HARTFORD -- Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has nominated the Hon. Bethany J. Alvord, of West Hartford, for a seat on the state Appellate Court.
Alvord, 51, has been a Superior Court judge in Waterbury since 2002. Prior to that, she served as a family support magistrate in the state Judicial Branch for three years.
“Judge Alvord is a distinguished and respected jurist and will bring a tremendous amount of expertise to the Appellate bench,” Governor Rell said. “I am pleased to submit her name for consideration.”
Judge Alvord graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1982 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. She was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1993. She previously oversaw the business and legal tax compliance unit at Aetna, Inc.
Judge Alvord is replacing Judge C. Ian McLachlan, who was recently elevated to the Connecticut Supreme Court. Judge Alvord’s nomination requires legislative approval.
The state Appellate Court first convened in 1983, a year after Connecticut voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the court. Governor William O’Neill appointed the five original judges and the bench has since been expanded to 10 jurists.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today issued the following statement after the General Assembly completed legislative action on a deficit mitigation plan for fiscal year that ends June 30:
“I am pleased the Legislature has finally taken action. Given the economic problems that continue to burden both our nation and our state, the deficit for this current fiscal year is likely to continue to grow – so every dollar saved is critical.
“Nevertheless, in many ways the bill passed tonight falls short. The original intention of this session was to pass a retirement incentive plan to reduce the state payroll. The deficit mitigation bill claims the savings from that plan – yet no plan was passed tonight and any such plan requires legislative action.
“In addition, my budget office believes that many of the ‘fund sweeps,’ intended to transfer $220 million into the General Fund, cannot happen because the money is either not there or is restricted to certain uses – and the majority Democrats know this very well.
“At the same time, this bill does make strides toward reducing a deficit that has lingered for far too long. The bill does not rely on any tax increases, nor does it reduce funding for education or to the Connecticut Development Authority for job creation – provisions I insisted on changing. The proposal to place the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Public Safety, which would not have saved any money, was also dropped.
“We must work in a bipartisan manner to resolve not only this year’s budget shortfall but the much larger gap that we face in the next two years. Difficult choices remain to be made. These choices are already being made by Connecticut families and employers. The Legislature must follow suit.”

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly's higher education committee want UConn coach Jim Calhoun reprimanded for his tirade at a freelance journalist who questioned his $1.6 million salary.

Sen. Mary Ann Handley, D-Manchester, and Rep. Roberta Willis, D-Lakeville, said Thursday that Calhoun's outburst on Saturday does not reflect well on him or the state's flagship university.

"His recent behavior was unacceptable and we request that the university take appropriate disciplinary action to reinforce the high ethical standards we have come to expect from our flagship institution," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to UConn President Michael J. Hogan.

Both legislators said Calhoun should be reminded that he is a role model for many athletes and students.

In a statement, Hogan called Calhoun a "valued member of the UConn community" and said the reporter was also to blame for the controversy.

"The question he was asked about his salary was perfectly fair, although the reporter, as Coach Calhoun suggested, might have found a more appropriate and less provocative setting for his inquiry," Hogan said. "I am sure that we all regret the controversy, including Coach Calhoun, and I can assure you that we will continue to encourage all members of the UConn community to resist temptation and treat others in a judicious and respectful manner, no matter what the circumstances."

Calhoun won his 800th career game Wednesday when the No. 2 Huskies beat Marquette. He is the highest-paid state employee in Connecticut.

Handley and Willis said they are proud of the achievements of Calhoun and his players and acknowledged the school's standing and reputation has improved with UConn's rise to athletic prominence.

"However, with increased success and recognition comes increased responsibility," they wrote to Hogan. "Coach Calhoun's actions were not in keeping with the high ethical standards that we expect from a representative of the University of Connecticut."

Ken Krayeske, a political activist and freelance reporter, questioned Calhoun at a news conference following Saturday's 64-50 win over South Florida. He asked why the coach of a public university collects a salary of $1.6 million while the state has a budget deficit of more than $1 billion this fiscal year and up to $8.7 billion over the next two fiscal years.

Calhoun first responded with a joke, then grew angry as Krayeske continued the line of questioning.

"My best advice to you is, shut up," Calhoun said.

"Quite frankly, we bring in $12 million to the university, nothing to do with state funds," Calhoun said. "We make $12 million a year for this university. Get some facts and come back and see me ... Don't throw out salaries and other things."

Earlier this week, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell told reporters that she believed Calhoun regrets his outburst and called the tirade an "embarrassing display."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) announced that Torrington has received over $440,000 from President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for Housing and Urban Development Programs.

“My top priority has been getting people in Torrington what they need in these tough economic times. These funds will make a difference in the city, and my hope is that today will mark the beginning of Connecticut’s long road to recovery,” said Murphy.

Torrington will receive $442,447 million for Capital Funds to be spent on modernization and development of public housing.

Settlement may come out of budget line items
TORRINGTON — A $100,000 settlement payment to former Superintendent Susan O’Brien may come out of budget line items allocated for professional services or wages, an official said Tuesday.
The board voted 7-3 Monday night to approve the settlement, which includes an extension of benefits, withdrawal of a letter sent to O’Brien on Dec. 5, a reinstatment of the mostly positive evaluation from August 2008 as the most recent, a release preventing the board from being sued and withdrawal of a complaint to submit a Freedom of Information request from the Nov. 17 school board meeting.
Frank Rubino, chairman of the Board of Education budget committee, could not comment further as to where specifically the W-2 money would be drawn from, but said the professional services and wages area “probably” could be the source. The professional services line item, allocated for consulting and legal services, currently numbers around $1.1 million, of which 65 percent is used up, Rubino said.
Rubino said he plans to meet with Nancy Haynes, director of business services, soon to discuss from where the district will drawn the funds for the $100,000.
Tonight the board is scheduled to discuss the 2009-10 budget, as well as receive a budget proposal from acting Superintendent Barbara Campbell. The meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Torrington High School media center, precedes the oncoming budget season with a committee hearing scheduled for March 2 and extending throughout the month. Chairman Paul Cavagnero, as well as other board members, are encouraging public participation.
Next year’s budget will not, however, be affected by the settlement for the $100,000, as that money will only be taken from this year’s budget, which ends June 30, Rubino asserted.
“It has to,” he said. “It’s not fair to the public for it to run into another period cycle.”
Rubino, along with Cavagnero and board member David Oliver, were the three votes against the settlement.
The chairman said that the search for a new superintendent will commence as soon as the final settlement papers are signed.
Ronald DeRosa can be reached by e-mail at torrington@registercitizen.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) today sent a resource guide of the economic recovery package to local officials in all 169 Connecticut towns and cities. The packet provides Connecticut town officials with valuable information on many federal programs and funding opportunities available to individuals, communities and businesses in Connecticut as a result of the recently-passed economic recovery package. The guide also provides the contact information for important state and federal agencies to obtain additional detailed information.
“Connecticut communities, struggling to maintain critical jobs and services, are faced with nearly $4 billion of state budget cuts over the next two years. That’s why we’ve assembled this Resource Guide to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” said Dodd. “Under this landmark legislation, Connecticut will receive $1.65 billion in direct aid and $1.32 billion in Medicaid assistance, as well as billions more in competitive grants that collectively are expected to create and save nearly 41,000 jobs in our state. This resource guide will make it easier for Connecticut leaders to learn what assistance is available and how to begin the process of applying for these resources.”
Connecticut residents who would like to learn more about how their families and communities may benefit from the stimulus should call Senator Dodd’s office at 860-258-6940, e-mail recovery@dodd.senate.gov, or visit http://dodd.senate.gov.

HARTFORD -- Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the CT Virtual Learning Center (VLC) in partnership with Project Access for All will receive federal funding through an Advance Placement (AP) Incentive Grant.
"One of the goals of the grant is to triple the enrollment of low income students taking Advanced Placement courses and who take AP exams," Governor Rell said.
The VLC will provide the online courses for this program.
"The Virtual Learning Center was developed to fill the growing need for online high school courses as both an alternative and a supplement to face to face classrooms," said Governor Rell. "With this grant, the VLC will be able to offer these courses free of charge to the students who can benefit from them.
"The VLC is a perfect example of collaboration and doing more with less. Schools that do not have the means to hire an additional AP teacher, or have enough student interest to fill a Mandarin Chinese class, now have the opportunity to place their students in an online classroom with other students from across the state."
All courses are taught by CT Certified teachers, and all courses are College Board and NCAA approved.
The VLC is currently hiring CT Certified teachers with experience in Statistics, Calculus, Computer Science, English Language and Literature and Mandarin Chinese to teach these online courses.
"In a time when our economy is being tested and people are in need of jobs, Connecticut is moving forward to develop and create new job opportunities such as this," said Governor Rell. "Online learning has not only become a proven path to education, but also new source of opportunity and employment for our Connecticut Teachers."
Teacher recruitment is ongoing, and teachers certified in these fields are asked to apply online at the CT Virtual Learning Center's website: www.ctvirtuallearning.org.

State Rep. John Rigby today warned residents in his district about a scam affecting Connecticut residents, and it’s another example of why people should never give out their personal information to anyone on the telephone. Never. People are now receiving phone calls asking for personal information on the pretext that there has been a problem delivering notices about jury duty. These calls do not come from the Connecticut Judicial Branch.
“This has been an ongoing scam for some time, and we receive reports of these types of calls periodically,” Judge Barbara M. Quinn, chief court administrator, said recently. “If you receive such a call, please do not give out any personal information. These callers are not representatives from the Connecticut Judicial Branch. They are scam artists trying to steal personal information from you.”
The Judicial Branch cannot call you unless you provide your telephone number. If someone claiming to be from a court calls you and you have not given the court your telephone number, the call is not from the Judicial Branch. In addition, the jury office never asks for financial information such as bank accounts or credit card numbers. If individuals receive such a call, they should – under any circumstance — refuse to provide any personal or financial information. In the most recent calls, individuals were asked where they work and for the phone and fax numbers of their employer. Other callers in the past have asked for Social Security numbers, home addresses, credit card numbers and bank account information. Anyone who receives such a call should call their local law enforcement agency and the Judicial Branch’s Jury Administration Office, at 800-842-8175.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced Friday that her budget office now estimates the shortfall in the current year’s state budget at about $944 million, up about $22 million from its estimate last month. Governor Rell on Thursday delivered a deficit mitigation plan to the Legislature that would cut $1.1 billion in state spending, more than closing that gap without resorting to layoffs or new taxes.
“This letter underscores the urgency of the message I sent Thursday: The time to act is now,” Governor Rell said. “Attacking the shortfall in bits and pieces simply has not worked – instead, the gap has continued to grow. We must not only eliminate it altogether but begin the process of restructuring state government so that we can benefit from ongoing savings. For example, my deficit mitigation proposal includes a retirement incentive plan that will trim state payroll costs both now and in the future.
“Connecticut’s taxpayers and our state’s employers have made many difficult decisions already,” the Governor said. “Cutting spending is never easy or fun – but in times such as this it is the only sensible approach. We know that state government has to remake itself to deal effectively with the current economic crisis and to help our state take wing when the economy begins to pick up again.”
The estimate today from the Office of Policy and Management is the latest of several projections of the current budget year shortfall. The Governor’s $1.1 billion plan would leave $103 million in additional savings to deal with any additional fallout from the continuing economic crisis or be carried over into the next two budget years.
The Office of the State Comptroller has estimated the current deficit at $1.1 billion, while the Legislature’s budget office has put the deficit at about $1.3 billion. Governor Rell said Thursday in announcing her mitigation plan that she developed a $1.1 billion plan because the Comptroller’s number was halfway between the previous estimate from her budget office and that of the Legislature.
The monthly letter from OPM to the Comptroller pointed to an overall drop in tax collections of more than $73 million as the main reason for the increase in the deficit. The declines in sales tax revenue (down by $54 million) and real estate conveyance taxes (down $19.1 million) were partially offset by a $40.1 million increase in Medicaid revenue from the federal government.
Additional cost-cutting and an increase in the amount of money agencies expect to have left over when this fiscal year ends on June 30 also helped offset the decline in tax collections.
The fall-off in sales tax and real estate conveyance taxes have implications for the next two budget years. At current rates, the decline would likely reduce state revenues by about $150 million over the two-year period.
However, Governor Rell said her budget office is also following several other key dates, including the March 15 deadline for certain business tax returns and the April 15 deadline for personal income tax returns.



In addition, the Governor has directed OPM to carefully track the economic effects of the federal stimulus package President Obama signed into law this week. As that money – intended to spur economic development and job creation – begins to flow into the state, it could have a positive effect on income, sales and other taxes.

TORRINGTON -- State Representative Michelle Cook (D-Torrington) announced today that she will hold public office hours at the Twin Colony from 6 to 8 p.m. March 3 in Torrington.

For more information please contact Representative Cook’s office at 1-800-842-8267.

Representative Michele Cook is serving her first term representing the 65th Assembly District in Torrington.

WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., announced plans to examine how the federal government will account for the billions of dollars expected to be spent over the next two years as a result of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The Senators said they will hold a hearing March 5, 2009, to ensure that strong accountability measures are in place and that the spending is as transparent as possible.
Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag is expected to appear as a witness, along with Government Accountability Office Acting Comptroller General Eugene Dodaro and Phyllis Fong, chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
“Our goal is simple: It is to minimize the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars proactively - particularly since they will be spent quickly and at levels previously unheard of,” Lieberman said. “It is critical to ensure that systems are in place - ahead of time - to oversee this massive level of spending and that the public is provided with as much information as possible about where their money is going.”
Collins said: “We have witnessed the collapse of the housing market, the unraveling of our nation's financial institutions, and the evaporation of trillions of dollars that were invested in the stock market and in people's retirement accounts. It is critical that we work to turn this economy around and create and save jobs, but do so with transparency and accountability. I opposed releasing the remaining TARP funds last month because the initial funds lacked the transparency and accountability that was needed to ensure that taxpayer dollars were spent wisely. I was appalled to learn that the financial institutions that benefited from the initial TARP funds were either unable or unwilling to publicly release information about how TARP dollars were spent. We cannot afford to make the same mistake with the economic stimulus package.
“This hearing will closely examine the safeguards that were put into place—many of which were at the insistence of Senator Lieberman and me-- to ensure aggressive oversight, transparency, and accountability of economic stimulus dollars.”
The Committee’s inquiry will focus on ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to prevent cost overruns as agencies enter into contracts to spend ARRA funds, that strict oversight of contractor performance occurs, that grant conditions are met, and that fraud is promptly prosecuted.
The Committee will also look at the challenges of presenting quick and accurate information about how the funds are being spent so that taxpayers may follow the process and determine if their money is being spent wisely and effectively.
The ARRA calls for a range of new and existing assets to help ensure the money is spent appropriately and efficiently. The bill provides extensive new funding for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Inspectors General (IGs) in the federal agencies charged with distributing stimulus funds. The bill also creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, headed by a presidential appointee, to coordinate and conduct oversight of stimulus spending across-the-board and provide regular reports to Congress and the public.
Furthermore, a new federal website, Recovery.gov, will allow the public to track where all the money is going, including disbursements at the state and local level, for an unprecedented level of transparency.

State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) testified today at a public hearing before the Commerce Committee in support of SB 495: An Act Concerning An Affordable Business Climate. Senator Witkos introduced the bill at the beginning of this year’s legislative session in an effort to remove what he believes are burdensome regulations on businesses in the state of Connecticut.

“As we in the General Assembly start to grapple with patching up our massive budget deficit, there is much talk about expanding our tax base by making Connecticut a more business-friendly state” said Senator Witkos. “But how can we expect to attract new business and foster the ones already here without first examining the countless regulations on the books that make it unnecessarily difficult for businesses to operate and turn a profit?’’

On the federal level, the Small Business Administration (SBA) conducts an annual survey of businesses to determine which regulations and laws are most cumbersome and burdensome to them. In that same vein, Senator Witkos has reached out to a number of business advocacy organizations including the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) as well as the Chambers of Commerce in the 8th District. And while he waits to hear from these groups, Senator Witkos is hopeful that this effort will start a discussion on how the state can cultivate a more accommodating and prosperous business climate.

“Connecticut is in direct competition with 49 other states to attract and sustain profitable businesses,” said Senator Witkos. “And as such, we cannot afford to ignore the concerns of the business community at a time when we so desperately need them to succeed. I believe this bill will begin to address their needs with an efficient, common-sense approach and I hope the committee moves it swiftly through the legislative process.”

A similar bill was proposed last year by the Commerce Committee. The bill, SB 399: An Act Concerning Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, was passed by the Senate but died on the House calendar. The bill would have established a special task force to examine ways of providing regulatory relief for small businesses.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has given all Executive Branch agencies 30 business days to cancel all unnecessary cellular phone and wireless services and ordered a freeze on any new cellular services except in urgent or emergency cases.
The moves are part of Governor Rell’s continuing efforts to reduce state spending in the face of a current-year budget deficit in excess of nearly $922 million and projected shortfalls over the next two budget years of $6 billion.
“Our cell phone bills have grown by leaps and bounds in recent years,” Governor Rell said. “Technology is a wonderful thing – but it comes with a price, and that price is too high for the state to support right now. There is no question that some agency officials and state employees need to be in constant contact with their office. But there are others who do not. And there are too many old accounts that have never been closed or instances where people are carrying both a cell phone and a pager or a cell phone and a BlackBerry – redundancies we simply cannot afford.
“Last fiscal year we spent more than $4.5 million on wireless communications and in the first half of this fiscal year we are on track to spend even more,” the Governor said. “Like any family on a budget, we are going to have to cut back – fewer phones, cheaper calling plans and less airtime. We will not compromise agency missions or put ourselves in jeopardy in the event of a disaster. But taxpayers deserve to know we are not spending their money on pricey cell services they themselves cannot afford.”
The number of wireless devices used by the state has grown considerably since 1994, when there were fewer than 500 cellular phones in state government. Today, there are more than 10,000 cellular devices, including phones, aircards, and BlackBerry devices.
In a memo to all Executive Branch agencies, Governor Rell directed agency chiefs to retain only those services “that are truly essential and critical to your agency’s core mission and ability to deliver services, including the execution of business continuity plans in the event of a loss of facility or other disruption.”
The Department of Information Technology, which provides IT and telecommunication services to agencies, has been ordered to expedite processing of cancelation orders and will provide Governor Rell with monthly reports on agency cancellation orders and plan changes.
Annual state cellular expenditures, according to CORE-CT data:
FY 2005: $3,366,187.06
FY 2006: $2,577,296.56
FY 2007: $3,789,948.75
FY 2008: $4,513,223.54
FY 2009 $2,285,098.92 (First six months)

HARTFORD -- To honor the memory of Beverly Eckert of Stamford, Governor M. Jodi Rell today ordered flags at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport to half-staff and directed that a single white rose be placed atop the Park’s 9/11 Living Memorial.

Eckert’s husband, Sean Rooney, was killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Eckert was among the passengers on board Continental Flight 3407, which it crashed into a home in suburban Buffalo on Thursday evening, killing all 49 on board and one person on the ground. According to published reports, Eckert was traveling to Buffalo for a weekend celebration of what would have been her husband’s 58th birthday.

“Beverly’s strength, passion and courage was – and will continue to be – an inspiration to us all,” Governor Rell said. “Her advocacy following the 9/11 tragedies was compelling and effective. In her grief over the loss of her husband, she found a way to bring about public good. We felt this gesture at Sherwood Island would be a fitting tribute to Beverly. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”

Sherwood Island State Park was chosen for the state’s memorial to the 9/11 attacks because, on a clear day, the New York City skyline is visible from the point. On
9/11, people who gathered there saw smoke rise over the World Trade Center. Later, the park served as a staging area for relief efforts to the city.

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she is canceling a number of state contracts for goods and services that will save Connecticut taxpayers more than $21.3million for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
Governor Rell announced Jan. 21 that she had directed all state agencies to review their contracts and recommend terminating any that could not be considered vital.
“State government has hundreds and hundreds of contracts for goods and services, many of them for items that are nice to have but not essential to our daily job,” Governor Rell said. “Services such as car washes, giveaways like magnets and pens, niceties like magazine subscriptions and luxuries such as new office furniture are simply not affordable at a time when our budget shortfall grows every day and taxpayers are wondering how they will make their own paychecks stretch from month to month.
“We continue to review these contracts and look for additional ways to pare state spending,” the Governor said. “We are also looking at contracts for personal services – contracts with individuals – and intend to find savings there as well. Even when we cannot cancel a contract altogether we are putting strict limits on ordering. When a service or product is essential we are going back to contractors and asking for concessions. Taxpayers deserve to know that we are saving every penny we can and getting the best deal possible on the money we do spend.
“We are doing what any family would do in similar circumstances,” Governor Rell said. “Expenses like club memberships, vacations and new cars would be cut. Groceries would be pared back to the basics – more hot dogs, less steak. Thermostats would be set a little lower and car trips combined to save gasoline. State government must do the same.”
The state plans to cancel or dramatically scale back purchasing on such items as:

Passenger Cars, saving $5,149,897
Digital Postage Equipment, Supplies and Services, saving $1,065,327
Promotional Products, saving $381,834
Uniforms (other than contractually required), saving $259,259
Athletic Equipment (not including playground equipment), saving $304,300
Office Furniture, Metal, Wood, Chairs (non-systems furniture), saving $1,247,393
Systems Furniture, Freestanding Partitions, Technical Computer LAN Furniture, saving $933,516
Classroom/School Furniture, saving $347,466
Rental and Pre-Owned Office Furniture, saving $255,765
Car Wash & Detail Service, saving $14,210
Purchase, Repair & Maintenance of Musical Instruments, saving $57,707
Outside Legal Services for Underground Storage Tank Cleanup, saving $39,583
Magazine Subscriptions, saving $40,248
In addition, the state is working to renegotiate or rebid almost $1.8 billion in contracts reached through DAS and a further $31.5 million in contracts for the Department of Information Technology. Even a 1 percent savings on these agreements could save Connecticut taxpayers a net $18.1 million.

HARWINTON — The three selectmen reviewed various preliminary budgetary expenses for the next fiscal year at a Board of Selectman meeting Wednesday night.
First Selectman Frank Chiaramonte, who recently agreed to cut his existing pay by 7 percent to $58,000 a year, said he is determined to be especially thrifty because of the national economic recession.
Selectman Sandra Davis suggested the town allocate enough money into a budget in order to hold four public town meetings in 2009-10. Selectman Andrew Kasznay Jr. agreed with Davis’s recommendation.
“Someone is going to petition for something, forcing another town meeting,” Kasznay said.
Chiaramonte said certain town boards are spending too much time writing minutes of meetings. In one instance, the recorder of a land use meeting wrote 12 pages of notes, he said. This is overkill, because it requires far too much time, he said.
“We are not going to be taking copious minutes anymore,” Chiaramonte said.
Kasznay questioned who controls the Water Pollution Control Authority, which meets six times per year. He suggested the town would benefit from transferring a bunch of documents from paper copies to a digital system.
Davis suggested the town institute a merit-based monetary reward to employees who do exceptional work.
“I am happy to make the pitch (to the Board of Finance),” Davis said. “This is an accolade for a job well done.”
Kasznay opposed, because he thinks the Board of Finance will reject this proposal.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed about 26 proposed expenses, including $106,090 in administrative costs, up 3 percent from the year before; $7,000 in labor and regulation costs, up 40 percent from the year before; $6,400 for the Zoning Commission, down 39 percent from the year before. Proposed expenses for the Harwinton Public Library, the Recreation Commission, the town historian, the Conservation Commission, election expenses and the senior center remain the same as for the 2008-09 budget. The 26 proposed expenses total $804,779.
The selectman are waiting to get another 27 proposed expenses. The town of Harwinton is operating on a budget of $1,904,076 this year.

WASHINGTON, Conn. — There have been too many inconsistencies in the revaluation process and many properties are not being assessed fairly, a real estate agent said Tuesday.
Realtor Ken Cornet posed many questions regarding the job being done by Total Valuation Services, a Waterbury-based assessment firm. Washington is one of 31 communities currently contracted to conduct the full physical revaluation, necessary every five years.
Cornett said he has heard and dealt with situations were homes were being assessed at figures far different than expected.
Cornet’s examples include a ranch house on East Street with five acres of land being valued around $500,000. A house down the road from him, the same size, with one acre was recently assessed at $517,440, he said.
On the other side of the spectrum was an opulent house with land being assessed for $3 million, but being worth only $2 million. The misguided process warrants “no reason” for why certain homes come out higher than others regardless of land or house size, he said.
“I think from what I have seen, a minimum of one-third of their evaluation is completely faulty,” Cornet said.
When asked if he has contacted the company, Cornet said he has tried but received no answer.
The whole process in which the company conducts a full physical revaluation seems questionable, he said. Cornet recounted examples of residents he has met who claim they have never been visited.
Leo DiNicola, spokesman for Total Valuation, said the contracted data collectors who conduct the full physical revaluation only work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and that they do not set up appointments. If no one is home when the data collectors arrive, they will do a walk-around inspection to examine the exterior and verify outside dimensions.
If a resident is home, then they will politely ask to do an inspection to verify room count and additions to the interior, he said. If the person is not home after two attempts, the company sends a letter to the resident asking to set up an appointment.
The data entry process can be subjective, DiNicola said, because after assessing the property the data will be recorded preliminarily as “fair,” “good,” or “excellent.” After the determination of the house’s value, the early assessment will be recorded on a data field card, which is kept in a separate database than the final result.
If the current revaluation is not accepted, then the company may revert to the original, preliminary evaluation.
The next step in the process involves the supervisor driving around with the tax assessor of the town to do a final stage assessment, he said.
Cornet argued that the subjective process did not seem to warrant an accurate depiction of the house’s true value.
“They’re calling it poor, fair, good, excellent,” he said. “These don’t seem to have any meaning whatsoever.”
The process, overall, is not perfect, DiNicola said.
“Things do slip through the cracks,” he said. “Each taxpayer has the opportunity to hold a hearing.”
In Torrington, hearings have been extended until Feb. 23 at City Hall.
Ronald DeRosa can be reached by e-mail at torrington @registercitizen.com.

TORRINGTON — Not meeting deadlines and apparent inconsistencies with Total Valuation Services were the topics of choice for two town leaders who met Tuesday.
Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham met with Washington First Selectman Mark Lyon to discuss the revaluation job conducted by the Waterbury-based company. Bingham said both Torrington and Washington experienced similar situations, in which both municipalities were “put into a time crunch by a lack of meeting deadlines” on part by Total Valuation.
The town leaders did not discuss the actual assessment process, because neither of them are professional assessors, Bingham said.
The meeting, overall, went “very well,” he said, as common denominators were discussed about the revaluation process. Several residents from both Washington and Torrington have experienced issues from the process, he said.
Whether there has been a major error on part of the Total Valuation cannot be determined right now, Bingham said.
“It’s important that (residents) go to the informal hearings to make the company aware,” Bingham said.
Leo DiNicola, Total Valuation spokesman, said about 10 percent of residents in each of the 31 municipalities the company covers have requested hearings. Bingham said he could not determine whether that was an accurate estimate.
“We really won’t be clear on that until the hearings are over,” he said.
Hearings are held at City Hall and will be available until Feb. 23.
Ronald DeRosa can be reached by e-mail at torrington @registercitizen.com.

On WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 AT 6PM, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) will host a town hall meeting at the Litchfield Community Center to share his experiences from his recent trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to lead a conversation about our national foreign policy under the Obama Administration.

Murphy sits on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and its National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee. The purpose of the trip was to oversee our military operations in Afghanistan, in particular the increasing corruption in the Karzai government in Afghanistan and the recent rash of civilian casualties from U.S. bombings. In Pakistan, Murphy and the other members of the delegation delivered a strong message to President Asif Ali Zardari about Congress’ desire for internal reforms.

State Rep. Roberta Willis is one of several Connecticut legislators who are opposing proposed legislation to restrict the sale of "raw" (unpasteurized) milk.

Read more about it here.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that state Department of Labor Call Centers will be open during the upcoming February holidays to process jobless claims for thousands of Connecticut residents.
The holiday hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12 and President’s Day, February 16. Governor Rell said Connecticut has lost nearly 30,000 jobs in the past year in this national recession as the ranks of the unemployed continue to climb with each week.
“These benefits are an essential lifeline for thousands of our citizens who suddenly find themselves without a job,” Governor Rell said. “As the state and nation work our way out of this recession, it is critical that we provide individuals with every resource available during this time of tremendous upheaval in their lives.”
The DOL is issuing than 100,000 unemployment checks each week, a 60 percent increase over last year. Nearly $80 million in benefits were provided last month.
Under the Governor’s direction and using federal dollars, the Call Centers have already extended normal hours from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. to handle the increased case load. The DOL is also adding temporary staff, including rehiring retired DOL workers, to help with claims.
Filers can use the DOL’s TeleBenefits phone system or the WebBenefits online system. For more information: www.ct.gov/dol Individuals filing via the Web are encouraged to avoid Sunday and Monday filing as these days represent peak usage periods.
Governor Rell noted that residents who have exhausted their initial 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance and the first 20 weeks of federal extended benefits are now eligible for an extended federal benefit of 13 more weeks.
The following free resources are also available to state residents:
The free United Way 211 information line offers confidential referral, crisis intervention 24-hours a day, 7 days a week;Website www.211ct.org includes guide to available services for the unemployed titled “Where to Turn in Connecticut You Become Unemployed”;
http://www.careeronestop.org/ReEmployment offers resources for re-employment, training opportunities and financial assistance.
“While I know our residents will weather this economic storm, it is important that they be aware of the many resources they can turn to for help,” Governor Rell said.

KENT -- The Kent Democratic and Republican Town Committees will join the Kent Memorial Library in co-sponsoring the upcoming series, The American Presidency: An Examination of the Office, Its History and Its Occupants, it was announced today by Ken Cooper, president of the Kent Library Association.

The timely lectures will focus on the office of the presidency and the current challenges facing the new holder of the office. They will also examine his choices within a historical context: how did his predecessors meet their own set of unique challenges when they sat in the oval office. The talks will feature these headliners: renowned author of presidential biographies Edmund Morris; presidential historian Dr. Douglas Brinkley; official White House photographer Pete Souza, and TIME Magazine Editor-at-large Nancy Gibbs. They will speak on May 3, May 31, June 7 and July 12, respectively. Reservations for the lectures will be offered first to members of the Kent Library Association from February 17 - March 16. After that registration will be open to the general public.

In making the announcement, Mr. Cooper said, "One of the roles of a library in a community is to bring people and organizations together. It is fitting and appropriate to have the Kent Democratic and Republican Town Committees be our partners in this bipartisan project, which we hope will be beneficial to all who attend."

"With the historic election of Barack Obama to the White House, the American Presidency has become a topic of almost unparalleled interest and enthusiasm both at home and abroad. The Democratic Town Committee is delighted to join with our Republican friends in sponsoring this timely series of lectures," said Tod Jones, Chairman, KDTC. Tony DiPentima, Chairman, KRTC, commented, "The Republican Town Committee is proud to participate in the American Presidency series. Learning about the institution of the American presidency benefits all and reminds us of our duty as citizens to be knowledgeable of our form of government."

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today announced that a Special Election to fill the legislative seat left vacant by death of State Representative Faith McMahon in the 15th Assembly district will be held on Tuesday March 24, 2009. Secretary Bysiewicz was notified about the vacancy by the Bloomfield Town Clerk on Wednesday January 28th and was subsequently reported to the Governor’s office. Governor M. Jodi Rell issued the Writ of Special Election today and by law that election must take place within 46 days. The 15th Assembly district covers parts of Bloomfield and Windsor.
“Faith McMahon represented her constituents so ably, and I am deeply saddened by her passing,” said Secretary Bysiewicz. “Though no one can truly replace Faith, voters in the 15th district will now have a chance to choose her successor in the General Assembly.”
Republicans and Democrats in the 15th Assembly District have until Tuesday February 17th to endorse a candidate for the seat. Anyone wishing to run as a petitioning candidate must gather at least 126 signatures, equal to 1% of the total votes cast in the last election for the 15th district, and turn them into Secretary Bysiewicz’s office by Friday February 13th . Candidates running for office will be eligible to receive public campaign financing provided they meet the qualification requirements under state law. Any eligible voters in the 15th district have until Tuesday March 10th to register to vote in the special election. Absentee ballots for the 15th district special election will be available to voters beginning on Friday February 20th .

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that Connecticut was notified late this afternoon by the federal Department of Labor that the state, along with New York and New Jersey, has been awarded a $22 million National Emergency Grant to address the needs of workers who are losing their jobs due to the financial crisis on Wall Street. The initial installment of the award for the three states is more than $10.9 million.
In November, Governor Rell, along with Governor David Paterson of New York and Governor John Corzine of New Jersey, urged U.S. Department of Labor to approve the grant.
“These funds will be put toward helping state residents get back to work,” Governor Rell said. “We anticipate that thousands of financial jobs will be lost over the next two years in Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford counties alone. Connecticut workers – like those in our neighboring states – are feeling the pain of the Wall Street turmoil.”
Governor Rell noted that many of those losing their jobs are not highly paid securities traders, but administrative and computer support personnel. The federal funds will be used for retraining and other support services to help them transition back to the workforce.
The services include assessment, counseling, career and financial education/ debt resolution, customized job search, skill realignment with the demands of the current marketplace, training, job development and placement.
Governor Rell said the federal grant will allow the three states to develop a coordinated response to help displaced workers. The tri-state response also includes a labor market analysis and forecasting for the region and identification of high-paying, skilled job opportunities in industrial sectors and other areas, such as training for math and science teachers.

By RONALD DEROSA
Register Citizen Staff
TORRINGTON — In a seemingly bad housing market, some residents are questioning how their properties could be revalued at 30 percent higher than their value 10 years ago.
Torrington residents began receiving their property revaluations earlier this week from Waterbury-based Total Valuation Services. The state-mandated full physical revaluation began last year with homes being assessed for their worth according to the market value. Other factors are considered for the price increase, including sale percentages, state average index, home improvements and home additions, said Mayor Ryan Bingham.
The city does not have a percentage figure on the overall increase, but Bingham said there have been homes with a zero percent increase and others with a 30 or 40 percent increase.
“There’s definitely been concerns from residents,” Bingham said. “And they’re definitely valid concerns.”
The reassessment value is incumbent upon the city mill rate, which is measured by the city budget. In a hypothetical situation if everyone in the city received a 30 percent increase in their property values, and the city had a zero percent increase in the budget, the mill rate would go down 30 percent, Bingham said. Property taxes, as a result, would then remain low.
If the city does not succeed in keeping their spending down, however, residents could see their taxes go up, depending on the revaluated price of their homes. The official mill rate for Torrington will not be determined until May, Bingham said.
Torrington resident Laurie Canty said her home was revalued at $195,580, up 21 percent from $162,200 in 1999. Canty said she is not panicking, however, because the last time the city mill rate went down enough to only raise her taxes a little.
The $195,580 assessment is, however, concluded after multiplying the total 2008 market value by 70 percent.
“They’re telling me my market value is actually 30 percent higher,” Canty said. “Which I find hard to believe, because of this market.”
Bill Fairchild, husband to Parks and Recreation Committee member Patricia Fairchild, said their home was revalued at $190,000, up from $135,000 ten years ago. Bill Fairchild said the 40 percent increase “seemed odd,” and that he is going to find out more information on it.
Fairchild has owned the property for 30 years and he said the previous revaluation did not seem as high.
“I don’t recall exactly,” he said. “I don’t think it was quite as dramatic as this.”
In an attempt to avoid the burden of higher taxes, Bingham asserted that the city would do its part to keep the budgets and spending low. The bad economic climate, however, is making the process difficult, Bingham said, and the reality is “grim.”
Despite the difficulty of the process, it is mandated by the state, he said.
“We have no choice, and it’s not something that I want to do,” Bingham said. “I will do everything I can do on the budget end of things to have minimal impact on the people’s tax rates.”
Better contract negotiations, spending freezes and the mayor giving up his city car are all areas where the city is looking to reduce spending, Bingham said. Any resident who had questions about the process should contact the mayor’s office, the tax assessor or the number provided on their assessment sheet, Bingham said.
Ronald DeRosa can be reached by e-mail at torrington @registercitizen.com.

By JOE JESSOP
Register Citizen Correspondent
LITCHFIELD — The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to uphold the zoning enforcement officer’s report regarding the White Oak Gun Club and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s acceptance of that report.
After Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Ducci confirmed the five present board members heard all the testimony and read the volumes of material given throughout the hearings, the board began to deliberate.
The club was an organized, yet informal activity, the board agreed. It was never a business, though money changed hands to contribute to shooting supplies and equipment maintenance. The people who shot at the 185-acre Cropsey property with the late Buck Cropsey, the board said, fired shotguns in groups of five to seven, by invitation, mostly on Sunday mornings. An expansion of this use would not be acceptable, Ducci said.
The board also agreed that there is no difference between the property owner, or a designee, providing the invitation.
Ducci’s feeling, he said, was that Zoning Enforcement Officer Mathew Speck’s report dealt with what historically happened on the property. Speck’s report allowed the continuing use of the same activity, he said. The ZBA, board member Brian McKernan agreed, cannot take away what was done on the property.
Contradictory testimony given by both eyewitness shooters and the Milton neighbors, important to proving expansion of use, was not backed up with data, Ducci said. The Milton neighbors could get dates and recordings of shooting activities and license plate numbers of people entering or leaving the property as data supporting commercialization, he said.
“Is there a commercial activity going on there,” Ducci said. “I don’t know.”
Luckily, he said, the questions before the board were to accept or reject the enforcement officer’s report and zoning commission’s acceptance of that report, not to find out whether commercial activity is going on at the Cropsey property. That will have to go to court, he added. The board agreed.
“No way can people construe that a commercial operation can take place, because it can’t,” Ducci said. “We are in no way condoning a commercial enterprise.”
The Cropsey family, said Attorney Perley Grimes, who represent the Cropseys and shooting instructor Nicholas Boyden, is very gratified that the ZBA upheld the activities.
“They came to the unavoidable conclusion,” he said. “The range and club have been validated for the fourth time. I trust it will be the end of it.”
That does not appear to be the case, as some Milton neighbors mentioned they will continue their fight. Attorney Dwight Merriam, who represents the neighbors, also said after the decision that he does not comment on “pending cases.”
“This is very disturbing, very disappointing,” said Earl Taylor, who has lived next door to the Cropsey property since 1960, before the Cropseys moved in.
Everybody is avoiding the issue that the White Oak Gun Club is making money, he said.
If Mrs. Cropsey, or one of her sons as a designee, invites people to shoot on Sunday morning, Milton resident Susan Lowenthal said, she has no problem with that.
She testified at a prior hearing that she has heard shooting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., not just a few hours on Sundays, she said. The ZBA did not believe similar testimony from a room full of people, she said.
“If the neighbors need to buy a recording studio, we will,” she said.

Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. has announced that Sue Doyle, Susie Pollock, Martha Olin, Barbara White, Suvi Losee and Bryan Tomek have joined the company’s Litchfield County brokerage.
These individuals represent one of the oldest, most respected groups of Realtors practicing in Litchfield County today, the company said.
Together along with current Sotheby’s International Realty Litchfield agents John Sniffen, Susan Coffey and Frankie Winter, they will constitute the company’s new Litchfield brokerage group.
This new group will expand Sotheby’s International Realty’s presence in eastern Litchfield County, joining the firm’s three existing groups based in Washington Depot, Kent and Salisbury.
“Complemented by our offices in Manhattan, Greenwich, Westchester County and the Hamptons, we can afford our clients the unparalleled reach and exposure that other local agencies simply can’t match but is required in today’s challenging market,” said Alan DiStasio, brokerage manager for the Litchfield County offices.
“At a time when a number of agencies in the county have reduced their marketing exposure, Sotheby’s International Realty has remained committed to supporting our clients.”

Malloy Forms Exploratory Committee

Pledges “Main Street” Tour of Every Connecticut Town

February 3, 2009: Hartford – Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy today filed papers to form an exploratory committee with the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission (SEEC) in Hartford, the first step in a possible run for Governor in 2010.

“It's no secret that we are witnessing monumental difficulties in Connecticut, but it might be a secret that a lot of it could have been avoided with the right leadership, vision and problem-solving skills coming from the governor's office,” Malloy said. “I hear over and over again in the communities I visit throughout Connecticut that people want a leader with a clear and confident vision for the future, a leader who can solve our problems and get our state back on track, and in doing so make sure the actions of our government reflect the principles that the people of Connecticut hold dear.”

Malloy said that he is launching a Main Street Tour of every city and town in Connecticut as part of his exploratory initiative. As an extension of his leadership involvement with the US Conference of Mayors’ National Main Street Initiative late last year, Malloy explained that he saw first hand the importance of reaching deep into the communities that can be the fuel for solving even our toughest problems.

“Every town in Connecticut has at least one primary street where community and commerce come together as the vital center of the town, and that’s where I want to go to learn more about the problems, hopes and ideas that are on the minds of the people,” Malloy said. “I'm going to explore with the people of Connecticut – out there in the real world -- the problems Connecticut has, what caused them, and most important, how we can fix them, everything from jobs and health care to crime and education.

“When I first became Mayor of Stamford in 1995 those were the questions I asked. I learned a lot by listening to the people of Stamford – and then working with them to refocus city government and turn our city around. That's the conversation I'm going to have over the coming months as I travel around the state, doing a little bit of talking, and a whole lot of listening.”
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Dan Malloy has been the Mayor of Stamford, CT since 1995 and is the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. Under his watch, the city’s economy has been revitalized, it is rated one of the safest cities in the nation, government has been refocused to serve people better, and he brought innovative educational, transportation and environmental solutions to the community. Mayor Malloy is recognized nationally as an expert in good government, as part of his long-time involvement at the leadership level in the US Conference of Mayors. He was the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for the 2006 convention. Learn more at www.danmalloy.com

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Paid for by Dan Malloy for CT, Len Miller, Treasurer.

Michelle Cook has announced that she will hold office hours at a local coffehouse.


Read about it at The Register Citizen's Web site.

Citing current obstacles to voting overseas, Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced her support for an initiative to allow military personnel to receive and cast ballots by a secure electronic process when stationed away from home.

Governor Rell said the initiative would establish regulations that permit Connecticut service members to vote securely by e-mail or fax. A recent report by the nonpartisan Pew Center on the States found that allowing election materials to be transmitted electronically would improve the voting process for military personnel serving overseas.

"I am especially concerned about our frontline troops' access to the ballot box," Governor Rell said. "One of the most important tasks they are performing this very weekend is to help Iraq conduct free and fair elections. The men and women who serve our country should not have to worry about their vote own counting. This initiative will give military personnel from Connecticut and other states across our nation the best possible chance to cast their ballot in time."

The Federal Voting Assistance Program has cited long transit times as the primary obstacle to overseas voting. Paper ballots can take weeks to reach deployed troops and make the return trip. In every election year, thousands of military ballots arrive too late to count.

Reports of long transit times for paper ballots are confirmed by the state's Office of Military Affairs, which has heard complaints about the difficulties of voting from war zones and naval ships - especially submarines.

Connecticut would join about 20 other states, including Rhode Island and New Jersey, which allow military personnel to vote electronically when stationed away from home.

CANAAN—State Rep. John Rigby got a tour of Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Canaan early Friday, when he spent a couple of hours going room-to-room to meet residents and staffers.

The company is a family of five inter-related, non-profit, non-sectarian and community-owned corporations.

In the next three years, Geer hopes to replace its existing 120-bed skilled care facility with a new 135-bed nursing and rehabilitation center, construct a new independent living residence on the pond and begin the development of independent living cottages on the plateau behind Geer Village.

During his visit to the Geer campus, Rigby listended to staff concerns about Medicare and Medicaid funding.