WPCA Settles For Smaller Benefit Assessments

In an interesting twist to the usually inflexible WPCA, I have been told by a third party that settlements were recently reached on two of the seven benefit assessment appeal lawsuits. According to my source, the two commercial lawsuits brought by the Marlborough Barn and NRBZ properties were settled for a vastly reduced difference of $130,000 than originally assessed.

Marlborough Barn was originally assessed at $390,549.60. The WPCA agreed to settle their lawsuit for a drastically reduced $300,000.00. NRBZ properties was originally assessed at $90,405.00. The WPCA agreed to settle for less than half that amount at $40,000.00.

WPCA Prevents Refinancing Through Fannie Mae

I received the following email from a sewer district resident.

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The WPCA hits again! My husband and I are trying to refinance our house. In doing so, Fannie Mae has told us that we either need to have the WPCA sign a subordination agreement agreeing to come in second in line to Fannie Mae for the Sewer Benefit Assessment, increase the amount we want to refinance (which would cause the interest rate to be 1% to 1 ½% higher, our monthly payments to be more and require us to have an appraisal done for $300 to $400) or that we need to pay it off in order to finalize this refinance.

“I must be in the wrong building.”

I went to Town Hall to drop off a letter to the selectmen today.  As I entered, I expected to see the First Selectman’s door closed.  It’s always been closed every time I’ve been to Town Hall in the six years I’ve lived here.  I’m not exaggerating.  I wasn’t even sure if that door opened at all.

Today, it was opened.

Marlborough Bakery Not Leaving Town

I received a phone call from Georgette, the owner of the Marlborough Bakery.  She said that she’s been inundated with condolences and discussion about the bakery leaving town, due to the statement made by Bob Elliot at the recent BOF meeting, which I wrote about on this blog.

Georgette wanted to let me know that she is not leaving town, and not going out of business.  She’d much rather get back to running her business than clarifying whether she’s leaving town.   Therefore, I’m conveying this information to everyone who reads the blog, so that you don’t have ask her about it anymore.

While Georgette said that the sewer “is a mess”, and she doesn’t disagree with Elliot on the effect it’s having on businesses, the Marlborough Bakery is doing just fine and she has no plans on taking it out of town.

 

BOS Meeting Tomorrow, November 15th

A meeting of the new Board of Selectmen is scheduled for tomorrow, November 15th, 7:00 PM at Town Hall.  No agenda is posted yet, but I’ll likely be attending.  It’s probably too soon to expect any of former Selectman Black’s messes to be revealed, but who knows?

Updated 11/14/11 5:50 PM: The BOS agenda is up and available here.

11/10/11 WPCA Meeting Recap

Robert Elliot did not show up for last night’s WPCA meeting. I surmise, like the rest of us, he feels rather helpless and is tired of banging his head against the wall. But, that’s just my opinion.

The meeting started late as the board was in an “executive session”, meaning they were discussing the lawsuits. Once the meeting started, chairman Jack Murrary moved around on the agenda to maintenance items like approval of minutes and public comments (there were none at this point). We then all sat there for several minutes waiting for Peter Hughes to give his report.

Hughes eventually arrived, and began reading off a status report on various items. Flow at the pump station was at 29,000 gallons per day, down from last month. Power outages during the Alfred storm required pumping of the grinder pumps on Lake Ridge, Cheney, and Denler. Hughes said at the WPCA will seek reimbursement from FEMA, as they did for Irene. The cost of pumping the grinder pumps during Irene was $3,000.

Elliot to Address WPCA Tonight

Attorney Robert Elliot

Once again, Robert Elliot, is set to address a town board — and this time, it’s the right one.  Elliot is listed on the WPCA’s agenda for tonight’s meeting, at 7:15 at town hall.

I expect to hear Elliot state everything he did last night at the Board of Finance meeting — but this time, he’s talking to the board directly responsible for putting him on the brink of bankruptcy.

It should be interesting to hear Peter Hughes lead the WPCA’s responses, if any, to Attorney Elliot.  With Black now gone, will Hughes and this board actually reach out to a business owner whom they’re in the process of financially destroying, or will it be more of the same lack of response?

It may be too soon to tell, as the new Board of Selectmen hasn’t been sworn in yet, and hasn’t met with the WPCA.  It’s likely they WPCA will continue on their path of indifference at this juncture.  I expect that attitude to change, soon, though.

I urge the sewer district residents to go to tonight’s meeting as a show of support for our town.  Elliot may not be everybody’s favorite guy, but, if he throws in the towel, I think we’ll be able to call ourselves a ghost town.

Owner of Most of Downtown Marlborough Warns of Bankruptcy Due to Sewer

• Black vacates office without consulting his replacement
• Largest property taxpayer in Marlborough warns of possible bankruptcy due to sewer
• Selectmen elect concerned with town employees promising things they have no power to do
• Cathi Gaudinksi: “It’s a new era in town now.”

Last night’s BOF meeting was mostly Attorney Robert Elliot addressing the board.  Elliot is the largest property taxpayer in Marlborough, and owns many properties in town, including the Dunkin Donuts plaza, and the adjacent plaza where the now defunct Marlborough Tavern and Marlborough Market lie vacant.

Cathi Gaudinski’s Position on Sewer Expansion

Yesterday, after my blog posts, I received a phone call from a sewer district resident.  The resident opened the conversation by stating the s/he had read my blog and that I had made a huge mistake.   “How so,” I asked?  “By voting for Cathi.  She is pro sewer expansion to the business park and has stated it publicly several times,” was the response.  I stated, “That is not my understanding.  My understanding is that Cathi supports expansion of the sewer to the commons, but only if a developer commits to funding a large portion of the expense.  I don’t believe Cathi is in support of anything to do with the ‘business park’, other than selling it.”

“It boggles my mind that you would support her, and that more sewer district residents didn’t come out and vote,” stated the caller.  I stated, “I can only make decisions on information I have.  I have never heard Cathi state anything other than what I just told you.”

The conversation continued along these lines.  Other topics were discussed. The conversation was interesting enough. Eventually, it ended with the caller stating, “I just wanted to call because it boggled my mind that you would support her.  Time will tell which one of us is right.”

After the call, I was still confident in my decision to support Cathi… but the call, and an anonymous letter I received last month had planted the seeds of doubt.

So, to clear up the issue, I sent Cathi the following email:

Robert Elliot on Agenda for BOF Meeting Tonight

For those of you who don’t know, Attorney Robert Elliot is Marlborough’s largest property (and likely sewer) taxpayer.  He owns most of the property occupying the center of town.  This includes the vacated Marlborough Tavern and vacated Marlborough Market.  Elliot is listed on the BOF’s agenda for tonight’s meeting, as “Attorney Robert Elliott Agenda Request”.  The agenda is located here.

I surmise that Elliot will be speaking to the BOF regarding his loss of revenue from these defunct businesses (primarily due to excessive sewer expenses) and either asking for help, or warning that he is on the brink of financial ruin.  For clarity, this is only my opinion, and I have no knowledge that he is in dire straits, financially, or that this is why he’s listed on the agenda for tonight.

I will attend this meeting, as I’m more than curios to hear what Attorney Elliot has to say.  I think it is fortuitous that Cathi is still BOF chair, and can take whatever information Elliot conveys along with her to her job as Marlborough’s First Selectman.

If I were on the BOF, I would request that WPCA chairman Jack Murray, and Town Planner, Peter Hughes attend the meeting to explain to Mr. Elliot (should my guess be correct) why they’re running him into financial ruin, and turning Marlborough into a ghost town.

The meeting is tonight, 7:00 PM at the Elmer Thienes-Mary Hall Elementary School Library.

Update: 11/9/2011 1:35 PM:  It has been brought to my attention that Elliot has been on the agenda for several WPCA meetings and has missed them all.  It is entirely possible he will not attend this BOF meeting as well.  I still plan on going, in case he does.

2011 Election Results and My Commentary

Update 11/11/11 1:21 PM – Full election results available here.

Our new Board of Selectmen will consist of First Selectman Cathi Gaudinski, and selectmen Mike Gut and Dick Shea. I voted for Cathi and Dick. It took me a long time to choose between Dick Shea and Amy Traversa. I stood in the voting booth for a several minutes contemplating the choice. I really wanted someone on the board to represent the sewer district, but I also wanted Dick Shea on the board as I have never disagreed with anything the guy has said to me personally, or written in a letter to the Rivereast. He’s fiscally conservative and I am taxed to the max. I wanted someone who understands that. I surmised Amy did, but I knew Dick does. I figured Cathi would win, but Mike would get enough votes to get on the board, and I liked the statements he’s made about helping the sewer district residents. I think Cathi, Mike, and Dick will be a great team, but I wouldn’t have been disappointed if Amy had gotten in there somewhere as well.

Cathi Gaudinski Wins 2011 First Selectman Race

 

First Selectman Elect, Catherine Gaudinski

Cathi Gaudinski will be Marlborough’s new First Selectman, winning 51% of the vote with 736 votes. Mike Gut captured 49% of the vote with 706 votes. Congratulations, Cathi!

 

WPCA Refuses To Settle Lawsuits

On Friday, October 21st, Jack Murray representing the WPCA (and their attorneys) along with Peter Hughes attended a pre-trial conference for the five benefit assessment appeals filed against the WPCA. My attorney, three other plaintiffs, and I also attended this pre-trial.

The purpose of this pre-trial was to attempt settlement and save everyone legal fees. That includes the town. As everyone well knows, legal expenses were a hot topic at the last town budget vote, which caused it to fail multiple times.

Unfortunately, however, the current administration and board members of this town (Black, Murray, Hughes, et.’al) seem to be not terribly concerned with spending our tax dollars in court, as the WPCA refused to settle any of the cases.

I’m going to now tell you why this was the worst logical, legal, and financial decision the WPCA could have made.

Halloween V2.0 (or We’re Doing it Over This Saturday)

With snow on the ground and no power until 5:30 PM on Halloween, we didn’t have much of an event this year. Between 10 and 15 people showed up, and surprisingly, brought donations for the Food Bank (thank you!) But, normally, we get hundreds of visitors.

But, we couldn’t even allow people into the yard because of the snow. We had no sound effects, no fog, and minimal animatronics. The bulk of our hard work could not be enjoyed or viewed (thanks, Alfred).

To say the least, I’m not satisfied with this Halloween, so I’m doing it over.

I invite you to join me this Saturday night, November 5th between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. The weather is supposed to be great this weekend, with no chance of rain and highs in the 50′s. We’ll be collecting donations for the Food Bank, as well. Admission, as always, is free.

I hope you’ll join me for a good cause, and for some thrills.

Halloween Event for Saturday Canceled

Unfortunately, the forecast for this Saturday evening is for rain with temperatures in the high 30′s. The electronics and electrical connections outside simply can’t tolerate wet weather and be expected to function properly, or remain undamaged. I also am not going to subject myself, my Mom, and the volunteers (thank you!) to stand out in the cold wet weather for 3 hours.

Therefore, I’m forced to cancel the event for Saturday, the 29th. Sorry, folks.

The weather looks good for Halloween, so we’ll be holding the event on that day between 6pm and 9pm.

Halloween Event On

I will be hosting my annual “Haunted House on Lake Terror-Among-Us” benefiting the Marlborough Food Bank on Saturday, October 29th and Monday, October 31st, between 6:00PM and 9:00 PM both nights. The event will be held at 15 Washington Road in Marlborough. Monetary donations and non-perishable food items will be accepted with all proceeds benefiting the Marlborough Food Bank.  Admission is free.

I have enough volunteers for Saturday, but could use a few more for Halloween.  If anybody can spare a few hours for a good cause, please let us know (see previous post for details.)

View Larger Map

Volunteers Needed for Halloween Event

 

Halloween is just around the corner. Every year I’ve run my event, people invariably say, “If you need help next year, let me know.”

Well, if I’m going to do this again for 2011, I need your help.

Specifically, I’m looking for a few volunteers to participate during the event. Participation involves working a section of the event, sometimes with a little theatrics, but mostly to guide people through or give them a scare.

I’m contemplating running the event on Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th, and definitely on Monday the 31st.

Not connected to the sewer? Get ready to pay a usage charge anyway.

On Saturday, October 1st, I received the above “Sewer Use Bill” from the WPCA. If you follow this blog at all, you know that I am not connected to the sewer, and have appealed the WPCA’s connection order. Being unconnected means I am not a user, and should not have received a usage bill. Even the legal notice in the paper states that only those connected to the sewer must pay the use bill.

Today, October 3rd, I went to Town Hall to get this bill removed from my account. I approached Tax collector Barbara Murray and explained the situation. She and I then approached Peter Hughes, Town Planner (and WPCA puppet master) to have the issue rectified.

Hughes stated that residents with connection appeals shouldn’t have gotten the usage bill. I corrected him and stated that I’m not a connected, thus I’m not a “User” per the regulations, and shouldn’t have gotten the bill. The appeal is irrelevant.

Hughes then proceeded to state, “That’s not going to be the case soon. We’re going to charge anyone who has the sewer available a usage charge, whether they’re connected or not.“

Excuse, me what?!

Grinder Pumps Failing After One Year

I received an email this week from a resident stating that his/her grinder pump had failed after one year.  Is this an isolated incident?

Not according to the “two guys in a truck” (the grinder pump maintenance people hired by the WPCA), who stated “[We] have replaced more grinder pumps already than any of [you] know.”

Everyone who is so gung ho about the sewer, be prepared to cough up thousands of dollars every few years to replace these contraptions, once the warranty expires.

Here is the email in it’s entirety:

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Two weeks ago a “new” grinder pump was put in our property!!! …….. a number of concerns we have :

1)  the so called alarm sounds like an old fashion phone ringing.(not that loud)…..it was going on & off for two days….we NEVER heard it….our neighbor heard it because they were on their outside patio! We would never have heard it inside our house or even if we were in our driveway!!!!

2)  “Who do we call??”….I called the building department, who finally returned my call & told me to call a 860-537-3414 when I did I was told I had the fire dispatch number, the town should have given me 860-267-2536  I was told they would have someone out! I asked them who are we suppose to call??? The answer I received was call the 267 number Mon thru Fri 8:30am to 3:30pm THEN call the 537 number week-ends, Mon thru Fri before 8:30am & after 3:30pm.  WHY hasn’t WPCA sent us those numbers. If the town hall was closed we would be lost not knowing who to call.

3) We were very impressed on the timely manner the two men arrived (20 mins. after the call to the 267 number)

4) They removed the old grinder pump & put a “new” one in…..but it was NOT “new”, even the yellow rope attached to the “new” was old & worn.

I was told by the two men -  “that they have replaced “more” grinder pumps already then any of us know!!! I was a “lucky” one – ours lasted one year!!!!”  “They are not good grinder pumps, your town wanted to save money, so you people are getting what they paid for!!!”"They don’t last!!!”

WPCA Meeting is this Thurs at 7pm, I will be there..I want to hear what they have to say about all this!!

Thanks for letting me vent!!

West Retires from DTC Position, and Slams Sewer “Complainers”

Fact #1:  I don’t know Russ West.  To the very best of my recollection, I’ve never met him, never called him, never been called by him, and never spoken with him.

Fact #2:  I think the sewer is a horrible idea, and a terribly mismanaged project.  I think everything about it is unfair.  I have complained repeatedly about it and am involved in lawsuits regarding it.

Fact #3:  As related to “any of the complainers” who declined to volunteer for the WPCA after West contacted them, West is quoted as stating in the August 5, 2011 issue of the Rivereast:

Big on complaints, short on action.

Fact #4:  I am certainly “any of the complainers”.  Now see Fact #1.