To the editor,
As the leaves begin their final descent and we start anticipating the onset of frost, flurries, and more, there are several important events and issues emerging on our radar. Let me start by reminding everyone that Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day. I strongly encourage everyone to get out and vote, there are more lenient early voting rules and absentee ballots have been available for some time now for those who find it difficult to make it to the polls. If you can’t get there yourself, don’t be reluctant to ask family or friends to assist you. Keep in mind, though, that this year our polling place has changed from its traditional location — voting will take place at the Woodland Regional High School cafeteria. Our police department will be directing traffic, but as you enter the school grounds, you can drive all the way up to the back of the school; handicapped parking will be available in close proximity to the cafeteria entrance, all others are asked to park in the lot in the many marked spaces, from where it is a short walk to the cafeteria entrance. As you exit, continue to drive down the back side of the building and leave via the emergency exit onto Back Rimmon Road. If you have any questions, please ask someone and we can make this process as easy and painless as possible.
Also, there is a new crosswalk that is in the process of being installed from the Senior Center across North Main Street. Work should be completed within a week, weather permitting, and this new walk will provide better and safer access to the business side of the street for everyone using Volunteer Park, the Senior Center and the many patrons of the events that take place in that area throughout the year.
Work should also begin shortly on the new electric vehicle charging station that will be installed in the commuter parking lot. The device is on order, and the work should be completed by the middle of November. Some of our surrounding towns have already taken this step forward in providing green energy alternatives, and at least one neighboring town has decided against doing so. Our Board of Selectmen were unanimous in support of this plan, and while the town will absorb the cost of providing this service for the next three years, we believe the tradeoff in exposure for the town and the encouragement of green energy solutions is more than worth this minimal expense on our part. After three years, the device can be reconfigured to a point of service pay system.
We have recently received more good news on the delinquent tax front. This month, we finalized the sale of a property on Lopus Road and one on South Main Street that brought another $35,000 back to the town. There are two additional properties off Bear Hill Road and Lancaster Drive requiring some additional procedural work and are targeted for auction on Dec. 11 and will clear in excess of $200,000 from the back tax rolls. The work being accomplished in this area by your tax collector, Mary Anne Holloway, is beyond exemplary.
Finally, most of us have noticed the work on the retaining wall on South Main Street is nearing completion. We are expecting to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Nov. 3 from which point everything should be back to normal in that area. I hope you agree with me that the wait has been worth it, because the walls are both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
Enjoy your Tricks and Treats on Halloween Night, keep our children safe from traffic, drivers please exercise additional caution and let’s start preparing for the upcoming holiday season.
Christopher Bielik
First Selectman
Beacon Falls
So let’s get this straight. We are going to have a ceremony to celebrate the building of a wall. And on the day before the election no less. Anyone want to guess what politicians will be on hand to get their picture taken even though they had nothing to do with the project?