HARTFORD – State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) today expressed deep concern about the levels of tax and spending increases in Governor Dannel Malloy’s proposed budget.
“Connecticut is facing annual deficits of more than $3.5 billion for the foreseeable future,” said Rep. Lavielle. “I had hoped to see every reasonable opportunity to reduce expenses explored before any tax increases were even considered. Not only does this proposal not do that, but it actually increases spending significantly.”
The governor’s proposal increases state spending by $900 million over the next two years, according to Gov. Malloy’s own budget director Ben Barnes. This jump in spending brings with it more than $1.5 billion in tax increases in each of the next two years – the largest tax increase in Connecticut’s recent history.
“In addition to the tax and spending increases, I found a number of other elements in the proposal disappointing,” said Rep. Lavielle. “Although the governor has recommended many important agency consolidations, they generate only about $10 million in savings. That will hardly make a dent in the deficit. There are no asset sales. There is no shifting of services to the private or nonprofit sector. And there is no relief from unfunded mandates on towns.”
Rep. Lavielle concluded, “Governor Malloy began his speech today by stating that job creation was the primary driver behind his proposal. Yet he offered little insight into how the budget would help to create a more fertile climate for jobs by making the state more attractive to businesses. Certainly the proposed tax increases will make the environment even more difficult for small business owners, who represent about 70% of our state’s economy.”
SEN. DUFF TO SWRPA: PUT FUNDS TOWARD SUPER 7 OR INTERCHANGE
Formally requests funding be directed away from widening project
Norwalk – In a letter to Southwestern Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) Executive Director Floyd Lapp today, state Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) asked that the agency direct funds away from the Route 7 widening project in the Town of Wilton and be instead put toward either the completion of the Super 7 Expressway or the Merritt Parkway/Super 7 exchange.
Back in 2004, the first Green Drinks held in Connecticut happened at Papaya Thai’s tiki bar in South Norwalk. Green Drinks have since spread all over the state to include many other cities and towns.
But not since Fairfield County Green Drinks has there been a big Green Drinks, so it’s time to invite all the Green Drinks organizers to celebrate together again.
Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, Ridgefield and Westchester Green Drinks have joined forces inviting all Green Drinks fans to attend Super Green Drinks on June 2nd at Fat Cat Pie and Fat Cat Joe.
Author Stefanie Iris Weiss will sign copies of her new book Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets and Make Your Love Life Sustainable (Ten Speed Press/Crown Publishing).
Fat Cat Joe will provide an alcohol-free environment for young people and those who choose an alcohol-free life style. It’s a coffee shop. Fat Cat Pie next door will serve drinks as always.
On this occasion we are joined by the Try Norwalk Naturally green business association, which will set up displays and booths.
For more information please contact us. http://www.greendrinks.org
Click USA, then click Connecticut, then Norwalk.
It’s the speaking portion of the Norwalk/Wilton Tree Festival. Learn about Chesnut Trees. Norwalk Tree advocate of the year Mike Mushak, and Wilton Tree Steward Halfdan Prahal are recognized. Over 1200 people attended this years festival.
The Norwalk-Wilton Tree Festival at Cranbury Park May 22 offers property owners an opportunity to talk to experts face-to-face and learn how to care for trees and avoid or minimize the kind of heavy damage left by the devastating storm that battered the area March 13.
Arborists—the term applied to certified tree specialists—are going to be
available at the displays and exhibitor booths on-site to explain at no charge
how to promote the health of trees so they more resistant to stress from
extreme weather, insects and disease.
High winds gusting to 60 m.p.h. and a prolonged downpour toppled trees and felled limbs in Norwalk and seven other communities between Greenwich and Weston, leaving vast areas without power for up to a week, rerouting traffic and even isolating neighborhoods and leaving them inaccessible.
Businesses and schools were closed. Damage was estimated in excess of $6.2 million.
While damage is unavoidable in a storm of the magnitude of March 13, the consequences can be minimized with basic tree maintenance. For example, make sure no invasive growth—like the mile-a-minute vine—is choking the trees, making them top-heavy and susceptible to breakage, especially when the leaves trap rainwater.
When the soil around the base of the tree is eroding and the roots are visible, that’s a sign that the tree’s health is imperiled.
The arborists on the grounds at Cranbury Park also have the professional knowledge and experience to give pointers on which trees thrive best in the No. 6 Hardiness Zone that covers most of Connecticut–and tree care issues such as pruning, fertilization, mulching, staking, watering, soil conditions, planting procedures and protective fencing.
The also recommend locations distant from buildings, utility lines both overhead and underground, and pavement that could encumber the root structure. And they are able to identify undesirable and invasive species such as Norway maples and address other factors like getting adequate sunlight and the effects of air pollution.
Look for signs that say: “Ask the arborist (tree expert)!”
Aside from initiatives to avoid stress on trees and the consequences of extreme weather, the urban forest is regarded as a valuable asset to the community.
Trees are a way of showing we believe in tomorrow. They are a vital and renewable natural resource that contributes to the economy, protects the environment and enriches the quality of life.
They enhance the outdoor ambience. They anchor the urban ecology and landscape. They knit together the social fabric of neighborhoods, beautifying the landscape with their foliage and stateliness. They demonstrably increase property values and provide energy savings. They add to public revenue, attracting businesses and visitors. They filter impurities from the air. They provide shade. They improve storm water management, helping to prevent soil erosion and flooding. They yield fruit for humans and sustenance for birds and wildlife. They define property lines. They serve as fences and provide windbreaks. And they serve as memorials and monuments.
The festival May 22 at Cranbury Park on the border between Norwalk and Wilton presents a full agenda of environmentally focused exhibits and family-style activities free of charge–hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies, popcorn and soda included. Last year’s turnout surpassed 1,000.
One popular stop is a rope tree-climb for kids secured in harnesses and hard hats. Parking is available on-site and door prizes are to be distributed at regular intervals over the course of the day.
The activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. The day is collaboration among the Norwalk Tree Alliance, Norwalk Department of Public Works, Wilton Garden Club and Wilton Tree Committee.
Cranbury Park, north of the Merritt Parkway off Grumman Avenue near Route 7 covers 190 wooded acres incorporating the 18th-century-stye Gallaher Mansion, a sculpture garden, a remarkable weeping beech with multiple trunks and a covered pavilion.
Additional information about the festival is available in Norwalk by calling the City of Norwalk Customer Service Center at (203) 854-3200 or via e-mail at customerservice@norwalkct.organd in Wilton from Elizabeth Craig at elizycraig@aol.com or Jessica Kaplan at kaplan356@aol.com.
The fourth annual Democratic pizza and politics event hosted by Ted Hoffstatter, Martha Aasen and members of various DTCs from Westport, Weston, Wilton, Greenwich, and Fairfield. Despite the room being packed with a few hundred people it was still difficult to not run into someone running for governor, or had run for governor or would like to one day grow up and be governor.
As usual the Norwalk Democratic party provided the usual ample fodder for me write stories for the entire month of February. But what happens at Fat Cat stays in Fat Cat, so we’ll just have to wait how things all shake out. But in the interim, because I know you were all hoping for all those tantalizing morsels of Norwalk DTC drama, let’s just say that the likelihood of someone challenging the Democratic party rules again, as in this will be the third time in 4 years, is pretty high. Not because of any one egregious action, but three separate events are rallying cries for change. My response; just fix the rules and stop with this nonsense.
The battle for who will be the next chair of the Norwalk Dems is shaping up to be delightful. Of course that’s what precipitating all the drama between people who won’t let go, and people who want to be part of a real Democratic party. There’s a healthy amount of jockeying between the people who are rallying around the campaigns of the gubernatorial candidates, which as represented last night are Dan Malloy, Ned Lamont, Rudy Marconi and Mary Glassman. The prize, as it is in all these primaries, is who gets to pick the delegates that go to the state conventions and otherwise enjoy the potential of administration jobs in Hartford. A word of advice, an old bear is not nimble and rather clumsy in its movements, but an old bear lies in wait in the bushes and can ambush the more nimble with a swipe of its paw. Just saying.
Meanwhile, the under representation by the “official” Norwalk Democratic party in their home turf, was noticeable.
Dick Blumenthal, as Senate candidate got the most attention. Jim Himes spoke passionately about getting things done in Washington. Nancy Wyman, Denise Nappier and Susan Bysiewicz spoke as well as Ned Lamont, Dan Malloy, Rudi Marconi, Denise Merril, Andy Garfunkel, Gerry Garcia, Mary Glassman and not in that order at all and I think I missed a few people.
Duffy, the little white dog, was rescued by his owner, for those of you who were concerned after the brief announcement made by Tony Ancona at the outset of the speaking program.
State Senator Bob Duff is encouraging people to help out the local food bank. He forwarded this message:
Please join me in helping The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc. There is so much need this year and I know that none of you want to see a family go without this Thanksgiving. After speaking with the executive director, I asked her to send me an email, which is below.
Thank you,
Bob
From: Kate Lombardo [mailto:klombardo@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Wed 11/18/2009 11:40 AM
To: Sen. Duff, Bob
Subject: Your community needs your help…please
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.
461 Glenbrook Road
Stamford, CT 06906
Ph (203) 358-8898
Fax (203) 358-8306
www.foodbanklfc.org
Serving the towns of Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan,
Norwalk, Stamford, and Wilton
November 16, 2009
Dear Neighbor,
Every now and again there comes a time when we must reach out and help our neighbor. The severe economic crisis has brought us to one of those times.
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc. is trying to feed 15,000 families this Thanksgiving. So many families are treading water just trying to keep pace with paying their bills and feeding their children. Fairfield County is home to many individuals who have been laid off. Therefore they are seeking help from their community, some for the very first time in their lives.
Our proud senior citizens are being forced to choose between taking their medication and eating. These individuals worked hard to build, protect and nurture our nation. They did this so that they and future generations could live the “American Dream”. That dream does not include hunger.
The Food Bank serves the towns of Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk and Wilton. Last year, The Food Bank distributed 1.2 million pounds of food to non-profit agencies such as food pantries, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens.
Please make a donation and help us provide those in need with a wonderful Thanksgiving Day meal and respite from the harsh conditions of hunger and poverty.
WILTON — An eight-person coalition of opponents to constructing a new Route 7 expressway from Norwalk to Danbury spoke in Wilton Tuesday morning about why this “dead road,” as one described it, should never be built.
Led by state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-26th Dist., each took a turn in Wilton Town Hall presenting reasons why they thought the state should not go forward with its construction, which ranged from damaging wetlands and increasing air pollution to awaiting the results of widening the existing Route 7 and exploiting opportunities to increase service on the Danbury branch of the Metro-North Railroad.
Identifying it as a “dead road,” Boucher said that after a 50-year discussion, every proposal for the expressway has been scrapped after encountering “oftentimes bitter opposition.” And besides repeated rejection by residents in the towns through which it would run, Boucher said current environmental regulations and road design requirements would prohibit its construction along its proposed path.
“The difficult and dangerous topography of the area and new federal guidelines for highway grades have rendered any proposal for a superhighway in this location so costly as to render it untenable,” Boucher said.
Portions of the southern end of the project were completed in Norwalk between 1969 and 1992, resulting in 3.9 miles of four-land highway connecting Interstate-95 to the Merritt Parkway and continuing to Grist Mill Rd. On the northern end, 9.9 miles of multi-lane highway were constructed from Danbury to Brookfield between 1961 and 1992.
The proposed extension of the Route 7 expressway, alsoknown as “Super 7,”would run for about 15.5 miles through Wilton, Weston, Ridgefield and Redding. Of those four towns, only Weston’s First Selectman Woody Bliss has supported building the road.
The opponents at Tuesday’s presentation expressed exasperation that despite numerous town meetings, state studies and a decades-long court fight, efforts to build the road have arisen again.
Currently, the road’s leading proponent has been state Sen. Bob Duff, D-25th Dist., who earlier this month released the results of a survey conducted by the University of Connecticut — Stamford Campus that indicated a majority of support for the proposedexpressway by residentsof the towns through which it would traverse, as well as surrounding municipalities.
But Gail Lavielle, commissioner of the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission and, according to Boucher, an authority in polling methodology, described the survey touted by Duff as being inadequate to its purpose and, “far more disturbing, misleading to the public and worried and frightened people who had been reassured that the threat of having their lives disrupted by an expressway had disappeared.”
Gail Lavielle, Commissioner of the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission
After pointing to weaknesses she saw in the survey’s sampling methodology, Lavielle said, “claiming that a survey like this shows overwhelming support for Super 7 is not only misleading, it’s just wrong.”
Identifying an impediment to building the Route 7 expressway that has not drawn much attention before, John Chew, executive director of the Brookfield-based Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials, said the current widening of existing Route 7 in Danbury is using the right-of-way for the proposed expressway.
John Chew, Executive Director of the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials
With the current project costing $80 million, Chew said no government agency would agree to rip up Route 7 in Danbury after it’s been widened, so, “You can’t reach Danbury with Super 7 because where you’re getting into Danbury is taken. It’s a valley; there’s no place else to go.”
Robert Nerney, Wilton’s director of planning and land use management, said that, if constructed, the Route 7 expressway “would have an enormous adverse impact on not only Wilton, but I think fair to say, on lower Fairfield County in general.”
Nerney said the ecological impact arising from a project of its magnitude would “significantly compromise” the waterside aquifers and air quality along the Norwalk River.
Robert Nerney, Wilton's Director of Planning and Land Use
Patricia Sesto, Wilton’s director of environmental affairs, said the proposed Route 7 expressway’s right-of-way is largely placed within the Norwalk River valley, which is already “consumed” by the railroad’s Danbury Branch and existing Route 7. The Super 7 expressway, she said, would have little choice but to traverse the outlying hillside of the river valley, which is characterized, in part, by very steep slopes.
Sesto presented a list of hazards to the Norwalk River she saw occurring if the expressway were constructed, and said that in the era when the road was originally proposed, “our knowledge regarding wetlands, habitat and river protection was far narrower than it is today.”
“Given these environmental considerations,” Sesto said, “it is unclear if the highway is still worth the environmental price, or if the path that was proposed four decades ago is even still the best path.”
Arguing that both the federal government and Connecticut are deeply in debt, the first selectman of Wilton, William F. Brennan, said any available funds should be used to improve Interstate-95, “the most overloaded interstate road in Connecticut.” Brennan said the Route 7 expressway would worsen conditions on I-95 by feeding thousands of additional cars onto it.
“For almost40 years (the Route 7 expressway) has been discussed, but never constructed,” said Brennan, “(because) the people most impacted have strongly opposed it, they do not want it, and any efforts to resuscitate interest have been repeatedly defeated.”
At the conclusion of Tuesday’s presentations, Boucher handed out a notice requesting residents and elected officials speak against the expressway at the next meeting of the Municipal Planning Organization of the South Western Regional Planning Agency.
During its September meeting, the MPO reiterated its request that the state conduct a study of possible uses for the right-of-way of the proposed Route 7 expressway. The MPO next meets on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 8 a.m. in the Norwalk Transit District’s headquarters at 275 Wilton Ave. in Norwalk.
A transportation policy and planning groupof leaders from eightsouthwestern Connecticut municipalities reaffirmed on Thursday its recommendation the state conduct a study of uses for the right-of-way for the uncompleted portionof the Route 7 expressway.
After a discussion that resulted in a change in wording from “Support for the Route 7 Expressway” to “Support for the Route 7 Corridor,” the group unanimously approved a resolution calling for a “comprehensive, multi-modal investment study” of the proposed path for the expressway, which extends from Interstate-95 in Norwalk to Interstate-84 in Danbury.
The group requestedthe samestudybe conducted in 2007.
Under consideration since the 1960s, portions of the Route 7 expressway were completed in Norwalk and Danbury, leaving a gap of more than 15 miles that would run through Wilton, Weston, Ridgefield and Redding. Fierce opposition by residents in those towns has stymied efforts by the state to complete the project.
In the interim, the state has been widening the existing Route 7 in Wilton. At the same time, the General Assembly passed legislation in 2008 allowing the state to sell properties acquired for the expressway to raise revenue.
Thesensitiveness of the issue wasdisplayed in the debate duringThursday’s meeting of the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO), which consists of the chief executives of Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. The meeting was held in the Norwalk Transit District’s headquarters on Wilson Avenue in Norwalk.
“Why are we wasting our time on this extremely costly and unaffordable proposal?,” asked William F. Brennan, first selectman of Wilton, who noted the state’s Department of Transportation does not include the Route 7 expressway in its long-range plans projected out to 2025.
Brennan said he met with senior officials of the Department of Transportation on Wednesday, and they told him they have no interest in the project and that it would cost millions of dollars to acquire the remaining land necessary for it. He said better use of the state’s transportation funds would be made by fixing Interstate-95, “the most overloaded interstate road in Connecticut.”
In reply to Brennan’s remarks, Woody Bliss, first selectman of Weston and chairman of SWRMPO, said the function of the group was to look toward the future of the infrastructure network of transportation in the region. Bliss said the organization voted unanimously in 2007 for the state to conduct a study of the Route 7 corridor, which could result in deciding to continue widening existing Route 7, building the “Super 7″ expressway, or constructing a light rail line.
The first selectman of Westport, Gordon F. Joseloff, said he had no problem with SWRMPO repeatedly reviewing plans for the Route 7 corridor because, “there’s a large turnover among our residents and the needs change, and unless we are willing to at least listen and sample we’re not doing our jobs.”
Norwalk’s Mayor Richard A. Moccia said no city has been more affected by the Route 7 expressway than Norwalk.
Between 1969 and 1992, the southern portion of the expressway was constructed in Norwalk between I-95 and Grist Mill Road. Known as the Route 7 connector, it currently unloads traffic at its northern terminus onto the existing Route 7 a short distance from the Wilton town line.
Moccia said Norwalk was “split in half” by the expressway, which “really set back our economic growth as far as logistically moving around the city and creating another barrier between neighborhoods.”
“Hopefully we can reach a reasonable course,” said Moccia. “Let’s look at this, let’s not dispose of the land yet, until we have a better idea” of what’s needed from the study.
Results of a survey on the proposed extension of a new, multi-lane Route 7 from Norwalk to Danbury show more than half the residents queried support its construction.
Residents in 10 communities the expressway would run through or are close to its proposed route were contacted, with 53 percent of 486 respondents favoring the project.
The study was conducted by the University of Connecticut — Stamford Campus on behalf of a panel of politicians, civic leaders and a carpenters union labor-management program who support building it.
Proposals to build a new “Super7″ date back to the mid-1950s, and from the start, have drawn vociferous opposition from environmental groups and residents of the towns through which theroad would run.
State Sen. Bob Duff (D-25th Dist.) has led the charge in recent years to get the road built, and at a news conference Wednesday morning he said the survey’s results revealed what he thought all along, “there is a tremendous amount of support to build Super 7 from Norwalk to Danbury.”
Sections of the new road have already been built in Norwalk and Danbury. The proposed route calls for the rest of the road to run through Wilton, Weston, Ridgefield and Redding.
Besides polling residents in those towns and Norwalk and Danbury, the survey also obtainedinput from residents in three nearby towns, Westport, New Canaan and Darien.
Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss joined state Sen. Bob Duff at a news conference Wednesday morning in the Hilton Garden hotel on Main Ave. in Norwalk where the results of a survey on the proposed construction of Super 7 were released.
Overall, 6.2 percent of the respondents opposed Super 7, 53.1 percent supported it, 27.4 percent were neutral, and 13.2 percent did not know enough about it to have an opinion. More residents in the towns the road would run through supported it, 54.7 percent, than those living in surrounding towns, 48.4 percent.
The highest level of support was found in Norwalk — 54.3 percent for, 4.9 percent against, 26.2 percent neutral, 14.6 percent “don’t know” — and Danbury, 65 percent for, 3 percent opposed, 24 percent neutral, 8 percent “don’t know.”
The lowest level of support was found in Ridgefield — 46.9 percent for, 18.8 percent opposed, 15.6 percent neutral, 18.8 percent “don’t know” — and Wilton — 43.8 percent for, 15.6 percent opposed, 34.4 percent neutral, 6.3 percent “don’t know.”
Summarizing the results of the survey, Duff, who is vice chairman of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, said, “Across the board, we found a tremendous amount of support, and very, very little opposition to the Super 7 expressway, especially in the affected towns.”
A leading opponent of the proposed expressway, state Sen. Toni Boucher (R-26th Dist.), represents Wilton, Bethel, New Canaan, Weston, Westport, Redding and Ridgefield. In a written statement released Wednesday afternoon, Boucher said the results of the survey “are inconsistent with what I know about my constituents.”
Boucher questioned the survey’s sampling methodology, and noted that more than half of its respondents were from Norwalk and Danbury, “where Super 7 would not be cutting straight THROUGH houses and environmental features.”
Noting the state has taken the expressway off all planning documents and is in the process of widening the existing Route 7, Boucher said, “It seems to me that Sen. Duff is beating a dead horse.”
Portions of the southern end of the project were completed in Norwalk between 1969 and 1992, rsulting in 3.9 miles of four-land highway connecting Interstate-95 to the Merritt Parkway and continuing to Grist Mill Rd. On the northern end, 9.9 miles of multi-lane highway was constructed from Danbury to Brookfield between 1961 and 1992.
The proposed extension of Super 7 would run 15.5 miles, according to the website nycroads.com, which has an 11-page section covering the history of the project.
Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss, who is a member of the panel that commissioned the survey, said about 80 percent of the land that would be needed for the expressway is owned by the state. In her statement, Boucher said the remaining property the project would require includes valuable wetlands that cannot be replicated or mitigated, “making it nearly impossible to obtain necessary environmental permits.”
The survey was funded by a $10,000 grant from the state senate’s Democratic caucus. The entire the survey is available on-line at www.senatedems.ct.gov/Route 7.
