HB 5271, An Act Concerning the Siting Council, extends what's called the pre-application process, from 60 days to 90 days, giving towns more time to participate before siting decisions are made. The bill also requires that towns be given more precise information and maps, describing why a cell tower is needed in the area and it invites the towns to play more of a role in making their own siting suggestions.

Rep. Reed said, “I am grateful to my colleagues from all over Connecticut and from both sides of the aisle for their input in crafting the bill and for their enthusiastic support. This legislation offers additional protection for residential neighborhoods, schools, child daycare centers and scenic treasures.”

Rep. Pat Widlitz, (D-Branford/Guilford) who co-sponsored the bill, said “I enthusiastically support Rep. Reed's efforts to improve the requirements for the siting of cell towers. This legislation will not only greatly improve our ability to influence the siting of cell towers but will also encourage the use of the least obtrusive technology. It's an important step forward for the protection of our shoreline vistas."

Rep Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield/Trumbull), who also co-sponsored HB 5271, says the bill will give impacted towns a stronger voice in the process of locating telecommunication cell towers. "Our modern technology driven world has forced us to consider a proper balance between our desire for telecommunication ease and community aesthetic and safety," said Hwang. "Current law does not require the Siting Council to take into consideration a number of issues which are a significant concern to host communities and residents who are located next to proposed cell tower sights and the height restrictions for the community. This bill will require that some of these concerns be taken into consideration. I want to applaud Rep. Reed’s leadership in guiding this bill toward passage."

Cell towers in Connecticut are approved by the CT Siting Council, an independent board of nine members. The Council holds proceedings and hearings to evaluate, modify and approve or reject tower applications.

Last session, a similar bill made it through the House and Senate process but prompted a veto due to unintentional technical language. This bill is expected to be signed by the Governor.

SB 23, which first passed the State Senate on May 5, incorporates the recommendations of last year’s Two Storm Panel to invest in critical infrastructure and hold utility companies accountable for their performance during emergencies. The bill is now before the Governor for his signature.

“There’s hardly a person or business across the state that didn’t feel the impact of the two storms last year,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). “We understand what worked and what didn’t in terms of how we prepared and how we responded. We created higher standards for utility companies and better communication for state and local officials to respond to major storms. Connecticut will be better protected from power outages for the next, inevitable punch from Mother Nature.”

“This legislation adds a level of accountability on utilities that did not exist before. We are improving the planning process before a storm, we are requiring a review of performance after a storm, we are requiring that standards are developed that hold utilities accountable for their performance during a storm.” said Rep. Vickie Nardello (D-Prospect), House Chair, Energy & Technology Committee. “Creating industry specific standards for acceptable performance to ensure service reliability will go a long way to protect the public’s health and safety by minimizing future power outages.”

“This is a ‘lessons learned’ bill and a ‘plan ahead’ bill as well,” said Rep. Lonnie Reed (D-Branford), Vice Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, whose shoreline district was hit hard by TS Irene. Rep. Reed continued, “The bill includes better oversight and tough fines to address the problems we experienced—prolonged power outages and other utility failures; but the bill also directs us to explore promising new technologies such as micro-grids, that may better prepare us for those challenges we have yet to encounter.”

In summary, the bill creates:

Performance Standards for Utilities
Senate Bill 23 will require the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to study and then establish minimum performance standards for emergency preparation and response for each electric and gas company in Connecticut.

Following that, all electric and gas utilities will be required submit a plan to PURA on implementation of these standards. PURA will also study and establish separate performance standards for telecommunications utilities, including telephone and cable television companies.

Penalties for Noncompliance with Performance Standards
Noncompliance could result in penalties of up to 2.5 percent of an electric or gas company’s annual distribution revenue, approximately $25 million in the case of Connecticut Light & Power. The penalties would be assessed as a credit on customer bills, and would not be recoverable by the utilities through increased rates. In the event of service outages to more than ten percent of a company’s customers for over 24 hours, that company would be required to provide customers a credit.

Microgrids
The legislation would establish a $15 million micro-grid and loan pilot program to support local distributed electricity generation at hospitals, police and fire stations, prisons, water treatment plants and other critical locations. Funds will be allocated evenly among small, medium, and large towns.

Undergrounding Wires
Senate Bill 23 would also take steps to facilitate the undergrounding of power and telecommunications lines. In addition to the performance standards described above, the bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to notify PURA of any pending road work projects over five miles in length or located a commercial area.

Backup Generators for Cell Phone Towers
The bill will require all telecommunications companies to report to PURA and the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection (DESPP) annually concerning their ability to provide backup power to any Connecticut based towers or antennas.

Clearing Roads for Emergency Vehicles
In the aftermath of last year’s storms, fallen trees, limbs, and downed wire blocked passage on many roads across the state became life-threatening when police, fire, and ambulance vehicles could not reach people in need of assistance. The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the utilities, DOT, DESPP, and municipalities, develop procedures to for road-clearing for public safety personnel.

Food Spoilage Program
PURA must also study and create a mechanism through which electric distribution companies would reimburse residential customers for spoilage of food or refrigerated medicine after long power outages.

Under the recently approved 2013 budget adjustments (HB 5557) and Education Reform bill (SB 458) the Town of Branford will receive an additional $65,517 in education aid grants in fiscal year 2013.

Rep. Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) said, “We must address the distressing achievement gap that punishes students who attend our state’s lowest performing schools, but in doing so, we cannot forget the ever changing educational needs of Branford’s children.” She added, “I am proud of our vote for education reform and grateful that Branford’s education grant will actually increase.”

The Town of Branford school district will receive state grants for both summer school/weekend programs and extending school hours to provide academic enrichment and support and recreation programs for students.

Rep. Pat Widlitz (D-Branford/Guilford) said, “The education reform bill passed in the House today is a step in the right direction for our children and the economic future of Connecticut. The focus is on student achievement, early childhood intervention, teacher evaluation and training, stronger curriculum and increased funding for Branford.”

The budget bill keeps appropriations under the state’s constitutionally-mandated spending cap by approximately $86.4 million and maintains a strong commitment to education.

In spite of cuts in many areas, funding for cities and towns has been saved. Other highlights of the legislation include:

• Funding for the Youth Employment Summer Jobs Program and Adult Education
  
• A renewed commitment to arts and culture
  
• An urban youth anti-violence program

Recognizing the value of early childhood education, the education reform bill creates 1,000 new pre-K School Readiness seats focused in high need, low performing communities. It also creates a pilot program to enhance literacy for students in kindergarten through third grade.

The bill also establishes the Commissioner’s Network, which provides the intensive support and interventions needed to turn around 25 of the most chronically low-performing schools in Connecticut. It grants the state commissioner of education the needed authority to develop or modify plans with teachers and parents at “turnaround” schools, while respecting collective bargaining rights.

The legislation requires at least 10 Family Resource Centers and at least 20 new or expanded School Based Health Centers to be located in education reform districts. It also increases funding for existing Family Resource Centers.

The bill reforms the teacher tenure system by increasing the frequency of teacher evaluations and linking tenure to evaluations. It also requires the education commissioner to administer an evaluation pilot program in 8 to 10 districts for the 2012-2013 school years.

There are also funding increases for vocational/technical and vocational/agricultural schools, charter and magnet schools, and a new kindergarten through 8th grade science initiative.

The late Dominic A. Buonocore was given the customary respects by the Connecticut House Chamber during a ceremony led by Branford state Rep. Lonnie Reed.

Rep. Reed Honors Former Legislator Dom Buonocore from Branford. Seated left to right are his sons, Dom Jr., Michsel and Ron, with Richard Greenalch from the Branford RTM.

Reed, joined by Buonocore’s family members and a member of the Branford Representative Town Meeting (RTM), led the House of Representatives in a memorial that included a moment of silence. She also passed a resolution expressing sympathy on the death of former Branford's former state representative, who passed away in October of last year.

“Dom Buonocore belongs to that treasured generation of citizens dedicated to public service and civic responsibility,” Reed said. “In addition to serving in several elected offices, he was also a beloved and winning baseball and basketball coach. His contributions to our town and to our state are countless. We will miss him and remember him always.”

Buonocore served the 102nd House District from 1993 to 1997 on the General Law, Executive Nominations, Planning and Development and Labor and Public Employees committtees.

In June of last year, one of the town's basketball courts was ?named in his honor?.

“This is smart and effective legislation because it brings the manufacturers into the recycling process,” said Rep. Reed. “As our knowledge about the dangers of mercury and other toxic substances expands, so does the need for their removal from our every day lives. The participation of manufacturers in recycling their own products should make these very important programs more successful.”

The bill requires each manufacturer to establish a proactive mercury thermostat collection and recycling program by April 1, 2013 and prohibits the sale in Connecticut of thermostats of any kind by those manufacturers who refuse to comply by July 1, 2014.

Manufacturers have also agreed to collect data regarding the effectiveness of the collection program and to submit that information to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for analysis. DEEP will turn over its findings to the General Assembly for further action, if needed.

The bill has also been approved by the Senate and is on its way to the Governor for signing.

Rep. Reed Honors Former Legislator Dom Buonocore from Branford. Seated left to right are his sons, Dom Jr., Michsel and Ron, with Richard Greenalch from the Branford RTM.

“Dom Buonocore belongs to that treasured generation of citizens dedicated to public service and civic responsibility,” said Rep. Reed. “In addition to serving in several elected offices, he was also a beloved and winning baseball and basketball coach. His contributions to our town and to our state are countless. We will miss him and remember him always.”

Several of former Rep. Buonocore’s family members attended the testimonial, as did a member of the Branford Representative Town Meeting (RTM). A moment of silence was observed in his honor.

Buonocore served the 102nd House District from 1993 to 1997 on the General Law, Executive Nominations, Planning and development and Labor and Public Employees.

HB 5271, An Act Concerning the Siting Council, extends what's called the pre-application process, from 60 days to 90 days, giving towns more time to participate before siting decisions are made. The bill also requires that towns be given more precise information and maps, describing why a cell tower is needed in the area and it invites the towns to play more of a role in making their own siting suggestions.

Rep. Reed said, “I am grateful to my colleagues from all over Connecticut and from both sides of the aisle for their input in crafting the bill and for their enthusiastic support. This legislation offers additional protection for residential neighborhoods, schools, child daycare centers and scenic treasures.”

Rep. Pat Widlitz, (D-Branford/Guilford) who co-sponsored the bill, said “I enthusiastically support Rep. Reed's efforts to improve the requirements for the siting of cell towers. This legislation will not only greatly improve our ability to influence the siting of cell towers but will also encourage the use of the least obtrusive technology. It's an important step forward for the protection of our shoreline vistas."

Cell towers in Connecticut are approved by the CT Siting Council, an independent board of nine members. The Council holds proceedings and hearings to evaluate, modify and approve or reject tower applications.

Last session, a similar bill made it through the House and Senate process but prompted a veto due to unintentional technical language. The bill now heads to the Senate and, if passed, is expected to be signed by the Governor.

The legislation lists various diseases for which marijuana could be prescribed to ease related pain and symptoms including cancer, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. Licensed pharmacists approved by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) would fill the prescriptions.

Rep. Reed said, "This new law allows physicians to prescribe medical marijuana for those patients who can benefit; certain patients who are experiencing excruciating pain or struggling with other aspects of chronic conditions or illnesses, some of them terminal. The law provides another humane option for relieving suffering."

Rep. Widlitz said, "Out of compassion for those who are suffering from the pain of debilitating diseases, I support this legislation. This legislation will allow legal, strictly controlled access to medical marijuana for palliative care."

No insurance company would be required to provide coverage for prescribed marijuana. In addition, medical cannabis could only be grown and dispensed within Connecticut borders and could not be imported or exported. Use of the herb by patients would be prohibited in public, the workplace or in the presence of a minor. DCP along with an 8-doctor board would oversee implementation of the new medical marijuana law.

The legislation received bipartisan support and now moves to the state Senate for consideration. If passed there and eventually signed into law by Governor Malloy, it would take effect October 1.

A total of 16 states have enacted laws legalizing medical marijuana with California being the first in 1996 via statewide referendum. Rhode Island's legislature overwhelmingly approved the use of medical marijuana in 2006.

When the state's electric utility companies were slow repairing power lines downed during tropical storm Irene and the Halloween snowstorm, the companies offered little relief for customers in Branford and elsewhere in the state except for waiving late charges for two months.

The Connecticut Post reported that a Branford lawmaker has proposed a legislative bill would limit how much customers must pay toward the salaries of utility company executives, whose salaries have soared over the past decade.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, who is vice chairman of the General Assembly's Energy Committee, told reporters that she is not surprised to learn from a report by the state's Office of Consumer Counsel that utility company executives' salaries have increased by 153 percent over the past decade.

Over the last decade, administrative salaries at Connecticut's two electric utilities increased by an average of 153 percent while investments in distribution and maintenance lagged behind their peers' in the region.

That was the conclusion of a recent analysis commissioned by the Office of Consumer Counsel as part of state regulators' ongoing probe into the outages from August's Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm.

"It's sort of what we've been suspecting," said state Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, an Energy Committee vice chairman.

As a result, she and Energy Committee chairwoman Rep. Vickie Nardello, D-Prospect are promoting a bill limiting what ratepayers' contribute to utility executive compensation.

"It's just sending a strong message some of that money needs to be freed up to do maintenance," Reed said.

The state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is in the middle of examining Connecticut Light & Power's and United Illuminating's preparedness and response to last year's severe weather that kept much of the state in the dark for days.

PURA has held hearings on phone and water companies. Beginning Monday, it is the electric companies' turn.

The consumer counsel hired Townsley Consulting Group to scrutinize the utilities' spending patterns.

Townsley said it compared CL&P's and UI's costs from 2001 to 2010 with other Northeast companies operating under similar conditions -- New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Central Hudson Gas and Electric Company; Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., Massachusetts Electric Company and Western Massachusetts Electric Company.

Massachusetts-based NStar was also included. NStar this month merged with CL&P parent Northeast Utilities after agreeing to terms set by regulators in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Townsley's review began by noting CL&P and UI had increased major investments in some transmission assets by 369 percent and 223 percent, respectively, dwarfing the 45 percent average increase by neighboring companies.

But CL&P's and UI's aggregated administrative and general costs during the last decade jumped 153 percent while the other companies experienced an average decrease of 16 percent.

And at the same time those peer utilities increased by 62 percent spending on electricity distribution and maintenance while CL&P's investments went up 6 percent. UI's costs increased by 52 percent.

"The comparatively low spending percentage increases for CL&P's distribution operation and maintenance expense stands in stark contrast to the very substantial increase in aggregate salary expense," Townsley concluded.

Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz in a statement Friday said she wants PURA to ensure utilities have a more balanced approach in spending. Currently, those reviews take place when a utility requests approval for a rate hike.

CL&P spokesman Mitch Gross said the company will address the Townsley report during the PURA hearings.

And UI's Michael West said that company also looks forward to rebutting the criticism this week.

"Our information will demonstrate we have a very fair and equitable approach to how we do our work," West said.

The energy committee bill, which would cap the amount ratepayers contribute to a utility executive's salary at $350,000, is pending before the House of Representatives. It requires Senate approval before the General Assembly adjourns May 9 and would then have to be signed by Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

The bill made it out of the committee in late March in a 14 to 7 vote. But in an interview earlier this month Nardello's Energy Committee co-chairman, Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford expressed reservations.

Fonfara said PURA already has authority to regulate salaries in rate cases and legislating a cap might go too far.

"We're saying as a legislature in black and white `it shall not be more than this,'" Fonfara said. "Somebody picked a number ($350,000). Business is not run that way."

And, Fonfara said, it could also be difficult for CL&P and UI to hire the best and brightest to run their systems.

"If we get inadequate personnel running these companies, who suffers? We do," he said.

That same argument was posed by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, CL&P and UI in testimony submitted to the energy committee. UI noted it is unfair to expect the utility to have other sources for salaries.

"The only other sources to pay directors, officers or other employees would be from another line of business or earnings," UI stated. "If the company has another line of business, subsidizing the regulated business compensation has no economic or other justification. If the company is expected to reduce its earnings to compensate its employees at a reasonable level, the company is deprived of the opportunity to earn a reasonable return on its regulated investment."

Reed does not understand why it costs so much more for CL&P and UI to pay employees versus neighbor utilities.

"We know they make big money and we're not quite sure why. It's not like you're coming up with a new product. It's not like you can really make a case you're developing something consumers want and now they'll flock to your company. This is a captive audience," Reed said.

“This bill makes it more affordable to adopt healthy pets and place them in good homes,” Widlitz said.

“We’re beginning to solve a problem instead of perpetuating one that is heartbreaking and endangering the public,” Reed said. “This bill is permissive, not mandatory. It mirrors the best practices at the most pro-active animal shelters.”

Widlitz and Reed were co-sponsors and champions of the bill (HB 5408).

During a recent public hearing by the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee, Branford Animal Shelter Director Laura Burban said animal shelters are overburdened with unwanted pets and allowing municipalities the option to charge certain fees would benefit everyone.

“Under the legislation, municipalities will now have the option to subsidize adoption fees to better ensure animals are spayed or neutered and vaccinated,” Widlitz said.

“Allowing municipalities the option of passing the cost of these critical procedures onto a potential pet adopter will help relieve a financial burden on the municipalities, which are trying to end the cycle of unwanted animals burdening our animal shelters,” Reed said.

Currently, the practice is to provide a voucher to an adoptive family, which entitles them to get a lower price for participating veterinarian services. Research shows that 40 percent of those vouchers are not being used.

“When Stan Konesky, a Training Officer at the CT Police Academy, approached me with the idea of bringing the cadets to Hartford, I eagerly began planning for their visit,” said Rep. Reed. “The cadets, many of them armed forces veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, asked great questions and met many of the people who get things done oat the Capitol. Cadets were urged to keep in touch and to stay engaged in the process.”

Cadet Day included an address by Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, a tour of the Capitol, instruction on how a bill becomes a law and finally, a meeting with Governor Dannel Malloy outside his Capitol office.

Rep. Reed was joined by several other legislators throughout the course of the day who addressed the cadets including State Representative Joe Verrengia, a 23 year veteran of the West Hartford Police Department.

“It was a pleasure speaking to the cadet class,” said Rep Verrengia. “Hopefully, the call to become more active civically at their jobs and in their neighborhoods hit home.”

Rep. Reed hopes to establish this as an annual tradition with each municipal cadet class.

The legislators forming the LIS caucus steering committee are:

State Representatives Lonnie Reed (D) (steering committee co-chair)
State Representative Vincent Candelora (R) (steering committee co-chair)
State Representative Patricia Widlitz (D)
State Representative Elissa Wright (D)
State Representative Clark Chapin (R)
State Representative Marilyn Giuliano (R)
State Senator Andrew Maynard (D) (steering committee co-chair)
State Senator Edward Meyer (D)
State Senator Len Fasano (R) (steering committee co-chair)
State Senator Scott Frantz (R)
State Senator John McKinney (R)
State Senator Eileen Daily (D)

The original 12 members of the caucus represent shoreline communities; others have worked in the past with New York to defeat the Broadwater floating Liquid Natural Gas plant proposed for Long Island Sound. The Broadwater issue will serve as a model for future caucus efforts to address regional differences, solve regional problems and meet regional needs.

Goals of the caucus include:

• Economic development and job growth opportunities
• Attracting maritime businesses while solving the inevitable dredging conflicts that accompany such ambitions.
• Environmental issues--reducing run-offs from storm water and other pollutants; protecting the sound's beaches, water quality, the shellfish industry, storm preparation, future shoreline development, zoning, insurance, homeowner rights, seawalls, breakwaters
• Bi-state cooperation with New York
• Advocating for focused legislation
• Acquiring important coastal areas for public use
• Expanding improvement bonding beyond marinas to things like ferries, expand the clean marina program to "clean maritime programs"....other waterfront areas, ferries, docks etc...work on incentives for doing environmentally beneficial projects
• Supporting federal asks for projects and funding that are critical to CT (NOAA, LIS Restoration Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, etc.)
• Meeting the 2014 deadline for nitrogen reductions
• Protecting lobsters (prohibit insecticides from water)

Some examples of pending legislation during the current legislative session include:

• SB 220, An Act Concerning Navigation, Coastal Access and Clean Marinas. Connecting some existing programs to existing funding that can help clean up LIS. Small marinas that earn the Clean Marinas certification will be given additional consideration when applying for DOT dredging funds.
• HB 5128, An Act Concerning Certain Revisions to the Coastal Zone Management Statutes.
• SB 376, An Act Concerning the Coastal Management Act and Shoreline Flood and Erosion Control Structures.
• Pharmaceutical drop boxes

"The Long Island Sound caucus will help unify and connect environmental and economic policy in a way we have never done before in Connecticut," said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. "The Sound is under constant threat—pollution, sewage, and storm water runoff are damaging the ecosystem and the economy. Connecticut has responded by investing in the Clean Water Fund, but we cannot do this alone. It will take a regional effort to clean up the Sound and protect it for generations to come."

"As a treasured natural resource and a $10 billion a year economic engine for recreational and navigational commerce, Long Island Sound needs our constant and educated attention. This bipartisan LIS Caucus intends to pursue that goal and I am delighted and encouraged to be a part of it, said Rep. Reed. "One of my key objectives is to reinvigorate our bi-state cooperation with New York on economic, environmental and energy issues that impact the sound we both share and treasure."

"This is an exciting opportunity to tackle the many issues of importance regarding the Long Island Sound. We don't need legislation to reach out and partner with legislators from New York - let's just do it! The Sound is our shared natural resource with recreational and economic benefit to our constituents," said Rep. Widlitz. "We have worked together to defeat harmful proposals such as Broadwater. Now we will focus on pro-active policy initiatives that are beneficial to both business and the environment."

"Long Island Sound is undoubtedly Connecticut's most important natural resource. Through history, it has defined our state and its economy, and it still does so today. The formation of this bipartisan Caucus will facilitate better solutions to the wide variety of environmental and economic issues the Sounds presents. This is good news for the Sound and all the people who live, work and play along the shore. I am honored to have been chosen as Senate Co-Chair, alongside Senator Fasano," said Senator Maynard (D-Stonington).

"Living along the shoreline means living with the reality that storm damage is real and already impacting our coast. We must act now to protect property and preserve our beaches from rising sea levels and severe storms," said state Sen. Ed Meyer (D-Guilford). "Tropical Storm Irene took a heavy toll on Shoreline residents last year. With the formation of this Long Island Sound caucus, we are taking steps to address climate change and better prepare for future storms."

Senate Minority Leader Pro-Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) said, "Tropical Storm Irene has emphasized the need for Connecticut to pay close attention to the needs of those who live and work on Long Island Sound.  I am working right now to enhance our statutes concerning the shoreline and will push to clarify language that allows people to protect their business and home with a seawall if necessary. I want to make sure we help residents move forward in a way that protects their ownership rights as private property owners."

"Long Island Sound contributes over $8.5 billion annually to the economy, both in recreational and commercial actiivities," said Rep. Candelora. "This legislative steering committee is a long overdue to educate and facilitate in advancing economic policies affecting Long Island Sound."

"I am proud to be part of this bipartisan group focused on protecting the waters, wildlife and economy of our home state," said Senator Frantz. "Along the shoreline, we all depend on Long Island Sound for natural resources, transportation and recreation, and we must work together to solve current and future challenges. It is my hope that we can achieve our goals so that future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful resource."

"It has always been clear to me that our generation is responsible for preservation of the Sound as an aesthetic treasure, an environmental obligation, and as a key component of a regional economic powerhouse," Senator Eileen M. Daily (D-Westbrook) said. "Our vision for this caucus is that of a clearinghouse for ideas and accurate information about Long Island Sound as part of that responsibility for its long term vitality and the comprehensive economy dependent upon its good health."

Next steps for the LIS caucus include:

• Locate all LIS funding streams
• Set up bi-state caucus meeting
• Identify top 5 priorities
• Highlight job retention and creation of green infrastructure

State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) said, “Connecticut does not top this list by accident, but because of years of hard work by citizen activists and elected officials, state and federal, who are committed to making women’s lives better. Rep. Reed added, “But, as I constantly remind the young women I know, we can never become complacent because there is more work to be done and there are forces committed to undoing the successes we’ve achieved.”

The report cited the fact that more than 90% of Connecticut’s women and girls have healthcare coverage and females in the state are among the most highly educated, with more than a third holding a four-year college degree.  Connecticut also got high marks for its support systems for victims of domestic violence and resources that provide access to the full range of women’s reproductive healthcare.

 “I am proud that Connecticut ranks first for women in this study, especially in access to healthcare and education,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3). “But we still have a long way to go when even in a state like ours women still make 77 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts in the same job.”

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said: “In a dismal time for gender equality, marked by constant and relentless attacks on rights of women, Connecticut leads by impressive example. This information is encouraging but recalls as well the work left to do - fighting for a more effective Violence Against Women Act - to ensure the continued health and safety of women in Connecticut and across the country.”

The analysis, authored by journalist Cynthia Ramnarace, was commissioned by iVillage, the largest content-driven online community for women. In addition to the sources listed above, the analysis drew from data generated by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the National Partnership for Women & Families, the Guttmacher Institute, NARAL, the Office of Women’s Health, the National Network to End Domestic Violence the National Association of Child Care resource and Referral Agencies and the American Association of University Women.

Madison -- It's just past 8:30 on a recent morning as employees of the home energy services company EcoSmart stretch a red tarp inset with a giant fan inside the kitchen doorframe of Lars Helgeson's home. It's for a "blower door test," used to determine how airtight a house is.

For a $75 co-pay, Helgeson's home will not only be tested, but as part of an overall energy assessment, he could also receive as needed free compact fluorescent lightbulbs, caulking around small leaky areas and low-flow showerheads, as well as information on rebates and loans for pricier energy efficiency projects.

But because Helgeson heats his home with oil, unless the legislature takes action this session, his home could be one of the last of its kind to get an energy assessment at this low price instead of something closer to its real cost -- $600 to $800.

In that case, "I'd have to think really hard to see if the payoff would be worth it," he said.

The problem is that the program -- known as Home Energy Solutions, HES (pronounced hess) -- is funded with part of a fee that electric and gas customers pay on their bills. The money goes into the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, which administers the program with the state's two electric utilities, Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating.

But people who heat their homes with oil and propane -- about half the homes in the state -- pay fees only on their electricity, not on their heat because it comes from unregulated fuels, as opposed to utility companies. Since they pay less into the fund, oil and propane customers have often been denied access to the full scope of HES services.

In recent years, funding to allow oil-heated homes to get that $75 co-pay has been cobbled together from other sources, including federal stimulus (ARRA) money and profits from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. At times, the co-pay for oil-heated homes has gone up to $300, resulting in a massive drop in audits among oil users. In years when the co-pay was $75, more than two-thirds of CL&P's audits were in oil-heated homes. In years when the co-pay was higher, that rate dropped to about 20 percent.
Last year the legislature authorized HES funding from the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund for homes heated with oil, but it was capped at $500,000, far less than needed. The money will run out for UI's oil-heated customers next month, and CL&P estimates it will run out by mid-May.

Without another source of funding, energy service contractors like Berlin-based EcoSmart said they face layoffs of half their staffs and that fewer audits meant less business for companies like insulation installers.
Compromise language to fund the program for oil-heated homes was worked out last week and inserted into a large and complex catchall energy bill. It removes the $500,000 cap and sets the energy audit charge at no higher than $75, leaving the option open for lower amounts for gas and electric heat customers.

While there's no specific language, the intent is to have this serve as a stopgap measure for one year only. Not the worst news for energy and environmental advocates, but given that coming into the session, most of them said this was their No. 1 priority, not the best.

"It's the best interim solution for the time being," said Jamie Howland, Environment Northeast's director of climate and energy analysis and a member of the board of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. "It will prevent the stop-start to programs. It will prevent lots of the contractors from being laid off. And it gives us a year."

But it could be a year that requires substantial diplomacy to bring together the parties involved in this issue. They have not seen eye to eye on funding structures, which arguably is the reason there's no permanent agreement this year.

"The solution is going to have to involve the oil industry, consumer advocates, environmental advocates -- there needs to be a consensus," Howland said, noting that taking the CEEF funds means other programs could be shortchanged.

Many argue it's only fair that oil customers pay more into the fund. "For a very modest increase -- we're really talking about dollars a year -- we're talking about a program to save individuals hundreds of dollars a year," said Charles Rothenberger of Connecticut Fund for the Environment. "Whatever needs to happen to insure oil heat customers have access to the energy efficiency program, whether it's this mechanism or that mechanism -- the results really have to be that everybody is treated equally."

But the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association, which represents about 600 home heating oil dealers, has been clear in its belief that its customers are already paying plenty -- the fees on their electric bills that go into the fund and the extremely high cost of oil.

It also was not lost on members that the original version of the legislation included a provision to explore more natural gas lines in the state -- something that could mean less business for the oil companies. And the ICPA is a little gun-shy after having some of the fees its members contributed to a fund for underground gas tank removal diverted for budget-balancing purposes.

"It doesn't exactly give you a warm and cuddly feeling that we should be paying another tax," said the petroleum association President Gene Guilford.

His view has legislative support. "I wouldn't support an additional premium," said Sen. Kevin Witkos, R-Canton, the ranking member on the Energy and Technology Committee. "I'd have to see what goes along with it."

'Everybody benefits'

Since HES began in 2007, CL&P has conducted more than 48,000 energy assessments through the end of 2011. UI has done nearly 16,000. No one disputes the value of energy efficiency. Sealing cracks, replacing windows, adding insulation, buying energy efficient appliances and even just swapping out lightbulbs mean a house will use less heat and electricity.

A study by Environment Northeast in 2008 said that every dollar invested in efficiency generates $6 to $7 for the state's economy. "We know that energy efficiency audits pay big dividends -- for individual customers, for the larger community by reducing emissions and for the companies and their workers who perform the audits and correct the problems," said Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, co-vice chair of the Energy Committee. "Everybody benefits, so it makes good sense to increase the pool of eligible consumers."

Craig Clark, program director for CL&P's HES program, said with many people looking to switch from oil to lower priced gas heat, oil companies stand to do better economically even with an additional fee, which he supports, to fund HES. "I would think the oil industry would be more interested in saying, 'Hey customer, I can save you $200 a year through this HES program that we 're paying into,'" he said. "If I was an oil customer I would be happy with that and my oil supplier, and I would stay with them."

Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, a member of the Energy Committee, said the right answer is to fund the program. "We don't know how we get there yet," he said. "I am open-minded to any method that will help us solve a problem without creating a new one."

One that energy services companies and others feel may have been created is the potential for a tiered pricing structure. They say it makes marketing the program, which is already difficult enough for consumers to understand, cumbersome.

But Raquel Kennedy of Victory Energy Solutions and a member of the Home Performance Alliance of Connecticut said aside from that caveat, her group is "thrilled."

"We not only won't layoff people, but this really gives us the confidence to hire people and really expand our business," she said. "Part of it is the recognition that this is really an important and viable industry and that this is a really important program."

As for Helgeson's home energy assessment -- despite cathedral ceilings and big windows -- it turned out his house was just about as energy tight as it could be. Which made him happy not only that there would be no work needed on the house, but also that he only had to pay $75 for the visit. "That, too," he laughed. "Yes, of course."

Telecommunications companies, faced with intense opposition when siting cellular towers in some neighborhoods, are eyeing the untapped potential of Connecticut’s 250,000 acres of parks and forests.

The legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee on Tuesday passed a bill to make that industry more competitive and boost service, including by lifting a prohibition on erecting equipment on state property for commercial purposes.

“There are dark spots where there is no cell service. So the challenge is how do you fill those zones and make sure there is good, robust coverage everywhere, but in a way that respects neighborhoods and parts of Connecticut?” John Emra, an AT&T lobbyist, said in an interview Thursday.

Emra and other proponents argue the legislation remains a work in progress, but critics at the Capitol are plotting its demise before it reaches the full General Assembly for a vote.

“We’re putting an extra form of communication ahead of our peace and tranquility,” state Sen. Ed Meyer, D-Guilford, an Environmental Committee chairman, said. Meyer said his district is already facing several cellular tower proposals.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection now allows five radio tower sites on state properties in Avon, Cornwall, Glastonbury, Oxford and Sterling for public safety and security needs only.

The energy committee bill redefines the locating of any telecommunications equipment in parks and forests as a public purpose, removing the DEEP roadblocks that prevented those applications from being considered by state regulators, the Connecticut Siting Council.

“(The bill) really flips on its head the current policy, which is public parks and forests should be a place of last resort for these facilities,” said Tom Tyler, the DEEP’s director of state parks.

Some energy committee members expressed similar reservations Tuesday.

But the legislation passed in a 20-1 vote after co-vice chairman state Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, pledged to work with telecommunications representatives to revise the siting language before the General Assembly adjourns in May.

Reed, who is also pursuing legislation making the Siting Council process more transparent, said it makes sense in some circumstances to locate telecommunications equipment on state land rather than in a residential neighborhood.

“I was trying to find a rational, reasonable compromise,” she said.

But exactly how the bill passed Tuesday might be altered by May to give critics more comfort is uncertain.

“The language we’re offering would eliminate the blanket prohibition, but at the same time still vest authority in the case of any parkland or state forest (with) the DEEP commissioner,” Emra said. “So if he says ‘ No, you’re not going to build,’ it doesn’t happen. Say he or she says ‘ yes,’ you still have to go to the Siting Council.”

But Reed Thursday offered a different approach.

“I had a commitment from AT&T and other tele-com providers that carte blanche to go into state parks was going to be re-done. The language would reflect we might allow them to pursue state-owned land — public works property, places where there’s already infrastructure — but not pristine parks, not places where we have incredible tourist treasures.”

Regardless, DEEP spokesman Dennis Schain on Thursday said the agency remains opposed to the changes in policy.

“I am a fervent believer that every family should have access to a high quality hospice facility when the time comes to say goodbye to their loved ones,” said Rep. Reed. “I fear HB 5499 invites into our state a for-profit hospice industry that includes parent companies now under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for unlawfully pocketing Medicare dollars without delivering high quality hospice services. And also for systematically recruiting non-terminal patients from nursing homes who are then warehoused long term in understaffed for-profit hospice facilities and deprived of the medications, activities and care they need.”

In her testimony, Representative Reed encouraged the creation of different types of high quality hospices to serve Connecticut communities, such as:

• Small, six bed facilities
• Hospital rooms and units dedicated to hospice care
• Programs that deploy trained hospice caregivers to assist and support those people who wish to die in their own homes
• Hospice hospitals, with a full complement of programs and activities.

“I am not suggesting that proponents of HB 5499 intend for bad things to happen. On the contrary, they are eager to make excellent hospice care more accessible to more people in facilities and settings that are an easy commute for the families of dying loved-ones,” said Rep. Reed. “My concern is HB 5499 will have consequences that were not intended.”

Forty years ago, Connecticut opened the first hospice in the United States in Branford, helping pioneer end of life care.

The legislation (HB 5408) was championed and co-sponsored by Rep. Lonnie Reed (D-Branford). Widlitz is also a co-sponsor of the bill, which was given a public hearing Friday before the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee.

Burban told the committee that animal shelters are overburdened with unwanted pets and allowing municipalities the option to charge certain fees would benefit everyone.

“Allowing municipalities the option of passing the cost of these critical procedures onto a potential pet adopter will help relieve a financial burden on the municipalities, which are trying to end the cycle of unwanted animals burdening our animal shelters,” Reed said.

Widlitz said data shows that a significant percentage of dogs never get spayed or neutered.

“This legislation allows municipalities to be proactive in making sure that animals that leave their shelters are vaccinated as well as neutered and spayed,” Widlitz said.

“Congratulations to the Branford shelter for bringing this issue forward. They have an exemplary record of responsible policies concerning pet adoptions,” Widlitz said.

Rep. Pat Widlitz, Branford Animal Shelter Director Laura Burban and Rep. Lonnie Reed outside
the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee’s hearing.

“In sending a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting to vacate their certificates, Broadwater has signaled that their proposed floating gas plant is finally dead,” said Leah Schmalz, director of legal and legislative affairs for Save the Sound. “Eight years ago, the citizens of Connecticut and New York recognized that this proposed project was not good for our environment or our livelihood. It took years of fighting, partnering with federal and state officials on both sides of Long Island Sound, but now we can say that the health and safety of our Sound will not be compromised by the proposed industrial complex.”

“Total withdrawal of Broadwater may seem anti-climactic, but to me, this is a powerful reminder of all we accomplished by working together on both sides of the Sound to protect this treasured resource we share,” said Representative Reed, who organized the first bi-state anti-Broadwater rally in Branford. “This is a moment to remember and a model for future cooperation.”

Planned for a site squarely in the middle of Long Island Sound, Broadwater would have posed several threats to the environment and the economies of New York and Connecticut. The nearly four football field-long industrial complex would have stood 20 stories high, surrounded by an armed security zone that would disrupt commercial fishing traffic and recreational boating. Additionally, in order to accommodate the security perimeter around entering and exiting LNG tankers, the Sound’s eastern-most access point, known as The Race, would have been essentially closed to other maritime traffic each time tankers passed through.

HARTFORD — Advocates of “clean marinas” testified before the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee Tuesday, urging support for a bill that would allow marinas that follow anti-pollution protocols to apply for grants that could pay 40 percent of dredging costs.

“Long Island Sound provides more than $9 billion to the regional economy every year,” Leah Schmalz, director of legislative and legal affairs for Save the Sound, said in a statement.

“Healthy water quality is key to human health, tourism and fishing industries,” but “the Sound remains plagued by non-point source pollution,” she said.

As things now stand, federal funding helps ensure maintenance dredging of public channels, ports, and harbors. But funding is inconsistent, insufficient, and not generally applicable to smaller private marinas, advocates say.

The proposed bill, S.B. 220, would link a dredging grant program to the state’s Clean Marinas Program, encouraging marinas to engage in best management practices that help restore Long Island Sound while making dredging feasible for more marinas.

Periodic dredging is required to keep slips and channels open for commercial and recreational boating. It also keeps marinas open and profitable and creates jobs in the dredging, engineering, and planning sectors.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, also testified.

“This bill represents a common-sense strategy designed to open up small harbors, create more maritime jobs in Connecticut and help marinas grow their business while also safely disposing of paints, cleaning products, oils, fuels and other pollutants that flow into Long Island Sound,” Reed said in a statement.

“This bill represents just one of many ideas, large and small, that are being shared in the Bi-State Caucus we’ve created with our New York colleagues,” said Reed, who co-chairs that caucus. “We have been meeting on both sides of Long Island Sound to explore new ways to effectively protect our beloved natural resource while pursuing economic vibrancy and energy independence for our region.”

Grant Westerson, president of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association, also testified before the Commerce Committee.

“This bill validates the past 10 years of close cooperation between the marine trades industry and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as together they developed the Clean Marina Program in Connecticut,” Westerson said in a statement.

“Standards were raised, processes changed, and best management practices developed to ensure that the environment always came first,” he said. “Passage of S.B. 220 will create jobs, not only in newly dredged and renewed facilities but within the dredging community as well.

A “clean marina” is “known for its attention to details and care for its surroundings,” Westerson said. “This initiative will help push a facility just that much further to increase waterfront access and navigation safety.”

“This bill provides smart, cooperative links between existing innovative programs and funding sources,” said Rep. Reed. “The Clean Marinas program helps Marina operators learn how to run their businesses in the most environmentally responsible way possible and to earn a Clean Marina Certification for doing so. And the legislature, in its wisdom, has established a fund in the Department of Transportation that accepts applications for dredging small harbors that have become silted in and now pose a hazard to navigation. This bill proposes an innovative synergy between those two programs.”

The bill also includes addressing small marina owners interested in the potential of dredging their areas blocked by silted in anchorages that has forced boat owners to take their vessels elsewhere, including Rhode Island.

The bill represents one of many ideas being shared in the bi-State, bi-partisan Long Island Sound Caucus created jointly with New York.   The caucus been meeting on both sides of the Sound to share problems and experiences and discuss ways to pursue mutual goals of clean beaches, clean water, robust recreational and commercial fishing and boating – all of the things that contribute to an environmentally safe and economically vibrant Long Island Sound.

 “While I welcome the turnabout of SGK National, I am convinced a forensic analysis needs to be done to determine which individuals or what forces were responsible for this shocking decision,” said Rep. Reed. “Guilty individuals need to be purged from Komen National. This reprehensible behavior dishonors all the great people at Komen, and also the memory of Susan G. who fought so valiantly against the disease that took her life, while also reaching out to help and comfort other women.”

 “As a two-time breast cancer survivor, a Komen contributor, a Race for the Cure runner since 1991 and an elected representative who can't imagine playing politics with women's health, I am disheartened, distressed and distrustful about what else is going on behind the scenes,” said Rep. Reed.

 “I congratulate the fine people at Komen Connecticut who fought to get the decision reversed, but your battle has just begun,” said Rep. Reed. “The Komen brand has been damaged and the organization’s integrity is at stake.”

Rep. Reed is in her 2nd term serving the 102nd House District in Branford.

Click to view letter

“Last August’s Storm Irene caused tens of millions of dollars in property damage,” Speaker Donovan said. “Hundreds of homes received significant damage or were destroyed. Despite the severity of the damage, it would have been much worse had Irene hit the shore as a category 1 or 2 hurricane. We need to look at our policies to see if they are sufficient to meet the specific and unique needs of shoreline communities, residents and businesses.”

State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) attended the news conference and will be a member of the task force.

“Climate change and rising seas are real, not figments of environmentalists’ imaginations,” said Rep. Reed. “450 families in my district, especially Lynden Avenue, experienced big time impacts following TS Irene. I applaud Speaker Donovan and Rep. Albis for recognizing the importance of this issue.”

The task force, which will be chaired by State Rep. James Albis (D-East Haven), will also look at the impact of climate changes on efforts to preserve shoreline communities.

Rep. Albis said, “We know that sea levels are rising, and that many shoreline communities incurred significant damage during Tropical Storm Irene. Homeowners and businesses are still recovering. Any severe storm has the potential to cause mass flooding and damage to shoreline properties, and a hurricane of any magnitude could be extremely devastating.

The task force is charged with making recommendations to the General Assembly for legislation that will:

• Assist those still rebuilding and recovering from Irene
• Develop new policies that specifically address the unique needs of shoreline and waterfront residents and businesses with respect to shoreline erosion, rising sea levels, and future storm planning.
• Make sure new policies complement legislation that may be developed regarding emergency communications between towns and the state; utility company preparedness, response and accountability; and insurance issues.

Donovan said the Task Force will be made up of legislators from shoreline towns, and will include representatives and senators, Democrats and Republicans. It also likely will include others such as climate and land use experts. The group expects to meet with and hear from homeowners, business owners, shoreline municipal leaders, insurance company representatives, climate scientists, and others before making recommendations. The task force will begin meeting immediately. Its goal is to complete work and forward recommendations to the General Assembly in December 2012.

The state’s new business outreach program took its show on the road yesterday, setting up shop in Branford’s Community House on Church Street. Scores of people lined up to speak one-on-one with state specialists versed in the way to get funds, obtain permits, explore tax credits. The aim: to create jobs, businesses and a new economic spirit in the state.

This was a way of thinking that no one in the room had ever encountered before. “This is a part of our reinventing Connecticut tour,” Deputy Economic and Community Commissioner Ron Angelo said in an interview after the program ended. “We had over a dozen stops on that tour. Now that tour is not going to end. Now we are going to be out doing this sort of thing on a regular basis. It is about being proactive not reactive anymore. It is about government acting at the speed of business and being responsive to business.”

Sen. Meyer, Rep. Widlitz, Rep. Reed (front row) Marcia Chambers Photo

The governor and the legislature, he said, will be helping start-ups all the way up to large corporations, both for profit and not-for-profit groups. “We have backed it up with capital, with investments,” he said.

The turnout for yesterday’s gathering was high. Business people came from various shoreline towns. What amazed the audience, they said, was the new attitude of the once sleepy state Department of Economic and Community Development. The event drew a full house. It was hosted by the Branford Economic Development Commission, First Selectman Unk DaRos and Tery Elton, who oversees special events for the town. Branford High School videotaped the program and provided the coffee and pastries.

New Business Plan

Angelo outlined the ways in which the Malloy Administration has revamped the process of getting businesses moving in the state and gave high praise to Branford Reps. Lonnie Reed and Pat Widlitz and state Sen. Ed Meyer for their leadership in bringing the Jackson Labs from Maine to Connecticut. “If it wasn’t for their leadership, it would not have happened,” he said.

Reed said this plan was exactly what Connecticut needs. “We need to be proactive. Your future doesn’t find you; you find your future. And we find that there are a lot of business people who have great ideas but they are not sure how to pull it all together, how to create a business plan, market it, merchandise it, and find their market. To have this system coming to towns, with all these satellites being created, well, it is why this place was packed today.”

Angelo outlined the governor’s new job-growth package that includes $516 million in bonding for business and infrastructure investments, a new tax break aimed at small businesses, and a plan to streamline state regulations.

One key part of the plan, dubbed the “Small Business Express Package,” centers on up to $50 million for loans and matching grants to help small companies create jobs. This part of the package drew many of the 120 people to the morning sessions.

Referring to his power point presentation, Angelo outlined the broad basis of the plan, one he termed “proactive.” At one point he drew gasps from a disbelieving audience when he said: “Ninety percent of the permits are done in 60 days or less right now.”

One of his themes was that government had to respond to its citizens in a more businesslike way. If Connecticut is to be competitive, it has to get out there—-with funds, with energy, with initiative he said. Click here for the DECD website.

He emphasized technology, Main Street upgrades, refurbishing bridges and airport enterprise zones.

He conceded the state has done a terrible job in the past in marketing itself. “We are going to change that” He said under the small business express program, $100 million is available for small businesses. He stressed efficiency and speed, the use of on-line applications and an expedited review process. “We can do it and do it in 30 days.” He talked about loans ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 and with a four percent interest rate for up to five years.

Another part of the program centers on hiring new employees. Any business hiring a new employee will get $ 6,000 a year for every employee hired over three income years. If the person is handicapped, the number goes up to $9,000 a year. One man in the audience outlined his hiring dates and asked if he still qualified.

One person asked Angelo about the need to expand Tweed Airport, especially as it relates to the New Haven community. “What are your plans for Tweed?” Angelo said he had been involved “a little bit” in the Tweed project, but added, “I can’t tell you about the long term plans for Tweed. There are expansion plans. Shoot me an e-mail,” he added, before moving to the next topic.

Another businesswoman asked what restrictions if any were there on companies incorporated in Delaware but doing business in Connecticut? He said there were none.

One of the reasons the state came up with this plan, he said, is that “businesses were having trouble accessing capital through banks.”

Joe Gordon, the chair of the Town’s Economic Development Commission, told the story of an accidental product that came into being in this state and conceivably might happen to somebody else in the room.

Paul Sperry, an engineer, slipped and fell when he alighted from his boat one day. But his cat, (some stories say it was his dog) landed just fine. Why did he slip and his cat didn’t? He turned the cat’s paw over and discovered the tiny grooves and cracks that give cat’s paws traction. From this observation came the first boat shoe, the original Sperry Top-sider, first introduced in 1935.

State Rep Overview

Widlitz, co-chair of the powerful Finance and Bonding Committee, attended the meeting. She represents both Guilford and two sections of Branford. She said she was very pleased. “Ron brought the feeling to Branford that the state of Connecticut is engaged. We have a vision. We are organized. Come talk to us. This is one-on-one. They are taking the show on the road”

Rep. Reed, who has her own media business, said this type of state promotion is essential for the state’s future. Afterwards she and Gordon chatted about what they believe will be the phenomenal future of Jackson Labs and the bio sciences in the state. “It is the future,” she and Gordon both said.

Many people exchanged business cards. Reed reported that the event provided a way for people to meet each other. “I was talking to a lady who does equipment for her tire company. And some other gentlemen, who trains wounded veterans, said to her: ‘is that something a wounded veteran could do? She said several employees were in wheel chairs. And so they were exchanging cards and they are going to create jobs for wounded vets.”

The room soon became full, with men and women seeking advice and guidance. A line formed at the door.

Reed said the newly energized department, led by Commissioner Catherine Smith, “are going out there and making it happen. Ron is not stopping by and saying good luck with that. He is saying this is a relationship. We are creating a relationship. Call us. Interact with us. Use our satellites. Tell us what your problems are. I am excited. We have needed to do this for years. We haven’t done any of this before.”

As Gov. Dannel Malloy convenes his invitation-only workshop on education reform today, the chairman of Branford’s Board of Education will be there.

“I want to find out some of the ideas people have,” Frank Carrano (pictured above, right) told the Eagle. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Education experts from Connecticut and across the country will participate in the today’s workshop at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. The topics are ones that the governor plans to address in the upcoming legislative session: school finance, low-performing schools, teacher evaluations and closing the achievement gap.

Carrano said he is eager to hear about the “bold strategies” that the governor spoke about when he announced last month that the legislative focus for the coming year will be education reform.

Malloy said the state has lost its competitive edge regarding education, that standardized assessments have stagnated and that the state has the largest achievement gap in the nation.

To jump start the reform process, Malloy is holding workshops today for a variety of stakeholders to discuss the issues.

Carrano said he is pleased the General Assembly will address education reform. “We might see some changes implemented,” he said. However, he is also concerned that the legislature will pass mandates without adequate funding.

“Significant change is going to require additional funding,” he said.

REED SEEKS REVIEW OF EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, (D-Branford) is also concerned about the way the state funds public education.

“The Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula becomes less fair to Branford with each passing year, as our town grows more diverse and we budget to address evolving learning needs and special education challenges,” Reed told the Eagle.

“Branford gets far too little state money per student,” said Reed, who chaired the education committee for the Representative Town Meeting before she was elected to the state post. At that time, Reed urged the RTM to join the Coalition for Justice Lawsuit in hopes of making the ECS funding formula more equitable.

“A fair ECS formula is still a huge goal of mine and I am hopeful that the upcoming legislative session will move us closer to achieving a solution before that lawsuit reaches the CT Supreme Court again,” Reed said.

“Bridging the achievement gap, improving teacher evaluations, fixing the deplorable graduation rates in some communities – these are all imperative objectives for our state,” Reed said. “I want to make certain that the needs of Branford’s children are included in the education reform process.”

John Prins, a member of Branford’s Board of Education (BOE), told the Eagle he is hopeful the reform initiatives will be successful.

“I’m very, very excited about the governor’s focus on education,” said Prins, who heads the BOE’s teaching and learning committee. However, he too is concerned about the financial implications. “Funding issues are going to be front and center,” he said.

Branford, like other districts statewide, has been working to increase scores on standardized tests that are mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind initiative. Click here to read about Branford’s test scores.

The governor’s education reform workshop comes a week after the State Department of Education (SDE) released graduation rates for 2010 which revealed that only 81.8 percent of the state’s 44,461 seniors received a diploma after four years of high school. The percentages were even lower for Hispanic, black and poor students—- highlighting the achievement gap the governor spoke about.

The state’s report said that 10 districts, including Guilford and Madison, had rates higher than 95 percent; while six districts had rates lower the 65 percent.

The 2010 graduation rate for Branford High School (BHS) was 91 percent, with 3.6 percent still enrolled in school after four years, and 5.5 percent who dropped out or left the system. The graduation rate at BHS for poor students (defined as those who qualify for the free lunch program) was 72.2 percent.

“Our graduation rates are better than the state average,” said Carrano, who chairs the BOE. “But I think we need to focus and get some solutions for students who don’t complete high school.”

Carrano said there may be numerous reasons students do not complete their education. “As a board, we want to look at what the reasons are and provide as many options as possible for them to complete their education,” he said. “We would not want any students to leave high school because there isn’t an education program for them.”

Carrano said the district needs to look at the students who are not graduating. “What happens to those students? That’s an important question for us,” he said.

In order to equitably compare towns and school districts, the state has divided towns into District Reference Groups (DRG) according to socio-economic factors. Branford and 23 other towns are in the fourth category from the top.

A look at Branford’s graduation rate in comparison to a few of the high schools in its DRG reveals: Branford at 91.0: Clinton 86.8; Cromwell 95.1; Old Saybrook 94.4; Milford 91.2; North Haven, 94.4; Shelton 89.2; Southington 88.3.

Graduation rates for nearby high schools not in Branford’s DRG include: Guilford 96.4 percent; Madison 97.2 percent; North Branford 86.3 percent; and East Haven 89.6 percent.

The SDE recently began to use more accurate figures to tally the graduation rates, by tracking students from ninth through 12 grades. The list of district graduation results had slightly lower percentages because it included special education students who live in a district but attend an educational program elsewhere. The list of high school graduation results did not list those students.

The state report for Branford did not list the total number of students who were tracked to reach the 2010 graduation rates. Nor did it list the breakdown according to subgroups. However, about 280 students graduated that year. According to SDE statistics for the Connecticut Academic Performance Test that was administered to Branford 10th graders in 2008, the class at that time contained 313 students, and 29 were eligible for the free lunch program. Figures for Hispanic and black students were not listed that year since those groups each contained fewer than 20 students.

The school district recently issued a comprehensive report regarding the graduating class of 2011, which had 277 graduates. The report, the first of its kind for Branford, listed the number of students who went on to college and technical schools. The report did not include the number of students who had dropped out of school.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy delivered holiday gifts to Branford in person yesterday, awarding the town a total of $180,000 for two projects, one to complete a pedestrian walkway around the Green and the other to study housing needs for the town’s elderly and the disabled.

Mary Johnson Photo

Standing on the steps of Town Hall in a drizzling rain, the governor, who worked closely with town leaders across the state during Hurricane Irene, told a small group of people attending the event that he appreciated First Selectman Unk DaRos’s input and decision making during the storm.

DaRos told the Eagle afterward that he thanked Malloy for all he has done for Branford and praised him for his leadership during Hurricane Irene, especially in handling Branford’s needs. DaRos said he was grateful that the town had won two STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grants, one that will benefit a walkway and lighting around the Town Green and the other that will deal with the increasingly crucial issue of housing the elderly.

State Sen. Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) also attended the brief event. The governor welcomed Meyer. He said Reed was crucial to the administration for her insight into budget and energy issues. And while Rep. Pat Widlitz, who represents Guilford and part of Branford, was unable to be there, Malloy commended her work as chair of the Assembly’s powerful finance and budget committee.

Reed spoke briefly, telling the audience, mostly town employees, about Branford’s serious housing needs. She said: “A week does not go by that I haven’t heard from a constituent who has qualified for senior or disabled housing in this town and is on very long and impossible waiting list, sometimes as long as four years. As we get older, as our town ages, there will be more demands for that kind of housing just as there is now for housing for young families and working people.”

The $30,000 STEAP grant will be used to assess the need for affordable housing for the elderly and the disabled now and in the future.

“It’s a feasibility study to look at existing conditions and establish the magnitude of need,” said Town Planner Shirley Rasmussen. “It will look at the needs and the possibility for meeting those needs.”

In the application for the state grant, the Branford Housing Authority said it is faced with a double challenge—the growing demand for housing units and the need for renovations of the current units. The Housing Authority owns two subsidized apartment complexes with a total of 90 units for elderly and disabled residents. One complex was built in 1970 and the other in 1985. The feasibility study would include a needs assessment and would look at a various solutions ranging from renovation to new construction.

The need for this type of housing was outlined in the 2008 Branford Plan of Conservation and Development, and in the Incentive Housing Zone Study.

Before the formal event took place on the Town Hall steps, Reed said, she met with the governor inside Town Hall, where they discussed the housing needs of the elderly and disabled who need to rent apartments and can’t find them.  “He was incredibly sympathetic, and was trying to figure it out.”

Meyer praised the grant that will help restore the Green. “The governor is to be congratulated for his recognition of making Branford a more attractive place for its residents and businesses. This grant could actually bring new jobs to the town.”

Mary Johnson Photo

Reed said in prepared remarks that “those STEAP grants enhance our quality of life in Branford and I thank the governor for his support and for delivering the good news in person.”

Malloy visited five Connecticut towns yesterday to announce STEAP grants for capital improvement projects.  They were: Montville, Griswold, Clinton, Deep River and Branford, where he arrived at about 2 p.m.

The news about the Green, where many activities take place, was especially welcomed.

Reed said: “Branford’s town center is a vibrant hub of activity and this grant will ensure the pedestrian walkway extends around our town green and that it is well lit, safe and in excellent repair. Shoppers, restaurant-goers, families pushing strollers and exercisers of all ages—everyone benefits from these walkway improvements.”

Mary Johnson Photo

January 1 probably felt a long way off last spring when legislators were pulling together the hundreds of pages, 140 sections and countless new programs in the final version of the big energy bill.

What is now known as Public Act 11-80 was also packed with close to three dozen deadlines for those programs as well as dates for various reports -- a large number due by the first day of 2012.

"In general terms I think we're in pretty good shape," said Jonathan Schrag, deputy commissioner in charge of energy at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which itself was formed by the legislation. Schrag wasn't hired until late September.

"I have had my chest thumping the last few weeks knowing that these deadlines were coming," Schrag said. "Everyone here and down in New Britain (also a DEEP office) has made an extraordinary effort these last couple of months to put in place the concepts outlined in 11-80."

A new way to buy power

There are delays, however. The most critical, though it had no specific deadline, is hiring a procurement manager, a person responsible for buying electricity, replacing the utilities that do it now. Considered a bold move, it would make Connecticut just the second state in the nation to purchase power this way.

Final interviews have been completed, and Schrag said he expects to have an offer to the leading candidate shortly and someone on board soon after the first of the year.

The delay has backed up other requirements under 11-80, namely the procurement plan the procurement manager was supposed to do by Jan. 1.

Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, vice-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, which shepherded the energy bill into law, was not wringing her hands over the procurement manager delay. "These people are hard to find," she said, noting that few people have the expertise to do the job. "I understand that this person is incredibly vital, and I don't want to put somebody on deck to just meet a deadline."

To be fair, the run-up to Jan. 1 has faced multiple challenges. The budget and labor crisis over the summer brought planning to a halt for two months, followed by delays after Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm. More than those was the daunting task of creating DEEP and then navigating 11-80's provisions.

The environmental community is giving DEEP praise, however, even if specific deadlines are missed.

"If given the choice between doing it well by July 1 or doing it half-baked by Jan. 1, I'll take well by July 1," said Chris Phelps of Environment Connecticut, who said the department had to perform triage just to get itself up and running. "It doesn't do anybody any good to rush the job and get it wrong," he said. "But you don't want it to slide an extra month and then another month or two, and then you wake up in a year and haven't gotten it done."

Roger Smith of Clean Water Action noted provisions likely to hit their deadlines. Two would provide electric and gas usage data for buildings free of charge. Another is the development of a standardized performance contract, a mechanism in which savings from energy efficiency upgrades are guaranteed and used to pay for the work. The contracts are complicated and expensive; this provision is designed to make them easier for both the state and municipalities.

"I've seen more activity in the last six month than I've seen in the last 15 years in two administrations," Smith said.

But both have concerns. Among them is a Feb. 1 deadline for what's known as virtual net metering -- a way for ratepayers to benefit from alternative energy systems they don't own. "It's totally broken," Smith said. "A $1 million cap for the whole state is a joke."

Among the biggest success stories: new utility-run programs for financing commercial zero- and low-emission renewable energy projects, much of which are designed to re-ignite the solar industry in Connecticut, which has suffered in recent years because of a lack of incentive funding.

An intense process, with DEEP brokering discussions between the utilities and the solar industry, produced a plan, filed with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, or PURA, that addresses industry concerns about how money is to be divided, bonding requirements and other points. As for the deadline: "We beat it," said Alex Kragie, DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty's special assistant and the point-person on the programs.

The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, which also faces deadlines, said its new residential solar incentive program should be ready to roll by Feb 1. CEFIA also expects to hit its March 1 deadline for a three-year combined heat and power pilot program, as well as an anaerobic digester pilot project.

But a stand-alone condo renewable energy grant program that should have been ready Oct. 31 is not, though spokesman David Goldberg said condos can still get funding through existing programs. He also said that part of a nearly $500,000 Department of Energy grant will be used to sort through the difficulties of doing renewable energy projects at condos and gated communities.

Ahead of schedule

Schrag said that despite the balky start, some key provisions in 11-80 were ahead of schedule.

A comprehensive energy plan due July 1 has been in progress for months. The Lead By Example program, which is using bond money to do major state energy efficiency retrofits to meet a 2013 deadline to lower state energy use by 10 percent, already has contracts out to bid for several projects.

And he said, in this post storms environment, his office is looking at issues of not just cheaper and cleaner energy, but also resilient energy. "It's throwing yeast into the mix," he said. "All of a sudden we can start talking about distributed generation in a real way. We can talk about smart grids in a viable way."

All of which is giving regulators and legislators confidence, even with a slipped deadline here and there.

"Meeting these deadlines in the midst of this transition process surely has been challenging at times," said Joe Rosenthal, PURA's chief attorney. "Not that people are saying, 'nice deadline, we'll get to it.' I think there is more concern about deadlines in legislative enactments than there once were."

Rep. Reed, head of the Energy and Technology Committee, agreed. "If they were slipping under the old system I would be very concerned," she said. "But I really do have confidence in those who are pulling together all the balkanized energy components in this state.
"I have a really good sense the people are really working hard."

“I'm proud of my environmental record and the work we are doing to put Connecticut in the lead when it comes to creating new green jobs,” said Rep. Reed. “Connecticut’s reputation as a clean, safe, healthy and beautiful place to live and work is fundamental to our state’s unique identify and essential to achieving our goals for a robust future.”

As House Vice-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, Rep. Reed helped negotiate sweeping energy reform legislation to lower Connecticut’s electricity costs, while moving the state toward cleaner and more efficient energy.  Rep. Reed noted the legislation takes a number of steps to grow jobs in new clean energy industries by supporting zero emission electric generation projects like solar, wind and hydro while reaching out to help businesses reduce costly energy inefficiencies.

The annual environmental scorecard grades state lawmakers based on how they vote on significant environmental legislation. This year the scorecard grades legislators' votes on twelve bills that came up during the 2011 legislative session.

CTLCV Co-Chair David Bingham said of the legislators who received high scores, “despite the pressures of economic distress, they upheld policies that are critical to providing clean air and water and make Connecticut an inviting state to do business.”

Formed in 1998, the bipartisan CTLCV works on laws that affect Connecticut's air, water, wildlife, open space, transportation, energy choices, and health.

The public may never know the full impact that Tropical Storm Irene and the recent surprise autumn snowstorm had on cell service in Connecticut because cell companies are attempting to shield the details from public scrutiny.

The Connecticut Siting Council, the state agency that oversees cell towers, has asked the cell companies to respond to an in-depth questionnaire regarding the impact of the storms. However, the companies have requested a protective order be placed on the information so that it cannot be made public.

The nine-member CSC will vote on the request at its regular meeting this Thursday at 1 p.m. at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain.

The governor and other state and local officials are demanding answers and accountability from power companies and communication providers in the aftermath of the two unprecedented storms that left hundreds of thousands of residents in the dark and knocked out phone and internet service for many. Click here to read about that.

The issue of how well cell towers can weather storms is coming at the same time that Branford is facing yet another public hearing for cell tower construction—- the third in two years. The two previous towers were approved. The Nov. 29 hearing is a request by T-Mobile to build a 160-foot tower along Pleasant Point Road.

However, T-Mobile has just requested a two-month postponement so the company can continue to evaluate an alternate site proposed by the town

Seeking Answers

The CSC was on the verge of getting answers to the questionnaire regarding Irene's impact, which affected about 270 cell towers.

Linda Roberts, executive director of the CSC, told the Eagle on Oct. 28 that only one company had replied, but she was anticipating the others would answer by the Oct. 31 deadline. Roberts said she would provide the Eagle with a copy of all the results by mid-November after the information was compiled.

Then an untimely autumn snowstorm swept through the state Oct. 29, damaging about 200 towers.

Roberts said the CSC is now seeking data related to both storms. The questionnaire delves into several issues, including the number of towers that were not functional due to loss of electricity or to direct damage, the length of time the towers were out of service, and the availability of back-up batteries or generators.

The companies' request to shield the information is on the agenda for Thursday's CSC meeting. At least two companies sought protective orders but they have not been named.

"It will be entirely up to the council," Roberts said, adding that they have approved some requests for protective orders in the past and denied others. Protective orders in some circumstances impair the public's access to records as well as the right to disseminate information to the public.

When cell companies request CSC approval to build a cell tower, such information is open to the public and can be viewed on the CSC Web site. However, cell companies may be granted protective orders in some instances.

For example, cell companies usually request a protective order in matters relating to lease agreements with private property owners. In regard to the proposed Pleasant Point tower in Branford, T-Mobile requested that the dollar amount of the lease with Tilcon be redacted from public records. In its formal request to the CSC, T-Mobile claimed the information was proprietary and a "trade secret." The request was granted.

Roberts said the council will be discussing issues pertaining to back-up battery plans for cell towers.

Branford State Rep. Lonnie Reed, the vice-chair of the assembly's Energy and Technology Committee, has been pursuing legislation to update the way the CSC operates. She said she is particularly concerned about the number of towers that were out of commission during the storms.

"We've now had two back-to-back storms that disabled hundreds of cell towers and I am convinced that back-up generation needs to be on site at all cell towers in Connecticut," Reed told the Eagle. "Keeping connected, particularly under these circumstances, is a matter of public safety."

When asked about the efforts of cell companies to shield information about the impact of the storms, Reed said there is a definite need for "detailed, authentic information about cell tower outages." "If the carriers have security concerns, or fear that competitors will take advantage of proprietary information, that can all be negotiated so the sensitive specifics only go to those responsible for monitoring and expediting solutions," Reed said.

"Many of my constituents gave up their land lines, thinking that cell phones were the latest, most dependable technology," Reed said. "No one told them that cell towers, even if they receive no storm damage, can be disabled by power outages. The carriers need to fix this problem quickly."

Reed said there should be a change in industry standards which now require cell towers to have back-up generation for only eight to 12 hours.

Legislation that Reed introduced regarding cell tower issues overwhelmingly passed both the House and the Senate, but was not signed into law due to a technicality. Reed says that in light of the problems from the two storms, she is re-tooling the legislation to deal with the new issues. She plans to introduce the new bill at the start of the next legislative session.

Pleasant Point Proposal

In Branford, T-Mobile is seeking approval of a plan to build a 160-foot cell tower on property owned by Tilcon at 77-145 Pleasant Point Rd. Unlike other towers where several cell companies share space, T-Mobile is the only applicant at the site. The proposal calls for a battery back-up of 12 to 16 hours.

Branford and other shoreline towns have been hit by an onslaught of tower proposals as carriers attempt to meet escalating cell phone usage and to provide continuous cell service for Amtrak passengers.

Requests to build towers were approved for both Pine Orchard Road and the Medlyn farm property along Route 146.

Hearings were scheduled Nov. 29 at Blackstone Library, but if the CSC grants a recent request by T-Mobile, the hearing will be postponed for two months. The CSC has added the request to its agenda for this Thursday's meeting.

Two previous hearings on the proposal were postponed. In January, T-Mobile requested a delay, claiming they would be unable to respond to questions from Branford's consulting attorney before the hearing. In August, the town of Branford requested a postponement so that T-Mobile could examine new alternative proposals developed by the town's cell tower consultant and Branford's Cell Tower Advisory Committee.

With the public hearing rapidly approaching, members of the Stony Creek Association are mulling over two options that were outlined by First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos and committee Chair Doug Marsh earlier this month.

"I need to know some direction on what the neighborhood would want," DaRos told the association. "What we have to do is try to mitigate the impact."

The two options are a single 160-foot tower on Pleasant Point Rd. north of Dibbs Pond; or two shorter towers, one on Pleasant Point Road and one behind the West Point Park ball field on town-owned property.

DaRos, who lives in Stony Creek, said the local committee was suggesting that each of the two smaller towers be no higher than 80 feet. However, he said T-Mobile had not yet agreed to a height.

Marsh said that even if the 160-foot tower is built, there is no assurance that it would meet the carrier's needs in the future. "We may be vulnerable to a second location anyway," Marsh said.

In 2009, Stony Creek residents fought the proposed construction of a 75-foot cell tower at the fire station site. A CSC hearing on that proposal was never scheduled.

In response to questions about location and design of the towers, DaRos said, "If we want this technology, we better get used to ugly."

DaRos said if the cell carriers can demonstrate a need for additional cell coverage, there is virtually no way to stop construction, except to attempt to influence the height and design. "All we can do is mitigate what we feel is offensive," he said.

T-Mobile amended its Pleasant Point application to the CSC so that information regarding the West Point Park site can be considered at the hearing.

After lengthy discussion at the Nov. 1 meeting, a motion to support the 160-foot tower on Pleasant Point Road was defeated by a 5-4 vote of the Stony Creek Association. Discussion then centered on having two shorter towers, but no conclusion was reached.

A second motion was unanimously approved to schedule a special meeting Monday, Nov. 28 to vote on the issue so that the association can present its preferences at the hearing. Information regarding both options was sent to all Stony Creek residences.

In the meantime, efforts are continuing to bring cell service to the Short Beach neighborhood. After scrutinizing several sites in Short Beach, AT&T has been looking at a site near the Farm River in East Haven as an alternative.

Legislators and environmentalists from New York and Connecticut vowed Friday to work together, as they did to fight the Broadwater Energy plan, to protect Long Island Sound.

The bi-state promise of cooperation was an exciting development from the 21st annual "Citizens Summit" at Housatonic Community College, said Curt Johnson, program director for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, a co-sponsor of the day-long event at Housatonic Community College.

Participants also helped draft steps to implement the Sound Vision Action Plan, a two-year effort to improve water quality in the Sound, as well as public access and commercial fishing.

Connecticut's Legislature passed a law in 2009 to allow the bi-state cooperation, and New York's followed suit last year, organizers said, but the two bills differ on some key points.

"We decided today to just move on and deal with the issues," said state Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford. "We need to drill down to what's doable and what do we need to do first. (Tropical Storm) Irene got a lot of people to recognize that climate changes are going to bring more storms like that."

Dredging is one issue that divides the two states' delegations, Reed said. "We want to get out in front of that because as silt begins to fill up the smaller harbors, jobs are being lost. A lot of container ships that are now going into ports in Massachusetts and Maine want to come into Connecticut, but you'd have to dredge the harbors, and then where do you put the fill?"

One idea, she said, may be to copy what New York did in Jamaica Bay, where the dredged fill was used to create small islands. "They are gorgeous," Reed said. "We may testify before each other's legislative hearings, and we plan to meet a few times each year. There is also Skype."

Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, said New York and Connecticut have different requirements for permits for work on Long Island Sound, and that is one thing that can be coordinated better. Another, more serious problem, he said, was the decision by several New York shorefront communities to use an insecticide called Scourge against mosquitoes that also killed marine life.

"You used to see the water teeming with small fish and plentiful lobsters, but you don't any more," said Backer, Long Island Soundkeeper. "Can I connect that directly to the death of the lobsters? No, but if you put something known to kill marine organisms in the water, you should wonder."

Where there were 1,100 full-time lobstermen plying Long Island Sound several years ago, there are now between 60 and 80, said Roger Frate, owner of Darien Seafood. "We saw die-offs every time New York (communities) recklessly put this stuff down their storm drains. Ninety percent of the lobster traps are gone."

The New York legislature is considering requiring local governments to notify the public whenever untreated sewage is released into Long Island Sound, said Adrienne Esposito of Save the Sound. "Notices would have to go out within eight hours. Especially in the summer months, when people are out enjoying the Sound, they need to know if the water is clean," she said. The untreated effluent reaches the Sound during periods of heavy rainfall, when the stormwater runoff overwhelms treatment plants.

Backer, who testified in Albany urging passage of the notification bill, said he will introduce the same measure when the Connecticut legislature reconvenes.

Jennifer Mattei, a biology professor at Sacred Heart University, said the two states also have different shellfishing regulations. "Sometimes one state closes its beds while shellfish are being harvested on the other side," she said. "There needs to be some coordination there."

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the two states' congressional delegations are already working closely together on matters affecting Long Island Sound. Blumenthal and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, are leading the effort in Congress to reauthorize the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act, which was allowed to "sunset" two years ago. The federal law gives the Sound the same status as the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and other key estuaries, providing funds for environmental improvements and monitoring.

“Bioscience is on an exciting new frontier of medicine customized to treat individual patients,” said Rep. Reed. “It produces jobs not only in medical research and development, but also in medical software manufacturing and other related and comparable fields. It’s great for Branford, for Connecticut and really all of humanity, since this is about preventing and curing the diseases that threaten us all.”

The goal of the legislation is to jump-start job creation and foster long-term economic growth and innovation. Incentives for small businesses and innovation, tools for economic and workforce development and training all are addressed in the bill.

One of the key components of the legislation is the Small Business Express Package which will make $50 million/year available to small businesses through incentives, grants and loans.

The bill also aligns programs at vo-tech schools, community colleges and universities with high demand job needs of employers, including the state’s manufacturing technology companies.

Other components of the jobs bill include:

• Consolidating and increasing the tax credit for new hires
• Incentivizing investments in emerging technology (Angel Investors)
• Building innovation centers in key cities and investing in innovative ventures
• A second “First Five” program
• Cutting the business entity tax
• Streamlining the business permitting process
• Remediating old industrial sites/brownfields
• Computer upgrades to foster seamless communication between business and the state
• Workforce development, education and training
• Allowing the Airport Authority to designate new Development Zones
• Investments in roads and bridges
• Replenishing the Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)
• Main Street commercial centers improvement initiative

In addition, the legislature signed off on Jackson Laboratory’s plan to build a $1.1 billion research facility at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington. The State of Connecticut will invest $291 million and Jackson Laboratory will raise the balance of $860 million for the project.

According to the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the project is expected to create over 660 positions at Jackson Laboratory in Farmington within 20 years. DECD estimates more than 4,600 bioscience jobs would be generated through spin-off companies, and another 2,000 would be added to local service and area retail stores. The project would yield more than 840 construction jobs as well.

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Funding will be used to make energy efficiency improvements and ADA renovations to the Orchard House Adult Day Care, which currently serves elderly and severely disabled individuals. Energy efficiency improvements include replacing windows, lights, and exterior doors with more energy efficient models; and general rehabilitation improvements will include repairs to the roof. ADA improvements will make Orchard House more accessible to handicapped individuals.

“This project not only adds to the quality of life for local seniors, it furthers our commitment to becoming a ‘green’ town and state,” said Rep. Reed. She added, “And it is always good to see our dollars coming back home to Branford for important improvements.” Rep. Reed also congratulated Branford's Planning and Zoning Department, headed by Shirley Rasmussen, for helping to prepare the successful grant application.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program provides grants to eligible municipalities for economic development, affordable housing, community facilities and other revitalization projects. The federal program is administered by Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

“For most Connecticut towns and smaller cities, budgets are stretched thin but their infrastructure needs and the housing needs of their residents haven’t diminished,” Governor Malloy said. “That’s why the Small Cities program — and the federal grants the program awards — are so critical. The funding is key to these communities and their efforts to improve the lives of residents through housing programs and community projects.”

The Branford Town Center was awash in history as two companies of the Governor’s Foot Guard and two companies of the Governor’s Horse Guard assembled on the Green for the first time since the military units were organized more than 200 years ago.

The companies are the oldest continuously serving military units in the country, having been chartered between 1771 and 1808. Today’s volunteers are commissioned to serve the governor and the state, attend ceremonial events and provide educational lectures and demonstrations at schools and organizations.

The Second Company of the Governor’s Foot Guard, headquartered at the Branford Armory since moving from New Haven in 2009, hosted the annual joint military review on Sept. 17. The annual reviews were held for many years at Camp Niantic, but the companies recently began holding the ceremonies in various towns across the state. Because of budgetary constraints and logistic matters, the Horse Guard was present without their horses.

“We chose Branford this year because that’s our new home,” Capt. Richard Greenalch Jr. told the Eagle.

“We love being part of Branford. The town has taken us to heart.”

Local and state dignitaries accompanied the military units as they marched from the Armory on the corner of Montowese Street and Pine Orchard Road. Shown here (from left) are Lt. Col. Peter Laffin of the Second Company Foot Guard; State Reps. Lonnie Reed and Pat Widlitz; State Sen. Edward Meyers; and Capt. Robert Devaney of the Second Company Foot Guard. Mary Johnson Photo

During the ceremony, the guard units granted “honorary captain” status to Reed, Widlitz and DeLauro.
Mary Johnson Photo

State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who championed the bill in 2009 along with many of her legislative colleagues including state Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford), state Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) and state Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford) held a press conference at the Legislative Office Building today to celebrate the new law and discuss the importance of continuing the dialogue of comprehensive chemical policy reform.

Senator Bye, one of the initiative’s strongest advocates in the General Assembly in 2009, said, “Consumers have been demanding BPA-free baby products, and now manufacturers -- in responding to Connecticut's new regulations -- are poised to provide BPA-free containers nationwide. We have the strongest BPA ban in the country and all businesses have complied. This new law shows that one state can have a huge effect on public health.”

State Senator Edward Meyer (D-Guilford), Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Environment Committee agreed with his senate colleague and added, “Connecticut residents will be safer because this toxic chemical has been banned.”

Eight states including Connecticut have passed laws banning BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. These states are Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. California’s legislature also just passed a ban that is awaiting Governor Brown’s signature. Connecticut’s law was the first to also ban BPA in infant formula containers. Vermont is the second and only other state with such a broad ban.

Senator Meyer’s Environment Co-Chair, state Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford) said, “"I want to specifically thank Sarah Uhl and Anne Hulick for leading the effort to pass this ban," said State Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford), House Chairman of the Environment Committee. "This ban on BPA is another major step for our country in removing toxic chemicals from our environment. I appreciate the steps being taken by the chemical companies to comply with these laws, but more needs to be done."

“I am proud to be among the Connecticut legislators who voted to lead the nation by banning BPA from baby bottles and other children’s food containers. We did it in a rational and responsible way, giving companies time to find safe substitutes," said State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) "This law serves as a model for the country and sends the powerful message that we must keep fighting to protect not just our children, but all consumers from toxic products that are harmful to health and development.”

Joining the lawmakers at the event was Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut (CSHC) – a driving force behind efforts on the state and federal level to eliminate dangerous chemicals from everyday products. CSHC Coordinator Anne Hulick, RN, MS, JD said that a growing number of its members are concerned parents, particularly mothers, who want to protect their children from the many illnesses, such as cancers, reproductive disorders and learning and behavioral disorders that are linked to dangerous chemicals – like BPA.

She added, “I wish I could say that as of tomorrow Connecticut’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens are safe from the harmful effects of dangerous chemicals, but I can’t. We need to continue to stay the course of eliminating toxic chemicals from the products we use everyday – with thousands of chemicals in commerce and only a fraction of them tested for safety – it’s more important than ever that we work together on comprehensive reform.”

Hacah Boros, a mother and a nurse, said that toxic chemical reform, such as this ban on BPA, is so important to the future of our children’s health. She added that it is a comfort to know that her government has taken a step to ensure the safety and well being of her child, “As a mother, time is limited and life is very busy. Even for someone like myself, educated in health and science, it is very difficult to know what products are safe to use--even when you know what to look for. To read through the ingredients of products to pick out the unsafe chemical (among a long list) is exhausting and very few parents have the time to do so. I have talked to many parents who are frustrated and overwhelmed, and feel like they are unsure how to protect their children from these hidden toxins. Toxic chemical reform is long overdue. I am so proud of CT for being at the leading edge of this reform!”

“Toxic chemical reform is important to me and my family, because we should be able to trust the products on the shelves in our stores,” said H. Shiyrah Suplita, a concerned mom who attended the press conference. “We use the most toxic chemicals on the smallest, most vulnerable humans and it really needs to stop. I shouldn’t have to worry if the shampoo I am buying now is going to affect my son’s health. He will have enough to worry about with all of the chemicals that already exist in his body and in the environment. Let’s stop adding to that and protect our kids!”

The Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut is a growing partnership of citizens and over 50 organizations working for safer alternatives to toxic chemicals. The Coalition represents health professionals, workers, nurses, businesses, environmentalists, occupational safety advocates, people of faith, and individuals whose health has been impacted by toxic chemicals.

The issue kept coming up Monday during a day-long hearing that is examining the response by the electric companies that frustrated thousands of Connecticut residents - including some who were without power for more than a week.

Some officials said as many as 90 percent of the outages were caused by falling trees.

Some critics have focused in sharply on the decision by Connecticut Light & Power Company to cut the number of line crews over the years - at a time when the number of customers was growing. As such, they have complained that the company was better prepared for Hurricane Gloria - 26 years ago - than it was this year for Irene.

With a lower amount of linemen, the company was required to call in crews from other states at the prevailing rates. Today, CL&P employs 422 workers in the category of "line mechanics and trouble-shooters," compared to 385 in 2001.

The opening speaker of the day-long proceedings was CL& P president and chief operating officer Jeff Butler, who has been the public face of the company throughout the storm and who strongly defended its performance Monday.

No storm in the company's history, he said, had caused more damage. He defended CL&P's response was "appropriate, effective, strong" in the immediate aftermath of the storm, adding that 2 million customers throughout New England lost power.

One of the problems is that Connecticut has the second highest number of trees, on a percentage basis, in the United States.

All 149 of the towns covered by CL&P were impacted. Across the eastern seaboard, the storm could cost $12 billion.

At the peak, nearly 700,000 customers were out of power simultaneously. But with in-and-out outages, the overall number of customers who were restored was more than 1 million. More than 100 miles of wire was replaced, and more than 1,500 roads were blocked across the state.

During Gloria, 506,000 customers were impacted, and it took 10 days to get them all back to power. The recent storm was also worse than Hurricane Bob.

The company, he said, actually started planning for Irene six days ahead of time.

Every employee at CL&P, Butler said, "did an outstanding job."

In the early part of the hearing, both Democratic and Republican legislators were largely deferential to Butler and did not blast either CL&P or UI officials who were testifying.

From Greenwich to eastern Connecticut, legislators and customers had initially complained loudly about CL&P's response. Four days after the storm, power had not been restored in central Greenwich areas near Route 1 like Northfield Street, as opposed to the more rural "backcountry" neighborhoods north of the Merritt Parkway that are far more difficult to restore because there might be only three homes, for example, in a 50-acre area.

Regarding the future, Butler says it is not only "the trees and the trim zone" because some of the problems came from the "hazard trees" that might be 70 feet tall and are not immediately hanging over the wires. The tree-trimming cycles have basically not changed in the past decade, according to the company. The company spends about $21.5 million per year in the normal maintenance program to trim trees at a cost of about $5,800 per mile.

"People are very covetous of their trees, and I am of mine," said Sen. Joan Hartley, a Waterbury Democrat. "Aging trees need to be tended to. ... It's something that you push off and don't want to deal with."

Sen. John Fonfara, the longtime co-chairman of the legislature's powerful energy committee, said that legislators are seeking results from the hearing.

"This is not a showpiece," Fonfara said, telling Butler later that "the company and your workers did great work."

For the first time, the joint committees that held the hearing Monday accepted testimony from citizens via Facebook and Twitter - two Internet services that were not available years ago. The hearing began shortly after 9:30 a.m. and lasted past 5 p.m. with no lunch break.

One of the biggest problems was a lack of communication between the electric companies, customers, and local leaders. With the Internet and landline telephone service down for many customers, it was even more difficult to communicate.

Canterbury First Selectman Brian H. Sear said, "I was very frustrated. ... I hope we learn from this. ... There were people coming to me with all sorts of information that turned out not to be true."

Sear, who oversees the Windham County town of about 5,000 residents, noted that a reliable, central communication point would have been helpful.

"When everything goes down, you have to use all the tools at your disposal," said Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams.

Sen. Edith Prague asked Sear if he was ever given an explanation about why CL&P trucks came into town and the workers were not sent out to get the lights back on.

"I don't want to go down that road," Sear said. "They don't want to pay overtime. It's a political decision. ... No, there never was an official [explanation]. Maybe it wasn't safe for these crews to proceed. I don't know. They didn't have clearance."

Prague said, "They sat in your town for hours. ... I hope CL&P is listening closely to this."

East Haven Mayor April Capone, representing one of the worst-damaged sections in the entire state, told lawmakers Monday that 25 homes were a total loss and an additional 20 are currently uninhabitable. There was a mandatory evacuation order along Cosey Beach Avenue on the Saturday before the storm hit, and several rescues insured that there was no loss of life. At one point, 90 percent of East Haven was out of power.

Based on the responses by the National Guard and the state police, Capone said, "I could not have asked more from the state."

From house to house and block to block, the damage was far different along Cosey Beach Avenue. Some houses were completely destroyed, while the Sandpiper Restaurant across the street from the FEMA staging area suffered virtually no damage and is currently up and running.

Capone provided a tour on Friday for U.S. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and FEMA officials, among others.

"Only God knows why our little section of Cosey Beach was hit so hard," Capone said. "I don't know why it hit us when it did and where it did. ... We want our shoreline rebuilt. East Haven is one of the last places in the state where an average person can afford a home on the water. Some of these are cottages that are handed down from generation to generation. It's not the Hamptons."

State Rep. James Crawford, a Westbrook Democrat, told Capone that he was stunned when he heard that some state residents would be without power for 7 to 10 days.

"I've seen real storms, and this wasn't a real storm," he said.

Sen. Kevin Witkos, the ranking Senate Republican on the energy committee, thanked Butler for the company's response, saying that some employees worked 16 hours a day.

House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey said to UI officials that "I want to thank you for your responsiveness to me personally during the storm."

But Sharkey added that his view was that "there weren't enough people on the ground, ready to go" on the first day.

"Do you feel you had enough crews on the ground, Monday morning, to address the problems that you had?" Sharkey asked.

"Yes," a company official said, adding that some workers had to be held back because they wanted to go out during the storm and start working.

Rep. Lonnie Reed, a Branford Democrat, said that the crews from Texas and Oklahoma were helpful, but were not particularly coordinated in showing up in the towns on time. The crews came in for a breakfast buffet that was provided by the company and then received a safety briefing on their first day for 90 minutes before heading out to the towns to restore power. Crews from CL&P's parent company also came from western Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Rep. Steven Mikutel, a Griswold Democrat, said, "I've never seen so many trees fall on the lines. I still can't understand why we had more trees this time than Hurricane Gloria. ... Short of leveling every tree within 70 feet of the lines, what would you do differently? You're changing the character of my town if you want to do real control here."

Gloria, by comparison, was a faster-moving storm than the slow-moving Irene, which hovered long enough to keep pouring rain and winds across Connecticut.

"What does the future hold for underground wires?" Mikutel asked. "Economically, is that ever going to be feasible?"

Placing the lines underground is three to six times more expensive than putting them above ground, according to UI. About 90 percent of the outages were caused by trees, the company said.

Mikutel noted that the power was back on by Monday night in Jewett City because the municipal utility companies had acted quickly. Ken Sullivan, the director of utilities for Jewett City, said there are 2,300 electrical meters in the relatively small service area, and the utility dedicates an entire month in the fall to tree trimming. Irene brought winds of 60 miles per hour, but some officials are questioning what would happen if the winds ever got to 120 miles per hour. Once some of the municipal utility workers finished their work, they helped CL&P to restore power.

There was relatively little storm damage in Norwalk, and the South Norwalk Electric and Water Company borrowed crews from the water company to help solve various electric problems.

Sen. Edith Prague, an outspoken liberal Democrat from Columbia, said that half of Groton that was covered by CL&P had virtual complete outages, but the local electric company in the other half of Groton had restored the area quickly.

Senator Hartley, who said her overall dealings with CL&P were positive, questioned how long it took for the out-of-state workers to get dispatched. A company official said it was "highly unlikely" that workers would be waiting around for 24 hours, as Hartley had heard.

After CL&P finished its opening testimony at about 10:45 a.m. Monday, the president and CEO of UI Holdings Company, James P. Torgerson, said that 363 crews - far beyond the company's normal 60 to 65 - were working at 10,000 separate locations to restore power in the company's service area. Overall, 75 percent of the customers were back in three days and 99 percent in 7 days, he said.

The company will spend millions on call-center technology and other efforts to improve service in the future, he said.

State Rep. Stephen Dargan said that the power outages were essentially a chicken-and-egg situation because the workers in the utility trucks would say they could not get their work done until the tree crews did their work. Then the tree crews said they couldn't work until the utility company shut off the power.

"The utility truck would come, and they would leave. The tree truck would come, and they would leave,"

Dargan said, adding that even West Haven's mayor did not have power in the days after the storm.

Lawmakers made opening statements before the power companies testified Monday.

"We are hear to examine Connecticut's readiness and response," said Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams, the highest-ranking senator.

With proper preparedness, the state will be "better prepared next time," Williams said.

"We must adapt, coming out of Hurricane Irene," he said. "We can never guard against every aspect of a weather emergency, but we can plan better" in the future. The point of Monday's hearing is to "make sure that we are as best prepared as we can possibly be," Williams said.

Today, the utilities testified until about at the state Capitol complex. Simsbury first selectman Mary Glassman testified on behalf of cities and towns as the current president of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

At the peak, 65 percent of Simsbury customers were without power. In addition, Route 185 - a major thoroughfare for Hartford commuters - was closed on Monday morning following Sunday's storm.

From (Left-Right) Sudac, Reed and Whitford

Back in August, the National Guard took the town’s historic “tank” from its home at the Branford Armory on Montowese Street without notifying veterans or any town official where it was going or why. Today newly painted and looking spiffy, the tank—actually an armored personnel carrier—was returned to its rightful place.

A group of smiling vets attended the ceremony, greeting one another happily. They had served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Everyone was delighted and grateful for the return of the “tank.”

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, who set in motion the machinery that led to the tank’s return, first heard about the tank’s departure from Tom Sudac, who was there on the day the memorial was dedicated in 1978.

Sudac, 80, a corporal with the National Guard’s Heavy Tank Co. of the 43rd Division of the 102nd Infantry, headquartered until recently in Branford, called Reed to tell her what happened. She checked into it and later called the Governor office, explaining the significance and history of the tank. She spoke to top military officials. Soon after the tank was unceremoniously removed, Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, adjutant general for the Connecticut National Guard, decided to return it. He had learned, he said, that the armored vehicle was a war memorial.

Reed said Adjutant General Martin “was very responsive. I am very excited about today. It is sort of re-dedication in many ways and a re-education as to why we love the carrier so and why it is so important to Branford, the people it represents and the people who have served. And they have done such a marvelous job of repainting it to its authentic, original self. It just looks better than ever.”

Today’s occasion served also to prompt a conversation about the future of the Branford Armory. Sudac is hoping to create a museum in part of the building since 70 of the current 100 members of the 102nd infantry have been moved to a new facility in Middletown. And while 30 members are still in Branford, they, too, may be transferred. The Armory is now home to the Governor’s Second Company Foot Guard, one of the oldest continuously serving military units in the United States. It left its New Haven quarters in December, 2009 and is now stationed at the Branford Armory, now 98 years old.

Sudac took the occasion to raise the idea of a new museum with Col. John Whitford, public affairs officer for the Connecticut National Guard, who accompanied the “tank” back to Branford. One of the issues is whether certain memorabilia might be returned to the Branford Armory. One item now elsewhere is a vintage machine gun that Sudac would like returned.

“The machine gun is on the National Guard inventory. “We are responsible for that. It will go us. It will be on display someplace else,” Whitford explained to Sudac.

Sudac told Whitford: “In my mind I would like to make it part of our armory. And I would love to get that back for the museum’s purposes. Just what you are doing in Niantic, I want to do here in Branford.”

Whitford told Sudac that with regard to the machine gun and other items the door was not closed but he had to go through the process and request it. Sudac said he would do that. Rep. Reed said she would help facilitate the process in whatever way she could.

Sudac then asked Whitford: “What do you think is the next step to get the armory into a museum? We would ask the Branford Historical Society to join us. Get it wrapped into one. The Foot Guard unit thinks the idea is great also.”

“If you want to expand I think we could work on that together with the adjutant general because obviously our footprint here is reduced to a platoon sized element and some pieces of equipment will be moving to Middletown. They will be occupying that very shortly. But we can work on this,” he told Sudac.

Reed, who was part of the conversation, said: “I would definitely want to be involved.”

Whitford replied: “Let’s do it the right way, and build on it if you would like to do that.”

Sudac said: “That would be great. I know the Foot Guard would appreciate a museum because they have many items they would like to preserve.”

Branford’s armored personnel carrier was actually a war memorial given to the town by Governor Ella Grasso and while the National Guard has it listed on its inventory, many vets, like Representative Town Meeting Clerk Dennis Flanagan, said it belonged to the town. It honored the Korean War veterans. It was formally unveiled at the Armory about 33 years ago, on Nov. 12, 1978.

Flanagan, a Vietnam veteran, attended today’s ceremony. He said he was “very happy, very, very happy that the tank is back. It should never have been removed to begin with. We were very surprised. We came by one day and it was missing. Nobody said anything to us. When Gov. Grasso gave us the carrier, we had a proclamation that this would stay in the town of Branford.”

Flanagan also said he was concerned about vast amounts of memorabilia that should be preserved. “We heard they were going to throw it out but the American Legion said don’t throw it out, we will store it in our building,” Flanagan said. These items are very historic. You can’t replicate them.”

Asked by the Eagle why the tank was taken in the first place if it belongs to the town, Col. Whitford explained: “This M114 armored personnel carrier is on the National Guard’s property book. Let me clarify. Even though it was dedicated, that piece of equipment has to belong to somebody and it belongs to us. Where we within our rights to take it? Yes, we were. When we looked at it, it was faded, it was chipping and our guys brought to our site and restored it back to its original paint color. It will now l remain here as a permanent fixture,” he said.

He said that when the adjutant general found out that the town of Branford “really loved this piece of equipment, he made the decision to bring it back. “

The next step is to work on the transformation of the Armory, Rep. Reed said. She said there is a groundswell of support for the idea. “We are talking about all of the assets we have had here, some of which have already been moved to the Niantic museum and elsewhere. We will try to bring some of it back, certainly the memorabilia and the photographs that are unique to this facility.

“Tom Sudac wants to get the historical society involved and Col. Whitford pointed out that there has to be a process and I have stepped up to say that I will facilitate it in any way possible. If it needs legislation we can work on that. But they are very responsive,” she said of Whitford’s reaction to the idea.

Everyone lined up for the official photo. Walter Zielinski, (M. Sgt. US Army Ret), who will turn 90 tomorrow, was on hand. A Branford native he served in WW II and other military theatres, including the Bay of Pigs crisis.

He loves the old tank. He had many stories to tell. As he began to tell them he sat by the tank, patting its side gently.

Col. John Whitford of the CT National Guard speaks with retired Corporal Thomas Sudac who was instrumental in getting the tank to Branford both on 1978 and now. Rep. Lonnie Reed-D stands in the background with Branford RTM's Dennie Flanigan.  Credit: Nicole Ball

Yelling from her car window, one passerby said, “I didn’t know how much I missed it until it was gone!”
On Branford Patch’s Facebook, page, Kenneth Sparks commented on a photo of the restored tank: “That’s how I remember it as a kid.”

The tank should look similar to how Sparks remembered it but it is now restored to what it originally was when it was issued in 1962; a flat green color adorned with stars not the camouflage it was when it left town in August.

Master Sergeant Guy Bradstreet, Shop Supervisor of the Unit Training and Equipment Site (UTES) of East Lyme, led the restoration effort of the APC and commented as seven of his guys delicately maneuvered the craning of the 12,600-pound tank, “We took it from the 70s-era paint configuration and brought it to when it was first issued.” In stripping down the paint, Bradstreet said he was able to find the registration number for the tank as well (see photo).

The APC, Bradstreet noted, was originally built by General Motors, Cadillac division and had a 283 motor.

Bradstreet, who works on restoring 15 to 20 pieces of engineer equipment a year, said he was happy to see the vehicle returned to Branford. “We’re excited,” he commented, “that the people of Branford took an interest in the equipment and it’s good to see it come back and be a reflection of the history of the town.”

The initial intent of removing the tank, said CT National Guard Spokesman, Col. John Witford, was to restore the APC and display it at Camp Niantic.

The CT National Guard owns many pieces of equipment throughout the state that are housed at off-site facilities like the Armory in Branford. As the CT National Guard’s footprint is reduced at the Armory and relocated to Middletown – a similar story plays out at other armories in the state – Witford said the CT National Guard is taking their equipment with them. Two Howitizer cannons, formerly in Norwalk, were taken by the CT National Guard earlier this year. Most of these pieces will be displayed at Camp Niantic.

Though just a small platoon division of the CT National Guard will remain in Branford, Whitford said the ultimate decision was to return the APC though it is still the guard’s property.

“After hearing the response and how the town felt about the APC,” said Whitford, “it would be better to return it and be the good neighbor.” Witford said Major General Thad Martin made the ultimate decision to return the tank.

As the UTES readied the area to replace the restored APC, many people instrumental in the vehicle’s return began to arrive at the Armory to watch the event unfold including Erik Barone who was at the scene the morning the tank was taken.

“I have goose bumps,” he said as the tank was flat bedded in.

Seeing the tank go was touching for Barone who said he had played on it as a child. The day it was taken, Barone said he was devastated thinking his toddler Chase could climb not on the vehicle like he had. Though it’s not encouraged that children climb on the tank, Bradstreet said the APC was restored with safe paint incase residents do touch it. Barone was all smiles as the UTES crew positioned the APC for it's final drop into place.

Also waiting for the APC to be brought home, was Branford resident Veteran Corporal Thomas Sudac of the Heavy Tank Company, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. Clad in blue baseball caps bearing the 102nd Infantry insignia, Sudac and several other veteran members of the division arrived to see the tank they had helped bring to Branford in the first place more than 30 years ago.

As the story goes, Sudac worked with then Governor, Ella T. Grasso, to create a memorial to the 102nd Heavy Tank Infantry to commemorate their service. Sudac had requested a Sherman Tank, like the one the infantry had used in Germany in the 1950s and two of which, he said were housed at the Branford Armory in the 1950s. The government, instead, shipped a 1962 M114 Vietnam-era APC to the 102nd Infantry from Florida. Since 1978, that vehicle had sat in front of the Armory – except for when Branford resident Major Sergeant Walter Zielinski (who turns 90 tomorrow) said a few Branford teens unlocked the wheels and pushed the tank across the Armory lawn and more recently when the guard took it.

“We were concerned that it was removed without any notification,” said Sudac. “One day we came here and we noticed it was missing.”

Happy to see that the tank was back home, Sudac said he also has plans to secure memorabilia the 102nd had at the Armory in their designated room and later create a museum to display the items. A long-term goal is have the museum housed in the Armory, said Sudac, when the CT National Guard moves out.

Though unable to comment on that at this point, Whitford said in the future, when the guard moves out of the Armory completely, it will be given to the Office of Police Management who can then give the building to the town. Creating a museum would then become a town decision.

Just as the tank was being craned to its final resting place on its cement pad, which bears the inscription 1978, Rep. Lonnie Reed-D arrived with Branford Representative Town Meeting Moderator Dennis Flanigan who is also the past commander for American Legion Post 83 as well as Branford First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos.

Reed said she was happy to see the APC was being returned. She said Sudac first informed her that it was taken from Branford. Though the tank is still technically the property of the CT National Guard, Reed said, referencing former Mayor Grasso’s work to get the tank in Branford, “It’s actually a war memorial with a granite marker.”

Calling on called Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to get the tank back, Reed said the first reaction from the people in his office was “yikes.”

“I’m very happy,” Reed said between chatting with other officials and veteran members of the 102nd Infantry. “I think it was a serendipitous experience because it reeducated people about how it got here and why they love it so.”

Four committees of the General Assembly – Energy & Technology, Public Safety, Labor and Public Employees, and Planning & Development – will hear from representatives of utility companies, workers, communications firms and municipalities, as well as from members of the general public.

Rep. Lonnie Reed (D-Branford), Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, says the public hearings can not come soon enough. "Cascading system failures literally put some lives in peril as prolonged power outages and the inability to communicate threatened medical equipment such as respirators.   The relentless ingenuity of tireless local officials, first responders and volunteers got us through. Sharing their real-world experiences in solving huge problems under the most stressful of circumstances will expedite our ability to quickly fix what is broken."   

“There’s hardly a person or business across the state that didn’t feel the impact of Irene,” House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said. “We need to understand what worked and what didn’t in terms of how we prepared and how we responded. I expect these hearings will be productive and forward looking and will serve us well for the next, inevitable punch from Mother Nature.”

"Hurricane Irene put Connecticut to the test," said Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn). "Now it's time to evaluate our readiness and response. The informational hearings will help us get the answers that families expect and deserve. I'm also pleased that there will be time reserved for members of the public to share their experiences. And for those who cannot attend, we hope they'll contact us through Twitter or Facebook."

Senate and House Democrats have set up Facebook and Twitter accounts at http://www.facebook.com/pages/After-Irene-CT/262762473747233 and http://twitter.com/#!/AfterIreneCT to accept public comments and suggestions about experiences with the storm and the state’s readiness for and response to it.

 “People who had to wait for a week or more need some satisfaction in knowing why it took so long for their power to be restored. The delay went far beyond mere inconvenience; many people need electricity to pump well water to their homes and for other health requirements,” said House Chairwoman of the Energy & Technology Committee Vickie Nardello (D-Prospect, Bethany, Cheshire). “We need to determine what was done right and what we need to do better, whether it is communication or manpower. These hearings are not just for appearances. We will develop specific steps to improve how well we are prepared.”

On September 19th, the informational hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. with representatives of CL&P, UI and municipal utilities, followed by municipal representatives and officials from telephone, cable and wireless utility companies. The hearing will conclude at 4:30 p.m.

On September 26th, members of the public will have the opportunity to appear before the committees beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by union representatives and the electric utility companies. Members of the public will have an additional chance for comment before the hearing closes in early afternoon.

Hundreds of Branford residents gathered on the Green Sunday afternoon as ceremonies marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The day was crisp and sunny, eerily similar to the same day a decade ago.

They came for many reasons: to remember a loved one killed when the Twin Towers collapsed; to teach their grandchildren about community spirit; to think about a daughter who helped victim’s families at Ground Zero; or simply to join hands in remembrance and hope.

First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos told the gathering about a little girl with a red wagon who renewed his faith in humanity. In the days after the terrorist attack, Branford began a drive to collect bottled water for first responders in New York City. DaRos watched from his window in Town Hall as residents brought supplies to a truck on the Green, and he hoped they would collect enough. At one point, he looked out the window and saw that even a young girl was pulling a red wagon with a bottle of water across the Green. He recalled his words from 10 years ago: “I think we’re going to need another truck.”

In fact, Branford filled five tractor trailers with bottled water and another truck with relief supplies.

“At a time of trouble, people from Branford came together as they always do,” DaRos said. “I saw hope in that little girl with the little red wagon.”

Sunday’s ceremonies, organized by the Branford Rotary, focused on hope and community and remembering those who were lost.

Another poignant story came from Joe Higgins, who moved to Branford after serving with the New York Fire Department for 41 years. On 9/11/01, he was the deputy director of communications for the fire department when he responded to the disaster. “Going across the Brooklyn Bridge, my initial thought was that it was a scene from a Steven Speilberg movie. I didn’t believe it was happening,” he recalled of that morning. The Brooklyn Bridge roadway had a commanding view of the twin towers.

Higgins arrived at the World Trade Center before the towers fell. “The rumble alone would be impaled in my brain,” he said. He spoke of the hundreds of firefighters who died that day. He said the most important thing is to take the wisdom and understanding gained from the crisis and use it to “create a future for our grandchildren.”

Prior to the ceremony, Branford resident Lori Nicholson told the Eagle that she came to memorialize a family friend, Michael Miller, 39, of Milford, who worked on the 111th floor of the Trade Center. “Ten years hasn’t made it easier,” said Nicholson, who wore a photo of Miller on her lapel. “He had a whole life in front of him,” she said. “He did get to call his fiancée and say he wasn’t going to make it.”

With tears in her eyes and a soft smile, Nicholson watched as the ceremony began with the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps playing a Yankee Doodle Medley.

Local and state dignitaries took center stage, flanked by the Branford High School Concert Choir, who performed several patriotic songs.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro thanked the police, firefighters and emergency responders. “We can never thank you enough for what you do every day and particularly on Sept. 11th,”she said to hearty applause.

DeLauro recalled the moments after the hijacked plane hit the Pentagon when the legislators were evacuated and gathered on the steps of the Capitol. “We stood together at that moment...members of both parties clasped each others hands and spontaneously sang God Bless America.

“The tragedy has strengthened our sense of community,” DeLauro said. “Let us draw strength that even in the face of such evil we are still a nation united.”

“No one is going to keep this country down,“ said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman as she spoke about attending a memorial service last week in Westport where she met some of the families of the 153 victims of 9/11 who had Connecticut ties. “The strength that they have, the stories they have, are very heart-wrenching,” said.  Alpha Coiro, president of the Branford Rotary Club, told the crowd, “As we stand together in peace with each other .... let freedom soar.” Firefighter John Cudgma bowed his head.

Rotarians Charlotte Mattei, Tony Terry, Ann Ormrod and Robert Gill read the names of Connecticut victims and others being remembered. Included on that list was Branford summer resident, Lindsay Morehouse, 24, who was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center.

Prior to the ceremony and afterwards, the Eagle spoke with several participants. State Reps Pat Widlitz and Lonnie Reed, who led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance, shared their memories.

“This is Main Street America,” Widlitz said of the crowd gathered on the Green. “It was very moving and very appropriate.”

Widlitz said she was thinking about her daughter, Dr. Michelle Widlitz, who was working as a resident in psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York when the attacks occurred.

“She was recruited to go to Ground Zero and spend a day helping people search for anything to identify their loved ones,” Widlitz said. She was able to help one family make an identification that day.

Reed, who had an apartment in New York City where she worked at the time, was in Branford on Sept. 11th, but drove into the city the next day to take a friend for chemotherapy. While crossing Broadway to the doctor’s office, she saw fire trucks heading south to help at Ground Zero. “It was unbelievable. Everyone on Broadway stopped to applaud the firefighters.”

Mary Johnson Photo

She walked to the site where the Twin Towers once stood and saw the fires still burning.

“It was really emotional,” said Reed, whose work often took her to the towers. “There was such a disconnect from what the World Trade Center was, and what I was seeing, it was almost impossible to fathom.”

Reed’s thoughts for the future: “I hope we remember how we felt in the days after 9/11, how we came together and helped each other.”

Gary Stegina, commander of the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard, who are stationed at the Branford Armory, said it was a privilege to participate in Sunday’s ceremony. “Our efforts are to preserve the history of this country,” he said. “It’s something we do everyday.” He talked about how the Foot Guard was founded during the American Revolutionary War era. “Those people back then did what they had to do to carry on,” he said, likening that spirit to today’s events. “We look ahead with hope to better days ahead.”

Branford Fire Chief Jack Ahern told the Eagle that the local firefighters appreciate the recognition the town was giving to first responders who lost their lives and first responders who continue to dedicate their lives to service. “It’s nice that the town is getting together to recognize and remember,” he said. “It’s important for my guys.”

Joann Wieczorek, a long-time Branford resident, attended the ceremony with her family and her twin granddaughters who turned one-year-old in July. “I wanted them to experience this and see what life is about,” she said, adding that they were taking photos of the day’s events to show the babies when they grow up. “We want to show them how the town comes together,” Wieczorek said. “I didn’t lose anybody that day, but I feel like I did.”

Branford was one of thousands of towns nationwide remembering the day that no one can forget. The attacks claimed 2,749 people at the World Trade Center; 184 people at the Pentagon; and 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 who crashed the hijacked plane to prevent it from reaching the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Call it CSI: Utilities.

Lawmakers across the state are clamoring for a post-mortem of how Connecticut Light & Power handled its communications during and after Tropical Storm Irene.

Tropical Storm Irene hit the town of Clinton with a vengeance. Credit Fay Abrahamsson

“It’s time to do the autopsy,” state Rep. John Shaban, a Republican representing Easton, Redding and Weston in the 135th House District, said. “I think there was a lot of miscommunication.”

In the end most state legislators agree, it’s about “expectation management.” And so people can expect public hearings into what happened with CL&P response after Tropical Storm Irene, not just from getting power up but in its communication strategy. Lawmakers won’t get any argument from CL&P. Indeed CL&P President and CEO Jeff Butler has said he welcomes an investigation.

“We understand that, especially in today's world, being without power is frustrating, and our local officials and customers not having timely access to the information increases that frustration,” Butler said in a statement.

Mitch Gross, a spokesman for CL&P, said well before the storm hit customers were told that power could be out for a week or more in some areas. However, he said: “the utility looks forward to actively participating in the upcoming hearing. We will have a constructive discussion with all parties. Everybody wants the same thing.”

State Rep. Patricia Widlitz a Democrat representing towns in the 98th House District including Guilford wants hearings too.

“I think that was the greatest problem,” Widlitz said. “People were prepared for 2 or 3 days. People were very agitated because they didn’t know what to expect.”

Democratic state Sen. Andrew Maynard who represents several towns in the 18th Senate District including Stonington and Groton, and state Rep. Diana Urban who represents North Stonington in the 43rd House District said they welcome an inquiry into CL&P.

They have much in common with colleagues on the other side of the aisle and further to the west.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle, a Republican representing Norwalk and Wilton in the 143rd Senate District, and state Sen. Toni Boucher—a Republican representing Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton in the 26th Senate District, also want a hearing.

Even before power was restored the two co-signed a letter to Butler. Communication was one of many topics addressed.

“Communication with CL&P customers has been irregular, inconsistent, inaccurate, and in many cases nonexistent, making the situation far more distressing for residents than it would otherwise have been,” according to the letter. “The overall lack of information on work plans and status reports has made people feel very anxious and -- in the case of many older, ill, or disabled individuals – desperate. It is unacceptable that people already experiencing physical distress should be left in a communication vacuum.”

If they knew less populated towns were to be last then say so at the forefront. Then people are equipped with knowledge and can plan. It’s the uncertainty that’s difficult.

In Wilton, Tim and Grace Donovan, didn’t get power until Sept. 4. Their story illustrates the frustration people had with CL&P regarding not so much power restoration as the power to communicate.

In one message to CL&P Tim Donovan explained how his whole street, Signal Hill, had power except for his house.

“They TOOK DOWN the TRANSFORMER about 4 days ago when they fixed the pole wires and HAVE NOT REPLACED IT. Feel like we have been forgotten because the rest of the houses on street have power. Have called and the reps have no information other than what I've been telling them. Please respond!!!,” Donovan posted on Face Book.

In CL&Ps response they told Donovan he was right to report his situation to customer service and that he should check the connection to his meter.

“If you have already checked this, then be assured we are aware of your situation and will respond as soon as we can,” according to CL&Ps posted response.

The Donovans got power eight days after the storm. And while this is a Wilton story, it will likely resonate with many across the state. And that’s why hearings are needed, said several legislators.

Widlitz said many of her constituents along the shore felt like the Donovans – even though they live several towns away. They wanted up to date and accurate information so they could plan.

As Vice-Chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee, state Rep. Lonnie Reed said, “managing expectations is huge.”

“I’m very concerned about grandstanding. But we do need to do an autopsy about how it was managed and how we can do it better,” said Reed, Democrat representing several towns in the 102nd House District including Branford.

“The tank is coming back. It’s a victory.”

Photo by Mary Johnson

Democratic state Rep. Lonnie Reed (pictured) was excited as she announced successful efforts to reclaim the town’s tank (actually an armored personnel carrier) that was snatched without warning from the National Guard Armory on Montowese Street earlier this month.

The “tank,” as it is affectionately called, was a place where children would play and older folks would stop to pay respects. And then one day it was gone. It wasn’t a victim of crime—it was a victim of an apparent misunderstanding.

The National Guard, in an effort to gather historical equipment for display in Niantic, removed the tank Aug. 3 without notifying the veterans or any town official. High-ranking National Guard officials didn’t know and didn’t check to learn that the armored vehicle was actually a war memorial given to the town by Gov. Ella Grasso. A granite plaque at the site is inscribed: “In memory of the men who served their country in the Conn. Army National Guard units attached to this armory. Nov. 12, 1978.”

This landmark of Branford history will be returning to its rightful place next month, thanks to the efforts of local veteran Tom Sudac, along with Reed and Governor Dannel P. Malloy.

Even though the tank is coming back to town, there are major changes ahead for the Armory.

Col. John Whitford, public affairs officer for the Connecticut National Guard, told the Eagle that 70 of the current 100 members of the 102nd Infantry now stationed in Branford will move to a new facility in Middletown when it opens in a few weeks. He said 30 members will remain in Branford for the time being.

The Armed Forces Reserve Center, which will open soon in Middletown, was built as a result of recommendations by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) in 2005. A number of military units will be moving there, including members of the Army Reserve and the National Guard. Another facility will be built in Danbury.

“Our footprint will be reduced,” Whitford said in regard to the Branford Armory. “There will be a few small elements of the 102nd that will remain.”

The Branford Armory is also home to the Second Company Foot Guard, one of the oldest continuously serving military units in the United States.

Regarding the “tank,” Whitford maintained the armored vehicle actually belongs to the National Guard and was slated to be put on display at Camp Niantic. However, since it has such value to the town, it will be refurbished and returned sometime in September.

From Sudac’s perspective, the tank should not have been moved. “It was installed there as a lasting war memorial,” said Sudac, who helped to bring the carrier to Branford in 1978. “When it was taken out of Branford, I hit the ceiling.”

Sudac was a corporal with the National Guard’s Heavy Tank Company of the 43rd Division of the 102nd Infantry, headquartered in Branford. He turns 80 next week.

Sudac has a newspaper article and the original photo from November 1978 picturing the dedication of the carrier. The granite plaque was not yet finished.

Standing at the spot where the carrier once stood, Sudac said: “It’s a lonely place without that vehicle. It represents a lot of feelings for a lot of men who served their country. I miss seeing it there.”

When Sudac found out the tank was missing, he immediately contacted National Guard officials and was told it was relocated to Niantic. So Sudac started making telephone calls. That’s when Reed became involved.

“The whole thing was quite upsetting,” Reed told the Eagle. “We’re going to fight to get it back,” she said last week.

She contacted veterans groups and local officials, and found out that no one had been notified of the National Guard’s intent.

“They just came and collected it like it was a piece of abandoned equipment,” Reed said.

She then called Gov. Dannel Malloy who put one of his top aides on the case. She told the governor that “Everybody is just stunned, shocked and amazed” that the war memorial was taken. “It was a piece of Branford history. It was iconic.”

By Friday afternoon, the governor’s office called to tell Reed that Major Gen Thaddeus J. Martin, adjutant for the Connecticut National Guard, didn’t know the armored vehicle was a war memorial. As soon as he learned the history, he promised to have the carrier painted and returned to the Branford Armory.

The National Guard has been removing armored vehicles from towns throughout the state for an historical display in Niantic.

While Reed was elated at the outcome, she was also concerned that it happened in the first place. “It’s very disconcerting that veteran’s groups are not being kept in the loop,” she said.

Sudac echoed those feelings.

“I have all the respect in the world for Lonnie Reed. She did a wonderful job,” Sudac said Friday after he heard the good news.

“That was supposed to be a gift to Branford to honor the Korean veterans and those who served in the military,” Sudac said. “It all started when I was president of the Heavy Tank Company 43rd Division back in the 70s. The guys asked me if we could get a tank and put it on the lawn for prosperity.”

So Sudac put a notice in a newspaper saying the veterans were looking for a Sherman tank. Gov. Grasso called him and said she located a tank in Florida that was available. The veterans didn’t have money to transport it, so Gov. Grasso told him the state would pick up the tab since it would become a war memorial. “She said we could make Branford a memorial site for the Korean War veterans,” he said.

The veterans installed a cement pad for a base and awaited its arrival. Much to Sudac’s surprise, it wasn’t a Sherman tank that was delivered, but an armored personnel carrier, a much smaller vehicle. He recalled thinking, “What are the guys going to think of this?”

But the guys accepted it. “As we drove by there over the years, we would see parents putting their kids on it to take pictures,” he fondly recalled. “It’s a piece of steel, but we strongly feel we have something to show for the guys in the service.”

Sudac, who joined the military when he was 17, was stationed in Japan during the Korean War for more than a year, training Japanese troops to operate Sherman tanks.

Most of the guardsmen with the Heavy Tank Company, which included men from Branford, East Haven and Guilford, were assigned duty in Germany during the Korean War as part of NATO forces.

Sudac and the other veterans have a fondness for the tanks. “The Sherman tank was our bread and butter tank,” he said.

On the last Sunday in September, the veterans gather at the armory and read a list of Korean War veterans who have died. The list grows longer each year. “We lost three members of our company just this year,” Sudac said.

"Rep. Reed leads a bi-state effort to preserve Long Island Sound" Aug 2011

"We are looking forward to traveling along the coasts of the Sound this summer. There is no better way to engage citizens who love the Sound in a new action plan than to take them out on its waters to celebrate everything it has to offer," said Curt Johnson, program director of CFE and Connecticut co-chair of the CAC. "The SoundVision Action Plan invites our neighbors in Connecticut and New York to partner with elected officials to heal this great body of water. Together, we will clean its waters and coastline, saving the last great places around the Sound for our children and wildlife while creating new jobs and building economic prosperity. Whether it's joining together in a volunteer coastal cleanup or harbor water monitoring program, or working with our elected officials to continue investing in clean water and habitat restoration job creating projects, these specific action steps will help save the Sound and preserve our local heritage now and for future generations."

"Long Islanders know there is an important connection between the health of the Long Island Sound and the health of our economy," said Congressman Bishop. "It is our sacred responsibility to leave the Sound to future generations better than we found it. The SoundVision Action Plan gives us the roadmap to accomplish that."

"Long Island Sound is a national economic and ecological treasure, and the SoundVision Action Plan discussed today outlines a clear blueprint to keep the Sound on the road to recovery," said Albert E. Caccese, executive director of Audubon New York and CAC member. "We look forward to working with our champions in Congress, the states and local governments to ensure the timely implementation of these priorities for the benefit of the people and birds that depend on the Sound every day."

"Our goal is to join together the efforts of Connecticut and New York to work towards a vision of Long Island Sound of clean waters, abundant fish and shellfish, safe beaches and a healthy ecosystem. Significant progress in Long Island Sound restoration has occurred over the last two decades, and the road ahead can be even more productive with greater collaboration between our two states," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "Protecting the Sound has been a critical objective for both states and a Bi-State Legislative committee can be immensely helpful in achieving our mutual goals."

"Every 10 years, starting in 1990, Long Island Sound stakeholders have come together to voice our hopes, fears and vision for the Sound. Sound Vision is the most recent and powerful step in this unfolding effort," said Sandy Breslin, director of governmental affairs for Audubon Connecticut and co-chair of the CAC's Policy Committee. "The waters and wildlife of Long Island Sound don't recognize political boundaries and this report highlights the fact that our efforts to protect and restore this wonderful estuary can't either. Sound Vision gives us a road map, but it is going to take all of us working together – our state and federal lawmakers, the business community, non-profit organizations, and citizens from Connecticut and New York who love the Sound – to help us safeguard this natural treasure and economic engine for the next 10 years."

Earlier in the day, state legislators from New York and Connecticut met to discuss the SoundVision Action Plan. In recent years, the two states have begun to work closely on Long Island Sound policy and the ideas generated from the bi-state discussion will be used to support cohesive plan for the preservation of the Sound in the near future.

"As a treasured natural resource and a $10 billion a year economic asset, Long Island Sound needs Connecticut and New York to continue joining forces in every way imaginable to protect this vulnerable estuary that we share while also ensuring that it safely fulfills its commercial potential," said Connecticut State Representative Reed. "When many of us in Connecticut and New York came together and won the battle against the Broadwater floating LNG plant and pipeline, we saw how successful our regional relationship can be and pledged to keep finding new ways to cooperate for the benefit of all. This bi-state workshop represents an important step in pursuing that goal and I am delighted and encouraged to be a part of it."

"The restoration of Long Island Sound is critical to the economy and quality of life for both Connecticut and New York," said Connecticut State Representative Widlitz. "During the past legislative session, Connecticut designated significant funding for clean water projects, which will contribute to that effort. I welcome the opportunity to participate in this regional effort to protect and restore our Sound."

"Preserving Long Island Sound and improving the Sound's water quality will help preserve one of our region's most important natural resources," said New York State Senator LaValle.

"It is encouraging that the many issues both environmental and economic that challenge the viability of the Long Island Sound as an ecosystem and navigable waterway will once again be addressed by elected representatives of Connecticut and New York," said New York State Assemblyman Englebright. "I look forward to working with my colleagues from both states on this important topic."

"As the representative for the First Assembly District, almost 50 miles of which sits along Long Island Sound, I believe it is essential that we work to establish a comprehensive management plan for the health and vitality of our waters," said New York State Assemblyman Losquadro. "This not only affects our economy with fishing and recreation, but also the sustainability of our beautiful waterfront communities."

The SoundVision Action Plan is divided into four goals: protecting clean water to achieve a healthy sound; creating safe and thriving places for all sound creatures; building Long Island Sound communities that work; and investing in an economically vibrant Long Island Sound. The plan was crafted and unanimously adopted by the 37 members of the CAC, representing business, municipal, environmental, civic and academic organizations from around the Sound. Local CAC members include Adelphi University, Audubon New York, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Coalition for Protection of Long Island Ground Water, Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, Ecology and Environment, Inc., Friends of the Bay, Great Eastern Ecology, Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Long Island Association, Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, New York Sportfishing Federation, Town of North Hempstead, and the Town of Oyster Bay.

SoundVision was developed after a review of the existing Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan; tracking of Long Island Sound protection and restoration expenditures and program outcomes; surveys of CAC members; facilitated workshops with New York and Connecticut residents; and input from a wide range of stakeholders. The result is the two-year citizen's action plan and a longer report that includes a set of integrated themes and goals, steps to achieve those results, ways to measure success, and an outreach strategy to connect with the entire the Long Island Sound community.

The SoundVision Action planning process was supported with funding from the Long Island Sound Study, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Sun Hill Foundation. This summer's schooner tour is made possible by support from the New York Community Trust.

Photos from the SoundVision schooner tour can be found here. More information on the SoundVision Action Plan and full report is available at www.lisoundvision.org.

Below is the short-term SoundVision Action Plan for 2011-2013 or read the full Action Plan and SoundVision report.

Goal 1: Investing in an Economically Vibrant Long Island Sound

• Action Step 1: Continue public investments, including federal funding, in Long Island Sound. Explore public/private partnerships to fund major capital investments (e.g. Infrastructure Investment Banks).
• Action Step 2: Advocate for state capital investments that improve water quality and create jobs while also considering the development of a comprehensive Long Island Sound capital investments plan.
• Action Step 3: Further research, habitat protection and outreach by creating new Connecticut and New York investments, like expanding voluntary public donations to various Long Island Sound funds and considering a total mix of revenue policies.

Goal 2: Protecting Clean Water to Achieve a Healthy Sound

• Action Step 1: Update the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Long Island Sound by 2014.
• Action Step 2: Reduce the low oxygen dead zone.
• Action Step 3: Update our nitrogen pollution reduction plan.
• Action Step 4: Realize progress toward a sewage-free Sound.
• Action Step 5: Promote green infrastructure projects in neighborhoods and in large city sites.
• Action Step 6: Ensure that new construction in the Long Island Sound region uses low impact development to avoid stormwater pollution.
• Action Step 7: Develop and publicize guidance for non-pollution lawn care.
• Action Step 8: Protect natural forests and vegetation along streams and rivers.

Goal 3: Creating Safe and Thriving Places for All Sound Creatures

• Action Step 1: Improve management and acquisition of key coastal and island Stewardship sites by acquiring additional acres of importance coastal stewardship areas, protecting the undeveloped portions of Plum Island, and creating a Long Island Sound-wide Islands for People and Wildlife Program that assesses and protects other important vulnerable sites.
• Action Step 2: Protect and acquire Important Bird Areas.
• Action Step 3: Restore critical habitats to protect wildlife populations in light of climate change.
• Action Step 4: Balance the biology of the Sound by piloting a Bronx River mussel project, piloting at least one Long Island Sound oyster sanctuary restoration project, and piloting engagement of citizens as shellfish cultivators.
• Action Step 5: Monitor water to understand our local bays, coves and harbors.
• Action Step 6: Invest in Ecosystem Management by analyzing correlations between fishery health and climate.

Goal 4: Building Long Island Sound Communities that Work

• Action Step 1: Invest in creating and maintaining clean water, habitat restoration, and green infrastructure jobs around the Sound.
• Action Step 2: Implement effective and environmentally sustainable dredge management to maintain access to recreational areas.
• Action Step 3: Encourage sustainable recreational and commercial fishing and shell fishing to protect a way of life and the Sound.
• Action Step 4: Engage urban and diverse coastal neighborhoods.
• Action Step 5: Work with communities to better prepare for sea level rise.
• Action Step 6: Begin underwater area planning to balance industrial recreational and environmental uses of the Sound for the future and to protect our economy.
• Action Step 7: Protect and expand the marine-dependent working waterfront as well as other public access to Long Island Sound.

“Energy is a large expense at any business, and particularly at a manufacturer like C. Cowles & Company. We rebuilt Connecticut’s energy policy from the ground up this year, with a focus on lower costs, increased efficiency and cleaner energy. The result is some of the most forward-looking energy legislation in the country, and we can expect a near 7 percent decrease in electric rates by next year,” said Senator Looney.

“Clean, affordable energy offers enormous opportunities for business in Connecticut. For some companies, it means lower rates and assistance with managing their energy usage. For others, it means new markets in clean, alternative energy and developing technologies. For all companies, it means an improved bottom-line, and extra cash with which to invest in the business or create a new job,” said Senator Harp.

A recent pair of studies by ICF International predicts that electricity prices will rise across the United States in the coming years, as coal-fired power plants come offline and are replaced with newer facilities. They recommend conservation, energy saving and cost cutting measures to offset these price increases.

To help businesses and consumers do exactly that, sweeping energy reform was passed this year in Connecticut, on a bipartisan basis by near-unanimous votes in both houses of the General Assembly. For more information on the bill’s many provisions, click here. Specific highlights for businesses include:

• Lower electric rates—Improved electricity contracting and procurement procedures will capture falling natural gas prices for 5-10 percent lower rates by next year
• Support for combined heat and power (CHP) installations at manufacturers to generate electricity on-site, and recycle waste heat
• A new green bank to leverage state and private dollars for investment in clean energy businesses, jobs and projects
• Competitive zero-emission and low-emission electric generation programs, that foster competition amongst new technologies (solar, wind, fuel cells) without picking winners
• A new one-stop-shop for businesses to get information on all state energy programs and reducing energy costs—it will take calls, and reach out to companies proactively

The legislation will also:

• Consolidate multiple state entities to create the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
• Order a study of electric market rules and determine their effect on higher rates
• Create an Electric Procurement Manager at DEEP to work with utilities for lower rates

In addition, as part of the recently-passed biennial state budget, a planned 5 percent electric surcharge on the bills of all United Illuminating (UI) area customers was eliminated, along with an existing surcharge for customers of Connecticut Light & Power. The UI area surcharge would have taken effect in 2013. Repeal of the surcharges will amount to hundreds of millions in savings for businesses and residences statewide.

“C. Cowles is a company in the long and great tradition of precision manufacturing in Connecticut. I am happy to have worked on legislation to help lower their energy expenses, both now and in the years to come. That’s what this bill is all about,” said Rep. Reed.

“I would like to thank Senators Looney and Harp for highlighting efforts for reducing energy costs for Connecticut Manufacturers. C. Cowles & Company spends $2,871.30 per employee on electricity for relatively light manufacturing. With Connecticut having one of the highest costs of energy for manufacturers in the continental US, continued efforts by the legislature, the DEEP and utility companies is required to reduce energy costs. In order to provide reasonably priced energy, there are some structural and infrastructure issues that need to be addressed. I hope this effort helps create a focus that will lead to lower energy costs, thereby preserving and growing jobs in Connecticut,” said Larry Moon of C. Cowles & Company.

“This legislation recognizes that the best way to attract and grow jobs in Connecticut is by creating an environment where manufacturers can thrive, prosper and control their cost of doing business. Today’s high technology manufacturing depends on reliable, high quality electricity. Connecticut’s competitiveness as a business location is greatly influenced by the affordability of all energy. To remain globally competitive Connecticut manufacturers will continue to reduce their costs and increase their markets by taking advantage of all the opportunities provided by this legislation. NHMA will continue to mutually work with the legislators to attain the goals of this legislation,” said Jerry Clupper of the New Haven Manufacturers Association.

The state has approved a second cell tower for Branford in a little more than a year’s time, and a public hearing is scheduled for a third tower Aug. 16. The location of a fourth tower is still under discussion.

Mary Johnson Photo

Branford, which already has several towers, has been hit with an onslaught of proposals as cell companies attempt to fill in coverage gaps. Meanwhile, the town is making progress in its efforts to minimize the impact of the new towers.

The town’s Cell Tower Advisory Committee has been working diligently with an engineering consultant and an attorney who specialize in cell tower issues. The committee was formed after the 125-foot tower on Pine Orchard Road was approved in February 2010.

Diana Stricker Photo

 “We’ve been exploring a lot of different options,” said Doug Marsh, (pictured)  who chairs the Cell Tower Advisory Committee. He provided an update Tuesday at a meeting of the Stony Creek Association, whose neighborhood had been targeted with tower proposals.

“We started to formulate a strategy both from a neighborhood perspective and from a water view,” Marsh said. He explained how the consulting engineer mapped out existing cell towers in town according to signal strength. The results of those efforts can be seen on the town’s website by clicking on the GIS map.

“The frustration we’ve had is trying to find the least obtrusive solution that takes into account our citizens....and provides adequate coverage,” Marsh said.

In addition to trying to find alternative sites for a proposed Short Beach tower, the committee has succeeded in scheduling a meeting with T-Mobile prior to the public hearing later this month for their proposed 160-foot tower on Pleasant Point Road.

MEDLYN FARM TOWER

The Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) recently approved a 109-foot cell tower, disguised as a rustic water tank, along Route 146 on the Medlyn Farm property. David Martin, of the CSC, said the approval was granted during the agency’s July 28 meeting and is conditioned on Verizon submitting final site development plans. It typically takes several weeks or months for final plans to be submitted and approved.

The CSC, which has jurisdiction over cell towers, held a hearing on the Medlyn Farm tower in April. No members of the public attended. However, the town was represented by New Haven attorney Keith Ainsworth, a cell tower specialist.

The tower, which will be shared by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, will be located at 723 Leetes Island Rd. That roadway is also known as Route 146, which is a state-designated scenic road with sections listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of the historic nature of the area, local and state entities had some input into the height and design of the tower. Verizon agreed to reduce the height of the tower from 120 feet to 109 feet, and to disguise it as a rustic water tank.

Karyl Lee Hall, a member of the town’s Cell Tower Advisory Committee and the co-chair of the Scenic Road Advisory Committee, spoke during the public hearing in regard to historic issues.

PLEASANT POINT TOWER

The CSC has scheduled public hearings Aug. 16 regarding T-Mobile’s application to build a 160-foot tower on property owned by Tilcon at 77-145 Pleasant Point Rd. Hearings are slated for 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at the Blackstone Memorial Library. The afternoon session is typically for formal presentations by the cell company and intervenors, while the evening session offers residents an opportunity to voice opinions.

Unlike other locations where two or three companies share a tower, no other cell providers to date have expressed interest in T-Mobile’s proposed site.

Hearings for the Pleasant Point site were initially scheduled in January, but T-Mobile requested a postponement claiming they were not able to respond to questions from Branford’s attorney prior to the hearing date.

During his presentation Tuesday, Marsh said the town’s consulting engineer and attorney have come up with options to the Pleasant Point tower which would reduce the size and impact. The plan would also provide service to the Stony Creek area.

He said T-Mobile has agreed to meet with the local committee and consultants next week to discuss options.

“We have been pursuing this meeting for a long time,” Marsh said. He said the group hopes T-Mobile may amend the application or agree to another postponement once the company sees the proposal developed by the town’s consulting engineer David Maxson. “This seems to be a practical solution to us,” Marsh said.

SHORT BEACH TOWER—EAST HAVEN

While several proposals have been made by cell companies to provide cell coverage in Branford’s Short Beach neighborhood, all the sites have proved problematic.

AT&T and North Atlantic Towers were prepared to file an application for Short Beach with the CSC in December 2010, but agreed to a postponement at the town’s request  to provide time to look into other site options.

In recent months, North Atlantic Towers has expressed interest in building a 125-foot tower at 82 Short Beach Road in East Haven, on property at the Riverside Volunteer Fire Department.  This location, which is near Branford’s Short Beach border, could serve both communities.

Dave Anderson, East Haven’s zoning enforcement officer, told the Eagle that company officials notified East Haven that they want to set up informal meetings with town officials to discuss the proposal. North Atlantic Towers also published a legal notice earlier this summer briefly outlining their intentions.

NEW STATE CELL TOWER LAW

There is also news on the state front regarding cell tower legislation introduced by State Rep. Lonnie Reed, (D-Branford).

Reed has been fighting for two years to change CSC procedures to allow towns to have more say in locating cell towers. “This bill is a rational, reasonable and realistic approach,” Reed told the Eagle.

An important provision in the bill would extend the pre-application process from the current 60 days to 90 days. This would allow towns more time to participate in the process, and it would require applicants to provide towns with precise information and maps.

The bill would also allow the CSC to impose fines up to $10,000 for applicants who intentionally file inaccurate or misleading information. It would also encourage telecommunications applicants to use miniaturized technology when possible; and to promote regionally preferred sites to serve wider areas and protect scenic and environmental assets.

Reed’s legislation passed the House with an overwhelming bi-partisan vote and was unanimously approved by the Senate. Reed said the governor was prepared to sign it, but one of the governor’s top attorneys said there was a question about language in the bill that needed to be addressed. So the governor vetoed the bill.

Reed said bills often have language or technical issues that need to be rectified before becoming law. She is hopeful the cell tower bill will be included with a group of bills that will be considered when the legislature meets in special session in September.

Reed said in an interview that she is frustrated by the delay but still optimistic about the outcome. “As I always say, you have to be both a sprinter and a long-distance runner in this business. And, backed by enormous support from both sides of the aisle, I intend to stay the course and cross our finish line,” she said.

A special Thimble Island Ferry District has been formally approved in order to provide reliable service for those families with homes on the islands.

Ferry problems developed several years ago, a combination of economics and a change in ferry ownership. The islanders sought to find a permanent way to solve their common problem. On Saturday, by a 51-4 vote, they did.

The major island owner, Christine Svenningsen, did not attend the meeting in part because her houses are listed as corporate entities; under state statute, corporations cannot vote, and she cannot stand for election. She now owns 10 of the two-dozen inhabitable Thimble Islands. Eight of her islands have houses on them but the majority of her houses stand empty. Her attorneys have been apprised of the new ferry district.

The effort to create a new ferry tax district took a year and a half and required the legislature to amend state statutes governing special tax districts. The town’s state legislators, Reps. Lonnie Reed, Pat Widlitz and Sen. Ed Meyer, worked to amend the statutes to include ferry service during the last legislative session.

Marcia Chambers Photo

Reed, Widlitz and Meyer were among an audience of about 100 people gathered in the steamy community room at the Stony Creek Church of Christ 192 Thimble Island Rd. Now that the statutes are amended, the Thimble Island owners were called to the meeting to vote to create the new ferry tax district or not.

Charlie Goetsch, a New Haven attorney, was the point person on the project. The idea was to find a permanent way to pay for essential ferry service to and from the Stony Creek dock, a service that has been part of the Thimble Island landscape for more than a century.

“This is the beginning of an effort by the taxpayers of the Thimble Islands and Stony Creek, I would hope as well, to try to find a way to have an economically viable ferry service,” Goetsch said in an interview afterwards. “We will know a lot more after Aug. 27,” the date when the new tax district holds its first annual meeting and elects a permanent set of officers and a board.

Marcia Chambers Photo

The Board of Selectmen (pictured) convened the unusual Saturday meeting. The purpose, said First Selectman Unk DaRos, was to outline the creation of a new tax district. If the eligible voters then wanted to approve the new district, they would do so by voting for or against it, he said.

Fifty-six eligible voters emerged from the crowd. While the new taxing district gave the group the ability to undertake other activities, such as paving roads or planting trees, they were not required to do so, Third Selectman John Opie said.

After much back and forth, one islander summed it up: “Without the ferry we are in trouble.” The overwhelming vote to create the district came next.

Voters lined up at the ballot box after a 45-minute discussion over equity in the taxing structure and whether a tax had to be a tax or whether a fee per family might work. There was some debate among islanders over whether a single family island would wind up paying more for the ferry use than multiple families living on one island. That issue, and others, will be resolved once the district begins to function.

Not everyone could vote. Town Counsel William H. Clendenen, Jr., interpreted the relevant statutes and found that while one might be an eligible voter, that person could not vote by proxy or by absentee ballot. The voter had to be physically present at the meeting. The statutes limit voting to persons who are United States citizens over the age of 18. To vote that person has to have a residence in the Thimble Islands and be registered to vote in Branford or have a residence in the Thimble Islands and be liable for taxes of more than $1,000. This would also apply to a natural person who is a trustee of a trust holding the property. But it does not apply to a residence held in the name of a corporate entity.

The new ferry district includes 21 islands. According to the Thimble Islands Association, which is a private, voluntary group, 70 of the 78 properties are assessed below $1 million. Of those “the overwhelming majority is assessed between $200,000 and $500,000.” Two islands are exempt: Outer Island is used by Southern Connecticut State University for ecological studies and is part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. Horse Island, is owned by Yale University and is maintained as an ecological laboratory by Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History. Neither educational entity pays taxes.

All 78 taxable properties, with residences on them, including the Svenningsen properties, are part of the tax district. The total value of the Thimble Island taxable assessed properties is nearly $54.9 million. While Svenningsen does not use the ferry, she will be taxed along with everyone else to support it. Some believe that the ferry service began to suffer when her islands no longer used the service.

Over the last seven years, Svenningsen has become one of the top three taxpayers in Branford and she is also a top employer. She is rarely seen in public; her closely-held plans for the islands have become the subject of speculation in the town. Last year she married John G. Chiarella, Jr., a landscaping entrepreneur who manages her islands, at her home on Rogers Island.

In their first action, the Thimble voters created a temporary board along with acting officers of the new tax district. Goetsch (pictured) became acting president at the group’s first meeting, which followed on the heels of the earlier meeting.

The new tax district will decide the budget and mill rate for the ferry. If, for example, the budget is $30,000, then in arriving at assessed value of the parcel multiplied by the mill rate, a house worth $300,000 would pay $162.00 in district tax. A house valued at $1 million would pay $540.00 a year in district tax. Svenningsen’s properties are assessed at far higher amounts.

The Thimble Islands Association could not serve as a taxing district because it is a private, voluntary organization. No one is required to join and it has no power to tax, Goetch said in an interview.

The legislators also announced the State Bond Commission's approval of $60.5 million for the acquisition of 25 single M-8 rail cars for use on the New Haven Line, part of an ongoing investment that will allow for full retirement of the aging M-4 and M-6 rail car fleets and avoid substantial rehabilitation costs.

"Our rail lines are critical to the economy of southern Connecticut, and these new cars reflect the state's continued commitment to improving train service here," said Rep. Widlitz. "Our communities count on these trains and this investment will help ensure that rail service is more dependable and comfortable."

"Those people who ride Shore Line East are totally dependent on it to get to work, not only in New York City but also in various parts of Connecticut. So I am delighted that we are making these very necessary investments in our mass transit system," Rep. Reed said. "I have always been a believer that investing in mass transit is investing in economic development. I'd like to see more economic development along Connecticut's shoreline, and providing modern, reliable and comfortable mass transit is one way to both spur that development and accommodate its workforce."

The total estimated cost of the locomotive refurbishment is $20 million: the federal government is paying $16 million, and the state had previously approved $2.3 million in bonding. The total estimated cost of the 25 rail cars is $93.1 million: Metro-North is paying $32.6 million, and Connecticut is bonding for $60.5 million.

The state’s single largest new parking lot expansion, set against a beautiful backdrop of wetlands, trees and waterways, was unveiled at the Shoreline East railroad station in Branford Tuesday by state and town officials.

Marcia Chambers Photo

Acting DOT Commissioner Jim Redeker said it is the largest parking lot expansion that the state has undertaken on the shoreline over the past two decades. He praised Branford’s town, state and federal officials for working together to get it done so well. But the past history of this particular 5.3 acres of land, involving decisions by the state and former First Selectwoman Cheryl Morris, is another story.

“We ended up with a very beautiful project,” First Selectman Unk DaRos said as he and the others came together to cut the proverbial ribbon. “If you can make a parking lot look beautiful, I’d say that this parking lot is really beautiful.” He thanked the designers, engineers and contractors for their careful work in preserving the wetlands while at the same time creating 299 additional parking spaces. The combined commuter lot will now hold 500 cars.

Parking is free at the Branford station and all Shore Line East stations. Commuters from North Branford and East Haven, towns without train stations, often use the Branford parking lot.

Marcia Chambers Photo

The Guerrera Construction Co., of Oxford, was awarded a $2.63 million contract for the parking lot expansion. The project, slated for completion on July 2, 2011, came in a bit early.

Redeker said in an interview with the Eagle afterward that he is proud of the aesthetics of this project. “We were in a space of inland wetlands, and we built around them to preserve them. And we made sure that we did it carefully. We created special landscaping and trees along the side. We took very special attention to preserving all through the construction. We worked very carefully.”

State Rep. Lonnie Reed said in an interview that an area near the railroad station has long had flooding problems. “By putting in this huge culvert and reconfiguring the space in addition to parking spots, the engineers have helped to fix the whole flooding problem.”

DaRos told the assembled group that from the very first day the current lot opened, “it was filled to capacity.” And it has remained so as commuters take the train to various points along the shoreline, often to New Haven and from there onto New York City. “That shows you that if you give people the choice to use mass transit they will use it. I think it is a wonderful thing.” Redeker concurred.

“We have had an amazing response to public transit in the state of Connecticut. This is is a testimony to what rail can do and how it is growing and what it is doing for our economy, “ he said.

“I would like to thank three partners: Amtrak, which owns and operates this service, Guerrera Construction Company, which did the work, and the town of Branford, represented today by Unk DaRos. A partnership like this just doesn’t happen unless people are working together from the beginning. In addition to that partnership is the federal partnership that provided the stimulus funding to make this happen together makes it a terrific success.”

He then introduced DaRos, state Sen.Ed Meyer, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who helped get stimulus funds for this project, and state Reps. Reed and Pat Widlitz.

Marcia Chambers Photo

DeLauro had pressed for federal stimulus funds for Branford because she and town officials had projects that were shovel ready, including the $75 million Amtrak Bridge project now underway in another part of town. As if on cue, she noted, an Acela express train whizzed by, a train she often takes to Washington, D.C.

“As the commissioner pointed out this is the most heavily traveled commuter region in the country. When 80 percent of Connecticut commuters drive to work by themselves, we need to provide the alternative that people need so that they can look at other means of travel.”

The opening of the new parking lot extension brought back old memories for DaRos and Widlitz. Both remembered years ago when then-Gov. John Rowland proposed to eliminate the entire Shoreline East railway service.

“His statement was for what we are subsidizing every rider we could buy them an SUV,” Widlitz told the Eagle. “I will never forget that. Overnight, literally overnight, we came together in Guilford. We had 250 people up in arms and we had a protest the next morning to stop the governor’s proposal. It made no sense. It had no vision. The vision is for mass transportation. Getting all those SUV’s on I-95. Can you imagine?”

Before he left the new parking lot, Redeker told us DOT will be back. He said the state is preparing for the next Branford railroad project, a new North side high-level platform at the Branford station with an overhead pedestrian bridge. “This will permit train traffic both North and South,” he said.

“It is on the books and we plan to move on that very quickly.” He said he had no target date as yet for when construction might begin at the Maple St. station.

State Sen. Meyer said the State Bonding Commission approved millions of dollars in funds for the new north-side platform in Branford in February, along with platform extensions at the Guilford station, and other funding for use between Guilford and Old Saybrook for the electrification of railway sidings.

HARTFORD - Connecticut Wednesday essentially banned BPA from thermal register receipts, often used by retailers, gas stations and banks.

"We've discovered that 60 percent of our thermal receipts contain BPA. Since the chemical is unbound, it rubs off on our hands and enters our systems," said Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, who led the discussion in the state House, where it was debated for four hours.

Once signed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut will be the first state to ban the chemical in paper receipts when it goes into effect in 2015.

Bisphenol-A or BPA is a proven endocrine disruptor — meaning that BPA mimics human hormones. The BPA on thermal receipt paper is unbound, readily transmitted to hands and absorbed through human skin, where it is recognized by the body as estrogen. The subject of numerous studies by those in the scientific community, BPA has been strongly linked to breast and prostate cancer, reproductive disorders, diabetes, obesity and hyperactivity and developmental problems in children.

"Connecticut is yet again providing first-in-the-nation policy advances that will better protect the health of families and workers from exposure to BPA found in most receipts," said Dr. Mark Mitchell, president of Mitchell Environmental Health Associates. "We hope that this new BPA law helps propel efforts to move forward with the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, which will update our federal chemical policies as well."

"This is one more important step in removing toxic chemicals from our environment," said state Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, House chairman of the Environment Committee. "It is incumbent upon us to do all we can to clear our living spaces, especially for workers and our children."

With the clock ticking on the last day of the legislative session, the House unexpectedly spent close to four hours debating the bill, which hadn't been especially controversial throughout the legislative process. The Senate passed it on a consent calendar just two days earlier. Before that, it passed the General Law Committee unanimously and the Environment Committee 21-6.

Sen. Ed Meyer, D-Guilford, said Republicans were likely questioning the bill extensively to kill time in an effort to prevent Democratic bills from being raised.

The Senate had already amended the measure to address the concerns of Republicans in that chamber, he said. The bill was changed so that rather than banning the substance by 2013, businesses would have until 2015, he said.

Meyer said it was important the legislature passed the measure since studies have shown the chemical to be highly toxic.

"The obstruction of this bill is strongly against the public interest," he said.

Republicans offered a strike-all amendment that would have replaced the bill with a call to establish a study of the chemical, which was rejected 52-94.

“We've discovered that 60 % of our thermal receipts contain BPA. Since the chemical is unbound, it rubs off on our hands and enters our systems,” said Rep. Reed. “This bill urges companies to protect the public and to protect their employees by producing a safe, BPA free receipt paper.”

Bisphenol-A or BPA is a proven endocrine disruptor – meaning that BPA mimics human hormones. The BPA on thermal receipt paper is unbound, readily transmitted to hands and absorbed through human skin where it is recognized by the body as estrogen. The subject of numerous studies by those in the scientific community, BPA has been strongly linked to breast and prostate cancer, reproductive disorders, diabetes, obesity and hyperactivity and developmental problems in children.

“Connecticut is yet again providing first-in-the-nation policy advances that will better protect the health of families and workers from exposure to BPA found in most receipts,” said Dr. Mark Mitchell, MD, MPH, and President of Mitchell Environmental Health Associates. “We hope that this new BPA law helps propel efforts to move forward with the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 which will update our federal chemical policies as well.”

“This is one more important step in removing toxic chemicals from our environment,” said state Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford), House Chairman of the Environment Committee. “It is incumbent upon us to do all we can to clear our living spaces, especially for workers and our children.”

Rep. Reed helped negotiate the final document. She is Vice-Chair of the legislature's Energy and Technology Committee and once served as a staffer on the U.S. Senate Energy Committee in Washington. Rep. Reed said, "Passing this bill allows Connecticut to lead the nation by growing a truly green economy and by achieving a cleaner, greener, more affordable energy future for the people and businesses of our state." Sheadded, "It is a bold, thoughtful and collaborative accomplishment that includes innovative ideas from the Malloy administration and from knowledgeable legislators on both sides of the aisle."

According to Rep Reed and Rep. Nardello, House Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, the legislation will move Connecticut to cleaner energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy and successfully balance the state's energy needs in a way that recognizes the impact on rate payers. The bill includes goals for lowering rates in all aspects of the planning process.

In its major components, the legislation:

• Creates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
• Creates the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority to leverage private capital for clean energy projects
• Improves electricity contracting and procurement procedures to lower rates
• Orders a study of electric market rules and their effect on higher rates
• Supports zero-emission and low-emission technologies
• Establishes a one-stop-shop to proactively reach out to businesses and consult with them on available programs and reducing their energy costs

The bill, having passed both the House and Senate now goes to the Governor who is expected to sign it at the earliest possible opportunity.

Read a fact sheet on Senate Bill 1243.

Rep. Widlitz, House chairwoman of the Finance Committee, inserted language into the Finance budget bill allowing the Association to establish a special taxing district. Ferry service had been discontinued for economic reasons, but this bill restores the ability of Thimble Island residents to provide their own ferry service at no impact to Branford taxpayers.

“We are happy to help our constituents restore this vital local service to our shoreline community,” said Rep. Widlitz. “The Thimble’s are a unique asset and home to generations of Branford residents.”

“Enabling Thimble Islanders to provide ferry service again allows homeowners and their families and guests and also the people who visit the McKinney Conservation Preserve to once again have convenient access to this treasured island community,” said Rep. Reed. “It was a pleasure to be able to help.”

“This bill will restore ferry service to the Thimble Islands for the convenience of the island residents and their guests," said state Sen. Ed Meyer.

HB 6250, An Act Concerning the Siting Council, extends what's called the pre-application process, from 60 days to 90 days, giving towns more time to participate before siting decisions are made. The bill also requires that towns be given more precise information and maps, describing why a cell tower is needed in the area and it invites the towns to play more of a role in making their own siting suggestions.

Cell towers in Connecticut are approved by the CT Siting Council, an independent board of nine members. The Council holds proceedings and hearings to evaluate, modify and approve or reject tower applications.

Rep. Reed points out that most of the easy tower sites, such as industrial locations, have been taken and that new cell towers are impacting neighborhoods, scenic treasures and other municipal assets, causing distress among many people living in the affected areas.

Rep. Reed said, "More and more towers are being erected to keep up with the exploding demand for smart phones and tablet type devices that have fast become the communications tools of choice for consumers and businesses.

Unfortunately, that means growing conflicts between those who demand improved connectivity and many angry residents who long for the days of tower-free skylines. This bill's goal is to balance those competing demands in a reasonable and responsible way and I am grateful to my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their input and enthusiastic support."

Rep. Patricia Widlitz, of Guilford, a co-introducer of the bill, said she was delighted with its success in the House.

"I enthusiastically support Rep. Reed's efforts to improve the requirements for the siting of cell towers. This legislation will not only greatly improve our ability to influence the siting of cell towers but will also encourage the use of the least obtrusive technology. It's an important step forward for the protection of our shoreline vistas."

HB 6250 also allows the Siting Council to seek legal action should a party in the proceedings intentionally omit or misrepresent a material fact during the proceedings. This legal action can include injunctive relief and a fine of up to $10,000 plus attorneys fees.

The bill also encourages the Siting Council to make every effort to avoid approving towers for sites in neighborhoods or scenic areas that are prized by the affected communities and to stay at least 250 feet away from schools and commercial child daycare centers.

“Serving on regional and national committees on various topics with legislators from other states expands one's knowledge of those issues and allows us to learn about successful solutions in other states,” said Rep. Reed. Sharing information and ideas leads to better, more efficient and affordable government.”

The CSG Environment and Energy Task Force provides a forum for state leaders to address the challenges presented by the dynamically changing social, economic and political environments. The task force's activities focus on tracking national conditions and emerging trends, identifying innovative and effective solutions, and transforming these solutions into viable policy positions and response projects. The task force encourages multi-state problem solving and sharing of best practices, and facilitates networking among state officials and between the public and private sectors. Energy and Environment Task force priorities include: energy, supply management, renewable energy and air and water quality.

Established in 1933, the Council of State Governments is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that provides information, research, and training to state officials in all 50 states and U.S. territories to promote region-wide initiatives, facilitate inter-branch cooperation, advocate on state-federal issues, and educate policymakers and the public on regional priorities.

“There are 7.4 million gallons of paint sold in Connecticut each year. 10% of that total is leftover or unused,” said State Representative Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford), who negotiated the bill and lead the effort to pass it on the House floor. “This program will save our towns money, cost less than the current hazardous waste collection process and insure the proper disposal and recycling of unused product in an environmentally appropriate manner.”

In 2008, it was calculated the cost of disposing leftover and unused paint in Connecticut at hazardous waste collection locations was $620,000. It is estimated the recovery cost involved in this new program will be a fraction of that number, specifically $.75/gallon and $1.60/5 gallon. Latex based paint not brought to hazardous waste collection sites results in increased tipping fees for municipalities when containers are just placed in the trash after drying out.

Types of paint products that can be covered under the program include:

• Oil based paint
• Latex based paint
• Deck coating
• Waterproof sealers
• Primers
• Varnish
• Stains
• Shellac

Under the program, recycling drop-off locations will be established at certain paint retail centers and with the potential for future businesses established to recycle or properly dispose of paint products.

“This is another step in the effort to rid Connecticut of toxic products in our environment,” said State Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford), House Chairman of the Environment Committee. “Similar to the successful electronics recycling programs now gaining popularity, states like Oregon, California and now Connecticut are leading by example.”

“This common sense approach to recycling paint is great for the environment, for town budgets and for consumers who will find it more convenient to safely and legally dispose of all those cans of leftover product that seem to pile up in our homes and garages,” said State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford). “Representative Pat Widlitz deserves our gratitude for her extensive negotiations with the paint industry to create a bill that earned our unanimous support.”

Following approval of regulations by the DEP, the program is expected to be running by July 1, 2013. The bill heads to the Governor for his expected signature.

Their views emerged at the annual Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Days Inn that drew a sparse audience of about 25 people, including members of the business and non-profit community and several Republican Representative Town Meeting members. There were many empty chairs.

State Rep Pat Widlitz, who represents Guilford and two areas of Branford and is the chair of the finance, revenue and bonding committee, and State Rep. Lonnie Reed, who represents the remainder of Branford, firmly endorsed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget strategy, even as they acknowledged this wasn’t the easiest budget to draw-up. Both Widlitz and Reed noted, however, that this budget protects education and town funding and restores, at least in part, a property tax credit that the governor wanted to eliminate. However, State Sen. Ed Meyer said he is deeply opposed to the budget as it stands now.

The Governor signed the budget this week and under it Branford will receive increases in municipal aid in 2012 and 2013. Widlitz, who is also a member of the State Bond Commission, said she sought to craft a budget that protects the safety net, “the middle class, towns and education.”

Widlitz drew the broad outlines of the enormity of the issue: “We had to raise revenue of $1.8 billion. That is a staggering, overwhelming number to even think about. But the bottom line is we have an enormous deficit, we have had a financial structure in our government that is flawed. Gov. Rowland negotiated a 20 year benefit package for state employees in 1997. We cannot re-open it without the permission of state employees. To their credit they have re-opened it. They did last year. They are currently doing it again.”

Meyer, who represents the 12th District, including Branford, said he voted against the budget because it is not an actual budget: It has a hole a mile wide that was still not filled and it put a tax burden on citizens at a time they could least afford it. The governor’s budget passed 19 to 17 in the Senate, not a resounding vote. A number of Democrats joined the Republicans in voting against it. From the outset, Meyer openly opposed the budget because it was incomplete and relied upon $1 billion in union givebacks this year, and $1 billion the following year, that have yet to materialize.

Meyer said he also voted against it “because I thought this was a great opportunity to downsize the government and make it better.” He said a number of state agencies were dysfunctional. “A recent study showed that in Connecticut we have one manager for every 6 employees whereas in the private sector and in other states it is one manager for every 10 employees… I felt this was a great opportunity in a financial crisis to downsize the government to make it more efficient.”

As chair of the powerful finance committee, Widlitz’s role was to explain, fight for and negotiate the needs of towns with the Governor’s top officials, including Ben Barnes, the Governor’s head of the Office of Policy and Management.(OPM) “She drew lines in the sand, as did the Governor’s side. In the end there were compromises.

“It is not a perfect budget and I think that people can respectfully disagree,” she told the audience after Meyer spoke. “I don’t know have any problem with Senator Meyer taking a different stance on this. This is a very, very difficult situation. Surrounding states, as Lonnie mentioned have gone the route of cutting taxes. And you know where the cuts got shifted to? They got shifted to the municipalities, to education. We chose not to do that.

“We have a taken a more difficult, more balanced approach. The hole in the budget that exists now is going to be decreasing the size of state government and the state work force. There is no way around that. There is more than one way to get from point A to point B. We have chosen a way with consensus.”

Both she and Reed said the future needs of the state were paramount. “We are looking to the future. We are not slashing education or burning senior programs for those who need it the most,” Widlitz said.

In the end, there was no sales tax exemption on the trade-in of a used car, a proposal that would have made Connecticut uncompetitive with other states, Widlitz said. There was no statewide property tax on boats, another proposal that would have devastated the marine trades industry, she and Reed said. One of Widlitz’s goals was to restore the property tax credit against the income tax, which had been totally eliminated. “It had been $500.00 credit on property tax toward their income tax. We couldn’t get all of it back but we got $300 of that $500 back.” Lastly, “we are sending a very strong message that the state will not be taxing machine and manufacturing equipment. We want to encourage manufacturing in the state. These were the kinds of push and pulls we went through. ”

Reed said that “I think everybody hates the budget.” She echoed Widlitz’s words about not thinking about politics. “As Pat said, we are going to do what we need to do without thinking about re-election. That has to be taken off the table.” She said it was crucial to figure out the real numbers under which the state was operating, to begin to use general accounting principles that had long been shelved. “Now we are following them.” What is also new this year, she said, “is having access to the governor and to his staff. That is critical. Being in the room is critical,” Reed said.

Why vote for a budget with a $2 billion hole? Reed replied: “In the Democratic party we are known to be union-friendly. By adopting this budget we are putting pressure on the unions that we are serious. We are trying to create a timeline where the pressure is building. The governor was going to send out layoff notices today. He dialed back on that. He is giving some room. But the bottom line is that this will be a very tough strategy.”