This Board of Selectmen Report is provided by Ted Hoffstatter JULY ‘08 *Comstock Community Center:
-Steering Committee Project Review… Malcolm Whyte and Judy Zucker, Co Chairs. The project is currently slated to be voted on at the Town’s May ’09 Annual Meeting. Current cost projection with 5% inflation is $25,607,680 (44,000sq ft) includes building demolition, senior center, community/recreation, town offices, and wellness/fitness center; pitched roofs, skylights, energy conservation measures also included; built to LEED Silver, but expected to surpass. Whether or not the newer portion of the existing structure will be kept is under review—while it could save money in the initial building, it may cost more in the long run for energy and upkeep, and it also limits the design somewhat to the existing foot print.
--Cost of staffing and maintaining the new facility are still being reviewed-July 7, BOS *FAA:
-The proposed redesign will NOT improve delays, as delays are a result of terminal issues, runway issues, and over scheduling. If anything, the redesign may increase over scheduling
-AfSAP (Alliance for Sensible Airspace) has a three-prong strategy: Legal, Lobbying, and Grassroots Advocacy
-If you have not already done so, please log on to the Town of Wilton’s website and sign the petition opposing the currently proposed redesign
-The 12 petitioners are joined by Attorney General Blumenthal in the fight
-The GAO has a history of opposing the FAA, and the FAA is in violation of several laws, including clean air standards. *BOS accepted an $8,440 grant on behalf of the CT Clean Energy Program to purchase a new Ford Hybrid Escape. *LULA:
-The BOS passed a resolution proposed by Ted Hoffstatter to formally endorse the Land Use Leadership Alliance sponsored by Pace University’s Law Center. (The program is fully funded by private donations). This program is designed to educate community leaders — Selectmen, P&Z members, ZBA members, Conservation Commission leaders, and others involved in land use and environmental issues. *Plan of Conservation and Development Special Meeting
-Our ten year plan is due in ’09
- The BOS, P&Z, BOF, Police Commission, Social Services, and Town Departments, all spoke at Monday’s joint P&Z meeting with Planimetrics, the Town’s consultant; Conservation meets with Planimetrics on Wednesday.
-BOS, in Bill Brennan’s report, focused on transportation, parking concerns, sidewalks, signage, Town Hall expansion, and the Comstock project.
-BOE focused on possible future land needs of schools as may be affected by universal pre K.
-BOF—Tax base, capital projects, property values, which led to the issue of larger homes versus tear downs and property rights. Mr. Brennan commented in defense of the property rights of those who wish to build larger homes.
-Parks and Rec discussed having developers be responsible to supply some recreation needs, both passive and active.
-Police Commission discussed need for future expansion.
-Fire Dept. discussed need to address future town growth in regards to emergency services.
-DPW discussed overall plan that every road would be re paved about once every ten years, if all goes well.
-Social Services addressed affordable and senior housing. --Concerns of mine…
-Happy to report that the professors at the Land Use forum had good things to say about the Town’s consultant, Planimetrics:)
-Affordable housing and 830-G; how do we handle it in a constructive, win-win way? The Town will be at 3.9% after Wilton Commons, according to Social Services. State Law requires us to be at 10%.
-Humane approaches to wildlife issues, which I trust will be addressed at the Conservation meeting.
-Securing open spaces should be a priority, as they are limited.
-Water/drainage issues, which also applies to larger homes and tear downs, and homes with two wells running out a neighbor’s well. Property rights works both ways, per Mr. Brennan’s comments!
-When trimming budgets, as we MUST work to do, emergency services should be treated kindly, as it is literally a life and death issue.
-I am also looking forward to hear the Energy Commission’s input. |