By Charles Stannard

ESSEX– The board of selectmen has approved a proposed $6,483,745 town government budget for 2010-2011 that represemts a decrease of about $40,000 from the current town government appropriation.

The budget plan was unanimously approved by the selectmen this week and presented to the finance board at a meeting Thursday. The budget will be presented to residents at an April 7 heariing, with a final town meeting vote on a spending plan for 2010-2011 expected in mid-May.

First Selectman Phil Miller said selectmen faced “a difficult budget year” because of a loss of about $68,000 in tax revenue resulting from a drop in the 2009 grand list, and a higher debt service payment for the now completed renovation and expansion of Essex Elementary School. “This is as austere of a budget as we can have without taking major backward steps,” Miller said.

The budget includes no wage or salary increases for elected officials or non-union town employees. The town’s funding contribution for the Essex and Ivoryton libraries is unchanged from the current year, and the spending plan funds no major road repair or improvement projects.

The budget funds the existing mix of full and part-time staff for various health related services, even though information presented at a Feb. 1 hearing indicated the town could save about $60,000 by joining the Connecticut River Area Health District. Miller said the selectmen are still planning a vote on joining the health district for later this year, with any possible savings from the budgeted amounts for health services to be redirected toward capital purchases sinking funds that would be funded in 2010-2011 at only 75 percent of the amounts in the current budget.

Despite a tight town government budget, residents are still facing a tax increase due to proposed education spending. The budget plan for Essex Elementary School that will be presented to the finance board later this month is expected to show an increase of about 2.98 percent, while the Essex share of the Region 4 education budget and the Supervision District budget that funds shared services in Region 4 schools call for new spending of about $330,000.

Miller said a tax increase of about one-half mill would be needed to fund the total town/school spending appropriation. The current tax rate is 16.95 mills, or $16.95 in tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value.

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The renovations to the first floor at town hall are complete, a project that includes a new floor and improvements to offices entranceways.

First Selectman Phill Miller announced the completion of the work at Wednesday’s meeting of the board of selectmen. The project that began in late December was prompted by severe deterioration of the original floor of the building that was discovered during a carpet replacement. The town hall was constructed in the early 1890s and served as the town’s high school until 1952.

Miller said the work, which includes a new laminated floor and upgrades to the town clerk and registrar of voters offices, cost a total of $41,700, about $1,700 more than was initially anticipated. Funding for the work, which was done by Riggio and Sons Inc. of Ivoryton, was available in the current town budget.

In other business, Miller announced that town police would be conducting enhanced speeding and stop sign enforcement on Lynn Road in the Ivoryton section in response to recent complaints from residents. The selectmen in 2008 rejected a request from residents for a new stop sign at the intersection with Winthrop Hills Road . A traffic consultant had advised against putting a stop sign at the location, which is on an incline in the road.

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The town will receive a $450,000 Federal Highway Administration grant that would fund new sidewalks and other improvements in the vicinity of Essex Elementary School.

First Selectman Phil Miller said he received confirmation of the grant approval last week. The town applied for the grant last July at the suggestion of a consulting firm, Fitzgerald & Halliday of Hartford, that had been retained in connection with a separate transportation study grant.

Miller said the town’s application was boosted in the government review process by work done by a committee of town employees, including Town Planner John Guszkowski, and volunteers from the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization that performed research and conducted a survey to gather input from parents and nearby residents. The survey had a 25 percent return rate.

The grant is intended improve pedestrian and bycycle safety within one mile of the school on Main Street in the Centerbrook section. Miller said the grant could fund construction of a new sidewalk on the south side of Main Street extending west from the school to the intersection with Edgewood Avenue. There is already a sidewalk on the opposite side of the street.

Miller said a public information meeting on uses of the grant would be held in the next few weeks. Any construction work funded by the grant would occur in 2011.

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The turnout was small and the response was mixed, but the idea of Essex joining the Connecticut River Area Regional Health Districrt also drew expressions of support at a public hearing Monday.

About 30 residents turned out for the informational hearing that was scheduled after the board of selectmen decided to reconsider the option of joining the three-town district that was established in the summer of 2006. The district is comprised of the towns of Clinton, Old Saybrook and Deep River, with offices in Old Saybrook. The selectmen declined to consider joining the district at its inception after many residents expressed opposition to the idea at a June 2006 public hearing.

First Selectman Phil Miller said cost savings is one reason to reconsider the issue after a study committee report completed last year showed the town could save about $60,000 on health-related expenses by joining the district. Essex currently employs a full-time environmental analyist, a part-time certified sanitarian, a part time registered sanitarian, a part-time restaurant inspector, and a part time health director, a position that must be filled by a medical doctor accordingt to state requirements.

Miller said he has spoken recently to Clinton First Selectman Willie Fritz and Deep River First Selectman Richard Smith, with both indicating they are pleased with the operations of the health district. The district, which has a full-time director/sanitarian and three full-time registered sanitarians, directs inspections of septic systems and coordinates a variety of health services, including vaccinations.

On hand to explain the operation of the district was Wendy Arnold, an Ivoryton resident who works as one of the district’s sanitarians. Arnold said district staff are prompt in performing inspections of septic systems, usually completing reports within ” a few days”. She said the town’s water pollution control authority could continue running the local sewer avoidance program if Essex joins the district. The program, established nearly a decade ago, requires pump outs of residential septic systems at least once every five years.

Selectman Norman Needleman said he is now leaning toward participating in the regional district. “There is a value to the comprehensiveness of being involved in the health district,” he said.

But Alvin Wolfgram, a member of the WPCA, said residents would “find it easier to work with a local sanitarian.” Edward Cook noted that fees for services in the regional district are higher than current fees in Essex.

Lois Ely contended “the playing field,” in the regional district is not level because the larger towns of Clinton would have more votes on the district’s board of directors than Essex and Deep River. Town representatives to the district’s board of directors are appointed by the first selectman, who also has the option of serving as the town representative.

Campbell Hudson, describing the district as “a reasonable thing to try,” said internal conflicts where the representatives of Clinton and Old Saybrook would impose something on Essex are unlikely. “Most major health problems are likely to be resolved on a regional basis,” he said.
The selectmen are expected to hold at least one more informational hearing before deciding whether to recommend joining the district. The final decision on whether to join would be made by residents at a town meeting, or possibly by a referendum vote.

Links:
CT River Area Health District

By: Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The board of selectmen has lowered the posted speed limit for Ivoryton center between the Ivoryton Inn building and the intersection with Ivory St.

The board, acting as the town’s traffic authority, approved the change at a meeting Wednesday. First Selectman Phil Miller said concerns about vehicle speeds on Main Street in Ivoryton center were first raised by the Ivoryton Library Association and some library patrons. Miller said Resident State Trooper David Mallek ran radar in the vicinity recently, and found the highest daytime speeds in the 30-miles-per-hour zone to be around 37 miles-per-hour.

But the trooper suggested a reduction in the posted speed limit from the 30 miles-per-hour to 25 miles-per-hour. Signs for the new speed limit will be posted near the Ivoryton Inn and the Ivory St. intersection.

In other business, Miller announced the town is on “a short list” for a $450,000 state Department of Transportation Safe Routes To Schools grant that could fund sidewalk improvements in the vicinity of Essex Elementary School. He said the grant funds could also pay to improve a one-acre parcel abutting the school property for use as a parking area. The town acquired the parcel in 2007 during the renovation and expansion of the school.

While the grant funding is not guaranteed, Miller said state officials have determined the town’s application meets all criteria for the grant. The town will be required to hold a public hearing and town meeting vote affirming its support for the grant within the next three months.

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The board of selectmen has agreed to seek a new location for a private sign that had stood at the entrance to Falls River Drive in the Ivoryton section.

The board agreed Wednesday to ask resident George Washburn if he would agree to have the sign installed on the town road right-of-way near his 8 Bracket Lane property. The removal of the sign marking the entrance to the Fall River Drive development by resident Cory Dolinsky earlier this year had sparked a neighborhood dispute. The sign had been located on town property directly in front of Dolinsky’s 1 Bracket Lane home.

The removal of the sign drew objections from resident Gary Mitchel, whose family developed the Falls River Drive neighborhood. Mitchel noted the sign had been in place for nearly 50 years with no objections from anyone.

First Selectman Phil Miller said he does not favor returning the sign to the original location in front of Dolinsky’s property. “It’s on town property but it’s an imposition on them,” he said. Miller said Washburn, who is out of state this week, may be willing to accept the proposed new location that would still be visible near the entrance to the neighborhood.

Selectman Norman Needleman said he favored a new location for the sign, adding that Dolinsky should not have removed the sign without first contacting the selectmen’s office. “Let’s wipe the slate clean and put it back in a place that’s amenable to everybody,” he said.
The board agreed to allow the sign to be installed in the new location if Washburn is in agreement upon his return. Mitchel said he and other residents who liked the sign could accept the proposed new location.

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The board of selectmen has scheduled a Feb. 1 informational hearing on the option of joining the Connecticut River Area Regional Health District.

First Selectman Phil Miller said the session, beginning at 7 p.m. in town hall, would include informatiion on the town’s current expenses for public health services, and a comparison of what the costs would be if the town joined the regional health district. The district, now comprised of Old Saybrook, Clinton, and Deep River, was established in the summer of 2006. District offices are located in Old Saybrook.

Selectmen considered joining the district at the time is was established, and held a public hearing on June 2006 where most of the residents attending expressed opposition to joining the district. But the cost of meeting state public health requirements for municipalities have continued to increase over the past three years.

The board decided to reconsider the option of joining the health district at its first meeting after the Nov. 3 election. Miller, a Democrat, and Republican Selectman Joel Marzi, who were opponents in the election, agreed to take a second look at the option of joining the district.

At least one additional information session is expected before the board makes a decision on whether to join the district. A decision on whether to join the district, which could come in the spring, would require final approval from residents at a town meeting or referendum.

By: Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The board of selectmen will become involved in a dispute over the removal of a sign at the enterance to the Falls River Farms neighborhood in the Ivoryton section.

The private sign, identifying a neighborhood that was first developed in the late 1950s, was located at the entrance to the road off Main Street in front of the 1 Bracket Lane home of Cory and Amanda Dolinsky. The Dolinskys removed the sign earlier this year.

Gary Mitchel and William Foster, members of the family that developed the neighborhood, appeared before the board Wednesday to ask that the sign be returned to the location where it stood for nearly 50 years. They presented the results of a neighborhood survey where 31 property owners indicated thet wanted the sign returned, while 15 either did not want the sign returned or had no opinion.

First Selectman Phil Miller suggested relocating the sign a short distance further down the road, near a bridge over the Falls River. Mitchel said the location near the bridge was not suitable and would create a sight line problem for motorists.

Miller said his own survey of property owners closer to the entrance of Falls River Drive off Main Street showed most wanted the sign relocated. The sign had been located on town property.

Selectman Norman Needleman, noting that Miller has been trying to “mediate” the situation, suggested the board review all information on the sign dispute, and consider the matter at its Jan. 6 meeting. The board has authority over the placement of roadside signs on town property in its role as the town’s traffic authority. “Anything, including no sign at all, could be voted on,” he said.

In other business, Miller announced that repairs to a deteriorated floor outside the entrance to the town clerk’s office on the first floor of town hall would cost about $19,000. The repairs would include rescrewing the existing flooring and covering it with playwood and new laminated flooring. He said additional work to reconfigure the entrances to offices on the first floor would cost about $14,785, and could be done at the same time the floor is repaired.

Miller said he would discuss the floor work with the board of finance at a meeting this week. He said funds are available in the current town budget to pay for the work

Essex First Selectman Philip Miller has been named chair of the State Area 2 Regional Emergency Planning Team (REPT).

Area 2 consists of 35 towns and cities covering an area from the Connecticut River to Meriden and west to Milford and includes New Haven as the largest municipality. There are five areas statewide.

The planning team consists of Mayors and First Selectmen, Fire and Police chiefs, Emergency managers, councils of government and councils of elected officials representatives, as well as representatives of special needs populations, agriculture and natural resources.

The team has conducted numerous training exercises to mock responses such as hurricanes, anthrax and other biological events, and ice storms.

“This team has dozens of highly skilled people, like our Essex Emergency Management Director, Bill Buckridge, and we have a solidarity which is indicative of people like our volunteer fire and ambulance members. We have a lot going for us to deal with challenges which may conceivably happen.” Miller said.

Durham First Selectwoman Laura Francis is the vice chair, and the State Area 2 Director is Roy Piper of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Jean Davies of Chester is representing the council of elected officials and the regional planning office. The Chester representative is their Emergency Management Director, Joel Severance, and the Deep River Representative is their Emergency Manager, Jerry Clark.

By: Charles Stannard

ESSEX–The board of selectmen Wednesday continued discussion of a proposed anti-blight ordinance and learned of the need for a new floor on sections of the first floor of town hall.

First Selectman Phil Miller, who first raised the issue of an anti-blight ordinance last month, said recent contacts with residents lead him to believe the ordinance would have “overwhelming support” if it was brought to a town meeting vote for approval. Miller said many residents are concerned about the effect on property values of several vacant and deteriorating properties in town, including three structures that remain standing after being severely damaged by fire during the past two years. He said the proposed ordinance should include a penalty provision that would allow the town to act on cleaning up a blighted property and then bill the property owner for the work.

Selectman Joel Marzi said an anti-blight ordinance with a penalty provision would be “far reaching,” and suggested the board consider all possible ranifications before presenting a draft ordinance to residents at a public hearing. He suggested the board discuss the ordinance with Judge of Probate Deborah Pearl, Building Official Keith Nolin, and possibly a homeowners isnsurance specialist before asking the town attorney to draft an ordinance.

Miller said he would ask Pearl and Nolin to attend a meeting within the next two months to discuss the idea of an anti-blight ordinance. Marzi said he favored discussing the idea with Pearl because some residential properties fall in to disrepair while an estate is in probate.

Miller also anounced that the recent replacement of a deteriorated carpet outside the town clerk office in the front section of the first floor of town hall had uncovered severe deterioration of the pine wood floor that was under the carpet. He said the floor has been in place since the building was built in the early 1890s. Essex Town Hall was constructed as Pratt High School, and converted for use as a town hall in 1950.

“That floor is shot,” Miller said, while adding “we don’t have a clear picture yet” on the total cost of replacing the floor. He said one option would be installing a maple wood floor similar to the floor in place throughout most of the building’s second floor.