tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post7162822302937396476..comments2024-01-14T00:50:25.555-08:00Comments on The Cool Justice Report: Furor Over Enfield Trash Barrel LevyThe Cool Justice Reporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02073992081523946106noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-11746510189211983012008-01-18T05:19:00.000-08:002008-01-18T05:19:00.000-08:00Enfield BOE member, Tom Arnone is certainly making...Enfield BOE member, Tom Arnone is certainly making a name for himself. Yesterday's JI editiorial (http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19206833&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=569380&rfi=8)<BR/>points out Mr Arnone was out of line at a recent BOE presentation. Some Enfield officials never cease to amaze the general public. "think before you speak" should be their mantra.<BR/><BR/>"Board member Thomas Arnone launched a lengthy, fact-free berating of Fusco, capped off with a tactic straight from the left's playbook: an ad-hominem attack. The retired educator's activism, Arnone claimed, was designed to "instill fear in people to sell books."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-44765583946950829302008-01-16T11:05:00.000-08:002008-01-16T11:05:00.000-08:00>>Gallacher said to use the new field would cost a...>>Gallacher said to use the new field would cost a lot of money, because the synthetic surface would have to be protected.<BR/><BR/>"protected"? Are you saying a high school graduation ceremony is rougher on this new athletic surface than a typical high school football or soccer game? <BR/><BR/>If it is, you guys should be asking for your money back. Or asking the company that installed, to pay the rental fees to hold the graduation ceremony elsewhere. <BR/><BR/>Most schools can/do hold their graduation ceremonies on their artifical football fields. That's where these kind of ceremonies should be held.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-17796783685089291132008-01-16T10:52:00.000-08:002008-01-16T10:52:00.000-08:00> Wethersfield contracts the service out So maybe ...> Wethersfield contracts the service out <BR/><BR/>So maybe its time the Town of Enfield considers outsourcing such town services. Why Enfield has $40-70K trash collectors on the town payroll doesn't make much sense in this economy. If trash was outsourced, it would someone else's headache if a hauler got hurt on the job. Maybe residents could actually shop around for cheaper services. There'd be some competition. <BR/><BR/>The Town could outsource many of their expensive services, & it would cost taxpayers "far less" since they wouldn't be "paying" for costs like health benefits and retirement on top of the service provided. <BR/><BR/>There must be very good reasons why many towns outsource such.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-77749468715151493632008-01-16T08:12:00.000-08:002008-01-16T08:12:00.000-08:00> it only makes sense to have everyone purchase a...> it only makes sense to have everyone purchase and own their own tipper barrel.<BR/><BR/>Very little makes much sense in Enfield. that town can't seem to keep its high school open after the New Year's Day water damage. Heard on radio that its closed today because of a fire. Take about wasting time and money. These poor students will be making up time well into the summer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-40436294581306617492008-01-16T08:07:00.000-08:002008-01-16T08:07:00.000-08:00> Remember, nothing is free in this world. With so...> Remember, nothing is free in this world. With so many people already owning their own tipper barrel, it only makes sense to have everyone purchase and own their own tipper barrel.<BR/><BR/>Maybe Enfield should consider contracting out their trash pickup. That's one way to eliminate $40-70K trash men and<BR/>worker's comp claims.<BR/><BR/>Just how many people in Enfield already own a tipper barrel? Because no one on my street does. If so many already purchased barrels, then the Town doesn't have to give out as many. Right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-5528772414412590862008-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:002008-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:00This Enfield "tipper Barrel" drama pales in compar...This Enfield "tipper Barrel" drama pales in comparison to other recent events in Enfield. Enfield High is once again closed, due to another fire. The folks petitioning for a dog park (which many towns already provide) are being contested, and now (according to Courant's<BR/>http://www.courant.com/news/local/nc/hc-enfgrads0115.artjan15,0,6328427.story)<BR/>the Town can't use the newly<BR/>renovated Fermi football field for high school graduation for fear of damaging the synthetic surface.<BR/><BR/>Who's running the show up there?<BR/><BR/>One would think that the committee that oversaw their athletic field construction would have shared this tidbit with townfolks from day one. To date the Fermi field has been used once since its completion, for a cross town TDay football game. What an expensive white elephant if it can't be used for graduations (as the other field was). <BR/><BR/>> Superintendent of Schools John Gallacher told the board of education last week that seniors and parents at Fermi have been saying they would like to have the graduation on the athletic fields as in years past.<BR/><BR/>>Gallacher said to use the new field would cost a lot of money, because the synthetic surface would have to be protected. Until recently, he said, he was under the impression the field could be used, but the installers had said a number of precautions would have to be taken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-30856069910513236862008-01-15T19:45:00.000-08:002008-01-15T19:45:00.000-08:00"How is it a town like Wethersfieldcan give their ..."How is it a town like Wethersfield<BR/>can give their residents tipper barrels for free (residents do have to purchase if they need more than 1 barrel)?"<BR/><BR/>Just take a look at the Town of Wethersfield website and it is explained right there in black and white:<BR/><BR/>"The town contracts with Paine's, Inc. for weekly curbside refuse and recycling collection."<BR/><BR/>Wethersfield contracts the service out so essentially Paines owns the tipper barrels and the cost is included in the annual fee a resident is charged for refuse pick up. Remember, nothing is free in this world. With so many people already owning their own tipper barrel, it only makes sense to have everyone purchase and own their own tipper barrel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-9661125368222062062008-01-15T12:30:00.000-08:002008-01-15T12:30:00.000-08:00>>> Before Arnone worked for Windsor Locks, he wor...>>> Before Arnone worked for Windsor Locks, he worked for the Town of Enfield sewage treatment plant.<BR/><BR/>that's news. wasn't aware he worked in the towns' sewage treatment business. How he had the nerve then, to question this superintendent's credentials is anyone's guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-22421920303943435952008-01-15T12:25:00.000-08:002008-01-15T12:25:00.000-08:00How is it a town like Wethersfieldcan give their r...How is it a town like Wethersfield<BR/>can give their residents tipper barrels for free (residents do have to purchase if they need more than 1 barrel)?<BR/><BR/>When I hear how other towns are able and willing to assist their residents, causes me to wonder "what the heck is up in Enfield?" And why Enfield residents stand for such.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-78519883987785270982008-01-15T10:31:00.000-08:002008-01-15T10:31:00.000-08:00> Andy, you may want to look into... ahem... the c...> Andy, you may want to look into... ahem... the circumstances surrounding his departure from Enfield.<BR/><BR/><BR/>What's this all about? Another story<BR/>for Andy to dig into?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-54926940890927291032008-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:002008-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:00>>>If its such a small, one time fee to pay, let t...>>>If its such a small, one time fee to pay, let the Town pay it! They're great at spending money on totally useless things that benefit but a very few<BR/><BR/>>>Do the math: $50 * 17,000 households = $850,000.<BR/><BR/>There was a photo opp recently showing Enfield Councilman Ragno presenting a $5000 check to BOE<BR/>member Arnone for little league field lighting. <BR/><BR/>Well, if the same $5,000 check was presented to Enfield Public Works, that money would pay for 100 tipper barrels. <BR/><BR/>Wouldn't more Enfield residents benefit from that $5,000 if used for purchasing tipper barrels? More so than lighting a little league field? People would use tipper barrels every week but youngsters don't need to play ball in the dark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-54981116219138448632008-01-11T19:57:00.000-08:002008-01-11T19:57:00.000-08:00>>Basically, there is no need to make anyone buy a...>>Basically, there is no need to make anyone buy a $50 barrel at this point in time. Nothing terrible will occur if the present trash system continues until the Town gets back on its feet. Why make the little people bleed more than they already are?<BR/><BR/>For the same reason you would take it on the chin to buy a security alarm. All the garbage workers are in the 40s&50s... expensive health care... that workers comp won't help at all.<BR/><BR/>No but we'll save money if we have tipper barrel collections that should appear as lower or flat taxes on your tax return.<BR/><BR/>>>If its such a small, one time fee to pay, let the Town pay it! They're great at spending money on totally useless things that benefit but a very few (like lighted football or little league fields)<BR/><BR/>Do the math: $50 * 17,000 households = $850,000.<BR/><BR/>Remember- you are the town- so you might as well buy the tipper barrels yourself. If you don't have $50 saved in the bank, shame on you.<BR/><BR/>That' chump change compared to some of the workers comp costs. I say that as a former insider privy to the expensive cost of claims.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-77946300367866938522008-01-11T19:43:00.000-08:002008-01-11T19:43:00.000-08:00>> Correct me if I'm wrong, but Tom Arnone didn't ...>> Correct me if I'm wrong, but Tom Arnone didn't even graduate from Enfield school system. And what kind of training does Mr Arnone "have" to be elected a BOE member??<BR/><BR/>It doesn't exactly take a lot of brains to work in a sewage treatment plant-- and clearly Arnone doesn't have any. Sometimes, I wonder whether he's decided to fill his empty head with sewage.<BR/><BR/>He's up there with the garbage men making $40-70k.<BR/><BR/>I guess the state's paying him the big bucks to preserve binding arbitration. <BR/><BR/>But see, binding arbitration is in your interest-- this way you can have your 911 call answered by a pothead dispatcher that the town couldn't fire for being a junkie and teachers can get contracts at twice inflation<BR/><BR/>What a sideshow- up there with Sideshow Bob and Sideshow Mel!<BR/><BR/>I don't know why the dems put him on the BOE- but he's sure shooting himself in the foot. <BR/><BR/>The republicans must think that his tongue is the gift that keeps on giving.<BR/><BR/>Before Arnone worked for Windsor Locks, he worked for the Town of Enfield sewage treatment plant.<BR/><BR/>Andy, you may want to look into... ahem... the circumstances surrounding his departure from Enfield.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-7510266644432889282008-01-11T13:21:00.000-08:002008-01-11T13:21:00.000-08:00Let's see, if I need $50 to putgas in my mini van,...Let's see, if I need $50 to put<BR/>gas in my mini van, or use it to<BR/>buy a trash barrel (when I already<BR/>have 3 trash cans in my backyard), which do you think I'm in favor of? <BR/><BR/>$50 isn't small change for some of us. With the rising cost of gas, oil, food, etc. I can't afford spending $50 on a special trash barrel. Right now, tipper barrels are the rage. Five years from now, it will be something else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-58417483486419432562008-01-11T12:46:00.000-08:002008-01-11T12:46:00.000-08:00> If you are concerned, you should be contacting y...> If you are concerned, you should be contacting your STATE REPS (TALLARITA and JARMOC) <BR/><BR/>They're useless. 1/2 the reason we're in these messes. Ms Tat makes a lot of promises during election time. And Mrs Jarmoc's hubby didn't do anything during his State house tenure. They just parrot Amann. <BR/><BR/>Enfield got peanuts for all the sewage $$$ Corrections owed them. Enfield will get nothing or peanuts for their Fermi High and Asnuntuck woes. Mark my words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-53580944791075313752008-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:002008-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00> If you can't see that, you're blind.I see we hav...> If you can't see that, you're blind.<BR/><BR/>I see we have another ignorant,<BR/>"name caller" in the blog. It just so happens that I am blind. But I'm not stupid. So I won't blindly follow just because some Town official tells me something is a good idea. <BR/><BR/>Instead of building a $1 million dollar bike path near the dump, or naming the Public Works or town dump driveway, use that money to fund the distribution of tipper barrels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-57913358650929881742008-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:002008-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:00>> the Republicans but they didn't create this mes...>> the Republicans but they didn't create this mess <BR/><BR/>Didn't the Enfield Republicans, as well as the Democrats, vote in favor of all the Fermi field clean-up? Don't recall hearing anyone on the Council balk at the mess made there. Same with the sale of Asnuntuck. The Republicans went right along with the past deeds of the prior administration. They're as guilty as the rest for any mess we're in now.<BR/><BR/>Basically, there is no need to make anyone buy a $50 barrel at this point in time. Nothing terrible will occur if the present trash system continues until the Town gets back on its feet. Why make the little people bleed more than they already are? <BR/><BR/>If its such a small, one time fee to pay, let the Town pay it! They're great at spending money on totally useless things that benefit but a very few (like lighted football or little league fields)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-16459764857234658572008-01-11T12:28:00.000-08:002008-01-11T12:28:00.000-08:00> push it along at least a little bit so the town ...> push it along at least a little bit so the town can recoup some of the Fermi remediation $$ it is owed! <BR/><BR/>Who says the Town of Enfield is owed, or will ever see one red cent of this money? Why should the State be responsible for Enfield's follies.<BR/><BR/>I don't live in Enfield. I don't have any kids using that high school field. So I don't believe my CT tax dollars should go to help Enfielders out of their fiscal hole.<BR/><BR/>I read this blog every day and it seems Enfield certainly has more issues than many towns. Why is that? <BR/><BR/>Take care of your own expenses, or stop spending. Its that simple. Stop expecting the State to bail you guys out. <BR/><BR/>PS<BR/>I suppose you expect the State to also pay for your flooded out high school?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-9030062460732262792008-01-11T12:06:00.000-08:002008-01-11T12:06:00.000-08:00For all you residents who are upset that you have ...For all you residents who are upset that you have to purchase tipper's (that you actually can keep), you need to stop blaming the Republicans and realize this hard truth: It is not possible to drain the towns reserves to a dangerously low level by purchasing all these barrels (which effects the Town's bond rating). The state owes the Town several million dollars and IF we had that on hand, perhaps it would be up for discussion but I am told it's not "even on the Radar" in Hartford. If you are concerned, you should be contacting your STATE REPS (TALLARITA and JARMOC) to push it along at least a little bit so the town can recoup some of the Fermi remediation $$ it is owed! The towns budget is finally being cleaned up by the Republicans but they didn't create this mess - the previous majority did. It's a small fee to pay (ONE TIME) for a LARGE tax savings to all of us. If you can't see that, you're blind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-61654518108807749062008-01-11T11:21:00.000-08:002008-01-11T11:21:00.000-08:00>>> "I think it's an outrage," Democratic school b...>>> "I think it's an outrage," Democratic school board member Tom Arnone said Wednesday about Fusco's appointment to train the committee. "We just hired a man with absolutely no professional experience in accounting or auditing."<BR/><BR/>>>> Arnone said that while Fusco has a doctorate degree, "It's in education. ... He's not a certified public accountant. He's not a certified fraud examiner<BR/><BR/>Correct me if I'm wrong, but Tom Arnone didn't even graduate from Enfield school system. And what kind of training does Mr Arnone "have" to be elected a BOE member?? <BR/><BR/>Who's he to be criticizing an educational professional, who's actually held the job of superintendent? <BR/><BR/>This is just another example of <BR/>"party line shenanigans" in Enfield. The Republicans are in charge now, so the Democrats will "balk" at anything they propose. Such a waste of time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-47862627475668555042008-01-11T10:21:00.000-08:002008-01-11T10:21:00.000-08:00Ya know what really gets me about Enfield's trash ...Ya know what really gets me about Enfield's trash situation? I have neighbors who operate businesses out of town, but bring their "business trash" home, to toss out in Enfield. <BR/><BR/>They already have two of the tipper barrels, and they're overflowing every week. If these big tippers hold 2-3 cans each, that's a heck of lot of garage for 2 adults and 2 small kids each week.<BR/><BR/>Some residents are abusing the town's trash system. I think residents should be charged by the amount of trash they throw out each week. That's one way to cut costs and force recycling.<BR/><BR/>My guess is that where my neighbor's business "is", is a town that charges for trash pick-up. What do you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-13596617574359087222008-01-11T08:45:00.000-08:002008-01-11T08:45:00.000-08:00>>> Arnone said that while Fusco has a doctorate d...>>> Arnone said that while Fusco has a doctorate degree, "It's in education. ... He's not a certified public accountant. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps Mr Arnone (Mr, not Dr<BR/>Arnone, right?) needs to realize that school superintendents don't require a CPA to be hired for superintendent jobs. The towns should have enough fiscal professionals on staff to handle fiscal matters.<BR/><BR/>Too bad Enfield's former finance wizard left for Somers. Again, what does that say about the Town of Enfield? All the good ones "leave".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-25778165403082100902008-01-11T08:39:00.000-08:002008-01-11T08:39:00.000-08:00>> the tipper barrels save big $$$ because they cu...>> the tipper barrels save big $$$ because they cut the cost of hauling trash in half. Instead of two guys on the truck, you need only one. <BR/><BR/>That's the smartest thing I've read thus far re: this saving taxpayers' some money. Sign me up to buy 6 tipper barrels if it will mean Enfield will need less $40-70K union trash collectors! Frankly, that's obscene to be paying them that kind of salary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-32816545720867609912008-01-11T08:19:00.000-08:002008-01-11T08:19:00.000-08:00>> but the tipper barrels save big $$$ because the...>> but the tipper barrels save big $$$ because they cut the cost of hauling trash in half. Instead of two guys on the truck, you need only one. <BR/><BR/>Does that mean the Town of Enfield could downsize & eliminate some of their trash men? Why have so many employees if only one guy is needed per truck, right? Less town employees. Now that's a cost saving measure!<BR/><BR/>According to you, sounds like the Tipper Barrels could put some trash men out of a job. Unless of course Enfield plans to buy more trucks to put these "extra" guy on (and if so, there goes the savings right out the door because adding trucks is expensive). <BR/><BR/>Where's the proof that these tipper barrel programs really "save" money. That's still a big IF.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30409206.post-63063579685263654042008-01-11T07:35:00.000-08:002008-01-11T07:35:00.000-08:00>> What a bunch of losers you whiners are!>> Maybe...>> What a bunch of losers you whiners are!<BR/><BR/>>> Maybe you wusses don't get it- but the<BR/><BR/>Don't ya just love it when some "intellect" starts in on this blog with the name-calling (it really shows just how gifted they are). <BR/><BR/>I'd suggest blog contributors learn to express themselves w/o resorting to childish name calling. Folks might then take their comments more seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com