Wednesday, May 16, 2012
If all of the pieces fall into place, regional dispatch could be in place by the end of the year.
In his report at the May 1 Town Council meeting, Town Manager Richard Branigan noted that the 75 cent 911 fee on people’s phone bills had passed through the House and Senate, which should provide grants for regionalizing dispatch. “The process has been fairly aggressive,” said Fire Chief William Seward at the May 3 Fire Commission meeting. He reported that there are three possible locations for a regional dispatch center–the North Branford Police Department, Town Hall and Co. 4. The process involves installing a 100-foot communication tower and many system upgrades, which would be covered by the grant money received. While the process has been aggressive, Mayor Anthony Candelora also noted that it is lengthy. “The town has applied for a …
And, Lieberman talks with CNN about the Taliban.
BLUMENTHAL: In an interview with The Daily Campus, the senator expressed support for Know Before You Owe Private Lender Act, which would require private lenders to inform prospective student borrowers of all of their loan options, "so people don’t leap into committing." LIEBERMAN: Following the death of a Afghan peacemaker in Kabul on Sunday, the senator told CNN that the Taliban "is not interested in peace talks," according to GovExec.com. Lieberman also said that the U.S. should "continue to put pressure" on the Taliban to engage in these talks. HIMES: The congressman used Twitter to ponder what's coming this week in Congress' 2012 session: "Back in DC. Last week, GOP saved a non-existent $20 bn from TBTF banks and eliminated a real $…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Here's a look at the agenda for tonight's North Branford Town Council meeting.
The North Branford WPCA/Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at Town Hall at 7 p.m. Town meetings are open to the public. The Water Pollution Control Authority portion of the meeting will discuss the special connection fee for sewer extension on Gail Drive. Unfinished business items include discussion of the Charter Revision Committee, North Branford High School roof, the Stanley T. Williams conversion project and an update on Wall Field and the Swajchuk park project. New business on the agenda includes the bid results for the town's trash collection, establishment of the mill rate, annual appointment of auditor, 2012 suspense list, appropriation transfer, financial report and the approval of tax refunds. Check out…
And, Himes meets with Greenwich students during their class trip to DC.
BLUMENTHAL: The senator recently expressed some concerns about Lieberman's cybersecurity bill, which needs 60 more votes to move, according to Politico.com. He said that the definitions of the bill must be "narrowed" and safeguards "strengthened" when comes to the type of data that the government would be privy to. LIEBERMAN: The senator told CNN's "State of the Union" the Senate Homeland Security Committee has scheduled a May 24 public hearing regarding the prostitution scandal involving U.S. military and Secret Service agents in Colombia. HIMES: On their annual class trip to Washington, DC, students at Central Middle School in Greenwich got a chance to meet and chat with Himes. "I always enjoy visiting with young people from my …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Unanimous vote for Murphy from Cheshire's delegates to state convention.
U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy of Cheshire received all 14 of the Cheshire delegate votes at the Democratic State Convention on Saturday for his U.S. Senate campaign, according to CT News Junkie. Statewide, the article notes, Murphy received 76 percent of the delegate vote compared to 24 percent for former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz. Despite the 3-to-1 vote margin, the vote total for Bysiewicz was enough to force a primary in August between the two well-known politicians, the News Junkie article noted. Total vote numbers show Murphy got 1,378 of the delegate votes and Bysiewicz’s total was 444. New Haven, one of the largest delegations, gave 73 of its votes to Murphy and 10 to Bysiewicz. “I think we’d be better off as a party without …
And, Blumenthal announces $5.5 million in funds from FEMA for West Hartford.
BLUMENTHAL: West Hartford is the first community in Connecticut to receive approval from FEMA for reimbursement of clean-up costs in the wake of October's snowstorm, according to Patch. Blumenthal, Sen. Lieberman and First District Congressman John Larson, announced on Thursday that West Hartford will receive $5.5 million reimbursement from FEMA for debris removal. "West Hartford well deserves this reimbursement for the hard hit from last year’s October snowstorm — a hard hit in financial costs as well as damage and debris," stated Blumenthal in a release announcing the reimbursement. "I’m pleased that this money helps make West Hartford whole for the hard work and sacrifice in the wake the storm." LIEBERMAN: Following a classified …
Friday, May 11, 2012
And, Murphy launches a new campaign geared towards women.
BLUMENTHAL: The senator and Congressman John Larson (CT-1) announced $575,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) to Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Inc. in Hartford to assist victims of housing discrimination across the state. "These grants help ensure that victims of discriminatory housing practices in Connecticut have the support they require," Blumenthal said in a statement released by his office. "The Fair Housing Center is at the forefront of fighting for access to fair and affordable housing." One grant of $325,000 will be used to provide administrative, investigative, and legal services to individuals who may encounter discrimination, while two …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
North Branford is one of eight towns receiving Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) awards for infrastructure improvement projects.
Over the past few months, the Town Council has discussed the development of the Swajchuk Property, which involves the relocation of Wall Field. Though the full plans for the property were presented to the Council, it was unclear how much would be accomplished in phase one of construction due to funding. The Council has said that the goal is to have sod in place by August, making the recent North Branford Little League Opening Day ceremonies most likely the last to be held at Wall Field on Route 80. The town just received a $350,000 boost in the form of a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) Grant that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced on May 8. North Branford is one of eight towns to receive funds (see below for other towns awarded…
And, Connecticut receives federal grant money for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
BLUMENTHAL: The senator — along with Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) — introduced legislation on Wednesday to end the practice of employers requiring prospective or current employees to provide access to password-protected accounts as a condition for employment. “With few exceptions, employers do not have the need or the right to demand access to applicants’ private, password-protected information," Blumenthal said in a statement released by his office. "This legislation, which I am proud to introduce, ensures that employees and job seekers are free from these invasive and intrusive practices.” LIEBERMAN: The senator joined Blumenthal, Himes and Murphy on Wednesday in announcing $1,…
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
And, Himes remembers author Maurice Sendak.
BLUMENTHAL: The senator recently spoke with HuffPo about a series of bills he's proposing along with Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.) that would require contractors to create plans to prevent human trafficking and require companies to monitor and report their subcontractors' activities. "Modern-day slavery by government contractors — unknowingly funded by American taxpayers — is unconscionable and intolerable," he said. LIEBERMAN: The senator used Twitter on Tuesday to talk about the Yemen-based terrorist bomb plot that was thwarted by U.S. intelligence this week: "The most important fact is that a terrorist plan to kill innocent people was stopped before anyone was in danger." HIMES: The congressman released a statement on Tuesday about the…
john carter
1:39 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
This is beyond a bad idea! Here in branford we have 10 full time dispatchers. 3 per shift on days and 2 on evenings and midnights. 10 just bearly cover for starters normal days off sick days and holiday /vacation. Call volume is another issue. A structure fire bad domestic or serrious medical call takes 1 if not both distpatchers out of the loop for other calls such as barking dog complaints or i… more ›