W. Elm & Forest - Neighbors chat w/ TT&P Director

Several neighbors met near the "T" intersection of W. Elm St. & Forest Rd. tonight to take a look and chat with Mike Piscitelli, Director of New Haven's Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department. He also brought a rough drawing based on an on-site meeting he had with a CT DOT engineer last week. Residents of this block of W. Elm, and many Westville neighbors, know of the many accidents (including the 2008 death of a Forest Rd. neighbor) and the hazards of this particular intersection.

The City will soon get back to the neighbors with a proposal of what TT&P can do (with cooperation/permission from CT DOT) to mitigate the dangers at this intersection. The State did study and provided a recommendation (6/09) against installing a traffic light or stop signs (email me if you want a copy). Also, CT DOT advised that perhaps making the street one-way from Forest could help. This "one-way option" has largely been dismissed after the City formally surveyed the W. Elm St. neighbors. However, nothing is completely off the table as far as remedies go. Director Piscitelli will now consult further with the City's engineers (get CT DOT input and permissions if necessary) to get a plan that can be assessed by the New Haven Traffic Authority and the neighbors.

Neighbors attending tonight seemed to agree that striping and/or an island to direct flow to a Right-Turn Only from W. Elm to Forest would be a welcomed first step. Signage for No Left Turn onto Forest would also accompany this design. Further addressing the many hazards at this intersection, also led to considering blocking all incoming traffic from Forest onto W. Elm. This two-part idea will also be compared to completely blocking off access, to and from, Forest Rd.; thus making W. Elm a cul-de-sac at Forest.

TT&P will be in touch with Ina and me when they have something more to share.

Roger Rd Block Watch Meeting

I was happy to be invited to and attend the Roger Rd. Block Watch Meeting last night. If any other neighborhood Block Watches are meeting in the near future and would like to invite me, I'd like to try to attend.

-Greg

In-street Pedestrian Crossing Signs - removal for winter

Thought I'd make everyone aware that most (maybe all) of the popular, in-street pedestrian crossing signs will be removed for the winter. These signs - State Law, Stop for Pedestrians in crosswalks - are still just a "trial program." None (in our neighborhood) are permanently anchored and thus can't be left in place during snow removal season. Also, Transportation, Traffic & Parking (TT&P) wants to inventory and assess the signs. Many have been hit and damaged. They are also evaluating requests for more of these signs in addition to their own analysis for "how many and where" throughout the City.

DPW Leaf removal info

Street Sweeping becomes Leaf removal in November. Deputy Director of Public Works, Howard Weissberg, who spoke & answered questions at Nov's CMT meeting, reports that DPW has finished removing leaves from Ward 25/Route 11's streets. They will probably be back for more in December, as leaves fell late this year impacting the schedule and removal efficiency and completeness. Starting in November, DPW assesses the need for leaf pick-up, route-by-route, and formulates the schedule based on need and efficiency and not on a set schedule. This year, DPW also even added a "scraping" crew with a front-end-loader to go out ahead of the sweepers to remove big batches of leaves. Leaf crews AND garbage crews take away "resident bagged Leaves" during leaf season. It is illegal for anyone to rake or blow leaves into the street. DPW will warn and ticket violators. Howard does admit that communication could improve so they can get more cooperation from residents regarding moving cars and bagging leaves. Howard says he will continue to work to improve this program.

There is also a "night crew" to spot sweep and address arterial roads. CT DOT does not help with "their" many roads like Whalley & Fountain.

Please contact Ina or me to pass on any concerns about City Sweeping & Leaf removal to Howard. The concerns I've been hearing suggest many folks would like to see: ALL cars removed prior to sweeping and especially prior to leave collection (improve efficiency), more communication of schedule (via web or robo-phone calls), more information about "the rules" (website, flyers), and more enforcement of the bagging & not-into-the-street rules. Some folks would also like more supervision & evaluation of City crews/employees to ensure proper procedures (no leaf bags in with regular garbage) and increased efficiency.

Street Sweeping - some more info

There is info on DPW's website about street sweeping -- however it's from the Spring. It (click on the map) does however show Ward 25's Street Sweeping Route as #11. Route #11 is swept monthly between April - November on the first Monday (side 1) & first Tuesday (Side 2) of those months. According to Deputy Director of Public Works, Howard Weissberg, who spoke & answered questions at Nov's CMT meeting, the City's one crew takes care of the City's 14 Routes in a 28 day cycle (2 days/2 sides of the street). This full schedule does occasionally result in routes/neighborhoods being "missed" due to holidays or bad weather. Westville/Route 11 was "missed" 2 months in a row this sweeping season due to these factors. But, unlike "posted" routes, DPW can come back to our "in & out, un-posted" route, schedule permitting.

A set schedule and "posted" (permanent signs on poles) routes, does not allow for as much scheduling flexibility as DPW would like to accommodate needs and efficiency. Also, efficiency comes from having cars off the streets to be swept. Our neighborhood (Route 11) is one of the "un-posted" routes. This is suppose to offer the advantage of not being bothered with moving our cars on set days nor being subjected to ticketing and towing. Our neighborhood was identified as generally having fewer cars on the street which can be worked around. It also allows DPW to vary from the set two days they can come sweep our streets. In fact, for both these reasons, the City has been changing "posted" routes to "un-posted." Back to efficiency issues with "un-posted..." Crew supervisors (which go out a couple days ahead) do however assess how free of cars streets seem to be. And, they can then decide to "paper-post" streets as no-parking, providing 24 hours notice. This posting method too has it's pros and cons as you can imagine. Balancing desires, needs, requirements, efficiency, and inconvenience is the challenge. Howard is indeed re-evaluating the Street Sweeping program and will be working to improve it. He does want to emphasize that the City exceeds Federal & State DEP requirements. Cleaning the streets is done for both aesthetic and environmental reasons.

There is also a "night crew" to spot sweep and address arterial roads. CT DOT does not help with "their" many roads like Whalley & Fountain.

Please contact Ina or me to pass on any concerns about City Sweeping & Leaf removal to Howard. The concerns I've been hearing suggest many folks would like to see: ALL cars removed prior to sweeping and especially prior to leave collection (improve efficiency), more communication of schedule (via web or robo-phone calls), more information about "the rules" (website, flyers), and more enforcement of the bagging & not-into-the-street rules. Some folks also would like more supervision & evaluation of City crews/employees to ensure proper procedures (no leaf bags in with regular garbage) and increased efficiency.

CMT meeting (11/11) - DPW & LCI representatives speak

I attended the November CMT meeting last night. Two City employees came on their day off (Veteran's Day) to share information and take questions. Attendees and the board were very appreciative that LCI's Elaine Braffman and Deputy Director of Pubic Works, Howard Weissberg came to speak and listen to Westville/West Hills neighbors.

Elaine Braffman reiterated that folks should call her at her work number with any issues and to please always leave a name and phone number. She will return your call AND will always keep complainants' names private. Please visit LCI's website for Elaine's phone number on their Neighborhood Services page and for more info about how LCI can be of assistance to residents.

Howard Weissberg joined DPW as Deputy Director about 6 months ago. He came with a background and expertise in Right of Way Management. He's currently working on improving New Haven's Right of Way Management Program including new perspectives, requirements & recommendations born out of the BOA's Complete Streets resolution and created steering committee... and henceforth legislation. Right of Way Management includes street and sidewalk management. Howard confirmed he's working to implement new methodologies for efficient repair techniques, better work-order & job tracking management, a fresh survey of roads and sidewalks, and many other related aspects to what is a very big job! This all must also interface and coordinate with several other City departments including Parks, Engineering, TT&P, and City Plan. He also mentioned, since sidewalks & trees very often should be assessed as one, that DPW is also partnering with urban tree experts, URI, to help with surveying and best practices. DPW is currently experimenting and finding success with new repair techniques that don't damage tree roots (which most often cause sidewalk problems), are quicker than old methods, and cost less.

Howard reminds folks that currently the best reporting method for issues is the City's Web311 interface.

Howard also chatted about DPW's street sweeping and leaf collection (DPW has finished removing leaves from Ward 25's streets. They'll probably be back for more in Dec. Howard reports that leaves fell late this year) - here's my Blog entry about Leaf collection and my Blog about Street Sweeping...

Also, here are the CMT minutes from last month (Oct.). I'll link to Nov's when they're posted.

Newest NHPS Board member is an Edgewood Parent

Mayor DeStefano has appointed Ferdinand Risco, Jr. to the Board of Ed. and thus fills the final vacancy on the 8 member board. I do not know Mr. Risco, but I look forward to meeting him soon as he is a fellow Edgewood parent. Hopefully his bio will join the other BOE board members on the NHPS website soon. The NHI has this story today.

Mauro-Sheridan Dedication

I briefly attended the Mauro-Sheridan Science Technology and Communications Interdistrict Magnet School dedication ceremony this past Sunday. Alderman Tom Lehtonen (Ward 27) passed along our neighborhood's (Ward 25), "congratulations and welcome back" message. The new building looks great! I've asked if there are any Ward 25 kids attending the newly merged Mauro-Sheridan. I'm sure families from our neighborhood, interested in this interdistrict magnet school and its offerings, will be checking out this new, nearby option.

Neighborhood School Reform Discussions

This week there were a couple neighborhood get-togethers of neighborhood parents to chat about school reform and Edgewood School. Current, future and prospective parents are heading to meetings, and gathering to chat about school reform. Currently, school reform is the Mayor's top priority.

I attended a neighborhood chat last Sunday evening hosted by Tim Holahan. Several current, future, and prospective parents were there to discuss what they've heard about school reform and to chat about Edgewood School. Also, a newly formed parent group, Friends of Edgewood School (FES), was represented by neighbors Erica Holahan & Michael Slattery. This group is meeting with Edgewood's School Planning & Management Team (SPMT) this Monday (11/9) [This meeting was postponed - Meet FES at Enrichment Night @ Edgewood: Jan 27th @ 6:30pm] to finalize a proposed survey, to go out to Edgewood parents and neighbors, looking to hone in on needs for additional academic enrichment at Edgewood School that could be funded by grants and/or donations.

Neighbor and future Edgewood parent, Rebecca Weiner, would like to introduce the new group:

Dear Fellow Parents:

I am writing to introduce Friends of Edgewood School (FES), and invite you to a meeting to discuss FES at 3:30 PM this coming Monday, November 9th, at the Edgewood School Library. [This meeting was postponed - Meet FES at Enrichment Night @ Edgewood: Jan 27th @ 6:30pm]Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you think may be interested.

FES is a new all-volunteer group of Edgewood School parents (current and future). Our mission is to support Edgewood in developing in-school academic enrichment for all students at Edgewood School.

We plan to do this via grant-writing, fund-raising, and organizing volunteers to bring resources not currently available to the school, in order to support both current and new academic enrichment initiatives. We do and will work in cooperation with the PTA, SPMT, and other existing groups.

All Best--
--Rebecca

New City Recycling/Trash Program - UPDATED 3/26/10

This will NOT be rolling out with Recycle Bank as a partner, but the City is working on "plan B."  Read more in this  updated post...

OLD Post below:

I've been hearing about this for awhile now from Ina, Rob Smuts (City's CAO), folks at DPW, and others. A citizens group is helping with PR - New Haven Master Recyclers. The BOA approved the new measures last night. Here's the NHI story. The City has contracted with Recycle Bank to provide the infrastructure.

MORE THANKS & Election Returns

Thanks again to everyone that came out to vote yesterday! Thanks to all the ward 25 neighbors, supporters, and friends! I truly appreciate your demonstration of support. I indeed look forward to helping!

Thanks also to everyone that supported the Edgewood PTO bakesale! They raised over $1300!

741 Votes cast (voting machine total)

Counting absentee, I received 638 votes. Link to the NHI story with more results & numbers. Machine results: 625 votes, there were 110 blanks, 6 write ins (no info for those).

In our Ward, Mayor DeStefano received 553 votes, Ferrucci 110, Sumner 9, Watley 21
For Town Clerk: Ron Smith 502 & Leonard Nixon 119
The Development Act question received 585 YES, 84 No & 72 blanks
(the above are the voting machine totals)

As usual, the voter turn out and participation for our Ward was strong (third highest behind the contested races in Wards 10 & 18). Thanks!

THANKS!

Thanks to everyone that voted today!

-Greg

Election Day TODAY!

Election Day is TODAY, Nov. 3rd. Ward 25 votes at Edgewood School. 6am - 8pm.

The annual Edgewood PTO bake sale will go on all day too!

I made one more trip around the neighborhood on foot delivering an info card to make sure most everyone in the Ward has heard about me and the election. Hope to see you on TODAY!

Please come out and vote to demonstrate your support!

(10/27 was the last day to register to vote -- 7 days before the election.)