Portland, Connecticut                      New to this site?

Ceremonial Placing of Wreath at Veteran's Memorial Monument Ceremonial Placing of Wreath at Veteran's Memorial Monument Sponsored by The Veteran Affair Commission Richard Murphy, Day's Principal Speaker, drew attention to the Veterans of World War II. Major Tom DeRing and LT. Colonel Reg. Farrington, Ret. pictured placing wreath at Veteran's Monument.   Click Here From the 1st Selectwoman.   Portland Businesses Economic Development Located in Central Connecticut, Portland was once famous for its brownstone quarries, shipbuilding industry and quality tobacco farming.     Mindful of its heritage, today's Portland retains its proud New England character while embracing the challenges of the 21st century.        Whenever you see this image, place your cursor over it to see what information it may lead to. Headlines New Ladder Fire Truck gets Baptised Dedication Photos of Arch Pavilion located on Main Street Planning and Zoning Meeting Change Town Clerk Food Drive Sandy Darna's Retirement Party Election Results PHS Gets Money for New Water and People Course The Board of Education recieved $7,500 this week from the Connecticut Section of the American Water Works Assiciation. Shown here with a giant ceremonial check are, from left, Board of Education Chairman Chris Phelps, Superintendent of Schools Sally Doyen, Vickey Carrier of the state Department of Health, Town Tech Coordinator Dave Kuzminski (Who will help teach the class), Portland High School environmental science teacher Seb Agostino, and Connecticut Section of the AWWA Chairman Tom Chaplik. Leaf Pickup Flyer Lake Series Press Release About the Land Use Academy About the Land Use Academy The Academy provides an introduction to a variety of topics and skills pertinent for local land use decision makers in Connecticut. It is a program of the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR). New land use commissioners and those considering becoming commissioners will find the courses especially useful, as will current commissioners seeking to update or refresh their understanding of fundamental land use topics. Each Academy series is composed of a core curriculum of three courses. These courses are offered in day-long events, held on Saturdays. The Academy takes place four times a year at locations across the state. The Connecticut Land Use Academy is supported by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM), with funds provided by the Connecticut General Assembly. Inland Wetlands Commission Water Water Everywhere Veterans Commission Honors Cpl. John Willmore There will be a Public Hearing on August 6, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Portland Library to consider deactivating streetlights. Click here to view list. Portland High School Graduation 2008 The 2008-2009 Budget Referendum was held on May 12, 2008. The vote was as follows: Yes: 407, No: 122. The 2008-09 Budget is adopted. FY 2009 Adopted Budget (6.36 Megabytes) Is your Home Property Identified Basic Financial Statement 2007* *Public viewing copies are available at the Library and in the Town Clerks’ office. Wood Burning Stove Safety Ethics Ordinance, Adopted Radon Fact Sheet (5.09 Megabytes) Town Charter Proposal 5 or... Town Charter Proposal 5 with Explanatory Notes Please read the DRAFT changes to the Portland Town Charter as proposed by the Charter Revision Commission - Version 5. The current Town Charter is also available for review. Playground at Brownstone Intermediate School State funds bring new playground equipment to Portland. Wildlife in Town DARE Veterans Memorial Dedication 2007 Approved Budget (large file, 6.12 MG) Residents! Please notify the Public Works Department if you notice a street light in your neighborhood is out or stays on continuously. Call 342-6733 to specify the exact location and, if possible, the pole number. Clean Energy Enrollment Form Stormwater Pollution (A message from Public Works) Gildersleeve Education Trust Application Emergency Preparedness   (See From the First Selectwoman for information from Susan Bransfield.)

Top

IRS Stimulus Payment – It’s Not Too Late!

Do you qualify for an Economic Stimulus Payment? Have you filed a 2007 federal tax return? Then your rebate will automatically go out by mail or direct deposit starting early May. If you normally don’t have to file taxes because your income is low, this year you need to file Form 1040A to get a Stimulus Payment. This includes people who receive at least $3,000 in earnings and/or benefits from Social Security, VA disability or a Retired Railroad Worker’s pension.

By law, the IRS cannot issue any economic stimulus payment checks or Direct Deposits after Dec. 31, 2008. Individuals must file the simple tax form with enough time left in the calendar year for the IRS to process it and issue the economic stimulus payment before the end of the year. If you didn’t make the April 15 deadline, you automatically have until October 15 to file a tax return solely to receive an economic stimulus payment. You do not have to file a form to be granted an extension. However, you must file by October 15 so the IRS can process your return and issue a stimulus payment before the end of the year.

Ask for tax forms at the Information Desk at the Library.

Top

Wildlife in Town

The Town has recently received a number of questions concerning coyotes, foxes, and other Wildlife animals in our neighborhoods.

The State Department of Environmental Protection is a wonderful resource for information concerning wildlife. The following information is from the DEP (www.ct.gov/dep):

Dealing with Distressed Wildlife
Be Cautious! Never touch any wild animal if it can be avoided. Always keep children and pets away. If you must touch an animal, always wear gloves. This will protect both you and the animal. In many cases, an animal that bites or scratches a person will need to be killed to test it for rabies.

If an animal appears to be sick, it may not be safe to handle it! If an animal is stumbling, staggering, walking in circles, dragging a limb or the hind end, or if it is acting strangely (approaching people or pets in an aggressive manner) never attempt to handle the animal. Call your local Animal Control Officer, Police Department or DEP Dispatch (860-424-3333) immediately to get assistance.

Wild animals can be dangerous! Their behavior is often unpredictable. Do not attempt to rescue a potentially dangerous animal without assistance from someone with experience.

Assess the situation before picking up an animal!
Wild animals often leave their young unattended for several hours or more. Be aware that animals thought to be orphans may not need your assistance. Do not intervene unless you are certain that the animal is orphaned, it is obviously injured or it is in immediate danger. If you suspect that an animal is orphaned, watch from a distance for a minimum of several hours and attempt to reunite the orphan with its mother.

Remember that it is illegal for any person, other than a state appointed rehabilitator, to care for wildlife. If you think an animal needs help, make sure to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Get more information by calling DEP Dispatch (860-424-3333).

Top

Is Your Home Properly Identified?

You may not notice or think about it often, but on a regular basis emergency personnel respond to addresses both residential and business that are not properly or readily indentified by clear, easy to read numbers. Even though the technology of global positioning systems have made things easier for responders in recent history, if an address is not properly identified it is confusing and costly in response time to save lives.

The Town of Portland's Code of Ordinances states: "It shall be the duty of the owners of all residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings within the Town of Portland to identify such buildings or parts thereof as herein provided." The ordinance outlines the assignment of numbers to be performed by the Town and reserves the right to authorize changing any building's number. It is the property owner's responsibility to comply with this ordinance at their expense and to maintain these numbers in good repair throughout the life of the building.

The identification number shall be located on the exterior front of the building and/or on a post, sign, mailbox or other device located between the building and the street fronting the building. The numerals shall be at least 3-1/2 inches in height and shall be of a contrasting color of the background material to which they are affixed and of substantially permanent materials. Spelled out numbers are not acceptable. They shall be affixed as to not be easily effaced or removed and shall be located between 4 feet and 10 feet in height above the ground directly below them. When a building is more than 100 feet from the fronting street or obstructed from view, the driveway entrance must also be identified with the given street number. Entrances of common driveways must have all associated numbers at the street entrance and at each intersecting driveway in addition to the house mounted number.

Top

           
Last Updated: July 9, 2008