ITEM #7
09-26-06
September 22, 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. TRANSFER STATION:
Sunday hours at the Transfer Station for the leaf drop-off program will begin on Sunday, October 22nd and extend for 5 Sundays through November 19th. This program was started in 2004 and over the past 2 years trips totaled 697 and 757, respectively. Hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. WINTER STORM OPERATIONS:
As you know, the Town initiated use of the Cargill DE-Icer product during the winter of 2006. This product is essentially a patented mixture of salt, magnesium chloride, a corrosion inhibitor and green dye for visibility purposes. The material is applied before frozen precipitation begins to fall. This pre-application effectively prevents snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. The result is that streets come clean much easier upon storm completion. In the past, a sand/salt mixture was applied numerous times during the course of a storm in order to provide abrasives helpful for vehicle traction. While there were some start-up issues with this new product, the general conclusion is favorable. The most challenging factor is the ability to accurately predict a storm and when
precipitation will begin to fall. This will be improved through the services a forecasting service providing “micro-forecasts” that are specific to Glastonbury.
Analysis of winter storm costs indicates a combined net savings (wages, equipment, fuel, sand/salt, clear lane, etc.) of approximately $1,375 per storm. Since the year 2000, there has been an average of 18 storm events per year. This equates to an average annual savings of $24,750. When the cost for contractual street sweeping, which is no longer required, is added the average annual savings climb to $37,470+/-. Additional costs will accrue from reduced catch basin cleaning and fewer Highway Division hours allocated to street sweeping. Subsequent years will better capture this additional data.
3. ADDISON MILL:
As reported at the September 12th meeting, the Addison Mill, located at 64 Addison Road, was recently listed on the State Register of Historic Places. This honorary designation is presented by the Connecticut Historic Preservation Council. The designation does not preclude changes to the structure of a building or demolition of a structure. The program is intended to help identify historic properties. The designation also qualifies a structure for applicable state and federal tax credits. A clarification in this regard was requested.
4. NAUBUC AVENUE BRIDGE:
As you know, despite 2 competitive bid advertisements, the bridge restoration project attracted limited response. A plan is being developed to return concrete blocks to protect the structure and to allow reopening. Efforts can then be focused on potential design changes and a spring re-bid.
5. CLEAN WATER FUND:
As you know, the Glastonbury Water Pollution Control Facility renovation and upgrade project is effected by funding shortages in the State Clean Water Fund (CWF). I have attached 2 articles in support of increases to the CWF. Glastonbury should encourage and support all efforts in this regard.
6. MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE:
On Wednesday, September 20th, members of the Council, Conservation Commission, Town Manager, neighborhood residents and others toured the easterly portion of the former LaCava property. This is the natural undeveloped portion of the 148 acre former LaCava property located easterly of the Smith Middle School. The area is bordered by other open space parcels for a total of approximately 250 acres of contiguous town-owned land. Conservation Commission member Gerhard Schade led the site walk.
The property was the focus of a 2002 ecological assessment by Rema Ecological Services, Inc. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of wildlife, vegetation, wetlands and other property characteristics. I have attached an excerpt from the report showing suggested areas of preservation, conservation and possible uses consistent with the overall property. In its April 27, 2006 letter, the Conservation Commission discusses its recommendations on preservation of the property.
The recent site walk provided the opportunity to review various property features and areas of particular sensitivity. At this point there is a plan to create a pedestrian/bicycle link from the Middle School to Bell Street. This plan is being developed by Town staff in cooperation with the Conservation Commission, Bikeway Committee, and others. I am not aware of any other plans for active development of the site. The parcel provides a number of opportunities for preservation, conservation and related uses such as environmental studies, nature/wildlife learning center, hiking and other similar activities.
Council will be asked to consider the preferred approach to protecting the land while preserving the opportunity for uses compatible with the site.
7. RIVERFRONT PARK:
From 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 5th to approximately 5:00 a.m. the following morning, MDC is scheduled to tap the 20 inch water line along Welles Street. This is to provide water service to the Riverfront Park project. Water service to Hallmark Tire and Naubuc Green will be affected for the time of construction. MDC and the Town will coordinate with these property owners and the Fire Marshal-Fire Department. Construction is expected to take less time than allotted for the work.
8. VOTING MACHINES:
Under the Help American Vote Act (HAVA), Connecticut will begin use of electronic voting machines throughout the state. These new machines are to be in use by the November 2007 general election. Grant funds will provide Glastonbury with 2 electronic voting machines per district and a number of “spares.” These grant monies will also provide 1 voting machine for persons with disabilities (fax system) for each voting district along with required set up. The fax system for persons with disabilities will be in place for the November 2006 election. Some communities have prior experience with the new electronic machines and will begin using this November. For example, some communities have previously used the machines for absentee ballots. With the newness of the system, the
Glastonbury Registrars elected to begin use in 2007 to allow for training and overall familiarity with the new machines.
I have received questions in this regard and wanted to clarify that the electronic machines will not be available or in use in Glastonbury until 2007.
I will be happy to review the preceding and any other items Tuesday evening.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Johnson
Town Manager
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