301-5,005. The turnout was higher because it was a presidential election year. The year President Bush won a second term.

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Contact: Scott Jackson
June 19, 2006 Phone: (203) 287-7107

GETTING THINGS DONE IN HAMDEN:
A Report To The Residents

Hamden, C.T.--Last November, the residents of Hamden sounded the call for a new government: one that is focused on achieving results and working in collaboration with its residents. I am pleased to report the residents of Hamden some of the progress we have made in the first six months of our new administration.

The guiding principle of my administration has been responsiveness to citizen needs, both immediate and long-term. During the campaign season, many of the residents I visited door to door expressed their concerns about the community: that our Town Hall failed to listen to their priorities; that service requests went unanswered for weeks, months, and sometimes years; and that the Town's fiscal problems would lead to a Hamden that was either unaffordable for our children or failed to provide the programs and services that we have enjoyed. From north to south, east to west, these concerns echoed across the entire Town.

I have made an effort to change the philosophy of local government, putting residents first and committing to addressing their needs in a structured way. My first act was to move the designated smoking area from the front of Government Center to the back. This was a fair and simple response to a fair and simple request from the residents who use the building on a daily basis. I then established the Help Desk using software already owned by the Town to manage citizen requests the same way businesses that rely on customer satisfaction manage their customer contact. Citizens have a right to know that their requests do not disappear when a scrap of paper goes missing off of a desk. Be it helping to coordinate neighborhood efforts against a poorly-planned cell phone tower, erecting security netting at a local ballpark, or responding to a long-standing request for removal of dangerous trees, I am proud of the commitment to immediate response that Town departments have embraced. We are now digging into other major issues based directly on citizen requests made to my office: the negotiation for purchase of the Dadio Farm on Putnam Avenue to prevent a development that would change the character of the entire Town; and working with our neighbors in North Haven to preserve the scenic quality of Hogan Road and Brewster Lane.

Since it was not a hallmark of my campaign, I believe that a number of Hamden's more conservation and ecology-minded residents have been pleasantly surprised at my administration's commitment to environmentally sound policies and programs. While the purchase of Johnson's Pond is the most high-profile effort, my office has also aggressively pursued finalization of the Farmington Canal project that is such an asset to the Town as well as the purchase of the Rosedale property as open space. We are hard at work now in evaluating energy-efficiency plans, including the use of solar panel arrays, for Town buildings as well as discussing the initial stages of developing a walking path that takes advantage of the natural beauty of Lake Whitney. We must encourage active, healthy lifestyles for all of our residents, and the geography of Hamden is ideally suited for the creation of destination points for those who wish to take advantage of the great outdoors.

The cornerstone of my campaign was my attention to the fiscal issues that have threatened the long-term health of our Town. The Mayor's Office needs to set the tone for spending. My office has vigorously pursued ending lucrative legal and architectural contracts, where the Town has paid more in fees than for the final product. Streamlining these processes has had a positive impact on projects including renovations to the Louis Astorino Ice Rink, resolution to long-standing problems at the Hamden High Athletic Fields, and even contract negotiations with Town unions.

I am proud of the work that this office performed with the Legislative Council during the budget process. Working together, we eliminated unnecessary spending, engaged in real long-term planning, and addressed critical issues in the Town's pension fund and medical insurance accounts. The budget we presented, as well as the budget passed by Council, saw increases only in utilities and the areas identified by our auditors as real threats to the Town's bond rating. This budget has seen the consolidation of departments. It has also seen responsible management of a revaluation that has hit homeowners so hard. The budget recognizes that Hamden's bills have come due, and we cannot push the responsibility off to future taxpayers without dire consequences.

Part of maintaining financial discipline is having the appropriate staff to adeptly control finances. I am proud to report that the Finance Office has recently filled two long-vacant positions that will help us better manage the effective use of taxpayer dollars. We have also fully staffed the Planning and Zoning Department with Zoning Enforcement personnel to monitor the quality of life issues so frequently mentioned as areas of concern by residents.

Of course, many of the complaints received have dealt in one way or another with Quinnipiac University. I feel that my greatest success thus far has been in improving the relationship between the Town, its residents, and Quinnipiac University. We have had frank discussions that have yielded real progress in moving students back onto campus and helping residents reclaim their neighborhoods. I give credit to Quinnipiac University President John Lahey for truly listening to resident concerns, as well as the residents for framing the debate in a responsible, civil, and cooperative fashion.

This spirit of consensus and cooperation has manifested itself in other areas, too, including better relations with citizens groups, particularly residents of the Newhall neighborhood who have seen their community besieged by uncertainty and misinformation for six years now. The Town now stands alongside the residents, not only in calling for a remediation plan from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, but in developing well-crafted reuse plans for the existing Middle School building and maintaining the neighborhood's status as a place that people are proud to call home.

Internal cooperation is also improving. We have prioritized filling vacancies on Boards and Commissions so that the Town can benefit from the expertise of its residents. I have also had the opportunity to have candid conversations with a number of our Public Works employees, who have long felt that they have been unfairly targeted for their commitment to the taxpayers and the value of their skills. Under my direction, the highly qualified employees of both Public Works and Parks and Recreation have been brought into Town projects to work alongside contractors, thereby lowering costs. When the Town needed to negotiate with the Public Works union to address the issue of seriously deteriorating sidewalks, the trust we have developed allowed us to quickly shake hands on an agreement that would not cost the taxpayers of Hamden any additional money, and sidewalk work will commence this summer after years of neglect. I have received several letters of commendation from residents for the hard work and increased visibility of Town employees, and I look forward to continuing this new era of mutual respect.

My administration has focused its efforts on producing tangible results in areas where residents have felt ignored. We have worked hard to be responsive to concerns, to be protective of our resources, to be fiscally responsible, and to build consensus among community stakeholders. While there is more work to be done, we have successfully addressed a number of issues that impact the day-to-day lives of the people who make this Town so strong. Even with other major initiatives such as townwide WiFi, an ambulance service, and a remediation plan for the Newhall neighborhood just over the horizon, my administration will continue to focus on providing immediate responses to the immediate issues brought to our attention by residents.

Controversy sells newspapers, good government conducted by earnest elected representatives and dedicated staff does not. Some want to believe that there are political teams that control the direction of policy outside of public knowledge. The reality is that all of the personal and political labels that people affix to themselves disappear when it comes time to do the Town's business. I am proud to stand alongside the hundreds of people who give their all to serve the taxpayers every day as we try to build a better Hamden

The Busca Bill

Public Works Director Busca. File photo

By Sharon Bass

On May 25, a reader sent the HDN pictures of a Public Works team tending to private property. PW Director John Busca said he and the property owner, Harry Kruger, had worked out a kosher deal.

The 92-year-old man said he was unable to clean up his land, where the Duchess restaurant used to be. Busca said he wanted it to look nice for the upcoming Memorial Day parade that swings by there, and said Kruger agreed to pay for the labor -- apparently on the same day as the work was being done and the reader snapped the photos.

Kruger, however, said Busca never mentioned a bill and if he gets one, he won't pay.

In any event, an invoice was sent to Kruger on May 31 for $114.84. The HDN got a copy of it through a Freedom of Information Act request. Proof of payment was also requested but not supplied, indicating Kruger hadn't yet paid.

The invoice dated May 31, 2006, reads:

"Mr. Harry Kruger
74 Dunn Road
Hamden, CT 06518

Dear Mr. Kruger, As per our conversation in your home on 5/25/06, enclosed is the following bill for the work performed at the above address: Truck Driver 1 ½ hours @ $20.09 = $30.13. 1 Laborer 1 ½ hours @ $16.74 = 25.11. 40% Benefits $22.10 = 22.10. Subtotal $77.34. 1 Truck and Mower 1 ½ hours @ $25.00 [=] 37.50. Grand Total $114.84. It was very nice to see you and I hope I will be seeing more of you in the near future. If you have any questions, you may contact me at (203) 287-2600. Sincerely, John R. Busca, Director of Public Works."
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Worth Saving?

The house at 2556-2566 Dixwell. Photo/Betsy Driebeek

P&Z takes up an old home

By Betsy Driebeek

A Dixwell Avenue home built in 1858 is slated for demolition. The historical society wants to stop that from happening, and the town says it has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Hamden dentist Doug Rollins purchased the property at 2556-2566 Dixwell Ave., across the street from the new middle school. He wants to build a 20,000-square-foot building to house his office and other medical/dental practices.

A special permit application for the site came before the Planning & Zoning Commission Tuesday night. Rollins' attorney, Bernie Pellegrino, began his presentation noting the residential-type feel and appointments of the proposed building, the path that would connect the property to the Farmington Canal Trail and the 99 parking spaces with little need for nighttime lighting.

The lawyer also said he got a letter from the Hamden Historical Society expressing opposition to the demolition because the old house is on the list of town historic sites.

But Pellegrino said consultants investigated the situation and told him the house has very little current historic merit. "It has not been maintained for probably 30 years. It is structurally unsafe and unsalvageable. There are termites and holes in the roof and floors," he said. Pictures were distributed showing the varying degrees of deterioration.

Whitneyville resident Peter Haller spoke against it.

"Lots of 19th century houses in Hamden have been torn down. Our children will have no sense of 19th century Hamden," he said. "We can have economic development and preservation, too. Hamden's Plan of Conservation and Development says, 'recognize, preserve and promote history.' History vanishes in small misjudgments." Haller said he is in the business of saving and restoring historic buildings.

Rollins responded. "I have given it [the building] a lot of thought since my purchase. We didn't start with, 'How can we wreck this place and build a big building?'" he said.

Assistant Town Planner Dan Kops said it would be difficult to deny the application solely based on historic reasons.

Commissioner Ann Altman asked, "Can we tell him to save something he purchased that no one else wanted to purchase?"

"P&Z does not have jurisdiction to tell him what to do with the house," said Town Planner Leslie Creane.

The application was continued until June 27. Demolition is scheduled for early August.

Cahill's Back -- and Aiming for the Top

Stephen Cahill with buddy Lt. Bo Kicak. File photo

By Sharon Bass

Just retired Deputy Police Chief Stephen Cahill went to see Mayor Craig Henrici late Wednesday afternoon. He brought along his resume.

Cahill wants to bid adios to retirement and become chief. Chief Jack Kennelly is leaving June 30.

"I think the department needs good strong leadership now," said Cahill, a 22-year veteran of the Hamden police force. He was supposed to be on a plane two days ago to begin training for a one-year stint in Afghanistan, but said he was told last Friday the mission was postponed.

"I didn't know that Jack [Kennelly] was leaving until he made it public, and with this falling through [Afghanistan] I'm going to start my second career," said Cahill. "It's something that every cop wants to get to. I don't know if I'm in the running but I'd like to think I am. I'm hoping to get a shot at it."

At least five others, including Deputy Chiefs Tom Wydra and Bill Onofrio, are vying for the top cop post. Cahill said he believes the decision will be made fairly.

"I think the mayor stands on his own. I know there are people who don't want to see me get it. But that will be determined by the mayor," he said. "I've had a good working relationship with the department heads -- Purchasing, Finance, Town Attorney's Office. I'm hoping that [the mayor] will seek input from them."

Last week, Henrici told the HDN he would name a new police chief -- who would need Legislative Council approval -- by July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year. Yesterday, he said that might not happen.

"I'm not sure if I'm going to appoint someone by July 1," he said. "I'm looking for someone who can run the department in a way that gets the job done. Someone who keeps costs in mind, has the respect of the rank and file and is a good administrator and leader. Someone who can put forth a good face for the police department."

And, the mayor said, "experience doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with years of service."

Asked if he will solicit advice from Kennelly, Henrici said he would. So far he's gotten six resumes, all from Hamden cops, he said.
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Exodus of the Blue & Red

Chief Jack Kennelly and Chief Jim Leddy both retire June 30. File photos

By Sharon Bass

The last chance for cops and firefighters to retire before their new labor contracts go into effect was yesterday. Those new contracts, while not yet finalized, are all but guaranteed to have fewer retirement benefits. One bene that got the guillotine is the four-year, unused sick-time buyout. That's the one that's driven some to an early retirement.

Twelve from the police department and nine from fire have recently retired. Yesterday, the Retirement Board OK'd the last of them during its monthly meeting in Government Center's third-floor conference room.

Mayor Craig Henrici chairs the 11-member board, and Finance Director Mike Betz and Economic Development Director Dale Kroop are members along with fire, police and Town Hall employees.

Here is a chronological list of the public safety officers the board has approved for retirement so far this year (the board approves all town retirements):

Firefighter Scott Chasney, for a service-related disability
Battalion Fire Chief Paul Wetmore Jr., 25 years of service
Deputy Police Chief Stephen Cahill, 22 years
Police Sgt. Joseph Murray, 27 years
Police Sgt. Keith Benway, 18 years plus four years of sick time
Firefighter James Dunlop
Police Sgt. Pam Kennelly, 25 years
Fire Marshal Mark Barletta, 26 years
Police Officer Brian Anderson, service-related disability
Firefighter Brian Forsyth, service-related disability
Police Sgt. Anthony Mase Jr., service-related disability
Firefighter Carl Backus
Police Capt. Robert Clark
Firefighter Edward Emerson
Police Chief Jack Kennelly, 35 years
Police Sgt. Ed Krott, 35 years
Fire Chief Jim Leddy, 33 years
Police Capt. Robert Maturo, 27 years
Firefighter Tim O'Flynn, 25 years
Police Officer William Robinson, 27 years
Police Officer Warren Shanks, 25 years
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Celebrating Honor

Mayor Craig Henrici (left) and Abner Oakes by Hamden's Wall of Honor. Photo/Betsy Driebeek

By Betsy Driebeek

The new Wall of Honor inside Government Center had its official unveiling yesterday in coordination with Flag Day.

The wall is lined with plaques representing Hamden police and fire and the five branches of the military. Abner Oakes, chairman of the Hamden Veterans Commission, was instrumental in the project.

Mayor Craig Henrici read a Flag Day proclamation. Town Clerk Vera Morrison read "I Am The Flag." And Democratic Registrar of Voters Peggy Rae led the national anthem to a tightly packed crowd inside the lobby.

Diana Mayo, whose son is serving in Iraq, placed a blue star flag on the wall. When hung in a home, Oaks said, the flag represents a son or daughter who's in the service. But hung on the Wall of Honor, the flag represents all Hamden residents currently in the military.

Five Ridge Hill School students led the pledge of allegiance. They also demonstrated the proper way to fold a flag. Their teacher, Doreen Stohler, said when she arrived at the school eight years ago the school flag and surrounding area were in deplorable condition. Ever since, her class has taken care of the flag and area.

The Last Appeal

By Sharon Bass

Folks not happy with their new property revaluation had asked the Board of Assessment Appeals for a downward adjustment. Those not crazy with the board's decision had one more place to go.

Court.

"Every time we have a reval, some file suit no matter what," said Town Assessor Jim Clynes.

Earlier this year, 585 property owners went before the board. Thirty of them have taken the next and final step of filing a lawsuit against the town, claiming their new assessments are still too high. Each suit says the price tag is "not the percentage of its true and actual value on the assessment date, but was grossly excessive, disproportionate and unlawful." According to state law, properties are supposed to be assessed at 70 percent of their fair market value.

Clynes said he expected more complaints this year. Last reval five years ago, 50 people sued the town.

"Some don't feel the impact until they see their [tax] bill," said Clynes. He said the town and plaintiff try to work things out in court before taking it to trial.

"In this town, the majority of them get settled before they go to trial," he said. "Mostly commercial property owners [go to trial] because they have attorneys and it's their job to try to save them money. It's going to cost the taxpayer and town more money because the town attorney has to be involved. I have to be involved."

Clynes said it's not always worth it to go to court. People need to figure out how much could potentially get sliced off their real estate holding versus how much they'll dish out in legal fees. He said he didn't know how often residents prevail in court.

It also doesn't happen fast. The assessor said it can take two to four years to get a court date. "We just finished a couple of cases from the 2000 reval," said Clynes.

Hamden Associates,1299 Dixwell Ave.
MC Corp, 2300 Dixwell Ave.
Hamden Plaza Associates
Kent Harvey, 20 Partridge Crossing
Sandip Patel, 3400 Whitney Ave.
Superior Spring and Manufacturing, 2290 State St.
Harriett Miller and Sid Miller, 1220 Whitney Ave.
Mastro Investments, 3190 Whitney Ave.
MidCon Partners, NYC, 2420 Whitney Ave.
Ricardo LLC, 2458 Whitney Ave.
Kingtree LLC, 1700 Dixwell Ave., buildings B & D
Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive
Whitneyville Preperty [sic] LLC, 645,647, 649, 651, 655, 657, 659, 661, 663 and 665 Newhall St., and 302, 304 and 330 Augur St.
Concordia Realty, 2100 Dixwell Ave.
Porto Enterprises, 2488 State St.
Porce-Len, 129 Leeder Hill Drive
David Shaefer and Janet Hall, 30 Broadfield Road
Mark Porto, 20 Ridgewood Court
Theresa Porto, 73 Autumn Road
Twenty-Seven Blake Enterprises, 86 and 102 Circular Ave.
Stuart Bush, 64 Hartford Turnpike
Peter Inzero, 118 Fans Rock Road
Frederick Culler, 37 Myra Road
Theresa Vingiano and Carl Porto, 12, 18 and 28 Wayne St.
Raymond Vavacore, 113 Jennifer Road
Anthony Del Grego, 460 Wintergreen Ave.
James Fantarella, 208 Waite St.
David Thompson, 202 Hogan Ave.
Kenneth Cotrone, 39 Ives St.

Police Chief Kennelly Retires

Kennelly and his sister, Maryellen, during his swearing in as police chief late last year. File photo

By Sharon Bass

Late last November, Jack Kennelly reached the pinnacle of his career. He replaced Bob Nolan as Hamden's police chief.

"It's an experience of a lifetime. It's a goal every police officer wants," he said.

This morning, not quite six months later, he handed in his retirement papers. June 30 will be his last day.

"You don't want to leave. You don't. I anticipated putting a few years in," he said.

Kennelly, 58, said the reason he's packing it in so soon is the anticipated changes in the labor contracts, currently being negotiated. He said about a dozen other officers have also given their retirement notices, effective June 30. The new contracts will go into effect July 1.

"I had no choice with the loss of pension benefits after June 30. They will be substantial, and the uncertainty of where contract talks are going in the future. I felt it was better to retire under the present contract," the chief said.

Asked if the lawsuit filed Feb. 14 by Lt. Bo Kicak had anything to do with his decision, he said, "My decision to retire was based on the loss of pension benefits. I didn't comment on the lawsuit back then and I'm not commenting on it now." The suit names Kennelly and Nolan, alleging Kicak was turned down for promotions because he refused to cover up for Kennelly, then a deputy chief, during a drug bust.

Fire Chief Jim Leddy is also retiring June 30.

Mayor Craig Henrici will appoint the new police chief. Asked whom Kennelly would recommend, he said, "I would rather wait until I see who puts in for it. When I told [Henrici] I was retiring, I don't know that he expected me to do that. But I told him I had to look at what was best for my family.

The mayor was in Hartford early this afternoon and unavailable for comment.

"I'm feeling, it's hard to describe. It's like I lost my best friend. It's not only one; it's 106 of them. Not that everyone is my best friend," said Kennelly. "It's hard to let go. I really have no option."

He said he struggled with making the decision to leave. He had hoped contract talks would have taken a different course, for instance, had included a grandfather clause so the new terms would not affect the current manpower. "The town is taking a hard-line position," he said.

Of the baker's dozen who are retiring this month from the police department, Kennelly said six or seven are sergeants, two are captains, one is a deputy chief and a few are patrol officers.

He said it's hard to predict how long it will take to staff up the department, as promotions will be made and new officers will be hired. A lot will depend on whether the new hires have already gone through the 26-week police academy training.

"It's going to be tough. It's going to be a difficult time no doubt, but we'll do what we have to do to get through it. We just need everybody to cooperate with each other," he said about filling the vacancies.

"And some of those are incredibly valuable to the department, like [Deputy Chief] Steve Cahill and Robert Maturo," he said.

His wife, Hamden's first female sergeant Pam Kennelly, is also leaving the force June 30. She's been on the job for 24 years.

The chief, a lifelong Hamdenite, joined the police force in 1970. After graduating Hamden High in 1965, he worked for SNET. He then joined the Army, spending a few years in Fairbanks, Alaska. "It's beautiful in the summertime," he recalled.

"I'm dealing with a heart-wrenching decision. This decision is the hardest one I've ever had to make in my life. I will miss the camaraderie and the brotherhood that only someone who has shared these experiences can appreciate," said Kennelly, the first in his family to become a cop. His brother is a retired real estate agent living in Florida.

The chief also has a sister, Maryellen Kennelly, who has Down's Syndrome and splits her time between her two brothers.

"The one good thing about retirement is I'll be able to spend more time with her. She's the love of my life," said Kennelly. Every Wednesday night, he said they go to the antique car show at the Glenwood Drive-in.

While Kennelly said he's unsure of his next move, he plans to put more time into his home-based construction company, Pine Rock Builders. "I've been looking at some other options, but right now they're in a tentative stage. This decision was relatively quick so I haven't explored a lot of options," he said.
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Fuzzy Math

Next Monday's Council meeting postponed for unclear reason

By Sharon Bass

For the first time in Evelyn Parise's 29 years as Legislative Council clerk, a meeting has been postponed because of a perceived lack of a quorum. At least eight of the 15 members must show up. So Council President Al Gorman rescheduled the June 5 meeting to June 12.

"This is rare that so many are going to be away at the same time," said Parise.

However, nine of 10 councilpeople contacted by the HDN said they could make the regularly scheduled June 5 Council meeting, but most said they were not asked.

With two hot-button issues that must be resolved before July 1, when the new fiscal year begins -- the mayor's appointment of Assistant Fire Marshal Brian Badamo to fire chief; and the fate of the library director's salary, which the Council stripped last month -- some question whether there was another motive to cancel the meeting.

"Absolutely I could be there on June 5. Nobody asked me if I was going to be there or not," said Councilman Ron Gambardella. "I did not get a reason for the cancellation but I did not ask either. Although the thought did cross my mind that the Democrats were strategizing behind yes and no votes [regarding Badamo's confirmation], and once they determined who was going to be there and who wasn't, that's when they cancelled the meeting."

The appointment has drawn a huge amount of opposition and Mayor Craig Henrici has stalled sending it to the Council. Badamo lacks the qualifications and maturity for the job, say many including councilmembers who plan to vote against him, like Gambardella. According to inside sources, the "no votes" are reportedly growing while last-minute efforts to turn them into "yeses" are failing. With up to four "yes votes" unable to attend the meeting next Monday, the measure would be certain to die. (Henrici can opt to pull the vote for now, appoint Badamo interim chief for up to 90 days and then ask for Council approval. He can also withdraw his nomination.)

Gorman said he rescheduled next Monday's meeting because he believed there wouldn't be a quorum, and because the Council officers indicated they would not be able to attend. President Pro Tem Carol Noble will be away for a couple of weeks, and will also miss the June 12 meeting. She has publicly stated her support for Badamo. Majority Leader Matt Fitch will reportedly be out of state on business June 5. He has emphatically stood behind the mayor's choice. And Minority Leader Betty Wetmore said she's not sure if she can make it June 5. Wetmore is a no vote.

Also expected to be away next Monday is Councilwoman Berita Rowe-Lewis, who has not disclosed how she will vote.

"It's highly unusual. I don't know how they did the [quorum] count," said John Flanagan, a solid "no vote." He said he could make it June 5 and wasn't asked. "It's the first time I've ever come across this. I honestly don't know why they postponed it."

"I was called this morning and told the meeting was postponed for a week," said Councilman Bob Westervelt, a former Hamden fire marshal who wrote a letter to the mayor protesting the Badamo appointment and asking for a meeting. He said Fitch told him he'd set one up for the three of them, but never followed through or returned Westervelt's phone calls.

"Nobody told me why [the June 5 meeting was postponed]," said Westervelt. "There could be several reasons. I know there are a couple of major items coming up. I don't want to speculate on it. I assume the president knows what he's doing."

Councilmembers Kath Schomaker, a "no vote," and Curt Leng, an undecided, both said they would have been able to attend next week's meeting, but weren't asked. "I didn't read anything into it. I took it as a convergence of events that the leadership was out," said Schomaker.

Mike Germano, a self-declared "yes vote," said June 5 worked for him, and he wasn't asked either. "However, it's convenient for me because I had something else to do Monday night. I don't see it being a big deal at all, changing the date of the meeting," he said.

Same situation with Councilmembers Jim Pascarella, a "no vote," Gretchen Callahan, who has not declared either way, and Willie Mewborn, who also hasn't stated his position. The three said they could have made the June 5 meeting.

"It was a surprise [Tuesday] night that it was canceled," said Callahan. "It's a busy time of year."

Mewborn said he was relieved the meeting was postponed. "I need all the nights I can get off right now. I'm just recuperating from a touch of pneumonia. That budget was so draining," he said.

A message left for Councilman Michael Colaiacovo was not returned.

Gualtieri's Fate

Soon after the Council shocked the town by unexpectedly axing library Director Bob Gualtieri's $69K salary, there was talk of bringing the motion back to the legislative table.

"I'm hoping the Council will address the issue and do the right thing," said Gorman, who along with Flanagan, Westervelt and Wetmore, voted against it.

Gorman said he doesn't know if Gualtieri's salary will be discussed at the June 12 or June 26 meeting. If not, come July 1 "he's a volunteer," he said.

Callahan said she and a few other councilpeople have been talking with the Library Board. "That's all I can say right now," she said. "I really don't think it would be professional for me to say why" she voted to strip the director's salary.

Germano said he did so to restore Sunday hours at Miller Library. This spring, the Council slashed $22,000 from the library's overtime account, virtually killing Sunday hours.

"I personally thought it was more important to get Sunday hours [than salvage Gualtieri's job]. That's what my constituents called me about," said Germano. "It's not like we don't have a library director."

"I did reluctantly vote in favor of shifting the funding of the library director's line because I was disappointed in the manner in which he mishandled the information concerning the Sunday hours," said Pascarella. He said per Gualtieri's request, the Council shifted the overtime money from the library budget to the Council's.

"Then he went forward and slammed the Council for closing the library on Sunday," said Pascarella. "My intention was to really just send a message, and I'll vote to reinstate it."

Mewborn said he too didn't want to see the library closed on Sundays.

"Being frank, I guess it was an emotional thing. Somebody was spreading news to the library people. Somebody put out a sign and gave it to all the library people that we had closed Sunday's hours," the 5th District councilman said.

"I got so many calls, nasty, very angry calls. They said, 'I'm sorry I voted for you' and all that stuff. We worked along with [Gualtieri] to give him what he wanted. I look forward to Sunday hours, to tell you the truth. I'm getting to be a senior myself. There's not much left for seniors."

However, Mewborn said he doesn't go to the library on Sundays, and wouldn't say if he ever goes. "You know, you have access to computers, so you don't really have to go," he said.

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