The Cheshire Citizen Dec. 9, 2021 by Record Journal

cheshirecitizen.com

Volume 12, Number 49

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Town posts requirements for winter snow concerns

PROTECTING POLLINATORS

As winter approaches, the Cheshire Public Works Department asks residents for their cooperation in keeping town roads safe by following these regulations and suggestions. •Street obstructions: Parking ban announcements will be made through local media and on the town website, CheshireCT.org. During a ban, town ordinance prohibits parking on the street. Any vehicle so parked may be towed. Basketball hoops and other private property should be removed from the rights-ofway. n Sidewalks:

The Cheshire Pollinator Pathway asks the public to leave their gardens intact for the winter. The group, a partner with the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire, recently placed a sign in its North Brooksvale Road garden to remind the public about fireflies, Eastern commas, Viceroy butterflies, cecropia moths, bumblebees and other pollinators that overwinter in gardens; tucked into leaves, plant stems, crevices in shrubs and trees, and the soil. By leaving leaves and not cutting back stems until spring, pollinators can complete their life cycle uninterrupted, providing an increase in local biodiversity. Pictured: Cheshire Pollinator Pathway volunteer Karena Kulakowski at the Pollinator Pathway garden.

Per town ordinance, property owners are responsible to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of the snowfall or precipitation event. Residents are encouraged to wait until the town plows have pushed snow back to the curb line before clearing the sidewalks and driveway aprons.

Submitted photo

See Winter, A2

Prison on partial lockdown to stop spread of COVID-19 By Kelan Lyons The Connecticut Mirror

Boys and young men at Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire have been mostly confined to their cells since Nov. 19 due to an outbreak of COVID-19, the state child advocate said last week. To mitigate the spread of the virus, youths are spending most of their time locked in their cells, raising the advocate’s concern about access to mental health resources, group rehabilitative programming and school instruction. “I understand the need for safety

protocols, but I remain concerned about reliance on so much isolation, cell confinement,” said Sarah Eagan, the state’s Child Advocate. “There’s no rehabilitative groups. There’s no in-person school.” There were 305 males being held at Manson as of Dec. 1, 263 of whom are between the ages of 18 and 21; 42 were younger than age 18. Eagan said she was especially concerned about the low vaccination rate at the youth prison. She said just six of the 42 minors currently there have been vaccinated against COVID-19, or about 14%, along with roughly 90 young adults, or about

34% of those age 18 to 21. Just over 5,000 prisoners across the correction system have been vaccinated against COVID-19. “The vaccine hesitancy at MYI is no different than the hesitancy we see in the community. There are people who don’t trust the vaccine, believing it wasn’t properly vetted, and others having confidence that they will be fine even if they contract the virus,” Karen Martucci, the Department of Correction’s Director of External Affairs, said in a statement. “We have placed a strong focus on education. Our latest efforts include utilizing trained incarcerated people

that are certified nursing assistants (CNA) to speak with the population. The peer to peer connection has proved to be powerful in similar initiatives.” Martucci said one difference between the incarcerated population and those in the community is that prisoners are tested every other week. “You won’t see that in the community or any school system,” Martucci said. “This testing regiment reduces spread by quickly identifying cases. We know that asymptomatic people See Youth prison, A10

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Cheshire resident Karen Brimberg is once again raffling off a handmade gingerbread house for the benefit of the Cheshire Food Pantry.

Brimberg is a Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate, Mortage & Insurance. Her son Ian and husband Toby help with the gingerbread house holiday tradition.

This is Brimberg’s 41st year creating a gingerbread house for charity.

Brimberg said, “It’s a multi-day process; from making and rolling out the gingerbread to the dimensions of our homemade templates, baking, letting them cool and harden for a couple days, making the ‘mortar’ icing, constructing, and of course, last but not least, decorating.”

Raffle tickets are $5, or three for $10, and can be purchased between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at William Raveis, 465 South Main St. The drawing will take place at noon Friday, Dec. 17, and will be shown live on Facebook (@raveischeshire).

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Cheshire Public Library

Museum passes. Passes are available to Cheshire residents on a first come, first served basis. New passes include White Memorial Conservation Center, Mashantucket Pequot Museum and the Connecticut Historical Society. Visit cheshirelibrary.org for a full listing.

Winter n Priority

roads: The first priority is to create travel lanes on through streets. Residents who live on a culde-sac or lesser-traveled road are asked to be patient with the removal of snow from these areas. Following the end of the storm, all roads will be plowed back to the curb line. This pushback allows room for snow from future storms, provides better access to mailboxes, and opens up storm drains for melting snow. State roads (Routes 10, 42, 68, 70) are plowed by the Department of Transportation. n Mailboxes:

According to town ordinance, the Public Works Department does not

www.cheshirecitizen.com 500 S. Broad St., Meriden, CT 06450

Trivia Night – Thursday, Dec. 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Mary Baldwin Room. Come solo or with friends and test your knowledge of pop culture, current events, history, music, and, of course, literature. Registration, face masks and social distancing are required. Visit cheshirelibrary.org for more information.

replace mailboxes that are displaced by snow or slush from plowing. Occasionally a plow strikes a mailbox. The damage must be reported within 48 hours of the end of the storm. Contact the Public Works Department within the designated time period to have your claim investigated. The Town Council Resolution can be viewed at CheshireCT.org.

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mixture: Available to town residents at the old transfer station at 1304 Waterbury Road during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Bring your own container.) n Fire hydrants/storm sewers: Please help the town by keeping fire hydrants and storm sewers clear of snow and debris.

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From A1

Writers group – Thursday, Dec. 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in The Loft, upper level. This open writing group can help answer questions on writing, editing, grammar, and publishing. Join once, or join every month. Registration, face masks and social distancing are required. Visit cheshirelibrary.org for more information.

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

Flowers work well for winter decorating By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen

necked vase filled with glass marbles or small stones. Or plant multiple bulbs. Use When you think of flowers, a shallow tray or bowl, fill you likely think of the seawith small stones and place sons of spring or summer. the bulbs with a lot of room But what about winter? Bearound them. Then add walieve it or not, there are plen- ter. ty of choices for the chilly The result will be sweetseason. smelling paperwhites to enjoy in about four to For poinsettias, drive down Peck Lane and glance at the six weeks. Keep your paperwhites out of direct sunlight huge glass greenhouses at Kurtz Farms. There are thou- to lengthen the bloom time. Plant additional bulbs every sands and thousands of two weeks, to have have papoinsettias nestled inside, perwhites blooming inside getting ready for the Big all winter long. Show as one of the favorite gift items to bring to hosts over the holiday season.

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New varieties of poinsettia are always in development.

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info.ncagr.gov

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and are, in fact, trees or shrubs. What is commonly thought to be the poinsettia flowers are actually leaves. They are called bracts, and come in various colors – white, red, pink, marbled – and are sometimes spray-painted blue or purple. The part of the plant that is the flower is in the center, and is generally yellow in color. It’s called the cyathia. Another dramatic flowering plant for winter is commonly known as amaryllis.

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are delicate blooms on a single bulb. The flowers are easy to grow. No soil needed. One way to plant them is to place a bulb on top of a small, narrow-

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Amaryllis has a big bulb, as big as a fist – or bigger. Recently growers have begun to encapsulate the bulb in wax, and there is no longer a need to pot it with soil. Amaryllis grows on a stalk that can reach up to two feet, and is topped in stunning red, pink, white or any combination in between. Amaryllis blooms over the holidays, at Christmas or shortly thereafter.

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

Cheshire Senior Center Energy assistance. Applications are now being accepted at the Senior Center. Call Kristen Schechter at 203-272-8030. Dash & Dine. Sign up for a special holiday chicken parmesan Dash & Dine on Monday, Dec. 13. Pick-up will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 203-272-8286 to sign up.

Fundraiser. Winter Wonderland Fundraiser orders will be ready for pick-up at Cheshire Nursery, 1317 South Main St., on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Fire safety. The Cheshire Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office, in conjunction with the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, has received a sup-

ply of batteries for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. The batteries are available at the Senior Center. Learn to Play Mah Jongg. Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. Seniors 4 Seniors: Hot Cocoa & Painting. Monday, Dec. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. Join

Cheshire High School seniors for a fun, interactive afternoon of creativity, hot cocoa, and conversation. Registration is required. Holiday Craft: Light-up Gnome. Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required.

CHRISTMAS TREES

A centuries-old holiday tradition Spruce up your holiday with a fresh native tree from one of the over 100 Christmas tree farms in Connecticut. The scent of a local tree will fill the house with an un-

matched fragrance and will hold its needles until the last festive day is over. The tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a real Christmas tree dates back

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Evergreen trees symbolize everlasting life, and the aroma of a real Christmas tree evokes strong memories of family traditions and the innocence of childhood. The use of evergreens as a symbol and celebration of life during Winter Solstice celebrations started in ancient Roman and Egyptian times. This practice evolved over the centuries to be in-

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some 500 years. Approximately 33 million American families will celebrate this holiday season with a fresh, Christmas tree.

See Trees, A5

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The Cheshire Senior Center, 240 Maple Ave., is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All visitors are required to wear face masks. Staff is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Senior Center will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 24 for the Christmas holiday, and on New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Trees From A4

corporated in the celebration of Christmas in the Germanic areas of Europe. The first recorded display of a decorated Christmas tree was in 1510, in Riga, Latvia (established by Germans in 1210). Back then, trees were decorated with fruit, cookies and candy that would later be shared with family as gifts.

By the 1700's, the tradition of celebrating the holidays with a Christmas tree was widely practiced throughout Europe. The tradition was brought to the U.S. by Hessian mercenaries during the Revolutionary War. In 1804, U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn, in Chicago, used evergreen trees in their barracks to celebrate Christmas. The popularity of the Christmas tree then proliferated. In 1856, Franklin Pierce brought the Christmas tree tradition to The White House.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Since 1966, members of the National Christmas Tree Association have presented a beautiful, fresh Christmas tree to the First Family. This tree is displayed in the Blue Room of The White House. Usually Christmas trees begin life in a nursery where superior seed is planted and grown to two-year-old seedlings. The seedlings are then taken from the nursery beds and replanted in Christmas tree plantations. While growing, Christmas trees provide many environmental benefits. They replenish the Earth's oxygen supply, serve as wildlife habitat, increase soil stability and provide a valuable and aesthetically pleasing improvement to the land.

help you make the most of your unique display. Decide on where you will place the tree. Will it be seen from all sides or will some of it be up against a wall? Be sure to choose a spot away from heat sources, such as TVs, fireplaces, radiators and air ducts. Place the tree clear of doors. Measure the height and width of the space you have available in the room where the tree will be placed. There is nothing worse than bringing a tree indoors only to find it’s too tall. Take a tape measure with you to measure your chosen tree and bring a cord to tie your tree to the car.

Remember that trees sold on retail lots in urban areas — CTchristmastree.org may have come from out of state and may have been exposed to drying winds in Tree selection transit. They may have been Selecting and setting up a cut weeks earlier. Buy trees Christmas tree is all part of early before the best trees the seasonal fun, but as the have been sold and where centerpiece of holiday deco- trees are shaded. Ask the rerations for many homes a lit- tailer whether his trees are tle extra preparation can delivered once at the begin-

Southington volunteer firefighter Ryan Bleau gets ready to load a tree into a customer’s truck during the department’s annual Christmas Tree sale on Friday, Nov. 26. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

ning of the season or are they delivered at different times during the selling seas on. Choose a fresh tree. A fresh tree will have a healthy

green appearance with few browning needles. Needles should be flexible and not fall off if you run a branch through your hand. See Trees, A11

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

In Brief Holiday Concert

Annual Winter Festival The 8th annual Winter Festival at Cheshire High School is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $10 per family. Organizers partnered with the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Foundation and all proceeds will go to this charity. The Winter Festival will include crafts, face painting, games, pictures with Santa, and more.

Pajama Program

Artsplace, 1220 Waterbury Road, is collecting new pajaThe Cheshire Symphony Or- mas in all sizes for the Pajachestra, under the direction ma Program, which provides of Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore, pajamas and books to chilwill perform its Holiday Con- dren in need, many of whom cert Friday, Dec. 10, 7:30 are waiting and hoping to be p.m., at St. Peter’s Church, adopted. Pajamas must be 59 Main St. Admission is $12 complete sets – a top and for adults, $8 for students bottom, or nightgown. Artand seniors. Masks are resplace is also collecting new quired. For more informachildren’s books. Drop off tion, visit cheshiresymphoitems in the marked plastic ny.org or find the group bin outside the front on Facebook. door until Thursday, Dec. 16. Artsplace can be reached at 203-272-2787.

Adopt-a-Family The Town of Cheshire is continuing its Adopt-a-Family Holiday program. It is understood that many individuals and organizations prefer to donate gifts and toys, but out of concern for the safety of all, physical donations of gifts will not be ac-

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The CTPrepares mobile app provides information and alerts to citizens of Connecticut in emergency situations, and incorporates text messaging, email, and social networking. Also, the app allows residents to communicate with family members during an emergency. The Cat rescue app can be downloaded on An anonymous donor in the Apple and Android smartCheshire area has pledged to phones. match all donations made to Friends of Feral Cheshire

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A Chesprocott Health District vaccination clinic will be held at The Holy Theotokos and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, 1750 Huckins Road, Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 12 to 4 p.m. The health district is offering Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Flu shots also are available. Appointments are required. Call 203-272-2761 or visit chesprocott.org.

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cepted. Donations in the form of gift cards will meet the needs of those facing financial hardship. Contact Kristen Schechter at 203271-6690 with questions.

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

Health

Letters Policy

Briefs From A6

CT Safe The CT Safe mobile app allows citizens of Connecticut to report on suspicious activities within their communities. The app can be downloaded on Apple and Android smartphones.

The Adult Crisis Telephone Intervention and Options Network is available to people in distress 24/7, 365 days a year. For adults (18-plus), call 1-800-HOPE-135 (1-800467-3135) or 2-1-1. For those under age 18, call 2-1-1.

Walk with Me Walk with Me is a new specialized outpatient treatment track for LGBTQ+ identifying young people age 10 to 25 who are seeking therapeutic, medical, and/or peer support to address their specific needs, available exclusively at Wheeler’s Hartford and Plainville Family Health & Wellness Centers.

Utility assistance Eversource customers can enroll in an assistance program to protect them from service disconnection by calling 800-286-2828.

Gold Star The Connecticut Gold Star Families Memorial Monument will be located at Veterans Memorial Park, 51 Lower Lane, in Berlin. To donate to the memorial, visit woodywilliams.org/monuments/ct-monument.html.

The annual open enrollment period for Connecticut residents to shop, com-

pare and enroll in health insurance coverage for the 2022 plan year began Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 15, 2022.

Foster parenting There continues to be a pressing need for foster families in Connecticut. To learn more, contact Michelle Martins at 860-707-5068 or Allison Casinghino at 860-6375586, or email fostercareprograms@wheelerclinic.org.

Drive safe Violating Connecticut’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Drivers can be fined $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second and $500 for third and subsequent offenses. According to the NHTSA, there were 26,004 people killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers between 2012 and 2019.

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

Lamont-Stefanowski clash over COVID testing contract makes issue of ethics code

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By Mark Pazniokas The Connecticut Mirror

Not yet a declared candidate for governor, Republican Bob Stefanowski is running hard at Gov. Ned Lamont over the state’s two COVID19 testing contracts with Sema4, a company in which first lady Annie Lamont’s venture capital firm, Oak HC/FT, is a minority investor. Stefanowski’s criticism, delivered via talk radio, opin-

Health From A7

their application by Dec. 15. For coverage starting Feb. 1, 2022, Connecticut residents must enroll and complete their application between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, 2022. Connecticut residents that are eligible for the new Covered Connecticut Program must enroll before the end of the open enrollment period. For more information, visit AccessHealthCT.com, or call 1-855-805-4325.

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Support group Are you a caregiver and feeling overburdened? An online support group meets 10 to 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month. The group is facilitated by Michelle Wyman, LSW, CDP, dementia specialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.

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Registration is required; call 1-855-442-4373 or go online to HHCHealth. org/ VirtualClasses.

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GoodLife Fitness, a program of Hartford HealthCare, is geared toward the older adult to build energy, strength and endurance for an active lifestyle.

ion pieces and social media, has prompted the first sharp exchanges between the Democratic governor and the Republican who is expected to challenge him in 2022, a rematch of the 2018 race narrowly won by Lamont. In interviews with CT Mirror, Stefanowski and Lamont clashed over whether the governor, who has recused himself from transactions afSee Ethics, A9

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Call-in help Every Friday from 2 to 3 p.m., join a call-in support group facilitated by Kristine Johnson, dementia specialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Talk to a professional about questions or concerns you may have regarding dementia. Call 860-972-6338 — Meeting Room: 19623#.

Memory screenings Memory loss is not unusual as people age. And forgetting someone’s name or an appointment does not mean an individual has Alzheimer’s disease. Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging is offering free virtual memory screenings that can be scheduled at a person’s convenience. Confidential memory screenings average 20 minutes and consist of five questions to assess memory. For more information or to schedule a virtual memory screening, call Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, 1877-424-4641.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

confidence in government.

From A8

fecting companies in which Annie Lamont is invested, should have barred Sema4 from providing what then was scarce COVID testing. “Her venture capital portfolio can do business with 49 other states. They can do business with any country in the world,” Stefanowski said. “I mean, why did we need to get an exception that they’d be allowed to do business with Connecticut?” Only four of the 10 companies that responded to the state’s request for testing proposals in the pandemic’s early months were certified to do COVID-19 testing, Sema4 among them. The state quickly contracted with all four, the terms negotiated by the comptroller’s office. “I think we saved a lot of lives by moving fast,” Lamont said. Stefanowski said the testing capacity provided by Sema4 came at the cost of public

“If I were the head of Sema4, or if I were the head of the state of Connecticut, I would have been damn sure I would have had a lot of disclosure. I would have had a lot of discussion around it,” Stefanowski said. “And I would have been very sure that they were the only one on Earth that could provide it.” The early exchanges between Lamont, a declared candidate for reelection, and Stefanowski, who shows every sign of planning to become one, are bringing into the spotlight an Office of State Ethics wounded by staffing cuts and an ethics code drawn by lawmakers that narrowly defines conflicts of interest. No “exception” was required for Sema4 to contract with Connecticut under state ethics laws or the 16-page advisory opinion that offers guidance to the Lamonts as they navigate the difficulties inherent in the marriage of a governor intent on growing the tech sector in Connecti-

cut and a venture capitalist who makes a good portion of her living there.

who says the Sema4 contract doesn’t pass a “smell test,” even if it violates no ethics rules. Candelora says the rules should be reviewed, but he offered no suggestion for changes.

As Lamont notes, his wife is someone other governors might like to know, a potential source of leads about promising companies they might like to see in their states.

Others suggested that Stefanowski was playing politics.

“Annie has helped create dozens of great companies representing thousands of good-paying jobs,” Lamont said. “And it’s a lot easier to locate those jobs out of state so there’s no optics, no perception, no problems. And that’s what we’re doing.”

After taking office in 2019, Lamont posed a series of questions about complying with the ethics code and agreed to place his investments under the control of an outside attorney, a step that ethics officials say amounted to a blind trust.

The smell test This week, the governor faced questions about state incentives available to a financial technology company, Digital Currency Group, relocating from New York to Stamford. Oak HC/FT was an early investor, though no longer. House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora, R-North Branford, is the only one of the legislature’s top leaders

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Oak HC/FT, the related Oak Investment Partners, or companies in their portfolios. “The Governor and Mrs. Lamont would commit to recusing themselves from taking any official action that could reasonably be expected to result in a direct financial benefit or harm to themselves, or to an associated business, to a degree that is different from or greater than the universe of individuals or businesses that would be affected generally by such official action,” the office advised.

It is the same standard apThe advisory opinion issued plied to members of the on May 16, 2019 by the Ofpart-time legislature. They fice of State Ethics advised can act on matters affecting the Lamonts they were in their professions and outside compliance so long as the employers, so long as they governor and firstWaterproofing lady re- Services Basement secivreS gnito foorpretaW tnemesaB do not benefit financially cused themselves from “anyexperience. Over 36 Years combined .ecneirepxe denibmoc sraeY 63 revO official action that directly Fully Transferable Written Guarantee*, Sump Pumps,,spmuSee P pmuEthics, S ,*eetnarA10 auG nettirW elbarefsnarT and specifically involves”

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

A10

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Ethics From A9

a degree different from others in the same profession or industry. As a result, legislators are free to vote and advocate on issues of interest to their professions and employers without public disclosure. Last year, the Office of State Ethics proposed a bill that would have required lawmakers to state for the record when their employer had a direct interest in a bill,

but died from inaction in the pandemic-shortened session.

in identifying potential conflicts. A lawyer, insurance broker or Realtor, for example, would identify their firm Peter Lewandowski, the exec- — not the clients who pay utive director of the Office of them — as a source of inState Ethics, said the undercome. pinnings of the ethics code are a mix of prohibitions and In the case of the Lamonts, their financial disclosure transparency. Disclosure, he said, may be the best protec- statement lists three dozen investment funds with names tion for the public. like Oak HC/FT Associates The current ethics rules reLLP, Oak HC/FT Associates quire certain state officials LLP II, and so forth. They are and their spouses, including sources of income to Annie the governor and lawmakers, Lamont, not individual into file annual reports disclos- vestments in companies such ing sources of income, but as Sema4. the reports are of limited use

Youth prison From A1

are spreading the virus without knowing.”

within the housing units unless it’s necessary to see a patient in the medical unit.

“It is important to note that this is the first time that Manson Youth has transitioned to phase 3 based on COVID positivity since the onset of the pandemic and we always seek to downgrade within the phases as soon as we can safely do so,” said Martucci. “When the Martucci said Manson Youth community witnesses an uptick in COVID cases, we Institution had transitioned to a COVID-19 “Phase 3 Op- are likely to see the same. A phased approach to safely erational Plan,” the highest managing the pandemic is of its three-phase plan to utilized in the state of Conmitigate the spread of the necticut and communities virus. across the country. Although “With approval from the temporary modifications are Deputy Commissioner, each necessary at individual locafacility has the ability to tions when we see an intransition between phases to crease in numbers, the fact increase or decrease activity that our positivity rate has based on the number of inremained consistently below dividuals testing positive for that of the community is a COVID-19,” Martucci said. good sign that the combinaModifying operations within tion of our operational phasprisons can include bringing es, vaccination clinics, rigorfood to the housing units, in- ous testing protocols, deep cleaning and mask manstead of allowing the incardates is working. The goal cerated to eat in dining here is to keep people halls; shrinking available healthy and safe.” out-of-cell activities to just include showers and phone But advocates remain worcalls; exchanging school ried about the potential adwork with teachers within verse effects of such prohousing units instead of go- longed isolation. ing to the classroom for “I continue to be gravely lessons; rapid-testing workconcerned because what we ers to ensure they can conknow is that the young peotinue their jobs in the kitchen; and providing med- ple there are spending the ical and mental health visits majority of their time in their cells. We’re back in a DOC employees continue to lag in vaccination rates and have the highest rates of opting for testing over the vaccine. The agency also has the highest rate of employee non-compliance with the governor’s vaccination mandate.

situation where they’re essentially de-facto experiencing solitary confinement as a result of conditions that are beyond their control,” said Marisa Halm, the director of the Team Child Youth Justice Project at the Center for Children’s Advocacy. Over the summer, the state reached an agreement with Halm and other lawyers to improve education and mental health services at Manson. One major part of that agreement involved an understanding that the DOC would make WiFi available at the prison and make its “best efforts” to ensure a local online learning platform was in place for students by Sept. 15, 2021. That didn’t happen, according to Halm. “My understanding is that the Wi-Fi capacity is established, but there’s no learning platform in place,” Halm said. “One of the big pieces was that there would be some sort of platform in place so that virtual learning and some sort of synchronous education could be conducted if the traditional school was not in session.” That means students have to rely on educational packets in order to learn while they’re kept in their cells to protect them from COVID. Halm said the packets used earlier in the pandemic were not individualized. Because many of the young people at Manson have learning dis-

Recognizing the limits of the statutory disclosure statements, the Office of State Ethics and the Lamonts agreed on a more useful, if voluntary, filing: A recusal list of companies Oak HC/FT and Annie Lamont provided to the governor’s office.

the only one doing business with the state, and Lamont says neither he nor his wife played any role in Sema4 seeking or obtaining a state contract, nor were they in a position to discourage Sema4 from responding to the state’s testing RFP.

According to the advisory opinion, the list is meant as “a checklist on a case-bycase basis to assist in identifying instances where recusal by the Governor or Mrs. Lamont would be necessary.”

“Oak has 2%,” Lamont said. Stefanowski “makes it sound like we own this fricking company. You know, Annie and Ned Lamont had like one-tenth of 1%. We’re not on a board. We’re not anything here. And what do you want us to do?”

A review of the list by CT Mirror found that Sema4 was

abilities, Halm said, giving them a packet and expecting them to do the work without being able to ask teachers questions or get guidance does not work well. “It’s not a meaningful learning opportunity,” she said.

Eagan said that group could share strategies for public health education to encourage children, young adults and their parents to get vaccinated as a way of maximizing vaccination rates in the prison system.

“Our job is to review, investigate where needed, publish and advocate for making sure kids get what they need, even in the context of a pub“We’re concerned that mental health services are, again, lic health crisis,” Eagan said. being relegated to these cell- “A COVID outbreak in a side check-ins, as opposed to concentrated environment is more meaningful therapeutic a public health crisis, I won’t minimize that — and the sessions,” said Halm. safety of staff, teachers and Many of Halm’s clients have youth is very important. But told her they feel like the making sure that that can be mental health professionals achieved in a manner that is who walk through their hous- consistent with public health ing units are just there to expertise, and the developmake their rounds, not promental mental health needs vide individualized support. of children, is extremely im“It’s like a fly-by, a drive-by,” portant.” Halm said. “If they’re really A mother with a child incarstruggling, the manner in cerated at Manson told the which they’re allowed to en- CT Mirror in an email that gage just isn’t going to proshe is worried about her son. vide for a true therapeutic in“He sounds really down and terchange.” defeated. He sleeps a lot. Manson is one of the many He’s bored,” the mother said, congregate institutions the adding that she considers state runs that house highhim lucky because the famirisk, high-need individuals, ly can afford a tablet on Eagan said, highlighting the which he can watch movies. need for Connecticut to have “These kids that have nothan inter-agency public ing … literally just sit there, health group that offers doing nothing.” guidance to state agencies that serve similar populations, “so that they are com- This story originally apparing lessons learned, pub- peared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ctlic health protocols, disease mitigation strategies that do mirror.org. not rely exclusively on isolation.” Then there’s the issue of access to mental health support.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Trees

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

112 new COVID cases reported in Cheshire Connecticut’s most recent COVID-19 report, which includes two weeks of data, showed 112 positive cases in Cheshire, which puts the community in the coronavirus red zone. The trigger for top-of-thechart red status — where most Connecticut towns and cities now stand — starts at 15 cases per 100,000 people per day.

they feel existing vaccines and boosters would provide some protection. “Even if not 100 percent, it should provide some protection,” said Dr. Ulysses Wu, Hartford Healthcare’s chief epidemiologist. “There could be some mutations that could allow it to evade the immune system and testing, but I don’t believe that is the case right now.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and PrevenDespite the new variant, tion, COVID-19 symptoms health officials said that may appear 2 to 14 days afoverall public is in a much ter exposure to the virus. better place than a year ago, Symptoms may include adding the delta variant refever or chills, coughing, shortness of breath or diffiSee COVID, A13 culty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. CALL FOR TODAY’S

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From A5

inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis.

Raise the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it on the butt end. Very few green needles should drop off the tree. It is normal for a few inner brown needles to drop off.

Don’t cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree.

Remember to choose a tree that fits where it is to be displayed. For example if the tree is displayed in front of a large window, then all four sides should look as good as possible. If the tree is displayed against a wall, then a tree with three good sides would be okay. A tree with two good sides would work well in a corner. The more perfect a tree, the more expensive it is.

Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go six to eight hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water.

Make sure the handle or base of the tree is straight and 6-8 inches long so it will fit easily into the stand. Do a little research on different Christmas tree types. Some Christmas tree varieties will hold needles longer than others.

Don’t bruise the cut surface or get it dirty. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water. To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide one quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand.

— CTchristmastree.org

Tree upkeep When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your tree. Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

In Brief

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Energy usage Eversource is making it possible for customers to monitor their energy use with the Kill A Watt electricity usage meter. The kits are available for borrowing from nearly 200 libraries around the state. A list of participating libraries can be found at eversource.com. Customers can also take advantage of the Green Button — an Eversource online tool that allows customers to download their energy usage data so they can easily share it with energy-efficiency experts to make home improvements.

COVID From A11

mains a concern and is largely responsible for the uptick in positive cases in Connecticut and in the U.S. As winter approaches, health officials encouraged people to wear masks indoors and social distance if

A13

among unfamiliar people. They are also encouraging people to get their first vaccine and boosters if their second shot was more than six months ago. “The more transmission we have the more likely variants are going to pop up,” said Dr. Wu. — Citizen report

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

ENTER YOUR BEST PHOTO IN THE...

COMMENTARY

Tree decorating can be an adventure By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen

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Nothing compares to the yearly adventure that is the search for the perfect Christmas tree. There’s a story, I’m sure, whether you buy one or cut one down. And of course, there’s how you decorate it.

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When the hubby and I were first married, it was super important to me to have a stylized Christmas tree. I subscribed to way too many style magazines and watched too many Martha Stewart TV shows. The tree needed to be all one color or festooned with gold and blue Christmas tree balls. One year, the tree was bedecked with golden ribbons. That time, I spent a week taking wire edged trim and folding it just so to give it the appearance of floating vertically, not horizontally, on the Christmas tree. Another year, I attempted a more difficult Martha Stewart technique when I wrapped each individual branch with lights. Talk about going overboard. Looking back, this effort seems super silly.

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Once the kid came along, all of that pretty much was cast aside. Now we featured baby photos and ornaments from Disney, and ballerinas. We also hung whatever the kid made. This included Popsicle reindeers with red plushy noses and green pipe cleaner antlers and bake-inthe-oven Santa faces made

with flour dough and salt. The latter would weigh a ton, and we would almost need to reinforce tree branches with rebar. Then there’s the hubby’s family, who goes out into primordial forests of Connecticut each year, where Papa climbs an 80-foot specimen and then cuts the top 10 feet off the tree to take home and put up in his living room. As a child, I can’t remember having an artificial tree, though I can remember the first one I saw. It was Alcoa aluminum and didn’t need lights, being shiny enough all on its own. I can’t say lights were a big item to have on the tree at our house. We did use tinsel when that was popular. However, after our cat Harvey ate some, we decided not to do that anymore. Raising our own kid, the hubby and I must have gone to every Cheshire tree farm. McKinley’s Tree Farm, on Marion Road, was probably the first one we tried. That place is no longer around. Ultimately, we found Leavenworth Tree Farm to be a real storybook adventure. Their whole family was involved and had a well-run farm operation at that time with acres of trees. People came from all over to get trees, buy wreaths and roping, and have a Christmas experience. See Joy, A15

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Joy

A15

Prepare for the financial side of the holidays

From A14

One of my best Christmas tree memories, or at least most unique Christmas tree memories, was when I was young and single. My roommates were my co-workers at the time – two guys – and they were perfect roomies. We all were very much alike, especially financially – broke. Not one of us had money for a tree. Fortunately, we were young and inventive. One of the guys took his bike and we decked it out with lights and a few white pine tree branches stuck into the spokes of the wheels. Contact me at jvanderlek@ record-journal.com.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

not-exceed” dollar amount for holiday-related expenses. Include all purchases tied to the season, from gift giving to refreshing your holiday wardrobe, buying decorations, entertaining and more.

ing disruptions in many different and surprising product categories. Merchants of all sizes will have By Jeff Jolly product shortages and may offer less merchandise choice overall. The holidays can push budgets Prices will be higher too, driven by past their limit as people do more increased demand, inventory Track your expenses. A budget is shortages and higher than normal entertaining, attend more events, only useful when you track your dine out and participate in gift exinflation. And don’t expect fire changes. Whether you’re gathering expenses against it. Keep receipts sales as we get closer to the holifor purchases and tally expenses in person or celebrating at a disdays. Retailers will be unlikely to at the end of each shopping excur- discount product that’s flying off tance this year, it will be tempting to overspend. Here are some tips to sion. Check your totals to make the shelves. sure you’re not exceeding your help you plan for a less financially budget—and are prepared to Shop early. More than ever, this hectic 2021 holiday season. make returns if you have. year you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to do your holiday Create a holiday budget. The last Manage your expectations. The month of the year offers many op- COVID-19 pandemic continues to shopping. Both brick and mortar portunities to splurge. Prevent un- affect global supply chains, causSee Jolly, A17 fettered spending by setting a “do-

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The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

A17

R-J editorial: A different kind of pollution But think about this: When was the last time you remember seeing the Milky Way? Not on television or in a magazine or online, but in, pardon the expression, real life? For too many people the answer to that question may be: never. That’s because light from human-made sources drowns

Jolly From A15

and online stores will be affected by the supply chain challenges. Be flexible. You might have to spend more time looking for what you want. You may need to switch gears if you can’t fulfill your initial wish list. And if you need to ship your gifts, keep in mind that the holidays always cause shipping delays, but this season the slowdown is predicted to be greater than usual. Plan for increased shipping costs. In addition to inflated prices on general merchandise, shipping costs are spiking upward as well. The U.S. Postal Service has announced price hikes, and other major shipping carriers are also raising their prices to counteract higher oil prices and staffing shortages. Give differently. If the gifts you want to buy are in short supply or “things” aren’t your thing, consider ticking off your gift list by giving experiences. Local restaurants are eager to make up for months of lost business. Likewise, theaters and sporting events are finally opening up and need to fill seats that have been empty too long. You could also consider giving financial gifts to your loved ones such as a

out the light from above and the cloud of stars that form the Milky Way, of which we are a part. To view the Milky Way is to view our home galaxy from within, but too many people never get a chance to see it that way. Many also assume that nothing can be done, that light pollution is part of progress, or, that it’s necessary to light up the world as much as possible for safety reasons. None of that is true, and it’s good to have people like Leo Smith around to talk about light pollution. partially funded savings account, Roth IRA, savings bond or an appointment with a financial advisor. And finally, charitable donations are becoming more popular as holiday gifts, particularly if the non-profit is meaningful to the recipient.

Smith was the featured speaker recently at the Cheshire Public Library, an event cosponsored by the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire and the Friends of the Cheshire Library. Northeast regional director for the International Dark Sky Association, Smith talked about the many ways artificial light impacts living things, including humans. Though light pollution can generally be looked at as any lighting that goes where it’s not needed, there are different aspects, including light tres-

lighting that directs light from, for example, a street lamp downward where the lighting is more targeted and effective.

pass, overlighting and sky glow. “The drivers for light pollution control are that there are adverse consequences on human health, on plants and on wildlife,” he said. As Joy VanderLek reported, Smith also talked about research that is ongoing about how artificial light influences circadian rhythm.

Information is available at darksky.org, but it’s also invaluable for those like Smith to speak to the public about this important topic. When it comes to light pollution, everyone could use a little illumination.

There are straightforward solutions, including shielded

Previously published in the Record-Journal.

CROSSWORD ANSWER

SUDOKU ANSWER

Jeff Jolly, CFP, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Sr. Vice President with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, in North Haven. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 16 years. Contact him at 203-407-8188 ext. 330.

R236881v2

Light pollution is self-imposed vision loss. There is no reason for it, other than ignorance and misunderstanding, and it’s fair to say that most people rarely give it a second thought.

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Thursday, December 9, 2021

Legal Notices & Classifieds

Reach over 310,000 readers. Call us today 203-238-1953

Help Wanted

LOCAL TREE COMPANY

Looking for an experienced Climber/ Bucket Operator that has working knowledge of all facets of tree removal. Please call 203-945-1808 for more information

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: MIDDLETOWN, MERIDEN, NEW BRITAIN AND WALLINGFORD 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.

Text or call Peter at 860-846-0216 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and start as soon as tomorrow morning.

237783

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.

WE’RE HIRING! RJ Media Group is seeking a Digital Media Sales Specialist and Marketing Consultant. Remote/hybrid work available! See details at

www.rjmediagroup.com/careers

WE’RE HIRING!

¡Estamos contratando! The Record-Journal is seeking a bilingual News Editor for an exciting opportunity to lead our Latino Communities Reporting Lab in an innovative listening project collaborating with journalists, data experts, a network of community leaders and technology partners to understand the needs of our local Latino communities. The Editor will also oversee content creation with an emphasis on aligning news strategies to best serve the community.

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF The Town of Wallingford is seeking qualified applicants for Deputy Fire Chief to perform highly responsible fire service administrative work. The position requires a high school diploma or the equivalent, plus 10 years of progressively responsible career fire department experience including at least 4 years as an officer in a career fire department, or any combination of experience and training which provides a demonstrated potential for performing the duties of the class. Applicants must also possess Connecticut or National Registry certification as an (EMT) or higher, a valid State of Connecticut class D driver’s license, and certifications as a Fire Officer I and Fire Instructor I or higher from the Connecticut Fire Academy. Salary: $94,207 to $120,532 (effective January 1, 2022: $96,044 to $122,882) annually plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Application forms 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 Town of Wallingford Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone: (203) 294-2080, Fax: (203) 294-2084. The closing date for applications or resumes is December 17, 2021. EOE GOLDSMITH - Part-time for local family owned jewelry store, experience required. Call (860) 828-7589.

RESTORATION COMPANY

See details at

www.rjmediagroup.com/careers www.myrecordjournal.com/Latino-reporting-lab

246858v2

Looking for two positions - Carpenter and Carpenter’s helper. Carpenter should be experienced in rough and finish carpentry. Both need to be reliable, able to take direction, have transportation to and from work and a clean driving record. Serious applicants can call 203-239-9600 for more information.

Right employer.

Autos Wanted

online job board, offering hundreds of the best jobs with top local companies in almost every industry throughout the state. Find the right job, right here, at CTjobs.com.

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.

Right here:

Furniture

www.ctjobs.com

FOR SALE - China Cabinet. Great condition. Light inside, glass shelves and dark brown finish. $99.00. Please call 860-937-4909.

Lawn and Garden

MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION Screened Topsoil $25/ per yd; Sand-$15 per yd; Millings-$20 per yd; Screened Millings $30 per yd; Clean Fill $8 per yd: $100 minimum delivery. No pickup truck service. Minimum 16 yd pickup at our yard. Call Jim @ 860-982-4819 for delivery

[Publisher Name] is a partner of CTjobs.com.

CONNECT WITH US  SOCIALLY 

FACEBOOK.COM/ RECORDJOURNAL NEWSPAPER

TWITTER.COM/ RECORD_JOURNAL INSTAGRAM.COM/ RECORDJOURNAL

Wanted To Buy

AARON’S BUYING

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

Old Machinist Tools, Lathes, BenchTools, Hand Tools & more. (203) 525-0608.

Right job. Find what you’re looking for, with CTjobs.com. CTjobs.com is Connecticut’s most comprehensive

Wanted To Buy

PREMIUM SCREENED TOPSOIL

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

Wood Fuel Heating Equipment TREE LENGTH FIREWOOD CALL FOR DETAILS 203-238-2149

Wanted To Buy 1,2,3 Items or an Estate $$$ CASH $$$ Todd Shamock Estate Sale Service Costume Jewelry, Antiques, Dolls, Toys, Paintings,Meriden Items 203-494-1695

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

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 $$ CASH FOR XMAS Looking For Old Costume & Sterling Jewelry Box Lots. “I Pay Top Cash For Your Grandma’s Costume Jewelry Stash” Julie 203-443-9602.

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

Looking for a friend?

Pets For Sale

MALTESE PUPPIES 1 male, 1 female. 5 months old, $1,000. 860-329-5623.

Find litters of critters in Classifieds. RECYCLE YOUR OLD NEWSPAPERS Please & Thank you.

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Businesses & Services Attics and Basements Cleaned

Home Improvements

Junk Removal

Masonry ALEX MASONRY - 30 yrs. exp. Patios, Ret. Walls, Steps, Brick, Stone, Chimneys. #580443. 203-232-0257 or 203596-0652

GARY WODATCH

Demolition Svs Sheds, pools, decks, garages, debris removal. Quick, courteous svc. All calls returned. Ins. #566326. Cell, 860-558-5430

Carpentry CARPENTRY

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

LOOKING FOR A NEW RIDE? Best Selection of Used Vehicles!

Specializing in roofing, siding, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, basement remodeling. Senior citizen discount Insured. Free est. 203-265-5200 HIC#0631937

Let Us BEAR Your Junk! Junk Removal in CT

TEC ELECTRICAL

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

HOUSECLEANING Housekeeper. Have many years of experience. References. (203) 630-7921, (203) 4999992.

Junk Removal

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

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

Say

hello

to results

Is Spring Cleaning on THE OUTSIDE FREE Estimates #569127 Call Kevin 203-440-3279

Roofing

Skylights. Flashing. Financing Available. #0649808 203.510.3830. lmconstructionct.com

FALL CLEANUPS Home Improvement, roofing, siding, misc., no job too big/small. DUMPSTER Rentals avail. 860.719.3953

/Classified

Local listings online!

OVER 28 YEARS EXP Stonewalls, patios, sidewalks, chimneys, pool areas, fireplaces, fire pit steps, all types of masonry work. Free est. (860) 274-4893.

Moving and Storage

Whether it is a lost ring, wallet or a Parrot named Oliver, a Classified ad can help track it down.

IF YOU Mention This Ad FALL Yard RT RELOCATION Clean-Ups Your moving and Brush, branches, leaves, storage specialists. storm damage Call for a free estimate. **JUNK REMOVAL** 833-668-3978. Appl’s, Furniture, Junk, Debris, etc Plumbing WE CAN REMOVE ANYTHING Yalesville Construction GEORGE J MACK & Specializing in all phases Entire house to SONS - Servicing the 1 item removed! of residential & Meriden area since FREE ESTIMATES commercial roofing. 1922. Toilet, faucet, Sr. Citizen Discount Senior citizen discount sink & drain repairs. LIC & INS. Insured Free est. Water heater replaceDUMPSTER RENTALS 203-265-5200 ments. 15% Sr citizen 203-535-9817 disc. 203-238-2820. HIC#0631937

Handyperson

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

Power Washing POWER WASHING

Landscaping

Gutters

A&R CLEANOUT SERVICE - Partial or total cleanouts of homes, GUTTERS DON’T garages, basements, WORK businesses. We Clean homes top to bottom If they’re dirty! For gutand do demolition work ter cleaning, Call Kevin also. Free estimates. (203) 440-3279 Fully ins. No job to small or large. CT# 569127 203-281-6387 or 203623-0166.

203-238-1953

Get Listed. Get Results.

Classified Section

House Cleaning Electrical Services

A19

A DIVISION OF

Call Jaime today

203-317-2306

Your Hometown Marketing Expert

Jaime Gianini, Strategic Sales Manager | jgianini@rjmediagroup.com

We partner with local companies to help move their business forward through comprehensive and impactful marketing solutions including print, digital, radio and streaming platforms. Our award-winning team has operated locally since 1867 and is ready to help your business grow.

MARKETING THAT MOVES YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD >>

A20

The Cheshire Citizen | cheshirecitizen.com

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Topsmarketplace.com 887 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike Plantsville, CT 06479 (860)621-5837

Boneless Sirloin Steak Certified Angus Beef

Sale Dates: Friday, December 10th thru Thursday, December 16th, 2021 Sun. - Sat.: 7am - 9 pm

329

Boneless • Skinless Chicken Thighs $

$ 99 lb.

Springer Mountain Farms Plus No Hormones No Antibiotics

lb.

Let Us Cater To You!

$ 99 lb.

Whole Pork Loin Boneless

Round White Potatoes 5 Lb Bag

$ 99 ea.

Ronzoni Pasta

Selected Varieties 12 To 16 Oz Box

Serve a delectable meal this holiday without the fuss. Check out our holiday catering menus by going to our website: www.topsmarketplace.com/ holiday-catering or call us at 860-621-5837 to reserve your meal!

Dole Classic Romaine 9 Oz Bag

Certified Angus Beef

$ 99

Botticelli Pasta Sauce Selected Varieties 14.5 To 24 Oz Jar

ea.

Fresh Snipped Green Beans Pero Family Farms 12 Oz Bag

Selected Varieties 32 Fl Oz Crtn

$ 99

2/$

Filippo Berio Pure Olive Oil

Quaker Life Or Cap’N Crunch Cereal

Friendly’s Ice Cream

$ 59

$ 99

Selected Varieties 16.8 To 18 Oz Box

2/$

$ 49 ea.

Seven Farms Organic Broth

5/$

Extra Virgin Or Extra Light • 25.3 Fl Oz Or Organic Extra • Virgin Or Organic 100% Italian Extra Virgin • 16.9 Fl Oz Btl

$ 99 lb.

Boneless Strip Steak

Selected Varieties Excluding Pistachio 48 Fl Oz Crtn

Whole White Mushrooms

All Natural • High In Potassium • 8 Oz Pkg

$ 49 ea.

Pillsbury Best All Purpose Flour Or Unbleached 5 Lb Bag

$ 79 Nellie’s Free Range Large Brown Eggs Or Extra Large 12 Ct Crtn

$ 99

Not Responsible For Typographical Errors. We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities. Illustrations Are For Display Purposes Only And Do Not Necessarily Represent Items On Sale.

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