7/13 Tribune copy 1 (Page 1) - Stonebridge Press and Villager ...

A2 • Friday, February 24, 2012
PUTNAM VILLAGER
WPCA proposing hefty rate increases
BY MERYL E. WILLETT
VILLAGER STAFF WRITER
PUTNAM — The proposed increase to
Putnam’s water rates from the Water
Pollution Control Authority were brought
before tax payers during a public forum
Tuesday, Feb. 14, where citizens were given
the opportunity to voice concerns and discuss
with the authority the reasoning for
the hike.
WPCA Chairman Jim Shaw said prior to
the public hearing last week, the WPCA
was proposing a rate increase of 50 percent
on meter fees and water rates that
would have taken effect Jan. 1, 2012.
Following the hearing, Shaw said, “The
WPCA met and discussed citizens’
remarks — it was decided to revise the
rates to a lesser amount, which came as a
result of the feedback we received during
the hearing.”
The WPCA modified the 50 percent
increase.
“The new rates,” said Shaw, “will go into
effect [as of] Jan. 1, with a 20 percent
increase, the second 20 percent increase
will begin on July 1, 2012, then another 20
percent increase will take effect Jan. 1,
2013. with the final 20 percent increase on
Jan. 1, 2014.”
Town Administrator Doug Cutler said
there would be a town meeting scheduled
for March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Putnam
Middle School auditorium to discuss the
new rates.
The Department of Environmental
Energy Protection Agency directed the
town to find other sources of water and
alternative means for water conservation,
which according to Cutler, led to the
drilling of the new well field, as well as a
contract with CT Water.
“We’ve been under a consent order from
DEEP signed last year, however, we have
been in negotiations with the Department
of Environmental Energy and Protection
for a number of years. Those negotiations
were based on a previous consent order
from 2004-2005 since the town had never
received a diversion permit to extract
water from the Little River.”
In addition, Cutler explained the town
performed a supplemental environmental
project estimated to cost $125,000, but once
complete ended up going over the budgeted
amount.
“When we did the project we decided to
take excess water from the treatment plant
and put it back into the river, having a certain
percentage recycled to become drinking
water. So that is where another part of
the increase comes from,” said Cutler.
The WPCA is raising the water rates to
deal with its $1.9 million budget, part of
which comes from $480,000 in accounts
payable that has not been collected in
terms of previous rates and water being
used, and $118,000 per year for the next 10
years to CT Water.
“We are dealing with capitol projects
and bonds that are all coming due at once,
like the river study which cost $300,000. We
also have $81,000 in bonds associated with
the well fields that we have to start paying
down,” said Cutler. “Last year, the budget
was $1.4 million — this year we are looking
at $1.9 million.”
Looking to the future, the WPCA plans
to borrow $7 million in 2012 and $7 million
more in 2014, along with grant funding to
replace old pipes.
“Even with a low interest rate the annual
payback is approximately $900,000,”
Shaw said.
Meryl E. Willett may be reached at (860)
928-1818, ext. 112, or by e-mail at meryl@villagernewspapers.com.
NEWS BRIEF
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Former Putnam resident
arrested on child
porn charges
PUTNAM — On Wednesday, Feb.
15, at approximately 4 p.m., Jamie
L. Chattelle, 31, of 158 Forest St.,
Manchester, was taken into custody
by the Manchester Police
Department based on an active
arrest warrant held by the Putnam
Police department, issued by
Danielson Superior Court.
In September 2009, the Putnam
Police Department began the
investigation, and after a search
warrant was executed at
Chattelle’s former residence in
Putnam, several computers and
digital media were seized. A forensic
examination of the computers
and related media resulted in the
discovery of numerous image and
video files of child pornography.
Chattelle was charged with first
degree possession of child pornography,
and importing child pornography.
Chattelle was transported to
the Putnam Police Department
and held on a $25,000 bond pending
arraignment at Danielson
Superior Court on Feb. 16.
VILLAGER ALMANAC
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
“Every Town Deserves a
Good Local Newspaper”
ConnecticutsQuietCorner
LLC
Gold
Earrings
“We have a lot going for us here.
We have to turn the lights on and let people
know that we’re here.”
- State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams,
commenting on the Northeast Connecticut Council of
Governments’ discussion about legislative priorities
for the Quiet Corner.
OPEN TO CLOSE
PUTNAM TOWN HALL (963-6800)
Monday through Friday.................................8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Town Clerk (963-6807):
Monday through Friday.................................8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Recordings accepted until 4 p.m.; office occasionally closed
between noon and 1 p.m.
Water Pollution Control Authority (963-6819):
Monday through Friday .....................................8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Veterans Services.................................................9 to 11 a.m. Friday
PUTNAM PUBLIC LIBRARY (963-6826)
Monday through Thursday ..............................10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday..............................................................10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday...................................................................10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Story Time: 4 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays
PUTNAM POST OFFICE (928-4051)
Window:
Monday through Friday .....................................8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday .................................................................8:30 a.m. to noon
Lobby/Post Office Boxes:
Monday through Friday ..........................................6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday.....................................................................6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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VILLAGER STAFF DIRECTORY
NEWS STAFF
EDITOR
ADAM MINOR
(860) 928-1818, EXT. 109
adam@villagernewspapers.com
STAFF WRITER
KERENSA KONESNI
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kerensa@villagernewspapers.com
STAFF WRITER
MERYL WILLETT
860-928-1818 ext 112
meryl@villagernewspapers.com
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Stonebridge Press, Inc.
VILLAGER NEWSPAPERS
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BOOK REVIEW
“Trader of Secrets,” by Steve Martini
I have to admit that I’m a big fan of lawyers-turned-authors,
the most famous being John Grisham.
Two more excellent ones are James Grippando and Steve
Martini, who has been writing since 1984. He has had two novels,
“Undue Influence” and “The Judge” turned into miniseries
by CBS and NBC. His latest, “Trader of Secrets,” continues his
streak of well-written, dramatic works.
Martini’s main character, Paul Madriani, a lawyer from
Southern California, is embroiled in a case that involves a
hired assassin and two NASA scientists who are willing to
trade government secrets for (what else?) cash and a new identity.
His daughter, Sarah, has evaded the hired killer, known as
Liquida, who has stalked her since Martini’s last book, The
Rule of Nine, and has tracked her all the way across the country.
Her ill-timed morning exercise almost causes her demise
except for the perfect timing of her new four-legged buddy,
Bugsy. Madriani and his team of partners and friends track
Liquida across the globe from Bangkok to Paris to the jungles
of Mexico to stop his murderous schemes.
The reader ends up in the Mexican jungle where all the subplots
merge into one scary, but believable conclusion.
Enjoy the action!
- Submitted by Peter F. Ciparelli, Killingly Public Library.
Visit www.quietcornerreads.org.
AT THE AUDUBON
BIRD LISTINGS
Bird sightings at CT Audubon in Pomfret and Wyndham
Land Trust properties for the week of Feb. 13: Hooded
Merganser, Common Merganser, American Tree Sparrow,
Great Blue Heron, Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Turkey
Vulture, Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Mockingbird and Hermit
Thrush.
FRONT PAGE QUOTE
This week’s front page quote is attributed to:
Bishop Richard Cumberland