BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING
NOTES...OTHER
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS OBSERVED (BELOW):
At Weston
Town Hall...Fletcher-Thompson plan that passed--link HERE to
non-LWV reports on what transpired at the "Design Workshops";
development challenge in another part of Towns..."Speak
Up" location (links to non-League reports on
meetings)...Jarvis Military Academy (old photo at right)
proposed as "Joint Development" (historic and arts-related) -
Town of Weston renovated second floor for offices for Owner's
Rep for School projects. What is the future of School
Bus Garage?
Board of
Finance meeting Thursday, July 13, 2006, 8pm at Town Hall
- agenda includes discussion of Police Overtime and $95,000
supplemental for Lachat (money already spent before ATBM acted to
cut all future payments on the Nature Center project).
(SPECIAL?) BOARD OF FINANCE MEETING, Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 8pm, Weston Town
Hall
Agenda
1.
Consideration/Approval of the minutes of May 8th, 2003.
2. At
the request of the Board of Selectmen, there is a request for
consideration of a Personnel Matter. (Possibly in
Executive Session.)
3.
Consideration of a RESOLUTION to authorize the issuance of
Thirty-Five million dollars of General Obligation Bonds of the
Town of Weston to finance the costs associated with school and
recreation field improvement for the new Three thru Five
School, Middle School Auditorium and property acquisition.
Public Statement of Pamela B.
Katz, P.E., Chairman NOTE:
Chair. Katz resigned @June 2006 - husband and she would move to
Houston, Texas for business purposes.
DOCKET NO. 217 - Northeast
Utilities Service Company application for a Certificate of
Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the
construction of a 345-kV electric transmission line and
reconstruction of an existing 115-kV electric transmission
line between Connecticut Light and Power Company's Plumtree
Substation in Bethel, through the Towns of Redding, Weston,
and Wilton, and to Norwalk Substation in Norwalk, Connecticut.
At a meeting held on Monday,
June 16, the Siting Council discussed what is known as the
Findings of Fact for Docket 217, the proposed transmission
line from Bethel to Norwalk, and began deliberations towards a
decision on this docket.
Prior to the Siting Council
reaching a decision on this docket four of the five towns
reached a Settlement with CL&P on a suggested route,
termed Configuration X. At the meeting held on Monday
the Council discussed a modification of Configuration X, named
Configuration 20, or Omega.
Configuration 20 added
underground 115 kV lines in Norwalk. Configuration 20
also modified Configuration X in Bethel. It placed more
existing 115 kV lines underground, eliminated the 130 foot
steel poles in the Plumtrees residential area, eliminated a
transition station near the school, reduced "porpoising," and
increased reliability. It also placed the new 345 kV
lines on shorter poles around the perimeter of the education
park. However, the Council realizes that not everyone agrees
these are improvements.
As a former Selectman I do not
relish surprising or "stunning" another Selectman by having
them read about our deliberations in the newspapers.
However, this Council operates under strict rules relating to
ex parte communication. As much as I would like to, I am
not free to simply call up a First Selectman and say "To
develop consensus on the Council we’re thinking about this
configuration. What do you think?"
Instead, we deliberate in a
public forum, take the heat, and deliberate some more.
And, I emphasize on this docket we are still deliberating and
do not expect to make a final decision for several weeks.
The Council expects to take some
heat. The Governor and the Legislature do not appoint
members to serve on the Siting Council who are
thin-skinned. Each of the Council members who will vote
on this docket has spent hundreds of hours considering the
evidence in the record. And certainly none of us harbors
a hidden agenda. The people you see sitting around this
table today want to design this transmission line in a manner
that is as environmentally compatible and reliable as possible
to meet this important public need.
It is important to note that the
Settlement between some of the towns and the utility is not a
normal occurrence within our process and it effectively
constrains our usual manner of seeking the best possible
solution. However, I have stated publicly and
individually to each Council Member that I do not want this
Settlement, even with its flaws, to implode. Instead, I
stand committed to develop consensus for a decision that
embraces the Settlement as much possible. And, in
addition to the Settlement, the final decision of this Council
will naturally contain consideration for Norwalk, which did
not participate in the four-town agreement.
In light of these issues and
more, I am today directing the Council staff to develop two
different Opinions, Decisions, and Orders for deliberation at
a future meeting. One draft will be Configuration X, as
agreed to by the four towns, plus consideration for
Norwalk. The other will be Configuration 20, or Omega,
as previously described. From these documents the
Council will make a final decision.
Below story not about the
Weston meeting the same evening, but interesting none the
less...when Weston Town TV Channel shows the taped Weston
"public meeting" we will watch it and report (if they did
record it--otherwise, we will report from Observers)...
Power line plan may skip
historic district
By JENNIFER
CONNIC, Hour Staff Writer Friday, June 20, 2003
WESTPORT -- A
proposal to bury a 340-kilovolt power transmission line in
town may avoid the North King's Highway Historic
District. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a
hearing Thursday night on the Northeast Utilities project,
which would follow Route 1 throughout most of town. It would
follow Myrtle Avenue to King's Highway North where it would
cross the Saugatuck River and link back to Route 1.
Several residents present at the
hearing -- including First Selectwoman Diane Farrell --
expressed concerns about the transmission line cutting through
the historic neighborhood rather than continuing down Route
1. Farrell questioned Northeast Utilities' decision to
cut through the neighborhood. Barlow Cutler-Wotton,
King's Highway North Association president, said the jog to
cross the Saugatuck would cut through two historic areas that
are narrow, curved roads with houses close to the road.
She said it would make more sense to continue down Route 1,
which is a four-lane state road.
Cutler-Wotton said she is also
concerned about the impact of construction on the
neighborhood's historic homes, stone walls and older
trees. Anne Bartosewicz, Northeast Utilities project
director, said power company officials don't always know what
the residents of the town feel on a subject and have no
problem changing the route. The plan was to run the line
down Myrtle Avenue and North King's Highway in order to avoid
the downtown area, she said. If the community wants the
transmission line to continue down Route 1, however, it would
be possible, she said.
"We can cross the river in
either place," she said. Bartosewicz said Thursday's
public hearing was an information gathering session necessary
before Northeast Utilities officials submit an application to
the Siting Council for the plan in August. Between now
and when the application is filed, she said, Northeast
Utilities will review the information gathered at hearings in
the various communities and make a final decision on the plan.
[Please read the rest of this article in the archives at THE HOUR (Norwalk, CT) website]
SPECIAL
TOWN MEETING APRIL 10, 2003 - NO VOTING: REFERENDUM
RESULT
Reports from three (3)
non-League Observers gave color to what was a strictly run,
3-minutes limit to speakers (enforced) Special Town
Meeting. Since it was announced that no voting would take
place - a Referendum is set for April 22, 2003, from 6am to 8pm
at the Weston Middle School Gym - turnout was light (under 200
persons). It was noted by all non-League reporters that
the arrangement of the chairs in the high school gym was
strange--they were separated at some distance from one
another. The meeting lasted no later than 10pm.
CT DEP Public Hearing, March 27,
2003, 6:30pm, Weston Town Hall Meeting Room:
LWV of Weston
Co-Presidents invokes League positions on environment,
testifying at Public Hearing on Bisceglie septic field
development.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION, March
5, 2003, 6:30pm, Town Hall Meeting Room (Channel 79 coverage):
Public Hearing
on Campus Site Plan begins. School Building Committee
introduced Site Planner, Environmental Consultant and
Infrastructure Design Engineer for two hour
presentation. Areas for disturbance, renovation
shown. Treatment plant discussed. Location of
buildings, fields and new road shown.
Board of Education, Tuesday,
January 21, 2003, 7:30pm (Executive Session, 6:30pm), W.M.S.
Library
AGENDA
Included in
this agenda is "budget adoption" and "Capital Improvement
Plan" as well as action to be taken on Weston High School Fire
Alarm System and initiating Girls Golf as a club sport.
LWV Observer left at 9pm, but reliable report says that Board
of Education cut $256,000 from Superintendent's Budget on a
5-2 vote.
SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
"STRATEGIC PLAN" MEETING, 12-17-02:
League
identified as one of the groups to take action on
Communication plan! Well run meeting.
BOARD OF FINANCE, Dec.
12, 2002 at 8pm in Town Hall - reconsidered decision not to
recommend purchase of Moore 36 acres - voted 3 in favor, 1
opposed, and 2 abstentions (1 absence)...to Special Town
Meeting January 9, 2003 (along with Fromson-Strassler as
separate item).
PLANNING &
ZONING, DEC. 2, 2002 - "8-24" for landbanking; BOARD OF
FINANCE 4-2 in favor of Fromson-Strassler, 4-1 (with one
abstention) against 36 acres of Maurice Moore property:
BOTH sites
approved by P&Z, according to most reliable report (LWV
Observer not present)--Fromson-Strassler only gains Board of
Finance OK.
Historic District Commission
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002, (NO LOCATION NAMED) at 8pm..."Update on
Den Historic District Extension"--three (3) properties to be
added, a natural extension of the Den District, across the
street from Morehouse Farm Park. Application for adding
screened porch in the Den District, update of Freedom of
Information Commission requirements. At previous meeting,
Town application for improvements to Jarvis Military Academy
building approved with conditions.
Planning and
Zoning Commission sets Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 at 8pm in the Town
Hall Commission Room for a Public Hearing on "8-24" on each of
two properties...
As followers
of the LWV Observer Corps reports may remember, the Board of
Selectmen met on Thursday, November 7. For that report,
click HERE. As posted
November 14, 2002 by the Planning and Zoning Commission, Town
"8-24" report is requested for Towns of Weston/Wilton/and
Aspectuck Land Trust joint purchase of Fromson-Strassler 133
acres, (85+ in Weston). Weston's share is proposed at
$2.2 million. A second Town of Weston "8-24" report is
requested from P&Z for an undeveloped 36 acre parcel (part
of total 70 acres) of the Elisabeth Luce Moore property on
Davis Hill Road - $2,256,000. The purpose for both
proposed purchases is "landbanking" for municipal uses.
Historic Disctrict Commission
PUBLIC HEARING and regular meeting, Wednesday, October 30,
2002, 8pm, Town Hall
AGENDA
1.
PUBLIC HEARING, on the application of the Town of Weston to
install two air-conditioning condensers at The Jarvis Military
Academy
2.
Update on progress of addition to Den Historic District
3.
Approval of minutes
4.
Discussion of change of date for Regular Meetings--suggested
for 2nd Thursday of the month (for 2003?)
5. Election of
Officers; new and old business.
Multi-Board
Meeting, (Parks and Recreation--3 members; Board
of Education--4 members [including Chair. of Select
Committee...Sewage Treatment]; Building Committee--one
member), October 24, 2002, Town Hall Commission Room:
Meeting held
to seek clarity regarding what fields are to be built where,
for how much, and where in the Referendum Item #1 do they come
from? For example, are some fields double-funded...and
Parks and Recreation is not as far along with design
development of their fields projects as is the School Building
Committee...and what is the timing (as related to DEP OK of
septic solution)...
Conservation
Commission, Town Hall
Meeting Room deliberation meeting October 17, 2002; "work"
session (on Town TV Channel 73) goes on past 11pm;
almost unanimous vote "yes" on playing fields for Town at
Heady Property (ultimately, with conditions to further protect
natural features, almost all commissioners favor Parks and
Recreation Commission's proposal). LWV Observer Corps
watches on TV.
ENERGY FORUM - Brief report from
LWV Observer; Norwalk HOUR and CABLEVISION news at 10pm:
League
Observer present, noted lack of answers to some
questions; electric company officials and Atty General
Blumenthal debated the issue of need for 345kV power lines in
SW Connecticut - as only 20% of that power would be required
to deal with maximum summer demand. On the panel was
Senator Freedman, and quoted on CABLEVISION was Senator
McKinney (both representing Weston). Although everyone
agreed there is need for more power, AG Blumenthal said "this
project is overkill." In response, Northeast Utilities
VP stated "If Long Island were to fall off the face of the
Earth tomorrow our plans wouldn't change."
Conservation
Commission, September 25, 2002
at 7pm in Hurlbutt South House Cafeteria:
According to
reports from pro-fields individuals, (no official LWV of
Weston word yet) there were @300 persons, a policeman (for
crowd and traffic control?) present, and excellent arguments
made by all...continued to October 8 (time T.B.A., Weston High
School Auditoriumthe location). It is interesting to
note that those closest to the Commission thought there were
perhaps 500 persons present (all polite and well
spoken). LWV Observer reports seating limited, many
children and present and past First Selectmen instructing
Conservation how to proceed.
Planning and Zoning, September
23, 2002, 8pm, Commission Room at Town Hall:
AGENDA
included first item "School Project update on site
plan." First Selectman Woody Bliss described to
the Planning and Zoning Commission--and then answered in full
their questions for 30 minutes--on where we are regarding the
Conservation Commission and the CTDEP and the septic solution
for School Road, and getting schools and fields built.
First Selectman reported on Conservation Commission ongoing
research re: tertiary treatment process; in
response to questions, First Selectman said Spring was was the
final time for decision whether one or the other septic
solution was taken.
Special Board of Finance meeting
at 7pm August 1, 2002, Town Hall Meeting Room:
OK's extra
funding for East House Roof - questions whether monitoring of
job is taking place; discussion additional to Special
Meeting Agenda takes place (report to Board of Finance on
latest bonding results--Town effective rate for its debt
reduced from 4.69% to 2.96%).
Conservation
Commission decides 4-3 not to approve Town of Weston
application for big septic field for Bisceglie Park (with 3
playing fields on top); final conditions drafted for
approval for July 10 meeting...
Conservation
Commissionmet in special session on Tuesday, June 11 at
7:30pm in the Commission Room at Town Hall and received an
application for Playing Fields at Morehouse Farm Park;
according to reliable sources, this matter was not "closed;"
continuation of the Public Hearing on septic and playing
fields in Bisceglie/Scribner Park will be yet further
continued. Questions from Conservation Commissioners to
Town of Weston's consultants on this project went into impacts
of introducing septic fields created to receive tertiary plant
output and extra water on downstream properties. League
Observer left at 10:30pm (and thus did not hear later
testimony).
PLANNING&ZONING
DECISION
ON "8-24" FOR LAND PURCHASE FOR SCHOOLS:
Wording of the
decision (Legal Notice posted in the Town Clerk's Office at
9:15am on Tuesday) reads:
"At a Special Meeting of the
Planning and Zoning Commission held on May 13, 2002, by a vote
of 3 in favor, 2 against and 2 absent, the Commission approved
a request by First Selectman Woody Bliss and Town
Administrator Tom Landry for a report under G.S.8-24 for the
purchase of 2.09 acres at 16 Parade Ground Court as more
particularly described in a Residential Real Estate Agreement,
between the Town of Weston and Stephen M. Sivakoff, dated
March 25, 2002, to accomodate the construction, renovation and
field relocation activities on the adjoining school
campus. This approval is for acquisition of the property
only. An additional Section 8-24 report will be required
for any proposed use or improvements to be located on the
property."
Board of
Education deliberations...click HERE.
Annual Town
Budget Meeting on Tuesday night, April 16, approves
budget; LWV of Weston speaks in favor of secret ballot
for Board of Education Budget (motion by Selectmen)--standing
vote on the motion to have a secret ballot defeated (117-106).
Special Board of Selectmen, Friday,
April 12 at 8:30am discusses League request for secret ballot
and other Town Meeting procedures.
Special Board
of Education Meeting Wednesday, March 6, 2002, 7-8pm, W.M.S.
Library:
STRATEGIC
PLANNING Draft report circulated - seems like the same old
same old--but each time it is reaffirmed, we learn that Weston
has not changed its stripes; this is the beginning of a
new phase in an overall just a bit more than a year in the
full cycle to develop the following: 1)a human resource
plan, 2)a "character" education program, 3)a
communications plan, 4)a plan to ensure curriculum
articulation and high student performance, 5)a
technology integration plan and lastly, 6)a plan to
provide student personal goal-setting. Seeking
volunteers for longer-running effort (through the Fall).
Board of Finance, Feb. 26,
2002--opening of review of Board of Education Budget brings
discussion of "team teaching" and its relation to balance
between efficiency and better education experience for
all. For more, please click above...
BOARD OF EDUCATION, Tuesday,
Jan. 22, 2002, WMS, 7:30pm
LWV of Weston
Observer Sub-corps for Board of Education forming...first
report: Board votes "yes" to a $32,160,245 FY'03 school
budget (cuts one secretarial position)
SPECIAL BOARD OF SELECTMEN,
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002, 8am, Town Hall
With a quorum
of the Board of Selectmen present, a Select Committee for
Budget Review was appointed. Three (3) individuals were
named (David Bushley, Dr. David Scotch [appointed by Selectmen
as Chair.], Michael Carter) who had been interviewed at the
Regular Board of Selectmen's meeting Jan. 17; another
interested person could not participate for business reasons
until late in the Budget Process; advisors to this
Committee and sub-Committees may form. FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION rules must be followed for posting notices, for
keeping records of proceedings (timely), for what constitutes
a meeting and advice on E-mail.
Special Board of Selectmen, Jan.
7, 2002, 8am-8:35am
The full Board
of Selectmen voted to establish a special "Citizen's Budget
Advisory Committee" to serve during this budget forming cycle
(FY2003). This special committee will contain three
members (or possibly more), and the newspaper should have an
article asking for volunteers this week. There was a
draft description of the proposed tasks, but during the
meeting, it was changed--when the final version is typed up,
League will get a copy and upload it.
Board of Finance, Thursday, Dec.
13, 2001, 8pm
The Board of
Finance met in regular session to, among other regular duties
(i.e. approving Suspension Lists[?]), approve 2 special
appropriations regarding C,L&P tower issue now before the
CT Siting Council. Together, several towns are sharing
consultant costs to introduce expert testimony into Siting
Council record of this matter. This businesslike Board
finished work at 8:40pm.
Special Board of Selectmen,
Friday, Nov. 16, 2001, 8am
The new Board
of Selectmen met to discuss the results of the Referendum
("yes, yes, yes" decisively) and committed themselves to
moving ahead, keeping to the budget amount approved and trying
to meet at Regulkar sessions only (if possible). At the
first meeting in December, the architects and the School
Building Committee will be invited in to discuss what is next,
where we are (two of the Selectmen are new to the Board, and
concerns about what has been agreed to by prior
administrations is a concern--so that the Town can be
consistent and not reinvent the wheel, or generally cary out
good government procedures. The meeting was adjourned
after the statement: the mission of this Board is "...to
try to bring the Town together." After adjournment at
8:30pm, dates for meetings and how meetings will be conducted
were discussed.
Planning and Zoning 8-24 Public
Hearing, cont'd, November 8:
P&Z
continued comment on 8-24 until @ 9:30pm and then closed the
Public Hearing. A work session followed - League
Observer left @10pm, but most likely no decision was given, as
the member who was charged with responsibility of wording the
"opinion" will do a thorough job, and not simply say "approve"
or "disapprove" - nor did the P&Z itself seem of one mind
about all aspects of the bonding package. The CTDEP is
to yet designate where the treatment plant will go in the
School Campus. A meeting to vote on the 8-24 will be
"after the fact" on Nov. 13 (?) at 8pm in the Jarvis Military
Academy.
Board of
Selectmen, November 1, 2001
This regular
meeting covered nothing special--except that the "Executive
Session" result was to announce the selection of a new Town
Administrator, Tom Landry (sp.?) of Massachusetts, presently
Ass't Town Administrator in Wellesley, MA. Approx. a
dozen years of experience in Town Administration, beginning in
New Hampshire; has worked in several different sized
towns. MPA from U. Maine.
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE Public
Hearing, Nov. 1, 2001
A small crowd,
including both Co-Presidents of the Weston LWV attended this
6pm meeting at WMS Cafeteria; some First Selectmen
called for more State $$ for education...some Boards of
Education representatives and teachers requested
fairness...over the course of the 90 minute Hearing, Co-Chair.
Sen. Judith Freedman noted that the Committee would make
recommendations to the Legislature regarding aid for education
and equity next month. Special Education funding in
particular came under fire. The "Scope" of this
Committee's study of Connecticut Public School Finance, along
with an interim report were available on Nov. 1; and if you
would like a copy of the "Scope" (the opening paragraphs of
which appear below) please e-mail The League of Women
Voters of Weston:
"In Connecticut, local control
of public schools is well established, but state government
has a constitutional
responsibility to ensure that children receive equal access to
educational
opportunities. In 1977, the
Connecticut Supreme Court held the system of financing
elementary
and secondary education,
which relied primarily on local property tax revenues without
regard to
disparities in town wealth
and lacked significant equalizing state support, was
unconstitutional
(Horton v. Meskill).
Subsequently, the
legislature enacted a series of reforms aimed at equalizing
the ability of
municipalities to provide
students with adequate educational opportunities. In
general, the state
increased school funding
and weighted its distribution toward Connecticut's less
wealthy
mumicipaIities. Over the
last two decades, the state's share of funding public
elementary and
secondary schools ranged
from a low of approximately 32 percent to a high of nearly
46 percent.
In FY 00, the state's
share was about 43 percent.
The two main conduits of
state funding for local school operating costs are the
formuIa-based
Education Cost Sharing
(ECS) Grant and about two dozen categorical grants that
target
assistance for specific
educational purposes. The state also provides grants for
local school
construction projects and
funds the teacher retirement system..."
Special Board
of Selectmen, October 22, 23:
These 10am
meetings were held to approved moderator, date, time and
location for Special Town Meeting of Nov. 7 (to be adjourned
to Nov. 15 Referendum (6am to 8pm).
Board of
Selectmen, Thursday, October 18:
Student member
of Commission for Children and Youth appointed for
2001-2002; member of Panel of Moderators;
Ordinances set for November 14th PUBLIC HEARING on NOISE,
BLASTING and PYROTECHNICS, 7:30pm.
BOARD OF
FINANCE, Thursday, October 11 at 8pm...
This is the
meeting to move all three (3) items--totaling $80 million
(approximately) to SPECIAL TOWN MEETING on November 7--and
then to a Referendum on November 15...the agenda reads:
1. Consideration/Approval
of the minutes of the meeting of September 13th, 2001/done
2. Discussion/Approval
of a request by the Board of Selectmen for a Supplemental
Appropriation in the amount of $11,700 for the Interfaith
Housing Association, and to be taken from the Unreserved
General Fund and transferred to Account No. 0110110-59802,
Grants and Subsidies./done
3. Discussion/Approval
of Bond Proposals./On a 3-2 vote on first resolution, 4-0 on
second, and a unanimous vote 5-0 on the third, "let the people
decide" was the mood of this Board.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETINGS,
WESTON LIBRARY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2001:
At 6pm, in
Special Meeting, regular business of the Board of Selectmen
was conducted. At 7:30pm, with both Co-Presidents of the
Weston LWV in attendance, the Regular Session took place, to a
full room. Only members of the Board of Education and
the next Democratic Selectmen were permitted to speak until
the very end, and then it was a member of a special committee
who inquired about the procedure ("democratic" nature?)
outlined. By a 2-1 vote in all cases (no vote was
unanimous) the Board of Selectmen amended the motion of the
First Selectman (using NET numbers only--the actual figure on
a ballot is the GROSS [larger] total) from $69, 538,340 to,
ultimately, $45 million PLUS $2 million earmarked to go to a
specific project--a Middle School Auditorium.
The First Selectman's MOVED
(and received a second) a recommendation for NET numbers (as
the LWV Observer heard it):
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-RELATED
$32,169,144 - High School
renovations
$22,961,903 - NEW 3-4-5
building
$ 2,940,293 - Middle School
renovations
$ 1,500,000 - relocate
School Road
$59,572,140 - SUB-TOTAL
SEPTIC
$ 614,000 -
Revson
$ 642,000 -
Bisceglie
$ 600,000 -
Treatment Plant
$ 185,000 -
Conservation
$2,041,600 - SUB-TOTAL
PARKS&RECREATION
("+" is for lighted fields inclusion)
$2,340,000 - Campus
fields+
$ 400,000 -
Bisceglie "
$4,200,000 - Morehouse
Farm Park fields+
$1,000,000 - minus this
amount from General Fund
$5,940,000 - SUB-TOTAL
$67,553,740 - SUB-TOTAL
$ 1,985,000 - Rolled
into the Bond Issue from previously approved items from
earlier Town Meeting
$69,538,340 - TOTAL NET
COST
Recognized by
the First Selectman was the Democratic candidate for
Selectman, who proposed his own list, which did not include a
new 3-4-5 school, but included upgrades totaling $6 million
for Hurlbutt.
The incoming First Selectman
reported that all these matters would be discussed at the
Public Hearing on September 20 (8pm in the WHS
Auditorium). Stating "lack of clarity" on solution for
lower grades (k-8), he advocated moving ahead immediately with
the high school work, fields work and the septic
project. It remained to the last of the three present
Selectmen to suggest ("Where there is broad agreement, we
should move ahead...") the following figures as an alternative
MOTION, which was seconded, and APPROVED (2-1):
$36 million - School projects
$ 2 millioin - Septic
$ 5 million - Parks and
Recreation
$43 million sub-total PLUS
$2 million for projects to be "rolled into" the long-term
bond=$45 million
The incoming
First Selectman reponded to further requests of Board of
Education to include $2 million as a separate item for the
voters to decide re: "Whether or not we need an auditoium at
Weston Middle School - vote YES or NO." This item
was then included with the already approved total for PUBLIC
HEARING SEPTEMBER 20, 2001, AT 8PM IN WESTON HIGH SCHOOL
AUDITORIUM. The meeting closed at approximately
9:15pm. Please be aware that a petition was
successful in causing the Board of Selectmen to reconsider
their action.
POWER COMPANY "PUBLIC HEARING"
8-29-01:
At Weston High School on
Wednesday, August 29 (at 7pm) the CL&P position was
explained "one on one" in the lobby of WHS - opponants had
almost as many pieces of paper...in the auditorium, beginning
at 8pm, with a Co-President and members of the LWV Board
watching, the First Selectman introduced first the Town
Attorney, then the Wilton Environmental Director, then our own
Conservation Planner; it was reported that the four (4)
towns involved in Phase One (from Bethel to Norwalk) had
retained a specialist on power supply, etc. PLUS a separate
attorney to plead our side of the case before the CT Siting
Council in September and on. For a link to CT Siting
Council Year 2000 Report on transmission capability and
related matters, clickHERE.
Perhaps
200 people were in the auditorium on this last Wednesday
before school goes back into session, and much information was
offered:
- First Selectman
reported that legal and technical aid had been retained
- Town Attorney
explained statutory requirements ("Certificate of
Environmental Compatibility&Need" from CT Siting Council
- who also required hearings such as this one)
- Eminant Domain rights
(yes, they would have them if "need" is proven).
"Diminution of Value" if you are only near the
towers and lines would not bring you any financial relief.
- Clearing of right of
way and provision of accessibility explained (in terms of
environmental damage) by Wilton environmental officer
- Same individual
reported that no information was supplied at this stage in
the process to adequately assess the environmental cost
- "Gross
underestimation" of cost (same as above); existing towers
will remain; going underground requires "splice boxes"
(8x8x28 feet); storm drains, animals will be overwhelmed
during construction
- CL&P stated that
this was "major construction"
- "Loops" needed to make
system work into the future without outages
- 1500' per vault if
underground (see above for size of vault)
- 345kV underground is a
new technology (2-5 years experience only) even in Europe
(yes, they do 115kV underground).
Then the
public spoke-League summarizes the general tone of questioners
(where CL&P gave an answer, in parentheses):
- Can we add to poles
extra 115kV lines? (ans. "no - won't do it for long run")
- CL&P gives lousy
service - discussion of outages.
- Is this for Long
Island? ("It goes both ways")
- More Long Island...
- More Long Island...
- "Keep Weston Rural"
opposition and request for answers to questions ("yes, we'll
give you answers in writing")
- Redding resident on
EMF's health effects? (CL&P expert disputes that
any studies separately should be considered).
- More Long Island...
- Technical chemical
questions (no answers)
Board of
Finance, August 9, 2001
On this
four-item agenda, other than item #1 (approval of two sets of
minutes), were subjects of great interest to the League.
Item two was additional funding for the Planning and Zoning
Commission to fight the affordable housing lawsuit; item
three was approval of $7500 to fund a competition (actually
one half the expense--Nature Conservancy putting up equal
amount) for development of nature centyer at the jointly owned
Lachat property. This was approved. Item four was
a hot debate: members of the Board of Finance, in a
non-partisan manner, questioned why ANY funds should be given
to the architects for school work since the Adjourned Town
Meeting voted "no" on this subject. Would any funding
for this purpose contravene the will of the people? It
was decided that the wording of the motion was misleading, and
all that was being asked for was money for hourly consulting
to assist the Town to get the next proposal to referendum in
early November. There is a maximum amount indicated
($45,000). With this understanding, the Board of Finance
voted unanimously in favor of a revised item four.
SPECIAL
BUILDING COMMITTEE, August 8, 2001, 7:30pm
A Co-President
of the League was present for this meeting where the traffic
consultant (from Fredrick P. Clark&Associates) presented
his report on contributions to date to the Fletcher-Thompson
project. Traffic concerns re: using Bisceglie Park
for a school of some sort appears not a good idea from the
traffic flow point of view. (Question in consultant's
mind as to whether the State of Connecticut would require
major changes to lights and perehaps the "H" intersection of
Routes 53 and 57 in order to make Bisceglie safe for school
ingress and egress.) He recommends the re-location of
School Road in front of the high school closer to the borders
of Town property, and also straightening out the curves
further to the south and west...to turn School Road into a
"collector road" for through traffic (instead of what it
is--essentially used by schools traffic only).
Interesting observations of how the bus pick ups in the PM
work to stop traffic in both directions...also, when traffic
is this bad, accidents can't even happen! LWV Observer
left the meeting, and awaits further report on item#2 on the
agenda ("revised estimates") from Co-President (if there was
anything worth reporting).
SPECIAL BOARD OF SELECTMEN, July
26, 2001
Co-President
present. All seats taken. Resignation from Board
of Education by outspoken member announced--replacement
approved (strong pro-Schools person); long-time member
of P&Z replaced by new resident (moved from
Westport); Commission for the Arts new member (moved
from Westport). Nature Conservancy architectural
competition approved ($7500 Town share of cost), Town TV
Channel report...and then a pre-announced hour plus of Public
Comment on School Project. School Building Committee
next to meet on AUGUST 8. LWV Observer left at
10:30pm--missed items on procedures for future
Selectmen-driven projects.
SELECT TEAM, July 17, 2001 at
7:30pm, Weston Library:
No official
LWV of Weston Observer present; second-hand reports
indicate that what was discussed/decided at Select Team will
come up again at the Board of Selectmen soon.
BUILDING COMMITTEE, July 11,
2001 at 7:30pm in Weston Library
A Co-President
was in the audience as the Building Committee Chair. went over
the Education Specifications with the Board of Education, new
Acting Superintendent and full staff. Building Committee
representative on the Select Team noted that next Tuesday.
July 17 at 7:30pm in the Library (same venue) the architects
were to bring back some schemes for a pre-K to 2 building at
Bisceglie.
Select Team, July 10, 2001
This meeting
was well attended, according to a LWV of Weston
Co-President. Alternatives other than those that were
defeated "on the machines" were suggested and the architects
will consider those that were deemed feasible and report back.
Adjourned Town Meeting Machine
Vote June 28, 2001
Results of the
Adjourned Special Town Meeting machine vote were available
immediately after the polls closed at 8pm Thursday after
having been open since 6am in the morning. Naturally,
during the day there was a false fire alarm event at Weston
Middle School (Item #2 on the ballot was funding for a new
fire alarm, hard-wired system at WMS--no wonder this item was
approved with only 223 "no" votes). A Co-President of
the Weston LWV was present to observe the results. Full
report HERE.
Special Town
Meeting, 6-21-01, 8pm (no voting):
This event,
held at Weston High School Auditorium, began a bit late and
lasted until almost 11pm. Approximately 150 people
attended, many spoke; a policeman was in attendance,
although there were no altercations--only some cat-calls here
and there. Presentations given by Select Committee
Chair., First Selectman, Athletic Director at H.S. and Select
Team Co-Chair. and Building Committee representative on that
body. Summary of questions:
What kind of treatment
plant? (Not at that point yet--Building Committee will
handle this)
How many false alarms?
(136 last year)
Fields--Town and
Schools need fields, sprinklers--use is overload on what we
have now--will be losing 5 fields because of construction
for 3-4-5 and H.S. (Question on why not Heady now, and
the answer seemed to be that immediate need was closer to
Schools, but that it was full speed ahead on Heady--with
possible transport for use by schools. Traffic safety
considerations raised re: Bisceglie use by school-age
drivers.)
53% increase in
school-aged population since 1990.
New fields at Heady
offered to be built by same volunteers who did Little-League
Fields (this previous work to be taken for 3-4-5 school)
Definition given for
"schematic design" (only a part of architect's
work--includes borings and other preliminary work to take
guess-work out of estimates for construction; includes
detailed floor plans, elevations of what building will look
like--i.e. windows, entrances, roof line, etc.)
Do the numbers include
cost of furniture? (Yes.)
Discussion of what spaces
are used for then (1980) and now
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