LAKEVILLE — State Senator Steve Harding (R-30) and State Representative Maria Horn (D-64) both said they expected to see action on the problem of nuisance bears in the current legislative session.
Harding and Horn, both on the Environment Committee, were interviewed by telephone on March 18-19.
Harding said he doesn’t expect a vote on establishing a bear hunting season, but he does anticipate an “overall bear management plan” that gives farmers more flexibility on killing dangerous bears and more enforcement from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Horn fleshed this out. She said that constituents who in the past have been “implacably opposed” to a bear hunt “now understand we need to do something.”
She spoke of a statewide ban on feeding bears, which recognizes the difference between someone forgetting to take in a bird feeder and someone who is irresponsibly putting out food items that attract bears. Enforcement would involve warnings first, and fines if the situation isn’t resolved.
Horn also said there is a proposal for a limited bear hunt, run by DEEP, which would allow for the killing of up to 50 bears per year in Litchfield County.
Both Horn and Harding were optimistic about the state budget, both the version submitted by Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and what is happening in the legislature.
“It’s pretty solid,” said Horn.
“It’s a good budget,” said Harding.
Harding said he is focused on waste management, in particular a plan to impose additional fees on towns that exceed a tonnage cap on municipal solid waste that is currently being shipped out of state. (See related story on Page A1.)
Instead of that approach, Harding said he would rather see the state spend on waste management infrastructure.
Horn said there is an “Aid in Dying” bill circulating, but unlike recent years, the debate is less about the details and more about the propriety of it.
As she outlined it, a person who as been a resident of Connecticut for one year, has a terminal illness or condition and has been given less than six months to live, may submit two written requests that are signed by two physicians and two independent witnesses within a certain time frame. Only then can a lethal amount of medication be administered.
Horn said she has heard from constituents who support this approach so strongly, they constitute her “only single-issue voters.”
“I am inclined to support it,” she added.
Both Harding and Horn expressed frustration at the lack of communication from the Housatonic Railroad about herbicide spraying along the tracks.
“If we can’t get answers, we might do something with legislation or regulation,” Harding said.
Horn said she is approaching the problem via DEEP and the state Department of Transportation. She suspects the latter will be most effective at setting up a meeting with her, Harding, state and local officials.
In the meantime, Horn said, she will set up a meeting or conference call between the relevant first selectmen and state officials to work up a list of questions they want answered.
Classic styles, bold colors, and creative concerts make up the “Imaginary Concerts” line at Peggy Mercury.Provided
Shirts from Peggy Mercury’s first fashion line, “Imaginary Concerts,” hang on display.Provided
