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DMV office hours change during Christmas holiday

December 22, 2011 Areawide, Business, Local News No Comments

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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Regional Farmers Market trying to establish a new home

December 14, 2011 Areawide, Business, Local News No Comments

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

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

December 14, 2011 Areawide, Business No Comments

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

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

November 30, 2011 Areawide, Business, Local News No Comments

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

Electricity rates to drop by Jan 1 2012

November 29, 2011 Business, Local News No Comments

This means the average customer using 750 kilowatt hours will see their monthly bill decrease about $9. On the other hand… Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating have yet to seek rate increases to cover the costs of both Tropical Storm Irene and the October Nor’easter.

For the past few years, Connecticut has had the highest electric rates in the U.S., second only to Hawaii but there’s a little good news arriving with the New Year.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Connecticut’s rates fell to 16.15 cents per kilowatt hour in August, putting it behind Hawaii, New York and Alaska.

It will drop even further in January because the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (formerly the Department of Public Utility Control) announced Monday (Nov. 28) that Connecticut Light & Power’s generation rates will decrease about 1.2 cents per kilowatt hour for residential customers.

This means the average customer using 750 kilowatt hours will see their monthly bill decrease about $9.

On the other hand… Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating have yet to seek rate increases to cover the costs of both Tropical Storm Irene and the October Nor’easter.

For more about UI’s rate decrease, and rate reductions for business customers, read the full story by Christine Stuart at CTNewsJunkie at http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/ct_no_longer_has_second_highest_electric_rates/

Posted Nov. 28, 2011

Laws make gift cards less restrictive, limit fees, but buyer beware!

November 25, 2011 Areawide, Business, Local News No Comments

Federal rules that took effect in August of 2010 are designed to protect consumers by restricting fees and changing conditions regarding gift card expiration dates.

As the holiday shopping season kicks off with Black Friday, many shoppers are avoiding the crowds and saving on gas by buying gift cards – the one-size-fits-all kind of gift.

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau (BBB), however, cautions consumers to do their homework, first. Not all gift cards are created equal.

“While the majority of vendors are honest, there is a degree of risk associated with buying gift cards from some online sites and over-the-counter displays at convenience stores and gas stations,” warns Connecticut BBB President Paulette Scarpetti.

Since January 2011, the BBB has received more than 440 complaints against the gift card industry, a huge increase from the 33 complaints received in 2010.

In some cases, consumers are disgruntled because they received an expired gift card that was loaded with cash, but the cards were not usable until the expiration date was corrected.

After sending their expired cards for replacement, updated cards were never returned, leaving the recipients empty-handed.

Connecticut’s Gift Card Law prohibits the sale of cards with expiration dates or inactivity fees.

The BBB has these tips for both gift card givers and recipients:

1. Know your rights

Federal rules that took effect in August of 2010 are designed to protect consumers by restricting fees and changing conditions regarding gift card expiration dates.

These new rules apply to two types of cards: retail gift cards, which can only be redeemed at retailers and restaurants that sell them, and bank gift cards, which carry the logo of a payment card network such as American Express, Visa, or MasterCard and may be used wherever those brands are accepted.

More information on the new rules is available from the Federal Reserve website at http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/wyntk_giftcards.htm

2. Know the seller

Make sure you are buying from a known and trusted source. You can look for information about a business at www.bbb.org

And avoid online auction sites that promise ‘full value guaranteed’ gift cards. Some sites of this type have been reported to sell cards that are valueless, counterfeit, expired or obtained fraudulently.

3. Inspect the packaging and the card

Be on the lookout for gift cards that appear to have been removed from their packaging, are approaching their expiration date or are already are expired. Verify that no protective stickers have been removed and that the protective layer on the back of the card hasn’t been scratched off to reveal a PIN number. Report any damaged cards on display to the seller.

4. Read the fine print before buying

Is there a fee to buy the card? Are there shipping and handling fees for cards bought by phone or online? Will any fees be deducted from the card after it is purchased?

5. Provide the card’s recipient with back up

Give the recipient the original receipt in case the card is later lost or stolen. Also, before you buy retail gift cards, consider the financial situation of the retailer or restaurant. A card from a business that files for bankruptcy or goes out of business may be worthless.

[Editor's note: I was given a $50 gift certificate to a children's bookstore that went out of business a week later and filed for bankruptcy. I was told by a state official that it is up to the now-closed business whether to refund or otherwise honor their gift cards. The bookstore owner chose not to.]

The BBB says if a business closes a store near the recipient [Blockbuster is a recent example], it may be hard to find another location where the card can be used.

A business that files for bankruptcy may honor its gift cards, or a competitor may accept the card. Call the business or its competitor to find out if they are redeeming the cards, or will do so at a later date.

6. Treat the gift card like cash!

For recipients, it’s important to immediately report lost or stolen cards to the issuer. Some issuers may not replace them, while others will, for a fee. Make sure to use gift cards as soon as possible; it’s not unusual to misplace or forget about them.

Founded in 1928, the Connecticut BBB is an unbiased, non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior.

The BBB helps consumers find and recommend businesses, brands and charities they can trust, offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust. The BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses.

Today, 116 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities.

Posted Nov. 25, 2011

DMV offices closed for Thanksgiving but open on Friday and Saturday

November 22, 2011 Business, Local News No Comments

Mr. Tom is not for eating, but some of his relatives may not be so lucky. Photo copyright 2009 by Brenda Sullivan

All Department of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

DMV’s full-service regional hubs and limited-service offices will reopen Friday, Nov. 25, at 7:45 a.m.

DMV’s full-service regional hubs and limited-service offices will also be open for normal business hours on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In addition, all AAA offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, but will be open to process driver’s license renewals during their normal business hours on Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26.

You can visit http://ct.gov/dmv/offices for a complete list of offices and hours.

Additional information about DMV services can be found 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 website and phone center, customers can find specific information 24 hours a day on a non-driver identification, change of address and change of name.

In addition, the site has details about vehicle tax questions, records information, forms, emissions, inspections, operator’s licenses, titles and registrations and directions to DMV branch offices and photo license centers.

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

Posted Nov. 22, 2011

CL-P President Jeff Butler resigns in aftermath of Storm Alfred outage outrage

November 17, 2011 Areawide, Business Sponsors, Local News No Comments

CL&P is currently under scrutiny by a Two Storm Panel created by Gov. Malloy to address issues over restoring power both after Tropical Storm Irene in August and Storm Alfred in October.

The man who took the brunt of the criticism for the prolonged power outages following the freak October snowstorm – that left hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses without electricity for as long as nine days – will no longer be in the spotlight.

CL&P President Jeffrey D. Butler has resigned.

His resignation was announced via a press release issued today (Nov. 17) by Northeast Utilities, the parent company for Connecticut Light and Power.

As Butler leaves his position, he also takes with him any input he might have given into why some of the things that went wrong did so, and why some things did get done correctly, as he often pointed out in press conferences.

As the power outages stretched into day nine, after the Oct. 29 storm, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy began leaving Butler on his own at the podium during the twice-daily updates from the Emergency Operations Center televised by news stations.

Reacting to the news of Butler’s resignation, Gov. Malloy issued the following brief statement this afternoon, through a member of his staff, Senior Advisor Roy Occhiogrosso:

“Gov. Malloy made clear that he thought Northeast Utilities needed to address CL&P’s management issues, and it’s clear that process has begun. It’s also likely that there will be other changes on other fronts as a result of CL&P’s performance in the lead-up to and aftermath of the storm.”

CL&P is currently under scrutiny by a Two Storm Panel created by Gov. Malloy to address issues over restoring power both after Tropical Storm Irene in August and Storm Alfred.

The historic October storm dumped as much as 20 inches of snow in parts of the state. The main problem created by Storm Alfred was that the snow fell on trees that still had their leaves, which caused widespread damage from broken trees and tree limbs falling onto power lines.

Gov. Malloy has also called in a private company, Witt Associates to investigate what went wrong, and they are expected to produce a report by Dec. 1, 2011.

In the statement issued today, Northeast Utilities Chair, President and CEO Charles W. Shivery announced that “changes in senior leadership and in the emergency preparedness organization of its Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) operating company,” would be taking place, including accepting Butler’s resignation “effective immediately.”

Butler holds a degree in electrical and electronic engineering. He previously worked for Pacific Gas and Electric, and then for an energy consulting firm. He was hired as president by CL&P in 2009.

“We reluctantly accepted Jeff’s resignation,” Shivery said. “His commitment and dedication on behalf of our company, employees and customers have been exceptional. We thank him for his important contribution to NU, CL&P and the community. We wish him all the best.”

“I am proud of our employees and their hard work in response to these historic storms,” said Shivery. “Today’s changes are major steps to help CL&P and our employees better meet future challenges. There are still things to learn, but with winter coming these were changes I knew we should and could make right now.”

Northeast Utilities will now begin searching for Butler’s replacement. In the interim, James A. Muntz, NU president – Transmission, will take over Butler’s duties.

“Muntz currently has overall leadership and management responsibility for NU’s Transmission business… as Vice President – Customer Operations, responsible for the operation and maintenance of CL&P’s electric power distribution system,” the press release states.

Muntz will report to Lee Olivier, who is Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer for NU and CEO of CL&P.

Other steps NU will take in response to the issues surrounding Storm Irene and Storm Alfred outlined in the press release:

- the company has retained a consulting firm, Davies Consulting, Inc., “to perform a thorough evaluation of CL&P’s preparedness and response to recent unprecedented storms,” with a preliminary report due the first week of January and the final report due in early February.

- CL&P has created a new position to lead emergency preparedness, to be filled by CL&P Senior VP – Emergency Preparedness William J. Quinlan. “Quinlan will lead the consolidation and integration of all CL&P emergency preparedness. He will work with state and town officials to put protocols in place to allow CL&P to partner effectively in any type of emergency,” the release states. He also will coordinate the company’s participation in the current post-storm reviews. “Quinlan has worked closely with the towns and the state following Tropical Storm Irene,” the release states.

CL&P Vice President – Asset Strategy Dana Louth has been named to the new position of Vice President – CL&P Infrastructure “He will report to Quinlan. “Louth is a 35-year CL&P veteran with extensive experience in the design and maintenance of electric systems,” the release states. In his new role, Louth will be responsible for “reviewing and making recommendations on how the company can improve the resiliency of its electric system. He will look at such things as tree cutting/trimming, structural “hardening” (making the electric system more resilient under harsh weather conditions), and issues related to underground utilities.

Posted Nov. 17, 2011

Editor’s note: CT-N’s tapings of the Two Storm Panel proceedings can be viewed live online and previous tapings are archived. The next meeting is at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, when the panel will hear testimony from first responders, including police and firefighters, as well as union representatives. Click here for more information http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/press.asp

Related link: “Former FEMA director hired by Gov. Malloy to review response to power outages. http://windham.htnp.com/2011/11/04/former-fema-director-hired-by-gov-malloy-to-review-response-to-power-outages/