Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page 202

30 INSIDE CONNECTICUT PAGE THURSDAY OCTOBER 11, West Hartford Farmington Valley Edition TV Turnoff Proponent Jousts With Letterman TOWN BRIEFS We talked to a woman who had no idea (of what we would ask), who had a good sense of humor, who had a good idea of where she stood. It was successful because she was so natural in her responses. Darcy I Hettrich Researcher for David Letterman calls a day to the library ranging from a Mississippi man who complained he would miss his soap operas to a series of reporters. DeSalvo is unrepentant She would like the turnoff campaign to go national and even have people turn off their television sets once a week. "People could do other things," DeSalvo said, adding that during last January's campaign, "kids found that their marks improved.

Kids were much more creative. (There was) much more communication." Asked about, the effect of such a campaign on Letterman's show, DeSalvo said, "He would be off one night, and he could plan his other shows more carefully." Despite the spot appearances on the Letterman show, DeSalvo is not taking her new-found fame too seriously. "Of course, it doesn't mean too much to me because I never had seen the David Letterman show," she said. go unresisted. Letterman telephoned DeSalvo during the taping of his Oct 3 show and offered her a television set if she surrendered.

DeSalvo refused. Letterman called again Tuesday, adding such enticements as a year's supply of Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil, water skis and a riding mower. He told bis audience about "programs" people would miss such as "Check Me Out A Story of Librarians After Dark." Letterman also en listed the help of the good Brother Theodore Gottlieb, a character who makes frequent appearances on the talk show. Gottlieb's public service announcement ended with the plea: "Farmington, don't let the lights go out" DeSalvo stood firm. "He knows Tm not giving in," DeSalvo said Wednesday.

The shows have been done in fun, and Letterman's staff said that they called DeSalvo twice is such a short time because she has been a good "I just think it was an idea that worked out perfectly," said Darcy L. Hettrich, a show researcher. "We talked to a woman who had no idea (of what we would ask), who had a good sense of humor, who had a good idea of where she stood. It was successful because she was so natural in her responses." DeSalvo's telephone conversations with Letterman and a recent appearance on a CBS late news program have drawn about 10 telephone ARTIST AT WORK Peter Pino, an artisan who works in a studio behind in his home in Torrington, prepares a statue from the Sacred Heart Church in Torrington for repainting. Pino, a native of Italy, does varied work ranging from a murals to sign-painting.

By KARLYNN CARRINGTON Courant Staff Writer Nancy DeSalvo may be trying to get Farmington residents to turn off their television sets, but NBCs David; Letterman isn't pulling the plug without a fight DeSalvo is the children's librarian at the Farmington library, which last January organized a campaign to get families to stop watching television or at least to choose then-viewing with care. The campaign attracted worldwide media attention as 1,000 residents quit television cold turkey, and another 4,000 reduced their viewing time. Last month, DeSalvo announced the library's plans to hold another turnoff in January, saying they hope it will become an annual event But Letterman, host of NBCs offbeat "Late Night with David Letter-man" show, is not one to let this network revenue-bashing campaign Simsbury Challenge Dismissed Election Panel Refuses To Rule On Charter Vote By KARL SCHOENBERGER Courant Staff Writer The state Elections Enforcement Commission Wednesday dismissed a Simsbury resident's complaint that town officials had acted illegally in preparing a referendum to amend the town charter. The panel said it has no jurisdic-- tion over home rule procedures and I advised David W. Dyer, the Sims-; bury insurance executive who filed the complaint that he has the right to take his case to court not questioning whether your legal arguments are- good or bad," Commissioner Samuel Slaibytold Dyer during discussion of the complaint at a meeting in Hart- ford.

"We're questioning whether we're the proper body to make that determination." Dyer said he will decide during the next few days if he will hire a lawyer and seek an injunction to block the referendum, which is scheduled to go before Simsbury voters Nov. 6. The proposed charter revision would establish a permanent, nonpartisan Board of Ethics and a Hu-. man Services Commission and make minor changes in charter wording. It would maintain the first selectman form of government The object of Dyer's complaint was a special Board of Selectmen' meeting Aug.

29 at which First Selectman Margaret C. Shanks changed the vote she cast during an Aug. 13 meeting. At the Aug. 13 meeting, selectmen voted 3-1 to approve the charter changes recommended by the Simsbury Charter Revision Commission.

Shanks abstained during that vote. The special meeting was called when town officials realized a four-vote majority was necessary to approve the commission's recommendations. Shanks then changed her abstention to a vote in favor of the recommendations. -Dyer charged that the retroactive change was illegal and the Aug. 29 action was invalid because it occurred more than IS days after the commission submitted its final report The state Home Rule Act requires such action to be taken within 15 days, Dyer said.

iPalmer S. McGee Jr. of Hartford," the attorney who represented the town at Wednesday's hearing, argued that the Elections Enforcement Commission had no jurisdiction in the case. "It is fair to say that the Connecticut Legislature would probably be in state of shock to learn that its legislation was interpreted so broadly as to give the commission jurisdiction to decide questions of parliamentary law. in a Board of Selectmen's meeting.

It was never intended that the commission should Intrude into the conduct of municipal affairs," McGee wrote in a brief to the panel. -Dyer said be brought his complaint to the commission because he believes Simsbury residents were deprived of the choice between a town manager and a first selectman form of government due to the way the Charter Revision Commission and the selectmen's Republican majority prepared the charter referendum. Democratic Selectman Archer L. Edgar made a sirnilar'complaint to the commission, but he did not attend Wednesday's session. Democratic Selectman Thomas J.

Donohue Jr. told the commission that Edgar had not been notified of -Wednesday's hearing, at Unionville Water Co. Approves Merger Plan GRANBY Subdivision's Approval Expected': The Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to approve a rear-lot subdivision 6(1'. Silkey Road because neighbors say they would welcome a home there. Richard Gehle of Simsbury wants to build a home and a driveway on the 24- acre parcel at 147 Silkey Road.

The house would be built on a i high knoll on the wooded land, -3 which is close to Mountain Road. Gehle presented his proposal to the commission Tuesday and the approval is expected at the commission's Oct 23 meeting. Richard Mather of 145 Silkey Road told commission that lie and other neighbors are "thrilled" that only one house is proposed for the property. A single home there should enhance the neighborhood, be said. FARMINGTON Board Denies 2 Subdivisions The Planning and Zoning Commission has denied applications to build a 75-lot V.

subdivision off New Britain Avenue and a office building on Colt town officials said Wednesday. The commission Tuesday rejected a request by HRW-BSU Colt Highway Associates to construct the office building "because of the potential traffic: impact on the surrounding 1 residential neighborhood," Assistant Town Planner Steven" Kushner said. The commission also rejected a request for an open-space development by G.P.M. Builders Inc. "because it was inconsistent -with the town's criteria for an open space development," Kushner said.

Zoning regulations require such developments, which reduce the required size of the residential lots, to create "scenic vistas" from the remaining open-space areas, he-said. But attorneys for a neighborhood group had argued that the land remaining from the project would not be developed only because it is not suited for building. During a public hearing in September, the residents also said the development would cause traffic and drainage problems in the neighborhood. WINDSOR LOCKS Man Charged in 3 Robberies A former West Hartford man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the armed robbery of three stores, police; said. State police spotted Thomas.

J. Faulkner, 30, now of 46 Crooked Road in Nantucket, as be drove along 1-91 and over the Coffin Bridge. They had been alerted by Agawam, police, whose bulletin connected Faulkner to the theft of the car he was driving and the armed robbery of a convenience store in Massachusetts. Faulkner was near Exit 37 in Windsor. State police turned Faulkner over to West Hartford police in connection with the armed robbery of a Dairy Mart store in that town.

On Wednesday, Windsor Locks police served Faulkner with an arrest warrant based on the armed robbery of a Dairy Mart Store there at 6:30 a.m. Monday. CANTON Residents To Vote On Sidewalk Bond Voters at tonight's town meeting will be asked to approve the bonding of $50,000 to help pay for sidewalks along Route 44 in the town The meeting is scheduled for 8 in Town Hall. Canton officials asked the state Department of Transportation to build the sidewalks while DOT-, crews were reconstructing Route 44 through the center of town, -First Selectman Samuel S. Humphrey said Wednesday.

The DOT agreed to add the sidewalks while it was doing the road widening, which is nearly completed, Humphrey said. The cost of the sidewalk project is $200,000, but Humphrey said a federal grant will pay 75 percent with the town providing -the rest If voters approve the bonding, the sidewalks will be built on the south side of Route 44 from East Hill Road to Lovely Street andion the north side from Max Pizza to the Century 21 real estate building, Humphrey said, ft" ii By VINCENT M. VALVO Courant Correspondent FARMINGTON The Unionville Water Co. Wednesday night voted to merge with the Farmington Water providing sorely needed capital and water supplies for Farmington Water. Arthur Deming, manager of Farmington Water, said that company has more than $100,000 in debts and is on the brink of insolvency.

Last fall, a state Department of Public Utility Control report warned that the Farmington company's distribution system, dating from 1895, might not be able to provide enough water if there were a fire in Farmington Center. Farmington Water, which serves about 970 customers, buys its water from the Metropolitan District Commission and the Plainville Water Co. Unionville Water serves almost 2,000 customers from its own well. The merger resolution approved Tuesday would convert the 2,400 outstanding shares of Farmington Water stock to 240 shares of Unionville stock. It allows Unionville Wa The engineer also is to inspect the intersections of Route 177 with Meadow and Copper Mine roads and Route 6 and New Britain Avenue, where similar improvements are planned.

Richard Bartlett, a historical architect for the Connecticut Historical Commission, also will inspect the stone bridge, built in 1833 and now used only as a footpath, Hoben said. State money may be available for short-term improvements at the intersections, but funding for the bridge repairs seems less likely, he said. "For many of the intersections, State To Consider Farmington Road, Bridge Work Leslie Jacobs Special to The Courant made at a future meeting of the Unionville company's board of directors. Brooks said the merger will not affect Unionville Water's request for a rate hike. The request now before the DPUC, would increase the average $36 water bill to $55.

The hike is being sought to cover rising labor and electricity costs. The DPUC still must approve the merger request, which usually takes 30 days after the application is received. Brooks said company attorneys will draft and submit the application soon. Stephen A. Flis said Wednesday.

"But at present, there are no state funds for historical restoration," Flis said. No federal historic preservation grants have been approved in several years, Bartlett said Wednesday, adding, "It's my guess that any funding for this type of restoration is extremely unlikely." Water has seeped into the bridge's mortar over the years, requiring major repairs to the deck, Hoben said. Officials also want to restore the south parapet, which was damaged years ago during an accident and repaired with concrete, he said. cate with him about changes in the proposal. The agency, in whose name the bonds will be sold, didn't learn of the changes until Wednesday.

The bond sale must be completed by Monday so the developers can keep a $9 million federal loan tied to the project Hutton and six co-managers will' begin taking orders today and close orders at noon Friday. The agency is scheduled to vote on the bond-sale agreement in a special meeting Friday. Hayden Wednesday said bond-sale agreements rarely are rejected. Such knowledge Wednesday served to make some commissioners more nervous. "Our financial adviser isn't prepared to approve something that this agency is being asked to vote on by Friday.

I hope all commissioners understand that" Nannier said. By JOE FAHY Courant Staff Writer FARMINGTON Officials from two state agencies are scheduled to visit today to consider improvements to the old Meadow Road Bridge and several traffic intersections. Town Planner Bruce Hoben said Wednesday. Michael Healy, a traffic engineer for the Department of Transportation, is to inspect Route 4 intersections with. Town Farm, Brickyard and West Avon roads as well as Garden and Highstreets for possible widening or restriping, Hoben said.

ter to buy the converted stock of any Farmington shareholder who does not want to participate in the merged company at an undetermined "fair- value" price. R. King Brooks Unionville Water Co. president, said the 240 shares will be converted to new issues, increasing the total outstanding Unionville stock from 2,400 shares to 2,640. As yet, there is no plan to involve the directors of the Farmington firm in the new Unionville company.

Brooks said that decision will be we hope that just a little paint or the addition of some paving will provide us with an additional lane," Hoben said. Officials plan to create a right-turn lane at each intersection to keep traffic flowing during rush hour, he said. Both state and town funds would be used to repair the intersections, Hoben said. "We hope to get these projects going right away," he said. "That's one of the issues we have to discuss." Town officials have budgeted $245,000 this year for road improvements, including an estimated $10,000 for repairs to the Meadow Road Bridge, Town Manager give theman "unqualified" legal opinion on the bond proposal when he returns for a special meeting Friday.

Hayden has been at odds with the city over his fee for financial advice for the project He originally requested $85,000, but has been offered $12,000. He said the fee has no bearing over his concerns for personal liability. Hayden's announcement added further uncertainty to a situation that became more confused as the more-thari-three-hour meeting progressed Wednesday. "The fact that we can't get an unqualified legal opinion is saying something in itself," said Denise Nappier, chairwoman of the Redevelopment Agency. Agency members said they could understand Hayden's stand in light of F.

Button's failure to communi Orders To Be Taken Today for Underwood Bonds ne did not receive any writtenmatet rials until Wednesday, he does not have adequate information to protect himself from civil lawsuits if the bond deal collapses and investors don't get paid. "I am not going to assume liability," he said. "I may also be asking for indemnification," (removing himself from liability for bis advice). By assuming liability for his advice, Hayden could be sued by investors or the city if the bond plan is unsuccessful. The city hires a financial adviser to alert them to any risks involved in the bond sale.

Although it rarely happens, Hayden said financial advisers have been sued by investors who lost money when bond deals have failed. Hayden said he will give the city the best advice he can, but cautioned members that he will be.unable to By VIVIAN MARTIN Courant Staff Writer Underwriters expect to begin taking orders today for about $40 million in tax-exempt bonds that will be sold for the Underwood housing project, but Hartford's Redevelopment Agency late Wednesday was uncomfortable with the plan. The agency was concerned it might not get all the financial advice and protection it had hoped to receive before it is forced to vote on a bond-purchase agreement when all the orders are taken Friday. William Hayden, a partner with Bear Stearns, a New York City investment firm, told the agency that E.F. Hutton, the lead underwriter for the bond sale, failed to inform him of substantial changes they made to the bond proposal during the past week.

Hayden said that because -ti.