February 2015 - Middlebury Bee by Mario-Design

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Volume XI, No. 2

February 2015

Power plant events continue By MARJORIE NEEDHAM A press conference Jan. 13 to present an economic impact study of the proposed Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) Energy Center, the gas-fueled 805MW power plant CPV wants to build near the Oxford airport, was followed by a Jan. 15 Connecticut Siting Council visit to Oxford that started with a site visit at 1:30 p.m. and continued with a hearing at 3 p.m. at Oxford High School that included public comments starting at 6:30 p.m. The hearing was to continue at the Siting Council’s New Britain offices Thursday, Jan. 29. The Jan. 13 press conference for the study developed by the University of Connecticut’s Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA) was held at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton, Conn. Speakers were Chamber President Bill Purcell, CPV Senior Vice President Braith Kelly. CPV Project Developer Andy Bazinet, CCEA President Fred Carstensen, Oxford First Selectman George Temple, Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson and Dave Roche, president of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council. Purcell lauded the project as “the largest private sector project in our region,” and said it would fuel our energy needs. Carstensen said the project will bring more than $7.8 billion to the state between 2015 and 2040, and peak employment during the construction phase will be 2,300 jobs. He said, “I think this is a really great project.” Temple said of the project, “It’s not just about money. It’s about a really low carbon footprint and little environmental impact. We need the electricity and we need to do so at the least environmental cost.”

Edelson said the plant is good news for all people of our region and those who think the tax benefits will go only to Oxford are “pretty myopic.” “I think this is good for all of us,” he said. Asked by this reporter if the CCEA study included the impact of increased health care costs due to illnesses caused by the plant’s emissions, Carstensen said it did not. He said in aggregate the plant would reduce pollutants because it was cleaner than previous gas technology. Public comments at the Jan. 15 hearing were not as positive. A number of union workers and some Oxford residents spoke in favor of the plant, but many more of the 70 speakers who addressed the Siting Council opposed the project. Perhaps the most moving testimony was given by a research oncologist. He said he travels to locations with ongoing oncology trials due to cancer clusters. He said all the locations share one common thread, “Some corporation came in dangling a carrot.” In these locations, he said home values went down, so people couldn’t sell their homes and move out. Timothy Billings, a CPA who lives ¼ mile from the proposed plant told Siting Council members the power plant will make property values go down. “Look at Bridgeport and tell me how they prospered,” he said, noting Bridgeport has seen a significant decrease in owner-occupied homes. Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John said the airport caused property values to drop in Middlebury’s Triangle Boulevard area and, if a power plant is built in Oxford, “History will repeat itself.”

LPOS vote ends in a tie, Fenn Farm work continues By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Land Preservation and Open Space Committee (LPOS) election of officers at its Jan. 7 meeting ended in a tie. Members will vote on officers again at the February meeting. After welcoming Ted Mannello as a new member, the committee discussed upcoming Fenn Farm maintenance and repairs. In the election, James Crocicchia nominated Chairman John Cookson to serve again, and Patrick Dwyer nominated Raymond Pietrorazio to serve as chair. After a paper ballot of the six members present resulted in a 3-3 tie, Pietrorazio made a motion to move the election to the February meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Voting on a vice-chairman and a secretary also was deferred until February. Resident Malcolm Todt noted LPOS bylaws require a majority

vote of the entire membership, rather than just the ones attending. In response, Cookson said he could have broken the tie as chairman but declined to do it in this case. Cookson had opened the meeting by introducing Mannello, who was appointed by the Board of Selectmen Dec. 15 to fill the position formerly held by Ken Long. Long resigned in October. During approval of the Dec. 3 minutes, Pietrorazio asked why the discussion on electing officers was not in the minutes. Recording clerk Tracy Graziano said only motions and actions and comments specifically directed to be on the record went into the minutes. In maintenance items, Pietrorazio said he had drafted a bid package for the cow barn re-roof-

– See LPOS on page 7

Inside this Issue Obituaries....................... 5 Region 15 Calendar........ 3 Senior Center Events....3, 7 Diversified Tax Tidbits....... 5 This is a Hammer............. 7 Varsity Sports Calendar.... 6 Winning Ways................. 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

Cell tower OK, ‘gravel pits’ unwelcome By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) at its Jan. 8 meeting unanimously approved a cell tower inside the steeple of the Middlebury Congregational Church, changes to the zoning regulations pertaining to affordable housing and an oversize sign at the former Golden Age of Trucking Museum. It also accepted an application for a sign on Straits Turnpike and started enforcement action for excavations on Middlebury Road. A site plan application by Verizon Wireless and the Middlebury Congregational Church to reconstruct the wooden church steeple with an RF-transparent fiberglass replica and place a natural gas-powered backup generator near the garage at the minister’s house to the left of the church was unanimously approved. Attorney Kenneth C. Baldwin of Robinson and Cole represented the applicants. He told commissioners the project was fairly straightforward, with all changes except the generator entirely within the church. He said the primary benefit of increased capacity would be in a quarter- to a half-mile radius around the church. Carlo Centore, a professional engineer with Centek Engineers, said the public would not notice the difference except for the generator because the cell equipment would be in an equipment room and all the cables would be concealed in crawl spaces up to the upper steeple, which would house six antennas. Baldwin said the steeple would be very similar to one installed at the Bethlehem Congregational Church in October 2013. Centore provided Commissioner Matt Robison with the generator’s decibel levels, saying they were lower than those allowed by state guidelines without taking into account the additional muting effects of shrubbery and screening. Chairman Terry Smith encouraged Centore to hide the generator from view since it will be directly across from the preschool entrance. Centore estimated a four-month project time, most of which would be spent photographing and measuring the existing steeple to create an exact fiberglass replacement offsite with the actual changeover occurring fairly quickly. Church trustees brought it the cell tower to a vote of all parish members in August 2014, and it was approved, according to a church newsletter. The parish also voted to renovate the bathrooms, repaint the front of the church and clean out areas where Verizon’s equipment would be located. The revenue to the church from the tower could

This excavated lot at the corner of Middlebury Road and Clearview Knoll and one farther down the street at 520 Middlebury Road are being referred to as “gravel pits” by Middlebury Planning and Zoning Chairman Terry Smith. (Terrence S. McAuliffe photos) be as much as $2,400 per month according to a report on WFSB. Changes to Section 22.7 of the zoning regulations for calculating the resale value of affordable housing were unanimously approved. The changes incorporate definitions of moderate income consistent with Connecticut state statutes and are tied to the more appropriate Litchfield and New Haven County statistics rather than the Waterbury Metropolitan Statistical Area. Chairman Terry Smith recused himself from voting because he had not attended the public hearing. The changes were requested Oct. 2 by attorney Michael McVerry, who said the formula in the regulations was not consistent with the Brookside subdivision property declarations and caused difficulties during resale. Town Attorney Dana D’Angelo had asked the commission to wait for surrounding town comments from the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COG) which ultimately supported the changes. Also unanimously approved was a special exception for a 4-foot-by-8-foot sign at the former Golden Age of Trucking Museum at 1067 Southford Road for the new owner Dr. Dean Yimoyines, d/b/a JSD Partners LLC. He told commissioners Nov. 6 the large sign was needed to guide people to the building which is now being used as both a warehouse and for sales for Middlebury Consignment. Smith recused himself from voting because he had not attended the public hearing. An application for a special exception for a sign at 687 Straits Turnpike for Dr. Giuseppe Tripodi d/b/a Tripod Realty was accepted for public hearing Feb. 5. In other new business, Ken Long was unanimously reappointed as the Middle-

bury representative to Council of Governments (COG). In old business, Smith said town planner Brian Miller was still waiting on updated maps from COG to be incorporated into the long-awaited Plan of Conservation and Development. He said a public hearing would be scheduled in March if the document could be distributed to commissioners with enough time to make corrections and final suggestions. In other old business, Smith asked recording clerk Rachelle Behuniak to find the names of bidders who had assisted in updating zoning regulations for Woodbury and Watertown. Behuniak had worked for many months retyping the mostly paper-based Middlebury regulations, with the next step being reorganization. Zoning Enforcement Officer Curtis Bosco commented COG also would be familiar with firms doing zoning update work. In enforcement matters, Bosco told commissioners a house on 41 Central Road had received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to construct an addition only six inches from the property line. Smith commented P&Z had no jurisdiction, but Bosco said building codes wouldn’t allow construction permits because of required setbacks and fire requirements. Smith asked Bosco to have future ZBA applications routed for P&Z awareness. In other enforcement, Smith noted what he called “gravel pits” in the center of town, referring to the site formerly occupied by Vinnie’s Pizza and Johnny’s Dairy Bar adjoining 520 Middlebury Road and to the lot at the corner of Middlebury Road and

– See P&Z on page 7

Sunday Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 1

Upcoming Events

Adoptable Pets................ 8 Book Review................... 2 Classifieds....................... 7 Community Calendar....... 2 In Brief............................ 4 Library Highlights............ 2 Library Lines.................... 2

Middlebury Congregational Church will get a new fiberglass steeple to accommodate a Verizon wireless cell tower that will be placed there.

MOnday Feb. 2

SATURday Feb. 14

New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks

Contest to name new park

Groundhog Day

Page 8

Special Town Meeting to elect Region 15 Board of Education member What: Election to fill Region 15 Board of Education seat vacated by Francis Brennan When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Shepardson Community Center auditorium at 1172 Whittemore Road in Middlebury

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The Bee-Intelligencer

Middlebury Community Calendar

February 2015

Library Highlights

Feb. 1 to 7, 2015

This column features highlights from each library. For a Monday, Feb. 2 more extensive list of events at each library, please visit our Board of Selectmen 6 p.m........................ Shepardson Community Center, Auditorium website, www.bee-news.com, and click on “Libraries.” Special Town Meeting 6:30 p.m................... Shepardson Community Center, Auditorium

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Middlebury

Water Commission 7 p.m.............................................................. Shepardson, Room 26

Fitness Fridays to start

Wednesday, Feb. 4 Land Preservation and Open Space 6 p.m.............................................................. Shepardson, Room 26 Zoning Board of Appeals 7:30 p.m..............................................Town Hall Conference Room

Thursday, Feb. 5 Planning and Zoning Commission 7:30 p.m.....................................................Shepardson, Auditorium

Feb. 8 to 14 Monday, Feb. 9 Police Commission 6 p.m...................................................Town Hall Conference Room

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Starting Friday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m., join personal trainer Tammy MacAdams for Fitness Fridays. Tammy has been a fitness professional for over 30 years, working in both the design and implementation of lifestyle makeovers. She is a certified personal trainer as well as a group exercise instructor. Become more active with yoga classes and fitness walks and learn more about nutrition and overall wellness. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a towel or mat. This program was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation.

Library Board of Directors 3 p.m.......................................................Middlebury Public Library Lemony Snicket’s Democratic Town Committee birthday 7:30 p.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 27 The entire family is invited to Republican Town Committee a celebration of Lemony Snick7:30 p.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 26 et’s birthday Friday, Feb. 13, with a children’s movie at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 11 book activities based on Lemony Board of Finance Snicket’s children’s books at 1 7 p.m.............................................................. Shepardson, Room 26 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12

Performing artist and storyteller Tammy Denease Richardson portrays pilot Bessie Coleman (right) at the Southbury Public Library Feb. 21. (Submitted photos)

8th Annual Puzzle Contest The Middlebury Public Library will offer its 8th Annual Puzzle Contest Thursday, Feb. 26, at 4:30 p.m. All the puzzles will be identical, and the winner will be the team with the most continuously connected pieces at the finish time of 7:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Middlebury Library. Please call the Middlebury Public Library to preregister at 203-7582634. All ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be available. The Middlebury Public Library is at 30 Crest Road. The

“Don Martin: Three Decades of His Greatest Works”

Feb. 15 to 21 Monday, Feb. 16

Presidents Day Holiday - All town offices, library and transfer with a foreword by Nick Meglin station are closed. (Running Press, $30) Tuesday, Feb. 17 Reviewed by Larry Cox

Don Martin, perhaps more than anyone else, defined the zany madness that was Mad magazine. Martin’s work appeared in virtually every issue of Mad until 1988. In addition to his work for the magazine, he also illustrated record jackets for such music legends as Miles Davis and Stan Getz.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

telephone number is 203-7582634, and the website is middleburypubliclibrary.org.

Naugatuck French paintings in Connecticut museums Brian Denyer will speak about French paintings in Connecticut museums Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. His presentation will include a brief survey of French paintings, with comments both on the artists and their works found in this state. He also will offer information about visiting the museums and their web sites.

Library Scouts Saturday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m., Whittemore’s Library Scouts will gather for their second meeting. Scouts in this program for grades three through eight learn about the library from the inside, selecting books, planning programs and earning privileges with priority access to library technology. Registration is re-

– See Libraries on page 5

Martin was born in Patterson, N.J., in 1931. He studied at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art before eventually graduating from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1952. He worked at various jobs before getting his first real break when a submission was accepted by Mad magazine and published in its September 1956 issue.

In this latest installment in the Mad’s Greatest Artists series, more than 200 strips of Martin’s work are featured, including such classics as his “Guide to Some Very Obscure Comics Sound Effects,” “Spider-Man,” “Conehead The Barbiturate,” and, of course, “Scenes We’d Like to See.” As Nick Meglin, longtime editor of Mad magazine, points out in his foreword, Martin’s coloring-book approach “was amazingly visceral, and leapt from the page in a way that defied passing over it, especially when sandwiched between other Mad articles featuring caricatures of real people: depictions of movie and

TV stars by Mort Drucker, athletes by Jack Davis and politicians by Jack Rickard.” Meglin adds that it wasn’t Martin’s art alone that catapulted his work to the top of readership popularity, but also his zany humor that delighted the magazine’s nearly 3 million regular readers. Humor, really good humor, is timeless, and Martin’s work is perfect proof. Much of it is just as amusing today as it was when first published decades ago. If you aren’t familiar with Don Martin, grab this book, make yourself comfortable and prepare to laugh out loud. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

Did you resolve to read more books in 2015?

e are well into the new Tuesday, Feb. 24 year, and according to statistics, only 8 perEconomic and Industrial Development Commission 6:30 p.m. ............................................Town Hall Conference Room cent of us will be able to keep our New Year’s resolutions. On the Conservation Commission 7:30 p.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 26 up-side, those who do make resolutions are 10 times more likely Calendar dates/times are subject to change. to reach their goals. Like most If your organization would like your event included in the community people, I seem to vaguely fall in calendar, please email the information to beeintelligencer@gmail.com.

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the middle of making resolutions – I think about resolving to do something, but it is not necessarily at the turn of the calendar, so I guess it can’t count as a New Year’s resolution. I usually can stick to the resolution for quite a while, as it does become a habit, but once I stop activities like exercising or dieting, it is very difficult to start again. Seems that most of us are like that. However, if your New Year’s resolution was to read more books, I might be able to help you with that ... I just breezed through “The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year” (B COHEN, ANDY COH). It must be read with the realization that the title says it all: This is a very shallow, name-dropping, using-only-initials-we-are-supposed-to-recognize-as-celebrities book. If you read this biography with that understanding, you will enjoy it. The book, disguised as a diary, follows Cohen through a year of parties, work and, most importantly, dog care. Sometimes we want a lightweight book that dishes on people we will never meet (kinda like reading People magazine), and this fits in perfectly. I’ve written before that we, as a society, can never read enough “never-before-released” information about the Kennedys. Barbara Leaming has written another book, “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story” (B KENNEDY, JACQUELINE LEA). Although Leaming writes of Jackie’s early years and marriage, the focus is on the years following the death of JFK. Jackie’s experience with PTS syndrome is detailed. It seemed to become a daily struggle – not just for her but also for Robert Kennedy. Many facets of her daily life

are recorded as Jackie rebuilds her life and continues to fascinate the general public – in life as well as in her death. Jessie Close has written an amazing memoir, “Resilience” (B CLOSE, JESSIE CLO). You may recognize her last name as the same as that of Glenn Close and for good reason; they are sisters. Jessie’s story is of her lifelong struggle with severe mental illness. Glenn Close writes small “vignettes” interspersed throughout the book, enhancing Jessie’s story of her desperate fight for normalcy. This is a moving story of a family trying to keep one of their own from falling off the edge. Finally, if you are interested in more of a non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) life, “The Non-GMO Cookbook” (641.6 WES) written by Megan Westgate and Courtney Pineau may help. Here you will find “recipes and advice for a non-GMO lifestyle.” The introduction is informative and helpful, and the book has some terrific recipes. While some of the ingredients may be difficult to find (buckwheat soba noodles?), you can always try area organic food stores for them … While it’s true that many of your favorite authors have released books this month – including Brad Taylor, Stuart Woods, Jayne Ann Krentz and Jack Higgins – I thought it might be fun to look at some books by maybe not-so-well-known fiction authors. James Abel gives us “White Plague” (ABE): It looks like an action-packed and exciting thrill ride! Well, maybe not quite that exciting, but it certainly will get your pulse going. A submarine is in deep trouble (no pun intended) in the Arctic. On fire and adrift, it also carries a long-bur-

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Wednesday, Feb. 11, the library will offer a brand-new monthly program – a TV discussion club that will meet the second Wednesday of each month to discuss TV’s new band of anti-heroes such as Mad Men’s Don Draper, Breaking Bad’s Walter White or Dexter’s Dexter Morgan. These critically acclaimed shows feature people viewers find compelling and perhaps even sympathetic despite their serious character flaws or their questionable moral choices. Join Matt Yanarella and Kirk Morrison from the library staff for the discussion and suggestions for club viewing in the months to come. Refreshments will be served. Call the library for more information at 203-729-4591.

Library Lines

Beautification Committee 6:30 p.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 26

Feb. 22 to 28

Anti-Heroes TV Club

Book Review

Parks and Recreation 7 p.m................................................................ Shepardson, Room 1

Commission on Aging 9:30 a.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 26 Elderly Tax Relief Committee 5:30 p.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 26 Board of Selectmen (moved due to Monday holiday) 6 p.m...................................................Town Hall Conference Room Public Works Commission 7 p.m................................................................ Shepardson, Room 4 Water Pollution Control Authority 7:30 p.m......................................................... Shepardson, Room 26

This program is free and open to the public. Please call 203-7294591 to register.

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ied plague. It’s a race by Joe Rush and his team to save the crew and ensure that the sub doesn’t fall into enemy hands. Those who read Clive Cussler’s novels will probably love this book. Did you read “The Rosie Project”? Graeme Simsion has followed it up with his new novel, “The Rosie Effect” (SIM). Now happily married to Rosie, Professor Don Tillman is not quite prepared for the next step: Rosie is expecting a baby. Can he be the husband she needs? Or will he torpedo the marriage and lose Rosie? If you need to laugh – and who doesn’t? – follow the ultralogical Tillman as he tries to get back into Rosie’s life and save himself. Love how they decide to name the baby, by the way … Mark these words: “The Girl on the Train” (HAW) by Paula Hawkins will be the next “you have got to read this” book. Rachel takes the same train at the same time every day and creates a fantasy world for the perfect couple she sees daily through her window – until they are no longer perfect. You, too, will be sucked into the story so fast that it will be 2 a.m. before your turn the last page and say “Wow! That was a good book.” Labeled a “Hitchcockian mystery,” this thriller will keep you awake. One popular author should be mentioned: Dean Koontz is concluding his very popular series featuring Odd Thomas with “Saint Odd” (KOO). Always a quirky character, Odd Thomas goes back to his beginnings in his beloved Pico Mundo. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal any more of the story without ruining the ending for you all, so if you are familiar with the character, you will be both excited and sad to read the series end. P.S. It also seems that the older you are, the less likely you are to make and keep a New Year’s resolution! Middlebury Public Library Adult Services Librarian Donna Hine writes Library Lines once a month. If you have a topic you’d like her to cover, contact her at the library at 203-758-2634.

The Bee-Intelligencer

February 2015

Falls Avenue Senior Center Events

Region 15 School Calendar Feb. 1 to 28, 2015

Falls Avenue Senior Center events for area adults 55 and Thursday, Feb. 12, Early Dismissal - Professional Dev. Half Day older follow. Most require reservations, which can be made by Presidents Day Weekend: Friday, Feb. 13, to Monday, Feb. 16 calling 860-945-5250. Please speak with a staff member when Middlebury Elementary School Thursday, Feb. 5................... Smarter Balanced Workshop............. 6:30 p.m. calling as the senior center does Tuesday, Feb. 10................... Jump Rope for Heart.............................. 4 p.m. not accept voice-mail reservaThursday, Feb. 19................. Snow Date Jump Rope for Heart............ 4 p.m. tions. The center is at 311 Falls Ave. in Oakville, Conn. Friday, Feb. 20...................... Mismatch and Clash Day! Friday, Feb. 27...................... Dress as your favorite book character

Cards for Soldiers

Long Meadow Elementary School

Join us Thursday, Feb. 5, at 9 Monday, Feb. 9..................... Friends Together Screening............... 9:30 a.m. a.m. for Cards for Soldiers. Phyllis Tuesday, Feb. 10................... Jump Rope for Heart.............................. 4 p.m. Schaar of VFW Post 7330 is supWednesday, Feb. 11............. Snow Date Jump Rope for Heart............ 4 p.m. plying the St. Patrick’s Day cards; participants are supplying the Gainfield Elementary School Tuesday, Feb. 24................... Parent Lunches K, 3, 5.......................... various good wishes. Help sign cards for Monday, Feb. 25................... Parent Lunches 1, 2, 4......................... various our soldiers and enjoy some coffee and treats with friends. ResPomperaug Elementary School ervations are needed by Feb. 4. Tuesday, Feb. 10................... PTO.................................................. 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10................... PTO Family Dine and Play............... Rathskeller Food drive Wednesday, Feb. 11............. PTO Valentine’s Flower Delivery The center is hosting its “From Monday, Feb. 23................... Celebration of Reading Begins Our Hearts to Your Home Food Friday, Feb. 27...................... PTO Dancing Under the Stars................. 6 p.m. Drive” during the week of Feb. 9

Memorial Middle School

to 13. Please bring nonperishable food, toiletries and paper goods Thursday, Feb. 5................... Payment 2 for Gr. 8 DC Trip due Friday, Feb. 20...................... Grade 6 Social.....................2:45 to 4:15 p.m. for the Watertown Food Bank to Friday, Feb. 20...................... Gr. 7 and 8 Dance............................ 6:30 p.m. the center that week. Please check the expiration dates as the Rochambeau Middle School food bank cannot accept expired Monday, Feb. 2..................... PTO.................................................. 9:30 a.m. food items. Monday, Feb. 2..................... PTO....................................................... 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5................... Chorus Day at PHS.............................. 10 a.m. Medicare statements Friday, Feb. 6........................ Snow Date, Chorus Day at PHS explained Wednesday, Feb. 18............. 8th Grade Band Day at PHS...................... TBA Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 9 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 19................. Snow Date for Band Day............................ TBA bring your Medicare summary

Pomperaug High School

Thursday, Feb. 5................... 8th Grade Chorus Day......................... 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6........................ Snow Date, 8th Grade Chorus Day Saturday, Feb. 7................... All State Auditions, North Haven....... 7:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9..................... Dress Rehearsal, Tri-M Concert.......... 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10................... Tri-M Benefit Concert............................. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11............. Snow Date, Tri-M Concert....................... 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14................. Snow Date All State Auditions........... 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21................. Senior Semi-Formal............................... 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26................. Student of the Month Bkfst............... 6:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26................. Talent Show........................................... 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27...................... Snow Date Talent Show.......................... 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28................. Senior Semi-Formal............................... 7 p.m.

Senior center events are listed at

www.bee-news.com

notices or explanation of benefits forms to a presentation by Rosemary B. Jones of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging. She will help you understand the information on your Medicare statements. Sometimes these statements do not reflect correct information and could contain fraudulent charges. Reservations are needed by Feb. 10.

Learn about your kidneys

rence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. when the center shows a DVD of classic scenes from The Carol Burnett Show. Reservations are needed by Feb. 13.

Social services information Residents 55 years of age and older in need of social services assistance may meet with Jim Dunn of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Bring your questions and find out what programs are available for older adults. Reservations are not needed.

Do you know what your kidneys do every day to keep you healthy? Do you know that one in three Americans is at risk for developing kidney disease? The Reflexology center is hosting “Your Kidneys and You,” sponsored by the NaCertified reflexologist Kim tional Kidney Foundation, Thurs- Stewart will offer 20-minute reday, Feb. 12, at 9:30 a.m. Reser- flexology sessions for your hands vations are needed by Feb. 11. or feet Thursday, Feb. 19, from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. The cost is $15. Boogie Boys Reservations are needed by Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Wednesday, Feb. 18. entertainment by the Boogie Boys Cooking with Corky Friday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. Reservations are needed by Feb. 12. This Cooking with Corky will meet event is sponsored by Northwest Monday, Feb. 23, at 3:30 p.m. Join Home Care. chef and wedding planner Corky Plourde as she presents an afWatch Carol Burnett fordable and easy-to-prepare menu. Reservations are needed shows Enjoy the antics of Carol Bur- by Feb. 20. nett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Law-

Wii bowling The Falls Avenue seniors will take on Watertown High students for Wii Bowling Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m. Reservations are needed by Feb. 23.

Learn to square dance Adults who like to square dance or want to learn are invited to the center’s square dance event Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. The caller will be Todd Fellegy, a professional square dance caller who has called in 25 states and in foreign countries. Podiatrist Dr. McHugh and Associates are the sponsors. Reservations are needed by Feb. 24.

Effective weight management New Opportunities Dietician Paula Warncke will discuss effective weight management Thursday, Feb. 26, at 9:30 a.m. In this session, participants will use food journals, self tests and simple exercises that promote conscious and healthy eating. Reservations are needed by Feb. 25.

Nicky D. concert Vocalist Nicky D. will be back for a 90-minute performance Friday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. Admission is a dessert to share. Reservations are needed by Feb. 26.

Whole grains for health Increasing our intake of whole grains results in lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, according to two large studies reported in the “Journal of the American Medical Association.” The studies tracked 74,341 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 43,744 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Bread immediately comes to mind when we think of increasing our grain intake, but bread labels can be confusing. Here are some of the myths and truths about bread, as provided by WebMD.com.

Myth: If the bread looks brown and has “wheat” in the name, it contains fiber and whole grain. Truth: The only way to tell what bread really contains is in the ingredients label. “Wheat flour” or “enriched wheat flour” means it was made with mostly white flour. The color might come from molasses. Myth: If the name of the bread sounds healthy, such as “grains”

or “natural,” it must be healthy. Truth: Again, the ingredients label is where you’ll find the true information. A bread can be called “natural” or say how many grains it has, but the first ingredient in the label will tell you what’s really in it. How to buy the healthiest bread: • “Wheat bread” is wheat flour, not whole wheat. Look for “100 percent whole grain” or “100 percent whole wheat.” Even if you’re picking up a loaf of rye bread, don’t assume it contains rye flour as the first ingredient. • Beware the sodium level. Some breads are quite high in so-

dium and can become a major portion of your daily limit. • Look at the calories per serving, and don’t be fooled by the difference between “per slice” and “per serving.” • Check the grams of fiber. For more sources of whole grains, go online to www.choosemyplate.gov. Matilda Charles regrets she cannot personally answer reader questions, but she will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

February 2015

Bee Intelligencer

in•tel•li•gencer: n. One who conveys news or information The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed.

Issued by: The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society LLC Bee-Intelligencer Staff: Editor-In-Chief/Publisher: Marjorie Needham Contributing Writers: Mary Conseur, Terrence S. McAuliffe Art & Production: Mario J. Recupido - Submit press releases in person, by mail or email The Bee-Intelligencer welcomes news, press releases and advertising from all surrounding communities Editorial Office: 2030 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1, Middlebury, CT 06762 Direct mail to P.O. Box 10. Telephone: 203-577-6800 • Email: beeintelligencer@gmail.com Advertising Information: Telephone: 203-577-6800 • Email: mbiadvertising@gmail.com Deadlines: Display Advertising: 5 p.m. Friday preceding publication Classified Advertising: 5 p.m. Monday preceding publication Editorial/Press Releases: Noon Monday preceding publication Copyright © 2015 by The Middlebury Bee-Intelligencer Society, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

In Brief Middlebury Soccer

Please contact Glen Gleissner Alzheimer’s disease and related at gegleissner@hotmail.com with dementias will meet Thursday, Middlebury Soccer’s Spring any questions. Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Jewish 2015 registration is open. Starting Federation of Western Connectithis spring, Middlebury Soccer is Quilts that Care cut at 444 Main St. N. There is no expanding professional training to charge for this open and on-goQuilts that Care, an organization enhance player development at all levels and is adding a new program that makes quilts for people who ing group, whose purpose is to for 3-year-olds called Dinomites. undergo cancer treatment, will provide emotional, educational The Dinomites program will focus meet Mondays, Feb. 2 and 16, from and social support for caregivers on improving coordination and 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Harold Leever through regularly scheduled motor skills, which are critical for Regional Cancer Center at 1075 meetings. The meetings help particiChase Parkway in Waterbury. It very young players. pants develop methods and skills also will meet Tuesdays, Feb. 3 and Games for the spring season are to solve problems and encourage 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Bristol expected to begin April 11 and end caregivers to maintain their own in mid-June. All registrations must Public Library at 5 High St. in personal, physical and emoBristol. For information, call Deb be processed through the tional health while optimally at 860-945-0184, email Middlebury Soccer Association caring for the person with deQuiltsThatCare.Deb@gmail.com website, www.middlebury-soccer. mentia. Patty Gibbs, a volunteer com. See the website for program or visit www.quiltsthatcare.org. with the Alzheimer’s Associadetails. Register for the in-house tion, facilitates the group. RegisAlzheimer’s and program prior to April 1 to avoid tration is not required. For more Related Dementias a $20 late fee. Travel program information, call Debby Horowregistration is due before March Support Group itz, Brownstein Jewish Family 16 to avoid a $20 late fee and being A monthly support group for Service director, at 203-267-3177, placed on a waiting list. Travel friends and family of people with ext. 310. registration closes March 31.

Online 24/7 at

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Middlebury Road (Opposite the Shell Station) Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Anthony Calabrese 203-758-2765

Bird Seed Headquarters

Black Oil, Premium Mix, Sunflower Hearts, Niger Seed (thistle for finches)

Deer Corn • Livestock & Poultry Feed Firewood available in bins and bags

Friends of Fiber Arts meeting The Jewish Federation Friends of Fiber Arts, a group open to anyone who is interested in any kind of fiber art or craft, will meet Monday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut at 444 Main St. N. in Southbury. Anyone interested in the fiber arts is welcome to attend this free event. There will be knitters, spinners, weavers, crocheters, felters, quilters and needlepoint enthusiasts attending. Participants should bring their projects to work on; some informal help and/or teaching will be provided. To register for this program, call 203267-3177 or email rsvp@jfed.net.

Woodbury mini-golf tournament Woodbury’s Indoor Mini-Golf Open will start Friday, Feb, 13,

at 10 a.m. and end Monday, Feb. 16, at 5 p.m. at the Woodbury Senior Community Center. Charles Bartlett, who created and built the 9-hole mini golf course, has made major improvements to the course that include several new “holes” that are a bit more challenging. Gather up your friends and acquaintances to play in teams of four. As in the past, the fees will be $2 for children under 10 when accompanied by an adult; $3 for adults when accompanying a child; $3 for seniors; and $4 for teens and adults. Net proceeds will benefit Woodbury charities. For more information, contact Bartlett at 203-527-2724 or Sharon Sherman at 203-8858200.

Rose of Lima in Newtown. Come celebrate your love of the games at a special night of Bingo fun and cash prizes. The evening will feature a dinner concession, along with the usual homemade dessert treats and complimentary coffee. Also, there will be a free raffle with Valentine’s Day and Bingo-themed prizes. If you wear something red, pink or Bingo-themed, you will get a $3 dessert voucher! As always, Bingo will take place in the St. Rose School hall at 40 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m., and games will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The per-person admission fee of $17 will cover all regular games. Upcoming Bingo nights will be March 13, April 24 and May 15. For more information about St. Rose Bingo at St. Rose of Lima Bingo, contact the St. Rose of Friday, Feb. 13, will be “Every- Lima School administrative ofbody Loves Bingo Night” at St. fices at 203-426-5102.

Letters to the Editor “Free” tuition isn’t free To the Editor: The recent headline in the RepAm touting that the president was proposing “free” tuition for those attending community colleges certainly is an appealing concept. However, the word “free” is quite a misnomer when being “freely” used by liberal politicians. The headline begs the question, “free for whom?” A more accurate wording should be “President proposes taxpayer-funded tuition.” And keep in mind that an estimated 43 percent of the population pays NO income tax (Forbes). President Obama (aka Santa Claus) continues to be the master at spending other people’s money and getting applauded for such. This is also a euphemism for “buying votes.” Wake up, my fellow taxpayers. Remember the words of Mitt Romney in 2011 when he said that “... nothing is really free.” We are about to be saddled with another government bill estimated to cost $60 billion over the next 10 years. And if that is a government estimate, you can undoubtedly double it . So, for the future, all we should “hope” for is a “change.” Heidi Shea Middlebury www.nfda.org

I am an individual, who is part of a family and that is part of our community. I want my funeral to reflect that.

We know the things that are important to the families we serve. After all, they’re the same values that guide our business... family, community, and personal service. To learn more about how we can help you and your family create a meaningful funeral, please contact us.

Will Siting Council members listen? To the Editor: Among the responsibilities the Connecticut Siting council has is the need to protect the environment and ecology of the state and to minimize damage to scenic, historic and recreational values. They are also responsible for providing environmental standards and ensuring that the standards that are in place are sufficient to assure the welfare and protection of the people of Connecticut. The Siting Council has read and listened to much opposition to the proposed power plant in Oxford. They have heard the arguments about pollution, air quality, health, environmental impact, airport hazards and fossil fuels. Those concerns go on and on and are endless. All the proponents of this plant have presented is the supposed economic impact that will benefit the town of Oxford and the state. There is no mention of concern for the health, welfare and safety of the thousands of residents that will be affected by this behemoth power plant. There is no mention of how this plant will turn an area known for its clean environment and bucolic landscape into an area that will become identified as heavily industrial. What would anyone believe if they saw the plumes of condensation and pollution being spewed hundreds of feet into the air from two 150-foot emission stacks? The present Siting Council is composed of eight members. Four of those members are appointed by the governor. They are all political appointees. Therein lies what I consider to be the dilemma. Are these eight appointees going to listen intently and read the arguments presented by the opposition to this plant? And if they do agree with them, will they have the courage to say no to this power plant?

Or are they ultimately, regardless of what arguments they hear, going to have to bow to the desires of those politicians that appointed them? Will they be courageous enough to defy the desires of our governor and other politicians? Governor Malloy seems to have abandoned this part of Connecticut. He has reduced us to a possible new source of tax revenue to the detriment of our health and safety. As a lifelong Democrat, I campaigned for him and voted for him. But will never again. That doesn’t mean much to him but it does to me. Some members of the legislature have voiced their concerns about this plant. However, some members of the Connecticut legislature from this area have not yet let their constituents know where they stand on this issue. They prefer to sit on the fence. They lack the political courage to jump off of it one way or the other. Peter Bunzl Oxford, Conn.

Ambulance contract accountability To the Editor: The 2010-2014 ambulance contract between the Middlebury Ambulance Fund and the Middlebury government reads like a pilot episode of “The Sopranos meet The Simpsons.” To begin with, the Middlebury government signed a contract with the fire department whereby the town paid certain bills and the fire department kept the ambulance proceeds. Under this agreement, which few in Middlebury government can seem to recall, the fire chief would allegedly be mandated to provide quarterly reports, tax returns and audits concerning the Ambulance Fund. Evidently the town failed to put itself on the list of those receiving these reports as, over a four-year period, the Middlebury government claims it got none

of the 16 quarterly reports, just two audits and no tax returns. Keep in mind the ambulance fund was taking in about $150$200,000 per year at this time. Then-First Selectman Tom Gormley said of the agreement, according to the Board of Selectmen minutes, “There are no finances involved. It is strictly a legal agreement.” What’s that, you say, “no finances” involved? Then why ask for tax returns, audits and quarterly reports on a non-financial contract? Well, that was our Tom. What about the other members of the Middlebury town government? McCormack and the Finance Board kept right on allocating hundreds of thousands of dollars in spite of the lack of fire department reporting; the Board of Selectmen did the same. Nobody in town government seems to have seen anything amiss, heard anything amiss, suspected anything amiss, and the whole circus went on and on. The town attorney, Mr. Savarese, saw little merit in my attempts to FOI financial information from the fire department during these years. It was a catastrophic failure of government on every level, and the local townsfolk sat back, watched it and did nothing. Although a hackneyed cliche, it’s true: People generally get the government they deserve. And they did. Pat de Angelis Middlebury

Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor may be mailed to the Bee-Intelligencer, P.O. Box 10, Middlebury, CT 06762 or emailed to beeintelligencer @gmail.com. Letters will be run as space permits. Please limit letters to 500 words, avoid personal attacks, and understand letters will be edited. For verification purposes, please include your name, street address and daytime telephone number. Find the Bee-Intelligencer on

The Bee-Intelligencer

February 2015

Obituaries Richard M. Bioski

Lifelong Middlebury resident

great-granddaughter, Cora-Lee Carroll; several nieces and nephews; and many childhood friends, all whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his beloved brother, Joseph Bioski. The funeral was Jan. 8 at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home in Naugatuck. Burial was to be private in Middlebury Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Harold-Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial. com.

Richard M. Bioski, 72, of Middlebury, husband of Helen (Hendzel) Bioski, passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Bioski was born in Waterbury, Conn., Nov. 18, 1942, a son of the late Joseph and Lena (Wolski) Bioski. A lifelong resident of Middlebury, he retired from Lewis Engineering after many years of service as a toolmaker. Richard was a member of the Naugatuck Elks Lodge, Polish American Club, Connecticut Antique Machinery Club Beloved husband of and New Hampshire Antique TracLynn (Rubas) Mulhern tor Club. He was a communicant Dennis A. Mulof St. John of the Cross Church. hern, 56, of Besides his loving wife of 43 Thomaston, died years, he leaves his two daughters, Wednesday, Jan. Joan Kirdzik of Bristol and Karen 14, 2015, at St. Bioski-Simon of San Francisco, Mary’s VITAS after Calif.; his four grandchildren, Eria 13-year battle ca-Jo and Casey-Lee Kirdzik and Cooper and Mabel Simon; his with cancer. He was the husband

Dennis A. Mulhern

Libraries -

Continued from page 2 quired for this program, which is part of the library’s new initiative, Empowering Children through Library Literacy. The Howard Whittemore Memorial Library is at 243 Church St. in Naugatuck. For information, call 203-729-4591 or visit whittemorelibrary.org.

Southbury Single-stream recycling forum for all ages Have fun, test your knowledge and learn more about Southbury’s recycling program at the Single Stream Recycling Forum Thursday, Feb. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the library’s Kingsley Room. Southbury Transfer Station Foreman Dan Troia, Southbury Recycling Coordinator Jeannette Kilcourse

and Winter Bros. Waste Systems Director of Government Affairs Ryan Bingham will speak at the forum, as will Youth Wildlife and Recycling Foundation members Anna, Julia and Grace Bower Richardson. Bring your questions about single-stream recycling or just learn more about how this innovative process works. Enjoy a fun game that will challenge your knowledge of recycling, and see a video tour of the Winter Brothers recycling operations. Registration is required so please call 203-2620626, ext.130, or stop by the Reference Desk.

Bessie Coleman historical performance Take a journey through American history Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the library’s Kingsley Room as Tammy Denease Richardson portrays Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to become an internationally licensed pilot. Audiences will

of Lynn (Rubas) Mulhern. Dennis was born Nov. 13, 1958, in Waterbury, Conn., a son of Dolores (Allen) Mulhern and the late Daniel Mulhern. He was a graduate of Holy Cross High School and Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Dennis worked for a local landscaping company operating heavy equipment. Dennis enjoyed motocross riding, camping, fishing, boating, gardening, auto races, traveling, being with his friends and hiking with his dogs. Besides his wife of 21 years and his mother, Dennis is survived by his brothers, Robert (Lois) and Thomas (Diane); mother in-law, Marie; sister in-law, Donna; and brothers in-law, Thomas and David (Claudia). He also is survived by nieces Emily (Eddie), Zoe and Briana; nephews Ryan (Jaqueline), Patrick, Kye and Dylan; a greatnephew, Jack; aunts, Toni and Theresa; and cousins. He also leaves best friends Betty, John, Pat, Anthony and Bill. A special Thank You to all the close personal friends

who showed so much love and support to Dennis. Dennis was predeceased by his grandparents; uncles Jim, Fran and Leonard; friend Spencer; and father in-law, Tom. A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 17 at St. Teresa’s Church in Woodbury. Burial was to follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. Arrangements were provided by the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere. Contributions may be made to the Lourdes Shrine and Grotto, 50 Montford Road, Litchfield, CT 06759. Online condolences may be made through www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

go on a voyage that begins in the segregated South of the United States, where the color of your skin could determine whether you lived or died, all the way to France, where self-determination, not skin color or gender, was what truly mattered. This free program is open to all and is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required; call 203-2620626, ext. 130, to reserve a seat. For more information, call 203-262-0626 or visit www. southburylibrary.org. The library is at 100 Poverty Road in Southbury.

up. They will make beautiful Valentine hearts as they hand paint small canvas hearts and then stitch, embellish and stamp them to make unique works of art. All materials are included.

Obituary Policy Please ask your funeral director to send obituaries and photos to us at beeintelligencer@gmail. For more information, call 203-577-6800. The Bee-Intelligencer runs obituaries and their accompanying photos free of charge. We do this as a community service to honor the deceased and the family and friends who love them.

Middlebury Congregational Church

1242 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury (On the Green)

OPEN HOUSE for the 2015-16 school year

Saturday, February 7th 10 – 12 noon

We have been nurturing and educating area children for over 60 years. We would love to meet you and show you what makes us special. If you are unable to attend our Open House, please call for an appointment to visit the school.

CHILDHOOD SHOULD BE A JOURNEY, NOT A RACE.

203-577-2275 (call for information)

Classes: T/Th AM&PM 3Yr Olds & M/W/F AM&PM 4Yr. Olds 5 day Peer Program

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Kindergarten readiness

Dierdre McGuire, pre-K director at Chase Collegiate School, will present a Kindergarten Readiness Workshop Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m. McGuire will review the physical, social and cognitive development of children entering kindergarten. She also will provide school and parenting resources. Registration is required. For more information, call 203-263-3502 or visit www. The liTeen Valentine canvas woodburylibraryct.org. brary is at 269 Main St. S. in heart making Woodbury. It’s All Hearts and Flowers, SatTo see more library events, urday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m., is a drop-in please look online at www.beeprogram for teens in grades six and news.com

Trust & Dignity

Woodbury

Tax deductions for business use of personal vehicle Many people use their personal vehicle for business purposes. If you work as a W-2 employee, you probably are reimbursed for that mileage. But if you have your own business, then you want to make sure you are getting the tax deductions you are entitled to. One of the more frequent questions I am asked is, “I am getting a new car. Should I lease or buy?” My answer is that you will get essentially the same tax deductions regardless of which way you go. The decision to lease or buy is a financing, not a tax, decision. Given a certain set of lease options versus loan options, we can advise our clients on the best financing decision. The next question often is, “Should I put the car in my name or the name of my business?” Again, this is not a tax issue; this is really an insurance/liability issue. We always encourage our clients to talk to their insurance agents, since it has been our ex-

Diversified Tax Tidbits By MARK A. BURNS

perience that insurance premiums often will be significantly higher if the vehicle is in the business name. Once you have your new vehicle, how do you arrive at your tax deduction? The key factor is the amount of business miles you put on the car. If you put a total of 20,000 miles on your car, 10,000 of which are for business, you get to take a tax deduction for the 10,000 business miles or 50 percent of the total vehicle usage. There are two methods to use – standard mileage rate or actual expenses. Using the mileage rate, you take your 10,000 business miles and multiply them by the IRS-approved mileage rate (currently 57.5 cents per mile), so you get a tax deduction of $5,750. If

you use the actual expenses method, you add up all your car expenses for the year including, gas, maintenance and repairs, insurance, and depreciation (or lease payments). You then take 50 percent of that total as your tax deduction. Which method is better? As often applies with tax issues, it depends. The standard mileage rate is certainly the easier one to use, but the actual expenses method may give you a higher deduction if your business mileage is high or if you have a new car. Generally, you choose the method that gives you the higher deduction in the first year the vehicle is used for business purposes, and then you stick with that method. If you incur parking fees or tolls on business trips, they are 100-percent tax deductible using either method. There are two additional expenses to consider – your Connecticut car taxes and interest on a car loan, if you have

Cash for gift cards Merchants would love for you to slide your unwanted gift cards into a drawer and forget about them. According to CardHub.com, in the past 10 years over $45 billion in gift cards have never been redeemed. With a little bit of effort, you can swap your unwanted gift cards for cards you’ll actually use ... or even turn them into cash. CardHub offers a few tips: • On CardHub, you can either sell the card at a discount or list it on Facebook for less than the amount on the card. This is helpful if you have a card for a store that’s not a major retailer or if there’s an odd amount left on it. • You can give the card to someone else as a gift. • Collect the cash and use it to pay down debt. • Swap for a card you do want on the CardHub Facebook page. • Use the card. Every store likely has something you’d want. But beware: It’s difficult to spend the exact amount on a gift card, so you might end up paying for

something additional just to use up every last cent on the card. Ask if the store will give you the last few dollars back in cash. Some will. Cnet.com also has some good ideas for handling unwanted gift cards: • Try Cardpool.com. Its site says you can “Buy gift cards for up to 35 percent off or sell gift cards for up to 92 percent cash back.” Cardpool holds the card until it’s sold, but will send you the cash within a day. Certain cards can be turned into Amazon.com gift cards, and at an increase in the amount you’re offered. • Review a few sites online to see what each one offers and where your best deal is. Others to consider are GiftCard-

Granny.com and CardCash. com. • A Coinstar Exchange kiosk is the best if you need cash immediately ... if you’re willing to take 60 percent to 85 percent of face value. Coinstar machines are easy to find; there might even be one in the lobby of your bank or grocery store. Apple Store, L.L. Bean, Starbucks, Ticketmaster, Best Western and Victoria’s Secret are just a few of the 150 cards Coinstar will take. However, the kiosk will require some identification when you take your slip to be cashed at the counter. Check the locator page to find out if there’s an Exchange kiosk in your area. But mostly, don’t give in to the feeling that it’s safe to start spending extravagantly. It’s not. David Uffington regrets he cannot personally answer reader questions, but he will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

one. These expenses are included if you use the actual expenses method, and you also can add the business portion of these two expenses on top of the standard mileage rate. The above discussion is very general in nature. The exact amount of your tax deduction will be a function of your personal tax situation. Make sure you consult with your tax adviser. Mark A. Burns, MBA is a CPA with Diversified Financial Solutions PC in Southbury. He can be reached at 203-264-3131 or Mark@DFSPC.biz.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

February 2015

The most valuable personal quality Take them home, plant them and nurture them for six weeks. At the end of six weeks, the one who has done the best job of cultivating the grain will become my son and my heir.” The boys took their seeds and hurried home to begin growing them. Each got a pot, prepared some soil and sowed his seeds. There was much excitement in the kingdom as the people waited to see which boy was destined to be their next king. In one home, the boy and his parents were heartbroken when after many days of attentive care and nurture, his seeds failed to sprout. The boy did not know what had gone wrong. He had selected the soil carefully, he had applied the right type of nutrients, and he had been very dutiful in watering at the right intervals. He had even prayed over his pot day and night, and yet his seeds had not sprouted.

Pomperaug High School Varsity Games Feb. 1 to 28, 2015 Boys’ Basketball

Tuesday, Feb. 3..................... Weston (H)............................................ 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6........................ Notre Dame-Fairfield (H)........................ 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13...................... Kolbe Cathedral (H)............................... 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17................... Newtown (H)......................................... 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20...................... Stratford (H).......................................... 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24................... Bethel (A).............................................. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27...................... SWC Quarterfinals (A)............................ 7 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball

Tuesday, Feb. 3..................... Weston (A)............................................ 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6........................ Notre Dame-Fairfield (A)........................ 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10................... Masuk (H)............................................. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13...................... Kolbe Cathedral (A)............................... 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17................... Newtown (A).......................................... 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21................. SWC Quarterfinals (A)............................ 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24................... SWC Semifinals (A).......................... 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26................. SWC Championship Game (A).......... 7:30 p.m.

Ice Hockey

Wednesday, Feb. 4............... North Branford (A)............................ 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11............. Branford (A).......................................... 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18............. New Fairfield-Immaculate (A)........... 7:40 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19................. Guilford (A)...................................... 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21................. Daniel Hand (H)............................... 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25............. East Haven (A)...................................... 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28................. Amity (H).......................................... 7:30 p.m.

Boys Indoor Track

Saturday, Feb. 7................... SW Championship Meet (A)................... 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13...................... Class L State Meet (A)............................... TBA Saturday, Feb. 14................. Class L State Meet (A)............................... TBA Saturday, Feb. 21................. CIAC State Open (A).................................. TBA

Girls Indoor Track

Boys’ Swimming and Diving

Tuesday, Feb. 3..................... New Fairfield (H)............................... 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10................... New Milford (H)..................................... 6 p.m.

Wrestling

Wednesday, Feb. 4............... New Fairfield (A).................................... 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7................... Farmington/Branford (H)..................... 10 a.m. ........................................... Seymour/Maloney Monday, Feb. 9..................... Bethel (H)............................................. 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14................. SW Conf. Championships (A)................. 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20...................... Class L State Tournament (A)................. 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21................. Class L State Tournament (A)................. 8 a.m. (H) Home (A) Away

Winning Ways By Pat Iannuzzi Insights for Constructive Living

Some of his friends advised him to buy seeds at the market and plant those. “After all,” they said, “how can anyone tell one seed of grain from another?” But his parents, who had always taught him the value of integrity, reminded him that if the king wanted him to plant just any grain, he would have asked the boy to get his own seeds. “If you plant anything other than what the king gave you,” they told him, “you would be dishonest. Maybe you are simply not destined for the throne.” The appointed day eventually arrived, and each of the boys returned to the palace. All the other boys proudly displayed

DEAR DR. ROACH: I went to a walk-in clinic because I had chest pain. They did an EKG and saw extra beats (PVCs). They recommended I go to a cardiologist, and he put me on a heart monitor, which showed I had 5,000 extra beats within 24 hours. He had me come back in two weeks and did an echocardiogram (heart muscles are perfect) and heart monitor (still extra beats). He did a stress test, and it was normal. He has no idea why I have extra beats. I have a feeling they have been going on for a long period of time, because when the nurse asked me if I could feel them while she was doing the echo, it felt like a flutter, and I had been feeling them for at least a year (I didn’t know what it was). He has me coming back to see him in three months. Can you give me some insight? – D.J. ANSWER: Premature beats are very common, almost universal, and come in two types: premature atrial beats (PACs) and premature ventricular beats (PVCs). These can happen in people with perfectly normal hearts, but your cardiologist did exactly the recommended tests, including an EKG, echocardiogram and stress test. This is to be sure your heart function and blood flow are normal. Since they are, you don’t need to do anything about it unless the fluttering sensation is bothering you. There are several mechanisms for PVCs. The electrical system of the heart can develop a kind of short-circuit called a re-entry loop, which is the most common cause. Individual heart muscle

Jack Zazzaro, D.M.D.

“Relaxed Dentistry In A Contemporary Atmosphere”

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he placed his hands on the boy’s shoulders and said, “My citizens, behold your next king.” The people were confused. “Why that one?” many asked, “How can he be the right choice?” The king took his place on his throne with the boy by his side and said, “I gave all these boys boiled seeds. A boiled seed will not sprout. This test was not about cultivating grain. It was a test of character; a test of honesty. It was the ultimate test. If a king must have one quality, it must be that he has complete integrity. Only this boy passed the test.” Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiont Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.

1. In 2014, Adrian Beltre became the fifth player in major-league history to hit 100 home runs for three different teams. Name two of the first four. 2. Name the last right-handed hitter to belt 30 or more home runs in a season for the Kansas City Royals. 3. In 2013, the Rams’ Tavon Austin became the third player in NFL history to have three touchdowns of 55 or more yards in a game. Name either of the first two. 4. Frank Kaminsky set a record in 2013 for most points scored by a University of Wisconsin men’s basketball player (43). Who had held the mark? 5. Gilbert Perreault is the Buffalo Sabres’ all-time leader in points scored (1,326). Who is second? 6. In 2014, Cole Custer became the youngest driver to win a NASCAR national touring series race (16 years old). Who had been the youngest? 7. Between 1985 and 1996, four women combined to win a total of 12 French Open singles DEAR DR. ROACH: About two titles. Name three of the four. years ago, I had terrible pain on the top part of the left side of my Answers: head. It also felt very warm. I went to my doctor, who diagnosed it as shingles and treated me with gabapentin. I can’t recall how long I took the pills, but eventually he told me to wean myself off of them. My question is: Did I really have shingles? I had the pain, but no sores or blisters. – T.K. ANSWER: There is a condition called zoster sine herpete, which means “zoster without the blisters.” I have seen cases where the pain precedes the blisters by months – once by 18 months – but I haven’t personally seen a case where the blisters never show. Still, given your history, I (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc. think there’s a very good chance your doctor was right. Dr. Roach regrets he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell. edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall. com, or write to P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Premature heartbeats are extremely common

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pots of healthy seedlings. It was obvious they had had great success. The king asked each of the boys who exhibited pots of healthy seedlings, “Is this what came of the seeds I gave you?” Each boy responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.” The king carefully examined each pot, nodded and smiled. Then the king spoke to the boy who had only a bare pot of soil to present. The boy was shaking. He feared the king might have him thrown into prison for wasting his seeds. “What did you do with the seeds I gave you?” the king asked. “I planted them and cared for them diligently, Your Majesty, but alas, despite all my efforts, they failed to grow,” the boy said. “I tried my best, but I am clearly not worthy.” He hung his head in shame, and the crowd jeered. But the king raised his hands and signaled for silence. Then

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cells also can trigger a premature beat. If you desire treatment, the usual treatment is a beta blocker, which can reduce symptoms. Other medications also are used. In cases where medications don’t work, radio waves can be used to stop the areas of the heart where the extra beats arise. The booklet on abnormal heart rhythms explains atrial fibrillation and the more common heart-rhythm disturbances in greater detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing to Dr. Roach – No. 107W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6. Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

1. Darrell Evans, Reggie Jackson, Alex Rodriguez and Jim Thome. 2. Gary Gaetti had 35 in 1995. 3. Washington’s Cliff Battles (1937) and Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (2009). 4. Ken Barnes scored 42 points in a game in 1965, and Michael Finley had 42 in a game in 1994. 5. Dave Andreychuk, with 804 points. 6. Erik Jones was 17 when he won a Truck Series race in 2013. 7. Chris Evert (1985, ‘86), Steffi Graf (‘87, ‘88, ‘93, ‘95, ‘96), Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (‘89, ‘94) and Monica Seles (‘90-’92).

An aging king had no son to continue his reign after his passing, so he decided he would adopt a son to be his successor. He knew it was critical that he choose the right person to be the next king, so he launched a grueling competition throughout his kingdom, open to all boys, no matter what their backgrounds. The choice eventually was narrowed down to 10 outstanding boys. There was little to separate these boys in terms of intelligence, physical attributes and capabilities. The king struggled to find a way to select the one from this group who would be the best to rule over his dominion. He thought and thought and finally said to them, “I have one last test, and whoever comes out on top will become my adopted son and heir to my throne.” Then he said, “Here are a few seeds of grain for each of you.

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The Bee-Intelligencer

February 2015

LPOS -

Continued from page 1 ing using information from two quotations received from vendors and his knowledge of typical procedures. Cookson advised him to reorganize the package around the town’s regular bid structure, which he said was available in town hall and includes things such as bonding and insurance requirements. Pietrorazio took on the job Nov. 5 when members agreed the work, expected to cost more than $5,000, was not sufficiently urgent to bypass the town’s bidding process but still needed to be done quickly so repairs could start before the more expensive spring busy season. Cookson told him to include Building Inspector Ollie Leduc and Town Engineer John Calabrese in writing the technical specifications, and then run the package by Public Works Director Dan Norton and First Selectman Ed St. (Kathleen Brown-Carrano cartoon) John. Pietrorazio said he’d bring his materials to them for incorporation in the formal bid package. Masonry repairs on collapsing horse barn walls are still waiting

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P&Z -

Continued from page 1 Clearview Knoll. He said both of those excavations were out of compliance and needed to be cleaned up. Bosco said a site plan application was expected from Wesson Energy to develop the Vinnie’s and Johnnie’s property into an expansion of the Shell Station and agreed to call and have them finish the permitted soil remediation work. Smith said the work on the Clearview Knoll lot owned by

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7 for a third written proposal, Pietrorazio said. He received quotes in November from two contractors but has been unable to get one more. He said an area on the west wall needed to be supported by jacks so loose stones and dirt could be removed and the stones cemented back in place, a repair he said was not controversial and was likely to cost less than $5,000, thus not requiring competitive bidding. He asked members to suggest additional contractors, and two were mentioned for his follow-up. In electrical repairs, Cookson said Mark Electric of Middlebury had been waiting on CL&P but was now ready to begin the outside work replacing and upgrading old, brittle wiring from the service entrance into the farmhouse, and inside upgrades of the electrical service to 200 amps from 60. He said the street wiring would go to a pole and not a midline connection as had been previously specified. The work also will include a manual transfer switch to an existing backup generator. All work should be completed in about two weeks if the weather cooperates. On the topic of asbestos re-

moval from furnace pipes in the farm house basement, Cookson said he had been told by Norton that BriCo Environmental Services LLC of Windsor had performed the work. The $4,275 purchase order for removing and disposing of the asbestos and then reinsulating with Fiberglas, had been awarded to Abatement Plus LLC of Windsor by Norton in November after he reviewed two bids for the remediation. Cookson said all the work was completed except for a 3-inch pipe where materials were on order. Cookson noted a concern by owner Rob Fenn on heat loss from unwrapped pipe elbows. Cookson said Norton spoke to BriCo and was told elbows did not radiate enough heat to justify the additional expense of wrapping. Pietrorazio said he wanted to go on record and inform the committee that the Connecticut Department of Energy requires all the pipes, including elbows, to be insulated to an R-value of R-3. Cookson said he would bring that information to Norton. The next regular LPOS meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.

Robert LaFlamme d/b/a Pomeroy Enterprises LLC may have been done without an approved site plan or bond. An excavation permit was approved Jan. 5, 2012, with the stipulation that excavated material be offered to the town, and trucks hauling the material not stack up and wait on Route 64 or Clearview Knoll. Smith said brush was stacked up on the sides of the excavation with boulders everywhere and sewer pipes sticking out of the ground. Commissioner Matt Robison agreed the excavation was messy and said trucks were speeding by

his house. Smith asked town engineer John Calabrese if he could estimate the amount of fill removed from the site, saying it was more that 100 cubic yards, above which a fee needed to be paid. Bosco said a fee also needed to be paid if the fill was being disposed of in Middlebury. Smith said the site couldn’t be left in that condition and instructed Bosco to have LaFlamme appear at the Feb. 5 meeting. The next regular P&Z meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.

Middlebury Senior Center News a.m. All interested persons are bers and $20 for nonmembers. welcome to attend. All checks must be made out to “AARP.” Call 203-577-4166 to regDonate used ink ister.

cartridges

Trip

Don’t throw your used ink cartridges away. Please donate Flower and Garden them to the Middlebury Senior gram (SNAP), also called food Center, which will recycle them. Show stamps. You can just walk in. No Thank you. Thursday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m., appointment is needed. the Middlebury minibus will Driver safety head for Hartford for the 34th Valentine’s Day lunch program Annual Connecticut Flower and Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 11:45 The next AARP Driver Safety Garden Show. Please call the sea.m., the center will host a Val- course will be Monday, March 2, nior center at 203-577-4166 to entine Party in the Shepardson from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the reserve your seat. The fee of $23 Community Center auditorium. senior center. The course is the will include admission and There will be entertainment and nation’s first and largest driv- transportation. door prizes. On the menu by er-refresher course. Using new Chef John will be corn chowder materials and new videos, the Painted Pony with bacon, country harvest pork course covers new defensive restaurant loin with mushroom gravy, veg- driving techniques, new laws and As part of the Senior Dine etable medley, mashed potato regulations, how to deal with lunch program, the minibus will and Valentine’s Day cake. aggressive drivers, and how go to the Painted Pony restaurant The cost is $8 per person. aging affects drivers. in Bethlehem Friday, Feb. 27. Please call 203-577-4166 to reDrivers who attend the class This trip is on the fourth Friday serve your seat. will receive a completion certif- each month. icate and may be entitled to a Holiday closing You must have a Senior Dine discount on automobile insurThe senior center will be ance (contact your insurance card to participate. If you do not have a card, stop by the senior closed Monday, Feb. 16, for Pres- company for details). center office to get one. If you idents Day. AARP membership is not re- want to go to the Painted Pony, and drivers of all ages are call 203-577-4166 to reserve a Commission on Aging quired, invited to attend. The cost to seat. The Commission on Aging will participate is $15 for AARP memmeet Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 9:30

New furnace? Don’t shut heat registers

Monthly SUDOKU

In a recent column, you advised readers to shut heating registers in unused rooms to save energy. However, that may not be completely correct. I recently had a high-efficiency furnace installed. The technician told me not to shut off heating registers in unused rooms as it could damage the furnace. So, shutting the registers doesn’t always apply if you have a new furnace. – Sandy, via e-mail.

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Thanks for the update! I looked into guidelines for newer, highefficiency forced-air furnaces and found that, indeed, HVAC experts recommend against arbitrarily shutting off registers in unused rooms. There are a number of reasons for this. The newer furnaces are configured to heat your entire home’s square footage in the most efficient way possible. Start shutting off registers, and that setup no longer works as the parameters of the system have been changed. Shutting off several registers can affect the blower motor in particular, according to the En-

By Samantha Mazzotta ergy Vanguard (www.energyvanguard.com) blog post, “Can You Save Money by Closing HVAC Vents in Unused Rooms.” Newer systems feature both registers and air return ducts in each room. Shut off the register, and the air return is affected as well, increasing air pressure and forcing the blower to work harder to circulate warm air back into the house. Air ducts in newer systems also are not normally sealed, the blog notes. So when the return air pressure goes up, air begins to escape from the duct system itself, forcing the blower to work harder to draw enough air to heat. Low airflow over other components of a high-efficiency system can cause problems, too. The heating coils actually can get too hot, as can the heat exchanger, increasing the risk that

it could crack and release exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, into your home. So, does that mean heating registers should never, ever be shut? The answer to this is to talk to your HVAC contractor. While Energy Vanguard notes that one or two temporarily closed registers shouldn’t negatively affect the system, it’s better to ask than to wonder. What if you’re not sure if you have a high-efficiency system? What if you have an older heating system, or a zoned system? Then it’s time to schedule a checkup with a heating and air-conditioning professional who can tell you the best way to manage your particular heating system. Send your questions or home tips to ask@thisisahammer.com. (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

Going on a trip this winter? Don’t turn off the heating system: Set the thermostat to 55 degrees F, which will reduce the energy bill while preventing pipes from freezing.

The Bee-Intelligencer

Contest to name new park

February 2015

EIDC continues work on guide

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE

Middlebury Parks and Recreation Director Betty Proulx said the department is holding a “Name the Park” contest for the new park on Maple Drive behind the Mary I. Johnson School building. The contest will be open to students in grades K through eight who reside in Middlebury, and the prize will be a $50 savings bond. Entries must be received no later than March 1, 2015, and incomplete entries will be disqualified. Proulx said the new park features two multipurpose fields that can be used for soccer, lacrosse and football. It also has a concession stand and rest rooms. Construction was started on the park in 2001, and it was built with both federal grant money and town funds. Proulx said the lower field will be ready for use this summer, and the upper field will be ready for use next year. She expects to have a sign with the winning name on it in place by spring. At 2.21 acres, the unnamed park is the town’s smallest park outside of the Middlebury Recreation Area, which is 1.34 acres. Ledgewood Park has 5.22 acres and Meadowview Park has 8.19 acres. The new park cannot be named after an individual or a family. Other rules are that contestants must reside in Middlebury, and Middlebury Parks and Recreation Department staff members and their families are not eligible. If more than one

The Middlebury Economic and Industrial Development Commission (EIDC) at its Dec. 23 meeting continued to work on the longpromised Commercial Development Guidebook. The meeting was chaired by Commissioner Terrence McAuliffe in the absence of Chairman Michael Kenausis. A planned Nov. 25 meeting did not occur due to lack of a quorum. Before working on the draft, members informally discussed the changing appearance of Middlebury Road in the area between Glenwood Avenue and Clearview Knoll, agreeing on the need for a vision and stronger planning. They also informally discussed the Oxford power plant coming before the Connecticut Siting Council. McAuliffe distributed a third draft of the guide, now 22 pages in length. It was compiled from interviews with town officials and is based on the structure of a Georgetown, Mass., guide. Kenausis had said Oct. 27 he wanted the guide to be ready for electronic publication during the first quarter of 2015 and he appointed McAuliffe to develop a draft from input supplied by fellow members.

The building with the concession stand and rest rooms is next to the upper field at the new park at the end of Maple Drive in Middlebury.

The lower field at the new Middlebury park has its own parking area. (Marjorie Needham photos) contestant submits the same name, the winner will be chosen at random. Entries will be judged by a panel appointed by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Proulx said their decision will likely be announced by the end of March.

Entry forms can be downloaded at Middlebury-ct.org or picked up at the Parks and Rec office in Shepardson Community Center. Entry forms can be mailed to Parks and Recreation, 1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762 or emailed to bproulx@middlebury-ct.org.

In discussions about the draft, members agreed an introduction to the guide from First Selectman Edward B. St. John, along with his photo, would show the town’s commitment to economic development. Commissioner Ted Manello discussed Water Pollution Control Authority requirements and agreed to provide a few paragraphs on commercial considerations and capacity reserves. Commissioner Armando Paolino said Middlebury and Oxford are appealing because of their easy access to highways and Oxford Airport. He offered to meet with Keystone Aviation to get their opinion on the needs of business travelers. Paolino showed members a map of the Oxford Airport Enterprise Zone, noting almost all of Middlebury is in the zone. He agreed to supply about a page of text and charts comparing that incentive to the Middlebury incentive using analogous terms and numbers so developers could understand the difference. They can choose one or the other, but not both. Commissioner Frank Mirovsky, mentioning the Winchester Electronics tax-incentive application, said quality of life

for employees and good schools are big factors for locating in Middlebury. Manello suggested placing contact information alongside the department descriptions, but McAuliffe said a checklist of forms and departments, although desirable, wasn’t feasible due to the amount of professional judgment involved for complicated applications. Members discussed the amount of marketing within the guide being about the same as the Georgetown document and agreed a possible future glossy marketing brochure could be developed to focus and expand those benefits. As homework, McAuliffe asked members to read the draft as if they were a commercial developer looking for information and write down comments on overall structure, missing or wrong information, and suggestions. He asked them to consider the introductory pages and the appropriate and consistent level of detail to include. The next regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center was canceled due to inclement weather.

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Samson is a sweet male neutered orange-andwhite short-haired cat with golden eyes who is approximately 3 to 4 years old. He is mellow, affectionate, healthy, calm and a sweetheart. He may be slightly shy at first, but he soon comes around. He probably would be fine with another mellow cat; it may depend. Samson is in need of a reliable foster home until he can be placed, everything provided. Please open up your heart and home to Samson. Find a foster application on the website or call or email for one (see below).

These cats are with Pet Protectors. If you foster a cat for them, they will provide everything needed for their care. Learn more about the Foster Care Program at www.petprotectorsrescue.org. Applications are on the website, or call 203-330-0255 or email contactus@petprotectorsrescue.org for more information or for an application.

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DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I saw a social-media post today about a bobcat that was considered “special needs” and couldn’t be released back into the wild. What exactly is defined as special needs in an animal? – Darla J., Jacksonville, Fla. DEAR DARLA: “Special needs” defines any animal, domestic or wild, that requires additional care beyond what might be considered normal for its species. That need could be due to a physical injury, illness or emotional/behavioral problems. We most often hear about behavioral problems in dogs, especially those that were abused or abandoned. But other pets and wild animals also can have behavioral issues. It takes a lot of attention, patience and skill to care properly for these animals. Likewise for animals that come into shelters and rehab

facilities that have been injured or are ill: Their emotional/behavioral issues often go hand in hand with their physical issues. People looking to adopt a pet from a shelter often are told that a dog or cat has special needs or has specific issues that must be addressed. While responsible shelters do their best to rehabilitate a pet prior to putting it up for adoption – including fostering the pet to more experienced volunteers who can help reduce behavioral issues – prospective pet owners need to be aware of

a pet’s health and behavioral needs and be prepared to address them. A special-needs pet will need more attention from its new family. That usually includes specific medical treatment, with more veterinary visits and a medication routine that must be met, plus more training and attention than a healthy pet might need. Owners must be prepared to dedicate extra time and expense to such pets. It’s often worth the effort. Send your questions or comments to ask@pawscorner.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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