Conservative Taxpayer Group Is Dissolving After 90 Years
By John McNamara
(Update: The resolution concerning the dissolution of the CPOA and its donation was withdrawn at the meeting)
NEW BRITAIN – The Citizen Property Owners Association (CPOA), a conservative taxpayer group and one of the city’s oldest citizen organizations, is dissolving and plan to donate the balance of its treasury, $8,134.00, to the city Police Department.
In a resolution for the January 25th Common Council meeting the City acknowledges the contribution and commends recent leaders of the taxpayer group, which for decades questioned tax and spending policies at City Hall and Board of Education budgets but has largely been inactive in recent years. The resolution, however, was withdrawn at the start of the meeting without explanation.
CITY HALL WATCH: January 25 Council
The CPOA funds will go to the NBPD’s K-9 Operations as described in the resolution. The K-9 Unit provides back-up support and other assistance to the uniformed patrol division when responding to calls for service and calls of crimes in progress. “When called upon to do so, K-9 teams can be utilized to conduct searches of buildings, residences, neighborhoods or other areas for suspects or missing persons. The unit is also a valuable tool in detecting illegal narcotics,” according to NBPD.
In accepting the gift the Common Council acknowledges that “the tireless efforts of past presidents: Anastasia “Ann” Mikulak and Michael Wanik have not gone unnoticed and are appreciated for this very generous donation.”
Council Resolution Calls For End To Free Parking Permits In Arch Street Area
In other Council business on January 25th, a resolution by Majority Leader Robert Smedley (R-4) calls for an end to free six-month parking permits for residents in the Arch Street area that has been in effect since 2005.
The proposal would end temporary free spaces in public lots on Arch Street, north of Grand Street; Glen Street, north of W. Pearl Street; Prospect Street, and: Camp Street, north of Grand Street. Smedley said at the Council the measure is to clean up outdated language and that use of the permits adopted 18 years ago is minimal.
Free residential permits for the area were implemented in 2005 to diffuse a potentially divisive issue., according to press reports. At the time some residents and business owners objected to paying for public parking in a neighborhood with a concentration of Latino residents and businesses while residents and visitors to the largely Polish Broad Street area had no public parking meters or fees. Years later meters and public parking fees have been implemented on Broad Street (Little Poland) which is home to dozens of stores and shops.
