IMPORTANT INFO TO MILFORD PROPERTY OWNERS

Proposed Zoning Change : On December 21st the Planning & Zoning Board will hold a public hearing to make a text change to the regulation for fences and walls.

If your property abuts the Long Island Sound or rivers, streams, or tidal wetlands you will not be allowed to have any type of fence wall or shrubs within the area located between the mean high water mark (boundary) and the applicable wall of the principle structure. A line extension is projected as being perpendicular from the side property lines to the rear corners of the principal building. The only exception is if a fence is required by the state building code.

It should be noted this regulation, Section 4.1.7.3, was adopted in 2005 to prevent property owners abutting the Long Island Sound  from erecting fences, walls, or shrubs that would obstruct the water views by other property owners.

I do not agree with the proposed wording, of just saying you "cannot," because it does not consider situations and conditions in which some types of barriers for the protection of children, pets, wildlife, buildings, natural land resources and/or personal property would be needed. There should be wording to allow for when such situations and/or conditions are an issue. I am not a big fan of fences or walls, but they do have purpose. Also, as a note FEMA allows fences in floodways when designed to allow water to flow thru them. [i.e.: channel of rivers, streams or tidal wetlands and the adjacent land used to contain flooding]

I also disagree with the wording of the current regulation in that if a fence/wall is required by the building code you have to have it approved by the City Planner and the P&Z Board.

It should be noted the building code specifies the fence construction type and minimum height.
To me this procedure is a waste of time and money to the property owner. The City Planner and P&Z Board do not have the authority to change the building code. So, since the building code specifies the type of construction and height, the regulation wording should be changed to read that the zoning enforcement officer should review it to see if the fence/wall is located to meet the specified need and minimize obstruction to residents views, and get them approved at time of the zoning application.

Last on this subject is that privacy style fencing is prohibited. This wording should also be updated. There are times you just do not want things to be visible.

In all, the text change as proposed, should be voted down. The existing regulation and wording needs to be thought thru and options investigated by the board members themselves to achieve a regulation that can work and not just say ‘no you cannot do this’.

As always the people on the board asked to represent YOU and you voted them in to do so. Contact your representatives on this and other matters to let them know your views on zoning issues. Do not let them guess want you want or do as they or the city wants.

John Grant

Drivers Beware

Milford Police department has requested two additional police officers citing that urban sprawl has outpaced the growth of the local Police Department. The board recognizing these troubling times undoubtedly has the question of these new officers compensation on their mind. Very few people are keen to new taxes or tax increases especially in light of the struggles here in Milford.


The shocking answer came when our local Police Chief suggested that these two officers should recoup their income just by way of "writing fines" these fines or "infractions" as the lawman likes to put it will be a direct "stupid tax" to the multitude of casual drivers in town already stressed out with their "on the go" lifestyles. These officers will be full force ticket writers for everything from you are over your allotted parking time, was talking on the phone while driving, forgot your seat belt, J Walikng, to improper signaling.

There is no question that our town has grown, but is this really an ethical way to use police officers? Americans have already lost their jobs/money due to the economy, and most every Constitutional freedom we have due to the "fear" of "terrorism." Perhaps these new police officers are a bad idea, especially if their job is to "terrorize" the already despondent public.

Bridges For Sale

"Charming historic Manhattan Bridge, connects Manhattan to Brooklyn and is in need of some repairs. To make an offer call NYC Mayor Bloomberg."

Some thought the old saying "I have a bridge for sale" was a mark of a naive individual who was clueless to the tactics of con artists and thieves, but in these hard pressed economic times with cities and states running deficits don't be so quick to throw out a guy that is trying to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.

This ARTICLE was featured on a CBS website forever bringing America to new and bizarre practices of debt relief. The investors who either lease or purchase these bridges would be able to procure revenue from tolls. Currently the MTA is responsible for these bridges, but due to municipal economic pressures the idea that their sale may offset major repair costs through privatization may be "on the table." If, or ever the Broooklyn Bridge, or any bridge sells for that matter, will be a question that sparks much future controversy and debate.

Attorney General Concerned Over Banks Lost Tape

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal recently issued a dire warning to all customers of Peoples United Bank located in Bridgeport CT. The warning stems from the loss of a un-encrypted tape, whereas unencrypted means that anyone who is computer savvy will have the ability to get the information contained on it.

This information, although some details are murky, is known to contain the account numbers, social security numbers, addresses, and other vital data of Peoples United Bank customers. Blumenthal is concerned that should this information fall into the hands of Identity thieves than the bank should be responsible for restitution to its customers and be held accountable for its mistake.

A spokesman for the bank said that the tape was most likely "lost in transit," where it was en route to the Bank of New York when an employee noticed the tape could not be located. Blumenthal was concerned over the banks lapse in time between its being reported lost to the authorities.

Customers who are concerned over their identity being stolen, or are suspect that the information contained from the lost Peoples tape has fallen into the hands of a criminal are urged to immediately contact the Attorney Generals office in Hartford, CT for advice and to file a report.

This matter is currently still under investigation and anyone with any information on the whereabouts of this tape should contact their local Police department.