DMV office hours change during Christmas holiday

Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers will close for the Christmas holiday on Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. and reopen Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 at 7:45 a.m.

Major DMV service offices will be open on Thursday until 5:30 p.m.

AAA offices will be open to process driver’s license renewals during their normal business hours on Friday and Saturday.

All AAA offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26.

DMV photo licensing centers and satellite offices will have the following adjusted hours around the Christmas holiday:

• Derby – Railroad Station, 12 Main Street, Friday, Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.;

• Putnam, 165 Kennedy Drive, Friday, Dec. 23 from 7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and closed on Saturday, Dec. 24;

• Middletown- Main Street Market, Friday, Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.;

• Winsted, 151 Torrington Road, Friday, Dec. 23 from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and closed on Saturday, Dec. 24.

More information about DMV services is available online at ct.gov/dmv or through the DMV telephone center at 860-263-5700 in the Greater Hartford area and 800-842-8222 for the remainder of the state.

Through the web site and phone center, customers can find specific information 24 hours a day on non-driver identification, change of address and change of name as well as

• vehicle tax questions,

• records information,

• forms,

• emissions testing and inspections,

• operator’s licenses,

• titles and registrations

• and directions to DMV branch offices and photo license centers.

The site also has details on boating registrations, handicapped driver training, commercial vehicle safety, and instructions on how to file a complaint against a dealer or repairer.

Posted Dec. 22, 2011

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State Rep. Hurlburt announces funding to keep Willington highway rest stops open

State Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, who represents Ashford, Tolland and Willington, announced that funding for infrastructure work at Willington’s two highway rest stops along I-84 has been approved by the State Bond Commission.

State Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, who represents Ashford, Tolland and Willington, announced that funding for infrastructure work at Willington’s two highway rest stops along I-84 has been approved by the State Bond Commission.

A total of $102,204 has been designated for the design of an upgraded septic system that serves the rest stops – part of necessary work to keep the stops open.

“This funding will not only go toward much needed work at the stops, but also reflects the state’s commitment to keep them open long-term,” Rep. Hurlburt said in a prepared statement.

“These rest stops serve thousands of motorists and it is important to maintain the facilities. In many ways, rest stops serve as a welcome mat for the state,” he said.

In June 2011, Rep. Hurlburt helped secure an agreement with Gov.  Dannel P. Malloy to keep the stops open after the Department of Transportation announced their closing, effective July 1, in order to cut an estimated $400,000 in maintenance costs.

State Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, 53rd House District

Rep. Hurlburt argued that public safety and community concerns outweighed the estimated savings.

“We are always telling drivers to pull over and take a break if they are tired, so it’s a total contradictory message,” he said.

Rep. Hurlburt also noted that charitable organizations, such as the Boys Scouts and Willington Historical Society, often offer “coffee breaks” at the rest areas as fundraisers.

Posted Dec. 16, 2011

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Regional Farmers Market trying to establish a new home

Many residents and farmers spoke in favor of the special permit for the new location for the Coventry Regional Farmer's Market at the Dec. 12, 2011 public hearing, while others asked the PZC to take a careful look at the proposal and cited concerns about road maintenance, traffic, gravel dust and noise. Photo by Sarah L. Hamby

The Coventry Farmers Market will live to fight another day, but its future is still uncertain.

A crowded planning and zoning commission public hearing Monday night at Coventry High School did not conclude with a decision.

Market organizers need a special permit in order to relocate to a site on Silver Street.

At the close of Monday’s hearing, the PZC decided to keep the hearing open tentatively until a January 2012 meeting.

For the last few years, the market has been located at the Nathan Hale Homestead but after not being able to negotiate a workable deal with the agency that governs the property, Connecticut Landmarks, the market’s organizers began looking for a new site.

The special permit would allow the Bridges Healthy Cooking School/Coventry Regional Farmers Market to operate from a privately owned site at 307 Silver St. in Coventry.

According to Jonathon DeHoyos, parking facilities manager with the farmers market, the new site will allow for more than 500 parking spaces, more than two additional acres of market space, and significantly more event space, as well. Street parking would not be necessary or authorized.

Coventry Farmers Market director Winter Caplanson pointed out that for some local farmers, the market represents 80 percent of their income. Photo by Sarah L. Hamby

Market organizers tried at Monday’s meeting to convince the PZC that establishing the market at the new site should not require a traffic study, which could cost upwards of $20,000.

Former Hebron Harvest Fair manager Peter Cafazzo, who was attending the hearing on behalf of the market, addressed the possible traffic concerns on Silver Street and Route 44. “With my background,” he said, “I don’t see any major problems.”

The Hebron Harvest Fair draws several thousand motorists from all over New England each September, with traffic on Route 85 in Hebron packed with fair visitors.

Engineer Peter Henry of Holmes & Henry Associates also described the design for the drive that would be created to access the market site. He said the approximately 600- foot driveway will begin as a paved access road and then transition to gravel after about 100 feet.

At 24 feet wide, it will meet the requirements of local emergency, medical and fire personnel who may need to access the site, Henry said.

Many residents and farmers spoke in favor of the special permit’s approval last night, while others asked the PZC to take a careful look at the proposal and cited concerns about road maintenance, traffic, gravel dust and noise.

Bill Glenney, a Silver Street resident, addressed the commission to oppose the project. He said traffic issues associated with motorists leaving the market had not been addressed.

He also wondered who would foot the bill for the maintenance and repair of Silver Street, a road that he said would see an additional 4,000 to 5,000 cars each month during the market season.

“We are not against farmers or farming,” he said, “(but) I strongly recommend that you disapprove this special permit.”

Supporters expressed a need to maintain the small business economy provided by the local farming community.

Market executive director Winter Caplanson pointed out that the Coventry Regional Farmers market represents 20 to 80 percent of some farmers’ entire farm sales.

This was confirmed by Scotland’s Erica Andrews of Hurricane Farm, who said at least 80 percent of her income is earned in Coventry.

Coventry Town Planner Eric Trott said the PZC simply needs more time to make an informed decision regarding the special permit after receiving significant public input, both in favor and opposed.

Trott said “the applicant did a good job in providing a litany of detail that helped to clarify the issues between the Hale Homestead and the new market.”

In a Facebook posting on Tuesday, Caplanson said that the town will not require a traffic study.

Trott said whether the state will require a traffic study is up to the State Traffic Commission.”We don’t have any bearing on that,” he said.

Trott confirmed this morning that the public hearing will reconvene in January, but said the Jan. 4 date and meeting place are tentative. To confirm the date and time, visit the town’s web site at www.coventryct.org or call the PZC office at (860) 742-4062 during office hours.

Posted Dec. 14, 2011 as edited and added to by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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US Postal Service will postpone move that would put 100,000 out of work

The USPS has forecast a $14.1 billion loss in fiscal 2012, due to declining mail volume – the result of email communication significantly replacing “snail mail," as well as the growth of competing package shipping services. Photo source: US Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012.

In a statement released today, a USPS spokesman said, “The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.”

In the meantime, legislators expect to take up the issue of the postal service’s financial troubles when Congress reconvenes in January.

As noted in the statement, “The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal (reform) legislation. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) led the request made by 21 legislators for the USPS to agree to a “moratorium” on closures.

“Over the last few months, I have heard concerns from local officials, residents and postal service employees about the original proposal from the Postal Service,” Sen. Durbin said today.

“There is no doubt that the Postal Service as we know it today has to adapt, but I think a better solution exists,” he said. “It’s now up to us to move forward with comprehensive legislation that does not jeopardize the best postal service in the world.”

His comments follow a meeting yesterday (Dec. 12) between several Senators and the U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors Chair Thurgood Marshall, Jr.

The USPS has forecast a $14.1 billion loss in fiscal 2012, due to declining mail volume – the result of email communication significantly replacing “snail mail” as well as the growth of competing package shipping services.

As reported today in Time online, the USPS also is expected to default Friday on a $5.5 billion payment to the Treasury.

Earlier this month, the USPS announced plans to close more than half of its 461 mail-processing plants – which would mean the end of one-day delivery of First Class mail – as well as thousands of local post offices throughout the country.

The USPS plans to close 252 mail processing centers and 3,700 local post offices.

Upwards of 100,000 postal employees would lose their jobs.

The USPS needs congressional approval to defer retiree benefits payments and to end Saturday delivery.

The USPS also noted that many people don’t realize that the Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Posted Dec. 13, 2011

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Committee agrees on new House and Senate district boundaries

Members of the Connecticut General Assembly's Reapportionment Committee. Photo Nov. 30, 2011 by Christine Stuart | CTNewsJunkie.com used with permission.

The General Assembly’s nine-member bipartisan Reapportionment Committee has agreed on new boundaries for the state’s 151 House and 36 Senate seats.

This kind of reshuffling is a result of constitutionally mandated legislative redistricting based on population changes reported by the 2010 U.S. Census.

The state grew by nearly 5 percent since the last Census in 2002 to 3.5 million, so some House districts will now be smaller in geographic area but denser in population.

The new districts will first be used in the August 2012 primaries and the November 2012 state elections.

About the U.S. Congressional map

An amicable tenor of bipartisan cooperation quickly evaporated following the Wednesday (Nov. 30) Reapportionment Committee meeting when, after patting themselves on the back for drawing the lines for the House and Senate districts, Republicans and Democrats accused each other of political motivations when it came to the U.S. Congressional map.

And since the nine-member panel did not met its Wednesday deadline for one-third of its task, it now must ask for an extension from the state Supreme Court, possibly 30 days… but will this be enough time for Democrats and Republicans to find common ground?

House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero released the proposed Republican Congressional map to reporters after Wednesday’s meeting adjourned, in response to criticism from Sen. Majority Leader Martin Looney earlier in the week.

Rep. Cafero said both parties had promised to remain silent about the Congressional district maps until a vote.

While it is “unfortunate” the Democrats broke that promise, Rep. Cafero said, it is now necessary for the Republicans also to share their map in order to clarify their proposals and defend themselves against criticisms.

A bone of contention concerns the 4^th and 5^th Congressional districts.

Rep. Cafero said that by putting Bridgeport and New Haven into the 3th District, the Republican proposal honors a legal obligation to try to create a minority-influenced district.

“It will be the first minority-influenced district in the state of Connecticut and if you were at the public hearing as we all were, you heard over and over again, representatives of the minority community in this state saying ‘we deserve to have as many minority-influenced or as many minority-majority districts as possible,’” Rep. Cafero said.

GOP Party Chair Jerry Labriola, Jr. said he thinks combining Bridgeport and New Haven into the 3rd District balances many interests.

But, said Sen. Looney, taking Bridgeport out of the 4th District creates a district that no Democrat could win.

Sen. Looney contends that the 4th District, even with Bridgeport, is a competitive district, which was held by Republicans in three out of the last five elections until in 2008 a Democrat was elected, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes.

Senate Minority Leader John McKinney said the proposal his party drafted is not about drawing the lines for incumbents and individuals; it is about meeting constitutional obligations.

Five Congressional Districts compacted

The five Congressional Districts were compacted in the map Rep. Cafero produced, which he said achieves a zero-deviation from the required 714,819 residents.

Sen. President Donald Williams released the map Democrats proposed more than two weeks ago, which made far fewer changes to the current lines. The changes were mostly of minor shifts to account for population changes, he said.

“We do that because we believe that the Congressional Districts in the state of Connecticut are competitive,” Sen. Williams said.

He noted that Connecticut dropped down to five districts a decade ago and over the last 10 years, three out of the five have been won by Republicans.

Sen. Williams said Democrats feel it is their responsibility to balance the population shifts rather than make redistricting a political process.

Sen. Williams also said the Democrats’ proposal follows civil rights and communities-of-interest laws, while it appears the Republicans did the opposite.

“We should take a closer look at what they (Republicans) have done, to determine if (their) ultimate purpose… is to dilute the influence of minority populations in multiple Congressional Districts,” he said.

He said that by concentrating the minority population in one district, the Republican map may dilute minority influence in the rest of the state.

Only two more weeks?

Still, both sides seem to believe an agreement can be reached within the next couple weeks.

Rep. Cafero said that the committee has agreed on where to place 139 of the state’s 169 towns.

“We’re 82 percent in agreement and 18 percent disagreement. If the court gives us a couple weeks, to say that we can’t resolve 18 percent of the issue, I think is wrong,” he said.

The committee as originally constituted was supposed to complete its work in September. In October, it was reappointed with a ninth “tie-breaker” member, former lawmaker, Democrat Kevin Johnston of Pomfret,

However, Sen. McKinney reportedly has said it’s possible committee members could declare a stalemate on the congressional map and ask the Supreme Court to take over the task.

Editor’s Note: This story is a combination of reporting by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan and by Hugh McQuaid for CTNewsJunkie.com. Portions of McQuaid’s story are included with permission from CTNewsJunkie.com

To read McQuaid’s original story, click here

For maps showing the new district lines for State House and State Senate, click here

For maps showing shifts in race and ethnic populations in Connecticut based on the 2010 U.S. Census data, click here

Posted Dec. 2, 2011

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NU now offering $100 credit for those who suffered prolonged power outages in October

In addition, NU will make donations of up to $5 million to the Connecticut Food Bank, Foodshare and Operation Fuel to help them address community needs for this approaching winter season.

Northeast Utilities President Charles W. Shivery Tuesday (Nov. 29) announced in a prepared statement that the company has increased the post-storm fund established on Nov. 9 by up to $30 million.

“As we heard from our customers and had discussions with Gov. Malloy and his staff, it became clear that the original sum we proposed, $10 million, was insufficient,” said Shivery. “While this storm was unprecedented, we set very high expectations for the performance of Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P). Clearly, we did not meet a number of those expectations.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates our sincere desire to keep faith with our CL&P customers by assisting those who were without power the longest, as well as organizations that provide food and warmth to those most in need,” Shivery added.

The freak snowstorm that hit Connecticut the evening of Oct. 29, dumped as much as 20 inches of snow in some parts of the state. In addition, the storm arrived before leaves had fallen from most trees, resulting in widespread damage from broken limbs tearing down power lines and smashing into buildings.

Due to a number of problems with the clean-up process, including a delay in calling in crews from other states, some Connecticut residents, businesses and agencies were without power for nine days or more.

The prolonged outages had a significant economic impact not only on businesses but on households where families had to find shelter in hotels and eat meals at restaurants, as well as towns that provided emergency shelters with costs that may or may not be reimbursed by federal emergency funds.

The NU press release also states that the company has sought the assistance of Kenneth Feinberg, the claim fund administrator who designed and administered the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, for distributing these “rebates.”

Feinberg agreed to help NU administer this post-storm fund at the request of Gov. Malloy, the press release states.

The company announced that any residential customer who was still without power after noon on Saturday, Nov. 5 as a result of the storm, will be eligible for credit applied to their CL&P bill – ranging from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $200 – depending on how many eligible customers apply for the credit.

In addition, NU will make donations of up to $5 million to the Connecticut Food Bank, Foodshare and Operation Fuel to help them address community needs for this approaching winter season.

Each organization will initially receive $1 million. Whether they will receive additional dollars depends on how much of the fund remains when it is closed down at the end of January, the release states.

“The unprecedented storm created substantial hardships for many people, despite the extraordinary efforts of our employees and contractors. Having the confidence of our customers is important to us and, in addition to establishing this fund, we have taken a series of steps to improve performance at CL&P,” Shivery said.

Those steps include:

• providing tree crews to communities to help with debris removal,

• appointment of a new President of CL&P,

• creation of a new position of Senior Vice President for Emergency Preparedness

• and an external review of CL&P preparation and response to the storm.

“With the benefit of the various reviews under way, we will have a more complete picture and will take all appropriate actions to ensure that we are able to deliver under even extreme conditions, like those we experienced in the October storm,” Shivery said, alluding to other reviews besides its own, including Gov. Malloy’s appointed Two Storm Committee.

Customers can begin applying for their rebate on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011.

“On that date, CL&P will begin contacting qualified residential customers to inform them of their eligibility to apply for the credit,” the release states. Customers also can begin applying on their own online at www.cl-p.com or call 888-566-9257 for more information.

All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2012.

Credits will begin to be applied to the customer’s February 2012 billing statement.

No release of legal claims will be necessary in order to receive compensation from the fund, the release states.

“Those customers who filed information through 211 for claims associated with the storm after the initial fund was announced will receive a credit on their bill without further application required if they are eligible,” the release states.

Posted Nov. 30, 2011

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Tour the studios of more than 70 artists

This is an opportunity to experience the incredible variety of artists working in the “Quiet Corner” of Connecticut, to talk with them about their work, to help support their work financially – what a wonderful gift is an original piece of art – and to talk to them about their inspiration and creative process. Seen here is an example of weaving by artist Camille Benjamin, who is part of the 2011 tour. The tour web site has information about each artist and a link to their web sites.

More than 70 artists open their studios on Thanksgiving weekend and the first weekend in December for the Artists Open Studios, Northeast Connecticut. (Nov. 25, 26, 27 and December 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The self-guided tour includes sculptors, fiber artists, photographers, potters, jewelers, glass artists, metal smiths, wood-turners and more.

This is an opportunity to experience the incredible variety of artists working in the “Quiet Corner” of Connecticut, to talk with them about their work, to help support their work financially – what a wonderful gift is an original piece of art – and to talk to them about their inspiration and creative process. Some studios will offer demonstrations.

The tour encompasses many of the beautiful towns that make up this part of the state – Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Danielson, Eastford, Ellington, Lebanon, Mansfield/Storrs, Pomfret, Thompson, Tolland, Windham/Willimantic and Willington.

To print a brochure/guide to the tour in PDF format, visit http://www.aosct.org The web site also provides information about the artists, a map of their locations, and a GOOGLE MAP for directions. The artists will be glad to assist you in getting from one studio to another during the tour.

And click here for the Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Artists-Open-Studios-of-Northeastern-CT/169213556464485

Posted Nov. 27, 2011

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Panel may miss Connecticut reapportionment deadline

Map of current Connecticut Congressional Districts. Source: www.govtrak.us

With its final deadline of midnight Nov. 30 looming, it’s likely the state’s Reapportionment Committee may gamble on sending the redrawing of Connecticut’s political map to state Superior Court.

But Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Tuesday (Nov. 22) said it is important for the committee to conclude its work on time. “I think failure to do this is a gigantic mistake. There is a process set up that allows this decision to be made. It should be made by that group and they should get their job done,” he said.

If not, the likely scenario would be a court-ordered, month-long deadline extension, similar to 2001, after the 2000 U.S. Census.

That would give lawmakers time to settle on new congressional lines, in which parts of the 2nd Congressional District, which takes up the eastern half of the state, would lose about 16,000 constituents to western districts.

Read more at http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Carving-state-five-ways-by-Thanksgiving-2174346.php#ixzz1eW2UQCJd

Posted Nov. 25, 2011

Related link: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=CT

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