Rise in cost may spark new debate over resident trooper

NORTH CANAAN — A nearly 10 percent increase to the resident state trooper contract is part of the 2011-12 town budget proposal. It is year two of a two-year contract. The $6,977 hike would be part of a renewed contract for the next two years, and could spark renewed debate over the necessity of the program for North Canaan. In 2009, more than 100 people came out to the town budget meeting; many of them said they were there specifically to talk about cost versus need. A proposal by then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell would have phased out state underwriting of 30 percent of the cost of the program.The local program was continued following a paper ballot vote. And as it turned out, state funding was not cut.Many spoke passionately at that meeting, and at a town meeting two years prior, of the need for a police officer who was assigned specifically to the town. Others were just as convinced that having the State Police Troop B headquarters in town is sufficient. The state police say that where a troop is located doesn’t matter. Only four road troopers are assigned per shift and they cover more than 500 square miles. There is, however, a perceived higher presence because they pass through town at the beginning and end of shifts, and several troopers live in town.Towns with resident state troopers pay 70 percent of all costs, including salary, benefits, fuel, uniforms and meal stipends. The amount, for towns with just one resident trooper, varies according to how much that trooper earns, but averages about $100,000.North Canaan’s cost was nearing the average when Trooper Bob Janco was the resident trooper. The total dropped dramatically when Janco left to take a promotion and was replaced by rookie Jim Promotico in November 2007.The non-negotiable contract total for the coming year is $79,890.The bigger picture of the resident state trooper program could change dramatically if proposed legislation is passed. State Rep. Craig Miner (R-66) has raised an amendment that would allow two or more towns to share resident troopers. Miner represents Morris, Warren, Bethlehem, Litchfield and Woodbury. The last three have resident troopers. The premise is that adjacent small towns could receive sufficient coverage from a shared trooper. Those five towns are somewhat smaller in area than the six Region One School District towns, but they are more spread out and have about a third larger population.The state currently has 55 towns with resident state trooper programs. The proposed amendment to the state law has been referred to the joint committee on planning and development.

Latest News

Classifieds - 3-28-24

Help Wanted

Full-time Bookkeeping position available: Monday-Friday 9-5. Must be proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office. Individual must be organized, work independently and reliable. Please call 860-824-9955 ext. 105 for more information or email resume to amy@lamricaccounting.com.

Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center: is a year-round 120-person retreat facility that is located in Falls Village, CT. Want to work at a beautiful, peaceful location, with great people? This is the place to be! We are currently seeking positions for a Sous Chef, Retreat Services Associate (front of house), dishwashers, mashgichim (f/t and p/t) and lifeguard(s) for our summer season. For more details please visit our website at adamah.org/about-adamah/careers/ or email a copy of your resume to jobs@adamah.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
South Kent School’s unofficial March reunion

Elmarko Jackson was named a 2023 McDonald’s All American in his senior year at South Kent School. He helped lead the Cardinals to a New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) AAA title victory and was recruited to play at the University of Kansas. This March he will play point guard for the Jayhawks when they enter the tournament as a No. 4 seed against (13) Samford University.

Riley Klein

SOUTH KENT — March Madness will feature seven former South Kent Cardinals who now play on Division 1 NCAA teams.

The top-tier high school basketball program will be well represented with graduates from each of the past three years heading to “The Big Dance.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotchkiss grads dancing with Yale

Nick Townsend helped Yale win the Ivy League.

Screenshot from ESPN+ Broadcast

LAKEVILLE — Yale University advanced to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament after a buzzer-beater win over Brown University in the Ivy League championship game Sunday, March 17.

On Yale’s roster this year are two graduates of The Hotchkiss School: Nick Townsend, class of ‘22, and Jack Molloy, class of ‘21. Townsend wears No. 42 and Molloy wears No. 33.

Keep ReadingShow less
Handbells of St. Andrew’s to ring out Easter morning

Anne Everett and Bonnie Rosborough wait their turn to sound notes as bell ringers practicing to take part in the Easter morning service at St. Andrew’s Church.

Kathryn Boughton

KENT—There will be a joyful noise in St. Andrew’s Church Easter morning when a set of handbells donated to the church some 40 years ago are used for the first time by a choir currently rehearsing with music director Susan Guse.

Guse said that the church got the valuable three-octave set when Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center closed in the late 1980s and the bells were donated to the church. “The center used the bells for music therapy for younger patients. Our priest then was chaplain there and when the center closed, he brought the bells here,” she explained.

Keep ReadingShow less