Talk Of West Hartford

Wishing You A Very West Hartford New Year

2011-12-31T17:00:00.000-05:00

Have a totally terrific New Year!

TOWH hopes you will celebrate this New Year in West Hartford style.

Wishing you happiness, and good health, and a fabulous 2012!

Blue Back Square For Sale

2011-08-23T23:15:00.006-04:00

West Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Blue Back Square, West Hartford's upscale retail and commercial jewel, is for sale.

The principal owner of Blue Back Square, Ronus Properties, is "looking to sell all of its U.S. real estate portfolio," including Blue Back, Ron Van Winkle, West Hartford's town manager, said Tuesday.

Rick Langhorne, the president of Atlanta-based Ronus Properties, said the owner of Ronus "is European and as part of his global strategy he's decided to exit the U.S. — that's all I know."

Ronus has retained Eastdil Secured, a real estate investment banking company, to market its U.S. holdings, which, aside from Blue Back Square, include shopping centers in Texas, Atlanta, Tennessee and North Carolina.

More about it here.

Remember this?

Nice bit of fiction writing.

Mayor Slifka Finds New Deputy Mayor

2011-08-19T23:17:00.002-04:00

... and bids goodbye to Tim Brennan who is off to become appointed Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship where he will seek world peace and hob-nob with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Town Clerk's Raise Proposal Scrapped By Town Council

2011-07-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Thank goodness these people have some notion of economic reality.

Mayor Scott Slifka said the resolution was withdrawn because Democrats wanted a consensus and did not have one. Some council members still have questions about the pay raise, he said.

Slifka also said the town had to be mindful of possible cuts in state aid that would force the council to revise its expenditures. The governor and legislature on Thursday dropped plans to close the budget gap by cutting state aid to cities and towns.

While Slifka said the council may review the salary issue at some point, he said he does not expect the body to debate the issue "any time soon."

By state statute, the town clerk's salary must be set before November's election.

What?
Tax and Spend West Hartford Democrats can't reach a consensus about spending more money?

Must be election season.

Taxes Go Up - Town Clerk To Get Raise

2011-06-30T07:37:00.002-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me.
In this economy where homeowners are struggling to pay their bills (tax bills included), the West Hartford Town Council finds even more ways to spend their money.

The Town Clerk, Democrat Essie Labrot, is crying poverty while making a comfortable $69,000 annually for a job she only has to be at 4 days a week! She has elected to the position in 2008 and her term expires in January 2012. She is up for re-election in November.

While on company time (so to speak) she has researched "what other Town Clerk's are getting paid" and is now seeking a $10,000 raise via Town Council approval. Mind you she would only get this raise if she is re-elected in November.

The Mayor, Scott Slifka, along with his tax and spend cohorts on the Council, are more than happy to give the Town Clerk more money. To hell with trying to pare down municipal spending! They are too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses in Greenwich and Simsbury. This reeks of the childish whine, "Jimmy has a bigger bike than me - I want a new bike".

For instance, the clerk in Greenwich, which has a few hundred more residents than West Hartford, made $87,230 in fiscal year 2010. The clerk in Manchester, a town with a population about 4,400 less than West Hartford, made $87,356, and the town clerk in Simsbury, a much smaller town, made $85,000. - Hartford Courant

And of course president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association, Glastonbury Town Clerk Joyce Mascena, chimed in "That makes sense to me. It looks like she's done her homework." Like anyone cares what her opinion is regarding how West Hartford compensates their public servants. Unbiased she is not.

What is even more hilarious is that Mayor Slifka claims this increase to be important because the town clerk functions like a "department director", but alas poor Essie is getting paid less than other directors (Pass the Kleenex). Oh, the inequity! The salary range in West Hartford for nonunion directors starts at $77,235. The maximum salary is $139,000. Well, for heavens sake, why don't they just give Essie Labrot $139,000 for handing out dog licenses and marriage licenses (four days a week) and be done with it? Why don't they give her vouchers for free manicures too, since she is obviously working her little fingers to the bone. Give the whole damn staff a raise while you are at it, because they are probably doing most of her work anyway.

Mayor Slifka also claimed that Essie has done a wonderful job of reducing the Town Clerk's budget (10 percent in fiscal year 2010, and 7.4 percent in fiscal year 2011 and 2012's budget will be reduced by another 5.7 percent) and that she's increased revenue. She did this all while walking on water, mind you.

First of all, there is no magic in reducing an already bloated budget. There are lots of savings to be found in every department in Town Hall if one follows smart business practices and fully uses technology. And only operating four days a week cut that budget down as well. Running these Town departments isn't rocket science. Second of all if there were increased revenues it's only because town fees were raised by the Town Council. It's not like the Town Clerk is actively hooking people to come and register legal documents, or forcing them to get married.

The justification for a 14.5% raise is just as ludicrous as the $79,000 salary they are dishing out for a 4 day a week Town Clerk position, courtesy of the taxpayer.

One wishes to remind the Town Council (who by the way are up for re-election this November) "It's Not Your Money!"

14.5% raise?
November can't come soon enough.

Accessible West Hartford Library

2011-06-15T08:09:00.003-04:00

This is nice, however, ever since the Main Branch has been renovated it seems cold and uninviting and parking can be a problem for some. Many people now choose to go to the Faxon and Bishop's Corner branch instead.

Speaking of literature - did you know West Hartford now has a new Poet Laureate?

Resident James Finnegan has been appointed West Hartford’s third Poet Laureate, following the two-year tenure of St. Joseph College professor Dennis Barone, Ph.D. Finnegan is a senior vice president at Lee and Mason Financial Services in Farmington. During the proclamation, Mayor Scott Slifka stated, “We’ve got a wealth of great talent in this town.”

There is also "Poet Rogue".

Methinks there might be some friendly poetic competition afoot!

Celebrate! West Hartford

2011-06-10T21:00:00.000-04:00

June 11 and 12, 2011
West Hartford, Connecticut

West Hartford's 25th annual celebration
Free Admission - Rain or Shine

Celebrate! provides festival attendees with a wide range of terrific family activities – an award winning juried arts & crafts show, great food, entertainment, games, rides, as the saying goes, "something for everyone".

The event offers civic, service, sports, schools and charitable organizations a way to increase community awareness and an opportunity to raise funds for their worthy causes. On Sunday there will be political booths that will be open.

Looking forward to kettle corn, crafts, and just generally seeing people from around town.
It's supposed to rain on Saturday - but let's hope for the best.
Have Fun!

West Hartford Taxes To Soar

2011-04-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Town Manager Ron Van Winkle presented the proposed 2011-2012 fiscal year budget to the Town Council complete with a proposed increase of 5.8% over the current budget. That is equivalent to approximately $308 in additional taxes to a $250,000 home assessed at 70 percent. Van Winkle claimed “we are across the deep abyss” known as the recession.

Personally, I'd like to know what he's smokin' because there is no real recovery yet. The housing sector is a mess nationwide, businesses continue to file for bankruptcy and companies are leaving CT, among other indicators. Oh but wait, West Hartford MUST be doing OK since so many residents are on the government payroll. They actually don't live in the real world called the private sector.

The state of CT has an enormous budget gap to fill, and the economy is not looking too terribly good if you dig through the numbers. So exactly where is this recovery Van Winkle speaks of? and why is West Hartford raising taxes over 5% when every other community is coming in with 0% or very very minimal increases?

West Hartford has wage increases in the amount of $1,631,935. Seventy-five percent of which is attributed to pay raises for public safety employees as a result of contract re-negotiations. It is truly amazing that these employees scored yet another increase in such a dire economy. Chalk another one up for the poor negotiating skills of Town Management.

Then there is the MDC. The Metropolitan Water District raised its tax on the town by a whopping 7.3 percent! We are literally flushing that money down a toilet.

West Hartford's largest source of revenue is property taxes (88.3%). Now the town keeps crowing about how wonderful their tax collection rate has been. It seems that as long as about 98.9 percent of the people pay their taxes that this gives the town carte blanche to keep raising taxes. Perhaps we will see no increases once people stop paying (i.e. are unable to pay) their taxes. For the record, A one tenth change in the collection rate equates to $198,682 in revenue.

As far as the education lobby goes, they are praying to Saint Dannel to keep Education Cost Sharing level so they can continue to reap their cool $16 million in revenue for education (12% percent of the Board of Education budget). And if Saint Dannel comes through with an increase in sales tax to 6.35%, West Hartford would get $236,000. Note to Town Council and BOE: Just keep raising those taxes. To hell with reining in spending!

In order to finance the proposed budget, an increase in current year property tax revenue of $9,745,077 or 5.2% is required. A mill rate of 40.14 is needed to finance the remaining property tax revenue, representing an increase of 1.76 mills or 4.6% from the current mill rate.

Come to the budget forum in Town Hall on April 6th.
.. and while entering the building - you may want to check out the pictures of the proposed new entryway into Town Hall, complete with a cool new revolving door! You see, we can waste money on stupid things like new entryways because your taxes are just going to go up to pay for them.

Article: West Hartford News

Budget in Brief - published by the Town of West Hartford

Special Election Tuesday!

2011-02-21T07:14:00.003-05:00

Allen Hoffman (Republican) vs Joe Verrengia (Republican turned Democrat).

In Elmwood - 20th House District - West Hartford residents will be able to vote at one of six polling places: Elmwood Community Center, Charter Oak School, Webster Hill School, Wolcott School, Conard High School and Solomon Schechter Day School. The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

There's a special election because Gov. Dannel Malloy, in his infinite wisdom, tapped House Representative David McCluskey(D) in January to be on the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Thus, McCluskey's seat was up for grabs.

Joe Verrengia is a police officer/public servant/union man in West Hartford and serves as a member of the Town Council. If your recall, he was once a Republican (in name only), and in fact ran against McCluskey in 2002 - and lost. When he couldn't win a state seat as a Republican he switched parties. Funny that McCluskey is endorsing him now. As a Democrat, Joe Verrengia has helped to increase taxes as well as spending in West Hartford. His service on the Town Council has been a source of contention since he votes on budgets that affect his own salary. Many have correctly claimed "Conflict of Interest" - but really does anyone in town honestly care? Heck, some have even spotted him driving while talking on his cell phone (off duty - no uniform).

Allen Hoffman was once a State Representative for the 20th House District way back in 1995-96. He's been a member/fixture of the Republican Town Committee and also serves as a member of the Republican State Central. He claims to be against higher taxes but was never once spotted at a Tea Party rally. He has been seen up at the Legislative Office Building a lot though. He's also been endorsed by that powerhouse of an organization: the Connecticut for Lieberman party. All 5 people belonging to that party in West Hartford might even vote for him.

Both Joe Verrengia and Allen Hoffman serve on The Metropolitan District Commission.
Have you enjoyed your increased water rates?

Gentlemen, good luck.
Whoever wins this race will have a really miserable state budget in Hartford to tangle with. Of course we know that the policeman will vote for his union's interests.

Registered voters of West Hartford's 20th - you have a choice.
Choose wisely.

UPDATE - Hoffman got trounced. No surprise with low voter turnout and union/state employee support. Chalk another one up for the Unions in Hartford - they just got themselves another union puppet yes-man. It took Joe awhile, but he finally got a seat at the big boys table.

Kevin Sullivan Gets Tapped

2010-12-30T22:53:00.004-05:00

After years of languishing as head of the Children's Museum in West Hartford and learning what it's like to have to hold his tin cup out for donations from the government, Kevin Sullivan finally gets sprung from tending dinosaurs and ordering enough astronaut ice cream for the museum gift shop.

Newly elected Dan Malloy tapped former Lt. Governor Kevin Sullivan for top post at the Department of Revenue Services - probably because of his tax and spend expertise.

In honor of his new appointment, TOWH thought this a fitting song to celebrate:

Good luck Kevin.
As our new Robin Hood, we wonder if you look good in green tights too!

Rasta Rob Arrested

2010-12-08T10:02:00.003-05:00

Looks like the West Hartford Democrats have a real loose cannon on their hands this time.

and they thought this guy below was a lunatic .....

Reminder: Municipal elections in November 2011.

Holiday Stroll - December 2nd

2010-11-26T22:42:00.005-05:00

Let The Shopping Begin.

West Hartford Holiday Stroll
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
West Hartford Center

and don't forget... there are also many fine stores in Elmwood and in Bishop's Corner... and on Park Road.

Hey Mon - Rob's Goin' To Kingston

2010-11-05T09:32:00.005-04:00

Resign his seat?
No way, Mon.

The Courant writes:

Town Councilman Rob Durbin wants to make this point clear: He will not be an absentee elected official — even if he's in Jamaica for much of the time.

From now on, Durbin said he plans to attend every meeting of the West Hartford Town Council, "whether it's on the phone or in person," the Democrat said Monday afternoon by phone from the Caribbean island.

Durbin informed other council members Oct. 12 that he would be leaving for Kingston, Jamaica, the next morning to teach law and would not return until May. Although Durbin said he would participate on the council via phone, town officials had not heard from him since. He was absent for the council's meeting last Tuesday.

Durbin said Monday that he got Internet and phone access only two days ago, so that "explains my silence." He also plans to commute back and forth from Jamaica, where Durbin says he lectures part-time and only on weekends through a University of London international program.

"As necessary and as much as I can afford it, I'm flying back to West Hartford," said Durbin, 35. "And I'll be back next week" for the council's Nov. 9 meeting.

That was news to Mayor Scott Slifka. The mayor, head of the Democratic council majority, said late Monday afternoon he has received no communication from Durbin in nearly three weeks.

At the town council's request, Corporation Counsel Joseph O'Brien recently examined the town charter to see if there was a provision that allows for removal of a council member for absentee reasons. There is none. Because Durbin owns a home on Lemay Street and is registered to vote in town, he remains a resident-elector and is "allowed to retain his office," O'Brien said.

Lately he has been going through some transitions. There is a divorce, a court filing shows, and Durbin is no longer employed at the Hartford law firm Reid and Riege.

Durbin said he is taking a break from corporate law, and bristled at the idea of resigning his council seat if he remains a part-time resident of Jamaica.

Durbin also believes it is "very important" for a council member to learn about the heritage of Jamaican and West Indian constituents. Plus, said Durbin, he is getting a close view of how local services work — in Kingston, at least.

"I'm living and volunteering in a low-income development down here. It's a very up-and-coming, low-income area," Durbin said before the phone connection died. "So, it's a nice opportunity to work with some social workers. Obviously, this area is a lot different from West Hartford … But my work here in the community will contribute to my service on the town council."

So "Rasta Rob" may continue to represent the needs of the people of West Hartford while soaking up the Jamaican rays. That should be interesting come budget time as we head into a budget that is already rumored to be at least a 7% increase.

Only in West Hartford.

Another Chain Store Comes To Blue Back Square

2010-08-05T09:00:00.003-04:00

Remember when the Townspeople in West Hartford were being told that there would be an "arts cinema" in Blue Back Square - and not just another movie house? and they were also being told that there would be no big box chain stores? especially ones that might compete with smaller mom and pop operations to put them out of business...

First there was Barnes and Noble - helping to kill off Bookworm, and now this fall there will be a Toys R Us Express in Blue Back Square, which no doubt will take business away from a town icon; Toy Chest.

Businesses, like Au Bon Pain and Homeward Bound have left Blue Back Square because they just weren't getting the traffic and sales that they anticipated. Other stores are just hanging on, especially in this economy.

Barbara Lerner, project marketing manager for Blue Back Square said, "While we have seen some businesses leave Blue Back Square, the promising news is that we have great interest from new retailers that can't wait to become part of the center's growth."

What she means is they need more smoke shops and liquor stores... ahem... wine bars, in order to attract sales. They also need big chain stores that can absorb revenue losses. Perhaps some day they will get a mix of stores that make some sense. Right now it seems to be a bit of a mish-mosh, and an expensive one at that.

Some days it is so dead in Blue Back Square that the retailers have to market to one another passing out coupons and samples in order to generate interest.

Even the wait to Cheesecake Factory is down to 15 minutes.

UPDATE: 1st quarter 2011 - the store closed. No surprise there.

Hundreds Come Out To MDC Hearing

2010-07-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

- All because some idiot woman who wasn't watching where she was cycling, and ended up breaking her neck after slamming into a gate. She wins a $2.9 million dollar settlement from a broken judicial system that rewards idiocy. What's next is that the MDC is considering closing the Reservoir to the public. But hey, they have to protect themselves too, from a public that is litigation crazy.

In a rare display of public outcry, supporters filled the Town Hall auditorium to voice their concerns about the pending closure of the 3,000-acre reservoir. Many came to the MDC-held hearing by bicycle, as many cyclists enjoy using the reservoir’s trails for their hobby. By the time the hearing got under way at 5:30 p.m., there were still about a hundred supporters outside the entrance to Town Hall.

But this gives politicians running for office, a way to come out with the unwashed masses to show their unmitigated support and flex some imaginary tough talk legislative muscles before election day.

State Rep. Andy Fleishmann said he was in favor of tweaking the Recreational Liability Statute to make sure there are no loopholes that can result in lawsuits like the one involving a Rocky Hill woman who sued after crashing her bike at the reservoir. He turned to MDC employees and said it was “outrageous” they were thinking about closing to the public.

“You, the MDC, exist because we the people gave you these lands,” Fleischmann said. “Keep these lands open."

“This unfortunate court decision has precipitated a crisis,” said state Rep. David Baram (D-15th District), who has notified House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan about invoking the Land Use Recreational Act to provide municipal immunity for the MDC.

Simsbury First Selectwoman and candidate for Lt. Governor Mary Glassman biked from Sedgewick Road with other cyclists to testify in support of keeping the land open at the hearing.

Imagine that, Fleischmann talking about tweaking liability statutes so people who are injured can't sue. Who will pay their medical bills then? Oh right... the government.

Someone always pays.
Might as well be you, because it won't be the idiot person who can't read signs that are already posted, or isn't paying attention to where they are going.

"We will all pay for her ignorance by either the MDC closing the reservoir or being forced to keep it open and charging us higher water rates to cover their higher insurance premiums. "- VC comment in West Hartford News Online

And all the legislators and their tough talk and "pre-election face time" can't change that.
And that includes Dick Blumenthal.
Maybe Dick should have a talk with the judiciary about such moronic rulings/awards.
Ya think?

Killing Success

2010-07-11T09:29:00.001-04:00

Way to go West Hartford!

We work hard to make our town a destination, even get recommended by Kiplinger's, and now you want to throw a wet towel on it by enforcing a silly 10 PM curfew on outdoor dining?? (The Courant's story is here)

Yes, a notice was mailed out to numerous dining establishments in town last month by the West Hartford police, reminding them that the town has a 10 PM curfew on outdoor dining which needs to be adhered to.

So the rule is that anyone who orders food in dining areas outside before 10 PM can remain seated there for as long as it takes them to finish their meal, including coffee and dessert. After 10 PM, food and drinks will only be served inside the restaurant.

Other towns have various rules. Bridgeport's rule is that a restaurant may serve food in an outdoor dining area only as long as it serves food in its main inside dining area, but honestly who wants to go to Bridgeport?.

What a business downer for eateries like The Elbow Room, Bricco, McLadden's, and Grant's especially. All are hot spots in town with The Elbow Room annually awarded "Best Outdoor Dining" from well known publications, and Grant's whose ample sidewalk dining area is always filled with a late-night crowd. People have been visiting "The Center" from far away places and have been spending money here. That's supposed to be the goal, right?

So how long has this rule gone unenforced? and why is it now such a big deal for the Police Department to enforce it? Are the neighbors getting crabby? We thought they all wanted to live, and enjoyed living, in a happening environment with lots of hustle and bustle, you know like a mini New York City or Boston. Now they are complaining? Is it because most of the people coming are younger and more trendy then they are? Maybe they are jealous of them pulling up in limousines and having a good time. Who knows. Now they want to roll up the sidewalks at 10 PM and turn West Hartford into Plainville. Good grief.

The thing is, we should be happy that we have this problem of people wanting to come and dine and spend money here in the middle of a recession. It's bad enough we slap them with parking tickets during the daytime, now we want to turn away the "after 10 PM crowd" with an outdoor dining curfew?

Instead of trying to put a damper on late night business, we ought to be happy people are coming here for some nightlife. God knows there aren't many places in CT where there is a nightlife.

What's next?
Closing down the Reservoir to public recreation?

Sure seems like West Hartford is working hard to get off of Kiplinger's list.

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-04T12:06:00.002-04:00

Sparklers.
Burgers (or whatever suits you) on the grill.
A tall cool beverage.
A local fireworks display.

Life is good.

Talk of West Hartford hopes that you have a relaxing and fun Independence Day with family and friends.

Sledgehammer Jewelry Heist In West Hartford

2010-06-26T21:40:00.003-04:00

Hartford Courant -

Police are searching for three men who robbed Lux Bond & Green jewelers on Lasalle Road this morning.

Police say the men smashed at least one display case in the store, possibly with a sledgehammer. Police did not know exactly what was taken.

The incident was reported at 11:41 a.m. Customers were in the store at the time, but no one was injured.

They fled in a dark Nissan Maxima with New York plates EYD 2881.
Police have left the scene, but the store has closed for the day.
Employees could be seen inside, vacuuming broken glass from a number of display cases that were smashed near the front of the store.

A real estate agent at the Coldwell Banker branch on Lasalle Road said she saw a black car parked illegally in a crosswalk before the robbery and had considered calling police.

The woman, who asked that her name not be published, said car was angled so that it was pointing toward the street — not toward the buildings, as cars are usually parked along Lasalle Road.

The woman said she left work shortly after the robbery and saw a sledgehammer on the street near where the black car had been parked.

Guess the woman at Coldwell Banker should have called the cops after all.
They could have at least given the car a parking ticket.
Might have been a good reason to use the SWAT Team equipment too.

Good thing no one was hurt.

Referendum Unofficial Results

2010-06-15T22:04:00.004-04:00

The people have spoken.

WHFirst did a good job getting out the vote with the help of the Superintendent's robo calls, and the PTO's, and organized union labor's help.

Now... let's tackle that $12.5 Million dollar deficit we are facing for next year's budget!

Do you suppose the union that supported this budget increase will be willing to make concessions on their next contract negotiations?

Budget Referendum Today - June 15

2010-06-15T06:00:00.003-04:00

Some things to consider:

The Current Mill Rate for West Hartford is 38.38
It's one of the highest Mill Rates in the state.
We have a property revaluation coming up in 2011.

According to presentations by the West Hartford Superintendent of Schools:
In the past 10 years, the BOE budget has risen 61% (this year 4.3%)
In the past 10 years, Education Salaries have risen 35% and Benefits by 179%!!
In the last 4 years the BOE has only cut 6.3 certified staff positions out of 820! and recent “Cuts” that Ms. Fleischli speaks about in the video above, were made to vacant/unfilled positions.
Each school gets about $80,000 of discretionary spending with no traceable budget.

In the Town Manager's 5 Year Projection of Revenues, Expenditures and Financial Imbalance for West Hartford – The Budget shortfall for 2010/11 is already $12.5 million!

West Hartford is using more one time revenues for FY 2010-11 than other towns allowing it to propose a higher spending increase but lower tax rate increase than the typical CT town. (One time revenues are things like Federal Stimulus money and legal settlements)

The median spending increase for the 153 CT towns that have adopted budgets to date is 1.41% The Board of Education median spending increase is 1.58% for those towns. West Hartford's Board of Education spending increase is a little short of three times as much as the median education spending increase of adopted budgets through 6/11/2010.

We all can agree that we live in a great town.

We need to make sure that Town spending is sustainable, and that taxes are kept reasonable and affordable. We aim to keep the demographic diversity that we have in town.

Aren't YOU concerned about the deficit we are facing next year?
Shouldn't we do something about it today?

Celebrate! West Hartford

2010-06-11T19:44:00.002-04:00

June 12 and 13, 2010
West Hartford, Connecticut

West Hartford's 24th annual celebration
Free Admission - Rain or Shine

Attracting well over 30,000 people each year, Celebrate! also provides festival attendees with a wide range of wholesome family activities – an award winning juried arts & crafts show, great food, entertainment, games, rides, a certified 5K road race – as the saying goes, "something for everyone".

The event offers civic, service, sports, schools and charitable organizations a way to increase community awareness and an opportunity to raise funds for their worthy causes.

Looking forward to kettle corn, crafts, and just generally seeing people from around town. Let's hope the weather co-operates. Have Fun!

June 15th Referendum Absentee Ballots Available

2010-06-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Absentee Ballots for the upcoming Referendum on June 15th are available in the Town Clerk’s Office, Room 313, Town Hall.

Due to the limited time-frame, State Statutes do not allow Absentee Ballots to be mailed, so you have to go get them in person.

The Town Clerk’s office is open
Monday and Wednesday 8:30 – 4:30 p.m,
Tuesday 7:30 – 4:30 and
Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.;
Closed Fridays. (mostly because we need more money for the schools and can't afford to keep the Town Clerk's office running full time these days)

Kevin Sullivan On The Property Tax Burden

2010-06-01T09:24:00.001-04:00

"By any measure, Connecticut has one of the worst property tax burdens in the nation, routinely much higher than national average. With a state income tax that hits lower- and middle-income wage earners the hardest, over-reliance on property taxes adds immensely to the overall unfairness of tax burdens in our state. Property taxes perversely undercut "smart growth," drive expensive sprawl and foment no-win competition for development among cities and towns." - Kevin Sullivan

Kevin Sullivan, Former CT Lt. Governor and current vociferous critic of the West Hartford Taxpayers Association, wrote an editorial this past January which, certainly applies to our own town government. He apparently should re-read it in earnest.

It's easier to argue for sacrifice when it's not just everyone else's pain. Cut from the top. Reduce administrative costs, cut layers of political appointees, roll back top salaries, cut perks and consolidate agencies and services. We don't need nearly 200 agencies, boards and commissions along with all the commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistants and directors. Local governments and school districts also need incentives or even mandates to consolidate services.

Next, cut from the bottom. Eliminate or suspend programs, services and tax breaks that do not have a general public benefit or show no substantial return on investment. Millions of dollars are buried deep in the budget and state tax code. ...

Raise taxes last, if at all. Taxes take money from consumers and investors, who prime economic recovery. Higher taxes and fees or higher local taxes (for costs passed along by the state) always fall unfairly on middle- and lower-income families.
If any tax increase is needed, be sure it's fair in terms of ability to pay. And for every dollar raised in taxes there should be a dollar cut in state spending.

Then, make sure the savings and revenues are real. Don't count on some other level of government to fix it (hoped-for bailouts) or eat it (more burdens on local property taxpayers). Don't pay for today's problems with tomorrow's dollars through gimmicks like early retirement that cost more over time. Tap the rainy day fund and, with interest rates low, some deficit financing makes sense.

Connecticut's structural budget crisis is not going away soon. Even when revenues recover, the deficit will remain and the gap will have grown.

... And we, the people, should demand results and then support those who step up to make hard choices.

Perhaps we should take his sage advice.
The again, the Former Lt. Governor should really listen to his own words before going off and saying another increase in our Town taxes is now justified because Kiplinger "hearts" West Hartford.

Cut from the top, cut from the bottom and raise taxes LAST, if at all.

For every dollar raised in taxes there should be a dollar cut in spending, etc. etc. etc.

Hey Kevin.. those were your words.. but maybe you really didn't mean them after all.

So where exactly ARE the Board of Education's spending cuts?
(Silly taxpayers ... they are the Board of Education, they don't have to make any real reductions)

Post Script: Based on some of the more recent web reviews (from 2009) of his Children's Museum which he has headed since 2007 - maybe Mr. Sullivan ought to keep his focus there instead of weighing in on other issues. Just a thought.

Memorial Day Parade - West Hartford

2010-05-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

From West Hartford Town Website -

West Hartford Memorial Day Parade
May 31, 2010, 10 AM

The parade is scheduled for Monday, May 31, 2010, and will commence promptly at 10 AM from the corner of Woodrow Street and Farmington Avenue and proceed to the Town Hall. After the conclusion of the parade, a brief memorial service will be held at the West Hartford Veterans Memorial, located at the corner of Farmington Avenue and North Main Street.

Assembly of parade units will take place at 9:30 a.m. in designated areas west of Woodrow Street on Farmington Avenue.

Click here for A Listing of the Parade Units and Assembly Locations.

The West Hartford Memorial Day Parade Committee appointed Richard Hennessey and John Eselunas as the 2010 West Hartford Parade Marshals and Honorary Parade Marshals are John Schmidt and Major Bill Georgia (Ret) Army Ranger.

West Hartford takes great pride in hosting its annual Memorial Day Parade. It follows a tradition established by returning West Hartford veterans from World War I in the 1920s.

The 2010 West Hartford Memorial Day Parade Committee is a joint endeavor and cooperative effort of the West Hartford Veterans Affairs Commission, The American Legion of West Hartford Hayes-Velhage Post 96, and Hannon-Hatch VFW Post 9929, in partnership with the Town of West Hartford.

Have fun!

Budget Referendum For West Hartford

2010-05-23T14:52:00.001-04:00

The West Hartford Taxpayers Association had a small army of citizens out gathering signatures, and they claimed that people couldn't sign the petitions fast enough, despite an effort put out by WHFirst to pass out leaflets asking people to refrain from signing and to "support the schools".

The Town Clerk verified that the WHTA gathered more signatures than the required 6 percent of registered voters. The actual number of signatures needed was 2,295 and the Town Clerk certified 2,405 names, with about 400 more names on sheets that hadn't been verified because they weren't needed.

So there will be a referendum in June on the $216.7 million budget passed in April by the town council. The budget would inflict another tax increase; this time 2.24%, on West Hartford taxpayers.

The Courant reported that a referendum will cost taxpayers about $40,000.

Since the number of registered voters in West Hartford is somewhere around 38,250 (because 6 percent of that is 2,295; the number of signatures needed) - that means the cost of having a referendum is roughly $1.00 per voter! Many in town would gladly pay $1.00 to vote to keep their taxes from going up yet again!

The WHTA contends that the $121 million school portion of the budget needs further trimming, including discretionary spending, operating expenses, and salaries and pensions, especially in light of dismal finances predicted for the 2011-12 fiscal year for the town and state. They say that further prudent cuts now will go a long way, and are necessary to prepare for more than $10 million in revenue shortages the town likely will face next year. The Mayor complains that WHTA is demanding "a pound of flesh from the School Board" even though he himself has admitted (sources say) that the Board's budget has been too high. He has gone several times to beg the School Board to rein in their spending. He is hoping that they will make bigger cuts next year. We cannot build budgets on hope.

WHFirst is claiming that this is only a "modest increase" in taxes - the WHTA says that BOE spending has risen 4.3% this year alone, and 61% over the past 10 years! These continual "modest increases" add up, and the WHTA is saying that the Town and the BOE must look to the future and control this growth now. The mentality of "spend as you go" is unsustainable.

WHFirst is also saying that this was a budget with bi-partisan support - so even the "Republican" who turned Democrat, and other Republicans voted for it. The WHTA says that they are not a partisan organization, so partisan or non-partisan voting is not at issue here: spending and taxation is.

WHFirst claims that with the budget in the last two years, we have had elementary classrooms with 28 kids, lost some of the world language program, reduced textbook and supply budgets, and lost vacuum leaf collection. Now with this budget they claim lost positions, higher fees, cuts in traffic system projects, reduced number of school buses, and a one day shorter school year. Yawn. The fact is that even after the Mayor pleaded with the Board of Education to cut expenses the BOE still came back with a mere $24,000 in cuts from a record $127 Million budget - that's a whopping .002% Reduction! Meanwhile, on the Town side we have seen some real effort and streamlining of expenses. The Townside even gave up $825,000 of Blue Back settlement money to help fund the school budget; money which should have gone to reduce Town debt.

WHFirst neglects to talk about the tens of thousands of dollars put aside as "discretionary school spending" and the money the school system is losing on Pre-school and Open Choice programs. They neglect to talk about the upcoming loss of stimulus money, and ways in which the Board of Education should be proactive in preparing for that loss of funding next year.

While it is reported that there were 27 jobs "cut" from the schools and five from the town, most jobs were already vacant, or are budgeted for and not yet filled, and there would be only some real layoffs.

Support the schools - Sure - but the Board of Education must do as the Mayor and Town Manager requested initially, and have continued to request, and that is for the Board of Education to make some really meaningful programming and policy changes that will insure that self sustaining programs are in fact self sustaining and that expenses in all areas of their budget are brought under control.

With 8% unemployment in town and record number of foreclosures, everyone must tighten their belts, including the Board of Education.

So far, 2,800+ voters in town who signed petitions agree that more taxes are unacceptable.

No doubt this debate will rage until referendum day.
Let's keep it civil folks.