Governor and Representative Hold Office Hours Tonight

One week after the Governor proposed his state budget, which includes billions of dollars in proposed tax increases and requests for union concessions, he and State Representative Rob Sampson will hold local office hours today. Any resident is invited to attend.

Body Found Near Buttermilk Falls

Plymouth and State Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a body found in the woods just northwest of the Wolcott border. According to media reports, police were called to an area off of Little Hill Lane which leads to a midpoint of the Mattatuck Trail near Buttermilk Falls. The Falls are

Malloy Approval at 50%, Voters Take Poll on Budget

HARTFORD – A new poll of likely voters shows strong support for Governor Malloy’s proposed spending cuts but strong opposition to his proposed tax increases.

50% of respondents approve of Governor Malloy’s job so far. The poll also gauges voter opinions on whether they have considered moving out of state, consider themselves supportive of the Tea Party and which individual tax proposals they would approve of.

Click HERE for the poll.

Tuesday’s Special Elections Could Impact Governor Malloy’s Tax Hike Proposal

Special Elections will be held in the shaded areas. State House races are in yellow, Senate in green

Shortly after taking office, Gov. Malloy needed additional staff to run his administration. Being the first elected Democrat to the office in 20 years, he looked to those with experience within his own party. This prompted a tidal wave of resignations of 8 of the most prominent legislators from the state house and senate. A 9th legislator – Sen. Tom Gaffey of Meriden – resigned for unrelated reasons stemming from larceny charges where he double billed the state for expenses for himself and his girlfriend.

Special elections will be held this Tuesday to ensure that the 18 towns affected have proper representation. The legislature has been in session for just over a month, although no meaningful legislation has been voted upon except in committees which are currently reviewing bill proposals. Once the new legislators are elected though, they will hit the ground running to analyze Gov. Malloy’s budget proposal. How many seats Republicans pick up could have an impact to whether Malloy gets what he wants, or an alternative plan is approved.

State Rep to Hold Office Hours

Freshman State Rep. Rob Sampson will be holding office hours in Wolcott next Thursday. No appointment is necessary. His office issued this press release:

HARTFORD—State Rep. Rob Sampson looks forward to meeting constituents during office hours in Wolcott, where he invites residents to share concerns, ideas and ask questions about state government. Sampson will be inside the Council Chambers conference room at Town Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 24. For information about Sampson’s office hours, call him at 800-842-1423.

Gov. Malloy to Gather Local Budget Input

(HARTFORD, CT) – Over the next seven weeks, Governor Dannel P. Malloy will hold a series of 17 town hall-style meetings across the state. These meetings will allow the Governor to discuss the state’s pressing economic and budgetary issues face-to-face with state residents, while listening to their own thoughts and suggestions, as well.

Beginning February 21 in Bridgeport and culminating in Danbury on April 6, Governor Malloy’s town hall series will reach all sections of the state, including the Wolcott area.

Public Hearing on Manufacturing Bills Tuesday

From The State Legislature:

The Commerce Committee will hold a public hearing immediately following a 12:00 P.M. committee meeting on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in Room 1D of the LOB. Please submit 40 copies of written testimony to Committee staff one hour prior to the start of the hearing in Room 1D of the LOB. Sign-up for the hearing will begin at 11:00 A.M. in Room 1D of the LOB. The first hour of the hearing is reserved for Legislators, State Agency Heads and Chief Elected Officials. Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony. Unofficial sign-up sheets have no standing with the Committee.

SUBJECT MATTER: Miscellaneous, economic development. For the list of 8 bills being considered, click

Legislature Hearings on ObamaCare, Elections, Red Light Cameras

The legislature is accepting public comment today on a wide variety of bills ranging from implementing Obamacare in Connecticut to Red Light cameras. Below is just a sampling of the bills being discussed during public hearings in the respective committees. Any person of the public may provide testimony in person or in writing. The Transportation Committee public hearing is being broadcast live on Ch. 96 while the Obamacare hearing can be viewed online at www.Ct-N.com :

Elections and AdministrationAbsentee ballots, integrity of elections and other elections related bills

Will they solve the problems that led to the questions following the 2010 elections?

Joint Public Hearing on Sustinet
Sustinet is Connecticut’s version of Obamacare. Among the proposals are establishing a health insurance exchange, state prescription drug purchasing.

Planning and Development Committee
Bills being proposed including e-mailing municipal tax bills, how recreational land is used, tree removal.

Transportation Committee
Handicapped parking permits
Texting and Cell phones
Red Light Cameras
Obtaining blood samples in possible DUI cases
Allowing new drivers to carry siblings as passengers
Requiring Ignition locking devices in cars
Penalties on Handicapped parkin spaces
Using HOV lanes during rush hour

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Testimony can be made in person today (most hearings are expected to run all day) or in writing. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp

Dunn Testifies on Group Homes

By Christopher O’Brien and Christine Stuart
Group homes became a hot topic at the State Capitol last week as dozens of citizens and public officials testified at a day-long public hearing over a bill proposed by Wolcott State Rep. Robert Sampson. That proposal would

Laws Need Your Input: Public Hearings Begin

When you hear of a new law – especially something absurd or one that changes the way you live – have you ever wondered who decided to pass it? Perhaps you’ve encountered a regulation that got in your way? Got a suggestion on how to improve things especially to something that might get passed with unintended consequences?

Well its time to speak up! Its law making season at the Capitol.

Dinner Auction To Benefit ARF

The Animal Rescue Foundation will host a dinner auction to benefit efforts to rebuild its shelter in Plymouth. Radio personality Brad Davis and WFSB meteorologist Scot Haney will also be on hand. Both personalities have had long held interests in looking after pets and animals, often incorporating reminders to take care of them within their respective programs.

The dinner will be held on March 12th. For tickets and additional information, contacft Bill at 860-582-0234

Public Hearings on Prevailing Wage, Sunday Liquor Tuesday

By Christine Stuart
A series of public hearings on hundreds of bills are being held in Hartford. And Tuesday will be a busy day at the Capitol.

Town Ready In Case of Ice

Round one is behind us – with the heavy stuff yet to come.

The nooks and crannies of town received about 3 inches of soft snow Tuesday in what has amounted to the lowest snowfall yet this year. Pretty cool, right? Well, the temperatures will warm up overnight placing Wolcott right at the junction of a second storm consisting of a difficult forecast of rain, freezing rain and snow. Local meteorologists place Wolcott on the edge of the all-snow/mix line. Perhaps the north end of town will get the pure white, but we can’t help but remember an ice storm a few years ago that cut off some neighborhoods from the rest of town. Up to a half-inch of ice is expected. That can cause trees to bow and the potential for power lines to be damaged.

If a power outage occurs,