The $85M Question

Mayor Henrici asks for an open mind. Photo/Sharon Bass

By Sharon Bass

In the town’s never-ending saga of fiscal woes and whys, comes the latest chapter. The Legislative Council will tackle a new woe with likely a lot of whys next Tuesday. It’s Mayor Craig Henrici’s idea to bond $85 million of the slender pension fund.

“I would just ask all of them to keep an open mind. If they don’t think it’s the right thing to do … ” he said. However, he said he doesn’t think there are many “reasonable options.” The Sept. 19 informational meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The public is invited but cannot speak.

At-large Councilman Ron Gambardella has advocated bonding the pension. But most others on the legislative board, like at-large Councilwoman Carol Noble, say they’re troubled by it and have a lot of questions. This would be a first for Hamden.

The town’s actuary suggested putting $14 million into the retirement account this fiscal year, said Henrici. But $9 million was approved, which was $6 million more than the year before. He said the actuarial recommendation is to keep $250 million in the fund. There is currently $82 million. And the mayor wants to bond about half of the unfunded liability. The reason he's not looking to bond the other half is because the Town Charter does not allow debt service (payments on the total town debt) to exceed 10 percent of the annual budget, without a people’s referendum. This year’s budget is $163 million. On the current debt of approximately $110 million, the debt service payout is $11.7 million. It can't exceed $16.3M, which would happen if the entire pension hole was bonded.

However, even though the fund is low, it still makes payday. Six hundred and forty town retirees are paid a collective $13 million a year.

With or without the bonding, the mayor said the recommended pension infusion is certain to rise in ’07-’08. “You can bet it’s going to be considerably more than $14 million,” he said. If bonded, the increase would likely be smaller, but the town’s debt service payment would go up.

The Making of the Green

The site of the new Town Center Park-to-be at Meadowbrook.

Story and photos by Sharon Bass

What do a psychologist, a bunch of politicians, a law student and a Realtor have in common?

C’mon. It’s easy. They’re making Hamden her first town green on what’s left of Meadowbrook.

“Perhaps a refreshment area. Everything is pretty much up in the air. The feeling is we want to keep it open space. We don’t want to clutter it up with things that won’t appeal to the general population of the town. They’re talking about a farmer’s market certain days of the week,” he said.

And they’re talking strictly passive recreation. There will be no playing fields on the town green. Instead, committee members are discussing a half-mile walking loop, an outdoor theater, a playground, community gardens, a farmers' market and transforming the rectory barn that used to sit behind Centerville Lumber into a children’s museum -- in addition to the items Westervelt mentioned.

Park Committee Chair Matt Fitch said the first phase should be done by next summer, and the remainder by summer ’08.  The town recently issued an RFP for a design professional. Three proposals came back. According to Purchasing Agent Judi Kozak, Vollmer is asking for $152,500; Milone and MacBrrom $29,000; and Ferrero Hiton $23,000. The cost of the entire project was not available.

“These proposals were not comparing apples to apples, and each vendor included or excluded different things,” she said.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s not going to be a gigantic ticket item,” said Fitch. The town will foot most or all of the bill, depending on whether grants can be obtained. “We have to do what we can afford. We want to do it right the first time,” he said.

Public Input?

“We’ve actually had quite a bit of public input already,” said Council President Al Gorman. The public is invited to the park committee meetings, he said, although they are not well publicized.

Actually, the committee wasn’t formed to solicit public suggestions, said Gorman. But rather to sift through ideas residents have thrown out over the last several years. “There was a large meeting over a year ago where verbal suggestions were recorded,” he said.

The idea for a town park dates back to the Clayman Administration. “At that time we got a lot of grief from the golfers,” said Gorman. “People want open space. They really don’t want it cluttered with a lot of things.”

Kozak, who appointed three residents to a committee panel to go over the proposals, said the park “sounds so Norman Rockwell, which is the way I picture Hamden.  I feel this way only by reading the proposal and not having any input into the ideas. To me, it represents everyone in Hamden in one way or another.” She said she will moderate the panel, but will have no input or voting rights.

The stump dump on Meadowbrook will have to be removed. Gorman said the town is currently negotiating terms with the state Department of Environmental Protection.

An Eye on Kids

The Council president pointed out that the proposed ice rink would not be a Cadillac.

“It would not be huge. This is not to substitute for hockey games. This is for grandfathers” and their grandchildren, he said.

The rink would be something like a tarp covered with frozen water. In warm seasons, it would be moved away and replaced by a fountain with waterspouts at varying heights that go off at different times. “It’s a very young kid’s interactive thing,” said Gorham. “That will probably be the most expensive thing we put in there.”

A new children’s museum for the new town green? The cool red barn at Meadowbrook.

The old red barn will likely stay at the park’s entrance and become a children’s museum, money allowing. Gorman said an outdoor theater is also a possibility. But nothing fancy.

“We’re not doing Shakespeare at the park. This is children’s theater,” he said.

“We have to make it a place where people would want to congregate. It should be a place where people can hang out, read. Get something to eat. We’re not going to have a restaurant but some place where you can grab a soda or a hot chocolate,” said Westervelt.

Besides Fitch and Westervelt, Councilwomen Carol Noble, Betty Wetmore and Gretchen Callahan sit on the park committee. The panel, chosen by Kozak, includes Rachel Gillette, a member of the Democratic Town Committee and Quinnipiac law student who did a mayoral internship for the park, whom Fitch suggested; Donna Frandy, a Realtor for Coldwell Banker who lives in a Meadowbrook co-op; and Seth Rosenthal, a psychologist and DTC member, also a Fitch recommendation.

“I actually recommended him for two reasons. He’s the smartest person I know. [And] he’s very knowledgeable about community gardens,” the 1st District councilman said.

Once a design vendor is chosen, Gorman said there will likely be a public input session. But, he said, it’s already pretty clear what the people want.

Touch the Charter?

Councilwoman Noble with charter in hand. Photo/Sharon Bass

Hamden Republicans are bucking for change; Hamden Democrats are not

By Sharon Bass

Republican Councilman Ron Gambardella called for a Town Charter review.

Democratic Council President Al Gorman heard the call. Tuesday evening he appointed three members to a Charter Revision Exploratory Committee to see what -- if anything -- should be altered in the 29-page document crafted in 1983, which sets the rules under which the local government runs.

But Gorman said he’d keep an open mind. “In all fairness if there is something we can do to improve it or amend it other than rewriting it, that’s what we should do,” he said.

Bottom line, a charter revision -- at least this year in this town -- is strictly a partisan issue. Republicans say they want it in order to add provisions to guarantee more elected seats to the minority party and to include public referendums on the budget. For the most part, Democrats say they are fine with how the document reads.

On the current Town Council, Republicans hold just the two charter-mandated seats. The other 13 are filled by Democrats.

Messages left yesterday for Council Republicans Gambardella and Betty Wetmore were not returned. However, click here for Gambardella's "Second Opinion" column about charter revision.

Council minority leader Wetmore, Democratic majority leader Matt Fitch and Democratic president pro tem Carol Noble were chosen for the temporary committee. They expect to start meeting next month and present their conclusions to the full legislative body early next year. If the decision is to alter the charter, a commission of councilmembers and residents would be formed.

“It’s not something I have a huge passion for which is good because I don’t have an ax to grind either way,” said Fitch. “ It’s a pretty small document. But on the other hand we don’t have a lot of issues with it. But we’ll see. I haven’t heard of any great concerns one or way or the other.”

However, Noble feels the charter could use some tweaking. For one thing, the Department of Welfare and the Water Pollution Control Authority no longer exist. The state took over all welfare and Hamden sold its water pollution operation to New Haven.

“Those are two glaring outdated things in there that shouldn’t be there,” she said.

Noble also wants to examine the need and purpose of the mayoral appointed positions. And to possibly make the charter language clearer and more defined.

“Language, you can twist and turn to your benefit,” she said. “Working on language is a very complicated task. One little word inserted into a sentence can change the whole meaning or intent.”

Doesn’t Cut It

Gorman said the stuff Noble pointed out wouldn’t justify charter surgery.

“That’s not worth opening up the whole thing for,” he said. “That’s like opening up Pandora’s Box to clean up the language. This is a political ploy. But we’re going to take a look at it.”

The charter guarantees two Council seats for the minority party through the at-large voting rule. Each party can run a max of four candidates and the top six vote-grabbers are elected.

Gambardella has told this reporter he wants to amend that rule to mandate more guaranteed seats for minority party candidates, regardless of their vote tally.

“It bothers me a little bit,” said Fitch. “I think there needs to be minority presence. I think the concept of loyal opposition is important. It isn’t working great now when you have someone on the Council who was elected with 19 percent of the vote.”

Said Gorman, “This is not something the Democrats are pushing by any means. Maybe we should eliminate the minority representation altogether. The opposite could happen [the two guaranteed seats could be deleted from the charter]” under a charter revision.

“Another aspect they’re pushing for is doing more referendums. And that’s not a good idea,” Gorman said. “Our town is just too big. A referendum suits small towns where more of the people know each other.”

He said making budget decisions by popular vote could hurt local educational funding. “Older residents would vote for a smaller budget. They paid for their children’s education and now they feel strongly this is one way spending can be controlled,” said Gorman. “You open up referendums and you get [only] the people interested to get out to vote. It sounds great but it doesn’t necessarily serve the community.”

“You have to be careful,” said Noble. “You don’t want it to favor any political party or other influential group. It has to be neutral. That’s very important.”

Still, Gorman maintained the 1983 document is not broken. “The charter works fine. There is balance between the Legislative Council and mayor,” he said. “If other parties can’t make it at the polls, charter revision is not the answer. That’s the ultimate test. At the polls.”

Uh, Oh

Lawyers for the Dadio Farm developer taking town to court

By Sharon Bass

With no discussion, the Council passed the motion to authorize the town to acquire by sale or eminent domain the 11.8 acres off Putnam Avenue known as the Dadio Farm. The administration’s plan is to build a firehouse on the property to replace the crumbling one on Circular Avenue and possibly other municipal buildings.

Smith’s client, JPI Apartment Development in Irving, Texas, owns the rights to build 284 units on the farm, but the town denied the application. JPI appealed in court. This past spring, a judge ruled the town could not stop the development, of which some would be considered affordable apartments.

Most think the housing project is a bad idea. It would strain the municipal and school budgets and create traffic congestion, they say. Thirteen councilpeople voted to acquire the property, Mike Germano voted against it and John Flanagan abstained.

And Smith said he’s going to New Haven Superior Court “as soon as possible.”

From the letter he handed to Parise, addressed to the mayor and Council:

“We are writing to apprise the Mayor, the Council, and the public that, if the Town proceeds with condemnation/eminent domain, JPI will respond immediately with an action in court for an injunction and money damages. Allegations of eminent domain abuse and illegality are likely to be based on violations of the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; the Takings Clause of the Connecticut Constitution; … the federal Civil Rights Act; the federal Fair Housing Act; the Due Process Clauses of the U.S. and Connecticut Constitutions; Connecticut’s eminent domain statutes; Connecticut’s affordable housing statutes; Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act; and common law principles of tortious interference with business expectancies. The Town should also consider whether the use of eminent domain at this time – plainly in response to the Superior Court’s recent affordable housing ruling – may constitute contempt of court.

“If the Council and the Town proceed with eminent domain, JPI will move expeditiously to present these allegations to the courts.

Very truly yours,

(signature)

Timothy S. Hollister"

The appraised value of the farm with land-use permits in place is $4.9 million, the mayor said. But it's unclear what it will actually cost to pay off JPI and the Dadio family. Stay tuned.
----------------------------------------------------------------

No Phase-In

Mark Sanders appeals to the Council.

Story and photos by Sharon Bass

It’s doubtful anyone was surprised last night when the Legislative Council voted down the idea to phase in the 2005 property revaluations. The Henrici Administration made it clear for months it was against the idea. And just two of the 15 Council members, the Republicans, voiced unwavering support for it.

Voices rose. People grew emotional. Members of the nascent Hamden Homeowners for Tax Relief group trailed each other to the mic to tell the legislative body that they desperately need the tax-relief. Some councilpeople kept getting up and down from their seats. Others apologized for not having looked more seriously into a phase-in before the budget and mil rate were determined in May. Now, they say, it’s too late.

Councilman Mike Germano said a mistake was made “but unfortunately we have to go with it.” The audience groaned.

“You know, when there’s a mistake in war people die in vain,” said Sandy Friday of HHTR. “Please don’t let the Hamden taxpayers down.”

“I’ve come to these meetings and all you do is represent the Democratic machine,” said Jan Barber who identified as a Democrat. “You’re representing the mayor, the machine and his rich friends and you don’t give a sh*t about the rest of us.”

President Al Gorman asked people to watch their language.

The Council also heard from Tax Collector Barbara Tito, Tax Assessor Jim Clynes, Finance Director Mike Betz and the mayor’s chief aide Scott Jackson. They echoed the message that a phase-in would be extremely difficult to do, would be disruptive, take a lot of manpower, there are no guarantees it would do the trick and, besides, the current antiquated computer system couldn't handle it. Tax bills have gone out. Payments have come in. And it would all have to be done again.

Sandy Friday with cow chart.

“I know it’s going to be a long evening so I’ll keep it brief,” said Jackson, the mayor's mouthpiece. “The administration’s view hasn’t changed.” Behind him were 30-40 residents, many holding signs begging for a phase-in.

Finance Chair Curt Leng called each of his “expert witnesses” to the podium, first asking them to state how long they’ve been in their current position and then to describe the mechanics of implementing a phase-in nearly four months after the new mil rate of 27.95 was set.

Since 1988, said Clynes. “Any information I’m going to give you tonight is going to be unbiased,” he said, based on state statute. He talked about the work that would have to be done if a phase-in was enacted, which would mean a different mil rate, which would mean a change in everyone’s taxes, which would mean new property and motor vehicle tax bills would have to be created and mailed out.

Clynes also said the amount of money the state gives Hamden for tax-exempt properties (called payment in lieu of taxes or PILOT) -- churches, colleges, private schools and state-owned buildings -- would decrease some.

And elderly and veteran tax deductions would have to be recalculated. “That takes us three to four working days,” he said.

He said the town's outdated Munis computer system lacks the ability to process a mil-rate change midstream.

“The way this is designed, once the mil rate is put in place it can’t be changed,” said Clynes. “That’s what I’ve been told.”

“Twenty-five years and counting,” said Tito taking the podium. “There’s a tremendous amount that goes behind the scenes” to ensure tax bills are accurate. She said the 1980 phase-in (Hamden’s last and possibly only) was OK to do because it was put in place before the mil rate was set. She said she would basically have to redo all the tax bills, send them to the printer and proof samples before the new statements could be issued.

The tax collector said she sent out 43,193 motor vehicle bills in July, which would all increase with a phase-in. In order to meet the current $163.6 million municipal budget, the mil rate would have to go up to compensate for the lower property tax bills some owners would get with a phase-in. Some would see higher bills, especially high-end property owners like businesses. But the higher and lower bills wouldn’t cancel each other out. The tax rate would have to be hiked.

“It is very important that the process is transparent to the taxpayer,” said Tito. “I’m concerned there are many variables and unforeseeable problems [with a phase-in].”

Jackson returned to the podium, appearing slightly distressed. “I’m not here to tell you what you want to hear, but the truth,” he said, tacking on his disgust with being “called a liar in the press.”

The impact of a phase-in is unknown, he said. He likened it to a scene from the movie “Ghostbusters.” Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and ConEd visit the ghost busters’ firehouse headquarters to shut down the containment grid -- where the busters store the ghosts they trap. No one knew what the consequences would be of letting the ghosts free (citywide havoc ensued), just like no one knows what the consequences would be of phasing in the reval, said Jackson.

Mark Sanders of HHTR addressed the Council. He had devised his own three-year phase-in, which he earlier submitted to the town. He said taxpayers would save $10.1 million under it.

“Tonight we learned a lot about the problems. Some make sense, some don’t,” he said. “This will be messy. We’re not going to deny that. But with fine public servants [Tito, Clynes, Betz, Jackson] with tons of experience” a phase-in can be done.

“This is what the Bushies do -- soak the poor for the benefit of the rich,” said Barbara Schlein, another HHTR member.

“I’m here to speak against the [phase-in],” said Don Werner of Mix Avenue. “These folks [Tito, Clynes, Betz, Jackson] have done a tremendous job. I think it’s wrong to start working off the grand list” to cut taxes, he said. Instead, tax relief should come from decreased spending.

“I suggest that all these fine people [HHTR members] attend the town and Board of Education [budget deliberations in the spring]. They have to get involved in the process early on,” said Werner.

Upon Leng's suggestion, the Finance Committee approved passing the motion to the full Council, which convened at about 10 p.m.

The Council Opines

Republicans Ron Gambardella and Betty Wetmore were the only ones at the bench to speak in favor of a phase-in. Gambardella shot batteries of questions at Tito, Clynes, Betz and Jackson. Councilman Curt Leng later called it “cross-examining.”

“You can’t take anything at face value,” said Gambardella. “You have to dig and dig. The administration concluded behind closed doors this wasn’t an important enough issue to bring to the Council. Here we are sitting two, three hours, so I guess it is an important issue.”

“I do believe the administration let us down,” said Wetmore. “That’s not saying I don’t shoulder the blame. When I vote here, I vote my conscience. I feel this phase-in will help the people of Hamden. We should have done it in April. This is not political for me. I don’t care if you vote for me.”

Some observers have claimed the leaders of the phase-in movement -- on and off the Council -- were doing so for political gain.

Leng had originally supported the idea but then changed his mind. “I don’t think at this point we can competently do this,” he said. Leng commended Craig Henrici for being the first mayor to advocate replacing the Munis system, expected to be completed early next year.

“We have failed in compassion for our fellow citizens,” said Councilwoman Kath Schomaker. “We have been swayed by politics rather than policies. It’s not a proud moment for Hamden.”

“I have kept a very open mind about the phase-in,” said Councilwoman Gretchen Callahan. “I regret not being able to vote for this tonight. The administration has made it very clear, along with our tax collector and tax assessor,” that it can’t be done.

“It’s clear to me we’d lose out on PILOT money and the administration has made it clear it can’t be done,” said Councilman Mike Colaiacovo. Councilman Matt Fitch estimated the loss would be about $300,000 from the expected $3.4 million the town should get this year.

At least one councilperson had no regrets or apologies. “I’m not embarrassed about what we did,” said John Flanagan. “We did our job in the spring. [A phase-in] doesn’t work.”

“I will say that this town is on a roll,” said Councilwoman Carol Noble. “You may not see it because you’re not in Town Hall every day or every other day as we are. We have the best tax collection rate in the state. We have some of the finest town workers. I’d like to see more people here [in April] when we’re here night after night” making the budget.

“I don’t think this was in vain,” said Gorman of the phase-in attempt. “It’s not something we will forget.”

And then they voted.

Roll Call

Are you in favor of implementing a property revaluation phase-in (paraphrased from the actual motion)?

Bob Westervelt, No
Mike Germano, No
Mike Colaiacovo, No
Curt Leng, No
Kath Schomaker, abstained
Carol Noble, No
Matt Fitch, No
Betty Wetmore, Yes
Ron Gambardella, Yes
Curt Leng, No
Gretchen Callahan, No
Willie Mewborn, No
Jim Pascarella, No
Berita Rowe-Lewis, No
John Flanagan, No

No surprises.

Oh, Dadio

Round 3 in the fight to stop Residential Development down at the farm

By Sharon Bass

Tonight will mark the third time the Dadio Farm dilemma goes before the Legislative Council. Nobody, not neighbors or elected officials, thinks it’s a good idea to allow a Texas developer build 284 apartments on the weedy land off Putnam Avenue. Well, nobody except the Texan.

The town earlier turned down the project, but in late spring a judge ruled for the developer. The Council is now being asked to approve $4.9 million to rescue the land.

The money would be split between the Dadio family and JPI, which owns the development rights. But it’s likely the 12-acre farm will have to be taken by eminent domain, since JPI refused to accept a court-suggested $4.2 million settlement just several months ago. It's holding out for more.

“It’s a strategic piece of property to put a fire station, to house an ambulance, so it has an obvious public use the town has been considering for some time, which is a requirement of eminent domain,” said Mayor Craig Henrici. “And there’s a question whether Putnam Avenue can handle such a development.” Opponents have cited increased traffic, more students in the school system and other financial strains on the town as reasons to kill the project.

Irving, Texas-based JPI did not respond to several requests for comment.

Been There, Done That

In July 2005, the Council approved buying or taking the farm by eminent domain -- the same motion it’ll take up again tonight. The appraised value as just farmland was $1.5 million, but with land-use approvals that figure shot up to $4.9, said Council President Al Gorman.

The Planning & Zoning Commission had denied JPI’s plan. The developer appealed it in Superior Court, where a judge ruled in late spring that the commission was wrong and JPI could develop. The judge then made the $4.2 million suggestion.

Councilmembers sounded amenable to doing whatever it takes to keep the developer away.

“I’m afraid this is the only way we can go since the developer doesn’t want to negotiate any longer,” said Gorman. “The judge was anxious for the parties to come to an agreement. And we did. Now [JPI] decides for whatever reason they don’t want to accept the dollar amount.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” said 9th District Councilman Bob Westervelt. “I don’t think we need any more housing in town, especially apartments.” He said the farm is the “perfect” location -- close to Whitney and Dixwell -- for a new firehouse to replace the aging one on Circular Avenue. Tonight the Council will also vote on whether to spend $75,000 to repair the Circular station.

Second District Councilman John Flanagan said it will take some time before a new firehouse is built, so putting 75 grand into the ailing station is not a waste of money.

He said he’s also in favor of the $4.9 million item. “I haven’t seen the documentation yet but overall I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “[JPI’s plan was] not going to [attract] seniors. It’s more than likely families with kids moving in. And for each kid it’s $10,000.”

Henrici said he didn’t know how much it will cost to go the eminent domain route, but it will exceed five million. However, in the long run it will be cheaper than bringing 284 new families into Hamden, he said.

“Obviously we’re going to overpay. [The land] is ready to go. The judge ruled that P&Z doesn’t have the right to stop them,” said Gorman. “Here’s the opportunity. We can avoid the strain on the school system. This is a starting point to get it Council approved and start serious negotiations with these people [JPI].

“The only bad thing about this is if we take it by eminent domain it has to be used as public use,” said Gorman. The town’s plan for the farm includes selling parcels to the abutting Hamden Industrial Park, which would be private use.

Dear Legislative Council

"Craig B. Henrici
Mayor

August 31, 2006

Legislative Council
Hamden, CT 06518

Honorable Members:

It has come to my attention that the Legislative Council intends to discuss a “Phase-In” Resolution at its meeting on September 5, 2006.

Every individual who owns a motor vehicle would pay more in taxes for that vehicle, eating directly into any savings achieved on residential property. Any senior or recent college graduate who rents a unit would pay higher taxes to the Town of Hamden under a phase-in.

In addition to the disparate impact that a phase-in would have on Hamden residents, implementation of a mid-year phase-in would also cause additional damage to the Town’s 2006-2007 budget. The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy Management has confirmed that any effort to implement a mid-year phase in would result in decreased State PILOT payments and grants, which are based upon appraised values townwide. As the operating budget is already established, the burden of any decrease in State aid would fall squarely on the shoulders of our local residents in the form of increased tax share.

This is one of the items that makes implementation of a mid-year phase-in dangerous, difficult, and fraught with unintended consequences. The impact of such an implementation on items such as state aid and elderly tax credits have not been effectively analyzed by phase-in proponents. Homeowners with mortgages who pay their property taxes through funds escrowed with their mortgagor will be subject to the vagaries of that mortgagor’s escrow analysis mechanisms, so the impact of a mid-year phase-in on these families cannot be effectively calculated and analyzed. Hundreds of taxpayers who have paid their real estate property taxes in full will be due a refund with interest. Every motor vehicle owner will receive a supplemental bill. The cost of these mailings and manual re-processing of these and other unanticipated items will go far beyond what has been budgeted and likely require funds from the Town’s Emergency & Contingency account.

The Legislative Council has already heard the shortcomings of the Town’s financial system, particularly its tax and assessment package. An upgrade of that system is currently underway and will be fully in-place [sic] and tested by the beginning of the next budget period. One need only look at our neighboring community of West Haven to see the critical importance of detailed system testing prior to implementation of any tax and assessment software.

Hamden’s budget process, guided by experience and Town Charter, begins in January of each year. The Administration turns its proposed budget over to the Legislative Council in March. Following the passage of a final budget by the Council, the Mayor makes a number of certifications to the state while the Town’s Tax Assessor and Tax Collector engage in an extremely complex, behind-the-scenes process that ultimately results in the deliver of tax bills on July 1. From prorating veterans’ benefits for properties that have sold to processing hundreds of Certificates of Correction, the steps between establishment of a mill rate by Legislative Council and delivery of tax bills requires [sic] a collaborative effort that must be clear, well-informed, and established with appropriate timelines in mind.

Consideration of phase-in is well suited to the budget process. It is ill-suited for discussion after the setting of the mill rate and passage of the budget because of the mutual dependencies built into the process.

Thank you for your consideration of this additional information. Finance Director Mike Betz, Chief Assessor Jim Clynes, and Tax Collector Barbara Tito will be available at the meeting to respond to any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

(signature)

Craig B. Henrici, Mayor

CBH:sdj"

‘I’ve Been Blessed’

Benjamin Wydra, 5, pins the chief.

Story and photos by Sharon Bass

Fourteen of the 16 recently promoted male cops were sworn in last night on the Hamden High auditorium stage (two couldn’t make it). After opening remarks by town officials and the singing of the national anthem, the men were pinned by a wife, a mother, a father or a child.

Chief Tom Wydra and Deputy Chiefs John Cappiello and Bo Kicak -- the new top brass -- briefly addressed the audience promising to uphold the law with dignity and pride, and then choked on words and fought back tears when they thanked their wives.

“We’ve become a very young department in a short time,” said Wydra, 35, who was made chief on July 5, and is the youngest-ever to helm the Hamden police force. “I encourage all in our department to move forward with an open mind.”

Then he thanked his wife, Mindi, and his voice broke. “I’ve been blessed with a lot of support throughout my life,” he said.

Deputy Chiefs Cappiello and Kicak get pinned by their sons.

“I would like to thank my wife, Michele,” said Cappiello, tearing up. “I’d like to give a special thanks to my parents.”

“I would like to thank my family who stood by me,” said Kicak, “especially my wife. For me this has been and continues to be a very rewarding career.”

Wydra said Mindi has supported his career goals and keeps his ego in check. “I’m not chief at home,” he said. He spoke of the 14 block watches in town and how the HPD works well with the schools, Quinnipiac University and state and federal law enforcers.

But his No. 1 message was the need for a new headquarters. “This is by far our greatest need,” said the chief. Earlier, Police Commission Chair Elliot Kerzner made the same plea.

Nolan, Wydra, Kennelly and Ambrogio.

Wydra’s last three predecessors -- Jack Kennelly, Bob Nolan and John Ambrogio -- witnessed the ceremony. So did cops from North Haven, West Haven, Milford and Fairfield; Hamden police commissioners; town employees; and mothers, fathers, grandparents, children and wives.

“I’m very proud of all these fine, fine police officers,” said Kennelly, who retired June 30 after 35 years in the HPD. “I know they’re going to continue to bring the department forward in a positive and progressive manner.”

Ambrogio was a Hamden cop for 42 years, the last 24 as chief. He hired Tom Wydra 14 years ago as a rookie cop.

“I think he’ll do an excellent job. He’s a very bright young man,” Ambrogio said. “It brings back loads of memories. It’s very comforting to know the department is in good hands.”

Keeping it simple, refreshments consisted of two items: coffee and Danish, aka big, fancy donuts without the hole.

Who Was Made What

Tom Wydra, chief

John Cappiello, deputy chief
Bo Kicak, deputy chief

Ron Smith, captain

Gabe Lupo, lieutenant
Michael McNeil, lieutenant
Kevin Samperi, lieutenant

Lyle Bennett, sergeant
Michael Doherty, sergeant
David Ng, sergeant
Frank Riehl, sergeant
Michael Sigmon, sergeant
John Sullivan, sergeant

Colin Kearns, detective
Scott Levenduski, detective
Stephen Rossacci, detective
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Kroop Looking For Takers

A HUD-rehabbed home in Highwood. Courtesy photo

By Sharon Bass

Most town department heads scramble for dough. Dale Kroop is an exception. He’s looking for stuff to spend it on.

“We have all this other money we want to spend,” the Economic Development director said. He’s talking about federal block grants, which are earmarked for specific projects. They can’t be thrown into the general fund.

This year, Hamden got $519,669 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, down from over $620,000 five years ago. The loot goes to fixing up the town’s southern neighborhoods: Highwood, a small portion of Hamden Plains and State Street. It also helps feed social service tills.

“It’s really not much more complicated than quality of life,” said Kroop, who recently took over the block-grant program. “Why should a child in Highwood live in a less healthy environment than a child somewhere else in town, when we can do something about it? We help low- and moderate-income working-class families in Hamden and this is what the money is for.”

This Highwood commercial property was revitalized with federal dough. Courtesy photo

These block grants fund residential and commercial rehabs; sidewalk, street and other infrastructure repairs; landscaping; business signs; awnings; emergency housing; a local fair rent project; and public service agencies such as domestic violence efforts and legal aid.

A few years ago, an elevator was installed in the Keefe Community Center with HUD dollars. Recently, $38,000 went to establish a lead-free shelter at 191 Butler St. Another $1,000 a month is going to the homeowner to rent her first-floor apartment to shelter one family at a time whose house is being remediated of lead or other toxins.

“We’ve done such a good job marketing the [block grant] program that we’re now looking for projects,” said Kroop. The word gets out primarily through the media and public meetings. He said getting the federal money saves local tax revenue, which would otherwise have to be used for some of these projects.

HUD pays part of Kroop’s and new grant coordinator Chris Marchand’s salary. There used to be a full-time director for the block-grant program. John Post was the last director. The mayor’s Chief Administrative Officer Scott Jackson had the job before him. And Councilman Curt Leng did it prior to Jackson. Their entire pay came from HUD. When Marchand was hired this July, Post’s position was eliminated and absorbed by Kroop’s department.

For more information, e-mail Kroop.

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