The Citizen
Family Dollar and Dollar Tree are now under one roof, at 45 Chamberlain Highway in Berlin, and the teaming-up was celebrated with a March 13 ribbon-cutting attended by employees and local officials.
Family Dollar was acquired by Dollar Tree in 2015.
Citizen report
This month, the Berlin Historical Society learned it would receive a State of Connecticut Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant in the amount of $5,500.
Located at 305 Main St. in Kensington, the Berlin Historical Society Museum houses a collection of early tin, brick and Berlin-related artifacts. Along with its permanent exhibits, new displays are created annually.
In a social media post announcing the grant, the Berlin Historical Society said the funds “will enable us to improve access to our archive, and help us better preserve artifacts, documents and textiles. It will also help us create new ways of engaging a diverse public through video content, more events and programs.”
See Grant, A16
Citizen report
“With both brands together under one roof, we can bring more offerings to small markets with limited retail options,” said Kristin Tetreault, senior vice-president and chief communications officer for the company.
The Chamberlain Highway Family Dollar/Dollar Tree location spans 20,000square-feet.
“We are providing more shopping options for Berlin residents,” Tetreault said, adding that thousands of items “would be introduced in this store that are not sold in any other retailer in Berlin.”
Family Dollar/Dollar Tree, 45 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In an attempt to blunt the impact the COVID-19 pandemic was expected to have on eateries, in April of 2020, the Berlin Economic Development Commission rolled out the “Eat Local – Win Local” campaign. The effort, done in cooperation with The Berlin Citizen, rallied community members to
order food in town and to promote their favorite eateries on social media for a chance to win restaurant gift cards.
Three years later, “Eat Local – Win Local” has returned. Some changes have been made, but the aim is the same: supporting Berlin businesses.
See Food, A6
By Mark Pazniokas
The Connecticut Mirror
Connecticut’s Republican and Democratic state party chairs offered a united front Monday by jointly testifying in support of liberalizing state party fundraising rules and moving the presidential primary from the last to the first Tuesday in April.
Given the hyper-partisan nature of contemporary politics, cordial lobbying by the GOP’s Ben Proto and the Democrats’ Nancy DiNardo might seem odd, but the pair long has found common cause on the mechanics of politics.
“And contrary to popular belief, we work together more often on things than might otherwise be known,” said Proto, a long-time operative and elections lawyer who became state chair in 2021.
The state party chairs testified before the legislature’s Government Administration
and Elections Committee in support of House Bill 6904, the fundraising measure, and House Bill 6908, the primary scheduling bill.
Proto and DiNardo share a goal of making Connecticut an attractive place for presidential candidates to campaign and not just raise money, always a challenge for a small state with a limited cache of delegates.
“For too many presidential elections, Connecticut voters have been shortchanged in the primaries by being scheduled on the last Tuesday in April,” said DiNardo, who was state chair from 2005 to 2015 and returned in 2020.
Too often, the winners of the nominations are known before the end of April.
In 2020, for example, Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign on April 8 and endorsed Joe Biden on the 13th.
(Thanks to COVID-19, and the fact that Biden and Donald J. Trump had their nominations assured, the presidential primary was delayed in 2020 to August, when the primaries for state offices in Connecticut are held.)
Under current law, the state’s 2024 presidential primary wouldn’t be held until April 30. The bipartisan bill would move it to April 2.
Voter interest and the state economy benefit when the primary is held when the outcome is in play, Proto said.
“We know that when the candidates come to a state they spend a lot of money, not only on their media buys, but also within our hospitality industry, on salaries, on staff,” Proto said.
“So there’s a tangential benefit to doing this to making a competitive state that candidates want to come to.”
Press Release
With a high demand for skilled utility workers across the state, Eversource is partnering with Housatonic Community College and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Unions 420 and 457 to prepare the next generation of electrical lineworkers in Connecticut.
The Lineworker Certificate Program provides students valuable training in the electric utility industry and the opportunity to progress into Eversource’s paid apprenticeship program.
“Our industry is seeing incredible growth, and as we look toward a clean energy future, it’s critical that we continue to ensure we have a well-trained workforce to maintain a safe and reliable electric system while delivering excellent service for our customers,” Eversource President of Connecticut Electric Operations Steve Sullivan stated. “We’ve had great success with our popular certification program at
Capital Community College and are excited to expand that collaboration with Housatonic Community College. We value our partnership with the Connecticut State Community College system and know it will help us train highly skilled lineworkers who will have strong employment opportunities after completing the course. ”
Nearly 150 students applied for 15 open spots in the rigorous 13-week certification program.
The students began virtual classroom learning and hands-on training at the Eversource outdoor training complex in Berlin in early March.
Their extensive course work includes electrical theory, CPR, and safety – preparing them for employment with electrical lineworker responsibilities and tasks.
“We are happy to expand this program with Eversource, which started with Capital Community College
students in 2021,” said CT State Community College President John Maduko, M.D. “Through partnerships like this, we are able to quickly meet workforce needs in our community while our students prepare
for in-demand jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.”
Visit Eversource.com for more information on the certification program and to stay updated on the next available class.
Executors have a high level of responsibility during the probate process. Your main objective? Prevent estate assets from being damaged or depreciated. You must make decisions based on the best interests of beneficiaries and creditors.
Let us review the job of executor:
You need to decide whether probate is necessary. Consult a probate attorney. Notify the post office, utility companies, credit card companies, banks and any other businesses that you are the executor and that the holder of the accounts has passed.
Once formally appointed by the Probate Court, open an account in the name of the estate to manage assets.
Manage the decedent's home/vacation home and other property.
Manage vehicle loan payments.
Manage money and investments.
Manage business assets.
Determine if it appropriate to sell assets if they are depreciating rapidly or to pay debts. Selling an asset may be inevitable if beneficiaries don't want to share the asset.
As demand for utility work rises, industry partners place an emphasis on creating, finding talent
The Fire Administrator’s Office for the Town of Berlin reports the following incidents for the weeks of March 5 and 12. (Fire Company designations: 1. East Berlin, 2. Kensington, 3. Berlin, 4. South Kensington.)
March 6: Spruce Brook Road and Lamentation Drive: Motor vehicle accident – Company 3
March 7: Mutual aid rendered to Rocky Hill Fire Department –Company 1
March 7: Berlin Turnpike at
Ramp E: Motor vehicle accident – Companies 1, 2 and 3
March 9: 300 block of New Britain Road: Assistance call –Companies 2, 3 and 4
March 9: Route 9 near exit 32: Motor vehicle accident – Companies 1, 2 and 3
March 10: 2200 block of Berlin
Turnpike: Motor vehicle accident – Company 3
March 11: Plum Hollow Way: Structure Fire – Companies 1, 2, 3 and 4
March 11: 500 block of Wethersfield Road: Fire alarm –Companies 1, 2 and 3
March 11: 800 block of Farmington Avenue: Motor vehicle accident – Company 2
March 12: Mutual aid rendered to Southington Fire Department –Company 2
March 13: 100 block of Skinner Road: Fire alarm – Companies 1, 2 and 3
March 14: 100 block of Wilcox Avenue: Assistance call – Companies 1 and 3
March 15: High Road and Route 571: Motor vehicle accident – Companies 2, 3 and 4
March 15: 800 block of Norton Road: CO Alarm: Companies 2, 3 and 4
March 16: 100 block of Glendale Avenue: Assist EMS - Company 2
March 17: 100 block of Skinner Road: Fire alarm – Companies 1, 2 and 3
March 18: Mutual aid rendered
Guest speaker Evan Field works with McGee seventh graders. Contributed photo Recently, McGee Middle School students in Miss Cardine’s and Mrs. Peterson’s seventh grade English Language Arts classes heard from guest speaker Evan Field, who modeled real-world applications of their ELA skills. Currently, students are working on infographics to visually rep-
working on infographics to visually represent research from their argument essays. Field presented his graphic design skills in a lesson catered to the infographic project, while also demonstrating how many 21st-century jobs require people to disseminate information effectively. Students will apply Field’s techniques to their infographics, which culminate the argument unit by synthesizing relevant research and logic into a meaningful product.
Kindergarten registration is available online via berlinschools.org. Registration ends Thursday, April 20. Children age five on or before Jan. 1, 2024 are eligible to register. For more information, call 860-829-6782.
The American Savings Foundation is accepting applications from high school seniors, college students, and nontraditional adult students who will be en-
rolled for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students can apply at asfdn.org. Applications are due by Friday, March 31.
The website also has links to other area scholarship programs and resources for learning about financial aid.
Saint Paul School is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Saint Paul’s serves students of all faiths in Pre-K3 through Grade 8.
Visit ourschool.stpaulkensington.org or contact admissions@stpaulkensington.org.
“A Guide to Special Education Services in Berlin,” describes how educators identify students with special needs, collaborate with parents and other professionals and provide for their programming needs.
The booklet is available at the Board of Education offices and at berlinschools.org.
The Citizen will print only one letter per person each month. We reserve the right to edit letters. Include a phone number so The Citizen can contact you for verification. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday to be considered for publication the following Thursday.
Whether it is a lost ring, wallet or a Parrot named Oliver, a Classified ad can help track it down.
Mulberry Gardens, an independent and assisted living
community located at 58 Mulberry St., Southington, will host an open house Wednesday, March 29 from
3 to 6 p.m. Registration is recommended. To reserve a time, call 860-276-1020.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 250 million people worldwide live with Lymphedema or chronic swelling. It is a disease that can cause pain, limit mobility and cause us to be insecure about ourselves.
Friday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to noon, join a Certified Lymphedema Therapist from Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, to learn more about the causes and effects of swelling, ways to manage it. Call 1-855442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.
Looking for a safe space? Talk to a professional about questions and concerns you may have regarding dementia, Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m.
This call-in support group is facilitated by Kristine Johnson, dementia specialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Call 1-646-876-9923 (Meeting ID 92408181873#).
Are you a caregiver and feeling overburdened? Join this call-in support group Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Facilitated by Michelle Wyman, dementia specialist. Call 1-646-876-9923 (Meeting ID 92408181873#).
From A1
Berlin EDC director Chris Edge said February and March can be challenging months for restaurants, smaller operations in particular.
“Similar to the campaign that we ran in April of 2020 when COVID began, this effort is to get Berlin residents, those who work in town and those who visit, to eat, drink and have a great experience in town,” Edge said.
The March Madness edition of “Eat Local – Win Local” began March 15 and runs through April 15.
For complete details, including which restaurants are participating, visit itsallinberlin.com and look for the Upcoming Events section on the site.
Berlin residents and property owners are invited to share their opinions on whether cannabis establishments should be allowed in town.
A public forum will be held Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m., at Berlin High School, 139 Patterson Way. Residents and property owners may also participate in the forum via Zoom and conference call.
For the Zoom meeting link, visit berlinct.gov. To phone into the forum, call 1-929205-6099. The meeting ID is 890 4804 4587; passcode 061820. To learn more about the Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-
Use Cannabis Act, known as RERACA, visit berlinct.gov/ cannabis.
The Sons of the Legion at American Legion Post 68, 154 Porters Pass, will host karaoke Saturday, March 25, 7 p.m.
The Berlin High School outdoor track and field teams are holding a sneaker donation fundraiser through Friday, March 31. Donate old sneakers for recycling, and for each pair collected, the BHS track teams will receive funds. Sneaker donations can be dropped off at all Berlin Public Schools.
The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain approved its first round of grants for 2023, awarding more than $436,000 to a wide variety of programs serving Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington.The second round of CFGNB grant applications will be accepted this summer.
Letters of Intent are due July
1. Visit the “grantmaking” section of the foundation’s website at cfgnb.org.
Exhibitors and speakers are sought for the 10th Bi-Annual Passport to Health & Wellness Expo, which will be
held April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton. Also, vendors are sought for expos taking place May 21 and Sept. 17 at the VFW in Plainville.
Contact Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033 or yourholisticevents@gmail.com, or visit yourholisticevents.com.
Castle Craig Players, Meriden is celebrating its 30th season. On sale now: “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On,” May 5 to 20; “Into The Woods,” July 28 to Aug. 12.
For ticket information, visit castlecraigplayers.org.
Michael Katz, DMD
Bright Feeds, a high-tech startup that Gov. Ned Lamont sees as engaged in the next-generation alchemy of spinning dross into gold
or, in this case, food waste into animal feed.
With reporters and television cameras in tow, Lamont toured the Bright Feeds plant last week, an odorless and brightly lit facility that opened six months ago in the Hartford suburb of Berlin and already processes 80 tons of garbage daily.
“What the rest of us see as garbage, entrepreneurs see as gold,” Lamont said.
The story of Bright Feeds and other companies vested in converting food waste to other products, or using it as the raw material to make natural gas and generate electricity, is central to Lamont’s advocacy for a waste-
disposal and recycling bill that was to get its first test vote Wednesday.
His host at Bright Feeds was Scott Kalb, a one-time equities and hedge fund manager from Greenwich whose interests have shifted from global finance and sovereign wealth funds to responsible asset allocation and, yes, garbage.
Bright Feeds has the capacity to process far more waste than it is getting.
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“We’re the largest solution provider for processing food waste in the state and in all of New England,” said Kalb, a co-founder and chairman of Bright Feeds. “We have a permitted capacity of 450 tons per day, or 160,000 tons per year. ”
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Quantum Biopower tells a similar story. It uses food scraps and other organics in an anaerobic digester to produce natural gas that generates electricity at a plant in Southington. The residue is sold as compost.
Like Bright Feeds, it could handle far more food waste
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Overall, the state estimates, the capacity already exists to divert more than half of the 500,000 tons of food waste that is annually shipped to out-of-state landfills or burned in one of four wasteto-energy plants.
“Yet, we’re only processing something like 15,000 tons a year right now with the food waste that’s being generated in our state,” Kalb said.
The problem is that a system to separate food from other waste in residential settings does not yet exist on any scale.
The
Municipalities, on average, pay $102 to dispose of
See Waste, A11
Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order Friday establishing a “Blue Ribbon Panel” of public and private sector leaders, early childhood experts, educators and parents tasked with designing a strategic plan for the state’s child care system by the end of this year.
During a visit to pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim’s on-site child care center in Ridgefield, which hosted the signing ceremony, Lamont emphasized the role child care plays in enabling parents to work at a time when many employers have open jobs to fill.
“We’re never going to get this state going again unless everybody has the opportunity to work,” Lamont said. “We have tens of thousands of folks, often single parents, often moms, who can’t get back into the workforce. That’s why child care is so absolutely vital to what we have to do.”
Lamont also took the opportunity Friday to plug one of his legislative proposals, a 25% tax credit for companies who subsidize child care costs for their employees whether through direct benefits to those employees, contracting with outside child care providers or building their own facilities on site, as Boehringer Ingelheim has done. “What a difference that’s gonna make,” he said.
Boehringer Ingelheim is among the companies represented on the 23-member Blue Ribbon Panel, along
with submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat, hospital system Yale New Haven Health, Travelers Insurance and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association many of whom came forward last year to ask lawmakers to fund child care.
Paul O. Robertson, deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said including the private sector in developing the strategic plan will “bring scale to the situation.” The panel could use the extra help, given the task before it.
By December of this year, Lamont’s Blue Ribbon Panel will deliver a five-year strategic plan for the state’s child care system, with recommendations across four broad areas: equity and access; workforce and quality; early childhood systems; and funding and costs. The panel will hold monthly meetings and public hearings through the spring and summer.
After an initial meeting next month, there will be a forum in May focusing on what Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye said will be the group’s “biggest focus”
the early childhood workforce.
Child care workers, several of the panel members noted in their remarks Friday, are among the lowest-paid professionals in today’s labor force.
Bye said the panel marks the culmination, in some ways, of work the early childhood office has been leading for
several years, funded in part by federal grant money.
Beginning around 2018, early childhood leaders in Connecticut have been planning, developing research questions and conducting a wide range of in-depth analyses of the child care market that will inform the panel’s decisions.
See Care, A10
Town departments will close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6 and will be closed Friday, April 7 in observance of Good Friday. Normal trash/recycling schedule will apply.
The Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame’s 2023 induction banquet will be held Sunday, April 23 at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.
The honorees are Meagan Guy (Class of 2008; basketball, softball, volleyball), Anthony Marzi (Class of 2010; baseball), Brad Olson (Class of 1975; track & field), Roger Pulito (Class of 1968; football, track & field) and Aldo Zovich (Class of 1979; football, track & field, wrestling). Adela Sarra McLaughlin, a staunch advocate for girls’ sports, will be inducted as a contributor.
Also, the 1999 BHS Class L state championship baseball team will be recognized, as will coach Nick Pepe (Class of 1967), who is being honored posthumously.
Their work will also be informed by research and recommendations from national organizations.
Bye highlighted the participation of national education policy organization The Hunt Institute, which will provide expertise to the panel. She said it will also examine and consider child care policy recommendations from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Bipartisan Policy Center think tank.
“This is critical for child care right now, because the pandemic just put a magnifying glass on the problems that child care had been facing for decades,” she said. “Programs are having a hard
For ticket information, call 860-546-8614 or email bhshalloffamebanquet@ gmail.com.
Sidewalks are being constructed along the south side of Farmington Avenue between house No. 1208 eastward to the intersection of Farmington Avenue and No. 14 Patterson Way. Also, sidewalks are being constructed from house No. 32 to house No. 104 Newton Street, and along a portion of Langdon Court from New Britain Road to the entrance of the Kensington Woods Condominiums. Work is anticipated to be completed in late spring. Questions can be directed to the Public Works Department, 860-828-7022.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Office of Engineering is developing plans to rehabilitate the pavement on CT Route 372 in Berlin and Cromwell. Berlin officials recommend property owners who abut Mill Street and are planning paving or underground utili-
time making it because they can only charge parents what parents can afford.”
Lamont and the legislature have vowed to make child care a priority this year, but advocates say the proposals don’t go far enough.
Expanding access to all parents while raising wages for teachers and boosting program capacity would cost the state an estimated $738 million annually, advocates say.
That’s nearly three times the state’s current allocation.
Leaders of child care operations say costs have gone up steadily in the last four years, due to inflation and the state’s rising minimum wage.
See Care, A12
ty projects this spring/summer contact Matthew R. Vail: 860-594-3274, matthew.vail@ct.gov. Reference State Project 171-487.
Berlin-based non-profit Boxes to Boots, 28 Chamberlain Highway, sends care packages to members of the U.S. military serving overseas. To learn more about the organization and its needs, visit boxestoboots.org.
The Berlin Veterans Commission’s “Veterans Digital Wall of Honor,” located in Town Hall, is dedicated to “All Who Proudly Served and Sacrificed to Protect Our Country.” Berlin residents and their immediate family, past and present, who have served or are currently serving can be put up on the wall. Contact Peter Galgano at petergalgano@comcast.net or 860-604-7258.
Business Connections of Berlin aims to help local
businesses connect and grow utilizing networking, marketing and educational opportunities. To learn more about the group, email businessconnectionsofberlin@ gmail.com or find them on social media.
American Legion Post 68 has been serving Berlin veterans since 1947. Post 68 is looking for active military members, veterans, and family and friends of veterans to become involved. Pick up an application at the Post home, 154 Porters Pass. For more information, email Post Commander Vin Trigila at v_trig@yahoo.com or send a message to Post 68 via Facebook.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the 119-year-old national youth mentoring organization.
Based in Hartford, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut offers life-changing
programs to at-risk children in all of the state’s 169 municipalities. Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting ctbigs.org.
Town ordinance states that “an owner of land or buildings fronting on any street or public place ... where there is any sidewalk shall, within 12 hours of daylight, or not to exceed 24 hours of elapsed time immediately following the cessation of a storm of snow ... cause the same to be removed from such sidewalk.” Failure to abide by the ordinance “shall result in a fine after an initial warning.”
Berlin has partnered with AFAB Recycling LLC, a Connecticut-based textile recycling company.
Residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted clothing and shoes at the Transfer Station, 19 Town Farm Lane, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
every ton of solid waste collected in their towns. Bright Feeds charges little or nothing to take food waste.
On Wednesday, the legislature’s Environment Committee was to vote on House Bill 6664, a measure the Lamont administration says would exponentially increase the collection of food waste the raw material for Bright Feeds and Quantum.
Among the bill’s provisions is a section that would impose a $5 per ton fee on municipal solid waste that is not recycled or composted. The Lamont administration says the fee would help finance a food waste collection infrastructure, saving money in the long run.
Another would implement a policy to force packaging changes and shift costs for recycling from municipalities to the makers of consumer goods.
The packaging policy is known as “extended producer responsibility,” or EPR.
Connecticut already has single-industry EPR programs for products that cannot be practically or safely dumped or recycled: paint, electronics, mattresses and propane cylinders.
Waste haulers oppose an EPR program directed at nearly all consumer packaging, saying it could destabilize the state’s current single-stream recycling and interfere with the ability of municipalities to control recycling and contracts with haulers. “Our members are just concerned they invested over 20 years of sweat and tears into this industry and then face the possibility it can be wiped out,” said Lewis Dubuque of the National Waste & Recycling Association.
Katie Dykes, the commissioner of energy and environmental protection, said the administration is well aware of the objections, which were expressed at a public hearing last month
and in a private meeting last week.
“I think that the committee process has successfully surfaced a lot of the different concerns that people have,” she said. “It’s going to need more discussion and more work.”
Rep. Joe Gresko, D-Stratford, co-chair of the Environment Committee, said he expected a party-line vote on the bill, with him assuring fellow members of the Democratic majority that negotiations will continue.
“But at this point, we want to get out of committee at least what everyone agrees on, and that is food diversion, and that is minimal recycled content for products,” Gresko said.
By requiring certain percentages of recycled content in packaging, the bill could increase the value of recycled material by creating a larger market.
In much the same way, a previous law setting standards for large businesses to separate food wastes helped make Bright Feeds and Quantum Biopower viable. And the bottle bill drew investments into recycling 30 years ago.
Brian Paganini, the vice president of Quantum, said Lamont’s bill would be another step forward.
“A lot of folks here in this room believe here today that we’re on the verge of that innovation again,” said Paganini, who was on the Bright
The solid-waste fee would provide $11 million in annual funding to continue a one-shot $10 million grant program the state is now offering municipalities to experiment in waste food diversions.
“Municipalities want this,” Dykes said. “We had 45 different towns that applied.” West Haven is beginning a city-wide collection program.
Deep River is experimenting with a food-scrap drop-off program at its transfer station. West Hartford is offering curbside food waste pickup to 680 homes, Dykes’ among them.
It’s unclear how much personal political capital Lamont is investing in passage of the bill. He paused when asked that question at Bright Feeds.
Feeds tour. “And we believe that the governor’s legislation is going to be the catalyst for the future of a really innovative waste system here in the state of Connecticut.”
“I’m right here talking to the people of Connecticut, urging you to talk to your legislators,” Lamont said. “This is important, because it’s got the potential to save you money. It is the environmentally smart thing to do.”
But during that time, most of the state’s subsidies to child care operators have remained flat, and federal pandemic emergency funding is now being phased out.
“We need systemic funding,” said Marc Jaffe, chief executive of Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County. Jaffe said state subsidies, which cover about $8,900 per student at
his facilities, would need to rise to $14,500 per student in order to stabilize his operation. “That will create a sustainable funding stream for the industry. That will allow us to invest, increase wages, and make us able to at least [be on] a somewhat more level playing field.”
Lamont, who has repeatedly emphasized fiscal discipline even as the state’s surplus reaches record levels, said Friday that he’s open to increased funding for child care if the panel recommends it. “We do a
lot of subsidies, perhaps we ought to be doing even more, ” he said. “We’ll hear from each and every one of you on that.”
The governor painted the panel initiative as a response to federal promises that never materialized. “I was really hoping the feds were going to step up and make day care universally available,” he said, flanked at the podium Friday by many of the panel’s members. “As we’re waiting for that day, what can we as a state do? That’s why you guys are here.”
Connecticut was one of 20 states that made a bid for an early primary to the Democratic National Committee, which had made clear it was intent on shaking up the primary calendar by raising the profile of states with populations more diverse than the early primary caucus state of Iowa and primary state of New Hampshire. State legislatures set the dates in conjunction with the politi-
cal parties and sometimes at odds with them. The parties establish a window for the states to hold their primaries, which can only be enforced by threatening to deprive states of delegate spots if they do not comply.
The Democrats’ new calendar would strip New Hampshire of its first-in-the-nation primary status by scheduling South Carolina for Feb. 3, Nevada and New Hampshire for Feb. 6, Georgia for Feb. 13, and Michigan for Feb. 27.
New Hampshire is expected to defy the Democrats’ new calendar, since state law requires its presidential primary to be at least seven days before any other state’s primary.
Republicans still would begin with a New Hampshire primary on Feb. 13.
Even with a primary on April 2, Connecticut still would be relatively late. In addition to the five states with February primaries, another 14 will hold primaries on March 5, dubbed “Super Tuesday.”
The Super Tuesday lineup includes the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, along with delegate-rich California and Texas.
The other issue on which DiNardo and Proto agree is money. They want the maximum contributions to the state party to be raised from $10,000 to $15,000.
“Our small donors are our lifeblood, and they really make our party hum,” Proto said. “But our maximum donors are also instrumental in helping us pay our everyday costs, and like any other business, and we do have a business side of this, our cost to do business has increased over the last 10 or 12 years. And we needed an opportunity to be able to pay for those costs as well.”
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Five (5) to ten (10) years of increasingly responsible technical & supervisory experience in public or private administrative or human resources management, or any combination of training & experience. Salary: DOE/DOQ. Interested candidates must apply NLT the close of business on 4-10-23. Town of Cheshire is EEOE, M/F/D/V
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Salary: $137,774 to $176,287 annually, plus an excellent fringe benefits package that includes medical insurance, pension plan, paid sick and vacation time. Applications may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of April 17, 2023. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax:
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The closing date will be the date that the 50th application form/ resume is received, or April 10, 2023, whichever occurs first. EOE
RECYCLE YOUR OLD NEWSPAPERS Please & Thank you. A Classified ad is an easy way to sell your merchandise, and it’s easy on your wallet, too. Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted
As Connecticut’s most comprehensive online job board, CTjobs.com attracts the most qualified local job seekers in almost every category throughout the state. With thousands of career candidate profiles, it’s the one place to find the employees you need.
Right here:
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
BERLIN LIQUOR PERMIT
Notice of Application
This is to give notice that I, KAITLIN L KENNEDY 152 RAYNOR ST SOUTHINGTON, CT 06489-4722
Have filed an application placarded 03/22/2023 with the Department of Consumer Protection for a RESTAURANT LIQUOR PERMIT for the sale of alcoholic liquor on the premises at 9 STEELE BLVD BERLIN, CT 06037
The business will be owned by: 9 STEEL LLC
Entertainment will consist of: Acoustics (not amplified)
Objections must be filed by 05-03-2023
KAITLIN L KENNEDY R259812
BOXER PUPPIES - Brindle/black, 2 males, 1 female avail. Call (860) 329-4210
YORKIE POM PUPPIES -
Ready now. 1st shots & wormed. $750 ea. Call 603.630.2258.
Water Control Commission
240 Kensington Road • Berlin, CT 06037 Office (860) 828-7065 • Fax (860) 828-7180
Public Hearing Notice
Notice is hereby given to Berlin Water Control Customers that the Water Control Commission will hold a Public Hearing Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Room 120, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT to consider the following amendment for adoption:
Appendix A to Part 1, Section 1
Section A-1 Water Rate Schedule - per 100 cubic feet
GRASSY HILL AUC
Appendix A to Part II, Section 2
Section A-1 Sewer Use Charge- per 100 cubic feet
TOP CASH PAID For any Toyota any condition, running or not, crashed okay. Will take other makes and models. (203) 600-4431.
TOP CASH PAID
For Junk or unwanted vehicles, Toyota’s etc. Please call Mike @ 203284-8562 8am-5pm.
* Re-payment of State Loans for various projects.
At this meeting, interested persons may be heard and written communications may be received. The last rate increase was effective January 1, 2019. The effective date of the new rate would be April 1, 2023.
NEW MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR - Permobile M3 Corpus. Best offer. (203) 2353794.
TREE LENGTH
FIREWOOD CALL FOR DETAILS
MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION
Screened Topsoil $25/ per yd; Sand-$18 per yd; Millings-$22 per yd; Screened Millings $30 per yd; $100 minimum delivery. No pickup truck service. Minimum 16 yd pickup at our yard. Call Jim @ 860-982-4819 for delivery
ALWAYS BUYING CASH PAIDVintage Electronics, Musical Instruments, Amps, Ham Equipment, HiFi, Radios, CB, Guitars, Audio Equipment, Antiques. 860-707-9350
ALWAYS TOP CASHFor Your Grandma’s Costume Jewelry Stash. I’ll Come to You. Julie, 203-443-9602.
ANTIQUES WANTEDComic books, toys, adv. signs, military items, motorcyles, mini bikes, etc. All items considered, appraisal & estate sale services, incl. clean-outs. 40 years exp. Call or text, Gary at 203-237-4124.
Call Jim 860-982-4819
ANTIQUES - Always buying old; Toys, military, jewelry, art, watches, musical instruments, signs, arcade games, cameras, pre 1970 sports memorabilia, plus more. One item or entire estate contents. Call 860718-5132.
BUYING MACHINIST TOOLBOXES - Tools & tooling, contents of machine shops, home workshops and small lathes. Call anytime 860-985-5760
TIONS, Sale, Liquidation, Attic & Basement Cleanout Company is Always Buying and providing services all over Con necticut. These are just a FEW of the things we are looking for: An tiques, Collectibles, Old/ Vintage Toys, Mu sical Instruments (Sax ophones, Trumpets, Vi olins, Flutes, Clarinets, Trombone & SO MUCH MORE) Advertising Items, Wristwatches (Broken or Not), Pocket Watches, Tools (Ma chinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Pho tographs, Old Post cards, Brewery Items, Hunting & Fishing, PEZ Dispensers, Costume Jewelry, Broken Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uni forms, Pocket Knives, Lighters & Pipes, Foun tain Pens, Mechanical Pencils, Fraternal Or Items, Religious Items, Industrial Items, Win chester Items, Sikorsky Items, Pratt & Whitney Items, Colt Items, Na tive American Items, Vintage Electronics, Slot Cars, T Matchbox & Hot wheels, Barbie’s, Folk Art, Statues, Bronzes, Trains, Cameras, Mid Century Modern Fur niture, Straight Razors, Shaving Items, Political Items, Comic Books, Sports Cards & Auto graphs…& THE LIST GOES ON! So please give us a call at your earliest convenience. Grassy Hill Auctions 203-868-1816 - Grassy HillAuctions.com
PREMIER ESTATE JEW ELRY buying your fine jewel ry, watches, coin col lections, silver flatware, and costume jewelry. Call Bill, (203) 4942496.
TIMELESS TREASURES ESTATE AUCTIONS
Is looking to purchase estate contents. From single items to entire estates. Clean-out ser vices available. Call Bill (203) 494-2496.
SPRING SPECIALS -
Whole House up to 5 rms. $269. 6’ sofa, $109. CarpetCare Solutions, 203.427.5165.
Give
porches. We can repair or replace stairs, deck boards, railings. We also construct new decks. HIC#647093 Insured. Call Bill for a free
mate, (203) 901-2136.
A pressureless house washing system can save you money, ask how! The Power-Washing Kings. House & roof washing, decks, patios, etc. Others Wash We Clean! 860.839.1000
thepowerwashing kings.com GARY WODATCH - Tree Removal. All calls returned. CT# 620397. Quick courteous service. 860-558-5430.
Insurance claim.storm damage.roofing.siding. gutter.chimney flashing. Office:203.754.3071
Cell:203.510.3830
Stormshieldct@gmail. com HIC.0664452 TEC
RT RELOCATION
Your moving and storage specialists. Call for a free estimate. 833-668-3978.
GARY WODATCH
Hedge & tree trimming. Trim overgrown properties. Calls returned. #620397. 860.558.5430
ALEX EUROPEAN MASONRY - 30 yrs. exp. Patios, ret. walls, steps, brick, stone, chimneys. Lic#580443. 203-2320257 or 203-596-0652
HOME DOCTOR - 48 yrs exp. Odd jobs & remodeling, former US Navy, 15 yrs, #640689, 203.427.7828.
OVER 28 YEARS EXP Stonewalls, patios, sidewalks, chimneys, pool areas, fireplaces, fire pit steps, all types of masonry work. Free est. (860) 274-4893.
Specializing in tree removal, trimming, chipping & grinding. Call for free estimate. 203-945-1808.
The post continues: “We are grateful to the state legislature, corporate funders and individuals who recognize the importance of our state’s rich history and the many smaller museums that creatively engage the public with stories that not only foster a sense of place and pride in where we live, but make our state more attractive to those who visit here.”
In all, 724 Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants totaling more than $8.5 million were announced. Administered by CT Humanities, such grants “are designed to help the state’s museums, cultural, humanities, and arts organizations maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public, connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content, and improve their information technology and digital infrastructure.”
