MBI040612

Page 1

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Prst. Std. U.S. Postage Paid Naugatuck, CT #27

FR EE

Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown A FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Volume VIII, No. 14

Friday, April 6, 2012

Resident, dispatchers ask for selectmen’s help By JONATHAN “CHIP” LONGO should not expect any funds from the town. St. John said he feels Monday night’s Board of Se- the opportunity was missed to lectmen (BoS) meeting was short address this issue. “The ball got and followed the posted agenda dropped,” he said. He said Cyr with no added items. Porter Av- should continue to work with enue resident Greg Cyr gave an Strobel on this issue. update on his attempts to change Tom Reynolds, a 30-year reshis neighborhood’s flood plain ident and 17-year police disclassification. Police dispatcher patcher for the town, read a letter Tom Reynolds appealed to the to the board asking that any deboard to let the townspeople vote cisions regarding the regionalon any plans to send dispatch ization of dispatch services be by services out of town. referendum. (Currently, fire and During public comment, Cyr emergency medical services calls gave an update of his attempts are dispatched by Northwest to have the Porter Avenue area’s Communication of Prospect, but FEMA flood designation dispatchers at the police station changed. Residents of the neigh- respond to police calls.) He said borhood have to pay for flood Middlebury is a safe place to live, insurance because the Federal and he credits this to having local government has designated the dispatchers working with the area a flood plain. He said it is police department offering “perdifficult to arrange meetings with sonal and trusted care.” “It’s the local officials due to conflicting Middlebury way,” Reynolds said. work schedules and hours. He He said he understands the also said it will cost $5,000 to get tough economic times, but wora LOMAR (Army Corp. of Engi- ries about what would happen if neer’s map) revision. Middlebury’s emergency calls Selectman Elaine Strobel said were placed in a queue with she has talked to an engineering other towns. With Reynolds was firm, and the revision might cost part-time dispatcher Joe Hirbour. upwards of $14,000. She told Cyr St. John said there are no bona she is not speaking for the Board fide proposals in the works. He of Finance (BoF), but there is no said it might be a while before way it would approve that kind anything happens. He did note of money. the BoF is cutting $100,000 out First Selectman Ed St. John of the dispatcher budget, and said due to the economy and constraints from the BoF, Cyr – See Help on page 5

Conservation Commission deals with many issues By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Conservation Commission (CC) at its March 27 meeting approved a Burr Hall Estates re-subdivision, a beachfront renovation at Lake Quassapaug, a containment building at County Line Nissan, a driveway over wetlands on Middlebury Road and vegetation removal at Long Meadow Pond Dam. It also accepted applications for a boardwalk project, two swimming pools, cottage reconstruction and a floating dock, set a hearing for restoration of wetlands at 79 Watertown Road, and instructed Quinnipiac Game Association to obtain a certified site plan. Michael Ferrara’s application to modify a re-subdivision of Lot 1b Burr Hall Estates on Burr Hall Road was unanimously approved. Commissioners agreed to a revised house placement in the steep topography if wetlands were added to compensate for disturbed areas in a ratio of three to one. Rick Errichetti’s application to modify permits for renovation of Lake Quassapaug beachfront property at 1814 Middlebury Road was unanimously approved. Errichetti wanted to increase the size and orientation of a swimming pool, move it closer to the shoreline, and move a dock closer to a stone wall for aesthetics. A County Line Nissan application to install a containment

structure to correct an unapproved installation of oil and fluid collection tanks at County Line Nissan was unanimously approved. A violation notice was issued Jan. 31 when Wetlands Enforcement Officer Deborah Seavey found no containment area to control spills. Paul Lavallee of Dymar described a hiproof covered area with 14-inch containment walls and two garage doors for delivery and maintenance. An application by Toula Kaloidis to construct a driveway over wetlands at 2065 Middlebury Road was unanimously approved. Ioannis Kaloidis told commissioners the driveway was necessary so land owned by his mother could be subdivided for him to build a house. Civil Engineer Ronald Wolff said a new driveway would extend from an existing driveway and utilize a 15-inch concrete culvert to allow water flow between wetland ponds he described as partially manmade during 1980’s construction. A 16,000-square-foot mitigation area will compensate for 3,970 square feet of disturbed wetlands. An application by Chemtura to clear cut a 25-foot perimeter of woody vegetation around Long Meadow Pond Dam was unanimously approved. Environmental professional Stuart Manley of Conestoga-Rovers & Associates said clear cutting was

– See Commission on page 5

Middlebury Police Explorers Advisor Officer Otis Baskins demonstrates handcuffing techniques on Explorer Hunter Jones of Middlebury as other Explorers watch from the sideline. (Cristina Commendatore photo)

Middlebury Explorers experience police work By CRISTINA COMMENDATORE Police Officer Otis Baskins got 13-yearold Hunter Jones of Middlebury off balance before cuffing him and searching him last Tuesday evening in the Larkin Room at the Middlebury Public Library. Jones wasn’t really under arrest. He’s an Explorer in Middlebury’s Police Explorer program, and Baskins is the Explorers’ advisor. Baskins demonstrated to 16 Explorers how to conduct an arrest during last week’s meeting. “You want to get them off balance, but you don’t want to be mean,” Baskins explained. “Just because you’re arresting someone doesn’t mean you have to be mean. I’m always extra nice. They’re already going to jail, and they already hate you. You don’t have to be a jerk.” The Police Explorers program exposes young adults between ages 11 and 21 to law enforcement. The program began in Middlebury in 2010. Baskins, a part-time Middlebury police officer and full-time Naugatuck police officer, volunteered to advise Middlebury’s program last year. The Explorers will hold an open house for those interested in joining Tuesday, May 22, at 6 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center. Explorers meet every Tuesday and learn subjects such as constitutional law, criminal law, motor vehicle law, first aid and CPR, drug education and enforcement and forensics. At some meetings, guest speakers in law enforcement and criminal justice give Explorers a taste of what they do. Baskins said he believes Explorers who are at least 16 years old and CPR certified will begin

ride-a-longs with him this summer. On the ride-a-longs, Explorers won’t get out of the cruiser to interact with criminals, but they will review what Baskins did and then write mock reports. Last year, Explorers helped Middlebury police officers direct traffic during road races at Quassy. They also wrapped Christmas gifts at the Brass Mill Center mall with Waterbury Police Explorers. The Explorers program is funded by donations and fundraising. A one-time $75 fee covers their uniforms and liability insurance. Upcoming fundraisers include a Saturday, May 19, wine tasting at 6 p.m. at the Middlebury firehouse on Tucker Hill Road and a June 2 Giants fundraiser in which alumni New York Giants will play against police officers and Pomperaug High School senior football players. These events will fund equipment and uniforms and CPR and firstaid classes. Middlebury Police Chief Richard Guisti said the program could prepare participants for careers in law enforcement and public service. “It gives them another outlook on public service, not just law enforcement,” he said. “It gives them structure. It gives the kids a stake in the community. They help assist officers and get a sense of what goes on in public safety.” Baskins conducts a background check on all potential Explorers. Checks include an academic review, school attendance, and interviews with parents, teachers, school administrators, coaches, neighbors and family members. The program is disciplined, with Explorers referring to Baskins as “Sir,” and incor-

porates a lot of physical training. Older Explorers participate in an abridged version of the police academy during a week in the summer. Explorer Master Sgt. Kobi Beaulieu, 17, of Middlebury said he joined the program because he wants to enlist in the Marine Corps, and he wanted more discipline in his life. “The younger Explorers benefit from the structure and discipline if they are really dedicated to it,” he said. “The practical skills we learn are helpful, and we learn how to take charge.” Explorer Captain Kelly Canfield, 16, of Middlebury began the program at first because she wanted to become a cop, but now she’s set on nursing. “I got into the program because I wanted to help people,” she said. “This is a great learning experience.” One of the younger Explorers, Baskins’ son, Maxwell Gregory, 12, of Middlebury, wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I like learning how to deal with people and certain calls and what to do in an emergency situation,” he said. Baskins said this program is the only one of its kind for those wanting to experience law enforcement and criminal justice without the danger. For him, the best part of the program is spreading information about safety and the law. “I’m getting the information out there to the kids, and they’re getting it out to their friends,” he said. “Kids who have the right information make the better choices.” For more information on the program, open house or upcoming fundraisers, call Baskins at the police department at 203-5774028.

Street sweeping to begin Absentee ballots available The Town of Middlebury Public Works Department will begin the town-wide annual street- sweeping program on or about Monday, April 9. It will begin on the east side of town near Rte. 63 and continue westward. The department estimates it will take about 10 working days to complete the work.

Residents are asked to sweep sidewalks and driveways to the street and rake property edges off before April 9. Residents also are asked to refrain from onstreet parking until the process is complete. For information, call the Public Works Department at 203-577-4170.

Absentee ballots for the April 24 Republican Presidential Preference Primary are available in the Middlebury Town Clerk’s office. Electors enrolled as Republicans are eligible to vote in the Republican Primary. Applications for an absentee ballot are available at the Town Clerk’s office or can be downloaded from the Secretary of the State’s website at www.sots.ct.gov. Applications must be filled out before a ballot can be issued. The town clerk’s office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 203-758-2557 with any questions.

Book Review.....................2 Adoptable pets.................8 Classifieds.........................7 Community Calendar.........2 Computer Tip....................8 Fire Log.............................3 In Brief..............................4 Library Happenings............2

Library Lines......................2 Nuggets for Life................6 Obituaries.........................5 Parks & Rec.......................6 Puzzles.............................7 Reg. 15 School 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

Middlebury Boy Scout Troop 444

saturday

Middlebury Annual Easter Egg Hunt

THURSday

Proposed Middlebury Town Charter Revisions Public Hearing

April 6 & 7 April 7

April 12

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. What: Annual Easter flower sale Where: Shepardson Community Center in Middlebury When: 1 p.m. What: Easter egg hunt for children ages three to 10 Where: Shepardson Community Center field When: 6:30 p.m. What: Public hearing on proposed town charter revisions Where: Shepardson Community Center auditorium

Published weekly by The Middlebury Bee Intelligencer Society, LLC - 2030 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762 - Copyright 2012

Cactus & Succulent Show next weekend

Page 8

Our office is at

2030 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1

203-577-6800

Mail: P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
MBI040612 by Mario-Design - Issuu