Redding First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton has provided her fellow Selectmen with an update on issues being debated in Hartford, which could have an impact locally.  During the last Board of Selectmen meeting, Pemberton said the proposal to have municipalities pick up part of the teacher pension tab has been stripped from the legislation, it could come back through the budget process.  She notes that Redding would not have been impacted by proposed school regionalization bills.  Redding and Easton share a high school. 

The plastic bag ban bill is moving forward.  Redding had interest in adopting a local ordinance, but Pemberton says it doesn't make sense if the state is going to act on the matter.  The ongoing debate is whether or not to implement a fee on paper bags so that companies could be compensate for the increased cost.  Greenwich has a local ordinance allowing for that.  The Governor prefers a tax on paper bags, to raise $11 million for the state.

The minimum wage bill is facing disagreement over whether to expand or eliminate the training age.  The Redding Parks and Rec Department has some employees making $10.10.  They're high school students who referee and coach at summer camp.

One bill no longer under consideration is changing the position of tax collector to being appointed, rather than elected.  It would have also regionalized and consolidate the tax collector and assessor positions.

There was testimony given that would cap the mill rate for real property for utility companies at 15 mills.  Pemberton says Eversource is one of Redding's largest taxpayers.  The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and Council of Small Towns opposed that on Redding's behalf