Council Approves Funds For DMV Tax Notification Program

By Jan Howard

The Legislative Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a transfer of $2,000 from contingency to pay a fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles for notifying them of taxpayers who are delinquent on motor vehicle taxes.

The account transfer was necessary because the fee was implemented after the budget was passed.

During the state budget process, the state wanted to do away with the program of tracking delinquent motor vehicle taxpayers with registration renewals. According to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, instead of eliminating the program, the state is now billing municipalities for the cost of notifying them for each delinquent taxpayer.

“The service benefited us, but it was costing the state money so they cut the program,” Mr Rosenthal said. “The towns now have to pay for each report we give them.”

Next year a flat fee will be charged, which will be budgeted, he said.

Legislative Council Chairman Will Rodgers reported that Board of Education Chairman Elaine McClure would be making a presentation on the proposed extension of the town’s water line to Middle Gate School at the council’s February 4 meeting. A state official from the Department of Public Health is also expected to be present.

There is also to be a presentation regarding open space during a future meeting, he said.

He also reported on progress being made for updating of the town ordinances. He said he would be meeting with Police Chief Michael Kehoe about the update and a draft of a parking ordinance the chief would be submitting.

Vice Chairman Tim Holian reported on a meeting he attended with Tim Northrop, the state director of The Trust for Public Land, which is doing a study for the town regarding the preservation of open space.

A report is expected in February or March, Mr Rosenthal said.

In regard to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which is before the Legislative Council’s finance committee for review, Finance Director Ben Spragg will send members a copy of each department’s information on proposed projects.

Mr Rosenthal told council members that the town may be eligible for 75 percent reimbursement for overtime, sand, salt, and other costs of the major snowstorm in December.

In other business, the Legislative Council reassigned three members to the two standing committees: Chairman Will Rodgers moved from budget to the ordinance committee and Richard Recht and Dan Amaral joined the budget committee. The changes were made because of Legislative Council rules requiring six members on each committee.

During the public participation portion of the council’s meeting, residents Ruby Johnson and Peter Vidola raised concerns about the proposed five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Ms Johnson provided council members with a handout regarding proposed funding for open space, economic development, Fairfield Hills, Police Department, Newtown High School, and other issues.

Mr Vidola spoke about the proposed extension of the town’s water line to Middle Gate School and his concern that the Legislative Council would have all the information the Board of Education has regarding it.