It's been over 2 years since the Town Hall stopped publishing its newsletter, Portland... On the Move.
    Back then, the newsletter was published monthly, and provided the means for local officials and nonprofits to let people know what was going on. Its history section brought new awareness of our identity, which in turn encouraged many of the economic development initiatives we still enjoy.
    With a sense of nostalgia, I am happy to introduce this special online edition.
    We expect to use this forum to provide readers with information about local events and municipal services.

    I'm not sure where this will lead. If it draws enough interest, we will provide more newsletters in the future.
    I firmly believe that an informed citizenry provides the best foundation for our democratic system. This is one more attempt to keep you informed.
    I hope you enjoy reading it.
    Please feel free to contact me at sbransfield@portlandct.org or 342-6715 with your input, questions or concerns.

Susan S. Bransfield
First Selectwoman

Building Dept. Statistics
Family Access
Firefighters Memorial
Golfers
Library's Best Friends
Lyme Disease

Portland 20% by 2010
Need an Answer?
Portland Quarries
PRIDE
Town Services
Transfer Station Update

Animal Control - 344-3294; 1 Main Street
Municipal Animal Control responds to animal related complaints and operates local dog shelter.

Assessor - 342-6744; 33 East Main Street (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday - Friday)

Board of Education - 342-6790; 33 East Main Street (Office)
Schools: Valley View School (K-2) 342-3131 81 High Street
Gildersleeve School (3-5) 342-0411 575 ½ Main Street
Portland Middle School (6-8) 342-1880 314 Main Street
Portland High School (9-12) 342-1720 95 High Street

Collector of Revenue - 342-6737; 33 East Main Street (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday)

Development Department - 342-6727; 33 East Main Street
Building, Economic Development, Environmental Health, Housing Code, Inland/Wetlands, Planning, Sanitarian, Zoning. (Town Planner 342-6720; Inland Wetlands 342-6719; Sanitarian 342-6718)

Finance Department - 342-6726; 33 East Main Street
Accounts Payable/Receivable 342-6724, Benefits Administrator 342-6723, Payroll 342-6722 & Director.

Fire Department - Volunteer; Emergency 911; for other purposes 342-2326
Company 1 1 Middlesex Avenue
Company 2 594 Main Street
Company 3 169 Great Hill Road

First Selectman - 342-6715; 33 East Main Street
Chief Elected Official accompanied by a six-member Board of Selectmen.

Food Bank - 342-6795; basement of 7 Waverly Avenue (9 AM TO 12 PM Monday and Thursday)

Library - 342-6770; 20 Freestone Avenue (10 AM to 9 PM Monday - Thursday; 10 AM to 5 PM Friday & Saturday)

Parks & Recreation Department - 342-6757; 265 Main Street - Buck-Foreman Building
Offers a wide variety of programs and activities for both youth and adult.

Police Department - 347-6941 for Routine calls; Emergency 911; 342-6780 for Records; 265 Main Street
Staffed by one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, seven officers and one part time officer all fully trained and certified to provide 24 hours police coverage.

Public Works Department - 342-6733; 33 East Main Street
Offers various curbside pick-ups throughout the year. Residential and commercial solid waste removal is contracted through private haulers. Divisions: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance, Highway, Sewer & Water.

Senior Center - 342-6760; 7 Waverly Avenue

Town Clerk - 342-6743; 33 East Main Street (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday - Friday)
Birth/Death/Marriage certificates; Dog/Hunting/Marriage/etc. licensing; Land/Deed Records; Registrar of Voters.

Transfer Station/Recycling Center - 342-6732; 39 Sand Hill Road (7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Tuesday - Saturday)

Youth Services - 342-6758; 265 Main Street - Buck-Foreman Building
Offers crisis intervention, short-term counseling and a multitude of youth oriented activities.
Revised 4/1/03

The Portland 20% by 2010 campaign is part of a statewide effort to put Connecticut customers on a path to have 20% of their energy supplied from clean renewable sources by the year 2010. In March, the Board of Selectmen decided to research this effort for Portland.
    Our town is across the river from one of the "Sooty Six" power plants and down-wind from others. The emissions from traditional methods of electricity generation (such as coal, oil and natural gas) trigger asthma attacks and create smog, acid rain, greenhouse gases and mercury. Reducing this pollution would be a key benefit of the campaign.
    Traditional methods are also non-renewable. They draw on dwindling resources, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to extract. Nationwide we get 86% of our energy from fossil fuel sources. A quarter of our imported oil comes from Persian Gulf nations. Given the growing energy needs of the US, this is not a desirable position.

    In contrast, renewable energy technologies produce few (if any) harmful emissions, constantly replenish themselves, and will move us away from foreign oil. In a welcome move, ex-Governor Rowland followed Portland's lead and committed state government buildings to 20% by 2010. Who Knows? If others pursue this, we could be looking at the end of large power plant proposals and their accompanying transmission upgrades.
    Resident Andy Bauer is coordinating this research effort and is seeking input to help shape a plan for Portland's energy future. Please contact him at AndyTBauer@aol.com for more information.

Family Access is a local community collaborative available to families/youth with behavioral/emotional health issues. For five years, once a month, a group of people who work with children have been meeting to address children's mental health needs in the Portland community. Working with DCF and their KidCare program, the group has been able to obtain a full time case coordinator to serve families in Portland, East Hampton and East Haddam. The care coordinator meets with families and helps them determine what services would be best for them. Members of the local collaborative are on hand to be of assistance to the coordinator and families, if the family is willing to have them as part of their plan.
    The Portland Collaborative works closely with the Greater Middlesex Collaborative in obtaining grants, sharing resources and networking. Available to town residents is a Children's Emergency Psychiatric Service (Impact) as well as Respite Services, Parent Aides and Parent Support group.

    There are no fees for these services. Members of the collaborative include Youth Services, Parks and Recreation, Clergy, School Social Workers and Psychologist, Cromwell Children's Home, St. Francis Behavioral Health Solutions for Adolescents, Rushford, Community Health Center, a retired Child Psychologist, Sexual Assault/Crisis Service, Riverview Hospital, DCF Voluntary Services, Superior Court Juvenile Matters, Middlesex Hospital and a retired Special Education Teacher. Parents are welcomed.
    Families, schools and agencies can make referrals to the Care Coordinator at 347-6971, ext.3670 or to Portland Youth Services at 342-6758. Brochures are available in the Library and Town Hall. Anyone interested in joining the group may call Youth Services for time
and place.

The Connecticut Firefighters Memorial located on the grounds of the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks will be the site where representatives of the Portland Fire Department will present a donation in the amount of $14,300 to the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Memorial Committee.
    The donation is the result of the efforts of Portland Fire Department Past Captain Antonio Hernandez and former Assistant Chief Sal Pitruzzello who were awe inspired by their attendance at last year's annual Firefighters Memorial Service. Hernandez and Pitruzzello along with Firefighter Richard Basso worked with members of the fire department, friends of the department and citizens of Portland to solicit donations. Their efforts over the past year resulted in the planned donation to be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 22, 2004.
    In recognition of Portland's efforts, the Memorial Committee will add 143 inscribed bricks to the "Memorial Walk" highlighting personal messages from each donor.
    "The Portland Fire Department issues a challenge to each and every fire department in Connecticut to match or exceed their fundraising efforts and those

of the citizens of Portland. We owe a debt of gratitude to all those firefighters that paid the supreme sacrifice," former Assistant Chief Pitruzzello commented.
    Ernest Herrick, Chairman of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Memorial Committee stated, "The generosity of the citizens of Portland is very much appreciated. Their efforts aid in ensuring Connecticut's Firefighters Memorial remains a beacon of hope and encouragement for the family members of those that died in the line of duty. It also provides a constant reminder to all of the dangers our dedicated fire service members face each and every day."     Governor M. Jodi Rell spearheaded the initial fundraising efforts for construc-tion and dedication of the Memorial in 2002.
    The annual Connecticut State Firefighters Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2004. At this years ceremony, it is expected that six names will be added to the 307 that currently appear on the Memorial Line of Duty Death Honor Roll. The public is invited to attend both the donation presentation and the annual memorial service.

Learning how to harness life's energy, or how to keep your kids safe or write a murder mystery are among the myriad programs offered to Portland residents through the years by the Friends of the Portland Library (FPL). Those, in addition to the Read & Recycle program and popular fundraisers like the used book sales in June and October and basket raffle at the Portland Fair, have made this volunteer-based, non-profit organization a moving force in town.
    Organized in 1977 for charitable, literary and educational purposes, the FPL now has more than 400 members whose contributions-pooled with fundraising money-are used to support the Portland Library in its efforts to offer quality facilities, services and programs.

    To date, the FPL has raised thousands of dollars and purchased needed materials and equipment for the library, including such things as computer equipment, a DVD collection and museum passes. The group, comprised of 21 members who each serve three-year terms, has also funded both adult and children's programs on various topics ranging from genealogy to Feng Shui. It also sponsors an annual scholarship program and community events like the popular annual Holiday Sing Along.
    If you're interested in becoming a Friend of the Portland Library, forms are available at the Portland Library located on Freestone Avenue.

Effective June 1, 2004 the Town of Portland will increase the fee for medium bags (30 gallon) to $3.00 and large bags (45 gallon) to $4.00. Small bags will stay the same $1.25. Bags may be purchased from the Transfer Station, Tax Collector's Office, and at Tri-Town Foods.

Transfer Station Facility Permits are $12.00 per fiscal year (7/1/04 - 6/30/05). They may be purchased from the Transfer Station or Pubic Works Office. The Transfer Station charges for the following items:

Propane Tanks - $8.00

Bulky Waste - $95.00 ton (Roofing and building materials; wooden furniture; mattresses; tree branches larger than 4")

Car tires - $3.00 (tires must be off rim)

Truck Tires $12.00 (tires must be off rim)

Anti-Freeze - $1.00 gallon

Freon Appliance - $12.00

If you are looking for the answer to a problem, would you go to your public library?
    People come into the library when they see an advertisement on television showing them a book on how to get free services. (You have seen this. Matthew Lesko offers "free money.") The same person might not think of the library as a source of assistance in managing their money, fixing something around the house, or improving her business. At the library, you are offered free and reliable information, and a professional aid in helping you to locate what you need.
    Tip for library use: Ask at the reference, or information, desk for specifically what you need.
    Specialized sources may be available in addition to what you may find in the library's catalog.
    Feel left out because you don't have Internet access, or cannot spend vast amounts of time culling information from overwhelming amount of response to a question on the World Wide Web? Ask a librarian to look up a specific bit of information, or ask them to help you to search by locating an appropriate site or using a different search strategy.

    Librarians searched online computer databases before the World Wide Web existed. The pitfalls to searching are familiar to librarians, who attend workshops and practice their search skills on the Internet to keep up with the latest information sources.
    If the ability to more efficiently search the Internet is your goal, then try a class offered at your library. Portland Library recently offered a class on using ICONN, the state of Connecticut's Digital Library. Individual instruction can also be arranged for general Internet searching or computer use. For Internet users, Iconn databases provide information from professional, trade, popular, and scholarly publications for all users. Children's databases are included, and newspaper databases with full articles from Hartford Courant and many major newspapers with a backfile for several years are available at your home or office computer.
http:// www.Iconn.org. Choose "Access from Home." You will be prompted to enter a library card number before you access a database.

Preventing Lyme Disease is much easier than treating it. If you live in an area where the disease is prevalent, or are planning to spend the day outdoors, take the following precautions:

1. Cover as much of your body as possible when outdoors;
2. Check yourself - head, scalp, trunk, legs, clothes and gear - occasionally for ticks, especially if you are in underbrush or forest;
3. Check children and pets after they've been outside;
4. Use an insect repellent, with or without the chemical DET, when you are outside.

Start Spreading the News…Portland, Portland!
Revitalized Streets are Welcoming You Now
Support the Very Heart of It…Portland, Portland.

(A few of the lines from the Portland version of Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York'.)

Beginning in 1995, Portland's Economic Development Commission decided to improve Main Street, with its many vacant and run down buildings. By 1997, community leaders joined together to form a new non-profit, Portland PRIDE, to deal in an organized way with improving the Business District. To add resources to aid the local effort, PRIDE applied to and was accepted into the Connecticut Main Street Program in May 2000, in partnership with the National Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A Vision Statement was developed with community wide participation. In October 2000, PRIDE's Office was established at 264 Main Street, and its first full time Executive Director was hired to work with the many community volunteers who share a commitment to a revitalized Main Street.

    Many good and great things have happened since 2000:

• Over $1,500,000 in new investment on Main Street. Statistically, every $1 invested, brings $34 back to the community.
• Ten new businesses established.
• 25 new full and part-time jobs.
• Over 12,600 volunteer hours generously donated.
• New events created include: Movies On The Green, Arts On The Green, The Annual PRIDE Goods and Services Auction, Halloween On Main Street.
• On-Going Programs established: The Business Excellence Club and Junior Main Street.

    Volunteers and donors are pleased with these accomplishments, but more projects and possibilities lie ahead. And we want to continue our current work. On behalf of the PRIDE Board and Committees, please join in these efforts. Phone 342-6798, the PRIDE Office for information about how you can help.

Tucked between Portland's Main Street and the Connecticut River, in the shadow of the Arrigoni Bridge is a fascinating piece of real estate - the Portland Brownstone Quarries, a National Historic Landmark.
    An ancient deposit of sediments, originally part of Africa, these quarries have yielded stone to human use for close to 400 years. The stone is of high quality, fine, easy to cut and carve, even to polish. The color is generally a deep, rich red-brown. Middletown settlers extracted it easily and used it extensively for cemetery markers and building material for foundations, chimneys, entire houses and public buildings.
    Originally free to residents, the stone was soon recognized as a valuable economic resource. Restrictions were placed on it, and two new industries emerged: quarrying and shipbuilding. Architects prized the exceptional qualities of brownstone and designed buildings with it as the principal material.
     The mansions along 5th Avenue of New York are fine examples. Brownstone mansions were built in Boston as well, and in cities up and down the east coast from Portland, Maine to New Orleans, Louisiana. A brownstone mansion became the badge of wealth and privilege. The stone was even shipped around South America to California (where the Flood mansion survived the San Francisco earthquake) and across the Atlantic Ocean to London.
    But building for the wealthy was not the only use for Portland brownstone. The quarry owners not only sold the stone, they also used it to build the row houses in the Bronx to provide housing for the huge influx of immigrants who surged into New York in the late 1800s and early l900s. These houses are now highly prized real estate, very upscale.
    Two elements were required to make the quarries wealth-producing: workers and transportation. To provide the transportation, quarry owners turned to the nascent shipbuilding industry located

up the river at Gildersleeve. These shipyards designed and built the needed ships. The companies solved the man-power problem by advertising in New York and Boston for quarrymen. The Irish were first to answer the call. Next came the Swedes, and finally the Italians. Each group brought a needed quality or skill. They settled in Portland and Middletown and today form the population base for the two communities.
    The Portland quarries employed 1500 men at peak employment, from 1880 to 1920, and had a fleet of thirty ships.
    Changes in building styles and construction methods coupled with the high cost of obtaining, transporting and using the stone, made their impact felt. Usage of the quarries faded and eventually stopped in 1936 when they were inundated by a massive flood.
    Today these quarries and 42 acres of nearby riverfront land are owned by the Town of Portland. They were declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000 based on their importance in the development of the United States. Their significance is geological, economic, social and cultural. These are the elements that are being carefully considered by the town as it studies how best to preserve and utilize this resource.
    The Brownstone Quorum was founded in 1999 to help the town in this task. To learn more about the quarries and the Quorum come to the Portland Library Mary Flood room on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. Take a free canoe ride on the quarry lake with us on September 11, (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) or join us for a hike on the riverfront. Or simply visit the quarries on your own. Take Silver Street (by the Hess gas station) to Brownstone Avenue, then turn right. Entrance to quarry promontory is about 350' from Silver. Continue down Brownstone to gate at end and follow signs for some great trails in the riverfront property. Call 342-2260 (Jeanne Dilworth), or 342-0658 (John) for information.

The Portland Building Department issued 82 permits for the month of JULY, including 30 Building, 18 Electrical, 15 Mechanical and 19 Plumbing permits.

Permit fees collected totaled $ 11,619.

Type of Construction Estimated Cost

New Single Family Homes - 2 $ 392,688

Residential Renovations/Alterations/Additions - 27 $ 502,615

Commercial/Non-Residential - 1 $ 7,500