noankjail

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

Groton Town Budget

by Ed Johnson

This morning, Groton RTM member John (“Jack”) Sebastian from District 8 stopped by the Noank Jail to drop off copies of some material that he had presented to the Groton Town Council last Tuesday night. It contained a short presentation and some factual material that I have touched on in previous articles carried by our local media.

1) Mr. Sebastian calls for the Council to include an item in the November Election period. He suggests that the Groton Taxpayers vote on whether they should be allowed to actually be allowed to vote on the Town Budget in the future. In my own opinion, I think this is an excellent idea as, if approved, it would eliminate the need to create any petitions from the citizens and could directly modify the Town Charter with an inclusion of this change.

2) Mr. Sebastian included figures from a Groton Grand Levy History which he had previously received and reviewed with Mr. Sal Pandolfo, Finance Manager for the Town. These figures have been reviewed and adjusted periodically in October 2009, March 2011 and January 2012. They clearly show that, since 2000, the Town has collected more than $80 Million above the inflation level. Some of us have publicly complained about this problem in the past, including Mr. Sebastian and myself.

Perhaps there are many “contracts” to honor, with financial escalation clauses. Perhaps there are other service cost increases. Perhaps new equipment is needed. Perhaps fuel costs are going up.

But on the other side of the coin, Pfizer and EB seem to be gradually leaving town. Perhaps, as a result, there might be more Council and RTM representatives who are now more willing to represent the taxpayers (who voted for them) rather than Town Employee$….perhaps….but can we count on this now?

There is only one way to cut costs in any meaningful capacity. Thus far, it doesn’t appear that all the Council and RTM want to proceed with it. For this reason, the final say needs to rest with the Citizens of Groton. Both Stonington and North Stonington citizens are able to do this. It is time we do it in Groton.

And let’s not make the mistake of assuming that rushing into a consolidation of all existing services will be the answer to all our problems….because it won’t. What will really do it is for citizens to vote “NO” until everyone gets the point.

Comments on this article may be directed to: EdwardR.Johnson@gmail.com

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

Zoning Commission rules on Moratorium

by Ed Johnson

On Wednesday, September 18, 2012, following a one hour public meeting, the Noank Zoning Commission (ZC) discussed and then ruled in favor of a proposal to adopt a six month moratorium on any zoning applications that would require an architectural design review (ADR) process. There were some additional amendments included as a result of the public meeting input.

Carl Reichard, ZC Chair, began the public meeting at around 7:00 PM and provided a brief summary of reasons why the proposal was being made. The primary objective was to institute a stronger control of land use, especially in the village area, where there is concern for new residential construction that might not conform to the existing size, bulk, character and scale of nearby existing structures. There need to be additional controls to help support existing regulations. Mr Reichard reminded everyone that there will always be the sentiment of some residents regarding land use: “this is my property, and I’ll do what I want with it.” He stated that the ZC needs time to develop a plan for zoning modifications without being interrupted by new ADR activity and meetings, which can be very time consuming.

There were 28 individual public speakers, including 1 architect, with 4 speakers who spoke twice, and one letter from a resident who could not be present at the meeting. The basic residential vote was 11 in favor of the basic proposal, 11 not in favor as proposed, primarily because of the “inconvenience” factor, and 6 (including the architect) in favor with modifications. One speaker asked if projects already in the ADR process would be affected by this moratorium. The answer was that any existing applications would not be affected or delayed. The overall majority of public sentiment leaned in favor of a moratorium that would not “hurt” smaller projects that probably needed to proceed within six months, such as smaller modifications, additions, emergency repairs and house sales where no ADR would be needed.

Reference was also made to zoning proposals that had been initiated back in 2003 – 2005 that related to using sliding scales on house versus property size. To this concept, structure “bulk” now needed to be considered, regardless of lot size. There was a “communication” comment that there had been previous building projects where construction had actually commenced but that neighbors within 200 feet of the property had never been notified. It was also noted that the present zoning regulations did not actually reflect many of the existing Noank residential structures.

Mr. Reichard closed the public meeting at 8:83 PM for a short recess, after which the five member ZC reconvened to discuss and vote on the basic proposal and any amendments. The public was allowed to stay and listen to this discussion and, with two exceptions whispering in the back row, remained quiet during this portion of the meeting. Virtually all of the above mentioned items were reviewed, also including the existing disparity of house sizes, the possibility of hiring an outside consultant and what areas of Noank would be most affected by the moratorium. An attorney was also present to answer any legal questions and to help guide the ZC, along with the Noank Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO).

The ZC finally voted fully in favor of the 6 month moratorium proposal, with the following exceptions and amendments:

(a) the moratorium only applies to the Village RV district;

(b) the ZEO will deal with any “minor” or emergency project needs as defined in Noank Zoning Ordinance (NZO) 2.26.7.1;

(c) the ZEO will deal with any building addition needs as defined in NZO 2.26.7.1 with a maximum limitation of 320 square feet on a building at large as 2000 square feet.

After the vote was passed, the ZC continued on with other business and most of the public disbursed.
The ZC will be making official notice of their decision, at which time the 6 month moratorium will take effect. That formal announcement will take precedence over any of the above items that I have listed in the final vote.

Any comments or questions for this writer can be sent to: EdwardR.Johnson72@gmail.com

In Noank, size matters.

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

In Noank, size matters…. by Ed Johnson

On Thursday, September 13th, I attended a meeting of the 7 member Noank Fire District Zoning Board of Appeals. I observed the Public Hearing pertaining to a proposed large new residence on Smith Court in the Village, to be built on the site of an older, smaller house. It became an unusually long public meeting, lasting from 7:00 PM until after 1:00 AM, over 6 hours, just to obtain information and testimony from all concerned parties on this one appeal. The volunteer members of the ZBA will now review all the material submitted and make their final decision at a later date. Some folks will be happy with their decision, while others will not.

In recent years, residential zoning is still a major issue, especially in shoreline areas where space is tight, with land values and property taxes that have risen dramatically. The historic district area of Noank Village is no exception. Sixty years ago, waterfront and nearby property was mostly occupied by working families who fished for a living. Now, with the exception of some commercial businesses, many (not all) shoreline area residents are the more wealthy homeowners with higher salaried jobs who work elsewhere or are retired.

Many of the buildings and residences in Noank date back to the 1850’s or earlier and with few exceptions, most houses are small to midsize on modest property lots. Many newer residents who arrived in the ’60’s and ’70’s have moved into these houses “as is” and have only made minor changes or additions to the existing building footprints This trend, by my observation, began to change in the ’80’s and into the ’90’s until the present. There were now more of the older structures being torn down and replaced with new and much larger houses. More recently, in an effort to control this “McMansion” problem, the Noank Zoning Commission made some changes in new construction requirements, the most notable being a basic reduction in roof peak height allowance from 35′ to 30′ from the ground.

But the beat goes on. New people arriving with money look upon this area as being physically attractive, especially if they enjoy boating, want to build spacious homes with large garages and have plenty of extra living space to invite their families and friends for comfortable visits. The new property owner at Smith Court mentioned these things as an incentive and that he and his architect went through no less than 4 meetings with the Zoning Board, making sure that all their requested design changes were met, before approval by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. He and his attorney indicated that they felt they had met all of the legal zoning requirements for the new construction.

However, the overall design did not please a very large number of local neighbors, some of whom then filed a formal complaint with their own attorney, resulting in the September 13th hearing. The neighbors’ attorney produced a well-known, authoritative local witness, Mr. E. Zell Steever, who presented an extensive report and drawings which indicated that the proposed Smith Court house basically violated the character of the neighborhood in terms of overall size, bulk, volume and scale. Mr. Steever felt that these factors could also be in actual violation of a particular section of the zoning regulations in that the “scale of construction…must relate to human scale and scale of structures within two hundred feet of the lot.”

As mentioned, this meeting went on for over 6 hours. It included (a) the interaction of no less than 4 attorneys (one each for the property owners, the neighbors, the fire district and the legal arbitrator for the Zoning Board), (b) presentations, interrogations and reviews by all attorneys at various times, (c) testimony by the architects for the property owner and the zoning board, (d) testimony by the Zoning Enforcement Officer (e) testimony and presentation by Mr. Steever for the local neighborhood, (f) the presentation of a petition, reportedly signed by approximately 35 Noank residents, requesting the zoning permit be withdrawn, and finally the verbal testimony of 11 members of the public, including 9 Noank residents who also requested the zoning permit be withdrawn. The meeting had started with over 50 people in a crowded meeting room, necessitating a change to another, larger room. By the end of the public meeting, at 1:09 AM, there were still over 35 people present.

In the recent past, one of the complaints that I have heard from one of the zoning officials is that local residents fail to actively participate in zoning meetings in order to give advance input on suggested changes. Then, they get upset about a new building design at the last minute during a review and/or appeal process. Based on my observation of the September 13th Hearing, there certainly need to be further restrictions on new construction that are more closely defined (By lowering the roof line to 30′ but with no other very specific restriction, an architect can decide to make the building a little wider or fatter). Otherwise, it makes the job of the volunteer zoning commission and appeals board far more time consuming.

And, I believe someone told me that attorneys can sometimes be expensive….especially at 1:00 AM.

You may submit comments to: EdwardR.Johnson72@gmail.com
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Notes from the Old Noank Jail

Problems with Groton Planning and Development

by Ed Johnson

Recently, we received a multi-page copy of a formal citizen’s complaint filed on August 21st with the Groton Town Council by Mr. James C. Furlong of Mystic. The complaint directly addresses the quality of advice being supplied by the Town of Groton Office of Planning and Development Services (OPDS). The material submitted by Mr. Furlong is considerable as to the details of various misleading informational data supplied by that office in order to substantiate a particular opinion and/or agenda. The material also indicates an arrogance of attitude by certain members of the department in dealing with CT State officials.

Specifically, Mr. Furlong takes issue with an OPDS information package which was handed out to planning and zoning commissioners and billed wrongly as a study made by Rutgers University. In reality, the package was a mixture of statistics from Rutgers, plus some arguments for development by a housing industry advocate who…it turned out…had absolutely no part in the Rutgers study. Epitomizing the misleading character of the OPDS presentation, the material even contained a misspelled summary, disguised to look as if it came from Rutgers, but which Rutgers denied writing in no uncertain terms. The OPDS at that time was arguing that certain multi-family housing structures do not necessarily increase the number of school-age children, which would in turn suggest that such developments would therefore not substantially add to our school population and therefore our educational budget. Therefore, in the case of the so-called Rutgers study, the OPDS failed to perform its proper role as a straightforward and trustworthy adviser to the Groton Commission.

Another issue involved a memo written by the Planning Department in an effort to try and discredit a state law involving the environmental protection of Long Island Sound. Yet another issue concerned the Planning Manager himself blaming Connecticut’s fiscal problems on land use interventions and state grants for open space. And still another problem involved the Planning Office treating a visiting State Official with rudeness during an informational visit.

Mr. Furlong’s report and support material to the Council is almost 40 pages long. It clearly shows a problem with the manner in which current management operates the OPDS. Unfortunately, to some of us, this comes as no surprise. By my own observation, the handling of the Streetscape Phase I project, including the street parking curb “bump out” design, was a major failing. And I will never forget the OPDS role in actively endorsing the proposed new “Super Walmart” store project on the Antonino property off Route 184…which would have resulted in a large parking lot water runoff into a nearby feeder stream.

I’m a Groton taxpayer who doesn’t like to pay high property taxes, especially when they are being used to pay Town employees for poor job performance as they pursue their own “agenda” which might not have our best interest as citizens at heart. And we can certainly do without having to consume oil and fuel residue from parking lot runoff into our drinking water because someone was licking their financial chops over a large commercial tax rateable business expanding in Groton.

On August 16th, the Steering Committee and Planning Commission met to begin the process of updating the Conservation and Development Plan, which also includes the Municipal Coastal Program. The State of CT mandates the plan be reviewed every 10 years, as it covers environmental protection, economic development, land use, housing and transportation, plus other areas. Obviously, the existing management of Groton OPDS will be directly involved and playing a significant role in updating the Plan itself. Based on all of the above concerns, as verified in Mr. Furlong’s report, there is major doubt that such input from OPDS would be impartial, fair, or accurate.

Mr. Furlong is absolutely right. This Planning Office problem needs correction. Enough already!

To the Editor of the Mystic River Press,

Time Management at the Post Office?

Recently, my wife and I went lunchtime shopping in RI at a large “Trader Joe’s” market specializing in food products we can’t obtain locally. They had an “alert” bell by each cash register. When lines started building at open checkout counters, the bell was sounded, and the local TJ manager would yell out “all hands on deck.” Other store employees, busy re-stocking shelves, stopped and came to open up new register lines which kept customers moving without waiting.

We were impressed with this arrangement, similar to the operation of our smaller local Noank Community Market, where folks are also cross-trained. Our TJ checkout person told us that all TJ employees are cross-trained on most store operations and can shift to cover other job duties where needed. In a large market, this was impressive.

Days later, at lunchtime, I stopped for stamps at a local CT Post Office. One window was open, with four windows closed and five people waiting. The person in front asked lots of questions which seemed to confuse the post office attendant. I waited five more minutes.

Ten customers lined up behind me. Six post office employees moved around in back rooms, doing other duties, not looking at us. We waited five more minutes. Finally, the fellow next to me asked me how long I had been waiting. I pointed to my full-size beard, announcing loudly that I had “just started to grow this when I arrived” at which point some folks laughed.

This woke up the existing attendant, who called for “help out front.” No response. Three minutes later, a reluctant employee appeared and opened up one more window to serve 15 people in line. Three windows remained closed while the other employees still moved around performing other duties.

Then my attendant had trouble finding a roll of first class stamps and the 2nd ounce stamps for heavier letters. She apologized because “everybody is at lunch.” She then found one crumpled sheet of 9 stamps, which I hurriedly bought, amid cheers from the waiting crowd.

Granted that the Post Office is having a difficult time with Internet competition. But why foster conditions which alienate remaining customers who still prefer to utilize their services?

In fairness, I don’t always have this problem. But perhaps upper post office management should attend the next “Trader Joe’s” new employee training session. Special attention can be paid to the time management of “lunch hour” employee breaks…usually the neediest time for customers.

Ed Johnson, Noank

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

Mick O’Beirne Retires

Long-time Groton Town Councilor Frank “Mick” O’Beirne retired recently from the Council, after a very distinguished career, owing to problems with his hearing ability. This will be a major loss to the Town.

Over the years that I observed and commented on various Town issues and decisions, I always watched for Mick’s opinions. He was always thorough in his research and was even willing to change his mind on key issues if new information was presented to him properly.

Specifically, he was also instrumental in supporting the gradual phase-in of property tax increases after a previous property evaluation by the town, but did not support Phase II of the school construction program.

Years ago, we served together on an ad hoc committee, which Mick organized, to study the methods by which property values are established. I felt he already had strong opinions on the subject, but in the interest of being fair and impartial, Mick encouraged the rest of us to disagree or convince him otherwise.

I will especially miss his presence on the Council when it comes to discussion of Town Budgets and his conservative point of view.

However, although his hearing is affected, I suspect that Mick will continue to keep a sharp eye on Groton, one way or another.

There was a recent petition presented on 7/12/12 requesting a special public meeting of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District to be tentatively held at Fitch Middle School on August 1st. The primary purpose of that petition is to revise the 1 – year annual terms of some directors to 3 – year terms and to actually increase the number of directors to 9.

Both Alan Ackley and Peter Legnos were voted off the board as Directors by the voting taxpayers on May 9th and both their terms ended July 1st. They are now apparently trying to get back on the board by attempting to change the rules and then, later, trying to actually

transfer the operation of the PB Fire Department to the Town of Groton.

The present system of annual voting for 5 directors has been in effect since 2003 when the District reorganized under Ct State statutes section 7-324 to 329. The numerical increase in directors seems unnecessary. But in written minutes from the June 5, 2012 Groton Town Council meeting, Alan Ackley still represented himself as an active Director of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District Committee and indicated the committee was interested in consolidating the PBFD into the Town of Groton. He requested a referral to the Town Council Public Safety Committee.

This move was later completely refuted in a letter dated 6/15/12 by former director Carl Kiely, directed to the Town Public Safety Committee, which clearly stated that the OUTGOING PBFDistrict Directors NO LONGER represented the opinion of the NEW board, that the NEW board was NOT interested in consolidation and that the PBFDistrict is financially sound.

Meanwhile, at the 6/5/12 Council, in response to Citizen’s Petitions, Councilor Frank O’Beirne stated that town-wide fire district consolidation had already been discussed in 2003 and that it would be more appropriate to try and get other fire districts interested before proceeding further on that topic. Councilor James Streeter noted the actual process would entail a petition, plus a vote by the all the fire districts to actually consolidate, and then a town wide referendum on consolidation as well. This process could take 3 to 4 years for completion.

With consolidation, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District itself could (a) cease to exist,(b) local PB residents could lose direct control of their local fire department operation, and (c) taxes could increase through the town to all fire districts as a result of Groton completely absorbing operation of a fire department.

It has also been noted that the PBFD receives more mutual aid from other fire districts then it provides. Yet Mr. Ackley and others apparently want to also try and increase Director’s term limits and the number of directors for a fire district that would cease to exist. Why?

The taxpaying residents of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District should be sure to attend and voice their opinion on August 1st if that special meeting date and location is approved. The present PB Fire Department itself has a good reputation, is solvent and well managed.

Resident PB taxpayers should keep it that way.

To local Groton Citizens, Groton Town Council and Groton RTM, Sunday June 24, 2012

I call everyone’s attention to a recent legal notice concerning a special public meeting of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District to be held at Fitch Middle School on Tuesday evening June 26th, 2012 at 7:00 PM. I suspect that many people may not have seen this ad. Additionally, there may have been no mention of the subject itself at the May 9th PB Fire District meeting.

The primary basic stated purpose of that meeting is to revise the 1 – year annual terms of some of the “new” directors to 3 – year terms and to actually increase the number of directors. No mention is made of term limits, although some of the directors, including Mr. Alan Ackley, have been involved for an extended period. My notes also indicate that both Mr. Ackley and Mr. Peter Legnos were not voted on May 9th to have their terms renewed and that both terms end July 1st.

The present system of annual voting for directors seems to have worked well ever since 2003 when the District reorganized to be governed by Ct State statutes section 7-324 to 329. The numerical increase in directors also seems unnecessary. In short, if the present system works, why suddenly try to “fix” it?

I therefore reviewed the written minutes from the June 5, 2012 Groton Town Council meeting. Under Citizen’s Petitions, Mr. Alan Ackley, of 99 North Road, Groton, representing himself as a director of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District Committee, indicated that the district committee is interested in consolidating with the Town of Groton. He requested a referral to the Town Council Public Safety Committee. (There is no mention of his active term as a director expiring July 1st, so perhaps he expected to be voted back in on June 26th)

Later, in responses to Citizen’s Petitions, Counselor Frank O’Beirne stated that fire district consolidation was discussed in 2003 and that it would be better to get more fire districts interested. And under the article #2012-0177 for Consolidation, Counselor James Streeter noted the process would entail a petition, plus a vote by the fire districts to consolidate, plus a town wide referendum as well. This process could take 3 to 4 years for completion.

In summary, it would appear that the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District per se would possibly cease to exist, the local residents would therefore lose any direct control of their local fire department operation or budget, and most likely taxes could increase through the town as a result of absorbing operation of a fire department. Yet Mr. Ackley and others apparently want to try and increase Director’s term limits and the number of directors. Does this make sense?

Perhaps the residents of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District should be sure to attend and vote NO on Tuesday. The present system works and the Fire Department itself has a good reputation. Again, why “fix” something that already works?

Patricia Wilbur – 1935 to 2012 – A Remenbrance
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:34 pm

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

Pat Wilbur, long-time resident of Noank, quietly passed away at home on May 22nd, surrounded by her three sons and daughter, following a two year battle with cancer. Her obituary describes a large remaining family including her direct offspring, their spouses, seven grandchildren, one niece, a brother and his spouse. Her Memorial Service on June 2nd overflowed the normal seating capacity of the Noank Baptist Church, a visible testimony to how many lives this gentle lady had touched.

There were some tears and much laughter during that service. Raised on Long Island, Pat visited Noank in 1959 just for the summer as part of her Master’s degree program in Marine Biology. She met a colorful, well known wooden boat builder and commercial ship’s captain named Jack Wilbur, a man of strong character…but no match for Pat! Beneath her unassuming and imperturbable exterior, she had a resolve of steel. Theirs was a whirlwind courtship during that summer, with a marriage on August 22nd, thus redefining Pat’s “short visit” to Noank. For their honeymoon, Jack took her sword fishing off Block Island, where they became completely drenched during a sudden storm, finally found safe harbor at about 4 AM… and their first son was born nine months later!

Like many Noank women, whose husbands made their living at sea for months at a time, Pat raised their children as a single parent within a strong circle of friends. She was proud of Jack’s license to captain “Any Vessel of any Size on any Ocean” (possibly the last to obtain it), and of their children’s many accomplishments, but had no (discernable) self-pride…except, perhaps, in her prowess at sword fishing. Jack, like many of those who followed the sea, found it difficult,upon returning to shore, to move comfortably between the two worlds. Eventually, Pat found that family life went more smoothly if Jack simply joined the family for dinner each night. Sadly, Jack passed away in January 1990, perhaps as he would have wished, suffering a heart attack while working on one of his beloved boats…after 30 years of marriage.

Pat treasured her participation in the Noank Baptist Church community, which began soon after her arrival here and deepened with her years in the Choir, on the boards of the Nursery School, Group Homes, Mystic River Homes, as Treasurer of the Mystic Choir Festival, as an active Peace Advocate, while also participating in the Noank Historical Society and Mystic Calligraphers Guild. Fifteen years working in Ships Plans at the Mystic Seaport also gave her great pleasure and many people worldwide came to rely upon her expertise. In short, whatever service or help was needed, Pat would quietly provide,

What I remember best about Pat was her dry sense of humor and unflappable demeanor. She came with us on a long family trip to Maine one summer, in a small 4-door sedan that resembled something out of a clown circus act, with myself (I am large), my wife, our young daughter and a friend, Pat, and our DOG all jammed in plus a full weeks luggage stuffed into the trunk (and our laps). I wondered how Pat took the trip so calmly but now, having heard how she spent her honeymoon, I understand…she had been through so much worse!

Pat did get her revenge upon us, however, by suggesting we play some music tapes she’d brought along, as sung by chantey man /folk singer Gordon Bok and friends, including the very singable, addictive “Waltzing with Bears”. We played the tapes several times…both going up AND coming back from Maine. Pat “encouraged” the kids to sing along, which of course they did with great noise and delight, until even the dog joined in. Thus, it was a long trip in a small car filled with singing, dog-breath, and laughter.

We are among the many who will greatly miss Pat Wilbur.

Noank’s Community Market is now OPEN

A large crowd of more than 300 people gathered at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 5th in the parking lot of the Noank Community Market to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Co-op. Speakers included Groton’s Mayor Heather Somers, Representative Elissa Wright, with NCM Board Members Bailey Pryor and Timothy Bates. The ribbon cutting was performed by landlord Stephen Jones and music was provided by the Noank/Mystic Community Band.

The store was open for business immediately after the ceremony and the store was packed with customers and members of the Co-op. New products were being sampled in the front of the store and there was even a last-minute delivery of supplies because of the demand. This was truly a great start for the very dedicated group of directors, and the landlord himself, who have worked so hard to make this new market a reality.

2011 was a rough year for local businesses. Mystic Streetscape projects and Tropical Storm Irene were factors that closed the Universal Food Store in Noank and Puritan & Genesta natural foods in Mystic. A group of volunteers, led by Bailey Pryor, formed the board of directors of the Noank Community Market, owned and managed cooperatively on Pearl Street in Noank.The new market acts as a general food store with a meat counter, bakery, pizza oven and as a source for vegan and natural foods. The market also provides prepared foods and catering and is managed by C.J. Lewis, formerly of Puritan and Genesta.

The Co-op raised $250,000 in loans from its membership to cover costs of acquiring inventory, equipment and hiring staff. A family membership of $175 includes discounts on every purchase and over 450 family memberships have been issued to date. The Market also serves retail customers and has a Wi-fi sitting area where people can socialize. Normal business hours are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, 7 days per week.