Killingworth, Connecticut 06419
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September, 2006 The wear and tear of time and the steady increase in traffic over the past decade have brought some of our bridges and intersections to critical points. As a result, we have a few long over due road projects in the works or in the planning stages. I am pleased to announce that the reconstruction of Alders Bridge Road is complete. The new section adheres to State specifications and is paved and striped for safety. The road intersects with Route 148 just west of Route 81. Moving forward with the construction of a new bridge on Reservoir Road is my top priority. The steel culverts are rotted and the bridge has been closed to through traffic for a while now. I am aware of the inconvenience caused by the necessary detour and sympathize with the area's residents.The special committee that the Board of Selectmen appointed to research the facts associated with Reservoir Road considers Cardinal Engineering the best qualified to determine the scope of the work. The committee will help the firm look into alternative methods of building the bridge as soon as possible, without sacrificing either efficiency or safety. In February, 2007, we expect to have three traffic infrastructures put out to bid for updating. These include the juncture of Green Hill Road and Route 81, the bridge on Burr Hill Road, and Pond Meadow Road. It is expected that work will commence in the spring. We have all the facts, figures, and resources in place to begin redirecting Green Hill Road to a perpendicular junction with Route 81. Howard Pfrommer, an engineer with N. Jacobson & Associates described the proposed changes at the Selectmen's meeting of September 10. It is difficult for motorists on Green Hill Road to merge with north bound traffic on Route 81 due to the sharp angle and the rise in Route 81 to the south. There have been close calls and we want to avoid serious accidents. Gary Ballard, owner of the Killingworth Village Shopping Plaza, donated a small parcel of land to the town to enable us to proceed with this improvement. Traffic will be detoured through Stevens Road while work is in progress. The bridge on Burr Hill Road has deteriorated over time and this road, too, is scheduled for repair. In this instance, I am attempting to anticipate problems before they occur. The placing of Jersey barriers , though not aesthetic, will hopefully deter accidents before we finish the necessary renovations. I have received comments from residents who use this bridge regularly that traffic has slowed down. In addition, we have discovered that the pipes on Pond Meadow Road need attention. Our plans include the necessary repairs on that road as well. The Department of Transportation is going to alleviate the congestion at the traffic circle on Route 81 and 80. They have presented us with plans for our consideration that will improve the flow of traffic. The public is invited to a hearing regarding the DOT's proposal on October 16, at KES. I will continue to keep you informed about the status of these projects. They are all necessary improvements to ensure the safety of our citizens. I wish to thank you for your patience and understanding while reconstruction is going on. To take a line from my predecessor, "Drive carefully." May, 2006 Last month on Reading Across America Day, I had the honor of reading to second graders at the Killingworth Elementary School. I read the Dr. Seuss classic, The Butter Battle Book. This story gives lessons in settling differences, learning to compromise, and to accept not always getting one's own way. I wish to thank the students in Susan Dean's class for the opportunity to meet them, and for their sweet note of appreciation. I can still remember reading bedtime stories to my own children and I don't have to tell you who fell asleep first. It was fun when the children were preschoolers and "read " to me or their siblings by memorizing other Dr. Seuss books like Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat or Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear. It's exciting listening to first graders sound out the words in the same books that we read to them before they went off to school. I was disheartened though, to learn that there are so many parents who don't read to their children. There is so much magic in books that can't be obtained from television or the internet. Reading stimulates creativity and the imagination. When children are read to they travel to far-away places and make storybook friends. Children are encouraged to read if there are books in the house and if they see their parents reading. A good example helps them develop their own good reading habits. As your children grow, expose them to books, magazines and newspapers. Subscribe to local publications that cover community issues. Emphasize the importance of community involvement to your children. The depth of knowledge obtained from reading surpasses any that can be gained from electronic journalism. You can help your children acquire discretionary skills to become responsible citizens, wary consumers and astute voters. Did I also mention how exciting it is to read just for pleasure? Try to find time during your busy day to read to your children. Start their educations with memories of books that were read to them when they were little. They are little for such a short time. I might add that there are hidden bonuses in reading to your young children. It's wonderful having them cuddle up close to see the pictures. And is there a better time to steal a kiss or a hug than when they are engrossed in the story? Education is a cornerstone of democracy and reading is the keystone of education. April, 2006 The Budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 is completed. Selectmen Fred Dudek, Ed Sipples, Secretary Carol Gordon, and I spent many hours in deliberation to present a budget that meets the needs of the town with as little increase in the mil rate as possible. We have forwarded our recommendations to the Board of Finance. The town boards and commissions, all staffed by volunteers, worked diligently and responsibly to update their budgets and their requests were within reason. We are fortunate to have such dedication among our citizens. The BOS did not treat the representatives from the various boards as adversaries but worked in partnership with the board members to meet the obligations of their organizations. The grand list for Killingworth is slowing. If this lack luster trend toward growth continues we will have to resort to a new approach to spending and some belt tightening. During my term of office I will continue to scrutinize expenditures. Yes, Fred, I will also insist that lights are shut off when the office is not occupied and that the heat is turned down. Just as other boards are agonizing over difficult choices, the BOS, too, has had to make decisions pertaining to our own budget for maintaining and repairing the infrastructure of the town highways and roads. We prudently agreed to forego resurfacing and sweeping the town roads during the coming year. As a result of a maintenance program established a few years ago, the roads are in good condition and do not require resurfacing this year. We concluded that roads should not be swept carte blanche but only if an individual inspection indicates that sweeping is necessary. On roads where there is no berm, sand is washed to the side of the road, further reducing the need for sweeping. We decided to allocate funds and manpower ordinarily used to resurface and sweep for other much needed projects. We will increase safety by attending to the guard rails on the sides of the roads, including straightening posts that are down, replacing missing posts, making sure that each post has a reflector on it and seeing that broken cables are repaired. Redefining and painting signs, and replacing those that are missing is crucial. It is also part of our agenda to paint those bridges that require it. Since we've encountered the necessity of replacing the bridge on Reservoir Road, we've initiated a highway safety maintenance program. At the current time we are reconfiguring the hazardous juncture at Green Hill Road and Route 81. We are also in the process of redesigning Alders Bridge Road and hope to repair the bridge on Burr Hill Road. The elimination of superfluous resurfacing and sweeping enables us to divert funds for these and other needs. Upon completion of this restructuring, we will submit applications to the state OPM requesting reimbursement for capitol improvement expenditures on roads and bridges under the Local Capitol Improvement Program (LoCIP). Every board has to prioritize its needs, scrutinize existing budgets, remove line items that are obsolete and utilize valuable resources for crucial programs. We appreciate the diligence of the members of our boards and commissions. Let's continue our partnership, and together, fulfill our obligations to the citizens of Killingworth at reasonable cost. March, 2006 February 15, 2006 turned out to be a great day for Killingworth and its future. About 80% of 705 residents voted at a town referendum to approve the purchase of the 143-acre tract of land owned by the Wettish/Mamula families. Those 500 plus voters expressed a commitment to provide needed recreational facilities, to secure open space, and to have a land bank for future community needs. They acted upon a positive vision that looks ahead while maintaining the essential character of our town. The purchase of the Wettish property will enable us to meet the town's immediate recreational needs with few if any problems at a reasonable cost. The referendum followed a well attended town meeting held the previous week that was both civil and informative. Experts were on hand, questions answered and concerns addressed. The residents who turned out to vote on February 15, represent about 15% of registered voters, a percentage we should make every effort to increase for future referendums. The plans for actual fields will require input from our citizens as will other issues in the months and years ahead. In the future, I will insist that the cost of admission to a town meeting will be to bring a friend along. If you knock on the door of a neighbor whom you've never met, fine! We have to get more people involved. Many Killingworth residents seem to be disconnected from one another. It is incumbent upon us to reach out to our neighbors and help every voter make informed decisions. It is not enough that we look like a small town, let us truly be a small town with the sense of community that that entails. The New England Town Meeting, where every voice is heard, is the root of our democratic society. If you live in a larger community, it is more difficult to get your views across. Therefore it is important that you, the voter, help formulate policies that will impact the quality of life in the community, for our children and grandchildren. Don't take your rights, privileges and obligations to participate in town government casually. Although I've promised to be available to address your concerns, I may be busy when you stop in at the office and will schedule an appointment for a less harried moment. I do not wish to govern unilaterally. I respect each resident as a partner and value everyone's contribution. To the voters of Killingworth, I say thank you for your vision in supporting the purchase of the Wettish acreage. However, we should not be complacent about this acquisition, but continue to be proactive about every issue that surfaces, and let our voices be heard! Remember, I'll be looking for you, your friends and neighbors at the next town meeting and anticipate your participation in future referendums. February, 2006 The town of Killingworth has been presented with the unique opportunity to purchase the 144 acre parcel of land on Parker Hill Road Extension, currently owned by the Wettish/Mamula families. This property has 2527 feet of road frontage on the eastern side of Parker Hill Road Extension with open fields extending over 1000 feet beyond the road frontage. The land slopes to the rear, where it becomes woodland. Soil maps indicate tillable earth with limited wetlands to the north. This parcel has a shared boundary with Chester and the Cockaponset State Forest. It would be the first town owned property having direct access to 5500 acres of state forest. From a developer's point of view, this is a highly desirable piece of land. The area is zoned for single and two family dwellings on a minimum of 2-acre lots. Houses on 2- to 3- acre lots in the nearby Heft Brook subdivision on Roast Meat Hill, just south of Parker Hill Road, are selling for $600,000 each. The Wettish family offered the property to the town. We'll be able to purchase it for $2.45 million, only 6.2% above the conservatively appraised value of $2.3 million. The Board of Finance unanimously approved bonding of up to $2.65 million for the purchase. This includes an additional $200,000 to cover costs related to the bond sale. The Field Study Committee designated this piece of property among the most suitable privately-owned parcels for recreational development at reasonable costs. A significant portion of its four large hay fields lends itself extremely well to ball fields. Ample open space and passive recreation are readily incorporated into the total package. I have consulted with and received support from several relevant groups in pursuing this purchase. Among them are the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust, the Conservation Commission, and the Field Study Committee. As you have seen from recent Letters to the Editor, people from both political parties and various town organizations have come out in support of this acquisition. An informational forum was held on February 7 at KES to answer questions and concerns on the issue. On February 15, a referendum will be held at KES. Killingworth residents will have the opportunity on the 15th to vote on the acquisition of the Wettish property. Friends and neighbors, I have your interests at heart and would not like to miss the opportunity to acquire this exceptional parcel, a resource of value for future generations. I ask you to cast your vote in approval on February 15. January 24, 2006 While busy in the office and around town, I am always aware that many others are on the job in Killingworth as well. They are the men and women who serve us as volunteers or town employees helping to keep us safe and our community vibrant. Three groups have particularly been up front and center recently. There are about 40 emergency firefighters in Killingworth. Fifteen of them were joined by firefighters from neighboring towns, in a prompt response to the fire at 293 Route 148 on January 13. They were responsible for rescuing Ian Jansma from the burning building and limiting major damage to one corner of the home. The house, dating back to the 1700s can definitely be restored. Fire Chief Fred Dudek, praised the crew for an excellent job. He said that "their extensive training and preparation paid off." The commitment of our firefighters reinforces the importance that volunteers provide to our community. We as a town respect their skills and ongoing dedication. Let's extend a hand of thanks to the "Helping Hands"of three Killingworth women. Lisa Sodergren, Alice Simoniello, and Michelle Amendola operate a food pantry serving 65 needy families in town. About 80% of the food is donated from various organizations' "food drives". During holiday seasons they distribute cartons of food with frozen turkey or hams, fresh produce and home baked pastries or pies from Lyman Orchards. Value Print in Clinton provides boxes for the gift parcels. "Helping Hands" also distributes toys during the holidays. Michelle initiated a school snack program for needy children throughout the school year. These dedicated women conduct their ambitious enterprise out of a room on the second floor of the Town Office Building that is bursting with food stuffs. The Board of Selectmen is now renovating a portion of the town garage to accommodate "Helping Hands" with more space and a more efficient facility for receiving and distributing goods. The volunteers will be able to display the merchandise attractively and make it easier for the clients to choose what they need. "Helping Hands" services are invaluable to many members of this community. They are looking for more volunteers and can be reached at their hot line number, 663 4047. A group of town employees deserving a hearty thank you, are the Town Crew who worked diligently through the recent Saturday night/Sunday morning weather horror. They worked through freezing temperatures, an ice and snow mix, and gale force winds, to get our roads scraped and sanded. Residents without power for 17 hours appreciated having clean roads to drive to more comfortable surroundings. Thank you all for being on the job! December 13, 2005 Residents of Killingworth have always had a "love/hate" attitude toward Lovers Lane. To some it is a short cut between Route 81 and Route 148. To others the thruway is a hazardous nuisance when the road is impassable due to winter ice or spring floods. The previous Board of Selecmen made the decision to seek approval of the Inland Watercourses and Wetlands Commission to install pipes across the road in order to increase the flow of water. The town has received invoices for $5000 in engineering fees for the related study. I, however, think it is time to reconsider the future function of Lovers Lane and am recommending that it be permanently closed. The road, which is built on a peat bog, has been sinking several inches every year. I researched its history since First Selectman Campbell was in office and learned that Lovers Lane has been an open ended drain on the town's coffers and will continue as such. Fire Chief Fred Dudek said that closing the road would not significantly increase the time for an emergency response. When the road is open, approximately 700 cars cross it daily, impacting its fragility. I have already received calls and letters from residents who were concerned about the road's safety. The sentiment is that if the road is closed six months of the year it should be closed permanently. Egresses from the town road onto Route 81 and 148 are both hazardous. When the new middle school is completed traffic on Route 81 will increase as will traffic problems at its juncture with Lovers Lane. When I attended my last meeting as a member of the IWWC , we discussed proposals for Lovers Lane. I expressed my objections to proceeding with additional work in that area and squandering more taxpayer dollars. This is a pristine wetland which should be preserved as open space. The soil will not sustain guardrails. If the Wetlands Commission existed when this road was built, they never would have approved the construction and it is doubtful whether the IWWC will accept the current proposal. When I was growing up in Guilford, there were not wetlands, only "swamps". We drained the "swamps" and covered the area for mosquito control. Haven't we learned that there is open space upon which we should never build? I envision a hidden bonus to closing Lovers Lane. The proximity of Lovers Lane to the new middle school presents a liability if used as a thoroughfare. But this area can be an asset if designated a wildlife preserve with a suspended boardwalk across the wetland. Twenty seven years ago, my son constructed just such a walkway for his Eagle Scout project with assistance from other scouts in his troop. It was on the wetland section of the Platt Nature Center. The walk has since been rebuilt and continues to serve as a tool for environmental education. Couldn't a similar structure be invaluable as a means to enjoy wetland nature on a preserve at Lovers Lane? Imagine observing the wonders of water and the flora and fauna it supports. What an ideal spot for bird watching and science field trips. There may even be government or private grant money for such a project. These issues will ultimately be resolved by the citizens of Killingworth at a town meeting. I urge my friends and neighbors to make informed choices. Do we want to pursue a futile venture and continue to bury tax revenue in a bottomless pit or do we want to use our tax money to husband a valuable, unique resource for generations to come? November 22, 2005 How did the First Selectman Elect, Martin Klein, spend the few days before taking office? Swimming in the hot springs of Wyoming? Guess again. On November 9, after celebrating with guests on the previous night, I met with First Selectman David Denver at 7 a.m.. We met at Town Hall to review some town files and procedures. I didn't even get up that early to feed the chickens. We then went to a meeting of CRERPA, the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency . Here I digested the alphabetical soup with its spaghetti of affiliated agencies. Next on our agenda was a presentation of the Regional Transportation Plan by the Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization. Their emphasis was on how to increase and improve mass transportation service in the Nine Town District. The main objective was to find ways to better coordinate service between the different transit groups. The following Monday, accompanied by Selectman Elect, Ed Sipples, I had an informative breakfast with Highway Department Foreman, Jim Ward. That began a very busy day that included a meeting with Schools Superintendent Gary Mala and Haddam's First Selectman, Tony Bondi. A major topic of our conversation was the feasibility of sharing a self-funding grant writer among the school district and our two towns. A mid afternoon meeting with Attorney William Howard proved productive and concentrated on pending lawsuits. The Selectmen's Meeting that evening included an excellent presentation by Gwenne Lally and the Reverend Ed Cornell of the Field Study Committee. The topic of their report was identifying and evaluating available land (particularly parcels the town currently owns) for ball fields. This was followed by a discussion of the possibility of acquiring larger parcels of open space. My short initiation has proved very informative and has broadened my perspective considerably. I feel it is important that we reach beyond our Republican and Democratic skins and work together in a pragmatic fashion for the future of Killingworth. During my campaign I promised to provide an open and transparent government. I hope to have timely, informative chats with you and welcome your questions and ideas. |
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