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Volume 14, Number 32
Friday, August 9, 2019
Kataria Classic rolls into its sixth year By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
Southington brothers Kunal and Rohan Kataria started the Kataria Classic as teenagers and their tennis tournament continues to grow entering its sixth year. Kunal and Rohan, now both college students at UConn, are both Southington High School gradates and have always pushed for a family atmosphere at their event each year.
day and will run through Sunday on the courts of Southington High School.
Kunal Kataria
Rohan Kataria
The fun has caught on as the event has drawn more than 100 players in the last three years. This year’s festivities were set to begin on Thurs-
“After the Kenny Hill Jr. Memorial Tournament ended, we wanted to play more tennis in the summer so we decided to start this tournament,” Rohan Kataria said. “As the years have gone on, we realized we can raise money for charities.” Hands of Hartford is the Katarias’ charity of choice this summer. The funds
raised at the tennis tournament with benefit the charity’s Backpack Nutrition Program. “We wanted a charity to help with social issues,” Rohan Kataria said. “With a small program like this in Hartford to help 229 kids, we feel we can make a difference. The charity gives an incentive to the players that their money makes a real difference. It makes it more tangible.” The goal for the brothers is
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Town leaders and at least one business owner are pleased with plans for a major facelift and safety improvements for downtown Plantsville scheduled to begin next year.
Library assistants Jessica St. Pierre, left, and Susan Meneo, right, work at the front desk of the Southington Public Library on May 6. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal file photo
Library leaders select firm The library board on Monday night unanimously chose a Farmington architectural firm to draw up plans for a new or renovated library.
Kunal, 22, and Rohan, 20, each have aspirations in education. Rohan is in his third year at UConn and is studying psychology. Kunal, in his fifth year, is going to be a teacher post graduation. Earlier in the summer, the duo assisted Matt Wayton and the Wayton Open, which runs about a month See Tennis, A2
Downtown Plantsville improvement project discussed by officials
RENOVATION PROJECT
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
to raise $2,500 for 300 backpacks for children in need.
The board recommended a contract with QA+M Architecture. The hire must be approved by the Town Council, which is scheduled to meet next week. A planning committee interviewed four See Library, A3
In addition to cosmetic changes, such as new lights and sidewalk pavers, the $2.75 million state project will adjust several roads in the downtown area, install bollards for pedestrians and widen sidewalks. On Aug. 1, the town’s public works committee had a public information meeting with Weston & Sampson planners, the firm designing the project. A South Main Street property owner, Michael Mordarski, was the only Plantsville property owner in atten-
dance. He’s been to all the planning meetings and said they were well attended. Business and property owners helped choose the styles of bollards, lights, and trash cans. The bollards will prevent sidewalk parking, a common though illegal occurrence in Plantsville. Mordarski, who owns commercial buildings, said he requested some street parking near his buildings. On-street parking has been important to some downtown business owners. “If (customers) can’t pull right up to it, they’re not going to stop,” he said. Mordarski was pleased with the overall design of the project, although at Thursday’s meeting he said he had trouble reaching the company currently working on water main replacement work. The See Project, A4