Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Cheshire Named One of 100 Best Places to Live in America

Money magazine has once again ranked (#73) Cheshire one of the best places to live in America.

"Because this charming, garden-filled town is near both New Haven (16 miles) and Hartford (26), residents can commute to either city--or work right here (there’s a small industrial sector). Though many towns are struggling financially these days, Cheshire boasts a triple-A credit rating. Schools are good, and affordable condos are available. The town’s Rails-to-Trails program has allowed the conversion of abandoned tracks; residents can now bike from Cheshire to New Haven, with plans to develop additional paths in the future."

The rest of the article can be found on Cheshire Patch.

14 comments:

Breachway said...

Did they mention the turf? - Sorry I couldn't resist.

Anonymous said...

Actually, it specifically mentions the linear trail as the driving force to Cheshire's greatness.

Anonymous said...

Tony... I have been reading several different posts and comments so this comment is in reference to a different post you made.

You questioned the concessions being a thing accomplished by this council (Time White made that comment) and said job security achieved and no givebacks did not make for a concession. As a teacher in town I find this insulting. The great majority of teachers in town were not at risk of losing their job, but agreed to do something to help. I was not at risk, but I said yes to do my part and help the town through this tough time. As far as not giving back. That is completely and totally false!! Had I received my contracted raise for this year and then received a ZERO increase for next year I would have made over $3,000 more over that two year period than I will now. I willingly gave up thousands of dollars when I had no risk of losing my job to help. I am honestly at a loss for words with your comment.

Tony Perugini said...

The concession package splits this year's raise over two years: 2.3% 2011-2012 and 2.3% 2012-2013. You should not be losing anything in regards to the 4.6% increase that's been split over two years. I thank you for doing your part.

Anonymous said...

Tony,

Let me see if I can explain what Anon 5:26 is saying. Let's work with some easy numbers. You have a salary of $100. You were supposed to receive 10%, but your employer spilt it into 5% and 5%.

Secario 1: 10%, then 0%.

Year 1 - $110 (10% raise)
Year 2 - $110 (freeze)
Total after 2 years - $220

Scenario 2: 5%, then 5%

Year 1 - $105 (5% raise)
Year 2 - $110.25 (another 5% raise)
Total after 2 years - $215.25

There definitely is a difference between the two. Now with bigger numbers, the amount becomes that much more.

Anonymous said...

9:48 only true if you are getting 5% in year two. Many unions got zero in year one of new contracts.

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:37. This is not year 1 of a new contract. This is a re-write of the existing contract to divide the percent equally over two years (and consequently, extend the current contract an extra year). I was giving an "easy math" example to explain what Anon 5:26 was addressing and Tony was misunderstanding. Did you read the previous posts, or just mine?

Anonymous said...

Add in retirement incentives, upwards of $15K per year of medical coverage for 3 years in most cases. Yes, we're actually paying these 'retirees' medical coverage for 3 years.

Add splitting, not eliminating or reducing, the final year salary increase over 2 years. No layoffs. Job security. And one other tidbit nobody mentioned is that the town is also kicking in an additional percentage towards teachers' health insurance premiums over 2 years.

For shame.

Anonymous said...

Coming from a town that has a AAA+ credit rating, a multi-million dollar surplus every year, and enough money to put in paved sidewalks and designer lamp posts in an economic recession.

That's the shame.

Anonymous said...

I believe Cheshire received a rather large grant for those brick sidewalks and designer lights.

Anonymous said...

8:30 that is correct. After years of being bled to near death paying for these ridiculous union contracts Cheshire was fortunate enough to receive a state grant for the West Main street upgrade.

Anonymous said...

You want to talk about a concession - Fresno CA Superintendent is giving back $800,000 over 3 years allowing teachers to be hired and programs to be saved.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, I don't understand how the contract change is classified as a concession. Exactly what did the union concede here?

Did they concede:

Position Eliminations? NO
Salary Reductions? NO
Job Security? NO
Raises? NO
Increased Health Care premiums? NO

I guess Concession has a different definition in the union rank and file.

Anonymous said...

Let's be positive
We have a great town
We are in the top 100
Don't hate
Say something good and celebrate