By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The informational town meeting on expenditures related to the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association is now expected to be held in early April.

First Selectman Richard Smith told the board of selectmen Tuesday that a detailed audit of town expenses related to the association would be completed by March 23, the next meeting date for the selectmen and board of finance. He said selectmen would set a date for the informational town meeting at the March 23 meeting.

The town meeting will present information on town expenses for the private, non-profit association which provides visiting nurse and health related services to residents, along with coordinating social services for the town. Town officials are concerned about a rising gap between town expenses for the association, and revenue generated by the association from fees and reimbursements.

Smith has said the town meeting would also include information on alternatives, such as joining the Centerbrook-based Visiiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc, and sharing an employee with another town, probably Chester, for coordinating social services. After the informational meeting, the board of selectmen is expected to call a referendum vote on whether residents want to continue funding the local nusring association. The referendum would be held later in April, but before final completion of a town budget plan for 2010-2011.

The board Tuesday also conferred with town attorney Jane Marsh on legal issues related to the nursing association. The Deep River Visiting Nurses was established in 1936, with a resolution approved at a 1976 town meeting affirming the current organizational structure where a board of directors manages the operation of the association.

Marsh said the current board of selectmen could act to rescind or amend the 1976 resolution because it was prepared and presented to voters by the board of selectmen at that time. “It was the board of selectmen that created this adjunct group to run the nursing association,” she said.

By: Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The town’s voters will decide the future of the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association in a referendum to be held this spring before a subsequent vote on a town budget plan for 2010-2011.

First Selectman Richard Smith said that was the plan informally endorsed by the board of selectmen and board of finance after a meeting Tuesday where Richard Daniels Jr., president of the agency board of directors, presented a detailed report on the operations of the organization. Daniels described portions of the report as a “rebutal” to an earlier report by a town study committee that projected a growing cost gap between town expenditures for the agency and revenue received from fees and reimbursements. The study committee report presented last month estimated the cost gap at around $199,000 in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, a figures that excludes some expenses for the town building on High Street that the nurses share with the Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau.

Daniels, who served on the board of selectmen with Smith from 1991 until last year, contended some of the costs cited by the study committee and by Smith are inflated. “They are trying to make the expenses of the VNA look greater than they are,” he said. Daniels also explained problems with billings for reimbursements that developed last year, and the board of directors selection of an outside consulting firm, McBee Associates of Wayne Pa., to asisst in improving the billing process.

The Deep River Visiting Nurses Association, established in 1936, currently employs a registered nurse/ supervisor, two registered nurses, a billing and clerical employee, and several nursing employees hired on a part-time basis. Along with health care related services, the association also coordinates social services for the town, including distribution of food, fuel, and clothing assistance to needy residents.

Smith said Wednesday Daniels’ report “did everything but address the real issues, which are the finances.” Smith said the selectmen and finance board agreed to have an auditor, either the town’s regular firm of McGladrey & Pullin of New Haven, or separate firm, perform another audit of the town’s costs and expenditures for the association, and revenue generated by the association from payments for services. “The people need to know what the numbers are,” he said, adding the new audit would provide officials and residents with an exact determination of past and present expenses for the association, and a projection on costs for 2010-2011.

Smith said the information gathered in the new audit would be presented to residents at an informational town meeting, along with a comparison of the likely costs if the town joined the Centerbrook-based Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc., which already provides nursing services for Chester and Essex, and used a part-time employee or an arrangement with another town to coordinate social services. He said Chester officials are willing to consider sharing a social services coordinator with Deep River.

After the cost data and comparisons are presented at the information meeting, voters would be asked in a referendum question whether they support continued town funding for the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association. “The residents have to decide whether they want to pay more for this services,” Smith said. He compared the current debate to one that occurred in 2004, when voters decided over Smith’s opposition to discontinue funding for a separate emergency dispatch center and join the regional Valley Shore Emergency Services organization for dispatching services.

Smith said the informational meeting would be held sometime in March, with a referendum to follow sometime in April. He said selectmen and the finance board want to have a decision from the voters on funding for the nurses association in hand before making final decisions on a town budget plan for 2010-2011. The annual town budget referendum is usually held in late May.

By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The grand list of taxable property is up by nearly seven-tenths of one percent, one of the larger increases recorded for 2009 in area towns.

Assessor Robin O’Loughlin has filed an October 2009 grand list that totals $518,337,262, an increase of $3.45 million, or .671 percent, from the 2008 total. There were small increases for real estate, motor vehicles, and personal property.

The real estate total of $472,351,790 is up by $2.9 million from the 2008 total. A motor vehicles total of $30,740,770 is up by $90,548. The personal property total of $15,244,702 is up by $463,652 from the previous year.

First Selectman Richard Smith said he is pleased by a grand list increase that was larger than he had expected. “With the economy the way it is now, this is a good increase,” he said.

Smith said the increase reflects the completion of a new and larger Cumberland Farms store on Main Street that opened last year, and conversion of the former Elms rooming house in to a mixed use building. “This shows Deep River has an improving commercial and industrial tax base,” he said.

Smith said the increase would generate about $74,000 in new tax revenue at the current tax rate of 21.73 mills. In comparison, a tiny three-hundredths of a percent grand list jump in Chester is expected to generate only about $33,000 in new tax revenue, while a three-hundredths of a percent drop in the Essex grand list is expected to leave the town with about $59,000 less revenue at the current tax rate.

The town’s top ten taxpayers remained unchanged, with the Connecticut Light and Power Co. remaining the top taxpayer with an assessment of $4,725,571. Second place is Silgan Plastics Corporation with an assessment of $3,447,789. Mislick Family Partnership is the third largest taxpayer with an assessment of $3,230,640.

Others on the top ten with the assessment inclucde BDRM Inc. ($3,147,454), Thomas Boyd & K. Dernocoeur ($2,471,070), 180 Main Street Partners LLC ($2,424,800), and Deep River Associates LLC ($2,313,920).

Also three residential properties, Jerome & Marlene Scharr ($2,023,280), Alberto & Raffaella Cribiore ($1,934,730), and Virginia B. Linburg ($1,934,380).

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

DEEP RIVER— The joint meeting between the board of selectmen, board of finance, and the board of directors of the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association has been rescheduled for Feb. 23.

The session had been set for Tuesday night, but was postponed because Richard Daniels Jr., president of the association’s board of directors, was out of town. The selectmen and finance board are reviewing the operations of the town sponsored assiciation after a study committee report confirmed the gap between town expenses for the association and revenue from fees and reimbursements had increased to $231,123 in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, or $199,000 in 2008-2009 with the exclusion of expenses related to the building on High Street the association shares with the Ti-Town Youth Services Bureau. The association employs three nurses and 17 part-time contract employees, along with clerical support.

Daniels’ absence did not prevent the selectmen from continuing a discussion of the association at Tuesday’s meeting. First Selectman Richard Smith, who served with Daniels on the board of selectmen from 1991 to last year, said he has learned the association served about 110 residents last year, with some receiving multiple visits for varying assistance.

Along with visiting nurses services and occasional townwide health clinics, the association also coordinates social services for the town, including distribution of food, fuel, and clothing assistance to needy residents. Smith said he believes the social services element of the association’s work should be transferred to a part-time employee.

Smith also reported the association’s memorial fund, a separate account comprised of private donations made over the years, has been audited by the town’s auditing firm, M.C. Gladrey and Pullen of New Haven, with a report and recommendations expected befopre the Feb. 23 session. Smith also expressed concern about rising expenses in the association’s $35,580 budget account for clerical support because the association has been paying two part-time clerical employees for the work in recent weeks.

Selectman Arthur Thompson, who replaced Daniels on the board after last November’s election, said the visiting nurses program is “the most expensive program we operate in town other than the schools,” and that costs for the current operation would continue to increase. Thompson said he believes a regional visiting nurses association, such as the Centerbrook-based Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc., could provide nursing services to the town at a lower cost.

“The question is whether there is something we would lose in terms of services if we go somewhere else,” Thompson said. “I believe comparable services are available but I am willing to listen at the joint meeting.”

Selectman David Oliveria said the final decision on whether to continue funding a town-sponsored visiting nurses association should be made by voters at a town meeting. Smith said he would hold an informational town meeting on the issue sometime after the joint meeting on Feb. 23.

By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— The board of selectmen and board of finance will meet with the board of directors of the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association on Jan. 26.

The two boards are hoping to obtain information from the town-sponsored visiting nurses association, including more details on expenses and the number of residents served each year, as the panels prepare to consider funding for the association during preparation of the town budget for 2010-2011. It comes after the submission of a study committee report that determined the funding gap between revenue generated by the association from fees and reimbursements and total town expenses for the association had increased from $163,921 in 2007-2008 to $199,000 in 2008-2009.

But the report prepared by a six-member study committee established last summer made no direct recommendation on whether the town should continue funding the association, one of only six town sponsored visiting nurse associations in the state, or join a regional visiting nurses group such as the Centerbrook-based Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc.

The Deep River Visiting Nurses Association currently employs three full-time nurses, a clerical worker, and 17 part-time contract employees, It shares space with the Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau in a town building on High Street that was constructed using grant funds in 2002.

First Selectman Richard Smith has said the selectmen and finance board need information on the “client base,” or the exact number of residents served by the association each year.

At a Jan. 12 meeting of the board of selectmen, Smith sparred with former Selectman Richard Daniels, the president of the association’s board of directors, over the continuing town review of the association. Smith and Daniels, both Democrats, served together on the board of selectmen from 1991 to last year and were running-mates in nine town elections.

Daniels contended Smith is “rushing to a decision,” on continued funding for the association and “not giving the nurses a fair shake,” after Smith said he now favors having a part-time town employee coordinate social services for the town instead of the association. Daniels also maintained the number of visits by association personnel, rather than the number of residents served, was the best indicator of the level of activity of the association. The association currently coordinates all social services for the town, including distribution of food, fuel, and clothing assistance to needy residents.

The Jan. 26 meeting convenes at 7 p.m. in town hall.

Links:
Deep River Visiting Nurses Association

By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— A study committee report on the Deep River Visiting Nurses Association has left the board of selectmen and board of finance asking for additional information on the exact number of residents served by the association.

The report was submitted to the two boards at a joint meeting Wednesday. The six-member study committee, chaired by former Selectman Russell Marth, was formed last summer to review the costs and services provided by the town-sponsored association, and the option of joining a regional visiting nurses association. The review was prompted by rising expenses for the association that are not covered by revenue from fees.

Smith said the selectmen and finance board want detailed information on the “client base,” specifically the exact number of residents served by the association each year. The two boards are expected to make decisions on funding for the association during preparation of a town budget for 2010-2011 this spring.

The association currently employs three registered nurses, one clerical aid,, and 17 part-time contract employees, including nurses, therapists, social workers, and home health aids. The association shares space with the Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau in a building on High Street that was constructed with grant funding in 2002.

The report confirmed that along with a variety of nursing services and clinics, the association also provides social services for the town. The social services coordinated by the association include distribution of fuel, food, and clothing assistance for needy residents. The neighboring towns of Chester and Essex have a part-time town employee coordinating social services.

The report shows the cost gap between revenue generated from the association through fees and reimbursements and the total town expense for the association had increased from $163,921 in the 2007-2008 budget year to $199,000 in 2008-2009.

The study committee gathered information from two regional visiting nurses associations, the Centerbrook-based Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc. and the Guilford-based VNA Community Healthcare. The Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc. estimated annual unfunded expenses for Deep River at about $18,000, with an additional $7,000 for townwide blood pressure and flu vacine clinics. The Centerbrook organization would not coordinate social services for the town.

The study committee recommended hiring an independent auditing firm to provide a fiscal analysis of all Deep River Visiting Nurses Association financial records, and an administrative review to determine if the association is being run as efficiently as possible.

But the committee provided no direct recommendation on whether the town should continue funding the association, or join a regional group such as the Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Inc.

Smith said the board of selectmen would discuss the report further at a meeting Tuesday, with the finance board expected to continue its discussion of the report and nursing service options for the town at a Jan. 26 meeting.

Links:
Deep River Visiting Nurses Association

By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER– The Deep River Volunteer Fire Department has presented plans for a $2.1 million firehouse renovation and expansion project that will be considered by town officials and voters this year.

First Selectman Richard Smith said an informational meeting would be held soon on the latest plan for the main firehouse on the corner of West Elm St. and Union St. An earlier $3.9 million renovation and expansion project for the firehouse was rejected by a wide margin in a November 2007 referendum.

The latest plan for the firehouse that was constructed in 1962 calls for a single-story addition on the south side of the building. The plans were prepared by BL Companies of Meriden, the same architects that worked on the 2007 project. The 2007 plan had included a second-floor as part of the expansion.

Smith said the latest plan would create an additional bay for the department’s ladder truck, along with a new 1,660 square-foot meeting/training room, additional office space, a new kitchen area, and upgrading of all restrooms for handicapped access.

Smith said “the timing is right,” for the town to reconsider the firehouse project. “They have downsized it and the building is almost 50 years old,” he said.

Smith noted the bond for the most recent sewer expansion project would be paid off this year, leaving no town-related debt as of July 1. The town is still paying a share of the debt service for Regional School District 4 building projects.

The project calls for demolition of a house on an abutting parcel at 51 Union St. that was acquired with department funds in advance of the failed 2007 project. The department wants to clear the small parcel to provide additional parking for an expanded firehouse. But Smith said the town could consider the option of offering the house for sale to anyone wishing to relocate it if residents object to a simple

By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— Laura Smith, the wife of First Selectman Richard Smith, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of first degree larceny by embezzlement related to an alleged theft of money from bank accounts at the local Liberty Bank branch on Main Street.

Smith, 46, surrendered at the Troop H barracks on Hartford after being advised a warrant had been issued for her arrest. She was released on a $20,000 non-surety bond for a Nov. 24 appearance at Middlesex Superior Court in Middletown. The arrest came one day after her husband was re-elected for a record 11th term in the town’s top job. Richard Smith was uncontested in the Tuesday vote.

Detectives with the state police Central District Major Crime Squad initiated an investigation of Laura Smith last February after being advised by bank officials that an internal audit had shown that “a large amount of money had been taken from various bank accounts of a particular individual.” Laura Smith had been an employee of the bank.

Richard Smith, a Democrat who also serves as one of the town’s three part-time police officers, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

By Charles Stannard

DEEP RIVER— A recount is set for Monday in a close race for town clerk where Republican Amy Winchell led Democrat Nancy Talbot by two votes, 702-700, in the result from Tuesday’s election. The recount will be held at 10 a.m. at the Deep River Public Library polling place.

The apparent town clerk result, and another victory for a Region 4 Board of Education seat, were bright spots for town Republicans in an election where Democratic First Selectman Richard Smith was unopposed for a record 11th term, and Democrats won most other contest races on the ballot.

Talbot, who currently works as the town’s park and recreation director/building department clerk, had won the Democratic nomination in a September 15 primary over Stella Beaudoin. Talbot had been the unanimous pick of the Deep River Democratic Town Committee to replace Democratic Town Clerk Jeanne Nickse, who is retiring after holding the office since 1993.

Smith received 1,088 votes Tuesday. Democrat Arthur Thompson, ther current tax collector, with 716 votes, and Republican David Oliveria, with 401 votes, were elected to the board of selectmen. Oliveria outpolled incumbent Selectman Russell Marth, an unaffiliated voter who ran on the Deep River Independent Party line. Marth, who received 313 votes, was elected in 2007 after town Republicans did not nominate candidates for first selectman or board of selectmen.

Democrat Lisa Bibbiani was elected tax collector over Republican John Townsend on an 873-521 vote. Thompson has served as tax collector since 1993. Republican Town Treasurer Thomas Lindner was returned for a new term, defeating Democratic challenger John Dickson Jr. on a 996-421 vote.

In the Region 4 contest, Republican Laurie Ann Tomlinson, who served previously on the board in the late 1990s, defeated Democrat Patricia Conwell on a 707-628 vote. Conwell had been appointed to the regional school board last spring to fill a vacancy.

Incumbent Democrats George Eckenroth and Richard Balducci were re-elected to new terms on the board of finance, with Democrat Nichole Coutant winning a two-year vacancy term on the finance board over Republican Joyce Metz on a 702-634 vote.

Democrat Leigh Ann Balducci was elected to a full term on the board of assessment appeals, defeating Republican Darlene Pollock on a 692-644 vote. Democrat Mark Reyher was uncontested for a four-year vacancy term on the board of assessment appeals.

All four candidates for the Deep River Board of Education will be seated on the board, including Democrats Elizabeth Tracy and Arthur Robbins, and Rpublicans Mark Malcarne and Karen Nelson-Oliveria. Democrats Alice Proctor, James Davis and Mary Maraschiello were elected as library trustees, with Republican Rolf Peterson elected to a two-year vacancy term as a library trustee.