Friday, March 13, 2020
www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 13, Number 11
Health director talks coronavirus By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Dealing with coronavirus will be a marathon rather than a sprint, the Plainville-Southington Health District director Shane Lockwood told the Southington Town Council Monday night. He expected to be dealing with effects from the contagious virus for months, although he’s hoping the pandemic is over sooner. “I plan on dealing with this for the rest of the year,” Lockwood said.
Kurt Hemme, of Burlington, holds pet parrot Miku while out for a walk with dog Marley, 1, at Mount Southington on Monday. He was visiting wife Doreen at Mount Southington. The slopes reopen this weekend. Photos by Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Residents enjoy ‘awesome’ weather By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
days in January and February thanks to mild winter weather.
There were more than 100 golfers at Hawk’s Landing Country Club on Monday, an unexpectedly busy day for early March, according to golf director Nick Paradis.
“It’s very unexpected and very awesome,” Paradis said.
The course has been open for the past 10 days and even opened on
Golf courses are seeing a spike in play as temperatures reached 70 degrees on Monday. While some ski slopes were open, those businesses can struggle to draw skiers
when the weather warms. The Tradition Golf Club in Wallingford opened Sunday and was busy again on Monday. “Busy from 8:30 a.m. to now,” said Dave Giacondino, the course’s PGA pro. See Weather, A3
Council members asked Lockwood about whether the schools were prepared and if the virus could reappear after the first wave of cases. Councilor Jim Morelli asked how long the coronavirus might remain in the state: “How fast does it go away? Does it linger? Can you get it again and again?” Lockwood said experience with the H1N1 and SARS viruses showed that the diseases hit hard the first time around but that subsequent outbreaks were weaker. “I fully expect waves based on historical trends,” Lockwood said. Paul Chaplinsky, a council member See Coronavirus, A6
Council considers $13.9M library plan By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
A new library won’t cost more than $13.9 million, according to Town Council Chairwoman Victoria Triano, citing the total earmarked in the town’s capital budget for the project.
Triano is among the six Republicans who form a majority on the nine-member council. Democratic council minority leader Chris Palmieri said he was willing to increase the library construction spending depending on needs. The first estimates for a new
or renovated library were both nearly $20 million. Library officials have tasked the town’s architect to come up with less expensive plans that still meet their requirements for a larger, more modern building. The Southington Public Library, 255 Main St. See Library, A2
Dave Zajac, Record-Journal