May 19, 2006
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. GLASTONBURY UPDATE:
A copy of the recently distributed town newsletter, entitled “Glastonbury Update” is attached. This was forwarded to all Glastonbury households to keep residents up-to-date on pending topics. Plans are to distribute 2-3 times annually. Feedback to Town offices is very favorable.
2. CONNECTICUT INTERLOCAL RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CIRMA):
Glastonbury was recognized at the annual meeting of CIRMA. This agency handles the Town’s Worker’s Compensation and LAP coverages. The first recognition was for standard operating procedures recently developed for Fire Department operations. The second was for a program initiated by the Town Manager to improve accountability and confirm loss and risk control as an organizational priority.
3. MILL RATE:
At its Tuesday, May 16th meeting, the Board of Finance reduced the mill rate from 34.15 to 34. This action was anticipated pending final State legislative action on the proposed motor vehicle tax.
4. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE:
The Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 29th. The parade will “step off” at the intersection of Welles and Main Street.
5. STORM REIMBURSEMENT:
Glastonbury will receive approximately $9,000 in FEMA reimbursement for costs related to flooding during mid October 2005 storms. Careful recordkeeping made this federal reimbursement possible.
6. CL&P TRANSMISSION LINE:
The Connecticut Siting Council will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8th in Council Chambers. The purpose of the hearing is to solicit public comment on plans to upgrade the transmission circuit between the Manchester substation and Hopewell substation. This is the line which runs in part to the east of Gideon Welles School.
7. GRANT AWARD:
The State has awarded Glastonbury a $48,500 grant to support and improve elderly and disabled transportation. This is the grant program discussed during the recent budget process.
8. REDISTRICTING:
The attached report summarizes the redistricting plan under review by the Board of Education. The Board is expected to schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, June 13th at Smith Middle School with action possible at the June 26th meeting. Redistricting is shown under Plan A and B with the second set of plans showing each concept with existing school districts overlayed.
9. SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE:
Property owners often plant bushes and shrubs close to sidewalks and such plantings can grow to partially or fully obstruct walkways. This causes pedestrians to walk in the road or otherwise navigate blocked portions of sidewalks. This is an ongoing concern which oftentimes results in the Town taking corrective action by trimming or removing the obstruction. A Code amendment is suggested to place this responsibility with the abutting property owner. In most cases, the property owner has contributed to the problem by planting too close to the sidewalk or not maintaining the trees, shrubs, etc. I will present a draft at the Tuesday, June 13th meeting.
10. GYMNASTICS PROGRAM:
As requested, I will provide an update on Tuesday evening.
11. GHS TOUR:
A tour of the Glastonbury High School project can be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 25th subject to Council interest. Please let me know if you are interested in touring the facility so arrangements can be finalized.
I will be happy to review the preceding and any other items Tuesday evening.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Johnson
Town Manager
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