Mansfield – Ponde Place officials say water is available

After being told it needed to find new water sources, the developer of the proposed Ponde Place apartment complex believes it has, in fact, found suf­ficient water on the site to serve its current plan.

Tony Giorgio, managing direc­tor for Keystone Co., the Avon firm proposing the project, said the developer was hand-deliver­ing an application to two state agencies Wednesday seeking per­mits for its four test wells.

The applications, to both the state Departments of Public Health and Public Utility Control, will ask the state to allow three of the four wells to become produc­tion wells, with the fourth serving as a monitoring well.

Keystone has been looking for state approval for a water sys­tem for its Ponde Place propos­al, which would be located on Hunting Lodge Road.

The most recent proposal would build housing for 648 people, with a total of 156 units and 18 attached town houses for post-graduate and junior faculty members at the University of Connecticut.

The DPH, in a letter in November, originally told Keystone it did not have sufficient water on site for its current proposal based on data from a water test last year.

But Giorgio said Keystone has since dug test wells at another location on the site and discov­ered a water source that would be able to serve tenants.

“We have water, we’ve always had water, it’s just a question of how much,” he said, adding Keystone has a “tremendous amount of data” showing a suf­ficient yield of water from the current wells.

He said Keystone wanted to drill the test wells earlier this year, but numerous snowstorms forced the developer to wait.

Keystone will now go to the DPH and DPUC to get approvals for permanent wells before mov­ing forward with the necessary approvals from Mansfield.

Keystone needs state approv­al on an eventual water source before the town could approve the project.

DPH spokesman William Gerrish said any well system serving 25 or more people for at least 60 days needs a “joint certificate” of approval from the DPH and DPUC.

He said the certificate is award­ed after a three-part process, which first looks at the location of the proposed wells.

The two departments then look at the quantity and quality of the water from the wells before examining the actual construction plans of a well system.

Gerrish said the DPH and DPUC will look at a number of issues to ensure a proposal meets both state and federal regulations, and reaches out to other agencies when necessary.

“It’s hard to say how long that process will take,” he added.

In its November letter, the DPH said Keystone also had other alter­natives if it cannot find sufficient water, including downsizing its proposal.

Keystone could also find addi­tional or alternative water sources, including Connecticut Water Co., to meet the needs of the project as currently proposed.

UConn has said it does not currently have enough water to service Ponde Place.

Giorgio said he hopes to submit the necessary applications to the town this fall, but added he also is not sure how long the process would take.

“Who knows?” he said. “I mean, I don’t know.”

Posted 4-30-2011

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Mansfield, developers close to parking pact

The town council will likely have a special meeting next week to discuss a lease agreement for parking spac­es with the private developers for the Storrs Center Alliance.

The agreement is one of three required as part of the larger dev­elopment agreement between the town, Leyland Alliance LLC and Education Realty Trust, or EDR.

Leyland Alliance is the master developer for the $220 million, mixed-use project and EDR has been hired to build apartments for phases 1A and 1B.

The town council approved a development agreement with the two developers in January and the agreement said the town would need to have a lease agreement on spaces in the parking garage.

The town will eventually own and operate the parking garage, but Leyland Alliance will handle the operation for the first seven years under the deal because the town anticipates the costs will exceed revenues in the first few years.

Town Attorney Dennis O’Brien said the current draft states EDR will lease 368 spaces at $60 per month each for the apartment ten­ants.

The parking garage could have as many as 600 spaces, depending on costs received during the bid process.

Phases 1A and 1B would include roughly 290 apartment units combined, with units rang­ing from lofts to three-bedroom apartments.

O’Brien also said EDR would begin leasing all spaces for phase 1A as soon as tenants move into apartments, while the lease for spaces accompanying 1B would start once EDR receives a certifi­cate of occupancy.

He also said EDR would have to pay for the spaces even if the developer does not have tenants, resulting in $264,960 in annual revenue once both phases of the lease are in effect.

O’Brien added Leyland Allian­ce, which has created Storrs Cen­ter Alliance LLC for this proj­ect, also has approval rights and would want to reserve spaces for its commercial tenants, but terms still need to be negotiated.

He told the council Monday the agreement is “really close to a conclusion” and Town Manager Matthew Hart suggested the coun­cil hold a special meeting, possi­bly next week, to provide input on the current draft.

Mansfield Mayor Elizabeth “Betsy” Paterson said the meeting would be “more of a workshop­type meeting” because the draft is not yet ready for approval.

“It’s not quite there, but it’s get­ting there,” she said.

Hart said the council would also need to approve a management agreement for the parking garage and a license for private use of the town square is part of the develop­ment agreement. He said town and project offi­cials are working on the park­ing management agreement and a document could come to the council soon, while the license for the town square will come later.

Posted 4-30-2011

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Mansfield hires new planning director

The town has found a replacement for veteran Planning Director Gregory Padick, who is retir­ing from his post before the end of the fiscal year.

Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart said Tuesday he has appointed Linda Painter as Padick’s replacement and Painter will begin her position May 23.

“During the interview process, Linda impressed us with her experience, knowledge base and passion for her field,” Hart said. “I believe that she will be a strong addition to our team.”

Hart introduced Painter, who most recently was deputy director of planning and development in Providence, R.I., to town officials and residents during an informational meeting on the Storrs Center project.

Painter said she sees “great potential” in Mansfield, noting both the town’s support for agriculture and projects like Storrs Center, a $220 million mixed-use development.

“I think it will be a great asset to the community,” Painter said of Storrs Center.

The town had 65 applicants looking to replace Padick, who announced in January he is retiring after 30 years as director of the town’s planning depart­ment.

Padick said Tuesday he is stepping down in June, but has not yet set an exact date.

Hart said he and Rudy Favretti, chair­man of both the planning and zoning commission and inland wetlands agency, will plan a reception to introduce her to Mansfield.

They said the reception would be before a meeting of the PZC and wet­lands agency, which are comprised of the same members, but they have not yet set a date.

Hart said Painter has been in municipal planning for 15 years, also serving as chief planner for land development and the zoning official in Orlando, Fla.

Painter, a native of Harwinton, has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in community and region­al planning from the University of Texas.

Hart said he and others screening candidates were “very impressed” with her resume and her passion for development, including “new urbanism.”

Painter said she liked projects like Storrs Center, which she said will help create a cultural center in town, but also is interested in the current movement towards purchasing locally grown foods.

She said Mansfield is progres­sive in supporting local agricul­ture and she is interested in con­tinuing that trend, as well.

Padick, who served on one of two panels in the screening pro­cess, said he wants to spend a few weeks working with Painter to help her become acclimated with her new town.

“I have too much invested in the town to see it lost,” said Padick, who also lives in town, of his experience.

He said he will also be willing to provide advice even after he retires.

Favretti, who also served on one of the panels, agreed the town will benefit from Padick provid­ing guidance, but said the town also “looks forward to her new ideas, too.”

Mansfield Mayor Elizabeth “Betsy” Paterson, who met Painter Tuesday, said she was impressed with what she knows of the new planning director so far, but added Padick will be tough to replace.

“She has a hard act to follow, because Greg was such a great prize,” she said.

Posted 4-30-2011

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This Weekend – Tag Sales, Breakfasts, Dinners and more

APRIL 30 SATURDAY

SWAP MEET
The St. Peter’s Episcopal Church’s Men’s Fellowship will hold a swap meet from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p. m. at the church on Route 85, Hebron, for machinery and antique vehicles. Proceeds benefit the church. Vendors can reserve indoor or outdoor spaces or take one that day. Reserved spaces, depending on size, cost $20 or $30. Spaces taken that day cost $25 or $35. To reserve a space, call (860) 208- 0131.

COVENTRY VILLAGE ROADSIDE CLEAN-UP
Join the Coventry Village Improvement Society to commemorate Earth Day 2011. Volunteers gather at the First Congregational Church on Main Street at 9 a.m. to begin the clean-up. Volunteers will be given trash bags. Info: Tim Ackert, (860) 742- 5287 or tackert@aol.com.

SPRING TAG SALE – COLUMBIA
The 16th annual Columbia Seniors Organization spring tag sale will include a plant sale and a bake sale. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Beckish Senior Center, 188 Route 66, Columbia.

TIMELINE TRADE FAIR – COVENTRY
Strong-Porter House Museum, 2382 South St., Coventry, will host a trade fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Benefits the Coventry Historical Society. Re-enactors (only) of all periods from Greek and Roman to WWII are invited to participate. Settlers are welcome. Period dress (whatever century that may be) is preferred. Vendor registration $25. Info: Jim Murphy at irishbrit1777@att.net or (860) 742-3054.

COLUMBIA’S FIRST ANNUAL TOWNWIDE TAG SALE
Columbia’s first town tag sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (unless otherwise noted on map). Residents and groups around town will be having tag sales. For more information, visit www.columbiact.org or stop by the Beckish Senior Center for maps. Sponsored by the Columbia Recreation Department.

SUCCESSFUL PAINTING IN OILS OR ACRYLICS
Killingly Public Library Community Room, 25 Westcott Road, Danielson, will host an oil painting program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The instructor will focus on composition, value placement and edge control. To register and for further information, workshop materials and costs, call (860) 774-4250.

FREE COLLECTION AND SAFE DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED MEDICATIONS

AHM Youth and Family Services, through its Substance Abuse Task Force, will be hosting a local site for the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. The event will be held at 85 Wall St. in Hebron, the location of RHAM High School, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants wanting to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medi­cations will pull up in cars to a designated drop-off point. Info: (860) 228-9488.

EARTH DAY FAIR – ASHFORD
Horizon Wings will host an Earth Day Fair at Sand Hill Road, Ashford, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Earth Day Fair 2011 will feature tours of our aviaries, live birds of prey programs at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a special story-telling starring Oscar, the group’s great horned owl at 1 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, $2 children (children under 5 free). All funds collected will be used to care for the birds. Contact (860) 429-2181 or www.horizonwings.org

DISNEY MOVIE ‘TANGLED’
Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road, Willington, will host a showing of the Disney movie ‘Tangled’ at 12:30 p.m. This movie is 96 minutes long and is rated PG. All are welcome to attend and they should bring their own snacks to enjoy.

CULINARY DELIGHTS
Culinary Delights, a presentation of Finnish cooking and tast­ing event to be held at the Finnish Hall, 76 North Canterbury Road, Canterbury, at 1:30 p. m. Info: Call Linda or Patti at ( 860) 376- 8909.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS HUSKY CLASSIC
The University of Connecticut and Price Waterhouse Coopers will host the fifth annual Husky Soccer Classic, a Special Olympics event, at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex. The opening ceremony begins at 2 p.m. and competition will begin at 2:30 p.m. It will last until approximately 7 p.m. Info: www.SOCT.org.

MANSFIELD COMMUNITY CONVERSTATION
Mansfield Advocates for Children will be hosting a follow-up “community conversation” from 2:15 to 4:45 p.m. This conversation will be focused on how residents can help others feel more connected to Mansfield. This event will be held at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building in the council chambers. Interested community members should call (860) 429-3399, ext. 3933, by April 27.

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND RAFFLE – CHAPLIN
Chaplin Elementary School, 240 Palmer Road, Chaplin, will host a spaghetti dinner and raffle from 5 to 7 p.m. To benefit Dylan Harrison, a fifth-grade Chaplin student. Take-out available.

ART AND MUSIC SHOW
Sponsored by Grasshopper Arts and Dance Studio, 25 Meadow St., Willimantic. Donations accepted to benefit the studio and newly form­ing arts cooperative. Music and potluck start at 5 p.m. Dozens of local artists’ work on display.

SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY GALA
The board of directors of the Saxton B. Little Free Library are coming “Off the Page” to benefit the newly announced library fund. This first annual event – a costume gala where attendees will dress as their favorite character from literature – will be from 7 to 11 p.m. The benefit will take place in Columbia’s Yeoman’s Hall with dancing, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, costume contest and silent auction. Tickets are (860) 228-0350.

STORRS REGIONAL FFA SQUARE DANCE
E.O. Smith High School, 1235 Storrs Road, Storrs, will host a regional FFA square dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $5/person or 10 and under free. Fundraiser benefits: Storrs Regional FFA.

MAY 1 SUNDAY

LIONS CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Willimantic Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast at the Elks Club, Pleasant Street, Willimantic, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Adults $6, seniors $5 and children under 12, $4.

CANTERBURY VFW BREAK­FAST

Canterbury VFW, Route 169 (North Canterbury Road), Canterbury, will host a breakfast fundraiser from 8 to 11 a.m. Cost is $5.50 with children under 5 free.

TAG SALE – WILLIMANTIC
The First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., Willimantic, is having a tag sale as part of its Fun Fest on May 14 and is looking for donations of clean and usable items, including clothing, books, furniture, house­hold items, jewelry, toys, etc. No exercise equipment or electronics. Call the church at (860) 423-6827 to arrange for drop-off.

Posted 4-30-2011

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Agreement reached to restructure community college system, eliminate some administrators

Eastern Connecticut State University would be one of the schools affected by a restructuring proposed by Gov. Malloy that put all CSUS campuses and state colleges under a single Board of Regents. Courtesy photo

Gov. Malloy’s office issued a press release today (April 27) to announce that Deputy Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management Mark Ojakian and House Higher Education Committee Chair Rep. Roberta B. Willis have reached an agreement on a proposal to consolidate the state’s community colleges, the Connecticut State University System and Charter Oak State College.

This agreement would result in the following:

• Creation of a Board of Regents for the four CSU colleges (Eastern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University), as well as the community-technical colleges and Charter Oak effective July 1, 2011.

• Creation of an Advisory Commission to the Board of Regents charged with, among other things, working with the Board of Regents to create and implement a strategic plan for higher education that will include the University of Connecticut.

Also, the release states, while the “constituent units” – the community colleges, regional universities and Charter Oak – will remain separate with distinct missions, each “unit” will have “a lead individual designated by the Board of Regents.”

Connecticut’s state community colleges include: Asnuntuck, Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Manchester, Middlesex, Naugatuck Valley, Northwestern CT, Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley, Three Rivers and Tunxis.

Eliminating administrators

“The deal had been in the works since last week, and details were finalized last night,” Ojakian says.

The purpose of this restructuring, he says, is to “flatten administration and direct more money to students and classroom instruction” – in other words, eliminating some administrators’ jobs.

“In addition, this proposal will help make these schools more functional to those who attend them,” Ojakian says.

He adds that Senate Higher Education Chair Beth Bye “has been a leader in this area, and I appreciate her willingness and enthusiasm to be a part of such a fundamental change to the way in which we operate our higher education system.” Democratic Sen. Bye represents the 5th District – Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford.

House Higher Education Committee Chair Rep. Roberta B. Willis (D-64) says the restructuring will still allow for a certain amount of independence for each of the colleges/universities.

“My concerns from the beginning have been the need to maintain the distinctiveness and uniqueness of mission of the colleges, particularly the community colleges,” she says. “They serve a critical and defined need in our communities, one that must be maintained even as we seek efficiencies and savings. I have been assured that these concerns will be met through this plan.”

She adds, “We all agree on the need for change and improvement. Additional items still need to be worked out – more specifics on structure, for example. For me, though, this is a leap of faith worth taking. In the end, we can improve student learning, help close the achievement gap, prepare students for 21st Century jobs our state will need to move us forward, and make higher education more efficient and effective.”

Posted April 27, 2011 3:40 p.m.

Related link: CT NewsJunkie 4:19 p.m. http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/higher_ed_deal_reached/

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Mansfield's budget tax hike is 1 mill

After seeing increased revenue projections and making expenditure reductions from previous proposals, the town council last week passed a budget proposal with a tax increase of slightly less than 1 mill.

The council’s $44,131,150 com­bined town/school budget propos­al, approved with a 6-2 vote, will now go to a public information meeting on Thursday (April 28) before resi­dents can vote on it at a May 10 town meeting. The combined bud­get is $201,570 less than Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart’s proposal, with much of the reduc­tion coming in the town’s share of the Regional School District 19 budget.

The council also reduced some capital expenses, but Councilmen Denise Keane and Lindsey Meredith both voted against the budget after unsuccessfully seek­ing further reductions. Councilman Paul Shapiro was not present.

The council’s spending plan is an increase of $504,865, or 1.16 percent, from the current fiscal year, with the increase coming in the general government budget.

The general government bud­get of $13,829,750 would be an increase of $709,855, or 5.4 per­cent, over the current fiscal year.

The Mansfield education bud­get of $20,572,170 would be a decrease of $15,990, or 0.1 per­cent, over the current budget, while the town’s share of $9,729,230 for the District 19 budget would be a drop of $194,998, or 2 percent.

The mill rate under the council’s proposal would increase to 26.68 mills, a rise of 0.97 mills, or 3.77 percent, over the current rate of 25.71 mills.

At the rate of 26.68 mills, the owner of a home assessed at $168,770 – the median assess­ment in Mansfield – would pay $4,502 in taxes, an increase of $163.

The council’s proposal also includes a $ 200,000 contribution to increase the town’s fund bal­ance, a $2,154,000 capital fund budget and a $ 1,006,000 capital and non- recurring reserve fund budget.

The council’s proposal includes a total of $100,570 in reductions to Hart’s proposal for the fund bal­ance contribution, capital expense items in general government bud­get.

At the April 19 meeting, the council approved additional chang­es resulting in a $19,000 reduction to the general government budget and $24,000 drop in the capital and non-recurring reserve fund.

Keane and Lindsey suggested other reductions to capital projects and general government expenses, most notably pushing off $400,000 for the construction of a walkway on South Eagleville Road.

Motions for that cut were defeat­ed 6-3 along party lines with Democrats outvoting the GOP.

Councilmen opposed to the motion said they did not want to put off capital purchases and projects, allowing the expenses to accumulate in later years.

They also said they did not want to reduce the requests from depart­ment heads in the general govern­ment budget.

The budget will now go to a pub­lic information forum Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Mansfield Middle School auditorium, followed by a May 3 town meeting in the same location.

After a town charter change in 2007, residents can petition the Mansfield budget to referendum if they collect signatures from at least 2 percent of the registered voters in town within 21 days of the town meeting.

Posted 4-26-2011

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Petition targets Masonicare

While the preferred developer for a senior-living complex told the town council Monday (April 25) its plans would serve a number of potential tenants, a group of residents urged the council to reopen the process.

Two Masonicare officials met with the council Monday to discuss the status of its project as it continued to move closer to purchasing a 40-acre property on Maple Road.

The council selected Masonicare, a non­-profit healthcare provider in Wallingford, as its preferred developer for a senior-living complex in July 2008.

Resident Sherry Goldman, meanwhile, presented the council with a petition asking the council to reopen the selection process for a preferred developer. She said the peti­tion was signed by 175 people.

Goldman said seniors have “waited for many years” for an assisted-living complex, and said a market analysis in 2005 showed a demand for such a development.

Residents have raised concerns for a while that Masonicare has not been able to move forward with the project.

Masonicare President Steven McPherson on Monday reiterated the developer’s stance that a poor economy forced Masonicare to put plans on hold.

Councilman Antonia Moran said resi­dents have voiced their frustration repeat­edly, even stating some seniors have had to move elsewhere because they cannot wait for Masonicare to complete the project.

“There are people currently in town hav­ing to leave town because there’s no place to be safe,” she said.

The officials had planned to meet with the council after deciding to purchase the site, but McPherson said Monday he wanted to address ongoing concerns and questions from both councilmen and residents.

He specifically said he wanted to address questions about whether the complex would have assisted- or independent-living units.

McPherson said Masonicare has always called the project a “residential community.”

McPherson said Masonicare has made no distinction about the types of units involved because it wants to allow potential tenants to “age in place.”

Jon- Paul Venoit, president of Masonicare’s Ashlar Village com­plex in Wallingford, said some seniors may have their needs change after initially moving into a complex.

He also said elderly couples may have different needs and Masonicare’s plan is to build a complex where service provid­ers of varying levels could assist residents.

The units would primarily be built as independent-living units, but the complex would be built to allow for “different medical specialties” to have access to ten­ants.

He said assisted-living servic­es can include helping tenants with “daily living” activities such as eating, bathing and dressing, while independent buildings typi­cally have features like a common eating area.

“Assisted living could just be plugged in, plugged out, plugged in,” he said, adding Masonicare provides the services itself and can quickly adjust staff­ing needs.

Some have also recently ques­tioned Masonicare’s choice of site, which currently does not have a sufficient water supply for the project.

Masonicare has said it want­ed to be close to the University of Connecticut, but Venoit said the company also wanted to be close to the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, as well as the senior and community centers.

“Our desire isn’t specifically just to the campus,” he said.

McPherson, meanwhile, said Masonicare typically looks to be within 15 miles of a local hospital and noted Windham Community Memorial Hospital is 8 miles from the site.

McPherson said the project’s timeline would depend on when the town is able to secure a water supply that can service the site.

The town is currently looking for a water supply for the Four Corners area, and the council has said it will work with Masonicare to also provide water to a senior ­living complex. McPherson said Masonicare has a rough idea how long it would take for planning, zoning and building phases, and would “work backwards” once the town has an idea of when it can supply water.

Posted 4-26-2011

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Empty X-Lot, few arrests on UConn's Spring weekend

The view into X-Lot shows an empty lot, except for the police, as opposed to the last several years when it was packed with revelers. Photo by Marie Brennan

A year after a student was killed during an altercation, turnout – and arrests – for Spring Weekend 2011 were only a fraction of those in recent years.

University of Connecticut police reported a total of 17 arrests during Spring Weekend, down from 84 in 2010, and officials said the usually large crowds were either down dras­tically or nonexistent this year.

State police, who arrested 37 people last year, did not have figures this morning from the past weekend.

In all, 121 people were arrested during the course of Spring Weekend last year.

Spring Weekend traditionally has occurred during the week­end before the last week of classes at UConn and included large parties attended by both students and non-students.

Town and UConn officials said they added a number of initiatives this year to reduce the scale of Spring Weekend after a student died during an altercation last year.

They said the initiatives were successful, but also said students deserved a lot of the credit for the down-scaled size this year.

“The lion’s share of the credit for this goes to UConn’s students,” said UConn’s Vice President for Student Affairs John Saddlemire.

“While UConn police were very effective in keeping outsiders off campus, the vast majority of stu­dents also respected what was a voluntary moratorium and either chose not to participate or went home for the weekend.”

After Jafar Karzoun, a junior from Meriden, died last April, then-UConn President Michael Hogan created a task force to ex­amine Spring Weekend.

Edi Rapo of East Hartford is currently facing second-degree manslaughter, second-degree breach of peace and other charges for his involvement in the alterca­tion that resulted in Karzoun’s death.

Rapo is currently free on $125,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court again May 13.

The task force made a number of recommendations to address Spring Weekend in its final report in January, including seeking a voluntary moratorium.

While many students, includ­ing the Undergraduate Student Government, did not agree to the moratorium, Mansfield Mayor Elizabeth “Betsy” Paterson said she believes many still went home for Easter.

She also said the chilly and rainy weather played a factor, as did “a lot of work by a lot of different people.” Paterson specifically cited UConn’s decision to ban guests during the weekend and block access to campus to discour­age non-students from attending Spring Weekend festivities.

Both were recommendations in the task force’s final report and officials said the initiatives helped at each of the traditional hot spots.

UConn police estimated the crowds at Carriage House on Thursday at roughly 1,000, and UConn spokesman Michael Kirk said crowds at Celeron Square on Friday were “virtually non­existent.”

He said X-Lot, a parking lot near the North Parking Garage and the traditional Spring Weekend fin­ale, was empty Saturday.

UConn used to lease X- Lot, which is privately owned, as a parking lot for commuting stu­dents, but did not renew the lease before the start of the current school year.

Saddlemire said students and UConn officials worked together to make this past Spring Weekend safer, and said he hopes that con­tinues in the future.

“We made great strides this year, which we hope will set the stage for further improvements next year and beyond,” he said.

Paterson, though, said she does not think this last weekend is a sign that past Spring Weekend problems are “over.”

“I also think it’s too early to think it’s over,” she said, adding town, UConn and state police officials will likely meet in the next few weeks to begin prepara­tions for next year.

She said officials will discuss which strategies were successful this year and what changes could be made for the future. She added that students need to be included in the process.

Posted 4-25-2011

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