Land Swap Update
In July 2011, after the Land Swap Conveyance Bill SB1196 passed both the House and Senate, Governor Malloy signed it into law, making it Special Act 11-16. Certain conditions are to be met by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the developers, Riverhouse Properties, LLC, in order to exchange the State owned 17-acre river view Clark Creek Wildlife Management area in Haddam with the 87 acres of woodlands Riverhouse owns in Higganum.
As stated in the bill: “The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall enter into an agreement with Riverhouse Properties, LLC to exchange lands or other consideration of approximately equal value. If land is exchanged, the fair market value of said parcel or parcels of land shall be determined by the average of the appraisals of two independent appraisers selected by the commissioner.”
Robert Silverstein a New London based appraiser and Bloomfield based appraiser Richard McDermott were hired by the DEEP to complete those appraisals.
After a few extensions because of the complexity of the land swap parcels, the appraisers finally submitted their reports late December. The Haddam Bulletin filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the DEEP asking for a copy of the submitted appraisals. DEEP declined to release the information contending that the documents were exempt from disclosure.
Normally appraisals are exempt from FOIA submissions due to the sensitive nature of the negotiating process when the state looks to purchase a property; however, in this case the land swap was legislatively mandated, with specific instructions to establish the values of both parcels, one of which is owned by the state.
“We have every interest in conducting this process in as open and transparent a manner as possible and will make information available at the appropriate time,” said DEEP spokesperson Dennis Schain.
Schain also confirmed that discussions had taken place between DEEP and Riverhouse Properties LLC.
New Animal Control Officer On-board
After reviewing 12 applicants, First Selectman Paul DeStefano through Selectmen approval, hired Duan Kowalski for a one year term as Haddam’s full time Animal Control Officer.
For the past several years Haddam has been negligent in complying with state animal control regulations, governed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and had a difficult time keeping up with fees for licensing and reporting due to the part time nature of the past Control Officer’s position.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is the division charged with the enforcement of laws pertaining to the licensing and control of dogs, the licensing and inspection of pet facilities and rabies control.
The State will forgive past infractions without fines as long as Haddam adheres to the new State mandated regulations.
A used van for the Control Officer position will be purchased and outfitted with the proper equipment, for a total cost of $6,000.
The town hopes to collect more fees for licenses and delinquent fines that have been overlooked or outstanding with Kowalski on-board as full time officer.
Voter Redistricting Underway
Town registrars Ray Skarsten and Saralyn Twomey have proposed redistricting the town to balance out the voting districts and make it easier and less confusing for voters in Haddam.
District 1 currently consists of 4,079 voters and District 2, 1,474 voters. The registrars are proposing a redistricting of 2,879 for District 1 and 2,674 for District 2, moving 1,200 voters from District 1 to District 2 and would allow both polling places, the Haddam Firehouse and Central Office, to be open for every voting session, referendums and elections. Currently, only District #1 is open for referendums. The redistricting will not affect District #3 in Haddam Neck.
The extra cost for redistricting would be approximately $1,200.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the Registrars’ proposal to redistrict.
Republican Presidential Caucus April 24, 2012
Submitted by Ed Munster
Connecticut will conduct its Presidential Primary on April 24, 2012. This primary will determine how Connecticut’s delegates will vote at the National Republican Convention. Connecticut is NOT a winner-take-all state. This makes your vote all the more important. Connecticut will have 10 at-large delegates which are divided proportionally among the Presidential candidates who get at least 20% of the total vote. Each Congressional District gets three delegates at the National Convention which go to the Candidate getting the plurality in that Congressional District.
Voters are required to be registered in the Republican Party to vote in the primary. Democrats who wish to vote in the Republican Primary may do so by changing their Party Registration no later than January 24, 2012.
Unaffiliated voters, sometimes referred to as Independents, who would like to vote in the Connecticut Presidential Primary may do so by changing their registration to Republican up until the day before the Primary. Registration changes can be done at the Town Hall at either the Town Clerk’s office or the Registrar’s Office.
