Category Archives: Minutes

Minutes

January 5th Minutes — Meeting with the Mayor

Announcements:

  • CT Department of Transit will have draft proposals out soon for construction projects on Whitney Ave
  • Local business owner Anne Powers of the former firehouse on Putnam Ave. shared vision for a commercial space on the first floor of the building; retail store as a modern day mercantile with potential for coffee shop, community workshops, etc. Hoping to open on June 1st 2026.
  • Welcomed new local business owner Moe Daghar of the new New Hamden Pharmacy located on Whitney Ave.

New Hamden Mayor Adam Sendroff discussed various town issues, touching on topics of the budget, taxes, traffic calming, and potential plans for Whitneyville.

Minutes

Minutes from March 20, 2025 Meeting

Traffic Updates

  • Mather Street: Speed tables have been installed and neighbors report they’ve been a success. Rest of speed bumps will be installed this year.
  • Leeder Hill/Whitney Center: A new design has been proposed with two or three speed tables and a better cross walk, possibly using a bump out near the Whitney Center. The design can be viewed on the engineering web site engineering@hamden.com. This may be done by public works this year.
  • Canal Trail: Cross walks are going to be installed on streets where walkers on the canal trail have to cross adjacent streets. This is a joint project with New Haven.
  • Davis St: Install sidewalks estimated to happen in spring 2026.
  • Whitney Ave Road Diet and Rte 15 exchange: Updated timeline is later than we hoped – design in 2027 with installation in 2028. We had been told last June that it would be 2025/2026 so this was disappointing. CTDOT is making changes on the Rte 15 interchange off Whitney and is tying the two projects together which we think is the reason for the delay. We have asked the town to request of CTDOT that the work on Whitney happen earlier than the Rte 15 exchange.
Continue reading Minutes from March 20, 2025 Meeting →
Minutes

May 2019 Meeting Minutes

Welcome.  President Dave Bechtel opened the meeting and asked everyone to introduce themselves.

Announcements and Committee Updates:

  • Library Committee:
    • Connie Matheson announced that the 3rd Annual Whitneyville Branch Library fund raiser was a success, netting $1,873 that will be donated for library materials and activities.
    • As per Phase II of our plan, new carpeting has been installed.
    • The committee is looking for new members.
  • Music Committee:
    • Deirdre Dolan announced that the committee is set to hold concerts on the 3rd Thursday in June, July, and August in DeNicola Park, with a rain location in Whitneyville Cultural Commons.
      • June – Jazz
      • July – Sing Along
      • August – Klezmer
    • About 80 – 100 are expected to attend each concert.
  • Officer Elections:
    • Mark Foran was elected WCA President
    • Deborah Maldonado was re-elected Treasurer
    • Scott Matheson was elected Secretary to fill out Mark Foran’s term.

Dale Kroop, Hamden Economic and Neighborhood Development:

Guest speaker Dale Kroop was introduced.

  • Dale noted that Hamden is updating a Long Range Economic Plan that involves five towns.  The plan is updated ever two years.
  • Commercial property is doing well, with a 95% occupancy rate among shopping centers.
  • The Whitney Center is the town’s largest employer after Town Government and Quinnipiac University.
  • The Canal Crossing apartment complex is planned for seven buildings totaling 393 units.  Four are currently 100% occupied.  A fifth unit is expected to open in August.  A significant number of tenants are employed by Yale.
  • The town is investigating the possibility of bringing high speed broadband internet access to Hamden. Stiff opposition is expected from Comcast and Frontier.
  • The Plan of Conservation and Development is expected to be finished in this fall.
  • Retail projects were discussed.  Ulta has completed the move from North Haven, while Marshalls and TJ Maxx have reduced their store spaces.
  • Putnam Place was discussed.  When Stop and Shop pulled out and no other grocery chain wanted it, Porter and Chester relocated there.  CVS is coming, as well as a trampoline amusement.
  • The former Hamden Middle School was discussed.
    • Remediation is almost complete.
    • A developer has been selected to create 57 elderly housing units, of which 30 will be mixed income.  It’s expected to open in 2022-23.
    • The gym will be converted into a community center.
    • Business incubator with space for 20 tenants is planned.

Dale then took questions, which included:

  • Responding to a question regarding the commercial district, he noted that Whitneyville doesn’t qualify for HUD loans for façade improvements and lobbying is necessary to obtain funding from other sources.
  • Regarding the status of Powder Farm, he stated that the 131-acre property is owned by the Olin Corporation, which is under a consent degree to clean it up.  The cost is estimated at $8 to $10 million.  There has been interest in private acquisition for open space.
  • The new fire station on Putnam Avenue will occupy 3 ½ acres.
  • The 115-room Marriott Residence Inn is under construction again in Centerville.
  • There has not been a lot of interaction between the Town and Quinnipiac.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Minutes

March 2019 Meeting Notes

Welcome.  President Dave Bechtel opened the meeting and asked everyone to introduce themselves.

Announcements and Committee Updates:

  • Officer Elections
    • There will be elections for the offices of President and Treasurer at the May WCA meeting.
    • Term limits require a new President, while position of Treasurer can be filled by the incumbent.  Deb Maldanado is willing to continue in that role.
  • Treasurer’s Report
    • The Gardening Committee account has a balance of $3347.82.
    • The WCA general account has a balance of $1,238.26.
  • Annual Meeting on May 16
    • State Senator Martin Looney and Hamden Economic Development Director Dale Kroop have been invited to speak at the next WCA Meeting.
  • Music Committee:
    • Deirdre Dolan announced the lineups for the 5th Annual Music in the Park series.  Concerts will be held on the 3rd Thursday in June, July, and August in DeNicola Park.
      • June – Jazz
      • July – Sing Along
      • August – Klezmer
  • Merchants Meeting:
    • Liz Hellwig reported on a meeting held with local merchants regarding business concerns in Whitneyville.
      • Parking was the major issue.
      • The intersection of Putnam and Whitney Avenues.
      • Potential for sidewalk sales and other events.

Proposed Tree Planting Program:

Bob Pattison gave an overview of the program:

  • Tree planting usually occurs on Saturdays using the town’s overtime account.
  • Given other issues (including the tornado cleanup), it probably won’t happen this year.
  • Bob proposed that the Town procure the trees and deliver to the civic associations for volunteer planting.  Mayor Leng likes the idea and will consult with the Hamden Tree Commission about implementation.
  • Bob also mentioned that the switch to LED street lighting is ongoing.  He has proposed that the Town purchase and operate the lights instead of paying UI (United Illuminating) to do it.  Mayor Leng likes the idea.  Expect the process to happen in the next three months.

Hamden Tree Commission:

Susan Sternberg gave an overview of the Tree Commission’s work:

  • The Commission aims to get a Town Tree Ordinance passed.  This will enable Hamden to apply for grants.
  • A tree pruning workshop will be held at Bassett Park on Saturday from 9 – 10:30 AM.  The rain date is March 30th.
  • A tree walk will be held at Broken Arrow Farms.

Legislative Council Update:

Justin Farmer, Legislative Council Member representing Whitneyville, spoke on several issues.

  • He noted that the overtime for tree planting comes from the leaf collection budget.
  • A new Town of Hamden website is in development.  The Town is looking for local input before finalizing the design.  It is expected to go live in July.
  • Mayor Leng presented his budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which would total $230 million.
    • $84 million is earmarked for education. 
    • The proposal incorporates a one mil increase in the tax rate.
    • Five new police would be added, of which 3 would be stationed at schools.
    • Pension payments would be at 85% of full funding.
    • The budget also anticipates $2 million in union concessions.
  • Justin’s primary concerns as a councilman:
    • More transportation infrastructure
    • Conversion of street lights to LEDs
    • Broadband internet access for the town
    • Universal pre-K program
    • New firehouse on Putnam Avenue
  • Justin mentioned that he is now on the Children’s Center Board.  They are looking into possible fund raising strategies.
  • Justin urged residents to use the See-Click-Fix website to report local issues to the Town.

New Business:

  • Mike Lockett briefly announced that Mayor Leng is considering creation of a Traffic Advisory Committee.  There was a discussion of the WCA’s participation on this committee.
  • The status of the Waite Street reconstruction project was also discussed.  After the meeting, Town Engineer Mark Austin gave this update:
    • The Town has applied for the acceptance of the project at the CT DOT and are waiting for a response.  It has been there about 4 months now.  The Town is planning on bidding the Engineering Services shortly.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Minutes

January 2019 Meeting Notes

Welcome.  President Dave Bechtel opened the meeting at 7:05 and asked everyone at the meeting to introduce themselves.

Announcements and Committee Updates:

  • Dave noted that the WCA Board has reviewed the draft Hamden Plan of Conservation and Development and prepared comments.  He provided an overview of our response.  The WCA’s comments have been circulated to the Ridge Hill and Spring Glen Civic Associations with the thought of consolidating all three CA’s comments in one letter.  However, we will file our own comments separately to ensure they are received in time.
  • Library Committee:
    • The 3rd Annual Library Fundraiser will be held on May 3rd.  Previous events have raised about $2,000 in each year.
    • Library Committee member Kari Nordstrom made a plan for improvements to the branch that has begun to be implemented.  The Town Librarian is working with the committee to implement the plan.
  • Treasurer’s Report:
    • $1285.25 in the WCA bank account
    • $347.82 in the Garden Club account
  • Officer Elections
    • There will be elections for the offices of President and Treasurer at the May WCA meeting.
    • Term limits require a new President, while the Treasurer can be filled by the incumbent.  Deb Maldonado is willing to continue if no one else is interested.

Upcoming Legislative Session.  Dave introduced State Rep. Mike D’Agostino who provided an over view of the forthcoming legislative session.  He noted that many of the new Democratic members are from Fairfield County, which should add an interesting dynamic to the process.

  • Governor Lamont is working on his budget proposal.  The overall budget will be in the range of $20 billion with a current deficit of $1.4 billion.  Unless revenue can be raised – such as enacting highway tolls – cuts in service will have to occur.
    • He noted that state employees may be asked for more givebacks, but that further cuts to pay and benefits will be detrimental to the retention of quality staff.
    • Town aid is another area that could experience cuts.  Those in turn could have an effect on Hamden’s mil rate, which is already one of the highest in the state.
    • Health and social programs such as HUSKY may have cuts.
    • Mike urged the WCA membership to contact other legislators representing Hamden to ensure their help in mitigating the economic impact on our town.
  • Mike is working on legislation that would change the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula to account for each town’s actual ECS needs.  He noted that while Hamden is a relatively affluent town, our student population isn’t.
  • Mike has dialogue with the Town regarding Hamden’s needs in the upcoming session.  He’s prepared a bill to allow municipalities to assess a public safety fee on college students.  Another bill would relieve towns of the need to provide transportation services for private school students. A third would permit municipalities to have different mil rates for residential and non-residential properties.
  • Mike discussed some large bonding projects for which Hamden is working to secure state funding.
    • New firehouse(s) and a training facility.
    • Alice Peck and West Woods school renovations. 
  • The Town is also looking to secure funding that would provide a universal Pre-K program.
  • There was a discussion of the lack of an adequate juvenile justice facility in Connecticut.  Mike mentioned that, while he has put in a bill to transfer the High Meadows property on Hartford Turnpike, DCF is considering it as a site for a new facility.  Connie Matheson noted that there is currently a need for a 60 bed locked facility.  Mike offered to arrange a tour of High Meadows.

The meeting was opened for questions:

  • There was a discussion of plans to stop net metering (for electricity).
  • There was a suggestion that traffic calming strategies need to be implemented on Augur Street.
  • Construction status of the Waite Street bridge is unknown.  See the May 2018 meeting notes for a discussion with the Town Engineer on initial plans.
  • There was a discussion of the potential for traffic calming and parking on Whitney Avenue, a state route.  Mike is having a meeting with the new Transportation Commissioner and will raise the issue.
  • A new adult marijuana bill will come before Mike’s committee.  It looks like this one won’t be smoked like last year’s. 
  • Mike also noted that there is thought being given to a state-wide, rather than municipal, property tax by the General Assembly.

Mike will send copies of all his bills to the WCA.

Adjournment.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55.

Minutes

November 15 Meeting Notes

Welcome.  President Dave Bechtel opened the meeting at 7:07.

Announcements:

  • Dave noted that public meetings on the Hamden Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) will be held on November 24th and December 18th. He urged members to attend and express their views.
  • Dave noted that Wine 101 was celebrating their second anniversary with wine tastings on Friday and Saturday.
  • Dave stated that the meeting at the Children’s Center had been well received and well attended. Connie Matheson noted that the October community meeting with the Children’s Center had been cancelled.  Updates on the Children’s Center will be presented as they arise.  Dave noted that the state’s only locked facility for minors is closed and that about 60 children who need that environment are being placed elsewhere in the system on a temporary basis.
  • Dave and Mike Lockett (Ridge Hill Civic Association) met with Mayor Leng, who provided an update regarding the new street lights. An application has been made to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to permit towns to purchase their own street lights.  This may improve negotiations with United Illuminating in the future.

Committee Updates. WCA committee updates included:

Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD):

  • The plan is revised every 10 years. Dave noted that the town’s November and December meetings are an opportunity for public input.  He then opened a discussion regarding what members of the WCA wanted to see in the plan.  A lively discussion by the membership ensued.

The following issues were raised in the discussion:

  • Expanded regionalization of services. The regional Health District was cited as a successful example.
  • Improved mass transit, including consideration of different modes, such as trolley and monorail.
  • Improved parking in the business district, including the possibility of a parking structure with ground level businesses if a location can be identified.
  • Traffic calming improvements on Whitney Avenue.
  • Adding a left turn arrow at the intersection of Putnam Avenue and Newhall Street.
  • Fill in of gaps in the sidewalk network.
  • Improved access to the Farmington Canal State Park Trail.
  • Examination of alternatives for the reuse of the Board of Education (BOE) Building should the BOE relocate.
  • Public access to Lake Whitney, including kayaking.
  • A town-wide tree planting plan.
  • Continued farmland preservation in the town.
  • Creation of passive recreational space on the Powder Farm property.

The discussion also included issues related to improving the Whitneyville community in general.  Suggestions included:

  • A Halloween parade for children
  • Movie Night at DeNicola Park
  • A town-wide community calendar
  • Business of the Month promotions
  • A winter social event
  • Possibility of making the Ralston Street New Year’s Ball Droop as an official event
  • Consideration of possible locations for sledding

Future Meetings:

  • Dave noted that he had invited Representative Mike D’Agostino to speak at the January meeting regarding the new gubernatorial administration and General Assembly. (Mike subsequently accepted.)
  • Mark Foran has contact information for a retired Hamden firefighter who has a presentation on the history of the Hamden Fire Department. His recent appearance at the Dunbar Civic Association was well received.

Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 8:15.

Minutes

September 2018 Meeting Notes

September 20, 2018 Meeting Notes

Welcome. This meeting was held at the Children’s Center of Hamden, 1400 Whitney Avenue. President Dave Bechtel called the meeting to order about 7:10.  He welcomed everyone and thanked the Children’s Center for hosting the meeting and providing the snacks and beverages.

Announcements:

  • Michael Ross has resigned as Chair of the Library Committee
  • At the Board of Ed Operations committee meeting on Monday, September 24, there will be a presentation of the revised report from the consultants working on “Rethink, Restructure, Revise” plan for Hamden schools. The meeting will be at 7:00 pm at the Hamden Middle School.
  • There will be a Town-Wide Forum on LED Streetlights – Sat. Sept. 29, 2-4pm, Hamden High School. Room C-107.

 Committee Updates.  WCA committee updates included:

  • Music Committee. Dave reviewed the very well attended summer 2018 series. He also reported that Jan Kazienko, who has chaired the music committee for several years has resigned and Deidre Dolan will be the new chair. New committee members are always welcome so think about it and watch for meeting announcements later this year.
  •  Library Committee: WCA vice president Connie Mattheson reported that in July, the Committee members presented a check to the Library Director and Board for $2,350, proceeds from the Books and Booze fundraiser for the Whitneyville Branch Library. The Committee will meet in October to make plans for this year’s events and to choose a new chair.  Any new members are welcome.

Program:  Dave introduced the program, noting that the Children’s Center is a very visible part of our community and yet many of us don’t really know what they do.  He introduced Dan Lyga (Chief Executive Officer), and turned the program over to Dan.  Dan introduced Cheryl Smith (Chief Operating Officer), Sarah Lockery (Director of Development and Community Relations) and Detective Stephen Rossacci (Hamden Police Department liaison to the Children’s Center).

Dan started with the history of the Children’s Center, showing the evolution of locations and services provided for the past 185 years:

  • 1833: Began as an orphanage, New Haven Orphan Asylum, the first child caring facility in Connecticut;
  • 1925: Moved to current location in Hamden;
  • 1940’s-50’s: Added medical care for children with polio;
  • Served as adoption agency for a period of time;
  • 1960’s – 1980’s: Added treatment for children with behavioral health and substance abuse issues: and
  • 1990’s – 2005: Provided services and treatment with heavy emphasis on residential treatment. (100+ youth sleeping onsite and 45 day-program slots.)

Cheryl provided more detail on the programs and services provided in recent years and helped us understand how the evolution of research and theories of treatment impact what services and programs the Center provides.

  • Currently (2018) has 47 beds and almost 100 served in day programs. This clearly demonstrates the shift from congregate care to day programs since 2005.
  • Currently there are nine discreet programs currently administered by the Children’s Center.
  • Program types vary from Clinical Day school, to Outpatient Substance Abuse to Crisis Stabilization and full Residential Treatment.
  • The number of clients, the age ranges, and the gender vary by program.
  • The average stay varies from 3 days to 12 months and one small group home serves adult women as long as needed.
  • The Center also offers a number of programs for the children in addition to treatment and school. These include culinary arts, music and a gardening/ healthy eating / farmers’ market activity.

Detective Rossacci explained his role as police liaison officer.  He discussed his types of engagement and interaction with the children and the Center and clarified what the police can and cannot do:

  • Clarified laws regarding stopping juveniles. Per a 2005 law, staff at the Children’s Center are not allowed by law to physically restrain youth from leaving unless they are a threat to themselves or others.  That is why people may see staff following a young person trying to convince them to return to the Center.
  • Shared broader juvenile justice problems seen statewide, including auto thefts related to gang activities and how police departments are responding.
  • The Children’s Center has been partnering with Hamden Police Department – assigning an additional officer in the neighborhood every evening starting at 6 pm. The officer checks in with the 24-hour onsite supervisor and is the first point of contact for any concerns from The Children’s Center or the 911 operator in Hamden.
  • Steve repeatedly encouraged everyone to call the police, any time you see something that doesn’t seem right – whether related to the Children’s Center or not.

Dan opened up the floor for questions and a very engaged audience responded.  For almost an hour, Dan, Cheryl, Steve and Sarah answered questions. The conversation and discussions ranged from very specific questions about the Children’s Center of Hamden to the broader topics of children’s services and juvenile justice, nationally or at the State level in Connecticut.

Information was shared about Connecticut state departments that were, or are, involved including the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Division of Court Support Services (CSSD).  The team explained how these are evolving at our State level and what has happened in the past year, what is happening now, what is not happening that should be.

  • The closing of Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS) resulted in lack of locked juvenile facilities in the state. The State did not plan adequately before closing the facility. The responsibility shifted responsibility from DCF to CSSD.
  • The State issued a request for proposals (RFP) for private facilities to meet the need for approximately 60 beds. Only one response was received and it was not acceptable.  The state is drafting a new RFP.  Juveniles impacted currently held in prisons or are being referred to other programs across the state.
  • The Children’s Center did not submit an RFP. They do not have the appropriate facility for the population from CJTS or those juveniles requiring a locked facility. The Children’s Center does not plan to serve that population. In the interim, they have been asked to take clients and these will be considered on a case by case basis and will not be accepted until a full assessment has been completed.

What has the Children’s Center done in addition to the relationship with the police?

  • Instituted monthly meetings with community, police, and elected officials. (This meeting is one of the results of those meetings.)
  • Installed additional cameras in common areas.
  • Installed delayed crash bars on doors in cottages with frequent runaways.
  • Is using special activities/trips, etc. as incentives.
  • Created work programs for youth.

Where do we go from here?

  • Communicate your questions and concerns – the sooner the better. Ideas and suggestions welcome.  Call or email The Children’s Center any time:
  • Cheryl Smith at csmith@tccoh.org or 203-248-2116 x269.
  • Dan Lyga at dlyga@tccoh.org or 203-248-2116 x202
  • Any time day or night, you can call the 24-hour Supervisor On Site at 203-627-2273.
  • Rossacci urged residents to call 911 if there is an immediate concern about crime (rather than the Children’s Center). “We’re here to serve you.”
  • Advocate for a full continuum of care at the state level. Speak to and write your legislators – state and local.  “We know the economy is a huge issue, but how are we making sure our youth and our communities are safe?”

It was agreed that the meetings which include the Children’s Center, the police, community groups and local elected officials will continue. Information about the Children’s Center and advocacy opportunities will be shared by newsletters, on websites and social media and in future WCA meetings as necessary or appropriate.

Adjournment.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.