Report shows how funds were spent

KENT — The annual report for the 2013-14 fiscal year was presented at the annual town meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15. 

The report featured updates and summaries from each of the departments and commissions that are funded by taxpayer dollars.

The Board of Selectmen was especially busy, hiring Resident State Trooper Andrew Fisher in July. Fisher immediately made an impact within the town, working with the National Park Service as well as town volunteers to clean up problems with crowds and trash at Bull’s Bridge.

Also in July, the selectmen completed a three-phase sewer project. The town sewer was extended to Maple Street Extension, allowing a number of residents to be immediately connected. The road was also closed at one end and paved.

The selectmen and town approved a $110,000 contribution to the Kent Land Trust, to assist in the purchase of the property formerly known as Camp Francis. The land trust has opened the East Kent Hamlet Nature Preserve there for passive recreation.

The Building Department saw a drop in activity, with a 25 percent decrease in construction within the town. The town issued 486 permits for a total of $16,537,498, compared to 541 and $22,162,058 in 2012-13.

The Park and Recreation Commission made several improvements to the Kent Commons Park including rebuilding the two tennis courts as well as bracing and staining the pavilion (which also received a new concrete slab and grill).

The summer league Colonial baseball team was a runner-up in the league’s championship series. The Kent U12 boys soccer team was crowned league champion for the second year in a row, and the Textile Graphics team and Lenz Electric team were crowned champions of the Adams League basketball lower and upper divisions respectively.

Planning and Zoning received applications for seven sign permits, 70 zoning permits, nine special permit approvals, eight site plan approvals, four driveway permits and two subdivision approvals. The 100 applications generated a total of $21,761.25 in fees. The commission also began rewriting the current Zoning Regulations, which are expected to be presented at a public hearing in the beginning of 2015.

The Social Services Department helped 152 households receive a total of $109,154.37 in assistance from a variety of local, state and federal resources. Of that money, $32,039.26 was awarded from the State and Federal Energy Assistance Program, and $23,371 came from the Kent Community Fund, which included Food Bank purchases of $1,754, heating fuel at $10,044, and medical, rent, utilities and car repair assistance of $11,573. Also, $11,170.55 was given out from the State Renter’s Rebate Program for Elderly/Disabled; $14,664.98 was awarded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and $8,788.79 came from the Kent Food/Fuel Fund; $5,843.33 was received from the Foundation for Community Health Prescription Fund, $8,500 came from the Town Social Services Assist Fund, $2,276.46 came from the Northwest Connecticut Fuel Bank and $2,500 came from Operation Fuel.

Over the course of the year, the Kent Food Bank provided an average of 684 meals each month to 37 adults, 24 children and eight seniors.

The town saw 15 births, 59 marriages and 43 deaths over the course of the year.

The Kent Volunteer Fire Department rescue team responded to 10 structure fires, four non-structure fires, 41 motor vehicle accidents, 28 service calls for down wires/trees, lock outs, rescues and smoke investigations and 83 automatic fire alarms. 

The Kent Volunteer Fire Department ambulance team recorded 409 transports to area hospitals as well as 67 calls where the offer of transport was turned down by the patient.

The department also saw several noteworthy apparatus changes including retiring a 1969 Jeep brush truck and a 1985 Chevy former rescue hazmat truck. A 2014 Ford 550 Brush Rapid Attack Truck (BRAT) was put into service. The 4x4 all-terrain vehicle contains a 260 gallon tank and 1,000 feet of forestry hose as well as forestry fire fighting equipment. The truck was named “Billy the Brat” in honor of 21-year department member Bill Rundall, who died  in September 2013 at the age of 40.

To obtain a copy of the report go to www.townofkentct.com or pick one up at Town Hall.