July 2016 – Page 21 – DoingItLocal

Secretary Ben Barnes sent a letter to Governor Dannel P. Malloy highlighting a new report from the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) on the 14% reduction in overtime among state agencies for the last fiscal year, part of Secretary Barnes’s and Governor Malloy’s efforts to ensure State government remains efficient.

“This an encouraging report – we are working closely with our agencies to hold down overtime. LEAN techniques are working, and the state is moving forward. This is good news and no doubt a positive step” Secretary Barnes said. “We still have much more work to do, but I am confident we are moving in the right direction in our efforts to right-size government spending to align it with revenues.”

The OFA report shows that in the 2016 fiscal year, state agencies had decreased overtime use by about 14%, even as there were 5% fewer employees earning overtime. In FY2015, there were 19,726 employees earning overtime which cost the state $237,595,239. In contrast, in FY2016, 18,737 employees earned overtime at a cost to the state of $204,678,473. In total, the savings are $32,916,766.

In addition, the report shows that five agencies (Department of Correction, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) are responsible for 90% of the overtime reduction.

(Press Release)

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Career Coach at Westport Town Hall

American Job Center Southwest’s Career Coach in Westport on Thursday, July 14, 2016 Sarah Heath, Director of the Westport Department of Human Services announces the return of the American Job Center Southwest’s (formerly known as CTWorks) Career Coach at Westport Town Hall. On Thursday, July 14th, the Coach will offer a beginner’s class in Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 from 10 a.m. – noon, followed by an intermediate class in PowerPoint 2007 from 1 – 3 p.m. The Career Coach is a “training center” tour bus equipped with ten wireless computer labs offering free computer classes to residents in the greater Norwalk area. The mobile unit operates on a monthly schedule of visits to various community locations and is accessible to people with disabilities.

Area residents (not just Westport) interested in registering should contact the Westport Department of Human Services at 203-341- 1050 or via e-mail at humansrv@westportct.gov. For more information, including the current Career Coach schedule, check the website for American Job Center Southwest at http://www.ajcswct.com.

Ms. Heath stated, “I hope that by offering the American Job Center Southwest’s Career Coach in the Westport area, many residents who wish to improve their computer skills will find it convenient and useful in pursuing their personal goals.”

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It’s Sold!

Fairfield News: Tractor Trailer Accident

10:22am–#cttraffic–#Fairfield Connecticut–Two tractor trailers have collided on I-95 southbound near exit 20. A fuel saddle tank from one of the tractor trailers was sheered off and about 80 gallons of fuel spilled into the storm drain. Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has been notified and on the way. No injuries have been reported. Detour if you can traffic is backed up.

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Trumbull !

Bridgeport News: Car Pool

#Bridgeport Connecticut–Firefighters were called to rescue this woman kneeling the roof of her car totally submerged on Bishop Avenue. Sent in from a viewer.

Domestic Argument On I-95

#cttraffic–#Greenwich CT–A domestic fight in the I-95 northbound median. Police just arrived.

Bridgeport News: Tree/Electrical Lines Come Down Around Cop Car

4:04pm–#Bridgeport Connecticut– A tree came down taking power lines with it around an occupied police at 440 Hilltop Road in Black Rock. First responders on the way.

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Bridgeport News: Ganim Speaks On Taxes

#Bridgeport Connecticut–On Tuesday at the city council meeting where hundreds gathered to protest a 21% mill rate increase. Mayor Joe Ganim remained silent while the citizens from around town made their case. On Wednesday I spoke with the mayor for his thoughts on the meeting. He said he was glad the so many turned out to speak and wishes more people would come out and voice their opinions at future meetings. The mayor insisted that it is the state mandated a property reevaluation that he says his fellow Democratic predecessor “kicked down the road” for eight years. Mayor Ganim said he was in “favor of reducing the tax burden of the citizens of the city”. The mayor says “there were hundreds of residences there calling for different things; some motivated certainly by misinformation and emotion”. I told him that a lot of people remember his “Stop Raising Taxes” political signs and that many feel betrayed. He said “we did and continue to do everything we can to reduce the tax burden of Bridgeport residents. The mayor said they couldn’t ignore the reevaluation and that many residence had a tax decrease.