Thursday, August 02, 2007

1st Daily Stories

On Enfield Fed
Tax Break Standoff



Editor's Note: These stories display good stenographic skills, but seem to be a wee bit short on context and background. The Cool Justice Report asks: Might there be other undeclared relationships with the business seeking the tax break?



Courant.com
Council Tables Vote On Proposal
Would Alter Tax Pact With Bank

By LARRY SMITH

Courant Staff Writer

August 2, 2007

ENFIELD

Town council members tabled a vote Wednesday on a proposed amendment that would shorten the duration of a tax abatement agreement with Enfield Federal Savings & Loan Association.

During the special meeting, council members were considering a proposal that would make that and other changes to the agreement the council approved in December 2005. The vote was put off for a regular meeting.

The approval in 2005 was based in part on the new jobs the bank would create and on its efforts in helping to revitalize the Thompsonville section of town. The bank tore down buildings that were in poor condition in order to construct its 19,051-square-foot headquarters at Enfield and Elm streets.

Under the original seven-year agreement, the town set the bank building's assessed value at 30 percent of the total in the first year and 35, 45, 55, 65, 75 and 80 percent in years two through seven. In exchange, the bank guaranteed it would create 39 jobs at its offices in Enfield.

Bank officials later told the town that the 39 jobs would be spread throughout its offices including ones in other communities, according to the proposed resolution to amend the agreement.

The proposed amendment calls for the tax abatement period to be shortened to four years, with the bank building's assessment set at 50 percent in the first year, and 41, 41 and 37 percent in the succeeding years. In exchange, the bank would promise to create 21 full-time jobs in its Enfield offices.

  • Complete Article


  • --

    08/02/2007

    Council tables tax abatement
    for Enfield Federal Savings and Loan

    ByAnne Pallivathuckal
    Journal Inquirer

    ENFIELD - The Town Council on Wednesday tabled a vote on a proposal to shorten by three years the tax abatement agreement for the Enfield Federal Savings and Loan Association.

    The proposal would have reduced the duration of the original agreement, approved by the council in 2005, from seven to four years.

    The proposal included a provision that property taxes would be paid on 50 percent of the $3.2 million building's assessed value during the first year of the agreement. During two of the following years, taxes would be paid on 41 percent of the building's assessed value, then 37 percent.

    Enfield Federal Savings and Loan, which is operated by New England Bancshares Inc., constructed a 19,051-square-foot, two-story building on the corner of Elm and Enfield Streets.

    Under the original agreement, property taxes would be paid on 30 percent of the building's assessed value during the first year of the agreement.

    During the next six years, that percentage increases steadily to 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, and 80 percent of the property's assessed value.
    Towns occasionally use tax abatements to entice economic development and job growth.

    Tied to the original tax abatement agreement was a promise by Enfield Federal Savings and Loan to add 39 full-time positions to its staff over the course of the agreement.
    However, after the agreement was approved, bank officials indicated that the new positions would be spread over various branches and offices, including those in other towns.

  • Complete Article




  • Background



  • Foreclosure Action


  • 27 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    >> bank officials indicated that the new positions would be spread over various branches and offices, including those in other towns.

    So why then is Enfield contemplating giving Enfield Federal a tax break when some these "new jobs" will be located in other towns? Let those towns give Enfield Federal a tax break.
    The Town of Enfield shouldn't be giving this bank a tax break unless the bank comes through with all these new jobs & ALL the new jobs are located in Enfield.

    Anonymous said...

    These newspaper stories are good examples of the accurate but incomplete reporting that Enfield residents have had to put up with for far too long.

    Anonymous said...

    somebody said there were 2 at the meeting who woted no to holding up the bank deal until another time. does anybody know who joined Nelson? Both articles don't say.

    Anonymous said...

    If the reporting by the local papers is so terrible, and I generally wouldn't defend it, then why doesn't Cool Justice attend these meetings and give the people a full report endowed with context and background? At the very least, it would allow the authors of the Cool Justice Report to confront face-to-face the very town officials, perhaps even some bank officials, who they self-righteously accuse of these nefarious schemes.

    So why don't the Cool Justice guys go to the meetings and stand up for the good people of Enfield in person? Here's my guess:

    They don't have the stones to do it. It's much easier to lob bombs from a distance. They can label officials with witless nicknames like "Mayor Cocoa Puffs," knowing they'll never actually have to face the targets of their rantings in person.

    Cool Justice makes no pretense about objectivity, so why not look these weasels in their beady eyes and tell them what awful scum they are?

    But I imagine it would be difficult to look people in the eye and level charges of corruption knowing you possess not a single fact, beyond your own speculation and conspiracy theories, to support the allegations.

    It's much easier to sit behind a computer screen in Litchfield and cast aspersions. It's easier. It's not exactly courageous.

    Here's a question for the editor:

    According to the stenography, Republican Ken Nelson supports the orignal tax abatement. If the corrupt Democrats, influenced by the vile and wicked Tallarita clan, are leading the charge to cut Enfield Federal a sweetheart deal, then why is Republican Ken Nelson, who seems like an earnest, honest fellow, supporting the original tax break agreement? Has Tallarita brainwashed him?

    Anonymous said...

    OK Chris

    Anonymous said...

    >> They don't have the stones to do it. It's much easier to lob bombs from a distance. They can label officials with witless nicknames like "Mayor Cocoa Puffs," knowing they'll never actually have to face the targets of their rantings in person.


    "Stick and stones, make break my bones, but names will never hurt ....." So grow up! Cool Justice wouldn't have anything to report about Enfield if the town officials didn't give them something to report ('member the honorable mayor started the ruckus in the local supermarket, not Cool Justice).

    The truth hurts. Thus your childish and defensive tone.

    Anonymous said...

    >>> then why is Republican Ken Nelson, who seems like an earnest, honest fellow, supporting the original tax break agreement? Has Tallarita brainwashed him?

    Is there really a difference between the current Enfield council members? Cuz there have been a slew of 11-0-0 votes in the Enfield Council this term.

    Or does that mean the few Republicans agree with the Spend-o-crats, or are they just sick of being on the losing end, and choose to "agree" rather than disagree.

    Have a feeling that as this term nears its end, the Republicans are just voting to vote, and hope that Nov will bring about a big change.

    Anonymous said...

    > They don't have the stones to do it. It's much easier to lob bombs from a distance.
    > It's much easier to sit behind a computer screen in Litchfield and cast aspersions. It's easier. It's not exactly courageous.
    > Posted by Anonymous | 4:31 PM

    You do realize that your above rant makes you look like a total hypocrite & pretty uncourageous. Didn't see you sign your name to your comments (posted anonymously) . At least Andy T stands tall, and backs his Cool Justice comments.

    Anonymous said...

    Let's face it, the Courant, and even the JI, pretty much sugarcoat local news. Its as if they don't want to rile anyone up.

    Last week both WFSB and Fox 61 ran on-air stories about recent health concerns of artifical athletic surfaces. Given that Enfield has already suffered a major health scare over their athletic fields (and its costing the townfolks millions now to correct), one would think that the local papers would run something when Enfield is planning now to construct artifical athletic fields @ their high schools.

    Is the Town of Enfield merely trading one unhealthy playing surface for another? Would appear that someone is asleep @ the wheel up there.


    Per WFSB site:
    Turf May Be Toxic To Students' Health
    (08/01/2007 -- MONTVILLE) The turf at a new field in Montville may be toxic to the health of the students it is meant to serve.

    Anonymous said...

    Used to live on CT shoreline, and recently saw this posting re: harmful artifical athletic surfaces New London's "The Day". Have no clue what kind of artifical surfaces are projected for Enfield high schools, but after reading this, I'd think twice about going "artifical".

    "Volatile organic compounds are being released into the air from material used in a type of artificial turf found on two athletic fields in southeastern Connecticut and becoming popular across the country.

    Recent preliminary tests conducted at the state-run Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station showed that the compounds are being released into the air from the rubber pellets from ground-up tires that form the fill material of the turf, the group Environment and Human Health Inc. announced this week.

    The group called for a moratorium on new projects until further study. State Department of Public Health spokesman William Gerrish said his agency had “no opinion” on the group's statement.

    The state Department of Environmental Protection said the issue should be looked into. Commissioner Gina McCarthy has been in contact with Environment and Human Health, according to DEP spokesman Dennis Schain. The group has raised concerns that toxic chemicals from the rubber pellets could seep into groundwater that would be within the DEP's purview, he said."

    The complete Day article is @
    http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=49a76430-5978-469d-a68d-f1f68d8ce2d7

    Thank goodness for some local newspapers!

    Anonymous said...

    > Tied to the original tax abatement agreement was a promise by Enfield Federal Savings and Loan to add 39 full-time positions to its staff over the course of the agreement.

    Frankly, don't think "the job"
    given to Rep. Kathy Tallarita (also the Enfield mayor's sister) should be counted towards these new 39 positions cuz everyone knows how/why she got her job there (... to "help" the bank with their dealings with town!)

    Anonymous said...

    The angry "you don't have the stones to do it" guy does raise an interesting point about Nelson. I mean, if this tax break is nothing more than a repayment to the bank for Kathy Tallarita's job, then why on earth would a guy who has no love for the mayor support it?

    Also, The Day is a terrific newspaper.

    Anonymous said...

    >>> You do realize that your above rant makes you look like a total hypocrite & pretty uncourageous. Didn't see you sign your name to your comments (posted anonymously) . At least Andy T stands tall, and backs his Cool Justice comments.

    >>> Posted by Anonymous | 7:42 AM


    RIGHT ON, Poster!!!!!! It always amazes me that the few bitchin' and complainin' about this blog are
    quick to post anonymously too. They want to sound like big, tough guys, but yet don't sign their real names. Haven't they learned that Andy T isn't afraid of anything, or anyone!

    Anyone who's read his book, "Law & Justice", realizes quickly that lil' ol'Enfield's troubles are merely a blip on his radar. He's got bigger fish to fry in Nutmeg state, but in the meantime, feels its important to shed light on local political bullies & their shenanigans.

    Andy T, keep the information flowing!!!!

    Anonymous said...

    > Per WFSB site:
    Turf May Be Toxic To Students' Health (08/01/2007 -- MONTVILLE) The turf at a new field in Montville may be toxic to the health of the students it is meant to serve.

    Oh, isn't that just peachy news. Here's Enfield "in" almost $10 million to renovate the two high schools' athletic fields, and now there's news that artifical surfaces may also be unhealthy.

    Bad enough that almost $3 million was spent on "capping" Fermi High School's entire landscape. Did anyone on Enfield's athletic field sub-committee "see" this report?? Think the mayor's son is a member of that sub-committee (likely appointed by his dear ol'dad). Someone should give him a copy, if he's not already aware of such.

    Anonymous said...

    > Did anyone on Enfield's athletic field sub-committee "see" this report??

    Hey, speaking of Nelson, isn't he on this Enfield athletic field sub-committee? So maybe he'll look into all this cuz believe he's raised questions before on how the field work has been handled. He questioned how the press had received info prior to all on this sub-committee have. Gee, wonder where the "leak" is??

    Anonymous said...

    Who is Chris posted by anon? Do they think its town lawyer Chris Bromston? Did he just get outted here? hahahahahahahaha

    ---------------------------
    -OK Chris
    -Posted by Anonymous | 5:34 PM
    ---------------------------

    That means the mayr is hiding here too. Hi mayr Pat! You don't have to hide. Post your name to your next contribution and show us your stones. hahahahahahahahaha

    Anonymous said...

    > about Nelson. I mean, if this tax break is nothing more than a repayment to the bank for Kathy Tallarita's job, then why on earth would a guy who has no love for the mayor support it?

    Ken Nelson is a real estate broker. Owns a successful biz in Enfield. How much sense does it make for a real estate broker to piss off a hometown bank? There are a couple of real estate agents on Enfield's Town Council. Plus, a mayor who wishes he was a big-time real estate developer.

    Anonymous said...

    My take on it is Nelson, like the entire council, supported the original tax abatement which promised 4O+ jobs from Enf. Fed. Now that Enf. Fed's promised numbers are off, Nelson suggested the tax abatement be adjusted accordingly to the new numbers, according to articles I've read. Fair is fair and it makes complete sense to me, no matter who get's pissed off. No way should the original agreement be fulfilled by the town - Enf. Fed changed the numbers and so should the town.

    Anonymous said...

    All I know for sure is that I'm voting for Nelson in Nov. Need more like him on council.

    Anonymous said...

    Man, you gotta love it.

    The slimy Democrats in Enfield start seeing their grip on things slipping and decide to come on here and attempt to slander the Republican Council Members.

    Many 11-0 votes? One the meeting minutes and other small issues perhaps. On the budget that is giving us homeowners a nice big tax increase - it was 7 Dems for, 4 R's against. Now that's an issue that matters.

    And how about giving a hand to the Council member(s) (I think it was Lee, another Republican) that wouldn't let the tax abatement issue be voted on in a rogue special meeting where the public couldn't even speak...

    And I am posting anonymously so I won't poke at others but I think that it is quite obvious when a member of the Town Council is posting here (and often times its obvious who is doing the posting cause he types the same way he talks on TV - DUH!) cause they talk about things not originally brought up on here or in the papers...nice try but I think we see right through you!

    Anonymous said...

    >> On the budget that is giving us homeowners a nice big tax increase - it was 7 Dems for, 4 R's against. Now that's an issue that matters.

    Let's hope Enfield's Republicans get that message out, loud and clear to voters. How Rep. voted against that hefty increase. That
    fact alone should have every Democrat candidate (or "Spend-o-crat" other bloggers has coined them) running for cover in Nov.

    Time for residents to "take back" Enfield (& protect their wallets). Voting the Republican's in, is the only way to ensure that homeowners may keep more of their hard earned $$$$ in their pockets. This Democratic reign of spending has to
    be stopped.

    Anonymous said...

    > Many 11-0 votes? One the meeting minutes and other small issues perhaps

    Dunno 'bout that. Think only Nelson voted against selling Asnuntuck Community College(building & 30+ acres) to the State for a lowly $2 million. $2 million is chump change in this day and age. Why didn't the other
    Republicans do the right thing and vote against the sale? That was no small issue.

    Now the Town has to lease back the athletic fields on that very property so that private youth organizations (like T-ville little league and Enfield soccer) can use these fields. How much sense did that make??? The Town will blow through the $2 million just in leasing fees. Plus, the Town will likely still have to maintain the fields (does anyone think for a moment that the State will maintain these athletic fields once they own the property?)

    Would have much preferred to see
    more 7-4-0 votes over last couple of years. But I will vote Republican in the fall, and pray they can fix the mess the Enfield Democrats have created.

    Anonymous said...

    >> -OK Chris
    >> -Posted by Anonymous | 5:34 PM

    How foolish, huh. To have your buddy "out ya", when you both elect to post anonymously.
    Goes to show just how "bright" some people aren't! Hopefully "chris" will respond with yet another "pithy" post.


    >> it is quite obvious when a member of the Town Council is posting here

    surely Enfield's council members frequent this blog, but can't imagine why one would be afraid to post under their name and title? Some have said and done some pretty foolish things in their meetings, and those are broadcasted on cable TV. And some have certainly said and done some very embarassing things in public places.

    So its impossible to make more of a fool out of themselves, than they've already done.

    Anonymous said...

    >> They can label officials with witless nicknames like "Mayor Cocoa Puffs," knowing they'll never actually have to face the targets of their rantings in person.

    Its common knowledge that the honorable "Mayor Cocoa Puff" or "Snap, Crackle & Pop" flies off the handle. Cool Justice is doing the smart thing by staying clear of this accident waiting to happen. Plus, its been noted before that the mayor's wife has asked the local cops to keep Cool Justice away.

    The Cool Justice gang has tangled with a lot tougher than these lil' Enfield cronies. Andy T's pen has certainly made mince meat out of clowns. And its all their own doing too since they've given him the ammo he needs to start writing.

    Its quite simple. Stop doing stupid things in Enfield and he won't have anything to write about as far as Enfield is concerned.

    Anonymous said...

    >> Its common knowledge that the honorable "Mayor Cocoa Puff" or "Snap, Crackle & Pop"

    Tee Hee Hee. That's a good one, "Mayor Cocoa Puff" or "Snap, Crackle & Pop". Elected officials need a thick skin to survive. If not, get out of politics.

    Anonymous said...

    Interesting...

    If you look at the time on the Chris Bromson post, you'll see it's 4:31 PM.

    It make me wonder...

    Isn't that work time? Did Chris Bromson use town computers to make that post on Cool Justice? Did he waste the good taxpayers money replying to this post on work time? When you draw the kind of salary he does, it's not spare change being wasted.

    No wonder we lost the Argenta case. No doubt Chris Bromson was too busy posting on Cool Justice to effectively defend the town.

    That's what we get for having a shady lawyer as the town attorney.

    It makes me wonder if Bromson padded his bills the same way he pads his timecard.


    >>According to the stenography, Republican Ken Nelson supports the orignal tax abatement. If the corrupt Democrats, influenced by the vile and wicked Tallarita clan, are leading the charge to cut Enfield Federal a sweetheart deal, then why is Republican Ken Nelson, who seems like an earnest, honest fellow, supporting the original tax break agreement? Has Tallarita brainwashed him?

    Posted by Anonymous | 4:31 PM

    >>OK Chris

    Posted by Anonymous | 5:34 PM

    Anonymous said...

    > If you look at the time on the Chris Bromson post, you'll see it's 4:31 PM.

    Let's give the Town Attorney the benefits of the doubt here ... 1st, no one is sure who "chris" is
    (though it would appear that whoever he is, he's not comfortable using anything but anonymous.

    2nd, there always a chance that a post time could be incorrect (as its always possible a computer's clock can be off).

    My guess is IF this was the Town Attorney's posting, he's not likely to send a rebuttal now. And if it wasn't his, well, if he should reply that it wasn't his, that will mean that he does indeed follow Cool Justice blog.

    Pretty much a "lose, lose". What's he got to gain?

    "Whomever" this was, you can bet they'll remind their friends not to "out" them the next time they reply.