The Cheshire Citizen

Book clubs flourish at area libraries as new year begins

By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

With the new year in full swing, people may be looking for ways to get back into reading and one way to do this is through book clubs offered by area public libraries.

Cheshire

Lauren Gledhill, head of adult services, said the Cheshire Public Library offers three book clubs

Books Over Coffee, Books Over Cocoa and Murder by the Book Mystery Book Club.

Books Over Coffee and Books Over Cocoa read the same book, with Books Over Coffee taking place during the afternoon and Books Over Cocoa taking place in the evening.

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‘Right to Read’ legislation sparks concern

By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

After passage of ‘Right to Read’ legislation in 2021, the State Department of Education has approved the implementation of specific reading curricula and programs for kindergarten through third grade by July 1 of this year.

However, many districts across the state are opting to submit a waiver to continue to offer their current curricula.

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Lawmakers take oath, begin talks

By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff

The local area’s state legislative delegation took their oaths of office last week. They included two freshmen legislators in state Sen. Jan Hochadel, a Democrat representing Meriden, Cheshire, Middletown and Middlefield in the 13th Senate District, and Jonathan “Jack” Fazzino, the Berlin Democrat now representing the 83rd House District, which includes parts of Meriden, Berlin and Cheshire.

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Cindy Haiken, readers’ advisory librarian, holds the book “Middlemarch” by George Eliot; the featured read for the Hibernation Book Club at the Wallingford Public Library.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

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This is because Books Over Cocoa will give people who work during the day the opportunity to get to join a book club. Books Over Cocoa started in October.

These two book clubs are reading “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times” by Katherine May. Books Over Coffee will meet Jan. 25 from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. and Books Over Cocoa will take place 7 to 8 p.m. in The Loft.

The Murder by the Book Mystery Book Club will be reading “Light on the Bone” by Kathryn Lasky and will meet 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Zoom. Barbara Ritchie, a Cheshire community member, is the host of the book club.

For all three of the book clubs, registration is done through the library’s website.

Gledhill said that Books Over Coffee is a popular book club at the library and it started in April 2019. “For some reason the daytime book clubs people really like in this community,” Gledhill said. “I’ve tried doing evening ones and weekend ones myself over the last year or so and very few people showed up to them.”

Therefore, Books Over Cocoa is getting a slow start. Gledhill said the library might shift the format of it, but for now, it will be reading the same book as Books Over Coffee. “Books Over Coffee is definitely our number one, our flagship book club,” Gledhill said.

Wallingford

This year is the start of a new book club at the Wallingford Public Library called the Hibernation Book Club. Cindy Haiken, readers’ advisory librarian, said this new

book club was inspired by questions made by people who attended the Classics Book Club last year.

“A few people last year said, ‘You know, do you think we might ever read something really long and complicated?’” Haiken said.

Haiken replied by saying that with how the Classics Book Club operates, they wouldn’t have enough time to discuss a very long novel. The Classics Book Club meets three times a year and its next session is Feb. 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Collins Room and via Zoom. They will be discussing the book “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte.

Haiken didn’t want to change how the Classics Book Club is run because some people who attend the Classics Book Club may not want to read a long novel.

So, she created the Hibernation Book Club, a book club that will pick one book a year and discuss it over six sessions that will take place every other week through the winter season. The first session is Jan. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Board Room and over Zoom.

“Something really big and complicated and break it down into sections,” Haiken said.

When Haiken came up with

the initial idea of the Hibernation Book Club, she sent out a survey to the Classics Book Club attendees, asking them if they liked her idea, how often they would like to meet, what time of day would they like to meet and what book, out of some suggestions, they would like to read.

The first book the club is reading is “Middlemarch” by George Eliot. Haiken said “this was the overwhelming favorite of the survey responses. ”

“That’s almost a 900 page book, but when she wrote it, she wrote it in eight books, eight separate books so none is more than 120 pages long,” Haiken said.

For the first meeting next week, Haiken said everyone will just need to have read the first book, which is 105 pages. For the next meetings, Haiken said participants will need to read one or two of the next books, depending on how she set up the meetings.

See Books, A5 People wait

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OWL: A wise way for 60+ to meet

Submitted

Cheshire-based On With Life is a social group for people age 60-plus who are without partners due to death or divorce. If you’re finding it difficult to move on with life after being uncoupled, OWL would love to have you attend one of its events. The group hopes to provide social options not available elsewhere.

Various programs are scheduled each month, and are usually held on Mondays or Fridays. Over the three years of OWL’s existence, the group has covered topics of interest to senior citizens with guest speakers and explored the state to discover experiences that many never knew existed, while growing friendships.

OWL concluded 2022 with 21 members joining together for a holiday lunch at Bella’Gios restaurant. Travels in 2022 included a visit to the Hartford Flavor Company for a vodka tasting and lunch at the Parkville Market; a trip to the Carousel and Fire Museum and lunch at the Polish Plate; trips to the New England Air Museum and the Collinsville Antiques Store; a Lighthouse Cruise out of New London and lunch at Captain Scott’s Lobster Pound; a trip to the Wadsworth Atheneum for the Milton Avery Exhibit; and many other excursions.

To learn more about OWL, email CheshireOwl2020@ gmail.com or check out the group at facebook.com/ cheshireowl.

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From

“At this point, we have significant concerns about the state basically dictating what program we’ll use to teach students the curriculum,” said Jeff Solan, superintendent of Cheshire Public Schools. “I fully appreciate that the state can articulate what the standards should be, but not how we should teach it. So at this point, we’re going to be pursuing the waiver process.”

In June 2021, the Right to Read legislation was passed as part of Sections 394-404 of the Budget Implementer Bill (Public Act No. 21-22).

“The legislation systematizes a statewide reading response based on the Science of Reading by requiring the state to oversee all state and local efforts related to literacy, including setting reading curriculum requirements for districts, providing professional development, hiring external literacy coaches and coordinating with teacher preparation programs,” according to the legislation’s website. “A newly established Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success (The Center) will be the hub of that work.”

The Center has various components to its legislative mandates, including establishing the center itself, creating universal K-3 reading assessments and more.

At a webinar hosted by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education on Friday, state Department of Education representatives shared that prior to the pandemic, 54% of Connecticut public school students in third grade were proficient

in English language arts (ELA). This means that about 17,000 students in the state’s public schools were not proficient.

Now, after the pandemic, the proficiency rate is 47%, so around 19,000 students are not proficient in ELA.

In Meriden, Daniel Crisipino, director of school leadership for the elementary schools, said kindergarten and first grade classes

have adopted one of the approved curricula.

“It was really nothing that shocked us,” Crisipino said.

For grades two and three, Crisipino said the district has its own “homegrown” curriculum, so they will be putting in a waiver to continue to offer this program.

“It’s a close read model,” Crisipino said. “... We use a lot of programs that give kids multiple opportunities to be

able to close that gap, the reading achievement gap, which is really a big piece of what the whole legislation is.”

As of Friday, the state had approved seven curriculum models/programs, with two more being under review. However, district leaders opting to submit a waiver, due Feb. 28 by 5 p.m., would require the district to submit:

Data collected from reading assessments that are disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, eligibility for free or reduced price lunches, students whose primary language is not English and students with disabilities.

A strategy to address remaining achievement gaps as the existence of a significant disparity in the academic performance of students among and between racial groups, ethnic groups, socioeconomic groups, genders and English language learners and students whose primary language is English.

Along with this, districts must demonstrate that their reading curriculum/model is evidenced-based and scientifically based. It must also focus on areas of reading including: oral language,

Teacher Laura Banas works with third-grade students, from left, Jackson Laferriere, 8, Elias Daidai, 8, Nadine Johnson, 8, and Gavin Nadeau, 8, during a reading lesson at Israel PutnamElementarySchoolinMeridenonFriday,Jan.6.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

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The idea of the Hibernation Book Club is to be a way to help people read long books that they have always wanted to read, but have been apprehensive about starting because of its length.

“‘Middlemarch’ is commonly referred to as one of the great classic novels of all of English literature, but it’s very intimidating if you start it,” Haiken said. “... I think there’s also a feeling that reading something really complicated with a group of other people will help make it easier.”

Along with the Hibernation Book Club and the Classics Book Club, the Wallingford Public Library offers a Thursday Night Book Club, which will be meeting Jan.

19, 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Collins Room and through Zoom. The club will be reading “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett.

There is also a Mystery Book Club meeting Feb. 1 from 3 to 4:14 p.m. in the Community Room and on Zoom. The group will be reading “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett. To join, email cshmurak@ gmail.com.

Lastly, the library offers a Truth Be Told Nonfiction Book Club that will meet Jan. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Board Room, and via Zoom. The group will be reading “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau.

To join the other book clubs Truth Be Told, Hibernation, Classics and Thursday Night, email Haiken at chaiken@wallingfordlibrary.org.

Meriden

The Meriden Public Library has two book clubs taking place this month.

The first one is called “What’s Next” where they will be discussing “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” by Fiona Davis. The meeting was scheduled for Jan. 11, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The other club is called the BookTok Book Club and will meet Jan. 17 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. At this meeting, the group will be discussing “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas.

Jane Connolly, reference librarian, said that the BookTok Book Club discusses “books that have trended on social media, including TikTok and Instagram.” She said that while the BookTok club is geared toward younger people, anyone can attend any of the book clubs that

are offered at the library. People can register on the library’s website to attend the meetings.

Southington

According to the Southington Public Library’s website, there are two book clubs meeting this month.

The Reading with Pride book club was scheduled to meet Jan. 10, 6 to 7 p.m., in the library cafe to discuss

“Gideon the Ninth,” the first book in Tamsyn Muir’s Locked Tomb Series.

The Southington library’s other book club, The Historical Fiction Book Club, will meet Jan. 13 in the library cafe from 10 to 11 a.m. to discuss “A Thousand Ships,” by Natalie Haynes.

Registration can be done online, through the library’s website

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More Local Coverage

Finding purpose

Friday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to noon, learn more about physical changes that come with aging and what we can do, mental changes and how to combat them, and how to continue to live an active and engaging life as we age. Presented by Erica Bruno, exercise physiologist, Hartford HealthCare, GoodLife Fitness. Registration is required. Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

Arbor Rose

Arbor Rose at Jerome Home, an independent and assisted living community located at 975 Corbin Ave., New

Britain, will host an open house Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is recommended. To reserve a time, call 860-2293707.

Proper posture

Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to noon, learn how poor posture can lead to numerous muscular-skeletal problems, including back pain, neck pain and joint issues, as well as what you can do to improve it. Presented by Michelle Boisvert, exercise physiologist, Hartford HealthCare GoodLife Fitness. Registration is required. Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

In Brief

Senior Health

Mulberry Gardens

Mulberry Gardens, an independent and assisted living community located at 58 Mulberry St. in Southington, will host an open house Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. Registration is recommended. To reserve a time, call 860-276-1020.

Healthy Brain Series

The Healthy Brain Series takes place Thursdays, Jan. 12, 19 and 26, and Feb. 2 and 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St. Topics include: Session 1. Challenge Your Mind Daily: Activities to Keep Your Mind Sharp; Session 2. Feed-

ing the Brain: The Importance of Diet and Hydration; Session 3. Benefits of a Purposeful Life: Finding Meaningful Engagement as You Age; Session 4. Good Sleep and Brain Power: The Importance of Sleep and Your Brain; and Session 5. The

Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. Registration is required. Call 1-855-4424373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

March for Peace

A MLK Day Children’s March for Peace will take place Monday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. Marchers and families will assemble at St. Peter’s church, where the life and teachings of Dr. King will be celebrated. The march will then travel through the streets of Cheshire, ending at the Town Green. Afterwards, lunch will be served at St. Peter’s.

All are invited to participate in the Children’s March for Peace events. A donation of a non-perishable food item is encouraged.

Suicide prevention

A free, virtual suicide prevention gatekeepeer training is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 6:45 to 7:40 p.m. To register, email kglendon@chesprocott.org.

From Law

Also representing Meriden, as part of its state delegation were House Democrats Hilda Santiago, 84th District, and Michael Quinn, 82nd District. Both had run unopposed in their bids for reelection last November.

Legislative committee assignments and leadership roles for all four lawmakers also were announced recently.

For example, Fazzino was appointed as an assistant majority leader. He also was named vice chair of the legislature’s Commerce Committee as well as a member of its General Law and Public Safety and Security committees. Meanwhile, House colleague Santiago will retain her role as assistant deputy speaker pro-tempore. Santiago was also named as a member of the

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee; the Government Administration and Elections Committee; Human Services Committee; and the Joint Committee on Legislative Management.

Those committee assignments are unchanged from Santiago’s prior legislative roles.

Santiago said her priorities for this session include ensuring that the state funding Meriden receives through state programs like the Education Cost Sharing Grant is not reduced during budget talks.

“That’s when sometimes deals are made, there are cuts it becomes, let’s give less to the mid-sized cities, like Meriden . give them less funding through ECS,” Santiago said, explaining she would seek to prevent such cuts from occurring. Santiago described one of her tasks will be continuing to monitor where those funds

are going to ensure the city receives its full share of promised state aid.

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Meanwhile, in Santiago’s role on the Human Services Committee, which oversees all matters related to the state Department of Social

Services and the Department of Aging and Disability Services, she will monitor staffing shortages statewide and locally that are implementing agencies that work with those populations. One such organization that Santi-

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Law, A12

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phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid automatic name or letter name fluency, reading comprehension and phonemic awareness.

At the webinar hosted by CABE Friday, Melissa K. Wlodarczyk Hickey, director of the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success for the state Department of Education, said that all waivers will have to undergo a review process.

“Reviewers may have questions so it may become more of a back and forth than just a, ‘This is what you provided to us to review, therefore that’s all we’re going to be looking at,’” Hickey said. “So right now we really can’t assign a date because we want to make sure we’re doing each and every review in a very meticulous way.”

Hickey did ensure that the districts who submit waivers will hear back by the July 1 deadline of when the new curricula has to be adopted.

Superintendent Danielle Bellizzi of Wallingford Public Schools said her district is also planning on submitting a waiver, but at the Dec. 19, Board of Education meeting,

Carrie LaTorre, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said the district will continue reviewing the state recommended plans due to not knowing when the district will hear back from the state.

“We firmly believe that we align with the science of reading and what we’re doing is best practiced for students,” LaTorre said. “We feel that after looking at some of these programs, in a lot of areas what we’re doing we feel the materials are a better fit for our students.”

Tammy Raccio, chair of Wallingford’s board of education, said that the district has been working with Liter-

acy How, a nonprofit that goes into the schools to teach teachers how to properly teach students how to read, for about four years.

According to a survey by Education Week Research Center, 65% of higher education professors teach the threecueing system, which is not in line with the scientific evidence base around teaching reading.

“The fundamental problem

here is not just getting a better boxed program, one of the 6 or 7 that the state picked out,” Raccio said. “The state really needs to look at the reading programs in the higher education institutions.”

In case the waiver doesn’t pan out, LaTorre said she has “earmarked” a budget of$700,000.

“It is for K through three, so that’s four grade levels and,

you know, each program has its core program and then the a la carte that comes with it,” LaTorre said. “... We haven’t bought an elementary program in quite a few years. ”

At the webinar, Hickey did mention that the state is hoping to offer grants for districts to assist with the costs of purchasing materials.

“We were very fortunate, the Black and Puerto Rican caucus were able to devote some of the ARPA funding from the governor’s office, from the state level, to the Connecticut State Department of Education to support district local and regional Boards of Education to support the legislation around the (Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success),” Hickey said. “It is $25 million over the next two years, so approximately $12.5 million each year. The intent of that money is to support all of the legislation initiatives.”

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Student Zahira Galindo, 8, works in her third-grade class on Friday, Jan. 6 during a reading lesson at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

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Cheshire, Southington police create auto crime task force

Record-Journal staff

Southington and Cheshire police departments are collaborating in an effort to reduce the number of vehicular theft crimes in the two neighboring communities.

Connecticut’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program groups property crimes such as burglary, larceny and auto theft together, making it difficult to get exact numbers, but police Chief Neil Dryfe says there has been a recent uptick in car-related crime and the department is taking steps to address the situation.

In his data analysis, Dryfe saw that the numbers are up significantly over the past five to six years. To pick just two data points, in 2012 eight vehicles were stolen in Cheshire, in 2021, there were 42. The numbers are slightly down so far this this year.

To help combat the issue, the department has been working in conjunction the Southington Police Department to form a task force aimed at deterring and limiting the number of incidents.

Working with Southington is a “force-multiplier” according to Dryfe as the local police are not limited to the four corners of Cheshire. Additionally, coordinated detective work can accomplish a lot, he said.

Cheshire Town Council recently authorized the department to apply for a $35,000 state grant to focus on auto-related crime. This will allow for what Drye called “proactive patrols.”

Dryfe said automobile crime refers not only to stolen cars, but all types of theft from cars, including catalytic converters. A stolen car, can become a tool for other illicit

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activities, said the chief referencing an incident of a car theft in Wallingford that led to a drive-by purse-snatching in Meriden where a victim was dragged under the car.

When vehicles are recovered they are processed for prints and DNA. Other evidence also may be found that can produce leads to other crimes and help solve them, he said.

An analysis of the town’s incidents map shows that thefts are “inconsistent and sporadic,” making surveillance and prevention more difficult.

These insidents are often crimes of opportunity, said the chief describing comon sense measures that can reduce risk.

Dryfe said the vast majority of auto thefts don’t involve forced entry. What often occurs is that the perpetrator wiil go into driveways and try doors until finding one that is unlocked. To reduce the risk of loss, Dryfe recommends always keeping the doors of vehicles locked and not storing valuables in cars.

Other prevention tips Dryfe mentioned include: not keeping your car running when you stop at the convenience store; and locking doors even when you’re at the pump because a purse or handbag on the passenger seat is easy to reach in and grab. He related an incident when a victim left their car unattended at a gas pump and the perpetrator jumped in and drove off, snapping off the gas hose still connected to the vehicle.

State Walmart stores are going bagless

Press Release

As of July 2021, Connecticut state law banned single-use plastic bags. Now, Walmart is taking it a step further by eliminating all single-use plastic and paper bags at checkouts across the state beginning Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Delivery will continue to utilize paper bags, and stores will continue providing single-use bags in areas that prevent food contamination or as required by law.

“Eliminating single-use bags in Connecticut is part of our effort to reduce waste,” said Jane Ewing, senior vice president of Walmart Sustainability. “Our customers want to be engaged on this journey, and we remain committed to making the sustainable choice the everyday choice.”

To make the transition easier for its customers, Walmart will continue to offer a wide array of reusable bags and containers that can be found throughout stores and at checkout areas for purchase. Stores have added signing, social posts on store Facebook pages, and messaging on the Walmart App to remind customers of the upcoming changes. Additionally, Walmart makes it easy for customers to recycle their end-of-life plastic and reusable bags by providing recycling containers located in the store’s vestibule area.

As of June 2022, Walmart has eliminated paper and plastic bags in Canada and Mexico, and Vermont, Maine and New Jersey in the U.S. Beginning this month, Walmart will expand these efforts to include bagless stores in New York and Colorado, as well as Connecticut.

By going bagless in these six states, Walmart avoids the use of over 1.2 billion plastic and paper bags every year.

Savings talk

Tired of living in a drafty home? Tired of spending a fortune to heat and cool your home? Want to know which improvements pay for themselves quickly? These questions, and many more, will be addressed in a Wednesday, Feb. 1 talk at Cheshire’s First Congregational Church. The program is free, and begins at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Walter Gayeski, a Cheshire resident, has some 25 years of experience making homes more comfortable, cost-efficient, and environmentally-ethical. His Feb. 1 talk is sponsored by Cheshire Creation Care and the Environmental Justice Team of First Congregational Church. For more information, call 203-272-5323.

Ski club

The North Haven Ski Club encourages people interested in winter sports (skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, tubing, snowshoeing) to join and take advantage of the great discounts offered to members. Contact Annette Murphy at 203-927-3071 or dapdmurph@aol.com.

Bereavement support

Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc., offers the bereavement support program “A Pathway Through Grief” at no charge to participants. The next eightweek session is scheduled for Thursdays, beginning Jan. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Cheshire Senior Center, 240 Maple Ave. RSVP to Bob Havens at 860-480-1655 or havensvo67@aol.com.

Law

From A8

Fazzino, who is employed as an attorney and also serves on the Berlin Town Council, prevailed last November over Meriden Republican Lou Arata in a close contest for the 83rd District seat.

Fazzino said a message he heard during the swearing in ceremony that was communicated by House majority and minority party leaders was to respect the legislative process and to strive to reach bipartisan consensus.

Fazzino said small businesses were an important focus of his campaign, as such he “definitely wanted to do” what he could to be named to the Commerce Committee, which he noted has a reputation for being bipartisan. As the committee’s vice chairman, Fazzino said he’s already begun discussions with its House chairman around long-term planning for the state.

“We both agree there’s more we can do to expand opportunities,” Fazzino, noting all three communities that make up the 83rd district are looking to bolster economic development.

Public safety is another “essential issue ” for those communities, Fazzino said.

“We want safe streets and safe neighborhoods. We have to make sure we’re supporting our law enforcement, our first responders, to make sure they have tools at their disposal,” Fazzino said, describing the issue of providing police support and protection from harm as things he hopes to address.

Retention of police officers is a legislative topic that Fazzino said he’s already had some discussions around.

“That’s something I really want to focus on, ” Fazzino said, noting he brings the local Berlin perspective and is beginning to develop a relationship with Meriden police officials.

“We definitely need a lot of support on that front. We want to cut down on turnover,” Fazzino said.

Fazzino said coming from a background in local government he knows “how important it is to develop relationships with your advocates at the state and federal levels.”

“I’ve made it a priority to develop a good working relationship with local officials in Meriden, Berlin and

Cheshire,” Fazzino said, adding his goal is to “keep the lines of communication going.”

He encouraged constituents and local leaders to reach out with their items of concern by email at jack.fazzino@ cga.ct.gov.

Quinn, like Fazzino, was named a House assistant majority leader. Quinn also was named as vice chair of the Judiciary Committee and a member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee and will continue to serve as a member of the Public Safety and Security Committee.

Quinn told the Record-Journal that vice chairing the Judiciary Committee “will definitely be a greater responsibility for me.” The role will include chairing public hearings during certain periods as well as chairing committee meetings when the chair is not available.

“I am honored to have been asked to be vice chair of the judiciary committee. I think it would be a good experience, ” Quinn said, noting he brings 24 years of law practice experience to that role.

When asked about the legislature’s priorities, Quinn said the session is still in its infancy from the standpoints of both the judiciary and public safety committees.

“We’re expecting a package of gun legislation to come from the governor’s office that we’re hearing is going to be comprehensive. I’m not sure what changes are being proposed,” Quinn said.

Quinn said he has not submitted any proposed legislation as of yet. Two years earlier, he did submit a bill that would expand workers’ compensation benefits, that would allow injured workers to collect additional benefits for a certain period of time, even if their injuries have not rendered them totally unable to work. That previous bill was adopted by the Labor Committee, but was not acted on by House lawmakers. Quinn indicated he might renew his pursuit of that bill.

On the Senate side, Hochadel, meanwhile, won election to the 13th District seat in a contest against Meriden Republican Joseph Vollano.

It is Hochadel’s first term in public office.

Hochadel was named as Senate chair of the Aging Committee, and Senate vice chair of the Environment Committee.

Hochadel has worked as an educator in the state’s technical high school system, as well as an engineer for companies including Omega Engineering in Stamford and Pfizer in Wallingford and New York, according to a news release issued by her office last week.

While in office, Hochadel, a Meriden resident, will continue to serve out at least her current term as president of the American Federation of Teachers CT the state’s second largest teachers ’ union.

Hochadel, in an emailed statement to the Record-Journal, stated that prior to her bid for the 13th District seat, she had engaged fellow union leaders about how that position would impact her role as AFT Connecticut president.

“They were familiar conversations for years, members of affiliated local unions have been stepping up to run for elected office at all levels of government,” Hochadel stated. “We have supported them as part of our grassroots ‘labor is your neighbor’ political program.

“We also discussed the importance of avoiding any potential conflict of interest with my duties and responsibilities. This was a shared priority among members of AFT Connecticut’s executive committee and they put their faith in me by endorsing my candidacy.

“I also had similar conversations with State Senate leadership and they agreed it was a priority. That’s why the committees I’ve since been assigned to don’t have any direct correlation to the policy concerns of our union members,” Hochadel stated.

Hochadel was not named as a member of either of the legislature’s Education or Labor and Public Employees committees, both of which would have correlated to her current union work.

Her committee memberships are the Housing, Banking, Commerce and Planning & Development.

“Having served as state federation president for seven years and previously for six leading a local union I understand the importance of maintaining the trust of those I represent. That applies equally to my role in the labor movement as well as in the General Assembly,” Hochadel stated.

mgagne@record-journal.com 203-317-2231

Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ

In Cheshire, Solan said that at this time, the district is not budgeting to implement a new reading curriculum for K-3.

“To just adopt a program is not something that we enter lightly,” Solan said. “It takes a lot of money to either buy the program and train the teachers that we have in implementing that program, so at this point, we’re hopeful that there might be some legislative intervention or that the state Department of Education may kind of shift their stance.”

Southington Public Schools is also going to be pursuing the waiver option, said Superintendent Steven Madancy.

“The district has invested substantial time and funds, both in materials and related professional development, over the past 15 years and it would be a shame to see that go by the wayside and

force the district to abandon a curriculum that we have made an enormous investment in to adopt one of five approved programs used by only 11 of 164 districts across the state with a very history of success at this point,” Madancy said.

Both Raccio and Madancy told the Record-Journal that the implementation of this new program is coming at the peak of budget season.

“The list of approved programs wasn’t released until late September providing little to no time for districts to properly vet or budget for inclusion in a fiscal year 2024 budget and the waiver wasn’t released until Dec. 15,” Madancy said. “Given the late release of the waiver, and little time for the district to even consider a stance, coupled with the enormous costs associated with this unfunded mandate, how can the state expect any district who may not already be using one of these five programs to be able to adhere to this legislation within the established timelines. Be-

cause of this, many superintendents I have discussed this with have indicated that they will be pursuing waivers or extensions.”

As a result of this legislation, Frances Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), sent a letter to Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker to propose solutions in regards to the Right to Read Legislation.

Some of these including not requiring the districts to purchase instructional materials, having the state Department of Education work with school district leaders and reading specialists to identify and approve curriculum models, not new materials, to support reading success and accept and grant waiver applications from districts who have curricula that are:

Evidence-based and scientifically based; focused on the competency of these areas of reading: oral language, phonemic awareness, fluen-

cy, vocabulary, rapid automatic name or letter name fluency; reading comprehension; and phonics.

“CAPSS members have long valued their collaborative, productive working relationship with the CSDE,” Rabinowitz wrote. “This relationship has been sorely tested by the actions and edicts set forth in the September 29th Memorandum. We implore

the CSDE to reconsider and rescind its September 29th Memorandum (and the subsequent CSDE Waiver Clarification) so that school districts throughout the state and the CSDE can work collaboratively on behalf of the students we all serve on this important issue.”

jsimms@record-journal.com 203-317-2279 Twitter: @jessica_simms99

Third-grade students work on a reading lesson on Friday, Jan. 6 at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

WATER

JUNIOR ENGINEER

The Town of Wallingford’s Water Division is seeking a responsible and skilled individual to prepare and maintain permanent utility location records. Requires an associate’s degree or equivalent in civil engineering plus two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the water/sewer utility field, or an equivalent combination of education and qualify experience substituting on a year-for-year basis.

Salary: $63,116$80,755 annually. Plus, an excellent fringe benefits package.

Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page.

Phone #: (203) 2942080 Fax #: (203) 2942084. Closing date will be February 7, 2023 or the date the 50th application is received, whichever occurs first. EOE.

SHEET METAL MECHANICS

& HELPERS

Full time, apprenticeship program offered, health insurance, 401(k) plan. Pay range $20 - $30/hour. Call 860-828-3762.

WATER SUPPLY & TREATMENT

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT)

WASTE TREATMENT

WATER DIVISION MAINTAINER I

CLERK TYPIST

PREMIUM SCREENED

TOPSOIL

WELDER/ FABRICATOR

Custom sheet metal fabrication, light structural, 45-50 hour per week with good benefits, health insurance, and 401(k) plan. Pay range $25 - $35/hour. Call 860-828-3762.

The Town of Wallingford is seeking qualified applicants for Assistant Superintendent for Water Supply and Treatment. The position is responsible for providing technical and managerial direction in the operation and maintenance of the Town’s water supply and treatment facilities. The qualifications are a bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, chemical or sanitary engineering, biology, chemistry, or related field plus five years of progressively responsible experience in water operations with at least three years in water treatment and water quality, or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience. Applicants must have or being able to obtain within twelve months, a State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Class IV Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification and a Class II or Class III Distribution System Operator Certification. Certification as a General Backflow Preventer Tester and Cross Connection Survey Inspector is preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid CT driver’s license. Salary: $80,555 to $103,068 annually plus an excellent fringe benefits package. A complete job announcement and application 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 February 7, 2023. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

The Town of Wallingford is accepting applications for EMT. Must possess a H.S. diploma or G.E.D., plus one (1) year of recent experience as an EMT Must be 18 years old and be a Connecticut or National Registry Certified EMT with CPR Certification and a valid State of Connecticut motor vehicle operator’s license.

Starting wage $632.56 (weekly), plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone (203) 294-2080.

The closing date will be the date of the 50th application or resume is received or January 27, 2023, whichever occurs first. EOE

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (Attendant II): Operates and maintains equipment and processes in a municipal sewage treatment plant. Requires a H.S. diploma or GED. A State of Connecticut DEEP Class II Operator or higher certification; or a Class II Operator-in-Training or higher certification. Wages: $27.13 to $32.33 or $24.16 - $32.33 hourly (based on certifications & experience) plus an excellent fringe benefit package.

Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Applications may be obtained at the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page.

The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/ resume is received, or February 07, 2023, whichever occurs first.

EOE

The Town of Wallingford’s Water Division is seeking an individual to perform a variety of unskilled & semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance, installation, and repair of water lines and related equipment.

The position requires High School diploma / GED or the equivalent in experience and training. Wages $23.26 - $28.18 hourly, plus an excellent fringe benefit package.

Applications may be obtained at the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page.

The closing date will be the date the 50th application or resume is received or January 18, 2023, whichever occurs first. EOE

Performs a wide variety of routine clerical duties requiring excellent computer and interpersonal skills. This position requires 1 year of office work experience of a responsible nature and a H.S., GED, or business diploma. Wages: $21.83 to $26.43 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request form the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone: (203) 294-2080 Fax: (203) 294-2084. The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/ resume is received or January 23, 2023 whichever occurs first. EOE

$25/yard delivered, 3 yd, $100 min. delivery Call Jim 860-982-4819

FREE - Beautiful London Fog rain coat with warm iining/belt: size 8, olive, has a stain but may be dry cleanable. 860-301-2862.

TREE LENGTH FIREWOOD CALL FOR DETAILS 203-238-2149

Need to Earn Income ASAP?

Earn up to $1,200 mo. + Tips!

The perfect and easiest part time job - Newspaper Delivery Routes Available - Earn up to $600.00 every Two weeks +Tips (Depending on area) Routes available in the following towns: MERIDEN, WALLINGFORD, SOUTHINGTON/ PLANTSVILLE, CHESHIRE AND MIDDLETOWN

Must be 18 or older. Must have valid drivers license, reliable vehicle and be available early mornings. Make extra cash before you go to work making early morning newspaper deliveries using your own vehicle. NO experience necessary.

Must able to deliver early mornings, 7 days a week. MUST be dependable, and be able to read a route list with specific delivery instructions. We will demonstrate the route to you. Routes average 1.5 to 3 hours daily. No collections required.

Not Temp Work. Retirees, Stay at Home Mom’s, and Veterans are also welcome to apply. Make extra cash to pay rent, mortgage, bills, save money, or a great vacation. Text or call Peter at 860-846-0216 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and start as soon as tomorrow morning.

TOP CASH PAID For any Toyota any condition, running or not, crashed okay. Will take other makes and models. (203) 600-4431.

OFFICE SUITE - Avail. for lease, 550 sq.ft., ground level, Clocktower Square, 710 Main St., Suite 1, Plantsville, CT. $800 per mo. Call (860) 276-8068 ask for Tony or Gail.

TOP CASH PAID

For Junk or unwanted vehicles, Toyota’s etc.

Please call Mike @ 203284-8562 8am-5pm.

MERIDEN - Room for rent, utils incl., shared BA. Free Wi-Fi. Call (203) 217-7122.

GRASSY HILL AUCTIONS, - an Estate Sale, Liquidation, Attic & Basement Cleanout Company is Always Buying and providing services all over Connecticut. These are just a FEW of the things we are looking for: Antiques, Collectibles, Old/ Vintage Toys, Musical Instruments (Saxophones, Trumpets, Violins, Flutes, Clarinets, Trombone & SO MUCH MORE) Advertising Items, Wristwatches (Broken or Not), Pocket Watches, Tools (Machinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Photographs, Old Postcards, Brewery Items, Hunting & Fishing, PEZ Dispensers, Costume Jewelry, Broken Jewelry, Gold & Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uniforms, Pocket Knives, Lighters & Pipes, Fountain Pens, Mechanical Pencils, Fraternal Order Items, Religious Items, Industrial Items, Winchester Items, Sikorsky Items, Pratt & Whitney Items, Colt Items, Native American Items, Vintage Electronics, Slot Cars, Toy Trucks, Matchbox & Hotwheels, Barbie’s, Folk Art, Statues, Bronzes, Trains, Cameras, Mid Century Modern Furniture, Straight Razors, Shaving Items, Political Items, Comic Books, Sports Cards & Autographs…& THE LIST GOES ON! So please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

Grassy Hill Auctions 203-868-1816 - Grassy HillAuctions.com

1,2,3 CASH FOR ANTIQUES - Call Todd Shamock, 203-4941695.

ALWAYS BUYING

CASH PAID -

Vintage Electronics, Musical Instruments, Amps, Ham Equipment, HiFi, Radios, CB, Guitars, Audio Equipment, Antiques. 860-707-9350

ALWAYS PAYING TOP DOLLAR - For gold and silver jewelry, Sterling flatware, Gold and silver coins and bars, costume jewelry and more!!! Over 30yrs experience. Call Sandy at Pawn Queen (203) 7682443.

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.

ANTIQUES WANTED -

Comic 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.

BUYING ALL - Costume Jewelry, Old Watches, Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver Coins, Sterling Flatware, In Any Condition. Please Call Jude M. Dichele @ (203) 8681816.

BUYING MACHINIST

TOOLBOXES - Tools & tooling, contents of machine shops, home workshops and small lathes. Call anytime 860-985-5760

LOOKING TO BUY - Holiday print fabric. Please call Carla at (203) 5148012.

PREMIER ESTATE JEWELRY - Is interested in buying your fine jewelry, watches, coin collections, silver flatware, and costume jewelry. Call Bill, (203) 4942496.

TIMELESS TREASURES

ESTATE AUCTIONSIs looking to purchase estate contents. From single items to entire estates. Clean-out services available. Call Bill (203) 494-2496.

FREE - Chihuaha male 11 yrs old. Has chip. Color tan and white. Has all shots and papers for shots. House broken. He is a cuddler Has separation anxiety. Needs room to run. Hasn’t been with other dogs or children. Loves to go for rides. Answers to Prince. Please help me find him a home. (475) 775-5369.

WANTED Individual firearms, collections & estates including military & related items.Federally licensed firearms dealer. Gunsmith, appraisals, Richard Pleines, (860) 663-2214.

CARPENTRY

Repairs, Decks & Porches, Sheetrock & Taping Water Damage Repairs. Free Est. Ins. MC & Visa. Call Bill (203) 901-2136. CT. Reg. # 0647093

TEC ELECTRICAL Service LLC All Phases of Electrical Work. 24 hr. Emergency Service. Small Jobs Welcome. 203.237.2122

GUTTERS

CLEANED

Painting Int. & Ext. Powerwashing Free Ests. Ins. Refs. Rodrigo, (203) 565-7745.

GUTTERS PLUS 25+yrs. Exp. Call today for Free estimate. 203-440-3535 Ct. Reg. #578887

IF YOU Mention This Ad FALL Yard Clean-Ups Brush, branches, leaves, storm damage **JUNK REMOVAL**

Insurance claim.storm damage.roofing.siding. gutter.chimney flashing. Office:203.754.3071 Cell:203.510.3830 Stormshieldct@gmail. com HIC.0664452

HOME DOCTOR - 48 yrs exp. Odd jobs & remodeling, former US Navy, 15 yrs, #640689, 203.427.7828.

CLEAN & REMOVE Furniture, appliances, entire contents of: homes, sheds, estates, attics, basements, garages & more.

*FALL YARD Clean-ups* FREE ESTIMATES. LIC & INS. DUMPSTER RENTALS 203-535-9817

JM Lawn Care Tree service, junk removal. Comm/Res. 860.796.8168

RT RELOCATION

Let Us BEAR Your Junk! Junk Removal in CT

Your moving and storage specialists. Call for a free estimate. 833-668-3978.

Roof Repair or Replacement, Chimney Repair, Skylight Replacement. Free est. CT #0651199 (860) 877-3006

Specializing in tree removal, trimming, chipping & grinding. Call for free estimate. 203-945-1808.

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