As of Oct. 1, 2011 Town’s grand list increases 0.27%

Written by Susan Wolf
Friday, 10 February 2012 16:00

The town's net taxable grand list as of Oct. 1, 2011, increased by 0.27%, compared to a 0.16% decrease on the 2010 list.

Town Assessor John Ford said from what he is hearing, most surrounding towns are looking at under a 1% increase as well on their grand lists.

The total signed/legal net grand list for 2011 real estate, personal property and motor vehicles is $1,995,568,915, a $5,327,017 increase. Mr. Ford said the net grand list is the gross grand list minus exempt property and exemptions, such as for the elderly and veterans.

The new net grand list would generate about $120,000 more in taxes based on the current budget and at the current mill rate of 22.79. This new list will be used for taxes for fiscal year 2012-13. The list becomes effective July 1, 2012, the start of this fiscal year.

ImageMakers Photography Contest: Entries will be accepted starting this Friday

Friday, 10 February 2012 11:00

The Boys & Girls Club of Redding-Easton will begin accepting entries for the 2012 ImageMakers Photography Contest on Friday, Feb. 10. All aspiring photographers ages six through 18 in Redding and Easton are encouraged to enter. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 16.

The contest has several categories, including Color, Black-and-White and Digital, and four age divisions: 6-9, 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18. There is also a Photo Essay category, which requires a photograph and a one-page essay addressing this year's theme: "My Future Looks Bright."

"The ImageMakers contest is an outlet for students to express their artistic talent," said Sophie Ota, a sophomore at Joel Barlow High School who is coordinating the contest as part of the Keystone Club, the Boys & Girls Club's community service group for high school students. "We hope that kids who participate will develop an appreciation for photography as art, if not simply pick up a new hobby."

Board approves budget

Written by Kaitlin Bradshaw/ The Redding Pilot
Friday, 10 February 2012 10:42

Redding Board of Education approved the Resource Committee's recommended budget of $21,746,495 Thursday Feb. 9, during a budget workshop. This is an increase of $392,951 or 1.84% over the current budget.

Vice chair James Barickman proposed the motion to accept this budget and present it to the board of finance. The board approved unanimously.

"I am pleased with the result. It is a sound budget, it does what needs to be done," said superintendent of schools, Dr. Bernard Josefsberg.

Local man plans run for Congress

Written by Kaitlin Bradshaw/The Redding Pilot
Thursday, 09 February 2012 16:00

Richard "Dick" Wieland of Redding announced Tuesday that he is seeking the Republican nomination for Connecticut's 4th Congressional District.

Jerry Labriola, Jr., Connecticut Republican Party chairman, introduced Mr. Wieland at his announcement on the town green.

"I pledge to be an honest broker, and I am confident that once we choose a nominee and unite as a party, voters of the 4th District will return the seat to Republican hands," Mr. Labriola said. "I have no doubt that Dick will make a terrific candidate; all three [candidates] would be a terrific alternative to the incumbent. Jim Himes has a clear record and is a close friend to President Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, but he is no friend to the taxpayers, hard-working families and the financial services industry in the 4th Congressional District."

Malloy announces additional $50 million in ECS funding; Redding’s grant will see no change

Thursday, 09 February 2012 15:09

As part of his proposal to reform education from early childhood through college, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has announced an additional $50 million in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding to schools. Nearly $40 million will go to newly-established Alliance Districts, made up of the state's 30 lowest-performing school districts — conditioned upon the districts' implementation of key education reform strategies. An additional $4.5 million in competitive funding will be offered to all districts — with a preference for the 30 Alliance Districts, to enable even more ambitious innovations and deeper reforms.

In his Dec. 20, 2011 letter to the leadership of the Connecticut General Assembly, Gov. Malloy identified a set of principles and themes to guide the state's education reform efforts in 2012.

The Governor's proposal identifies the state's 30 lowest-performing school districts as participants in a Performance Alliance between these districts and the state, which makes them eligible for significant increases in conditional state funding. In order to receive its allotted increase, each Alliance District must submit a reform plan that may include elements of reform strategies in the Governor's proposal. The state Department of Education will consider these plans for approval.

Board reduces budget plan, another workshop Thursday

Written by Kaitlin Bradshaw/The Redding Pilot
Thursday, 09 February 2012 10:00

The proposed Redding Board of Education budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year is now at $21,746,495 which is a 1.84% increase over the current budget.

This proposed budget for the elementary and middle schools was not voted on. Board members wanted to think over the presentation before coming to a decision.

"I support the number. I just wish I had more time to digest the new material," said board member Mike D'Agostino.

The next budget workshop will be today, Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at John Read Middle School.

During Tuesday's meeting, Schools Superintendent Dr. Bernard Josefsberg said there have been "some savings" from the proposed budget presented in January, which had a 3.16% increase over the current budget.

In this week's Pilot

Thursday, 09 February 2012 06:00

Here are some of the stories and features in this week's Redding Pilot, out today:

• The town's grand list increases 0.27%

• The Redding Board of Education reduces budget plan to 1.84% increase; budget workshop is Thursday (today)

• State Reps. Shaban and Carter meet with constituents.

• Local man plans to run for Congress.

• Revaluation set to begin.

• The Joel Barlow High boys indoor track teams compete at the league finals.

In other news:

• Kids open mic night is a success for Georgetown Saloon.

• January home sales drop from last year.

• Astro-Photography is topic of talk at New Pond Farm.

• Montessori school website gets new look.

• Man reports second coyote sighting.

• Randi Hutton will speak to Barlow's PTSA about how students can get organized.

• Dr. Kramer will give talk about risk for heart disease.

• Georgetown Fire Department sponsored CPR classes.

• Debate team sends 15 to state finals.

• Barlow to present Rashomon.

• Students pen love letters as classic couples.

• Club's seminar focuses on tree regulations.

• Emilie Meyers is named a Presidential Scholars Program candidate.

• Cindy Meehl's documentary, Buck, to be shown at Playhouse.

• Mardi Gras celebration open to all at Sacred Heart Church.

• Landscape architect will talk to Garden Club.

• Book discussion group will meet on March 5.

• Paternity suit can proceed, state Supreme Court rules.

• Advance directives topic of talk.

• Zoners OK two permits.

• Mountain lions presentation set this Friday in New Canaan.

Shays outlines priorities for a Senate campaign he says will be a revolution

Written by Ken Borsuk/Hersam Acorn Newspapers
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 12:05

For Christopher Shays, his return to politics is just the first step in what he hopes will be a revolution of thinking.

But in making official his entry into the Republican race for the soon-to-be vacant seat of U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Ct.), Mr. Shays has not suddenly turned into a radical calling for riots in the street. Instead, he wants a revolution of priorities and approach, one that he says will return America to its greatness.

"We want people to join something special," Mr. Shays said in a recent interview. "It's a revolution to get our country back on track and our fellow Americans back to work. We have people who have no jobs and have lost their homes. They've also lost a sense of dignity by not having jobs. They don't have the same sense of hope they had in the past. They don't see this incredibly dynamic country through its leaders, talking truth and making tough decisions."

River trail options open for discussion

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 00:00

Walkers, hikers, cyclists and equestrians who are interested in the proposed Norwalk River Valley Trail are invited to a public meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Gilbert & Bennett School, 49 New Street, Georgetown. The meeting will address portions of the trail that are planned to pass through Wilton, Redding and Ridgefield.

Those attending may review and comment on the prospective route of the 27-mile trail that will eventually go from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk to Danbury.

Omission will impact next fiscal year’s budget

Written by Susan Wolf
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 13:00

There was good and bad news at the finance board's Jan. 23 meeting.

The bad news is that a $350,000 principal bond payment was left out of the current year's budget, so the next fiscal year's budget (2012-13) will start with an increase of $350,000 since the same principal payment will be due, said Bill Alvarez, finance board chairman.

The good news, said Mr. Alvarez, is that due to estimated budget savings in medical costs, utility costs and other areas in the current budget, the additional cost will mostly be offset.

Town Treasurer Peg O'Donnell prepares the debt service portion of the budget. She said a lot of people looked at this part of the budget but no one caught the error.

"We missed it by a month, when the payment was due, and it was for the current fiscal year. We miscalculated when the payment was due," she said.