noankjail

Noank store reborn

2011 was a rough year for local businesses. In Mystic, construction on Streetscape projects kept customers away and decreased sales. Power outages from Tropical Storm Irene closed one local business down for good. Universal Food Store in Noank ended an era that began when the Quaratella family purchased the store in 1947. Another economic victim was Puritan & Genesta natural foods, doing business for 35 years in Mystic.
A new group of volunteers is helping to make 2012 a positive year for the local economy.This group is the board of directors and staff of the Noank Community Market, owned and managed cooperatively, opening May 5th in the former Universal Food Store on Pearl Street in Noank.The new market will address three areas of service, acting as a general food store, a bakery and offering natural foods and supplements. The market will also provide meats, pizza, prepared foods and catering, with an experienced professional staff led by C.J. Lewis, formerly of Puritan and Genesta.

Before opening, the market has raised $250,000 in loans from its membership to cover costs of purchasing inventory and equipment and hiring professional staff. Only members were allowed offer the loans. A family membership costs a one-time fee of $175, and members receive discounts on every purchase. Currently, over 400 family memberships have been signed up. The Market will also serve retail and visiting customers and includes a sitting area with Wi-fi service where people can gather and socialize.

Following the Grand Opening Ceremony with Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, May 5th at 10:30 AM, normal business hours are presently scheduled to be 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, 7 days per week. Family Household Memberships are still available.

This is an advance notice directed to all Residents of the Noank Fire District. There will be a special public meeting at the Noank Firehouse Meeting Hall on Thursday, April 5, 2012 starting at 7:00 PM. A Public Legal Notice to this effect should appear in a few days

The purpose of this meeting will be for the Noank Executive Committee to obtain permission from the residents to proceed with a formal request to the Town Council for a transfer of the former Noank School property operation from the Town of Groton to the Noank Fire District.

A local study committee has been meeting regularly, reviewing potential use of the property. That review process will continue but the committee is already satisfied that Noank will have multiple uses for the property and therefore desires to proceed in dealing with the Town.

The school building’s major community assets include a multi-purpose auditorium, kitchen space, offices and classroom space for group meetings and bulk storage. The exterior has ample on-site parking with outdoor recreation areas. The facility is in reasonable condition and was most recently utilized as a temporary location for the Groton Senior Center.

Please feel free to distribute this information to your Noank neighbors and encourage them to come to the April 5th meeting. Thank you for your attention.

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

J.D. & Irma – Stewards of Faith

by Ed Johnson

Recently, we were saddened to learn that Groton resident Irma Rodd Krell passed away at age 97 from a stroke. She had been ill for some time and had lost her beloved husband, John Delano Krell, in 2004. I was reminded how much she and “J.D.” meant to our community over a long period of time.

They met and married in 1951 and actually traveled on their short honeymoon from New England to New Jersey in a rented horse-drawn Carriage, making overnight stops en route. Irma described that trip as “very romantic, great fun…and cold!” From all accounts, theirs was a very loving relationship between two gentle people, who could both be feisty if the situation called for it. And although JD was almost twice Irma’s size, he freely admitted that he was no match for her in a “discussion.” Her appearance as a sweet little lady with twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks provided excellent camouflage for a strong, determined New England personality when there was something important on the line.

When JD retired from the Navy after Irma retired as a secretary, they joined the Noank Baptist Church where Irma became very active in several areas but most especially as a Deacon, the primary spiritual leadership group within the church. With her strong dedication of service to the church and helping others for many years, Irma was later awarded the title of Honorary Deacon.

JD, physically strong and energetic, was active with the church Finance Committee, adopting a conservative approach to money spent on the church building. Some of us then lured him into chairing the Board of Trustees so he could see, first hand, that money really WAS needed for repairs or the church buildings would fall apart! After that, nothing could stop JD’s enthusiasm and many building improvements resulted. Some were installed by his own hand, including a parsonage kitchen counter that (I think) weighed more than we did (I made the mistake of helping with that project and am still recovering).

The only person who controlled JD was Irma… very quiet, very sweet…and very persuasive! So, when later medical issues prevented JD from more physical activities, with Irma’s encouragement and secretarial help, they became church Historians, reviewing the very old church minutes and typing them into more readable and permanent form…an extensive project. They were a great team…and did a great job.

JD and Irma are symbolic role models of elders from earlier times where church and service organizations such as Masonic Orders were primary focal points of the community. Stewardship is generally defined as ” the careful, responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” That is how many of us will always remember JD… and now Irma…as Stewards of Faith. We are all the better for having known these two fine people.

To Members of the Groton Representative Town Meeting (RTM) 03/06/12 at 10:30 PM

As a Groton taxpayer, I am concerned with the direction the Council has taken with their vote tonight in favor of spending $1.4 million, split between the Board of Education (BOE) and the Town, in order to proceed with a consolidation of the Middle Schools.

I am still in full agreement with Councilor O’Beirne in his objections to this additional cost of $1.4 million of the taxpayer’s money for this project and hereby request that the RTM officially vote “no” to this approval at the next formal RTM meeting.

I call your attention to the proposal made by Mr. Kevin Trejo at the recent “citizen’s petition” of the Council.

Briefly, he proposes:

(a) consolidating middle schools into Fitch Middle & Cutler Middle
(b) utilizing 12 teaching teams – 7 at FM and 5 at Cutler
(c) closing Pleasant Valley Elementary – turning it over to the Town
(d) condense the PVE students into Barnam, Morrison & Kolnaski
(e) Kolnaski becomes a pre-k through grade 2 and Magnet School
(f) Westside becomes a grade 3 – 5 and also a Magnet School

This results in the following: (a) eliminate the need for using portable classrooms
(b) Westside has proper space for music & art
(c) Westside has proper bathroom facilities & handicap access
(d) racial balance issues are eliminated
(e) administrative cost can be reduced by elimination of 3 positions,
1 Vice-principal and two Principals

Among other things, this would result in reduced costs in both middle and elementary schools in terms of administration and operation and there would be no need for the $1.4 million extra cost to the taxpayers.

The facts and figures already do exist to support this proposal.

(a) building utility & operational costs are already known
(b) the proposal eliminates the PV school – subtract from (a) above
(c) teaching team costs are already known – no change there
(d) teaching costs can be reduced over time with these consolidations
(e) administrative cost reductions are a simple subtraction

If the above items are plugged into the cost computer figures, the savings will speak for themselves. Just the savings in reduction of 3 administrative salaries & medical benefits alone should exceed $300,000 annually. This would balance the (very high) BOE/Administrator’s transportation estimate of $250,000 (which I do question, especially with PV School being closed) to accomplish this plan. In the long run, over the next few years, the estimated cost savings by consolidation would save the Town and taxpayers millions of dollars.

As for the concern that changes and uncertainties can effect our schoolchildren, I agree. For this very reason, there has to be a PROPER plan. This will reduce the anxiety that many parents feel at this point and this reduced concern would pass along to their children.

In order to effect a stable changeover, a continuation with 3 middle schools for one more year should also be considered as an alternate plan. No major changes would be needed, including the money for new portable classrooms.

I hope that the RTM will take the appropriate action and deny the $1.4 million outright. Than you, as always, for your time.

Ed Johnson, Groton

Groton School System – The TREJO Proposal – Open Letter to Town Council

Posted By: ed j
Published – New London DAY
Updated 03/04/2012 05:17 PM

02/29/12

To the Honorable Mayor Somers, Members of the Groton Town Council, Town Manager, Town Clerk and interested parties:

As a Groton taxpayer, I am concerned with the direction the Council is taking as a result of the COW meeting with the BOE in last night’s meeting (Tuesday 02/28/12).

I am full agreement with Councilor O’Beirne in his objections to the additional cost of $1.4 million for the middle school consolidation project and hereby request that the Council officially vote “no” to this approval at the next formal Council meeting.

I call your attention to the proposal made by Mr. Kevin Trejo at the recent “citizen’s petition” of the Council.

Briefly, he proposes:

(a) consolidating middle schools into Fitch Middle & Cutler Middle

(b) utilizing 12 teaching teams – 7 at FM and 5 at Cutler

(c) closing Pleasant Valley Elementary – turning it over to the Town

(d) condense the PVE students into Barnam, Morrison & Kolnaski

(e) Kolnaski becomes a pre-k through grade 2 and Magnet School

(f) Westside becomes a grade 3 – 5 and also a Magnet School

This results in the following: (a) eliminate the need for using portable classrooms

(b) Westside has proper space for music & art

(c) Westside has proper bathroom facilities & handicap access

(d) racial balance issues are eliminated

(e) administrative cost can be reduced by elimination of 3 positions,

1 Vice-principal and two Principals

Among other things, this would result in reduced costs in both middle and elementary schools in terms of administration and operation and there would be no need for the $1.4 million extra cost to the taxpayers.

What concerns me is that apparently no one at either the BOE or Council has taken a closer look at this proposal. It was not under consideration at last night’s meeting and has not been listed in any of the proposals reported in the media.

The facts and figures already do exist to support this proposal.

(a) building utility & operational costs are already known

(b) the proposal eliminates the PV school – subtract from (a) above

(c) teaching team costs are already known – no change there

(d) teaching costs can be reduced over time with these consolidations

(e) administrative cost reductions are a simple subtraction

If the above items are plugged into the cost computer figures, the savings will speak for themselves. Just the savings in reduction of 3 administrative salaries & medical benefits alone should exceed $300,000 annually.

As for the concern that changes and uncertainties can effect our schoolchildren, I agree. For this very reason, there has to be a proper plan. This will reduce the anxiety that many parents feel at this point and this reduced concern would pass along to their children.

I hope that the Council will take the appropriate action. Than you, as always, for your time.

Ed Johnson, Groton

Notes from the Old Noank Jail – PATCH Blog

Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:46 pm

As a follow up to the Liquor Store changes that are being considered in CT, in a rather desperate attempt to raise money for the State by Governor Malloy, I have received further financial analysis information from Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton of Universal Package Store. What follows here is a 3-part Blog, consisting of (1) Basic Comments, (2) an Analysis of Data and (3) References to substantiate comments, data and sources.

Basic Comments

CT State officials have claimed that proposed changes to CT State liquor laws will both decrease prices and increase state revenue.
An 8% increase in alcohol consumption is needed for revenue neutrality if claims made by Brian Durand, a spokesman for the State Office of Policy and Management, on price decreases are correct.
A 10-15% increase in alcohol consumption is actually needed if both price decreases and revenue gains for CT, as suggested by the Governor’s office, are to occur.
This places the State in the unusual position of promoting consumption of a product known to increase costs to public health and safety without having done a full economic analysis of public costs and benefits. It reminds us of the existing situation where the state is ALREADY promoting…and receiving revenue from… gambling at (so far) two Casinos and a state operated Lotto system. Health care, theft and embezzlement issues relating to gambling activity are well substantiated.

Analysis of Data

Brian Durand recently stated that proposed changes to Connecticut’s liquor laws will reduce beer prices to consumers by $2.00 to $5.00 per case. At the same time, the Governor’s Office suggests that these rule changes will also increase State revenue by $6.2 to 11.4 million and increase jobs in the State. Claims of decreasing prices and increasing revenue seem to be at odds with one another. Below is some “beer math,” looking at what it will take for this to happen.

As an example, let’s take a 24 pack of Budweiser, advertised this week at our local Big Y at $17.99. At this price the State makes $0.54 in excise tax ($0.24/ gal x 2.25 gal) plus $1.14 in sales tax ($17.99 x 6.35% sales tax). Add this together and the state makes $1.68 on the sale of this 24 pack of Budweiser.

Brian Durand was quoted by the New London Day as saying customers will save $2.00 to $5.00 on a case of beer. Taking his smallest suggested savings (of $2), this will reduce the cost of the 24 pack of Budweiser to $15.99. The State still makes $0.54 in excise tax, but now only makes $1.01 in sales tax. The new total is $1.55, a reduction of $0.13 or about 8% going back to the State.

If Brian Durand is correct, beer sales will need to increase by 8% just for the State to break even. This assumes the low end of his suggested savings range. At the higher end savings (of $5.00) the State would need to increase sales by 18% to break even, using the above calculations.

In January of 2011, the State Department of Revenue Services estimated that allowing sales on Sunday would increase sales by only about 2.8%, well below the 8% needed to offset Mr. Durand’s expected price decreases.

The Governor’s Office has issued far more optimistic estimates of sales increases than those released the Department of Revenue Services, suggesting that state revenues will increase in the range of $6.2 million to $11.4 million. This would be 172% to 317% greater than the Department of Revenue Services estimate!

Excise tax makes up about 1/3rd of the revenue returned to the state from the sale of alcoholic beverages, with sales tax making up the remaining 2/3rd. We can utilize this value to estimate how much more alcohol the Governor expects people in the State of Connecticut to drink !

Without accounting for any price decreases, sales increases of 3.8% to 6.5% are necessary to realize the Governor’s estimated increases in revenue. Increased excise tax revenue, which is expected to make up about 1/3rd of the Governor’s suggested increase in tax revenues, is $2.1 to 3.6 million. The State Office of Policy and Management and the State Office of Fiscal Analysis project alcohol excise tax revenues of about $55 million per year between (Fiscal Years) FY2012 and FY2016.

Putting these figures together, it appears that the Governor is actually expecting sales to increase by 3.8 to 6.5%, about 50% to 100% greater than the estimate provided by the Department of Revenue services last year. This is before accounting for the price reductions Mr. Durand suggested would occur.

In order for both the Governor’s expected revenue increases and the State Office of Policy and Management expected price decreases to come about, alcohol sales and consumption in the State of Connecticut would need to increase by about 12 to 15%. The price decreases, suggested to occur by the State Office of Policy and Management, require at least an 8% increase in sales just to break even and an additional 4 to 6% increase in sales are needed to see the revenue gains claimed by the Governor’s office.

This is an amazing reversal in State policy; increased revenues from higher excise taxes had previously been proposed to enhance public good by decreasing alcohol consumption. Now we’re told that it’s in the State’s best interest to actually increase alcohol consumption by 12-15%.

It would seem that the police and hospitals might have more activity with such an increase.

References

Brian Durnand recently said that proposed changes to Connecticut’s liquor laws will reduce beer prices to consumers by $2.00 to $5.00 per case.
The Governor’s Office suggests that these rule changes will increase State revenue by $6.2 to 11.4 million and increase jobs in the State.

http://www.theday.com/article/20120226/BIZ02/302269936/1017

The State Department of Revenue Services estimated in 2011 that allowing sales on Sunday will only increase sales by 2.8%.
Excise tax makes up about 1/3rd of the revenue returned to the state from the sale of alcoholic beverages, with sales tax making up the remaining 2/3rd

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/ofarpt/2011OFA-0489.htm

The State Office of Policy and Management and the State Office of Fiscal Analysis project alcohol excise tax revenues of about $55 million per year between FY2012 and FY2016.

Click to access 2012CR-20120117_January%2017,%202012%20Consensus%20Revenue%20Estimates%20FY%202012%20-%20FY%202016.pdf

Connecticut alcohol taxes are significantly higher than neighboring states

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/rpt/2011-R-0252.htm

Increased revenues from higher excise taxes had previously been proposed to enhance public good by decreasing alcohol consumption.

Click to access 0403CT.pdf

Click to access ct.pdf

This ends my blog on this subject. Thank you for taking the time to read it. If you agree with the conclusions, then please contact your local representatives and most especially the Governor’s office and refer them to these figures. Ed J

A frustrated Groton taxpayer speaks out The Day 02/26/2012

After witnessing Groton Town and City Council meetings, one grows extremely tired and nervous watching individuals influencing them to spend more taxpayer money on unnecessary projects. The most recent is the request for funding a “feasibility study,” at the cost of $75,000, to determine if the town needs a $20 million community center and pool. The entire United States is failing financially and eventually it will come down to local municipalities losing federal and state funds. Imagine what that will do to the taxpayers?

Some examples of Groton’s recent and continual exorbitant spending include the $6.5 million for repaving one mile of Thames Street, $10.5 million for repairs to the “self-supporting” city utility and more work on Thames Street. Voters also approved bonding for an extravagant dog pound, an unbelievably extravagant senior center, recreation programs for not only Groton residents but all the surrounding towns, which run at a loss. The town spends $1.2 million to run a golf course, which if owned by private concerns would produce tax revenue, not expense.

The biggest expense of all is running two governments, at a budget cost of $16 million. The infrastructure of Groton was neglected so long that now, at one of the worst financial times in history, Groton wants to correct everything at the citizen’s expense and when those citizens are hurting the most. Pfizer continues to cut back and most likely will be gone in the future. A federal base closure process could again target the submarine base in Groton. Real estate values have dropped more than 8 percent in this region and businesses continue to close and layoff personnel, adding to unemployment.

The Groton tax assessor is way off on his property assessments, keeping them as high as possible to benefit the town, not the owners. Department heads are overpaid.
There is no money in anyone’s pockets to support constant spending for unnecessary projects. Now work on the 2012-13 fiscal year begins.The Representative Town Meeting, the town and city councils, and all tax-revenue dependent departments have got to stop spending more money.

Citizens of Groton, you need to be heard. Stand up for your rights and tell the leaders to stop spending.

by Peter Weissgarber, who lives in Groton.

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

Proposed Sunday sales law hurts little guy

Ed Johnson Noank

Publication: The Day
Published 02/11/2012 12:00 AM
Updated 02/10/2012 03:03 PM
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Once again, local Connecticut’s small businesses are threatened, this time by state politics connected with the sale of liquor on Sundays.

The actual addition of Sunday itself is not the major problem, but additional changes are being proposed by the governor that will result in unfair advantages for the big-box and large retail chain stores. These changes involve a release of fair price protections and location restrictions which threaten to put 1,200 independent package stores out of business.

In the Feb. 5 commentary appearing on the Perspective page, “Sunday sales law would kill our small package stores,” Mike and Mary Edgerton advocate that citizens contact their local and state representatives, along with the governor himself, expressing that these changes not be enacted and that small package store businesses in Connecticut continue to be protected by the current regulations.

Being open on Sunday is one thing, but changing laws to favor big chain stores is not fair and we’ve already seen too much of that in this age of “the 1 percent.”

I would suggest that citizens contact Gov. Malloy’s Hartford office, as well as their local state senator and local state Representative by phone, as soon as possible.

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

To the Honorable Mayor Somers, Members of the Groton Town Council, Members of the Groton RTM, Town Manager, Town Clerk, Media and interested parties…..

This is in response to my review of recent RTM comments.

I totally agree with the proposal by Ms. Kotowski, and the support of same by Mr. Sebastian, for a Zero budget increase. The Town has indeed increased us well over the cost of living index for the past several years, and I have stated publicly that if it comes to a choice between raising taxes to the public or cutting services, then cut services and let’s have no more “Tax and Spend.”

I am not worrying whether anyone will be offended if we keep repeatedly complaining about past tax increases because I, as the taxpayer, am already myself offended when the Town does not present me with a zero increase in budget. I also feel that Town employees work for the taxpayers, not the other way around. Who pays the money? Who receives the money? Where is the respect for that process?

So, as taxpayers, most of us will probably keep right on “babbling” very noisily and very publicly until the Town of Groton stops the “Tax and Spend.” And if anyone would like some suggestions on where to cut the budgets, I will be willing to provide a list…as I have done previously.

And let us not forget the poor judgement by the School Superintendent on the ball field expenses. This is an example of a Town employee exceeding his authority in making a business decision that cost the taxpayers extra money. However, in a very real sense, this incident is really just the tip of the iceberg. Any decision by Town Employees, the Council and the RTM to have the Town raise mill rates or taxes to “meet” an estimated $7 million deficit also amounts to a business decision that will cost the taxpayers money.

Someone has raised the subject of operating according to the Town Charter. I would like to remind everyone that the Town Charter is defective in that does a very poor job of actually directly protecting the Groton taxpayer against excessive tax increases. If the Town Council and the RTM do not “hold the line” and actually represent the majority of taxpayers, there is currently no Referendum procedure to actually protect us from a budget increase. I have felt very insecure about this for a long time. Only in the past two years have I witnessed some improvement….but we need much more.

The Council and RTM…together…need to cooperate and hold the line this year. The Charter itself will need to be modified very soon in the future.

Thank you for your time.

Ed Johnson

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Edward R. Johnson, 87 Main Street, Groton, CT 06340 860 536 1589

Notes from the Old Noank Jail

The Noank Water Company

by Ed Johnson

On March 1st, 2012, the Noank Water Company will celebrate 50 years of successfully distributing a life-sustaining substance at reasonable costs to the area which it serves. The construction of this system in 1962 and the additions in subsequent years have vastly improved the availability of safe drinking water and fire protection for the Noank Fire District. We thank Superintendent Russell Fowler for providing information which updates our previous 01/22/09 TIMES article “Deactivated but not Forgotten.”

Prior to 1962, two projects were developed by “Deacon” Palmer of Noank to bring water to his Noank Shipyard, starting around 1899. The first involved creation of a dam and pumping station at Eccleston Brook near Haley Farm Bridge. A long 2.5″ supply pipeline was laid under water from the pumping station via Palmer Cove, the railroad and vehicle bridges, Esker Point and east into Davis Court. This was connected to steam boilers to power shipbuilding machinery. Parts of this system can still be seen near Haley Farm bridge.

A Corey hydrant system was also installed for fire protection and drinking water at the shipyard.This system consisted of a wooden water tower for extra hydrant pressure, mounted above a 20′ x 20′ well, both installed on Cedar Street and connected to four hydrants. One was on Main Street (near Carson’s), two on Pearl Street and one at the Shipyard. The system was in service until 1962, supplementing the firefighting method of drafting seawater, and the Noank Fire Department still owns a 1939 Seagrave pumper from that period. This Corey system was deactivated by 1963, with the well filled in and the water tower dismantled. Two inactive hydrants on Main and Pearl Streets still remain visible.

From 1942 through 1961, water supply studies were made because population growth exceeded local well capacity, state highway projects (Rt 215) were in process and firefighting capability was limited. Many local wells became polluted by detergents in the ground water and a desalinization (pilot) plant was even considered as a possible supply system from the sea. Finally, on December 1,1961, Lindsay Fowler (Russell’s father) became Chairman of a new 15 member Noank Water Commission and plans became finalized for a new water distribution system.

On March 1, 1962, a new design by Metcalf and Eddy had been accepted and ground was broken as the official starting date of the Noank Water Company. This system was completed by December 1st, 1962 at a cost of $463,893. A new 250,000 gallon water tower off Brook Street was added at a cost of $17,428 by January 1st, 1963, with the system now supplied by the Groton Town water system. The total Noank water distribution piping totaled 10.5 miles and the first Superintendent was J. Halstead Brown.

Over the following 50 years, there were major additions to the original water system. Key sub -division projects included Tanglewood, Fisher’s View, Mainsail, plus the initial Mystic River Homes project, all in 1975. Subsequent additions included Brookview in 1987, Lighthouse Overlook in 2001, Crosswinds subdivision & Fishtown Road extension in 2002, with Crosswinds-Loweth and Noank Village Boatyard extensions in 2003. Meanwhile, an addition was made at Mystic River Homes to include a large new Congregate building.

A problem developed on Old Brook Street area near Eccleston Brook with residents still using wells which had become contaminated. By 2004, a branch loop was added to serve 28 residences, with a larger supply pipe on Groton Long Point Road providing additional water pressure for the Noank system. A 500,000 gallon tank had been installed at the top of Fort Hill in Groton, so in 2005 the existing Noank tank off Brook Street was dismantled.

Noank has had seven water Superintendents, serving various term lengths, the longest being Russell Fowler’s at 14 years. Because of the size and complexity of the additions, for the past 6 years, Fowler has been helped by a Field Assistant, Frank Lewis. The two men supervise a water distribution system containing over 730 residential and 31 business connections, 86 Fire Hydrants, 282 isolation gate valves and 15 miles of underground pipe.

In such a critical business, subject to increasing environmental regulations, Mr. Fowler’s department is well recognized and received an award in 2006 for “Outstanding Operations” by the Atlantic States Rural & Wastewater Association. Periodic 5 year plans, requiring considerable detail, are submitted to the Department of Public Health. The Fire District also hopes to qualify for future grants on water system upgrades, difficult to achieve in today’s economy.

Perhaps most important for local residents, however, are the printed warnings by Mr. Fowler when he indicates that water flow hydrant tests will be conducted in their neighborhoods…so they shouldn’t do their laundry that day! However, no tests shall be conducted on Thursday, March 1st, 2012…when the 50th anniversary can be celebrated by all…with a nice glass of clean, cool water…a precious commodity.