1.9.2007
Killingworth's present Board of Selectmen
has climbed up the learning curve and is now in the second year of
its administration.
Our successes include negotiating and settling a contract
with the KMEA union for a pension plan for both the Municipal Employees and
the Volunteer Fire Company. We also signed a contract with AFSCME to assure
that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Anthem Blue Cross stock are
included in the Municipal Employee Pension Plan. After several years
we've realized the realignment of Alders Bridge Road. Residents of that
area expressed satisfaction with the reconstruction. We thank Eric Auer for
providing Killingworth with recreational fields on Bethke Road.
Needless to say, I am disappointed that our attempt to sell
part of the Bosco property has been thwarted. However, the BOS is researching
other uses for the property. Lovers Lane continues to be a hotly debated topic
with the need to balance the concerns of residents with safety and environmental
factors. The issue has been referred to the state's Environmental Review
Team for resolution. With the help of the Housing Committee and the Assessor's
Office, we are fine tuning the town's housing policies and procedures.
Clearly, the highlight of 2006 was the acquisition of the
143 acre parcel located off Parker Hill Road owned by the Wettish family. The
town issued $3,295,000 in bonds to finance this purchase with the bonds
being sold in a competitive bid at a favorable rate of 4.075%. The town leaders
hope that the Wettish property will be the first parcel of many acquisitions
of open space. The Park and Recreation Commission have preliminary plans for
constructing multi-purpose recreation fields on a section of this parcel.
Meeting the town's immediate need for additional recreational
fields necessitated putting plans for a Town Center on hold. The State of Connecticut
honored the First Selectman's request that $500,000 from the Small Town
Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant be transferred from the Town Center
project to the Park and Recreation Commission.
The Reservoir Road Bridge Committee, appointed by the BOS,
undertook the long and difficult task of researching alternative procedures
for replacing the bridge. The Committee will recommend the most suitable and
cost effective procedure to the town, while exercising concern about not jeopardizing
the town's eligibility for state or federal aid.
The town closed the sludge lagoons and is in the process
of finalizing plans for remediation of the site under the supervision and direction
of the State Department of Environmental Protection. Additional projects started
during 2006 include reconfiguration of the intersection of Green Hill Road
and Roure 81, and repairs to Burr Hill Road. We will schedule chip sealing
on some of the roads during the year.
Karen Byron, of Byron Associates, enabled the town to seek
grant opportunities for many applications. We hope her efforts will bear fruit
in 2007. The library has already obtained a grant through the efforts of Senator
Ed Meyer to study the feasibility of expanding its facility and the possibility
of including space for permanent Historical Society exhibits within the expansion.
Having worked through and presented a budget with a new
mil rate of .02763, we are in the process of updating the priorities of the
town's multi-year capital improvement plan. We expect to present a revised
plan, developed with input from the boards and commissions, at a town meeting
sometime this year.
My aspirations for the New Year include establishing
a "Killingworth Foundation" to meet town needs, such as scholarships
and special programs that cannot be provided for with taxes alone. We
have appointed a committee that will glean ideas from models of neighboring
towns' foundations.
I think I can speak for the entire Board of Selectmen in extending
our thanks to the town employees and members of the boards and commissions
for their dedication and hard work. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New
Year!
Sincerely,
Marty
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