November meeting 11/12/2015

Old Business
Parking update- Liz Helwig

• Meeting report, inclding that Lane offered the circle for employee parking which has helped.

Traffic update – Mike Lockett

• productive traffic calming meeting with the Mayor
• approval for the measures at Waite and Mather
• request for raised crosswalks at Servoss and at King
• Reminder of dues renewal – Deb Weckerly

Kath Schumaker – Council update

• traffic study for 360 Mather is at the Traffic Commission now
• traffic study for Newhall / Middle School project pending
• request to have joint report referred to the state traffic commission not accepted
• state grant for additional parcel at Brooksvale (2/3 cost)
• Olin has finished remediation on the Middle School site, now we can focus on potentially opening the Powder Farm site

We received a thank you from the organizers of the Whitneyville Fall Festival for our contribution to signage

New business
Sargent Testa (jtesta@hamdenpd.com) – speaking about traffic calming and crime prevention (fill in for Chief Wydra who had to attend another meeting)

• Head of community engagement, 26 year veteran
• Explorer program, two police-and-youth programs (one at 60 Putnam)
• Pamphlets on crime prevention
• Email jtesta@hamdenpd.com to sign up to get alerts about issues in Whtineyville
• Don’t be afraid to call the police 230-4000 if you see something strange – the sooner they know the better
• Reports can be made anonymously
• If going on vacation, discontinue mail, call the police to let them know and they can check on things
• At home, small things can help – motion detector/timer lights, dog chain (with or without dog), alarm (sign)
• Keep windows and car doors locked
• Serial numbers of valuables and photos of jewelry – make a copy and give to neighbors
• Scam awareness and identity theft protection
• ATM skimming – jiggle card slot and cover your hand when entering PIN
• HPD has Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

WCA Minutes 9/10/2015
September Meeting, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Introductions
Jan’s first meeting since she was elected president. Has been in the neighborhood since 1978, looking forward to working with the association.

Old business:
– Complaint about overlook trash barrel – it’s now on the pickup route. Alert the town help line if you see trash pileup problems.
– Traffic committee contacting the Mayor about Mather traffic calming plan. See further discussion later in meeting.
– Public parking – sent letter about signage in the public lot and asking for enforcement.
– Davenport-Dunbar plantings on Clifford; Michael is in contact with town, but enforcement is complaint-driven.
– Dave reported on library branch – peeling paint may be fixed/covered, will ask to have hours posted on the new door window.

New business:
– Whitneyville Fall Festival is this Saturday, 9/12 10:00am – 4:00pm. Need someone at the table from 3 to 4 (Deb and Scott will do this). Stop by the table and say “Hi”.
– League of Women Voters candidates forum October 29 7pm to 9pm at Miller Library. We are co-sponsoring with several other civic associations. Send questions for candidates to Jan (president@whitneyville.org)
– Hamden Land Conservation Trust is looking for a Scout Troop to help steward Johnson Pond. There are troops in Spring Glen, but not in Whitneyville.

John Hudak, Regional Water Authority, Environmental Planning Department.
jhudak@rwater.com or www.rwater.com
An informative presentation on the history, real estate, and environmental activities of the Authority, including details on Lake Whitney and the local treatment plant (one of four). Sign up for Lake Whitney Management Plan updates (annually) by contacting ask.whitney@rwater.com

Rep. Mike D’Agostino
Asked for feedback on residential parking issue in the town. Also discussed strategies for engaging town on parking and zoning enforcement issues. Also provided updates on legislature.

Roundtable

Agreed to write an open letter to request town explain why Mather/Waite traffic calming work was not completed as described at WCA May meeting and a pre-project meeting was not held.
Announcement: Hamden Land Trust fundraiser wine tasting and art show, at Whitney Center, 9/17, 5:30-7:30.

WCA Minutes 5/14/2014
Annual Meeting

Greetings – quick agenda review

Old business updates:

ECS – brief presentation on Hamden’s shortfall in funding from the state. See http://hamden.org/ECS for more details.

Summer music concerts are planned and will be publicized soon.

Litter pickup report – 10+ bags collected by volunteers and picked up by the town

Bell – will be reinstalled soon, even if bollards are delayed

Davenport Dunbar plantings – WCA sent letter to ask that dead shrubs be replaced, town is working on it

Mailing from Mike D’Agastino promoted WCA and 1253 and invited all to join, thanks to him

Thanks to Laine and 1253whitney.com for all his support and providing a meeting space.

Annual Meeting Voting:

By laws approval – membership definition, board definition, geography definition
Vote on bylaws – passed with unanimous vote.

Board slate presentation
Jan – President
David Bechtel – Vice President
Deb W. – Treasurer
Michael – Past President

Floor nominations – None

Vote on board – passed with unanimous votes on each office.

Standing Committees approval
1. “Gardening and Beautification”
2. “Business Liaison”

Introduction of Guest: Dale Kroop, Hamden Economic Development
Overview of the department, what they can offer.
Reminder of benefits of economic development on tax rates.
Discussion of challenges and opportunities in Hamden and several specific sites.
New Economic Development Plan will be similar to the existing one, commission meets second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 – meetings are open to public.

New Issues from Floor:

380 Mather – Curt Leng, Chief Administrative Officer
-Traffic improvements on Dixwell will be made by the developer
-Town commissioned an additional traffic study with further ideas
-Planning and Zoning imposed some conditions
-Traffic Commission approved with conditions
-State DOT must approve – pending
-Apart from the project, traffic calming on Mather is progressing:

-T intersection with Waite St.
-Sidewalk improvements and connections
-Marked crosswalks and sharrow
-Refuge island at Servoss

Announcements:

Update from Laine on 1253 Whitney. Many events are happening, like game nights on Tuesdays. Check the web site at 1253whitney.com for more details.

Next Meeting: July 9, 2015

WCA 3/11/15 minutes

Michael Ross described the planned changes in the WCA by-laws, voting will take place at the annual meeting on May 14,2015, copy of exact wording available after meeting and they are posted online.

After everyone introduced themselves, Michael Ross asked for suggested topics of concern.

1-Block watch info. Could there be a link on the website to Hamden Police block watch info? Should officer be asked to speak again at a meeting, as the good weather approaches?

2-Whitneyville library in need of building repairs.

3-Proposed construction on Mather St.

4-Parking in Whitneyville center.

5- Hamden Hall construction. Bob Izzo of Hamden Hall spoke, public input at planning and zoning is now closed, plan has been approved. He offered to meet with concerned residents from Hall St and area.

Curt Leng , chief administrative officer, updates

1-Trash containers now come in 3 sizes and are available to anyone who requests them.

2-Parking in Whitneyville center—he stated that Hamden will now receive the funds from parking violations. There was discussion how to address parking problems , suggestions were– strictly enforce 2 hour parking, designate commuter parking spaces, install a sign about parking behind the Board of Ed building( Curt expressed concern about the students that still use that facility). Curt didn’t know if or what % of moving violation on Whitney Ave goes to Hamden. He will get back to us. No conclusions drawn.

2-Mather St construction- 400 unit luxury apartments approved for land between lakes and the vacant brick building on the south side of Mather near Dixwell. He stated there would be an exit directly onto Dixwell and also onto Mather. [70] unit disabled housing approved for opposite (north) side of Mather.

3-Mon 3/16, Mayor Jackson will present the budget, it will be online after the presentation. There are funds allocated for repairs to the Waite St bridge. Treadwell St bridge is being worked on presently.

4- Bell at corner of Whitney and Putnam. 3 bollards will be installed at the curve of the pocket park sidewalk to protect pedestrians ( they were not installed in phase 1 of the streetscape as planned ) They are intended to be break away ,should be inexpensive and easily replaced. Bell will be replaced once they are in.

5-An arborist has been hired for the town, no details available.

6-Putnam Ave sidewalks- completing the north side is planned for this spring/summer.

7-Snow removal- the town made a special effort this year to clear areas such as major bus stops. Curt made the suggestion of the creation of a volunteer snow brigade, using See Click Fix for snow removal, next year town is planning on making a grid to prioritize, cite and fine for failure to remove snow on homeowners sidewalk.

8-Miller library update-

Roof repairs complete, children’s room improved, interior painting, expanded historic society area, ceiling tile replacement.

2 desks will be consolidated in to 1

New coffee and relaxation area

Library website updated

Miller- open hours on Sun

9-Whitneyville library, Sat hours 10-1, recommendation made to keep in next year budget. Wireless has been installed, parking lot paved, $ in capital budget for more repairs.

10-Town will support litter pickup, Janet Kazienko will contact town for assistance with a spring litter pick up event.

11-$40,000 for new tree planting in budget.

MINUTES, September 11, 2014

The association needs a President, Vice-president, corresponding secretary. There is good support from past officers. Treasurer and Recording secretary positions are filled.

Bell at Putnam and Whitney is being repaired by the town. Missing bike rack is also slated for repair (damaged by car).

Parking: Investigate status of Board of Ed parking – Supt. Goeler will ask about approving signage. Lane: working with the town to get some parking approved at the Church.

Question: should we have a candidate forum? Or get out the vote effort?
State Rep & Senate races are unopposed.

Tree trimming. Council Rep. Schomaker: not done by the Council, but they did approve a consulting arborist to work with the Tree Warden when needed. Michael R.: state law was passed to require notification. The Town has established a tree commission and members have been appointed.

Sign for cemetery – no dogs, no playing – is coming soon. Cemetery association is the management body.

8:00pm
Visit from new Hamden Superintendent of Schools, Jody Goeler
Introduction by Arturo Perez-Cabello, Board of Education member
Started July 1, he is learning the community
Has served in RSD 14, Avon, W. Hartford; worked as a teacher through administrator