Progress

Last night the Board of Selectmen approved a resolution for me to execute a license agreeement with PRE to allow them to install water pipes under Packer Road. This agreement is legally proper and will result in PRE withdrawing its lawsuit against the Town. Its main features are increased control and protection of the installation process ($200,000 construction bond, $20,000 maintenance bond, Town inspection control over the process funded by PRE) and a completely reclaimed, reshaped and resurfaced Packer Road for the distance of the pipes' installation. It also includes $10,000 cash for the Town; this covers the costs incurred during the legal process with a significant amount to spare.

It is the best possible outcome in my opinion based on the situation we inherited, and protects the Town from future legal exposure. Copies of the agreement are available in the Selectmen's office.

A black and white male pit bull was found on Water Street and is being housed at NECCOG. Please call 774-1253 with any leads.

Tomorrow evening a Town meeting will be held to discuss and vote on several easements and discuss the proposed Animal Control ordinance.

Brian Sear

Thanksgiving and Beyond

HOLIDAY PERSPECTIVE: The first Thanksgiving was held to basically celebrate the fact that colonists were able to obtain food and shelter to stay alive. Daily we're now hearing reports of financial woes and no one knows what will come next, whether for governments or the private sector. Here at home, in Canterbury, we share a beautiful Town with wonderful people, independent of outside factors, and this is a true cause for Thanksgiving.

On to business..

Hours for the Municipal Building, Library and Transfer Station are listed at the post on the home page.

This weekend, "Holiday Farm Days" will be held at Burgis Brook Alpacas from 10:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They're at 44 No. Canterbury Road (Route 169).

On Friday December 5, the Annual Tree Lighting ceremony sponsored by Canterbury First will be held here beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 6,  a Pearl Harbor Memorial Dinner will be held here by the Lions from 5-7 p.m. All U Can eat Ham & Roast Beef, etc.

The Canterbury Municipal Agent's office is holding a flu shot clinic here December 4 from 10-12 p.m. Those 18 and over are eligible.

The Northeast Connecticut Local Arts Agency is seeking Canterbury volunteers to serve on a steering committee to help in a cultural assessment project to identify opportunities to promote the arts in our region. Anyone interested please contact the Selectmen's office.

Next Tuesday, the Board of Selectmen is holding a Special Meeting  to discuss PRE litigation, followed by a regular meeting.

Thursday, December 4, a Town Meeting will be held here at 7 p.m. Agenda items include several easements being granted to the Town, as well as the proposed Ordinance specifying that Animal Control services be located within the Town. The Ordinance will be voted on at a referendum to be held on December 16, 2008.

The weather is starting to get dicey at times. Please be careful traveling in slippery conditions and considerate of fellow drivers.

Have a safe and restful weekend.

Brian Sear

Doings

Last winter we voted to participate in two grant programs for which NECCOG was applying: one for GIS (Geographic Information System) and one for Document Management Services. NECCOG received both grants and is setting up the support infrastructure. Basically, they would set up a network center at their location that we would access via the web. The technical director of the program, Mark Goetz, met with our Town Clerk, Assessor and Land Use Director to assess our needs and capabilities, and how they best can serve us. More details on this to come...

The Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 25 here at noon to add a drainage esaement on Colburn Road to the upcoming December 4 Town Meeting agenda. The easement will allow the Town to drain water off Colburn that each winter presents a safety hazard.

A reminder that Canterbury First is hosting the Canterbury Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held here at the Community Center on Friday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m.There will be caroling outside and Santa Claus will come and light the tree. Refreshments and craft activities follow.

The Lions are holding a Pearl Harbor Memorial All U Can Eat Ham & Roast Beef Dinner here on December 6, 2008.  For tickets call John Bennett, Jr. at 546-9245 or Ray Coombs at 546-9974.

Have a good weekend.

Brian Sear

Referendum date

The date for the referendum regarding the proposed Dog Pound Ordinance has been set for Tuesday, December 16.

Stay warm.

Brian Sear

Lightning Strike

Apologies for the interruption in website service over the weekend. Our computer network manager, Lightning PC, failed to re-register our domain name. The situation was put right mid-Monday morning. Rest assured this lightning won't strike twice! ...And thanks to those who alerted me to the problem.

On Saturday the Board of Selectmen voted to put forth to vote an Ordinance mandating that the Dog Pound be located in Town and that the Town hire its own Animal Control officer, effective July 1, 2009. This is in response to petitions put forth calling for the same. The Town Meeting to discuss the question will be held on December 4. We will vote later this week to set a referendum date.

In the meantime I will provide the Town with the many reasons why a regional solution to Animal Control is in the best interests of the Town.

Next Monday, the 2nd session of the Plan of Conservation & Development will be held here at 7:30 p.m. This interactive session will involve defining elements that make up the rural character of the Town. The public is encouraged to attend and participate.

Brian Sear

Busy times

This week the Board of Finance voted not to approve additional appropriation to fund moving the Dog Pound back to Town and hiring an Animal Control officer for the balance of this fiscal year. In advance of next year's budget, we will be reviewing all options in this area.

The initial interactive session of the Plan of Conservation & Development went well. The next session is scheduled for November 24. More details will be available on the Land Use page and posted throughout Town.

The Cub Scouts will be holding a Spaghetti Supper tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. here at the Municipal Building. Just the thing after a brisk November afternoon!

Tonight the Canterbury Historical Society will present a program on Mohegan History & Culture here at the Municipal Building beginning at 7 p.m. The public is welcome. A donation of non-perishable food for Canterbury Cares is suggested.

Two flu shots clinics will be held here soon: the first next Monday from 3-4 p.m. sponsored by Day Kimball Hospital, and the second on Thursday, December 4 from 10-12 a.m., presented by the Municipal Agent for the Elderly's office.

Next Tuesday an informational session will be held here to discuss logistics involved in repairing Butts Bridge. It starts at 7 p.m.

Our regular Selectmen's meeting will be held here tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

Have a good weekend.

Brian Sear

11.10.08

A red Chow dog was found on John Brook Road and is being housed at NECCOG. Its picture is on the Animal Control page. Please call 774-1253 with any leads.

Tomorrow Town Hall will be closed in honor of Veterans Day. We re-open on Wednesday.

Wednesday night the first interactive citizen Planning session will be held at the Canterbury Elementary School at 7:30 p.m. Go to the Land Use page for details.

Next Tuesday, the State Department of Transportation will hold an information session to discuss detour options while Butts Bridge is being repaired. The meeting is here in the Community Room at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.

Brian Sear

Politics and parties

Well, the elections have finally taken place, and there are some new faces getting on board. Locally, we have a new State rep and a returning State Senator. The Presidential choice from Canterbury was almost a dead heat. Turnout was exceptionally high. A view of all local results is available through the Town Clerk's page on this website.

Locally, we're business as usual. Tonight we have a Selectmen's meeting in place of the one scheduled for last night. One item for discussion will be costs and options regarding the Dog Pound question and petition.

Bob and Carolyn Noiseaux have graciously offered to help run a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and party here on Friday, December 5. We'll be providing more details as they become available. Please offer to help in the planning if you can.

Next week (Wednesday the 12th) the first interactive public information session to update our Plan of Conservation & Development will be held at C.E.S. at 7:30 p.m. We encourage everyone to come take an active role in the Town's future! Details are available on the Land Use page of the web site.

The Town Hall will be closed next Tuesday in honor of Veteran's Day.

November 18, D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) will hold an informational meeting here regarding plans to repair Butts Bridge. Details are available in the Selectmen's office.

Enjoy the warm weather.

Brian Sear

Ooops...

The PTO Holiday Shopping Bonanza at the Dr. Helen Baldwin School is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Brian Sear

10.29 Update

After a beautiful October, the cold, wind and rain is settling in, and nature is doing a little tree pruning of her own. On the positive side, fuel prices have eased a bit, just in time for heating season.

Just a quick note: Dave Ingelse of Vision Appraisal will be performing interior inspections and exterior measurements of all properties in Town to ensure accuracy for the upcoming re-evaluation. He drives a 2006 Silver Toyota Scion, with New Hampshire Registration 572246 and his vehicle information is on file in the Assessor's office and Troop D Barracks. Please extend him your courtesy. For any questions regarding Dave or the appraisal process, please call the Assesor's office at 546-6035.

Townwide, some interesting events are coming up: this Saturday the PTO will hold a Holiday Shopping Bonanza at 2 p.m. at the Dr. Helen Baldwin School; Sunday the Friends of Prudence Crandall will present "Tea with Prudence" at the Prudence Crandall Museum. There are two sittings... at 1 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. Call ahead 546-7800 for reservations.

Next Tuesday is National Election Day. The polls will be open here at the Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On November 12, an interactive session will be held for Townspeople to kick off the process of updating the Town's Plan of Conservation & Development. It starts at 7:30 at the Canterbury Elementary School.

On November 18, the State D.O.T. will hold an information session here at the Municipal Building to discuss repair planning on Butts Bridge. The public is highly encouraged to attend. If you want background on the project, download the "Notice" file on the Public Works page.

On November 24, Day Kimball Hospital is offering flu shots here at the Municipal Building from 3-4 p.m. Bring your Medicare Card and/or Insurance identification. Costs are covered under Medicare Part B, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Community Health Network of CT, Connecticare, Meritan, Health Net, NE District or Alliance, Oxford Health and United Health Care. For all others the charge is $40 for flu and $55 for pneumonia, possibly reimbursable by your health insurance carrier. Please wear short sleeves!

Brian Sear