Pencil Eddie an Auditor's Opinion ... really is meaningless!!!

An Auditor's Opinion for an event driven liability is like trying to tap dance on quicksand!!! Please don't insult the intelligence of the citizens and voters of New Fairfield.

Me Speak with forked tongue ... but that's politics!

Citizen News, February 4, 2004

THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS!

During these difficult and trying budgetary times, - in between all the talk and analysis around building space needs, technology improvements, and significant road repair programs, there has emerged a noteworthy bright spot.  We pass it everyday, although by now it probably goes unnoticed.  However, during its  proposal stage, it was a lightning road for heated debate and commentary, some of which was abusive and personally insulting to those of us who have steadfastly supported its development.  Its supporters, especially Ron Graiff, held to the belief that its construction was necessary to enhance emergency communications in our Town, provide improved cellular communications for its citizens, and being in much needed revenues.  Of course, I am talking about the town owned Communications Tower that stands behind our police and Fire Departments at 302 Ball Pond Road.  It was always contended that the Town should benefit from the potential revenue generated by this facility rather than a private individual.  "Build it and they will come", urged Mr. Graiff.  And indeed, several carriers have signed on and the others will soon follow.

We have been saying all along, and I have also carried this message with Mr. Strilowich through the Town's own approval process, that this tower would be the focal point of a critical enhancement to our emergency communications.  Even during the election campaign of 2001, when my opponents doubted the wisdom of a Town owned Communications Tower, we held steadfast to our beliefts.  It has been a difficult road, but to all who have supported Mr. Graiff's efforts, we have been vindicated!

It was estimated that this enhancement to our emergency radio system would cost the taxpayers about $500 thousand.  It would require an expensive 'repeater' system to assure about a 95% coverage of Police Fire, and EMS radio communications throughout our Town.  In a report prepared for the Board of Selectman and the Town's Office of Emergency Management, it has been shown that our Communications Tower alone can provide that same 95% level of radio coverage without the need for a 'repeater' system.  This will save the Town about $250 thousand.  Over a ten year period, this project has the potential of saving the taxpayers of New Fairfield about $1 million!  To paraphase Bill Murray in his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes - 'watch out for the nay sayers who will rush to take credit for the success of this project'.  To all who have steadfastly supported this project - a well deserved THANK YOU! I am personally gratified that I have supported a project that will have such a positive affect on the future of our Town.

Speakth with forked tongue or as some would say, like a monkey doing push ups!

ALL CAPITAL PROJECTS SHOULD BE DELAYED

iF THIS LOOKS LIKE A RANSOM NOTE ... ITS INTENTIONAL ... ITS OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE WE'RE PLAYING WITH ... NOT TO MENTION THOSE SENIORS ON FIXED INCOME AND THOSE ABOUT TO RETIRE!!!

Date: March 2, 2009
Contact: Steve Jensen: 860-702-3308/3301
E-mail: Steven.Jensen@po.state.ct.us
Cell: 860-539-9298


WYMAN SAYs DEFICIT RISES TO $1.2 BILLION AS REVENUES CONTINUE TO SLIDE.

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman today said the projected state budget deficit has risen to $1.2 billion as major tax categories continue to slide.

The estimated deficit has risen by about $139 million in the last month, driven mainly by drops in collection of the income tax, sales tax and the tax that corporations pay on profits.

"As the final quarter of the fiscal year approaches, the decline in these major tax categories is accelerating," Wyman said. "Decisive action to reduce this historic shortfall must be taken quickly to avoid completely draining our $1.4 billion Rainy Day Fund."

The income tax was expected to bring in $7.6 billion this year, but will likely fall at least $900 million short of that target due to the decline of the financial markets and the loss of about 29,000 jobs in Connecticut. The state will also pay out about $140 million more in tax refunds than was anticipated.

Collections of the sales tax are expected to decrease by about $352 million from original estimates, and the corporation tax is down by about $183 million.

Wyman's estimate, which includes close to $650 million in deficit-mitigation steps approved by the General Assembly, is about $295 million higher than that of the Governor's budget office.

The current projected deficit of $1.2 billion is based on a 2009 budget of $18.4 billion.

-END-

This message was sent to you by the Office of the State Comptroller Listserv 'WYMANews'. If you would like to make a comment about this or any other issue, please send an email to:comptroller.wyman@po.state.ct.us Please visit the Comptroller's web site at:http://www.osc.state.ct.us/

Department of Economic and Community Development

Stimulus Money Feb. 27, 2009   For more information, please visit the DECD website: http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=3427&Q=434796 To:  Eligible Small Cities Recipients   As you all know the Federal Government will be sending stimulus money to the State of Connecticut within the next few months.   While we do not have the program specifics at this time we do anticipate that CDBG will receive approximately $3.6 million for projects deemed “ready to go” and/or have a jobs component.    If you have a shovel ready project and would like to submit an application please provide some information on the project and dollar amount needed to complete the activity.  DECD will consider holding a training meeting in the near future to address the program requirements when they become available.      Contact Veronica Hunter @ 860-270-8236 or by email @ Veronica.Hunter@ct.gov

Reimbursements, promises and reality

Danbury left with bill for bridge replacements

By Dirk Perrefort
Staff Writer

Posted: 02/27/2009 09:24:14 PM EST

DANBURY -- Don't you just hate it when a friend asks you to dinner and leaves you with the tab?

That was the situation that city officials found themselves in this week when they were left with a $1.3 million bill for bridge replacements the state had promised to pay for.

Funding for the bridges, which have already been replaced, was cut as part of a $1.2 billion deficit mitigation plan the General Assembly passed last week.

Mayor Mark Boughton said he understands the state might have to eliminate money for future projects, but these bridges were completed last year.

"We've been waiting for months for our reimbursement from the state," Boughton said. "These are bridges the state wanted us to replace. The problem now is that we have these bridges finished, but we don't have the money."

Other towns in the region were also affected when the legislature cut the $28 million bridge replacement program.

Redding was supposed to receive money to repair a bridge on Station Road over Umpawaug Pond Brook. Sherman officials were expecting money for a bridge replacement project that's under way on Old Greenwoods Road.

State Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury, who voted against the deficit mitigation plan, said he was told Wednesday, before the plan passed, that the funding would be there. Thursday morning he discovered it was gone.

"I've had discussions with the state Department of Transportation, and they are working diligently on this," he said. "It seems like they will work with the governor's office and the legislature to try and fix what happened."

McLachlan said he will continue to monitor the situation until Danbury gets the money it is owed.

State Department of Transportation officials could not be reached for comment.

Contact Dirk Perrefort

at dperrefort@newstimes.com

or at (203) 731-3358.۩