June 4, 2004
The Glastonbury Town Council
2155 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Re: Town Manager’s Report
Dear Council Members:
The following will keep you up-to-date on various topics:
1. HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING:
A groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for the morning of Friday, June 18th. Details will follow.
The final SFU approval (Flood Management Certificate) was received this week, thereby clearing the GHS project for competitive bidding.
2. REFERENDUM EXPLANATORY TEXT:
A copy of the explanatory text describing the school bus-van proposal is attached. This will be distributed next week in preparation for the June 15th referendum.
3. WALKING TRAIL:
The attached brochure entitled “Glastonbury Walks” describes the various natural areas and hiking trails in Glastonbury. Areas include J. B. Williams Park, Earle Park, Cotton Hollow, Great Pond and others. Glastonbury is fortunate to own a number of natural-open space areas which this brochure helps describe to the public. The brochure is available at various Town facilities and made possible through the work of Gerhard Schade, Duffy Schade, and Parks & Recreation Director, Ray Purtell. Funding was provided by the Kongscut Land Trust and Great Pond Stewardship Committee.
4. KEENEY STREET ROAD RESURFACING:
Keeney Street from Hebron Avenue to the Manchester town line will be closed on June 14th, 15th, and 16th, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for road resurfacing. Signs advising of the closure and detours will be in place well before the scheduled work.
5. EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS:
Town staff consistently look for ways to improve service, reduce costs and implement operational efficiencies. The following are recent initiatives include:
· Refuse Compactor. A new refuse compactor was funded in the current year to replace a well used 1988 unit at the Transfer Station. The old unit compacted approximately 9-11 tons per container. With 50-60 tons of refuse per week, a typical week required 6-7 trips to the CRRA trash to energy facility. The new unit is compacting 14-15 tons per container reducing weekly trips to CRRA by 2 loads. This equates to approximately 100 fewer trips/loads per year. This reduces fuel, vehicle wear and tear, and staff costs. The new compactor was purchased for approximately $6,000 below original budget estimates.
· Recycling Containers. The current year budget also provides funding for new public recycling containers for Town Hall and Company No. 4. The “old” containers held approximately 18 cubic yards with new units having a 30 cubic yard capacity. The old containers required transport of approximately 24 loads per month from each location. With the new containers, only 14 loads per month are required with vendors directly handling 2 loads per location. Town
responsibilities are reduced from 24 loads per month to 12 loads per month – a 50% reduction. This translates to fuel, labor, and vehicle cost savings.
Transfer Station staffing is to be reduced by 1 full-time position through these and other efficiencies. In all, Refuse staffing has been reduced from 6 to 4 full time positions over the past several years.
6. GLASTONBURY-ROCKY HILL FERRY:
Dave Scampoli, who represents Glastonbury on the Tri-Town Ferry Committee, advises that the 2003 fare increase has been revoked. The Tri-Town Committee’s fare recommendations were accepted by DOT. The new rates are as follows: Automobiles - $3.00; additional in-car passengers – free; walk-on and bicycles - $1.00. A 33% discount commuter book will also be available ($2.00 auto fare using the discount book). Dave also advises that the ferry is expected to return to full schedule later this month. Thanks go to Dave Scampoli for representing the Town in this important project.
7. EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER:
The spring edition of the employee newsletter, Common Interest, is attached for your information.
8. PROPERTY REVALUATION:
The 2004 State legislative session amends the property revaluation cycle so that towns must revalue on a 5 and 10 year basis as compared to the 4 and 12 year cycle previously mandated by State law. This means a town must implement a revaluation every 5 years. A physical inspection once every 10 years and a statistical update revaluation in the 5th year before and after the inspection revaluation. Based on this new law, Glastonbury will be required to complete a full physical revaluation for the 2007 Grand List year (tax bills July 2008) instead of the 2006 Grand List year. I have been asked questions concerning this new schedule and wanted to provide the preceding information for any additional questions.
9. COMMUNITY CENTER – HARTFORD FOUNDATION:
The Hartford Foundation recently advised of a $40,000 grant for Community Center furniture, fixtures and equipment. Ernie Reale was instrumental in identifying and applying for these funds. As I understand, a similar grant is expected next year. Thanks and congratulations go to Ernie for this good news.
10. BIKEWAY GUIDE:
With recent discussions concerning bikeways, bike paths and bike routes, we are looking to re-establish the bike route originally developed in the early 1970’s. I have attached a copy of the 1973 Bikeway Guide for reference. Work will begin shortly to update this information with plans to develop a new bikeway guide. We will look to solicit volunteer assistance in this project. Any interested volunteers should contact Parks & Recreation Director, Ray Purtell, Town Engineer, Dan Pennington, or me directly.
11. HOMELAND SECURITY:
The State of Connecticut has received approximately $32,000,000 for various statewide Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention programs. Approximately 20% is allocated for state programs with 80% to be allocated to the local level. Glastonbury’s share is $172,389. The combined Capitol Region towns receive approximately $6.5 million. Local jurisdictions have 3 options for administering these funds: administer at the local level, through a regional planning organization, or through the state. The Capitol Region Council of Governments has worked with area Public Safety officials and others to develop a draft Regional Homeland Security Spending Plan. A copy is attached. Chiefs of Police have also met to develop a plan for law enforcement terrorism prevention
funding. Based on my review of options and discussions with Chiefs Sweeney and Nelson, Glastonbury will participate through the Capitol Region Council of Governments. This is an excellent opportunity for Capitol Region communities to work together on this important initiative.
12. PORTABLE STAGING GRANT:
The 2005 Parks & Recreation budget provides funding for a portable stage. This will be used with various special events throughout the year and replaces an old, antiquated structure. The requested appropriation was reduced in hopes of securing grant monies. I am pleased to advise that the Ensworth Foundation has awarded a $4,000 grant for the stage. Thanks go to the Ensworth Foundation for helping with this important equipment, and to Ray Purtell for coordinating the grant application. The Ensworth funding represents approximately 50% of the estimated cost.
I will be happy to review the preceding and any other items Tuesday evening.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Johnson
Town Manager
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