Thanks Yale

Thanks Yale!  This week, Yale's contractors are replacing the fencing along Central Ave.  As one of the main routes into our neighborhood, I had asked them to replace the ugly chain link fencing.  I know the neighborhood appreciates this improvement!

Duck Pond Update: 2/9/12

2/9/12  Work continues at the Edgewood Duck Pond.  I'm helping to keep folks up-to-date on this project.  For more background on this project, please link to: Work Begins

John Champion shares the latest:

Either next week or the week after, DEEP is going to send a crew to cut down the Phragmites at the Duck Pond. I will not know until the morning of his visit what day he will be out there. On the east side of the river, he will access the work area from the service road on the Boulevard. On the west side of the river, he will need to access the work area through the Parks Headquarters parking lot. I advised him that should check in at the front desk to gain access. He will be doing cutting and does not think that it will take a significant amount of time.  

This will be a long process and this cutting is the first step. I did point out the plantings on the east side of the pond that he needed to be careful around and he seemed confident that he would cause no collateral damage. For an example of what the result may be, you could take a look at the area next to the river on the south side of route 34. The view of the river has been restored and the open area is a big improvement. 

Other information this week-Terry Contracting has begun to move equipment into place on route 1 in preparation to start investigating the concrete apron at the tide gates. This apron was installed at the time that the original tide gates were built and Terry has to work around it in some way to install the coffer dam. They have also completed submittals for the 48” stainless steel pipes which are now ordered. All of the submittals for the DOT permit have been submitted and we expect that the steel for the cofferdams is going to be delivered this week and next week.

Schumack construction (the contractor at the Duck Pond) has installed a silt fence on the west side of the river in preparation for the delivery of soil to build up the area that may too low to prevent some minor flooding of the soccer fields. They intend to grade that area next week when/if the ground freezes so that access area is not chewed up and damages the field. MMI inspected the layout of the pathway and boardwalk this week and requested that the surveyor return and stake out the center line of the path is several additional areas. The City Plan Dept, Parks and MMI have approved a change in design to the railing of the boardwalk so that it is less bulky and will require less maintenance. CFE will negotiate these changes with Schumack.

Work Starts on the West River Restoration Project

Edgewood Park Duck Pond Improvements - Layout Plan

I'm helping to keep the neighborhood up-to-date on this project.  Connecticut Fund for the Environment is managing this project and working in close cooperation with the City and Friends of Edgewood Park (FOEP).  Here are a couple pix and the Layout Plan (click here for pdf) of the work just begun around the Edgewood Park Duck Pond and a brief overview of the project from Save the Sound's John Champion:

               The construction of two restoration projects on the West River began early in January. Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, is managing the projects which are funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the American Recovery and Restoration Act.

                The first project will install three self-regulating tide gates just below Orange Avenue. These tide gates will replace three of the wooden flapper type gates that were installed circa 1920. The new gates will allow more salt water to enter the West River, which will begin to restore the natural habitat.

                The second project will insure that we maintain public access to the amenities of the Duck Pond at Chapel Street. One effect of the self-regulating gates is that the tidal fluctuation at the Duck Pond will result in a soggier area, especially at high tide. Continued access will be provided by a raised walkway and a boardwalk. Water will flow under the boardwalk as the tide ebbs and flows.  Dead trees have been removed and at the conclusion of the project, native vegetation will be planted.

                Terry Contracting & Materials, Inc. is doing the work on the tide gates and Schumack Engineered Construction is doing the work on the Duck Pond. Because of the warm weather, the work on the Duck Pond has started and the project is expected to be completed in mid-spring, depending on the weather conditions. The work on the tide gates will follow approximately the same schedule but the gates will not be opened until the work on the Duck Pond has been completed so that additional water does not enter the system until the access project is complete.

                Milone and MacBroom are the project engineers. Questions regarding the work on the project may be addressed to John Champion from Save the Sound at 203.787.0646, extension 101.   

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!  I've truly enjoyed helping as the Alderman for Ward 25 for the past two years.  The torch passed Sunday, Jan. 1st, at noon to Adam.

Alderman Marchand, Alderman Ward 25

203-843-8102 cell

adam@marchand25.org 

Office Hours: Wednesday, 8:30 to 10 am, Deja Brew

Occasional evening office hours to be announced

I'm going to keep the blog going and hope to stay in touch and continue to be helpful.

Revalution Info (property re-assessment)

Please check out this very good NHI article and great video explanation by my colleague Justin Elicker (10-D).  Please call or email me with any additional questions.

The Mayor's presentation is available here. Also, the City is sending out a second letter (12/14) with additional information.

Two letters will be coming from the city with information on your new assessment.  Or, you can visit Vision Appraisal's website to look up your property.

The formal Assessment Appeals process begins Feb 1st.  Check back for more info or call Alderman Marchand!

Remember,  your property's assessment is only a piece (I do appreciate it's a significant piece to us property owners!) of the city's tax base, and one of many, many pieces (revenue side and spending side) of the huge puzzle that results in the property tax you will pay in 2012.  You have opportunity to correct and/or appeal your assessment.  You also have time to talk to your Alderman and participate in the public collaboration and debate as the 2012-13 budget is created, tweaked, changed, vetted, and approved.  The Mayor (by Charter) submits his proposed budget by March 1st (usually no sooner).  Then the BOA hold public hearings, do their oversight and then ratify the budget which then sets the property tax rate (mill rate) for FY12-13 beginning July 1, 2012.

BZA Hearing Agenda 12/13 - 7-Eleven & Cafe

UPDATE:  BOTH OF THESE HAVE POSTPONED THEIR  BZA APPLICATION
They will probably re-submit

Several neighbors have asked about two items on this Tuesday's BZA agenda.   

A new cafe ("cafe" is the description for a full bar per state liquor control) at Whalley & Dayton St. needs a special exception to open and some are concerned about it being a "stand alone bar."  Also, 7-Eleven seeks the necessary variance to be open between 11pm and 6am.  This store would occupy the old Tommy K's at Whalley & East Ramsdell.

The Westville-West Hills Community Management Team has heard from neighbors and CMT vice chair Andy Orefice has sent around a letter you can read here.

These items (and others) will be heard by the BZA on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 6:30pm at 200 Orange Street in the Hearing Room in the basement. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and public testimony is welcome.

Saturday Library Hours Restored

Mitchell Branch Library Hours include Saturdays, Noon - 5pm, beginning 10/1:

Mitchell Branch, 37 Harrison Street,

Monday 12:00 – 8:00, Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 – 6:00, Saturday 12:00 – 5:00.

Click here to read the press release regarding re-instating Saturday hours at NHFPL branches.
Also:
E-BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE including for Kindle:
Link to E-Book page on NHFPL website

New Parking Meters Proposal for Downtown UPDATED

 UPDATE 12/7/11:  Most of the new meters are now installed.  The new, later hours will go into effect soonish.  The City is first giving folks a chance to get used to the new meters.  The new hours will be added to the existing signs.

The BOA has approved capital bonding for new parking meter heads with today's technology to replace mechanical meters and allow for "dynamic parking" rates, credit card acceptance, much lower maintenance costs, and many other benefits.  Below is a link to the Memo to Aldermen with an update and map from Jim Travers, interim director of Transportation, Traffic & Parking, which hopefully will clear up confusion regarding the proposal to extend meter times downtown.  I'm confident all changes will include collaboration with and be in the best interest of the many City stakeholders, residents, and New Haven tax payers:

Jim Travers' Memo to Aldermen

NHPD Reporting

NHPD Reporting.  Many neighbors have shared their concerns regarding their ability to report un-witnessed property crimes to the NHPD. Last spring, the City's CAO together with NHPD and the Dept of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) implemented changes designed to improve service and save costs. However, the "expedited report" change didn't work for a variety of reasons.

To make a police report for un-witnessed property crimes, call the NHPD non-emergency number: 203.946.8221.

The DPSC operator will take the report, decide whether or not to dispatch an officer, and can generate a report with a case number.

Please report ALL crime as this data drives resource allocation.

Please read city CAO Rob Smut's letter to the Public Safety Committee (I and many colleagues shared our constituents' concerns on this issue) explaining efforts for DPSC changes which included the trial reporting changes, but until further notice, the reverting to the old policy of taking reports over the phone by DPSC operators.

Click to read letter from Rob Smuts, CAO, City of New Haven

Friends of Edgewood Park just re-planted 40 Fruit Trees!

UPDATE: FOEP planted trees last weekend (9/24) after winning an orchard in round 3 of the voting.
THANKS TO ALL who voted and the many who helped plant.  Now we need volunteers to water and care for them!  Please contact Friends of Edgewood Park.

Please help the Friends of Edgewood Park reintroduce fruit trees in Edgewood Park, as part of this year's celebration of the centennial of the park redesign by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. FOEP have applied for a Fruit Tree Orchard Grant, from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, that will provide them with the fruit trees, resources, and expert assistance needed to reintroduce about 45 fruit bearing trees (plus assorted fruit bearing shrubs) in the park. Their application made it to the 100 finalists (out of about 425 contenders worldwide) and now it moves to the online public voting phase that will determine the top 20 vote gatherers who will receive fruit tree orchards to benefit their communities.
Please VOTE on-line via communitiestakeroot.com.  Please vote everyday 'til the end of JUNE!