An Update On Town Hall's High Alert Status

1. Guess what? More rain. Periods of showers and (potentially) thunderstorms are expected all day and night, according to the National Weather Service. A high of 60, and a low of 53, according to the service.

2. You have to admire the bravado of surveyor William Kent. On behalf of contractor Robert Nauta, Kent recently submitted plans for a Drive. Neighbors opposed the plan because of the increased traffic, potential environmental impact and because it takes away their backyards.

The conservation commission ruled that the subdivision would have no substantial environmental impact on the community. However, it ruled to hold a public hearing anyway, because so many people complained and it deemed it was in the interest of the public.

Nauta and Kent, clearly frustrated with the ruling, walked out of the meeting before the commission could set a date for the public hearing (a move Environmental Planner Maureen Fitzgerald called “very rude.”). They later withdrew their application.

Patch ran into Kent Tuesday and asked if he would resubmit the application. Kent said he would, although possibly with even more houses. This application isn’t going away, Kent said.

3. An update on an old story: Waterford Town Hall has been on . However, the Department of Homeland Security has done away with color-coded alerts, so Waterford Town Hall will do so as well. Town Hall is still on higher-than-normal alert, First Selectman Dan Steward said.

Town Hall was put on high alert in September because a town employee threatened to shoot himself in the head in the human resources department. The employee was later fired, although the worker is hoping to get his job back and is in the midst of a union grievance.

4. Tonight, the board of finance will share its views on the police department’s new bid to acquire a . The town acquired a $520,000 grant to pay for the boat and the first three years of maintenance. Still, some board members, although willing to hear the police department’s presentation, were skeptical of this purchase, worrying about the potential long-term costs to the town.

5. On this date in 1652, Rhode Island passes the first law in North America that makes slavery illegal. And on this date in 1980, Mount St. Helens explodes in Washington, killing 57 people and causing more than $3 billion in property damage.

Quote of the Day

“The quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love.”

-Jean Racine

Trivia of the Day

What U.S. general said “I shall return” after his forces were pushed out of the Philippines?

Yesterday’s Answer: The richest man to become governor of a state is Arnold Schwarzenegger, with an estimated wealth of $800 million, according to Forbes.