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Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown A FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Volume IX, No. 27
BoE elects new Region 15 superintendent of schools
P&Z refines its procedures By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE tions could be asked at the meeting. A proposed meeting The Middlebury Planning agenda also would be set by that and Zoning Commission (P&Z) Monday. There was no consenat its July 29 special meeting sus on how to deal with large took initial steps to simplify and bulky applications or maps, streamline the administrative leaving it to Bosco to provide a procedures necessary for ob- reasonable package with multaining ordinary permits and tiple copies paid for by the apapprovals. plicant. Chairman Terry Smith said A Wallingford, Conn., form he wanted to explore ideas to to administratively manage make things run smoother in tenant fit-ups was distributed the building department and get by Smith as a way to handle information distributed in ad- changes in the use of a property vance of meetings so everyone not requiring a site-plan modiis prepared. The workshop was fication. Certificates of zoning attended by Commissioners compliance for such changes Erika Carrington, William Stow- were formerly approved adminell and Matthew Robison; alter- istratively by the ZEO, but in nate Ronald Kulpa; acting Zon- May 2012 the commission deing Enforcement Officer (ZEO) cided to require them to come Curtis Bosco; Town Planner before the board for review. Brian Miller; Town Engineer In the Wallingford process, John Calabrese; and recording the ZEO sends a form to each clerk Rachelle Behuniak. Not department and commissioner present were Commissioner describing the type of use, zone, Paul Babarik and alternate Mary square feet and parking calcuBarton. lations, asking them to respond “One thing I want to get rid within a week if they want the of,” said Smith, “is putting new application on the monthly applications on the agenda and agenda for review. If the date then saying, ‘Yes, we’ll accept it passes with no placement on and see you next month.’ To me, the agenda, then the application that’s just wasted time for us and is approved. There was no obthe applicant.” jection to setting a reduced fee He proposed using the com- for such fit-ups, but no consenpleted application and initial fee sus was reached on how to dispayment as acceptance enough tribute the forms. Smith said he to start the process, which might would work with Bosco to introinclude scheduling a public duce the use of a Wallinghearing, posting legal notices ford-based form. and obtaining consultant reSmith lastly addressed the views. The applicant would be monthly enforcement report, given a timetable for making asking Bosco to include a list of information available and all zoning violations and a refwould need to pay fees for the erence to the zoning regulations notices and reviews to prevent being violated so commissionthe application from automati- ers would be aware of infraccally being declined. tions and the ongoing status of Smith asked Bosco to pre- violations. He reviewed the genpare a monthly folder of all ap- eral flow and escalation of enplications for each commis- forcement letters and asked sioner and the recording clerk. Bosco to assure commissioners The folder would be delivered knew in advance of any letters or made available the Monday going out. before the meeting and would The next regular P&Z meetinclude a site plan, consultant ing was Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 reports, and enough additional p.m. at Shepardson Community information so reasonable ques- Center.
Conservation Commission notes By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Conservation Commission (CC) at its July 30 meeting approved drainage piping for Whittemore Crossing and accepted two applications for Town of Middlebury drainage maintenance and one for construction of a new home on Ravenwood Drive. Chairman Paul Bowler asked attendees to be patient as the 7:30 p.m. starting time came and went without the four commissioners necessary for a quorum. The 7:44 p.m. arrival of George Tzepos was greeted with applause as he joined Bowler, James Crocicchia and Vincent LoRusso. Members Terry Manning, Mary Barton and Thomas Proulx were absent.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Revised site plans for 1365 LLC d/b/a Whittemore Crossing to run a 45-foot drainage pipe from 1.88 acres of property it recently acquired from Tara Perrotti into an unbuilt drainage pipe approved in June 2011 were approved by three commissioners with LoRusso abstaining. Professional engineer Mark Riefenhauser of Smith and Co. said the pipe would deliver the same amount of water as was being sent through the existing trench, and a velocity reduction device and outlet protection area would slow the flow to control erosion. He agreed to construction sequencing and temporary dams specified by Town Engineer John Calabrese and
– See CC on page 8
The Region 15 Board of Education (BoE) held a special meeting Monday night to formally elect Regina L. Botsford as the region’s new superintendent of schools to take the place of Dr. Frank Sippy, who retired earlier this year. The BoE also voted to approve a three-year contract with Botsford starting Oct. 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2016. Both votes were unanimous and included a speaker phone vote from member Joe Rock, who was out of town. Following the vote, Botsford said, “I am delighted to serve as the next superintendent. I am glad you have entrusted me with your students.” She said she especially wanted to thank Sippy for being so professional and staying on as she transitions into his former position. Botsford comes to Region 15 after 39 years as an educator. She currently serves as assistant superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools District in Ridgewood, N.J. She said Monday night her job there ends Sept. 30. Enrollment in Ridgewood is more than 5,800 students compared to more than 4,100 students for Region 15. Region 15 BoE Chairperson Janet Butkus said, “The board has chosen a new superintendent who exemplifies strength of character and leadership. We are confident that she will skillfully guide Region 15 through the many educational challenges and changes ahead.” Fifteen candidates for the position were initially presented to the search committee by Cooperative Education Services Executive Searches. The search committee, led by board member Patricia Perry, selected six of them for interviews based on their experience and credentials, as well as the characteristics and attributes of a new superintendent identified in the Region 15 Community Profile Assessment Report, which compiled data from the community focus groups and online survey research conducted in June. Three finalists were selected for second interviews. Botsford was then invited to visit the school district for a day to meet teachers and administrators and to meet for an extended period of time with the BoE. Botsford received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Douglas College, a master’s degree in mathematics from The College of New Jersey, and a second master’s degree in educational administration from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. She also completed the Leadership Academy for Future Superintendents at Seton Hall University in 2007. She lacked one course required by the state of Connecticut, a course in special education, and she said Monday night she will complete that course in August. Botsford began her career as a mathematics teacher in New Jersey in 1974. During her tenure as an educator in New Jersey, she served as chairperson of middle
Region 15’s new superintendent of schools, Regina L. Botsford is shown at the Board of Education meeting Monday night with her husband, Robert. school mathematics, mathematics curriculum and instruction specialist, and supervisor of mathematics, science and computer education. In 2002, Botsford was appointed supervisor of curriculum and instruction education for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Ann Arbor, Mich. For the past 10 years, she has served as the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment for Ridgewood Public Schools in Ridgewood, N.J. She and her husband have four grown children and are looking forward to relocating closer to Region 15. “During the interview process, I had the pleasure of meeting with board members, community members and staff. It is evident that Region 15 cares about students, their families and their learning, and that they work together as a team to continue to improve programs and services for children,” she said. “I look forward to opportunities to meet more staff members and community members, so that I can more fully appreciate all that makes Region 15 a great district.” A team of BoE members, a parent, and an administrator made a site visit to Ridgewood, N.J., to meet people in Botsford’s current district and learn firsthand of her accomplishments and leadership skills. Upon returning, the team recommended her for the posi
Following her election as the new Region 15 superintendent of schools, Regina L. Botsford converses with Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson. (Marjorie Needham photos) tion of Region 15 superintendent of schools. Botsford will report for her duties as superintendent of schools Oct. 1, 2013. In the interim, she will be visiting the district to learn
more about the programs, culture and goals of Region 15. Retiring superintendent Dr. Frank Sippy will remain on duty as interim superintendent and to assist with the transition of leadership.
Adoptable Pets................ 8 Book Review................... 4 Classifieds....................... 7 Community Calendar....... 2 Fire Log........................... 2 In Brief............................ 4 Legal Notices.................. 7
Library Happenings.......... 2 Library Lines.................... 2 Nuggets for Life.............. 6 Puzzles........................... 7 Senior Center News......... 3 Sports Quiz..................... 6
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tuesday
Aug. 27
First Day of School for Region 15 Students
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