Blogs - Zoning - An Alternate's Reality

Location: Blogs The Webmaster's Rants Zoning - An Alternate's Reality
Posted by: mjconroy	6/16/2008
Now that I've been on the Zoning Board now for about six months, I'm starting to learn a little about how the process works. As an alternate, I rarely get a vote - in fact, I've never been seated in my brief period of service, but regardless, I get an earful and it's always enlightening. So - as I've watched and learned, I decided it might be helpful to post ~~a "Zoning Insider"~~ an "Alternate's Reality" column every so often. The purpose of the column is to educate the general public about what kinds of things go on at zoning - as well as what might be coming up that's worth noting. For example - there's a town meeting tomorrow (6/17/2008) where a couple of zoning issues will be discussed. Like fees. Fees are going up. Maybe - unless you folks demand otherwise. ANY change in zoning regulations is bound to affect us all at some point or another. Get to know what's happening. Get to know who's who. (9/28/2008) FINALLY - the opinions expressed herein are exclusively my own. The HRTC pays for this website - my opinions here are permitted by the grace of the HRTC executive committee. More later...
Copyright ©2008 Michael Conroy
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no one special

By Peter Brazaitis on 9/28/2008

Dear Zoning "Insider"- HMMMM - being an "insider" generally infers that the individual has some special position or privilege which provides them with a level of knowledge others are not privileged to. I find that amusing. You are conspicuously rarely in attendance at meetings and all of the business of the Zoning Commission is conducted in public open forum, there is no privileged information that you may be an "insider" to. Come join your Republican, Democratic, and none-affiliated colleagues as they give up their family time to serve the town, rather than their particular political affiliations. I particularly enjoy and appreciate working productively with my Republican colleagues Clarence Caldwell, Nina Callahan, and John Di Carlo, who are not only present at nearly all meetings, but contribute and work together so well. Also, perhaps the reason why you may not have been seated is that you have to actually be present at the meeting when a seated commissioner is needed to establish an quorum. Clarence generally seats alternates in order of presence, and, if they have been present enough to know what's going on and vote knowledgeably.

Best wishes and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Re: Zoning Insider

By mjconroy on 9/28/2008

Pete,

Welcome! And thanks for reading - this site gets doesn't get as much traffic as I'd like, so it's good to see a little draw now and again. For those following along, Pete's response was targeted, I believe, at my last post regarding the "Buildable Lot" regulation. Anyway - good points all. Maybe "Zoning Insider" wasn't the best title - I liked the title only because I felt that as someone learning the zoning process from the inside out, as it were, I could probably bring out some tips for the average Joe who knew they needed to approach zoning for some purpose, but weren't necessarily comfortable with the process. Having recently sat on the other side of the table for my wife's business in Thomaston, I found that even as someone familiar with the process, I felt a little nervous.

You're absolutely right - "insider" implies I might have special knowledge - which I don't. For a deeper background, I would surely look to someone with more tenure. However, at this point (especially after the very public FOIA issue last year), everyone knows zoning meetings are both open to the public, and require comprehensive and thorough minutes. I think most people would agree there's no such thing as "inside" information when it comes to the board - it is, after all, a public office.

The initial goal of this particular blog was non-partisan. Still is. I had thought it might be a good place to put things like a list of common zoning application mistakes, or maybe a definition or two here and there. As a newcomer to the board, I regularly learn things about our zoning process that might surprise the average citizen, although the regulations are readily available to the public. You have to admit, the zoning regulations are rather lengthy - it's all in there, but it sometimes takes a while to find it. It was my goal to distill some common zoning issues into something that might help people cruise through the process. What I've learned is that most people are sufficiently prepared already... That aside, all the best of intentions can sometimes be waylaid by other priorities. I would love to have more time to blog - that I had time to post my last entry to which you responded is an anomaly. Which brings me to my next point...

As to attendance, yes, I do miss here and there. This is one of the reasons I ran as an alternate. I know my schedule gets crazy. As a consultant, I often travel - I go where the jobs are. Last year, most of my jobs were local. This year, I find myself traveling to and from Meriden often. Unfortunately, Mondays are our staff meeting and I'm required to attend. Given the scope and deadline of my current project, I have been putting in a lot of hours. I do attend most meetings, and have since January. If things get rescheduled for a special meeting (as recently happened), or if there's an ad hoc property walk that conflicts with prior commitments, I will relinquish my opportunity to vote, particularly if it's clear all regular members will be in attendance, and/or John or Anne Marie will be present to fill any absences. If I know my attendance is critical to achieve a quorum, I will make every effort to reschedule to accommodate the unusual situation. The term is sufficiently long and the basic activities of the board are sufficiently repetitious that I believe over time, I'll develop a good feel to be effective as a seated member.

Finally, as you state, there are other members of the board who are Republican - and they all voted for, or supported the new regulation. So, this really can't be construed as a partisan issue. It just happens that I don't blog anywhere else, I am a conservative, and as HRTC Webmaster, I have a little autonomy in having this little soap box. That said, I should probably put a big disclaimer on the page that states my opinions don't necessarily reflect the opinions of the HRTC. If HRTC leadership directed me to cease expressing my views here, I would comply. They pay the bills. As an aside, I'm not an HRTC officer - just a member.

Ideally, other HRTC members would create their own blogs to comment on any offices they may hold, or perhaps just to comment on town happenings. Of course, some of those posts may get political. This *is*, after all, the HRTC's website - you'd expect to find that sort of thing here.

My last post was meant to be public - I want those who elected me to know my stand on the regulation just passed. My only complaint has little to do with the new regulation itself - I believe the zoning board voted against the wishes of the public - I would feel the same as an alternate, regular member, a resident of Hartford, or anyone interested in the governmental process. There is nothing partisan about it - I disagreed with all of you - not necessarily about the ordinance, but about the public relations aspect, and I just wanted the record to reflect that. This wouldn't necessarily be in the minutes, because alternates aren't permitted to vote - and no regular member was absent for this last vote, so no alternates would have been seated.

Re: Zoning Insider	By mjconroy on 9/28/2008
Finally - Pete, in deference to (and agreement with) your opinion - I have retitled this section: "Zoning - An Alternate's Reality"

Re: Zoning - An Alternate's Reality

By harwintondude on 9/29/2008

Mike,

You have nothing to apologize for!

You had the guts to criticize this and should be commended. It's disappointing that DiCarlo didn't. He challenged the zoners last year but can't be much of a conservative if Brazaitis is praising him.

Brazaitis/Watanabe & their crew see all who dare criticize them as heathens. God forbid there be debate on an issue. They have done their best to demonize everyone who does not agree with them. I am a lifelong Harwinton resident with friends in both political parties. I have nothing against Democrats but what Brazaitis/Watanabe have done to politics in our town is despicable.

It's a "do/say anything no matter how untrue to destroy all who oppose them" style of politics.

Brazaitis turns his attention to you because you dare to speak the truth!

Good job with that and in administering this webpage. Keep it up buddy.

Re: Zoning - An Alternate's Reality

By mjconroy on 9/29/2008

Dear Dude,

Thanks... I think Pete was critical of the "insider" label more than anything else. He makes a point... Further, because I am on the commission, my opinion is likely to carry more weight with the average reader than would the musings of someone not involved with town government. I expect there to be a little rancor - Pete and I both have strong personalities. Further, when I posted my original topic, I was pretty irritated - I'm sure that bled through the print. I'm far calmer now.

I don't think Pete is really demonizing me - he called me on the label "insider", and my attendance. As to the first, he's right - I assume people know that, but just to be clear, I'm happy to change it. As to the second, he's overestimating, but I have missed meetings; I don't feel as though that has caused the town any hardship, nor do I feel I've missed something that cannot be made up over time. In all, I surely feel no threat of destruction! As far as I know, Pete is not sticking pins into little zoning alternate dolls. ;)

And to my knowledge, Myrna has said nothing on the issue. To date, I have no quarrel with her.

Thanks for the kudos.

Demonization? Don't have to look far....

By harwintondude on 9/30/2008

Mike,

You should be applauded for being so diplomatic.

The facts show Brazaitis utililzed the tactics I outlined above. Rather than debate the very viable points you made at the 09/08/08 hearing and on this blog, he attacked you.....as an alternate...for missing meetings.

He never raised his head here to mention "the zoning insider" slot until you dared offer an opposing viewpoint.

This is a hallmark of the letters Watanbe writes and the way both individuals operate in town government. Why defend your position when you can attack someone in an end-around?

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