Hi All:
SCSU presented their updated Master Plan last week. They still want to put a 250 car garage at the bottom of the Ella T. Grasso Blvd & Crescent. This is not good. There was coverage on the story by NHI. There is a petition going around also even thought the official time frame passed it is a good idea to sign on.
I would like thank Toni Walker our State Representative & Carl Goldfield - Alderman Ward 29 for coming to the hearing and voicing their opposition to the garage as well.
Check in the comments section of the NHI story for my comments.
Yours,
Moti
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mayor's Budget Presentation to the Public
The Mayor will be having a Community Budget Meeting on
Wednesday, April 1st at Edgewood School from 6:30 to 8pm.
This is a great opportunity to for the community to be involved in the discussion of the budget for the upcoming year. I plan on being there so I hope to see you!
Wednesday, April 1st at Edgewood School from 6:30 to 8pm.
This is a great opportunity to for the community to be involved in the discussion of the budget for the upcoming year. I plan on being there so I hope to see you!
Suspicious Car in Westville
Hi All,
There has been a suspicious van in the Westville neighborhood following kids around. The van is an older white Dodge Caravan with wood paneling on the side. The license plate number is 785 TWY.
Please be vigilant and make sure kids are aware of their surroundings and not walking alone. Knowing "safe" houses along their routes is also a good idea in case they need help.
If you see this van, or any suspicious activity, call it in to the non-emergency number immediately, 946-6316. If it is an emergency call911.
You should also let Lieutenant Bernie Somers know by leaving a message on his cell phone at 687-0532 and/or on his email at Somers@newhavenct.net. Bernie should be contacted *but only after the incident is reported to the emergency or non emergency number.
If it is not reported downtown it is not logged and there is no way to dispatch an officer.
Also,Lieutenant Bernie Somers will be out of town next week and will not be available so messages left with him will not be looked at until he returns.
There has been a suspicious van in the Westville neighborhood following kids around. The van is an older white Dodge Caravan with wood paneling on the side. The license plate number is 785 TWY.
Please be vigilant and make sure kids are aware of their surroundings and not walking alone. Knowing "safe" houses along their routes is also a good idea in case they need help.
If you see this van, or any suspicious activity, call it in to the non-emergency number immediately, 946-6316. If it is an emergency call911.
You should also let Lieutenant Bernie Somers know by leaving a message on his cell phone at 687-0532 and/or on his email at Somers@newhavenct.net. Bernie should be contacted *but only after the incident is reported to the emergency or non emergency number.
If it is not reported downtown it is not logged and there is no way to dispatch an officer.
Also,Lieutenant Bernie Somers will be out of town next week and will not be available so messages left with him will not be looked at until he returns.
Up Coming Meetings
Hi All:
These are some of the meetings I will be attending next week:
Finance Committee Hearing on the Budget - Tuesday March 31st @ 6pm - City Hall
Mayor's Budget Presentation - Wednesday April 1st @ 6:30 pm - Edgewood School
Legislation Hearing on the Democracy Fund - Thursday April 2nd @ 7pm - City Hall
These are some of the meetings I will be attending next week:
Finance Committee Hearing on the Budget - Tuesday March 31st @ 6pm - City Hall
Mayor's Budget Presentation - Wednesday April 1st @ 6:30 pm - Edgewood School
Legislation Hearing on the Democracy Fund - Thursday April 2nd @ 7pm - City Hall
Memorial Service for Irv Stolberg
MEMORIAL SERVICE
For
IRV STOLBERG
(1936-2009)
Wednesday, April 15
4:30 P.M.
Battell Chapel, Yale University
Corner of Chapel & College Streets
New Haven, Connecticut
Reception to follow: Dwight Hall at Yale
Old Campus, Yale University
Contributions to honor Irv can be made to:
American Friends Service Committee
ATTN: Development
1501Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 888-588-2371 Ext.1
United Nations Association, Connecticut
ATTN: Joe Baxer
P.O. Box 369
Kent, CT 06757 Phone: 860-927-4333
For
IRV STOLBERG
(1936-2009)
Wednesday, April 15
4:30 P.M.
Battell Chapel, Yale University
Corner of Chapel & College Streets
New Haven, Connecticut
Reception to follow: Dwight Hall at Yale
Old Campus, Yale University
Contributions to honor Irv can be made to:
American Friends Service Committee
ATTN: Development
1501Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 888-588-2371 Ext.1
United Nations Association, Connecticut
ATTN: Joe Baxer
P.O. Box 369
Kent, CT 06757 Phone: 860-927-4333
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Meetings this week
Hi All:
Just a quick note about some of the meeting this week:
Monday - Full BOA
Wednesday - Public Safety Hearing over video cameras in public places. This one should be interesting...
Just a quick note about some of the meeting this week:
Monday - Full BOA
Wednesday - Public Safety Hearing over video cameras in public places. This one should be interesting...
CSX Railroad Refund Explained
Hi All:
I would like to clarify the process and sequence of events around the Tax Abatement Committee (of which I am the Chair) and then the full Board of Aldermen decision to refund tax payments to CSX Railroad.
Railroads, under Federal law, do not pay local property taxes to each municipality but pay a gross receipts sales tax to the state. In our case CSX Railroad leased part of their New Haven yard to an entity called “Circle of Life”. The assessor’s office opined that Circle of Life is not either a railroad company or engaged completely in railroad activities. The City sent the owner of the property, CSX, a bill for local taxes as we felt that the land use was not exempt. CSX disagreed with the assessor but paid the taxes under protest. They then started proceedings to sue the City.
Prior to going to court the City has a committee that reviews litigation suits to see if it pays for the City to go to Court or settle. This committee is given its power and authority by the City Charter. This is the same document that gives power to the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor. This committee has the authority to enter the City into a legally binding settlement agreement.
In the case of CSX & Circle of Life vs. the City of New Haven, the City’s attorney – the Corporation Council – said that the city did not have a case and would probably lose. The charter authorized Litigation Settlement Committee agreed with the Corporation Council and voted to refund the payments.
I am not sure why the issue had to come in front of the BOA but it did. We heard the item and learned that our hands were tied in regard to denying the refund as the City was already legally bound to refund the payments. What we did do was ask the President of the Board – Carl Goldfield – to engage outside council to give an opinion if we should go after the upcoming years and suggest a strategy to pursue this with.
Sorry for the long write up but this is a pretty complicated issue and needs clarity.
Moti
PS NHI had a pretty good story on this issue when it was voted out of litigation settlement.
I would like to clarify the process and sequence of events around the Tax Abatement Committee (of which I am the Chair) and then the full Board of Aldermen decision to refund tax payments to CSX Railroad.
Railroads, under Federal law, do not pay local property taxes to each municipality but pay a gross receipts sales tax to the state. In our case CSX Railroad leased part of their New Haven yard to an entity called “Circle of Life”. The assessor’s office opined that Circle of Life is not either a railroad company or engaged completely in railroad activities. The City sent the owner of the property, CSX, a bill for local taxes as we felt that the land use was not exempt. CSX disagreed with the assessor but paid the taxes under protest. They then started proceedings to sue the City.
Prior to going to court the City has a committee that reviews litigation suits to see if it pays for the City to go to Court or settle. This committee is given its power and authority by the City Charter. This is the same document that gives power to the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor. This committee has the authority to enter the City into a legally binding settlement agreement.
In the case of CSX & Circle of Life vs. the City of New Haven, the City’s attorney – the Corporation Council – said that the city did not have a case and would probably lose. The charter authorized Litigation Settlement Committee agreed with the Corporation Council and voted to refund the payments.
I am not sure why the issue had to come in front of the BOA but it did. We heard the item and learned that our hands were tied in regard to denying the refund as the City was already legally bound to refund the payments. What we did do was ask the President of the Board – Carl Goldfield – to engage outside council to give an opinion if we should go after the upcoming years and suggest a strategy to pursue this with.
Sorry for the long write up but this is a pretty complicated issue and needs clarity.
Moti
PS NHI had a pretty good story on this issue when it was voted out of litigation settlement.
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