New Haven Independent

Before the city can seal its new $6 million waste management deal, a public hearing is required. That hearing takes place Tuesday night, but with the ordinance already on the books, there is not much a concerned citizen can do.

At the East Rock Management Team meeting Monday night, residents asked about the hearing on the trash ordinance, which established an independent authority to handle the city’s waste management. The approved plan also grants leasing rights for the solid waste transfer station on Middletown Avenue to the new trash authority in return for a projected $6 million for the city’s general fund.

“What would be the point of my going and testifying tomorrow?” Robin Schafer wanted to know. “Is this something that the public should be commenting on?”

The two East Rock aldermen present at the meeting, Roland Lemar and Allan Brison, differed in their opinions about new trash plan, with Brison more skeptical of its necessity. But they agreed that Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. public hearing at City Hall won’t have much of an effect.

Lemar explained that the hearing is a legal requirement before the asset transfer between the city and the new authority’s Board of Directors can take place. It’s an opportunity for the public to react to the new policy, he said, but the terms are set.

Read more about the city’s trash plan here, here, and here.

Attention then turned to the Safe Streets petition, a citywide initiative to reduce traffic-related injuries. The petition was circulated at the meeting, with plans to vote on the initiative as a group at the next session. In the meantime, members expressed interest in taking initiative on the issue.

“There are a lot of things that can be done that don’t require a lot of money,” said Alex Marathas (pictured, at right). He brought up the dangerous turn from South Frontage Road onto Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, which could be improved with better striping on the road. And he suggested allowing parking past 4 p.m. on Trumbull Street, because more cars on the street would cause drivers to slow down.

But he also said that he’s experienced the frustration of making these kinds of recommendations and seeing that nothing gets done. Lemar said he is working on setting up a community-wide traffic calming meeting, like those held recently in Fair Haven.

Under the leadership of Fair Haven Alderwoman Erin Sturgis-Pascale, Fair Haven raised money to hire a traffic engineer — Dan Burden of Walkable Communities — as a consultant. Lemar plans to bring Burden back for a similar consultation with East Rock. Click here to read about Burden’s traffic-calming presentation to Fair Haven.

Brison, who serves on the Board of Aldermen’s Education Committee, also reported on the transition underway in the public school’s food services. “Aramark has been disposed of as the main food provider,” Brison said, to a few cheers, “so the school is now going on a self-operating system.”

Brison said the district will continue to use the Central Kitchen previously operated by Aramark and will begin to use facilities that laid dormant when Aramark shipped in prepared foods from outside suppliers. Much of the food for the coming school year has already been bought, so the transition to self-operating kitchens will be gradual.

Lemar was asked about Web 311, an internet application on the city’s website that processes citizen questions and complaints. “It’s a tool for people who have been told about it,” he said, and until the city decides to invest in a phone line to handle calls in English and Spanish, the program in its current internet-only form is not likely to take off.

Several residents at the meeting reported a lack responsiveness from the Web 311 system. One said he used the system three times and never got a response.

Lemar also raised the issue of people leaving bulk trash out on the street when they move out of rented houses or apartments. Appointments for the city’s free bulk trash pick-up have to be made about six weeks in advance, and many people do not plan for this. “People think they’re doing a service by leaving their mattress out with a ‘free’ sign,” Lemar said.

Lt. Rebecca Sweeney reported that crime numbers have been low in East Rock for the past two weeks, with four car thefts, two thefts from automobiles, a burglary and a robbery. During the robbery, which took place on Nash Street, the victim managed to get the knife away from the assailant, a 27-year-old man who is now facing charges.

On behalf of the Friends of East Rock Park, Justin Elicker reported on upcoming events, starting with stargazing at the summit of East Rock this Wednesday night. Interested gazers should meet at the Rice Field at 10 p.m. The third planting of the summer with the Urban Resources Initiative will be this Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., also at the Rice Field. And as part of East Rock’s first annual Cycling Celebration on July 19, FERP will hold a kite flying competition and offer a number of guided hikes.

The New Haven Bioregional Group is organizing a walk along the Mill River on July 12 to explore the watershed. The hike will begin at the Eli Whitney Museum’s covered bridge at 10 a.m., and will follow the river down to the Criscuolo bridge. All are welcome.