Woodstock CT Café

As I recall. Mr Wooten has a special permit to sell used cars at his location on Route 197 that does not extend to someone else’s lawn at the intersection of 169 and 197.

The day the cars appeared, the ZEO investigated and asked Mr. Wooten to reduce the number of cars and have them all gone by Monday and he agreed to do this, which is why I think there were fewer cars later on Friday.

I agree that Woodstock needs better Zoning and we are working on it regularly. I also don’t think we need to be regulated to death in Woodstock. It is why I would never move to a community such as Celebration, Florida or even Simsbury.

Gail Dickinson

Excellent comments Snuffy. The builders and the realtors love us when we are buying their houses, but when it comes to looking at the long range implications of growth they turn the other way. The comments by Dave Porter, builder, in Friday’s villager was classic:

“At the town meeting two new roads that serve as highways in new residential subdivisions in West Woodstock were approved (for the town to service). Those roads were Aplin Hill Lane and Tayler Trail. Doug Porter from WBA was present earlier in the meeting to describe the necessity of the new development and the new tax dollars those homes will be bringing to the town.”

The necessity of the new developments…in housing slump…and the new tax dollars those homes will bring to the town…so long as those three bedroom single family homes don’t have any school age children, he conveniently forgot to mention.

I have nothing against builders and recognize their work as productive, skilled, and necessary. But I do have a problem when they and others attract newcomers to the town without thinking about long range planning and the implications of growth in a bedroom town where as you mention, the schools are beginning to strain and services are needed to support this growth. This is all part of the deal. It doesn’t end when the homeowner signs the sales agreement. It is irresponsible and unfair to the newcomers. Read the rest of this entry »

I think that we can have both (speaking to Mathlady). This isn’t a one or the other issue. While you make the point that students can double up at the Academy to make up for potentially lost time from the middle school, this does not address problems such as Reality Check had brought up earlier. RC made the claim that there were a fair amount of students in WMS who had taken 8th grade algebra and yet failed the Academy algebra placement exam. Sure we can double up at the Academy to make up for this, but I do not view this as a solution. We can also fix the problem at WMS and it shouldn’t be that difficult.

I brought up this issue at the BOE meeting on Thursday where parents were invited to participate in the development of the Board’s longe range planning. It was not only a very productive meeting but a great opportunity for parents to voice their concerns and have a say in what they want from their schools. I was grateful for the opportunity to participate and came away confident that this issue and others were not only addressed but that they would be acted upon.

Lindsey Paul suggested that the identification of this specific issue of algebra was important in that it may also lead to the identification of broader needs and help identify underlying issues that prevent such malallignments. One such underlying issue identified by Mr. Rosendahl was the need to strengthen communication between the WPS and the Woodstock Academy. I agree with him and mentioned that strong partnerships don’t mean both sides have to agree on every issue (except for placing the students first). Read the rest of this entry »

We cannot solve the problems until we identify the problems. These are (i) the town’s imbalanced and underfunded public education system; (ii) the lack of any real land use regulation; and (iii) who pays taxes and who gets the cash benefits. The problem is not the “tension” or the lack of “finesse” in the articulation of the problems. The problems are the problems.

I know a good number of the BOE members reasonably well, and voted for and helped elect a number of them. The truth is the BOE has been beaten into political submission by a small group of pathologically obsessed, mentally disturbed men. The BOE is like a group of abused wives. They can take two paths – either tolerate the abuse until its over for them when they will leave the system – or raise hell about it in which case the political beatings will get worse.

But this small CPS/Truth/Coalition group is just the tip of the iceberg. I have always wondered why they have so much support. Behind them is a much broader group that may disown their tactics, but appreciate the sentiment and the result. Why?

Because the town’s economy largely revolves around the land development business. These are the “townies” who have been here since 1975 – or 1875 – or 1775 and trump anything you say with this information. They cleared, farmed and raised animals on the land. The farmers/landowners make money off crops, animals, gravel, timber, topsoil, sand, stone walls. The engineering firms make money draining swamps and engineering the land development, sewer, stormwater and road systems. The developers make money buying, subdividing and developing the land. The contractors make money clearing, regrading and building new homes and roads. The real estate agents make money selling the homes to – you guessed it – “newcomers”. And the low taxes keep the whole machine going, including attracting disproportionate numbers of seniors along with all those families. That’s the reality of the local economy. Read the rest of this entry »

This is exactly why we can’t ever get around to an honest, open debate. Everybody is keeping tabs and reading the most negative interpretation into each and every comment made. We have become a nation of self-indulgent buckets of balderdash. I don’t think I’ve noticed Mr. Wootton as a commenter here at the Café before this, so I’m willing to give him a do-over.

Doug, before you choose to jump in with both feet next time, perhaps you should do a little research. Did you read ‘The Future of Woodstock’ Part1 or Part 2? Those articles were about Planning and Zoning and the seeming lack of consistency in application of what we do have on the books and the lack of any teeth or strength in those regulations we do have.

Hawgs and Dogs is just fine. I’m glad you enjoy the experience of going there. How would you feel if there were one of those every half a mile or so? This is the point of discussing planning and zoning. It is the framework to control development of growth. It is a set of criteria, rules if you will, by which the town can deal, even-handedly, with its townspeople, balancing the rights of the individual with the common good of the community.

I, for one, enjoyed the description of the houseplants taking over the house. I knew in an instant what was the location of reference. I have marveled over the years at that profusion of houseplants, wondering each time I drive by, “How ever does that woman keep them all alive?” While your protectiveness is admirable, I do think it was a wee bit overdone. Read the rest of this entry »

“I am a “guy”- but also a widowed single parent raising 2 children with some questions?? How much time can Palin devote to the country with 5 children- the last a special needs child- and now a 17 year old daughter pregnant? Something is going to suffer- but neither should! Family or country? McCain’s first major choice is very telling- and scary. Someone- or maybe everyone- is going to lose.” Ken Rapoport

I have to say that I was quite surprised by John McCain’s pick for VP yesterday and it sent waves of discussion throughout the day at work. Many people thought it was a smart move politically. I argued that picking the VP shouldn’t be about politics but about picking the person best suited to run the country in place of the President…and let’s face it, John McCain, if elected, will be the oldest President taking office and questions persist about his health history. Of course, bunch of the guys, were wowed by her good looks including me. Upon seeing her I immediately conjured up images of my childhood dreamboat Linda Carter…you know, Wonder Woman. Hair up, bookish glasses….but watch out when she starts twirling! I know this sounds sexist. I apologize. When I began to read more about her I couldn’t help contrasting her to Hillary. While I was a fan of Hillary, certainly Sara Palin makes quite a contrast. Two very different sort of woman and I have to admit, I sort of like the differences that make Sara Palin and not Hillary Clinton. The athlete, the sportswoman, the mom of many, pro-life and the mother of a Down’s Child, Mother of a child going to Iraq…all very moving….but still, bottom line, despite the good first impression, I still have to ask myself if this choice was best for our country or just best for John McCain?

This morning I came upon an interesting list submitted by a Naomi in another blog on the Weekly Standard which I will share with you and perhaps we can discuss. Its rather succinct and insightful:

What Palin Does:

1. Steps on the story of Obama’s speech (and convention), and possibly the bounce coming from them, and wipes them off the news cycle. The Sunday news shows will be all-Palin, all of the time.

2. Sends Republicans into their convention on a huge head of steam. Read the rest of this entry »

McCain wanted to pick a female Washington outsider, a state Governor, for his Vice Presidential candidate. He had more than one choice - for example our own Jodi Rell who cleaned up the mess created by Rowland. He chose a female Governor who had been in office for only 20 months, and who was Mayor of a Town about the size of Woodstock. Perhaps this qualifies our own Margaret Wholean, who has on the job training.

Female Governors – Republican and Democrat – and one more

As school opened this week I’ve had some inquiries about the changes that have taken place with drivers routes and equipment. I thought this would be a good time to give a general overall picture.

Two things happened at the close of last year that have precipitated most of the changes people have noticed. The first was the car accident that injured Mrs. Palmer. The second was the retirement of Mrs. Converse after many long years of service.

In the table below I have reconstructed what the routes, buses and drivers looked like last year and what they look like this year.

We put four new buses on the road last year (20, 7, 1 &2). Buses 20 and 7 were purchased during the 2006/2007 fiscal year and buses 1 and 2 were purchased during the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Read the rest of this entry »

Six articles will post between midnight and 1AM – articles by Bill Sowka, Snuffy, ‘For Love of Impala’, ‘A Guy’, Admin, and Becki on everything from McCain’s VP pick to Woodstock school buses.

In response to Redneck. We all pay taxes and have a right to an opinion.you have expressed yours and I have expressed mine.

I think you have me confused with someone else though. I have never “ranted” at a town meetings or “stood up at town meetings and spewed my angry trap at the hardworking volunteers and then slam the door on the way out without listening for a reply?”, that’s not me ,your thinking of someone else.

When I started my business in Woodstock I attended several town meetings and was nothing but respectful to the hard working volunteers. I am friends with several of them.

Also, if you knew who I was you would also know that my wife is a school teacher in Woodstock and I have 2 children in the Woodstock school system. I do care about the school and other important issues I just choose not to discuss them on an open forum under an alias. I may not agree with my neighbors/friends on some issues but they, like you and I, are entitled to an opinion. As far as I know Petie Racine pays taxes in this town just like you and I and that gives her the right to put up a sign on her lawn at election time. I for one get a kick out of reading them and think it adds character to this small town.

In response to Snuffy. I believe that some people get carried away and full of them self. I also think that certain people get too involved in other peoples business. I never said there should be no regulations whatsoever. I said people should be able to do what they want on the land they own and pay taxes on “within reason”. People are too concerned with what their neighbors are up to. We could all point the finger at one or more of our neighbors and criticize them but what is the point? No one in Woodstock is really doing anything that we should be concerend with. As far as I know there are no crack houses, meth labs, Burgerkings or McDonalds…these although extreme would be cause for alarm. Stone walls, hot dog stands, cars for sale and vernal pools are not cause for alarm. Read the rest of this entry »

It is not just one course that prepares the students for high school math. What is on the test? Is it mostly skill? Is it that our children have not covered the topics? Or is it higher level thinking and problem solving? What is the depth of knowledge of most of the questions?

I agree we have fabulous teachers. We also have supportive fabulous parents. We also have a math curriculum in position to address this problem. Isn’t that his/her Job?

Most of what I have seen from my children (elementary to middle) is skill – very little problem solving. We need to see more non-routing (is it “routine”? admin) problems so that students learn how to use the “skills” and apply the knowledge. The good news is students can double up on math at the Academy and still reach AP Calculus.

Mathlady

“Heck, in one day I was able to communicate, argue, and debate with at least half a dozen other people in Woodstock on a series of issues. 10 years ago I was lucky to talk to my neighbor about the weather.”

Doug, Joe, and Raymond,

Happiness and freedom are wonderful things that should not be taken for granted but more importantly should be used with responsibility.

Part of that responsibility is respecting your neighbors freedom and their rights. The other part is protecting one’s community with a government that supports fair protection of these freedoms for all. The former calls for individuals to act the latter calls for a community to act. Individuals act by remaining courteous and respectful to their neighbors. Communities act in the form of government to protect individuals from those who disrespect. Governments also act to ensure fair planning and zoning, fair appropriation of taxes, support of schools, support of roads, and direct protection of person/property so, once again, these freedoms are protected and preserved. I know you know this, just put up with me.

While we are all not “cut from the same cloth” we do all share this common standard that has become part of the American way of life. However, the integrity of this system relies on individuals who are willing to speak out. To stick their neck out, to be politically incorrect sometimes, to participate in government, to try to see both sides of a story, to vote, to protest, to blog, to write letters, and to make phone calls or emails. We invest in our way of life by seeing to it that the systems that protect it are fair and efficient. Lucky for us we live in a country where freedom of speech reigns supreme. But again, this freedom must be used responsibly.

The internet has given us a huge opportunity to find information, but also a responsibility to disseminate it. It has also given us the ability to communicate and use our freedom of speech in ways that are historically unprecedented and have so much more depth, and yet again if we use it responsibly the potential for creating change will also be unprecedented. Change that will promote transparency in government, change that will foster communication of ideas, change that will improve efficiency, change that will ensure prudence. Heck, in one day I was able to communicate, argue, and debate with at least half a dozen other people in Woodstock on a series of issues. 10 years ago I was lucky to talk to my neighbor about the weather. Read the rest of this entry »

Sadly, the wall of communication in this town seems impossible to scale (thanks Kevin & Woodstocker for actually addressing my post). This is why any improvement to the governing of our town is little more than a pipe dream.

Too many Snuffsters, Chucksters, and Poos who only wish to degrade, vilify, and discount anyone who asks questions (regardless of the questions) simply because they declare all questioners the enemy.

The SCPs are not the least bit interested in true discussion or debate. Constructive dialogue is undesired. They simply can not conceive that someone may question and not be against the fundamental ideals or intentions.

As I said before, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT conscientious, judicious plans for assistance of our farmers and the preservation of open space. My only concern is that we MAY have passed a LAW in this town (without the ability for appropriate review) that is far too broad and can/might entitle far more recipients than anticipated.

Ordinance:
Pursuant to the authority of the General Statues Section 12-91(c), the Town of Woodstock hereby provides an exemption from property tax for any building, to the extent of an assessed value of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) used, actually and exclusively in farming, as defined in General Statues Section 1-1. Such exemption shall not apply to any resident of such farmer and shall be subject to the application and qualification process provided in General Statues Section 12-91 (d), this ordinance to be effective with assessment years
beginning October1,2008.

Definition of “farming”:
(q) Except as otherwise specifically defined, the words “agriculture” and “farming” shall include cultivation of the soil, dairying, forestry, raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training and management of livestock, including horses, bees, poultry, fur-bearing animals and wildlife, and the raising or harvesting of oysters, clams, mussels, other molluscan shellfish or fish; the operation, management, conservation, improvement or maintenance of a farm and its buildings, tools and equipment, or salvaging timber or cleared land of brush or other debris left by a storm, as an incident to such farming operations; the production or harvesting of maple syrup or maple sugar, or any agricultural commodity, including lumber, as an incident to ordinary farming operations or the harvesting of mushrooms, the hatching of poultry, or the construction, operation or maintenance of ditches, canals, reservoirs or waterways used exclusively for farming purposes; handling, planting, drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing, grading, storing or delivering to storage or to market, or to a carrier for transportation to market, or for direct sale any agricultural or horticultural commodity as an incident to ordinary farming operations, or, in the case of fruits and vegetables, as an incident to the preparation of such fruits or vegetables for market or for direct sale. The term “farm” includes farm buildings, and accessory buildings thereto, nurseries, orchards, ranges, greenhouses, hoophouses and other temporary structures or other structures used primarily for the raising and, as an incident to ordinary farming operations, the sale of agricultural or horticultural commodities. The term “aquaculture” means the farming of the waters of the state and tidal wetlands and the production of protein food, including fish, oysters, clams, mussels and other molluscan shellfish, on leased, franchised and public underwater farm lands. Nothing herein shall restrict the power of a local zoning authority under chapter 124.

Sec. 12-91(d) Qualification for exemption: Read the rest of this entry »

This is part 3 of “The Future of Woodstock”

Yippee Yaw! Has anybody noticed the new used car lot on the corner of 169 and 197??

Yes, right on the corner of this scenic intersection we now have a new business in town to compete with Hogs for Dogs. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I passed by on my way to work. Conveniently splayed throughout the yard of the corner house, who otherwise portrays colorful billboards around budget time ( you know, the red house that looks like its inside is being taken over by a proliferation of house plants), is a potporri of used cars with their price tags in full view of drivers passing by. Ahhh, isn’t it wonderful to live in a town where there is no zoning and everyone does what they wish on their property (to hell with the neighbors). So I got to thinkin’ about what other kind of businesses we might be needin’ in Woodstock that I could put on my front yard. Hey, I know, maybe a flea market or maybe a small zoo. Or how about a day care for animals? Maybe a small appliance business? Hmmm.

Redneck

Valjean genuinely asked “What can be done to break the cycle of complaints and countering these complaints between citizens of Woodstock and our elected board members who wish to defend the practices of the town?” JV stated regarding the public school system, that the public has every right to access information. While it may be an annoyance and egos are bruised by it, does the BOE have a choice? Isn’t this simply part of their role? JV’s guess is that this is not unique to Woodstock. Attempting to marginalize people and create angry division is not stopping this cycle. In fact, he would argue, it makes it worse. He suggests that perhaps it’s time to take a bolder path. If in fact there is nothing to hide, then why not just open everything up? Perhaps if the BOE disclosed everything on a monthly basis as Kevin suggested by the finance committee at one of their meetings, providing records and public participation afterwards, wouldn’t this help to relieve some of the tensions? “Fully open and transparent government…what a concept!”

Citizen Cain responded by asking “How do you satisfy irrational beliefs and vengeance? No matter what the BOE does, just about anything the BOE puts forth will be twisted and used against them in some irrational way. A few years ago it was cafeteriagate, insurancegate, and absenteegate. Computergate was an example last year and the new lawnmowergate is the current issue. The reality is that roughly 3/4 of property taxes support the school system in Woodstock under state mandate. Besides the avengers (above), there is a group of taxpayers who simply do not want to support the school system. Instead of simply saying this, they latch on to the irrational beliefs of others to try to get their way.”

Then Kevin said that CC has given “a pretty good synopsis here.”

When you look at the cost of providing every scrap of paper that might be considered ‘business related’ it would be huge. The BOE would have to hire staff to keep the information posted to the public, the vast majority of whom couldn’t care less. As it is, school staff are sequestered from their normal duties to try and satisfy the personal needs of Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod.

But, taxpayers have already gone on the record for reduced costs this year by rejecting the first budget in June. You have to remember that members of our Boards of Finance and Education, and the Planning and Zoning Commission are not being paid for the hours of service that they donate to the town and the headaches and abuse they receive in return.

How much has it already cost the taxpayers to service the FOI complaints of Winkin and Nod? Read the rest of this entry »

If I read the report from last nights meeting correctly, it seems that some people did their homework correctly in getting the answers to most if not all the questions. There where two problems that I perceive:

1 – The BOS selectively sent out invitations to a meeting. The meeting agenda/time/date was published but I am not sure if this is ethical in selecting a mailing list from a public resource to a target audience. My understanding is that the town can not select who is to receive and not receive information.

2 – Minutes for all of the town hall sponsored meetings have to be published unless they pertain to a very selective Court upheld list of activities.

If either of these conditions can be proved then the BOS should be called out on their failure to follow the laws.

It does seem that the sub-committee did their job correctly and from what Becki reports throughly. Complements to them for this effort, but shame on them for not making sure that their minutes and information from these meeting kept in selective small circle of people. That is not the way the US gov was designed and upheld!

Ron