1. Today there is a chance of isolated showers after 1, with a high around 74, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected, with a low around 58, according to the service.
2. Tonight, the Representative Town Meeting’s Finance, Wage and Personnel Standing Committee meets at 6.
The highlight of the agenda? A discussion on a recommendation to the Board of Finance’s Long-Range Fiscal Planning Budget Committee. What does that mean? Well, it is relatively important, as far as how high taxes will increase next year.
Each year in October, the Long-Range Fiscal Planning Budget Committee meets and gives a recommendation on what the likely tax increase will be for the following year. While the committee makes a non-binding recommendation on how large the tax increase will be, it usually is pretty accurate. Last year, the committee recommended a 5.5 percent tax increase and the town eventually passed a 5.1 percent tax increase, and the year before the committee recommended roughly a 4.2 percent tax increase and the town eventually passed a 4.16 percent tax increase.
In the meeting tonight, the committee will make a recommendation on what it thinks the full RTM should recommend to the Long-Range Fiscal Planning Budget Committee on its recommendation (a recommendation for a recommendation for a recommendation, if that hasn’t confused you enough). At the last RTM meeting, several RTM members said it is time to get tough on finances, with a long discussion on how tough. Tonight, the committee will likely draw up a more definitive recommendation.
3. September 11 marked the first meeting of the Waterford-New London Telecommunications Committee, a group that will oversee the radio system now shared by Waterford and New London.
At the meeting, Waterford Police Sgt. Steve Bellows and New London Police Officer Wayne Neff were named each municipality’s “point person,” as both are involved with their respective dispatch centers, according to meeting minutes. The meeting lasted 35 minutes, with the focus on what New London needs to do to get integrated into the system, according to meeting minutes.
New London has until the end of the year to join Waterford’s radio system or they will be in violation of an order by the Federal Communications Commission. In return, New London will pay a percentage of the $210,000 fee to maintain the system. For more information about the deal, click here.
4. Today is Yom Kippur, and students at Waterford's public schools have the day off.
Need something to do for the day? Well, fear not, as there is a flu clinic today put on by the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut from 1:30 to 4:30 in Waterford Town Hall. Flu shots will be available for $14, although if you have insurance through Medicare, Connecticare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Federal Blue Cross or AETNA, the shot will be covered. The VNAC encourages people to wear short sleeves to streamline the process.
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5. On this date in 1983, Soviet officer Stanislav Petrov realized that a report of an incoming nuclear missile by the United States was a computer error and not reality, thereby likely averting a nuclear war.
And on this date in 1960, the first televised presidential debate took place between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. It was said later that this was a huge advantage for Kennedy, who was far more attractive than Nixon, as Nixon was recovering from illness.
Quote of the Day
“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”
-John F. Kennedy
Trivia of the Day
Speaking of presidential elections, what Arizona conservative ran against Lyndon Johnson in 1964?
Yesterday’s Answer: There are 27 amendments to the United States Constitution.
