New blue automated barrel encourages more recycling: The Department of Public Works reports that residents are recycling more with their new blue barrels. In June 2010, 2068 tons of refuse and 610 tons of recyclables (29.5%) were collected, up from June 2009 when 2050 tons of refuse and 536 tons of recyclables (25.9%) were collected. Typically tonnage of refuse is higher during the growing season because yard waste is being placed into the trash (grass and leaves are prohibited by state law). DPW expects the ratio of recyclables-to-trash to be over 30% in the fall and winter months.

Tax bills due August 2: The 2010 tax bills that were mailed on June 28 may be paid without penalty through Monday, August 2, 2010. The office will be open on Friday, July 30, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM in addition to Monday and Wednesday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Tuesday: 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, Thursday: 8:30 AM-7:00 PM.

Absentee ballots available for upcoming Primary:  If you would like to vote in the August 10th Primary but will out of town, you may now obtain an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk's office.  Getting a ballot is a two-step process:

1) Obtain an application online or from the Town Clerk’s office, fill it out and mail it in. Be sure to designate your party choice: Republican or Democrat. Only those affiliated with these two parties are eligible to vote in the Primary. Those wishing to change their Party status must contact the Registrar of Voters.

2) Once the Town Clerk’s office receives the application, the absentee ballot is mailed to the voter. The ballot must be received in the Town Clerk’s office by election day August 10th in order for the vote to count.

For more information, contact the Town Clerk's office at (860) 561-7430, or the Registrar of Voter's office at (860) 561-7451. The Town Clerk’s office is open Monday and Wednesday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Tuesday: 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, Thursday: 8:30 AM-7:00 PM; closed Friday and holidays.

The Registrar of Voters office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; closed Friday.

Two projects underway at Trout Book & Fern: Construction is underway on Trout Brook Drive to widen the left turn lanes in both directions at the intersection of Fern Street. This intersection will be closed for two days for milling and paving on August 9 and 10. Road work will span 7 AM to 3 PM each day.

Secondly, grading is underway for a trail along the east side of Trout Brook. The grass trail will allow access along the brook to Asylum Ave. The trail area is presently overgrown but will be mowed similar to the west side of the brook.

Sign-up for Emergency Notifications: Residents may now register for alerts that warn the public of hurricanes tornadoes, chemical spills, major fires, or police activity, to name a few.  The state-wide Emergency Notification System (ENS) allows state and local officials to send emergency messages to residents in affected geographical areas.

Currently the ENS can dial any number in the state’s Enhanced 911 database of wire-line telephones.  By logging onto the Citizen Sign-up Database (http://www.ctalert.gov), residents can choose to be notified by other means of communication including mobile phone, Voice-Over-IP phone, wireless personal digital assistant, e-mail, text message, and/or instant message, as well as a land-line phone. ENS will dial each device in succession until a message gets through. Residents may also choose up to three additional geographical areas for emergency alerts, such as towns in which family members live or attend school. For more information, visit the ENS web page.  A link is on the Town’s home page for your convenience.

Ronald F. Van Winkle
Town Manager

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