“I’m pleased with the additional Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding, especially in these tough economic times,” said Rep. Ryan. “This initiative invests in education by putting our children first.”

The bill now goes to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who is expected to sign it.

The bill allocates additional funding to all 139th House District towns based on the existing ECS formula, which includes population and wealth criteria:

• Bozrah $13,681
• Franklin $7,158
• Lebanon $56,237
• Montville $166,239

Rep. Ryan said the legislation recognizes the value of early childhood education. The legislation
(SB 458) creates 1,000 new pre-K School Readiness seats, focused in high need, low-performing communities.

The components include the creation of intensive reading intervention programs for underperforming schools, the introduction of technology based reading assessments, which will improve the quality of assessments and the speed at which they can be given and provides resources for the addition of highly trained reading specialists in our most challenged schools.

The bill establishes the Commissioner’s Network, which provides the intensive supports 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 will result in the creation of 10 Family Resource Centers and at least 20 new or expanded School Based Health Centers to be located in education reform districts.

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.

“This bill makes things easier for victims in what can be a harrowing and traumatic experience. It also strengthens the tools needed to punish offenders,” said Rep. Ryan. “Enhancing the tools of the legal system, particularly in the area of protective orders, is critical to the ultimate success of these efforts.

Victims are often confused about the appropriate place to report electronic and telephonic violations of restraining and protective orders. The legislation will allow victims to report violations in the town where they reside, where they receive the communication or where the communication was initiated. The bill also makes it easier for victims to get restraining orders against people who pose a threat to them.

Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), who created the task force, said, “When a victim has worked up the courage to call police, to request a restraining order or to leave her home, we want to make sure that services are in place to support them. In addition, because we owe it to victims to train police in best practices so they can respond to calls speedily and appropriately, we give police officers new tools for responding to domestic violence incidents. This bill gives new support to victims, police officers, advocates and other front-line service providers.”

The legislation also permits judges to issue restraining orders for up to one year. Currently the maximum length of a restraining order is six months. Donovan said this change will reduce stress and risk to victims who will have to return to court and interface with their offenders less frequently.

The bill also requires that courts share protective orders with schools that victims attend, upon request of a victim. Current law requires that orders be shared with the police departments in the town where the victim lives and works and the town where the defendant lives, but it does not require that schools or campus police are notified of an order.

Although threatening is often a precursor to serious violence, threatening with a firearm is currently a misdemeanor in Connecticut. This bill would make threats that involve the use of a firearm a felony crime. It also strengthens the definition of stalking to ensure that stalking incidents—including digital stalking—are appropriately punished.

“The dam repairs make sense financially and environmentally,” said Rep. Ryan. “Waiting to repair the dams will cost taxpayers even more money and this properly maintained resource protects local residents and property from potential damage.”

The funding will be used to finance the design of repairs to the state-owned dams that have been determined to be high or significant hazards.

The work at Savin Lake Dam will include investigation and design of needed repairs. In 2008, a consultant was hired to inspect all 260 state owned dams and prioritize the order of repairs. This dam is next on the list to be repaired. It is possible the dam could be removed instead of repaired depending on the further investigation.

Any repairs are anticipated to begin following Memorial Day.

Fayaz Khan owns 7-11 stores in Montville and New London, and has never sold synthetic drugs like K-2, a synthetic marijuana, or sage, a product that mirrors the effects of LSD.

“The margins are big on those products too,” said Khan, referring to the synthetic drugs that many other convenience stores did sell, without regulation. “But this is a family-owned business, and I know the consequences.”

Now, everybody will have to follow his lead. On Tuesday, in Khan’s Montville store, state legislators praised new regulations that would make it illegal to sell synthetic drugs like K-2, sage and bath salts.

“These were drugs that anybody at any age could buy,” State Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, who introduced legislation last year to ban the products. “I truly appreciate (Khan)’s feeling that this is not worth selling.”

The new regulations put synthetic drugs in the same category as marijuana or cocaine, and it will be illegal to sell or buy them, Stillman said. Connecticut is one of 39 states to pass laws that make these products illegal, she said.

The Product
K-2, sage and other synthetic drugs were being sold in brightly-colored packaging and were available to any person of any age. These synthetic drugs can produce a stronger high than the drugs they are replicating, and can be addictive, according to Michele Devine, the executive director of the Southeastern Regional Action Council.

The package says the drugs are “not for consumption,” but the packaging promotes ingestion, according to a release from Stillman’s office. After Devine told Stillman about the dangers of the drug, she brought it to the state legislature in 2011, which approved the ban of synthetic drugs unanimously, Stillman said.

Montville Mayor Ron McDaniel, Montville Resident State Trooper Troy Gelinas and State Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, were also at the press conference, and all praised the ban. Stillman also thanked state representatives Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford, Tom Reynolds, D-Montville, and State Sen. Edith Prague, D-Norwich, for helping the bill get passed.

“While the long term effects of these drugs are relatively unknown, what we do know is frightening,” Ryan said. “Limiting their availability, especially to young people is something I am really proud of.”

The final regulations have been written, and stores will now have to comply with the law, Stillman said. Selling these drugs is a felony, she said.

“If one of our purposes in state government is to protect the public health and well-being of individual residents – particularly young people – our state must carefully scrutinize comparable products and ban those with no discernable productive purpose,” Stillman said in a press release.

Montville - A deal struck Tuesday that would create New England's largest utility company appears to have delivered another blow to a $100 million biomass conversion project planned for one of the town's power plants.

A settlement agreement in the $4.7 billion Northeast Utilities-NStar merger, which still needs regulatory approval by April 2, was made without a provision for the merged companies to seek biomass generation projects throughout the state.

Mayor Ronald K. McDaniel Jr. and lawmakers representing the town had called on Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Attorney General George Jepsen to make such a provision a requirement of the merger.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed that it wasn't part of the deal," McDaniel said Wednesday. "I think, at a time when we're looking for shovel-ready projects to create economic investments, here was a perfect example. … It would have meant a lot to the town and the state as well."

Montville Power LLC, an NRG Energy Inc.-owned power plant on Lathrop Road, has the permits and approvals necessary to convert one of its generation units into a biomass system that would produce energy by burning clean wood.

The system would provide up to 42 megawatts of electricity and have the capability to go to 82 megawatts by using natural gas. A megawatt serves about 1,000 homes.

The project has stalled because NRG has been unsuccessful in finding a company to purchase the power. The project is expected to create 30 to 35 full-time jobs at the plant and from 75 to 150 construction jobs in the year of construction, NRG officials said.

The biomass system also would help the town add tax revenue since AES Thames, a power plant on Depot Road, filed for bankruptcy and eventually closed. The plant is now for sale.

The merger of Northeast Utilities and NStar requires the approval of the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, a branch of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Dennis Schain, a spokesman for the DEEP, said Wednesday the state has a number of projects and programs in place to help meet a mandate that 20 percent of energy come from renewable resources by 2020. As a result, Schain said, discussions on the merger were focused on issues other than the biomass provision.

State Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, said Wednesday that he and other lawmakers representing the town are still hoping to persuade the attorney general and PURA to make the biomass provision a requirement of the merger.

"We definitely would have liked to have had it in there," Ryan said. "Nothing is ever that easy. We're going to have to do a little more work."

NRG spokesman David Gaier said Wednesday the energy company views the biomass conversion as a worthy project that would create jobs and low-cost renewable power.

But the project isn't viable until a company steps forward to purchase the power.

"It's a simple economic model. They have to have a customer to sell their product to," McDaniel said. "We'll have to see where the energy market comes out to see if there's another opportunity for them to sell the power."

The proposal to convert a portion of the existing Montville facility to use green wood biomass as a fuel source for 40 megawatts (MW) of renewable generation has been approved by the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).

“Cleaner, renewable energy is a critical part of our economic future," said Rep. Tom Reynolds
(D-Ledyard). "The new Montville biomass facility brings a host of benefits to the region and good paying jobs. We must ensure that additional plants are planned for and built to meet our needs in the years to come.”

To be successful, the new facility will need a buyer for the energy generated and thus the delegation is asking Governor Malloy to support approval of the Northeast Utilities and Boston-based NSTAR merger (NU-NSTAR), only on condition the companies enter into a long term contract for new biomass generation in Connecticut.

“This project has the potential of generating a significant source of job creation and revenue for Montville,” Rep. Ritter said. “I believe we are in a good position to move it forward and make it a reality this year.”

"Montville has long been one of the locations for the generation of power in our region. Recently this position was jeopardized with the closing of AES Thames," said Rep. Kevin Ryan (D-Montville, Bozrah, Franklin, Lebanon). "This refitting of the NRG plant will reinstate and stabilize our status as an energy generator with clean energy, good jobs and taxes to the Town of Montville."

Also signing the letter were, State Senator Edith Prague (19th District) and Sen. Andrea Stillman (20th District).

Copy of letter to the governor is attached.

During a visit to the White House, Rep. Ryan met with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and key agriculture officials. USDA participants included Farm Services Agency Under secretary Michael Scuse, Deputy Under secretary for Rural Development; Doug O’Brien, Under secretary for Food Safety, Elisabeth Hagen, Under Secretary for Research, Cathie Woteki and Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, David White.

While at the White House, they also discussed the future of international agricultural trade with U.S. Trade Representative for Agriculture, Dr. Issi Siddiqui and pending U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agriculture regulations with Larry Elworth, EPA Agricultural Counselor.

Briefings on the 2012 farm bill from congressional staff from the agriculture and energy committees occurred during a visit to the Congress. The 2012 farm bill is about keeping pace with the changing needs of agriculture and the choices lawmakers will make will help shape agricultural, food, and rural development policy.

“Discussing the latest issues in agriculture and relaying them to my district and to Connecticut is something I’m honored to accomplish,” said Rep. Ryan. “I look forward to continuing this service as a board member for an additional two years.”

The Legislative Agriculture Chairs Summit attendees also met with policy experts and discussed current issues affecting agriculture at both the state and national level. State legislative leadership from 47 states and 7 Canadian provinces participated in sessions that not only identified the issues facing rural communities but also solutions that have been successfully implemented.

The Legislative Ag Chairs Summit is the number one meeting for legislators whose major focus is agriculture and rural communities. It is the only conference of its kind for state and provincial policy-makers focusing on critical topics in agriculture and rural development that are facing state officials.

“These grants are a critical component of municipal budgets, allowing for capital improvement projects that might not otherwise get done,” said Governor Malloy. “I am pleased to join the local officials who have worked so hard to strengthen our communities and improve our public spaces and business districts. This is part of reinventing Connecticut—town by town, project by project. I know that Connecticut’s best days are ahead of us.”

Montville was awarded $500,000 for the design of a culvert on Montville Road at Trading Cove Brook.

“This project addresses two critical needs in Montville: first, the public safety needs of all those who use Montville Road alongside Trading Cove Brook, and also the environmental and erosion control need to contain the brook itself,” Senator Edith G. Prague (D-Columbia) said. “This STEAP grant will help Montville underwrite the cost of this important project that might otherwise go unfunded in the town’s otherwise modest budget.”

“The timing of this half-million dollar grant for Montville couldn’t be better, given recent news about the power plant closing, the diminished Grand List as a result, and an estimated loss of $1.2 million in annual property taxes,” Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) said. “As Montville officials continue working to fund the town’s infrastructure needs I will continue working with them, Governor Malloy, and appropriate state agencies to determine how and to what extent the state can provide assistance.”

The original Montville Road culvert was deemed too small by FEMA and sustained damage by heavy flooding in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

“These improvements will have a daily positive impact on residents of the area,” said State Representative Kevin Ryan (D-Montville, Bozrah, Franklin, Lebanon)  “Restoring this bridge to service means an increase in economic development and job opportunities in the region.”

“I thank the governor for allocating this funding for the design of road culverts on Montville Road,” Rep. Betsy Ritter stated. “The town of Montville has been waiting a long time for these improvements and these funds will go a long way in helping our town with this much needed project we would otherwise not be able to afford at this time.”

"This project will make necessary infrastructure repairs that will benefit residents of Montville and surrounding communities," said Rep. Tom Reynolds. "These grants help stimulate the local economy bringing good paying construction jobs to our area."

The Town of Griswold was also awarded $500,000 for drainage and resurfacing projects on Geer and Lily Pond Roads.

“The STEAP program was designed to help small towns improve their infrastructure while putting local contractors to work in the process. This grant will substantially improve Geer Road and Lily Pond Road in Griswold, making them safer and more reliable for local drivers,” said Senator Andy Maynard.

"I want to thank Governor Malloy for this infrastructure improvement for Griswold," said State Representative Steven Mikutel (D-Griswold, Plainfield, Lisbon, Voluntown). "Without this funding, this much needed repair to Geer Road just wouldn't have happened. This is a godsend for the town."

A $400,000 STEAP grant to Clinton will go to downtown streetscape revitalization efforts.

“The new streetscape envisioned for downtown Clinton is a key ingredient in the town’s economic revitalization efforts already underway, and this $400,000 state grant is essential for that new streetscape to go forward,” Senator Eileen M. Daily (D-Westbrook) said. “Clinton has become well-known for its retail corridor right along I-95; I expect this investment will boost the profile of the original business district along Route 1 as well.”

"This grant is a further endorsement by the state of the vision the Clinton Board of Selectmen has set forth for this community", said Rep. Jim Crawford. "Each new project further enhances the quality of life for all the residents. The steady pace of improvements is a positive reflection of the vitality that energizes Clinton."

Deep River was awarded $200,000 for phase V of a Main Street improvement initiative. The funding will be used to replace blacktop and install lighting and benches.

“In Deep River this $200,000 grant will put the finishing touches on an overhaul of Main Street First Selectman Dick Smith has been working on for a number of years, to include new street surfacing, the installation of new benches, and new lighting as well,” Senator Eileen M. Daily (D-Westbrook) said. “I’m delighted these state funds will help Deep River put its best foot forward in a village district known to attract shoppers and visitors from New York and across New England.

“This grant will continue the revitalization of Deep River’s downtown,” said State Representative Phil Miller. “It will make Deep River an even more attractive place for residents, small businesses and visitors. I thank Governor Malloy for his strong support for our small towns and local businesses.”

Two awards were granted to Branford. The first award of $150,000 will aid the town in completing a pedestrian walkway and adding lighting to the town green. Branford also received a $30,000 grant for a housing feasibility study and for a consultant to work with the Branford Housing Authority and planning body to assess the town’s future housing needs.

"The governor is to be congratulated for his recognition of making Branford a more attractive place for its residents and businesses," said state Senator Ed Meyer (D-Guilford). "This grant could actually bring new jobs to the town."

"These 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," said State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford). "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."

“I’m delighted that we could bring financial assistance to Branford to improve the beautiful downtown area,” said Rep. Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford). “The town green is the pride of Branford and the hub of activity for all ages.”

Under Governor Malloy’s leadership, the State Bond Commission allocated $20 million for STEAP grants on September 23, 2011. The awards were granted in part due to project readiness and their impact on overall regional economic development. Two grants to the towns of Putnam and Thompson were announced at press events yesterday.

The state has implemented a new income tax credit that will help about 200,000 low-income families and individuals, according to a release from state Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville.

Ryan has been working to get the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit included in the state budget for the past few years, the news release said.

Workers earning less than $50,000 who are raising children and single workers without children who earned less than $13,460 will qualify for the tax credit. The average payment will be $540, with a maximum payment of $1,700.

It is estimated that at least 200,000 families will qualify for the credit across the state. Workers who earned under $50,000 who were raising children and single workers without children who earned less than $13,460 may qualify. The average CT-EITC payment will be approximately $540 and the maximum payment up to $1,700.

"This couldn't have come at a better time," said Rep. Ryan. "We have been working to get this credit included in the budget for the last few years, and finally, despite tough budget negotiations, we can bring some relief to our hard working families in the state."

The CT-EITC is expected to put about $108 million into the hands of working families in need. Combined with the federal EITC, this means at least $500 million to help state residents.

"I encourage workers to file their income tax early and ensure they inquire about CT-EITC. We have heard that many families miss the credit due to the lack of knowledge that it even exists," said Rep. Ryan. "There will be several organizations readily available to help poor families with their income tax filing free of charge, including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and many others."

“Growing jobs is our top priority. This legislation received bipartisan support showing we can work together to create and retain quality jobs in our state,” said Deputy Speaker of the House Ryan “Passing this legislation says Connecticut open for business.”

The goal of the legislation is to jump-start job creation and foster long-term economic growth. Incentives for small business, cutting red tape, incentives for innovation, economic development tools and workforce development and training are all 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.

“Economically, small business drives our state,” said Rep. Ryan. “Investing in the future of Connecticut’s small businesses is critical for our economic growth.”

Another vital component is aligning 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 adopted 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.

“Since there were no municipal regulations regarding a quarry in Bozrah, this state regulation will now allow the permitting process to move forward uniformly,” said Rep Ryan. “Allowing the Department of Environmental Protection to decide the merits of an application is best.”

The law is a result of an application filed in Bozrah which targeted 100 acres in the village center for a potential quarry with a goal of 6.6 million cubic yards removed over 20-30 years. Concerns were raised over the proposed mines proximity to Town Hall, town firehouse, Fields Memorial Elementary school and several homes. Specifically, the act of rock crushing would create high levels of noise and dust and potentially negatively affect businesses, the environment and neighbors. Other concerns included impacts on property values, safety and long term effects on the property mined.

370 Bozrah residents signed a petition against the idea of a quarry in their village center for ecological, historic, recreational and scenic reasons.

The law took effect July 1, 2011.

Although relations between the tribes and surrounding towns are cordial and cooperative, the towns still feel the financial pinch from tribes taking land into trust and off local tax rolls.

In the legislative session just ended, state Rep. Tom Reynolds, D-Ledyard, introduced House Bill 5784, which would have boosted compensation for Ledyard, Montville and Preston for land lost to trust.

The bill, which was tabled, would gradually have increased payment in lieu of taxes to the three towns. State Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, said the bill was put on hold for at least a year because of the state budget crisis.

“We’re going to keep working on it,” Ryan said. “But the budget was too much of an obstacle this year.”

Reynolds was the chief sponsor of the bill. He represents the three communities that would get increased state aid. He did not return calls to The Bulletin for comment.

Other backers included state Reps. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, and Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford, and state Sens. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, and Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford.

The bill favors Eastern Connecticut, something which is a difficult sell to lawmakers from other parts of the state, especially amid large budget deficits. The fact that the state is being called upon to correct issues caused by the U.S. government also limits its appeal.

“That’s certainly an element of it,” Ryan said, referring to the federal role. He has followed the issue from a national perspective while serving as president of the National Gaming States Council.

Double by 2016

The bill would have increased payment to the three towns by 10 percent in 2012 and eventually reaching 100 percent in 2016. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities endorsed the bill. The Office of Policy and Management, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget department, opposed it on the grounds that so-called PILOT funds to the state’s other 166 towns would be diminished.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, has looked into the matter with an eye toward helping the towns from Washington. But budget issues there are blocking that route as well, said Alex Armentano, a Courtney aide.

The U.S. Department of the Interior administers a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program, but it doesn’t apply to Indian-owned lands, Armentano said. The program handled $350 million in 2010, but including tribal lands would require much more money, he said.

Ledyard got $97,967 in so-called PILOT funds from the state last year, not nearly enough to compensate for a loss of $2.2 million in taxable land, Mayor Fred Allyn Jr. said. More than $126 million in taxable land has come off the books in Ledyard since 1956, when the Mashantucket Pequot tribe annexed its first piece of land. Montville has lost $40 million since 1995 to the Mohegan tribe’s land trust.

“The loss of tax revenue to the town of Ledyard in the loss of that property is huge,” Allyn said. “Rep. Reynolds has tried to get equity for our town.”

North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas Mullane II is not asking for his town to be included in Reynolds’ bill because North Stonington hasn’t had any land taken into trust. But he supports the legislation, in part, he said, because the Mashantucket Pequot tribe is North Stonington’s second-largest landowner behind the state of Connecticut with about 3,200 acres, and U.S. Department of the Interior trust policies are subject to change.

“I’m sympathetic to Ledyard, Montville and Preston,” Mullane said. “I totally agree with what Tom (Reynolds) is doing. I’m continually concerned.”

Anticipating a deficit in the 2011 budget, the General Assembly last year approved legislation authorizing the issuance of Economic Recovery Revenue Bonds. The bonds were to be paid off from revenues generated by surcharges on electricity bills, which would have been extended past their expiration date this year.

But because of an improving economy and increased revenues, it is now projected that the state has a $680 million operating surplus. Consequently, the borrowing and extension of the surcharge are no longer necessary.

“The provisions of this legislation (HB 6652) close the door on using energy efficiency or Competitive Transmission Assessment funds to balance the state’s budget,” said Rep. Patricia Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford), House chair of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs are among the best in the nation and should be strengthened – not compromised, she added.

“This really is a win-win situation,” said Deputy Speaker Ryan. “Ratepayers win by having the surcharge removed from their bills, and the state wins because we don't need to borrow additional funds.”

The bill is a result of an application filed in Bozrah which targeted 100 acres in the village center for a potential quarry with a goal of 6.6 million cubic yards removed over 20-30 years. Concerns were raised over the proposed mines proximity to Town Hall, town firehouse, Fields Memorial Elementary school and several homes. Specifically, the act of rock crushing would create high levels of noise and dust and potentially negatively affect businesses, the environment and neighbors. Other concerns include impacts on property values, safety and long term effects on the property mined.

“Since there were no municipal regulations regarding a quarry in Bozrah, this state regulation will now allow the permitting process to move forward uniformly,” said Rep Ryan. “Allowing the Department of Environmental Protection to decide the merits of an application is best.”

370 Bozrah residents signed a petition against the idea of a quarry in their village center for ecological, historic, recreational and scenic reasons.

The amended bill moves onto the State Senate for consideration.

Norwich - Ten Democratic state lawmakers have signed a statement supporting nurses at The William W. Backus Hospital in their efforts to unionize and calling on the hospital "to refrain from any illegal or unethical conduct against its employees."

The hospital's 450 registered nurses will vote May 11 on whether to join AFT Connecticut. The four state senators and six representatives sent the statement to the hospital's board of directors Tuesday, titling it, "an open letter on the importance of neutrality."

"We believe unionization promotes good jobs - good jobs are essential to growing a strong regional economy with stable living standards," the statement reads. "Backus nurses should be free to make their choice about unionization without interference, coercion or intimidation by hospital administration."

Signers of the statement are: Senate President Pro Tempore Don Williams of Brooklyn and Sens. Andrea Stillman of Waterford, Edith Prague of Columbia and Andrew Maynard of Stonington.

Also, Reps. Kevin Ryan of Montville, Mae Flexer of Danielson, Tom Reynolds of Ledyard, Elissa Wright of Groton, Elizabeth Ritter of Waterford and Diana Urban of North Stonington.

In response to the statement, Backus spokesman Shawn Mawhiney said the hospital has not stepped outside the law in communicating its position to employees.

"Of course, Backus supports employees' rights to vote for or against a union," he said. "The hospital is exercising its rights to communicate lawfully so employees can make a fair and informed decision."

“UCFS is part of the foundation of our community as both a community health provider and one our largest employers,” Rep. Olson said. “This important state funding will enhance UCFS’s ability to provide critical medical and behavioral health services as well as spur job growth in the Norwich area.”

“We appreciate the governor’s efforts to approve this funding to expand the services UCFS provides to the entire Norwich region.  This will increase access to theis important regional health care resource,” Rep. Ryan said.

The UCFS Health Center, located at 47 Town Street in Norwich, has been providing healthcare and community services to Norwich and the surrounding areas for more than 130 years, providing services that include outpatient primary medical care, behavioral health services, women’s health services, eldercare services, and dental services.

“There are so many residents in Norwich and the surrounding towns who rely on the medical, behavioral, or other health services that UCFS is able to provide to individuals and families of Eastern Connecticut,” Governor Malloy said. “These renovations and expansions will help the health center continue its core mission of improving the health and well being of the community it serves.”

The State Bond Commission is scheduled to vote on the item at its April 29 meeting at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee is one of 12 standing committees of the National Conference of State Legislatures responsible for issues related to labor, employment, workforce and economic development, international trade and cultural affairs.  The committee educates Congress and federal agencies about state concerns related to federal actions that impact the states, based on policy positions adopted by the states through NCSL's policy process.

“Few issues are as important to me as the economic development” said Rep. Ryan.

“I look forward meeting other legislators from across the nation, exchanging ideas and bringing them back to Connecticut.”

The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staffs of all states, commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and advocate for the interests of states in the American federal system.

“Rep. Ryan’s state legislative experience will allow him to represent Connecticut well as he undertakes this exciting challenge,” said Speaker Donovan. “I am confident Kevin’s work on this committee will strengthen the work of the NCSL while protecting Connecticut's economic development interest at the national level.”

The CSG Agriculture Committee seeks to preserve and enhance agriculture in the northeastern United States, especially the viability of small and mid-size family farms, as a vital component of the regions economic competitiveness and quality of life.

“A recent UConn study shows the positive impact of the Agriculture industry in Connecticut at $3.5 billion, employment at 20,000 people and significant social and ecosystem benefits,” said Rep. Ryan. “I look forward to keeping Connecticut farms producing.”

Created in 1999 to provide a unified voice for northeast agriculture in the development of the 2002 federal Farm Bill, the Committee’s focus is on developing innovative agricultural policies dedicated to promoting and assisting farming and rural development in the northeast.

“Rep. Ryan’s state legislative experience will allow him to represent Connecticut well as he undertakes this new challenge,” said Speaker Donovan. “I am confident Kevin’s work on this committee will not only benefit our state, but help ensure the continued support of this important segment of our economy.”

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.

As part of a total $3.4 million statewide dam upgrade, this funding will be used to finance repairs to state owned dams that were breached, damaged or determined to be high or significant hazards.    Also, these bonded funds will leverage an additional $900,000 in federal monies.

Savin Lake Dam repairs will begin with a design phase, followed by anticipated repairs which include flattening downstream slopes and adding spillway capacity.  Work on the dam will begin upon on completion of the design engineering.

"I am pleased the state considers Savin Lake Dam a priority," said Rep. Ryan.  "This properly maintained resource protects local residents and property from potential damage".

“It was an honor to take the gavel from Speaker Donovan” said Rep Ryan. “It is a rare privilege to stand on the dais and preside over the Connecticut House of Representatives.”

When the Speaker of the House is absent from the chamber, the Deputy Speaker presides over the House of Representatives, recognizes all members wishing to speak to the chamber, puts all questions to vote and directs legislation to the proper committees.

Rep. Ryan was first elected to the Legislature in November 1993 to represent the towns of Montville, Bozrah, Lebanon and Franklin.

“The days of the nagging fear, ‘I can’t get sick’ need to stay a thing of the past. Preventative care and not requiring seniors pay additional co-pays has been proven to save money multi-fold.  This attempt to repeal is economically irresponsible.”

Ryan, who represents Bozrah, Franklin, Lebanon and Montville in the General Assembly, was chosen by the organization’s executive committee to serve as President. The council consists of legislators from around the country who discuss issues in regard to gaming.

“I’m honored to serve as President of the Gaming States Council,” said Ryan. “This is a group that doesn’t support or oppose gaming, but rather works to find sensible solutions to issues that arise in states, like Connecticut, that permit gaming.”

Ryan attended NCLGS’s multi states conference meeting earlier this month where he was part of roundtables on Indian gaming, responsible gaming, Internet and intrastate gaming, pari-mutuel exchange betting and lotteries.

Ryan noted that he is particularly interested in the expanding role of Internet and intrastate gaming and the state’s ability to control it.

“Obviously the biggest challenge confronting our state is the budget. We must take a good hard look at the lottery and the casino revenue structure,” said Ryan.

Ryan began serving his tenth term in the Connecticut General Assembly last week, where he serves as Deputy Speaker.

“The choice of Kevin Ryan as one of my Deputy Speakers was an easy one,” explained Donovan.  “His dedication and experience as Labor Chair and as a leader in the General Assembly made him the perfect choice. I thank Kevin for accepting this important leadership position.”

“It will be an honor to work closely with Speaker Donovan as part of his leadership team,” Rep. Ryan said. “It is a rare privilege to stand on the dais and preside over the Connecticut House of Representatives. I look forward to this opportunity and to continue serving the people of Montville, Bozrah, Lebanon and Franklin.”

When the Speaker of the House is absent from the chamber, the Deputy Speaker presides over the House of Representatives, recognizes all members wishing to speak to the chamber, puts all questions to vote and directs legislation to the proper committees.

Rep. Ryan will also serve on the Appropriations, Public Health, and Environment committees.

The entire membership of the General Assembly will be sworn into office on January 5th at the State Capitol in Hartford during the opening day ceremony of the 2011 session.

State Representative Kevin Ryan (D-Montville) announced that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve $1,045,526 in state aid to the Town of Montville for a new police station and bridge repairs.

“The men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to protect us ought to have everything they need to get their work done,” Ryan said. “I proud that I could help secure state funding to pay for the costs of the new police station and keep our property taxes down.”

The Town of Montville is expected to receive $700,000 for construction of a new police station. Montville should also receive an additional $345,526 to pay for repairs of the bridge on Old Colchester Road.

The State Bond Commission meets Friday, December 10th at 10:30 a.m. in room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Two local state legislators Tuesday joined others across the state to criticize the University of Connecticut’s decision last week to hire an outside consultant to look at ways to generate money and find cost savings.

State Sen. Edith Prague, D- Columbia, and state Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, said Tuesday they have sent a letter to UConn Board of Trustees Chairman Lawrence McHugh about the decision to hire an out-of-state consultant firm.

The board approved hiring McKinsey & Co., a Washington, D.C., consulting firm, for $3.9 million during its Nov. 9 meeting.

Other state lawmakers have also been critical of the hire for various reasons, but Prague and Ryan said the board should have hired a company from Connecticut.

“As co- chairs of the legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee, we are dismayed by the board’s decision to send jobs out of state,” the two legislators wrote in their letter. “In this economic climate, we need to pursue all paths to create jobs in Connecticut.”

McHugh, who could not be reached for comment this morning, said last week McKinsey & Co. will be charged with helping find revenue and savings opportunities that can be implemented as soon as the 2011-12 fiscal year.

Prague and Ryan said they believed a Connecticut-based firm would have been better suited for the task because it would “know the ins and outs of our public institutions.”

UConn said last week it received proposals from 10 firms for the study and spokesman Michael Kirk said the university chose McKinsey, which has worked with Fortune 500 companies, after a ” competitive bid” process.

“The university and the board set out to hire the firm that best meets our needs and has the most broad-based, extensive experience,” Kirk said this morning.

Prague and Ryan also questioned the need to hire an outside consultant and said “the goal of achieving a leaner, cost-effective university operations can be done internally,” echoing concerns from other state legislators.

But Kirk said UConn already received input from a team of administrators, students, staff and faculty in 2008.

UConn officials said last week the team’s recommendations have saved $7 million a year. “Input from our employees played a major role in the work of the CORE group and will continue to be important during the McKinsey engagement,” Kirk said.

UConn officials have said McKinsey’s focus will be to expand on the recommendations of the Cost Operations and Revenue Efficiencies (CORE) group.

State Rep. Pam Sawyer, R-Bolton, has agreed with the decision, saying McKinsey will bring “outside eyes” to help look at UConn’s practices and operations.

“Sometimes, it’s necessary to spend money to save money,” she said, noting McHugh has stated the goal of the study is to find as much as $50 million in additional revenue and cost savings. Sawyer also said UConn needed to focus on a firm that could “hit the ground running” because of the timeline, and could not necessarily focus where the consultant is located.

State Senators Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford) and Edith Prague (D-Columbia), and State Representatives Tom Reynolds (D-Ledyard), Kevin Ryan (D-Montville), and Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford) introduced the legislation in response to a proposal by the state to establish a 24-bed residential, sex offender treatment facility adjacent to the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Uncasville. 

In 2008, the legislature and governor enacted a far-reaching criminal justice reform law, which directs the Department of Corrections and the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department to establish the facility for sex offenders who have completed their prison terms and are in need of treatment prior to their release into the community.  

"Basically, a vender came in with an offer to site these beds at one specific location and no other locations were put into consideration.  In fact, the departments don't even have any criteria when it comes to finding a location for the facilities," Ryan said. 

"Our legislation compels the departments to consider a number of locations throughout the state and to consider specific criteria on community impacts before a location is finalized," Prague stated.

Stillman remarked, "The state does need this facility to protect the public, but there must be a thoughtful process by which siting decisions are made so that community risks and impacts are limited."

"Our interest is not only protecting Montville, but also making sure that all towns are not subject to arbitrary decisions that are tone deaf to the most basic security interests of neighborhoods, schools and day care facilities," Reynolds offered.

"Connecticut's $2 billion agriculture industry employs thousands and is a vital part of our economy. In the current economic climate, we must do everything possible as a state to preserve our farms and make them stronger for the future. I'm looking forward to working to with leaders from other states to make that happen," said Representative Ryan. "I also want to thank the SARL's members for electing me to this post."

The State Agricultural and Rural Leaders Group (SARL) was formed in 2006 to promote and foster educational opportunities, cooperation and leadership among effort among state officials in agricultural and rural communities.

Representative Ryan has begun participating in weekly conference calls with legislators and farmers from around the country to discuss what other states are doing to promote agricultural products and preserve rural communities.

"We can definitely do more with a little less," said Rep. Ryan. "Many of our towns could save money by joining with other towns to provide benefits to municipal employees. Regionalizing is a way to provide our towns and local taxpayers a much-needed financial boost during these difficult economic times without devastating Connecticut's working families."

"I am honored to have been chosen for this important leadership position," Rep. Ritter said. "I look forward to working to identify cost savings in labor and health care through regional cooperation."

Representatives Ryan and Ritter will both sere on the Collective Bargaining, Health Care and Pensions Committee. Using Results Based Accountability (RBA) methods, the committee will investigate the current structure of municipal health care plans and collective bargaining agreements to indentify opportunities for cost savings through regionalizing these services and contracts. The committee is also tasked with indentifying legal obstacles to implementing potential savings and recommending solutions to overcome these legal barriers.

Six additional state lawmakers along with business and labor leaders will serve on the committee along with Representatives Ryan and Ritter.