Prst. Std. U.S. Postage Paid Naugatuck, CT #27
“If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” ~ Mary Engelbreit
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Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown A FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Volume IX, No. 8
Friday, February 22, 2013
Police Commission starts chief search By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Middlebury Police Commissioners added an item to their Feb. 11 meeting agenda – formation of a subcommittee to start a search for a new police chief to fill the vacancy created by the unexpected retirement/resignation of former Police Chief Richard Guisti last fall. Other items on the agenda were reports on personnel and labor, building and equipment, the budget process and overtime budget and reports from Chairman Donald Ford and Acting Police Chief Richard Wildman. Ford said the commission needed to start a chief search subcommittee and asked the matter be added to the agenda. The subcommittee will be chaired by Jordano Santos, who serves as chair of personnel and labor, and Ford asked Santos to think about who will be on the committee. Ford’s suggestion initially met some resistance from a fellow commissioner. Commissioner Paul Bowler said he felt moving dispatch out of town was the major issue right now, and the subcommittee should not be formed until after that issue was settled. Ford argued in favor of creating the subcommittee now rather than later. “We have to figure the salary and the job description,” Ford said. “A lot of conversations have to take place.” He said if the committee is in place, work can begin. Bowler said he didn’t want to hire anyone right now. He likes things the way they are. Ford said commissioners had agreed to put off the matter until after the first of the year, and it was now February. “I just want Jordano to be thinking about it,” he said. Santos said, “There’s a lot of work to be done before we are even talking to any candidates. Just deciding who will be on the committee means talking to a lot of people.” He noted they said they would start the process after the first of the year. Ford said appointing a committee is step one in a long process. Bowler said if that was what Santos wanted, he would support him. He then motioned to form the com-
mittee, Commissioner Fran Barton seconded the motion and commissioners unanimously approved it. During the discussion on personnel, Wildman reported a private duty grievance filed by Officer Cronin had been settled in his favor. Wildman also reported part-time officers are ready to work as needed. Addressing the issue of having all officers wearing the same uniform items, Wildman said acquiring needed uniform items would cost about $21,000 if they are purchased from New England Uniform. As for vehicles, new police cars have arrived, and they are being outfitted and were expected to be on the road in the next couple of weeks. He also reported the three police SUVs came in handy during the blizzard when snow was falling at a rate of 6 inches an hour. Officers used a truck to take nurses who are town residents to the hospitals during the storm. During budget discussions, Wildman said he worked with Board of Finance liaison Michael Kenausis on the 2013-2014 budget before submitting it to Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Hutvagner. Commissioners asked Wildman to provide them with a copy of the proposed budget. Wildman reported there had been a rash of car break-ins, and he suspected the four in the Blast Gym parking lot might be connected with similar smash-and-grab crimes near interstate highways in New York and New Jersey. He also reported the police department continues to work on security issues with Regional School District 15 in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Mentioning citations honoring service that were awarded two or three years ago, Wildman said he would like to award citations to the Connecticut Parole Department, Department of Corrections and Special Investigative Unit for the help they have given to the Middlebury Police Department. The next regular Police Commission meeting will be Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room
Leaky Roof
Plastic trash bags protect books at the Middlebury Public Library following the recent blizzard. Library Director Jo-Ann LoRusso said it appeared the blizzard blew open a trap door on the roof and allowed melting snow to enter the rented space at 199 Park Road Extension. (Marjorie Needham photo)
Above: Jennifer Cosmos holds a YonKa certificate for her training in giving their signature facials. She offers facials and more at Cosmopolitan Pool and Spa in Middlebury. At right: Clients recline on this padded and heated table while Jennifer Cosmos gives them a facial. Soothing music and aromatherapy enhance the experience. (Marjorie Needham photos)
Cosmopolitan expands spa services By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Mike Cosmos, owner of Middlebury’s Cosmopolitan Pool and Spa, has taken advantage of his sister Jennifer’s return from California to put to use her skills as an aesthetician by expanding the business’ spa services to include YonKa essential facials for women and men, airbrush tanning and airbrush/traditional brush makeup application. The business also offers a range of YonKa skin care products and skin care accessories. A house specialty is exfoliating salt scrubs Jennifer creates. “See that $20 bill?” Mike asked, pointing to a framed $20 bill hanging on the wall. He said the bill represented the new venture’s first sale. “The night of our grand opening (the night before Valentine’s Day last week), a man stopped here. The door was locked, but he came around the back to find us, and he bought a gift certificate for his girl friend for Valentine’s Day,” Mike said. “It seems like it’s meant to be – this store,” he said. Jennifer, a Pomperaug High School graduate, grew up in Middlebury, but moved to California and worked there a couple of years before returning. When she came back, she started working for her brother in the business at 184 Country Club Road in Middlebury (across from Maples Restaurant). She told Mike about her experience with custom spray tanning, airbrush makeup and facials. Together, they decided the best use of the retail space would be to offer those services in a warm and welcoming space. And that is what they have created. Perhaps the warmest and most welcoming space is the room upstairs where Jennifer gives facials, something she has been doing for many years. Clients recline on a
heated, padded table typically used for massage therapy. Soothing music and aromatherapy combine to settle the nerves and relieve stress. Wall sconces hold flickering candles, and flames light up the electric fireplace on the far wall. Pale yellow walls lend to the sense of serenity.
“I don’t want my client to feel rushed,” Jennifer said. “I want to give them my full attention.” After each facial, she offers her clients tea or water and some chocolate. “I really believe in skin care as part of your health and welfare and relieving stress,” she said. Downstairs, one area provides space for airbrush tanning. In this type of tanning, a technician applies the tan exactly as the client wishes: The customer chooses the exact shade and which parts of the body they want sprayed. The spray can be applied full body; face and neck; face, neck and arms; and full legs. Jennifer learned this technique while working in California. She said the spray tan lasts seven to 10 days depending on the skin type and how well the client moistures their skin. Like the facial room upstairs, the spray tan room focuses on a pleasant experience
for the client. Curtains provide privacy, a heater keeps the client warm as the cool spray is applied, and extraction fans remove spray from the air for air quality control. Once the tan is in place, clients who feel the need for a new bikini can look through a selection of bikinis and sun dresses. Included are popular surfing brands: Billabong, Roxy, reef, Volcom and Vans. Next to the spray tan room is a comfortable chair for clients to sit in while makeup is applied. Jennifer applies both airbrush and traditional brush makeup. She said airbrush makeup is very rare around here, but it is particularly nice for weddings, proms, TV appearances and photo shoots. “It stays put, and it’s flawless, but it doesn’t feel heavy like traditional makeup can if you use a lot of it,” she said. She also does eyelash and eyebrow tinting and sells and applies false eyelashes. Clients who want their eyelashes to show but don’t necessarily like the look of mascara often choose eyelash tinting, she said. And for those who like eyelash extensions, stay tuned. She expects to offer them soon. “They give you more oomph for occasions like weddings,” she said. The former model said she first learned how to apply makeup when she attended John Casablancas Modeling School in Hartford. Working as a model also meant working with makeup artists, so she learned all she could from them. Spa services, gift certificates and skin care products are available Mondays 12 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays to Fridays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays by appointment. For more information or an appointment, call 203-598-0185.
Adoptable Pets................ 8 Classifieds....................... 7 Community Calendar....... 2 Fire Log........................... 2 In Brief............................ 4 Legal Notices.................. 7 Library Happenings.......... 2
Nuggets for Life.............. 6 Obituaries....................... 5 Parks & Rec..................... 6 Puzzles........................... 7 Region 15 Calendar........ 3 Senior Center News......... 3 Varsity Sports Calendar.... 6
Editorial Office: Email: mbisubmit@gmail.com Phone: 203-577-6800 Mail: P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 Advertising Sales: Email: mbiadvertising@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
Inside this Issue
Friday & saturday Feb. 22 & 23
Chase Collegiate School Performance of “Wizard of Oz” When: What: Where: Info:
7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday Updated version of a timeless classic Fulkerson Art Center at 565 Chase Parkway in Waterbury Tickets are $12. For tickets, call 203-236-9545 or email rcutrofello@chasemail.org.
MMS students study cells
Page 3
Savor Connecticut 2013 food and beverage tastings
Saturday Feb. 23
When: What: Where: Cost: Info:
7 p.m. Taste Connecticut foods, wines and beers; meet Connecticut food authors Naugatuck Historical Society (NHS) at 195 Water Street in Naugatuck $15 for NHS members; $20 for nonmembers, $25 at the door Call 203-729-9039 or email wendy.murphy@snet.net or Naugatuckhistory@sbcglobal.net.
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