www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 18, Number 46
Friday, November 12, 2021
Money approved for library, but steps remain By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Following support from town voters at the Nov. 2 referendum, town officials can start finalizing plans for a new library. Library leaders pitched preliminary plans for a library building that’ll total 30,000 square feet at a cost of $17 million. The current 21,000 squarefoot library isn’t large enough and
has a host of problems, they’ve said.
cess wasn’t guaranteed.
Next steps
Joanne Kelleher, a library board member, was among the leaders of an effort to convince voters to support the new library building. That effort included mailers, signs and visits to town groups. She was glad for the referendum’s passage with 61.5 percent of the vote.
“There were a lot of minds that had to be changed,” Furgalack said. “It wasn’t without a lot of hard work. Joanne Kelleher and her committee did a lot of hard work to get it passed.”
With the money for the new building approved by voters, the next step is for the Town Council to appoint a building committee. Town Manager Mark Sciota said the committee will in turn hire a construction manager and an architect.
Joanne Furgalack, a library board member, said the referendum’s suc-
Kelleher and others formed a political action committee to fundraise for the effort.
They’ll work to put together a design See Library, A2
Triano returns as council chair
Democratic party chair resigns By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Erica Byrne resigned Friday following Tuesday’s election defeat for her party, citing infighting among Democrats. Local Democrats Byrne were divided over the cause of the Nov. 2 defeat, with some party leaders blaming national trends and others pointing out local failings and leadership mistakes. Byrne released a letter of resignation to Democratic Town Committee members Friday, Nov. 5. “I underestimated how much certain town committee members relished going to war with each other by spreading rumors, sharing See Democrats, A24
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Southington resident Dave Salvatore, right, poses with Southington Community Services director Janet Mellon on Sept. 7. Salvatore is one of the pantry’s largest food donors and made a delivery of over 800 pounds of goods on Aug. 30. Devin Leith-Yessian, Record-Journal
Organizations collect food, toys, coats for the holidays By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
As the holidays near and the weather turns colder, nonprofits are holding donation drives for food, toys and winter clothing.
“People are very generous, and it is the holiday time and I think people understand there are families that go through rough times, especially around the holidays,” said Southington Rotary Club President Jenn
Solomon. The club held its fall food drive at Tops Supermarket over the weekend, collecting non-perishables for Bread for Life on Saturday and See Holiday drive, A2
Victoria Triano began her second consecutive term as chairwoman of the Town Council Monday following the reelection of Republican incumbents last week. All but one of the council members are Triano returning after successful reelection campaigns. Jack Perry, a newcomer Democrat, took a seat on the council vacated by Democrat Chris Poulos, who didn’t run for reelection. Council Republicans recommended Triano for another term as chair, saying she’s been involved a host of organizations and efforts in town and has been an effective See Triano, A3