February 4, 2005
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. PROJECT TOURS:
Tours of the community center and high school projects are scheduled as follows:
Community center – 3:30 p.m. – Monday, February 14
High school - 3:30 p.m. – Wednesday, February 16
Council members are invited to attend as schedules allow. Invitations will be extended to other interested groups as well.
2. SCHOOL BUS-VAN YARD PROJECT:
Site clearing is complete and the bid process conducted for most of the remaining work. This includes site work, paving, lighting, fencing, etc. Bids ranged from $1.5 million to $1.9 million, with the bid awarded for approximately $1.5 million. The bid attracted 8 responses. The high school budget approved at referendum allocated approximately $2.4 million for school bus-van facilities.
3. FIRE APPARATUS:
A report concerning a 10+/- year forecast for fire apparatus is being finalized and will be available for the February 22nd meeting. I was asked to provide this information as part of recent CIP discussions.
4. RISK MANAGEMENT AWARD:
The Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) recently held its annual meeting. CIRMA underwrites a number of town insurance programs including Workers Compensation. Glastonbury was formally recognized for supervisory training initiatives to effectively manage workplace accidents and for last year’s first safety and health fair for all Town staff. Congratulations go to Human Resources Director, Pat Washington, who coordinates safety programs, and all those involved with these important initiatives.
5. COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP:
The Council budget workshop schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, February 15 - Academy School Cafeteria
Thursday, February 17 – Council Chambers
Tuesday, March 1 – Academy School Cafeteria
Workshops are scheduled from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
6. BLACKBOX THEATER:
As highlighted at a recent Council meeting, a group of Glastonbury residents are working to develop a Blackbox Theater project. The group has evaluated a number of potential sites and scheduled to make a presentation at the March 22nd meeting.
7. TOWN CENTER:
At the January 25th Council meeting, a question was asked concerning possible Capital funding for the Town Center. Such a project would involve a master plan for the general town center area extending along Hebron Avenue from Main Street to Sycamore. The topic has received further review and I have discussed with Council members Karp and Wagner. At this point the suggestion is to incorporate criteria and guidelines through the update to the Plan of Conservation and Development. This would include general guidelines and policies for development within this general area including streetscape, building location and architecture, pedestrian circulation, crosswalks, lighting, etc. Once this work is complete further analysis and related funding could be considered as
needed.
Based on the preceding, a funding proposal would not be presented as part of the current budget process.
8. WINTER STORM COSTS:
As you might expect, the winter storm season has placed a significant burden on Town overtime accounts. Highway Division accounts are overexpended and I would expect the Parks Department accounts to be similarly overspent by winter season end. The need for additional funds will be handled through transfers or possibly a General Fund appropriation. Governor Rell is seeking federal assistance for the late January snowstorm.
9. STAFF RETIREMENTS:
Two long-term members of the Town Highway Division recently retired. Chuck Longo (32 years) and Barry Walker (34 years) both retired last month after very successful careers with the Town. Both are wished the best of luck in their retirement and thanked for their many years of dedicated service.
10. STAFF APPOINTMENT:
Steve Braun was recently appointed to the position of Assistant to the Town Engineer to fill the vacancy created by Chet Hamlin’s retirement. Steve most recently worked as a principal engineer with SEA Consultants, Inc. of Rocky Hill. Steve is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a BS in Civil Engineering and MS in Transportation Engineering. He also holds a Connecticut Professional Engineers License (PE). Steve will join the Town staff in early March.
11. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION:
The 2005 schedule for the collection days at the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection site is attached. Glastonbury is one of the founding members of this project and the facility is opened to Glastonbury residents.
12. TOWN MANAGER EXPENSE REPORT:
A copy of my expense report for the period October 2004 through December 2004 was forwarded separately. I will appreciate Council formally acknowledging receipt of this information.
I will be happy to review the preceding and any other items Tuesday evening.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Johnson
Town Manager
RJJ:yo
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