Friday, March 20, 2020
www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 13, Number 12
Wells shut down due to manganese levels By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
The Water Department shut down two wells following new recommendations on levels of manganese in drinking water. Water Department officials plan to send letters to customers in the affected areas.
Roger Fuller, of Northborough, Mass., took his penny farthing bicycle for a spin on the trail Sunday, departing from Plantsville. Joy VanderLek, The Southington Citizen
Penny farthing turns heads on Farmington canal trail nickname, penny farthing, originates with the British coins. The wheels on the You never know what you’ll bicycle were of two differsee or who you’ll meet on ent sizes, one wheel larger the rail trail. Case in point than the other. The penny is Roger Fuller and his was the larger coin in comamazing old-fashioned bi- parison to the farthing. cycle. The bike is also Fuller was out and about known as a high-wheel or Sunday, riding the Farmpenny farthing. The bike’s
By Joy VanderLek The Southington Citizen
ington Canal Heritage Trail. He drove down from his home in Northborough, Massachusetts, to have an adventure on his Hungarian-made, highwheel bike. He found the Farmington Heritage Canal Trail using the trail See Bicycle, A8
In November, the state Department of Public Health changed recommended manganese levels from 0.5 mg/l (millograms per liter) to 0.3 mg/l. Water Department Superintendent Bill Cassarella said the state cited research raising health concerns for pregnant women and infants who ingest high levels of manganese over many years. The new levels were a recommendation from the state rather than a requirement. Cassarella said the department immediately turned off two wells known to have levels of manganese near or above the 0.3 mg/l limit.
Cassarella declined to provide the location of the wells that have been shut off, saying the department doesn’t give out the information for security reasons. He estimated that 10 percent of customers are affected by the two wells and will be receiving letters in about a month.
What’s manganese? Manganese is a mineral found in many foods and is necessary for good health according to the DPH. It helps with digestion, bone strength and boosts immune system function. While important for healthy adults, the DPH said manganese can build up more quickly in infants who excrete less of the mineral than adults. Adding water with excess manganese to baby formula, which already contains the mineral, can also cause increased levels in babies.
Dangers from manganese “If it has any chance of being are usually associated with harmful at all, I’m for doing something,” he said. See Manganese, A9
Businesses grapple with school closures, cancelled events By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
(This story was written prior to Gov. Ned Lamont’s announcement that restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters and casinos would be closed and so does not reflect the impact of that decision. With the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, changes are coming rapidly. Check with these businesses as to their current status and check the Record-Journal website for up-to-date information on virus-related news.) Amid event cancellations, school closings and pandemic fear, area businesses
are waiting to see how the coronavirus threat will affect customers. Theresa Malloy, owner of Paul Gregory’s on Center Street in Southington, said she’s had catering customers cancel orders. Others have adjusted, like COCC, the financial technology company
with offices on Executive Boulevard North. Malloy said the business usually orders pies for Pi day but was concerned about employees cutting their own slices. Malloy instead made 1,220 mini-pies and delivered them to the company’s Avon campus on Friday.
She hasn’t yet noticed an impact on customers, but hopes for a boost with people home and looking for something to do. She also expects the restaurant’s delivery service to pick up. See Businesses, A9