The Southington | Plainville Citizen

Lake Compounce celebrates 10 years of lights

Display to stay open until end of year

By Christian Metzger Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON Lake Compounce reopened Sat urday, Nov. 19 for its 10th annual Holiday Lights cele bration. This year, the park has extended its winter sea son, which usually begins on Black Friday. It will remain open until New Year’s Eve.

Holiday Lights will run from 5 to 9 p.m on Fridays and 4 to 9 p.m on Saturday and Sunday, though it will be open Monday through Sat urday during the final week of December.

Admission is $24.99 online and $39.99 in-person, with juniors and senior tickets priced at $19.99 (children under 3 get in free).

Over 500,000 lights are strung up around Lake Com

pounce, alongside other fes tive decorations that have transformed the park into a winter-themed wonderland. Events across the season in clude ugly sweater days Dec. 2 to 4 and Pawliday Lights on Dec. 11, where guests are invited to bring their dogs for pup cups and other activities.

The Holiday Lights celebra tion is capped off with a fire work show, bubble dance party and juice box toast on New Year’s Eve. A full sched ule of events is available on line at lakecompounce.com

The season was extended due to public demand, ac cording to Lake Compounce Marketing Director Lynsey Winters. “We saw such strong demand with guests throughout the summer and

See Compounce, A2

Officials review student performance

Area schools scoring higher than state averages in certain categories

By Christian Metzger Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON Student per formance in local schools ex ceeds the state average, though several areas still demonstrate a need for improvement, accord ing to findings presented to the Board of Education.

The results were part of an as sessment of the 2021-2022 school year, using the state’s per formance accountability system to gauge student success in En glish, science and math.

The number of students who met or exceeded performance expectations in English language arts (ELA) was much higher than the state average 64.1% across the district compared to the overall 49.1% state average. How ever, a higher percentage of stu dents are not achieving ELA learning goals after the pandem ic with 14% in 2022, over 10% in 2019. Academic growth targets for individual students also fell just below the state average, at 58.4% compared to the state’s 60.4%.

Overall the district placed sixth in comparison to 24 socioe conomically similar districts in the state, though for individual student achievement the district ranks 18th. “While achievement in our [district] was high, we fell lower in our target achieved by students,” said Stephanie Lawlor, district curriculum coordinator for Southington schools.

In math and science, however, the schools had a higher perfor mance average than the state

D.A.R.E. program has changed with the times

By Nicole Zappone The Citizen

PLAINVILLE In 1983, the Los Angeles Police Department recognized that en forcement alone was not enough to slow the rising tide of illicit drug use in the city. So a partnership was established between the L.A.P.D. and the Los Ange les Unified School District to develop a drug resistance education program for elementary school students. Today, that program, Drug Abuse Resistance Educa tion, is used across the country.

Lake Compounce park employee Danielle McClendon wraps lights around trees in the park,aheadoftheNov.19opening.

Christian Metzger, Record-Journal

fall season. It seems like people are getting into the holiday spirit earlier and earlier every year,” Winters said. “So we figured we'd try it and see and see how it goes. ”

Select rides will be operat ing, weather permitting, in cluding most of the attrac tions in the kiddy land sec tion of the park.

“We're hoping that it'll be a strong Holiday Lights sea son. Last year we saw a great turnout, even just bouncing back from COVID. So we're hoping this year will be even better, as long as the weath er's on our side,” Winters said.

The 100-foot Lake Com pounce Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the park, sit ting in the central plaza where the venue’s iconic horse usually resides.

“We got that hundred-foot tree, so if that doesn't grab your attention when you come in, nothing's going to,” General Manager Jeff Davis said. “I think that's a really unique aspect to our park that main entrance especially if you're a kid that's

four feet tall; the thing’s 96 feet towering over you. It’sa cool way to start the event. And then once you're in the park, it doesn't stop. It's just lights everywhere.”

cmetzger@record-jour nal.com

From A1

Pieces of a decorative tree lay in front of the Timberjack Chowhouse, yet to be hung on theframe.

Christian Metzger, Record-Journal

Student aid program

The Plainville High School Counseling Department will host a “FAFSA (Free Applica tion for Federal Student Aid) Completion Night” for PHS seniors and their families, Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 to 8 p.m., at the high school. Pro fessional financial aid advi sors will be available to help students and families com plete the FAFSA. For more information, and to RSVP, call 860-793-3220 ext. 1350, or email Stefany Barbagallo at barbagallos@ plainvilleschools.org.

Food for Fines

The Southington Public Li brary is offering its annual Food for Fines program through Tuesday, Dec. 27. Patrons can bring their li brary card and non-perish able food items to the Circu lation Desk to remove fines. All proceeds go to Southing ton Community Services. Al so, new mittens, scarves and hats are being collected. For more information, contact li brarian Shelley Holley at 860-628-0947 or holleys@ southington.org.

Holly Day

Boutique

The Bristol Garden Club will host a Holly Day Boutique Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the New Eng land Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave., Bristol.

Pierogi sale

Holy Trinity Polish National Catholic Church, 200 Sum mer St., Plantsville, is selling homemade pierogi (cheese, potato, sauerkraut, sweet cabbage), $15 per dozen. Call Cathy at 860-977-5010 to place your order.

Memory Café

Memory Cafés are safe and supportive social gatherings for people with changes in

their memory, along with their care partners. Relax and socialize with oth ers experiencing similar life challenges at the Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St. For more information, call 860-757-5728.

Santa visit

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and friends will circle Norton Park in Plainville Wednes day, Dec. 7. Spectators will be directed to parking spaces between 5:15 and

5:45 p.m. Attendees are in vited to dress up and deco rate their vehicle. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will ar rive at 6 p.m. joined by local police and fire trucks, and special treats will be handed out along the parade route.

Christmas Cantata

Grace Methodist Church, 121 Pleasant St., Southing ton, invites community members who love to sing to join its Christmas Cantata. Rehearsals are held Thurs day evenings and the Christ

mas Cantata will be per formed Sunday, Dec 18. No experience necessary. For more information, email clounsbury@cox.net or call 860-919-4237.

Leaf collection

Leaf collection in the Town of Plainville will continue through Saturday, Dec. 3, weather permitting. Rake leaves to the curbline. Bagged leaves and grass clippings will not be collect ed. No sticks or stones. Bagged leaves can be

brought to the drop-off cen ter Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., and Satur days from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Questions? Call Public Works, 860-793-0221 ext. 7176.

50th reunion

The Southington High School Class of 1973 50th re union planning committee is looking for classmates. If you are a 1973 SHS graduate, or know of one, email SHS73_50threunion@ aol.com.

D.A.R.E. arrived in Plainville more than 25 years ago, and over the ensuing decades, several thousand local students have gone through the program.

Officer Jessica Guerrette has taught D.A.R.E. for four

years at Linden, Wheel er and Toffolon elementary schools. She pointed out that the current curriculum is not just about dissuading drug use.

Guerrette said D.A.R.E. also shines a light on the dangers of alcohol and vaping, and teaches decision-making skills and how to deal with peer pressure and other stressful situations.

Guerrette, the School Re source Officer at Plainville High School, said D.A.R.E. classes “involve role-playing, teamwork, games, open con versations,” and more.

After 10 weeks, students graduate from the program.

Guerrette said D.A.R.E. in structors all members of law enforcement undergo training ”where they learn to

teach, engage and interact with students on a variety of different topics.”

Mark Medford is the North east Regional Director of D.A.R.E. America and was a D.A.R.E. instructor during most of his policing career. Medford said teaching the program “was always a pas sion.”

“I see the positive impact of law enforcement connecting with youth and the commu nity,” he added.

Guerrette would agree. She said when it comes to D.A.R.E., the town of Plainville “is very support

ive of this program, as are the principals at the elemen tary schools.”

Guerrette continued, “The class is not just about teach ing the D.A.R.E. curriculum, but also making a police presence at the school, forming bonds with the stu dents, and making the Plainville community feel safe.”

nzappone@record-journal.com 203-317-2212

Eversource, UI will cut electric rates for some, but not until 2024

By Andrew Brown The Connecticut Mirror

The electric bills for roughly 1.5 million power customers in Connecticut are expected to spike dramatically come January, but a long-awaited initiative that would ease monthly energy costs for the state’s lowest-income resi dents is still more than a year away.

Last week, both Eversource and United Illuminating Connecticut’s two investorowned electric utilities notified state regulators that the price their customers pay for power generation will jump by roughly 50% early next year.

United Illuminating, which powers homes and business es in Bridgeport, New Haven and 15 surrounding towns, said its average power cus tomer would soon need to pay roughly $79 more per month for electricity.

And Eversource, which sup plies electricity to customers in Hartford, Stamford, Dan bury, New London and 145 other towns, said its average customer would likely need

to pay an additional $84 per month due to the rising cost of natural gas and the price of power production in the Northeastern United States.

Those announcements shocked utility ratepayers across the state and set off a wave of denunciations and finger-pointing from Con necticut officials. State law makers from both parties sent out press releases com plaining about the utilities and vowing to find solutions

to alleviate the financial pressure on state residents.

One such solution, which would slash the power rates for poorer Connecticut fami lies, has been in the works for more than two years but has yet to go into effect.

The initiative officially start ed in 2020, when state law makers passed a bill that was known as the “Take Back Our Grid” act.

See Rates, A16

Property Transfers

SOUTHINGTON Property transfers reported from Oct. 11 14. Kevin T. Curylo to Carolyn Stewart, 186 Gwen Road, $275,000. John A. Wittenzellner and Eileen C. Wittenzellner to Patricia Scap pini and Sheila Haddad, 581 S. Farms Terrace Unit 581, $237,000. Eric Levesque and Gina Levesque to Shelby J. Head and May J. Booth, 245 Wonx Spring Road, $335,000.

Salah N. Almohammed to Prashant Tripathi and Ritika Dubey, 23 Old Oak Court, $525,000.

Redi Dishnica and Dajena

to Marta Diaz and Angel Diaz, 2118 Meriden Turnpike Unit 4, $285,000.

Senior Health

Exercise and stress

Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., learn more about what stress is, how physical activity can help reduce stress and what exercises are best at helping to reduce it. Presented by Christine Solimini-Swift, ex ercise physiologist, GoodLife Fitness. Registration re quired. Call 1-855-4424373 or go to Hartford HealthCare.org/VirtualClass es.

Caregiver support

Do you care for someone di agnosed with dementia? Join this support group the sec ond Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Facilitated by Patty O’Brian, CDP, dementia spe cialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Ag ing. Registration required. Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/ VirtualClasses.

Awareness training

Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 3 p.m., learn how you can avoid slips, trips and falls for an overall safer environ ment. Presented by Lisa Mu rawski, exercise physiologist, GoodLife Fitness. Registra tion required. Call 1-855442-4373 or go to Hartford HealthCare.org/VirtualClass es.

Cedar Mountain

Cedar Mountain Commons, an assisted living community located at 3 John H. Stewart Drive in Newington, will host an open house Wednes day, Dec. 7, from 3 to 7 p.m. Call 860-665-7901.

The Orchards

The Orchards, an indepen dent and assisted liv ing community located at 34 Hobart St. in Southington, will host an open house Thursday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. Call 860-628-5656.

Plainville Community Schools honored veterans on Friday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day. The school-based programs and ceremonies included guest speakers, musical performances, videos, readings, breakfast celebrations, recognitions, and more.

From

district-wide and on an in dividual level, upwards of 10 percentage points.

Southington ranked fourth compared to 24 oth er districts in math and sixth in science. Though in dividual achievement in these categories was still lower than comparable dis tricts, it remained above the state average with 71.6% in math against 65.2%.

SAT scores were also evalu ated as part of the assess ment. Just over 70% of stu dents achieved a score over the benchmark score of 480 on the SAT.

The math score was signifi cantly lower, only 47.2% of students making it above the target score of 530 last year, lower than the results from the last four years. De spite the results, Southing ton still ranked fourth, compared to the other dis tricts.

Many of the scores are low er than prior years, includ ing attendance. Only 58.9% of students attended school over 95% of the time, but a significant contributor to the decrease has been due to virtual learning and the challenges of overcoming the pandemic.

“There was a dip, but it was not astronomical. There wasn’t as much learning loss as per achieving and growth data than we might think and feel,” said Amy Zappone, director of teach ing and learning. “What we’re seeing already with one year post COVID is moving in that direction of upwards. So another solid year of all of our educators with all hands on deck, we’re hoping to get back to where we were and to sur pass that.”

Members of the board were largely pleased with the re sults, but were still aiming to seek improvement in the coming years. Assistant Su perintendent Frank Pepe outlined the district’s intent

to further bolster efforts to improve instruction to get back on track after the pan demic, in spite of strained teacher resources.

“We have just come through an extraordinary time, nobody can argue that. And now we have to deal with bringing our kids to where they need to be,” school board Chairper son Colleen Clark said.

RECYCLE YOUR OLD NEWSPAPERS

Please & Thank you.

visit our business directory southingtonchamber.com or scan

State expanding supportive housing for adults with intellectual disabilities

By Ginny Monk © The Connecticut Mirror

All her life, Bethanne Debel lis knew she didn’t want to go into a group home. She wanted the independence to

make decisions like what time to go to bed and how to decorate her kitchen.

But she still needed some support, so her only option was to live at her parents’

house in West Hartford until a new supportive housing fa cility opened in Bloomfield earlier this year.

The apartment building sets aside affordable housing for people who, like Debellis, have intellectual disabilities in this case, about a quar ter of the 49 units. The rest are designated affordable as well.

“It’s a big change,” Debellis said. “It’s fun.”

Most of the apartments for people with intellectual dis abilities are two-bedroom units, and residents are as signed roommates. Debellis

rooms with Emily Forman, a longtime friend from the Special Olympics.

The two moved in together in early September and dec orated their living room for autumn with tiny pumpkins, their bedrooms with pictures of horses, Disney characters and photos of family.

They both say meeting new people has been their fa vorite part of living at the supportive housing complex.

Few options outside of group homes

For years, Debellis’ family had searched for a solution

outside of group homes, but wait lists were long and op tions were scant.

Her parents worried about where their daughter would go as they aged and if they became unable to take care of her.

While the idea of providing supportive housing or housing that aims to help certain populations by pro viding case work or other services isn’t new, sup portive housing for people with intellectual disabilities has grown more popular in the state recently.

The aim is to provide ser vices and offer indepen dence.

Many residents come into this type of housing seeking support in case they need it, although they don’t typically need 24-hour care or help accomplishing tasks such as eating or getting dressed, of ficials said.

Initial state funding to build this type of housing opened in 2017, but considering the process to award money to developers, the time it takes to build a property and con struction delays during the pandemic, many have just started to become available in recent months.

The effort is part of a part nership between nonprofits, two state departments and a quasi-public agency.

The state Department of Housing provides construc tion funds, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority administers federal tax cred its, the state Department of Developmental Services funds services and nonprof its provide in-home services.

This story originally appeared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ctmirror.org.

AllPoints

Hibachi eatery opens in Plainville

By Nicole Zappone The Citizen

PLAINVILLE Nikki Zhu said that something was missing in Plainville, and one day, it occurred to her that there was no hibachi restaurant in the area.

Now residents have one, at 33 East St.

Zhu’s recently-opened restaurant, Shogun Hibachi, was once home to Sweet Basil, a Thai Fusion restau rant owned by the Zhu fami ly.

bachi opened on Oct. 12, it was very busy those first few days.

For lunch, Shogun’s most popular item is the lunch Hibachi Bento Box.

Words of Wellness

by Dr. Stacey Raya

CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH

“You meet new people that push you to give them the best experience that your restaurant has to offer, and I thought our team of people could really make this idea work, and we made it hap pen, ” said Zhu, a native of Fujin, China.

Now, the restaurant already has returning customers, and business has been steady.

“I took my niece out for lunch, and we had a great lunch,” Plainville resident Mary Ouellete said. “I had a hibachi combo lunch box, which was very good.”

Entree choices include veg etables, chicken, shrimp, steak, scallops and salmon, served with salad, soup, white rice and Hibachi veg etable.

the cheshire herald, March 21, 2019 twenty

Zhu runs the restaurant with her husband, who is the chef, and her sister Tina Wang.

“I started working in restau rant businesses as a young girl, and I was always pas sionate about paying atten tion to detail,” Zhu said. “It is important to grab the cus tomer's attention immedi ately, and I make sure I do that with Shogun and every thing it entails.”

Due to its size, Shogun is not your traditional hibachi set up where customers can watch their meals being pre pared. But it appears the public doesn’t mind.

Zhu said when Shogun Hi

Hibachi entries range from $18 for vegetables to $35 for lobster. Options also include chicken, shrimp, filet mignon, and more.

Also available on the menu are appetizers like Harumar ki (deep-fried vegetable spring roll), pan-fried or steamed Gyoza (pork dumplings), to name a few.

For more information, go to shogunplainville.com nzappone@record-journal.com

Chiropractic care isn’t just for those with mobility issues or those who have suffered an injury or accident. More people are turning to chiropractic care for mood support and better mental health. Mental health issues can assume many forms. Upper neck and spinal adjustments improve blood flow to the brain, which is beneficial for those with anxiety or depression. It offers a holistic, non-medicinal approach to treatment. Mental health problems can manifest themselves physically in various ways, such as muscle tension and stiffness, aches and pains throughout the body, and an inability to relax, leading to possible headaches or migraines. Misaligned vertebrae can make the nervous system out of balance, causing many of these symptoms. Chiropractic care can help.

A chiropractor is well-equipped to take a holistic approach to your mental health, looking at all possible ways to make you feel better. New studies now back up the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving certain mental health symptoms. For many, chiropractic may be a natural, affordable care option for improving quality of life for patients with depression or anxiety. To learn more, please call 860-621-2225 or make an appointment to see us at 200 Queen St., Southington.

P.S. Chiropractic care is focused on treating the whole body.

The answers you need. The Care you Deserve. Visit our website: RayaClinic.com CHIROPRACTIC NUTRITION ACUPUNCTURE SPINAL DECOMPRESSION

Shogun Hibachi, operated by the Zhu family, opened in October. Nicole Zappone, The Citizen

A decade later, Plainville Community Schools’ Veterans Day commitment has not wavered

By Steven LePage

Ten years ago, a calendar change was implemented for Plainville Community Schools, making Veterans Day a full school day.

When this change was first presented to the Board of Education for consideration, it was done with a commit ment to using the time to further educate our students on the significance of Veter ans Day, with an emphasis on the importance of re spectfully honoring our na tion’s veterans.

That commitment has con tinued and grown each year. After a pause in the “tradi tional” Veterans Day pro gramming in our schools during the pandemic, and use of more remote opportu nities to acknowledge and honor veterans, it was espe cially nice to get back to our in-person programs and cel ebrations across the district on Nov. 11, with a great many veterans who visited our five schools on that very special day.

Our creative and dedicated school-based Veterans Day planning committees curat ed a variety of creative, thoughtful and educational programming, activities, cer emonies and tributes woven throughout the day on Nov. 11.

Their efforts however, reach far beyond Nov. 11, as sever al post-Veterans Day initia tives are in place in our schools, such as the House of Heroes fundraising pro ject that the Wheeler School community is supporting through a series of upcom ing school spirit days.

At the elementary level, stu dents and staff developed unique programs that cre atively and respectfully hon ored veterans near and far on Veterans Day.

A variety of video tributes, readings, poems, musical performances and works of art were developed and shared with the school com munities and families. Each school also created vi sual displays in honor of vet erans, delicious refresh ments were on hand, and special hand-made gifts were given to those in atten dance.

Veterans Day learning con tinued throughout the school day at each school, and included a number of special classroom-based ac tivities.

At Toffolon School, stu dents interviewed several veterans both in person, and in video meetings, and many veterans visited the class rooms of their student family members.

At the Middle School of Plainville, students and staff arrived to see the enormous American flag on display outside of the building, thanks to this annual tradi tion made possible by the Plainville Fire Department, which had members on site, along with members of our Plainville Police Depart ment.

The middle school’s Veter ans Day programming cen tered on honoring the sacri fices made by veterans, and how veterans have exempli fied the qualities of integrity, responsibility, teamwork and cooperation in their jobs.

This exceptional undertak ing at MSP featured sever al guest speakers, includ ing faculty member/Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Couture; a color guard flag ceremony by the Boy and Girl Scouts; a special video tribute to the Travis Mills Foundation coordinated by MSP student Michael Ahern and family, and more.

Photographs of veterans were also collected and dis played on the middle school’s Wall of Honor in the atrium.

After the programming in the school’s gymnasium concluded, visitors were treated to home-made baked goods and refreshments pre pared by students, faculty and staff members.

Plainville High School host ed a breakfast program for veteran family members of the high school students as well as veteran staff mem bers.

During breakfast, attendees were able to view a video montage of those veterans, a tradition that began several years ago.

The video segment included service information about each veteran and was broad cast throughout the day on all of the school’s video monitors.

Assistant Principal Jonathan Coe addressed students via intercom, providing an overview of the history and traditions of Veterans Day, followed by the reading of the poem In Flanders Field written by John McCrae.

At 11 a.m., high school stu dent musicians played “Taps” in designated areas throughout the building. Ad ditionally, Plainville High School students created digi tal posters thanking, honor ing and recognizing veter ans.

The posters were on display throughout the high school and featured patriotic depic tions, colors and themes.

While each of the Veterans Day programs were unique, all five schools preserved the common goal of providing meaningful, respectful, edu cational events, activities, and programming in honor

of veterans both locally and globally.

Once again, the entire school district community was filled with pride and ad miration as we celebrat ed those who serve and have served our country and fought for the freedom we enjoy today. From the ex tended learning for students, to the meaningful and poignant observances in each school, Nov. 11 in Plainville Communi ty Schools was truly an ex ceptional day of reflection, recognition and honor.

As Superintendent and Pres ident of our Rotary Club of Plainville, I also had the privilege of co-hosting a breakfast event for veterans at our local VFW Post 574 on Nov. 16. Working together with the Ahern family and Scoops For Troops, local vet eran and community mem ber Frank Robinson and fel low Rotarians, we enjoyed a wonderful morning serving breakfast to our veteran guests. The breakfast event began with the Pledge of Al legiance, led by student Michael Ahern. I had the

honor of performing the Na tional Anthem with student Jaylen Thigpen, and a group of our middle school stu dents from the Serve and Protect Club, together with their advisor and faculty member Christina Corvel lo, sang “My Country Tis of Thee,” followed by speeches from several local veterans.

The Serve and Protect Club student members also creat ed beautiful cards, place mats and tributes for veteran guests to take home.

Veterans Day in both our schools and the local com munity at large is an oppor tunity to sincerely say “thank you” to veterans and reminds us of the sacrifices that so many individu als near and far, present and past, have made for our free dom. It also offers an oppor tunity to reflect on the in credibly kind and thoughtful community members we have in Plainville. I invite you to view the Plainville Community Schools Veter ans Day photo album on our district web site, plainvilleschools.org.

School districts prepare for free meal funding to expire

By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

Funding provided by the Schools Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition (SMART) will run out by the end of the month for many school districts. This means that students who don’t qualify for free and reduced meals will need to pay for school meals.

Both Wallingford Public Schools and Southington Public Schools administra tors project that their funds will be depleted by Nov. 30, meaning starting Dec. 1, the school districts will return to paid meals.

For Cheshire Public Schools, Superintendent Jeff Solan said he projects their funds will last until the end of De cember.

The SMART program went into effect in August once the state distributed $30 mil lion in American Rescue Plan Act funding to local

school districts to allow them to be able to continue to offer free meals to all stu dents until the funding ran out.

Wallingford received a total of $553,513, Cheshire, $688,000 and Southington $639,258. These total amounts were determined by a formula, according to John Frassinelli, division di rector of school, health, nu trition and family services for the state.

However, now that these funds are running out, dis trict administrators have or will notify families soon, preparing them for the switch back to paid meals.

Jennifer Mellitt, director of business and finances for Southington Public Schools, said the district already filed their notice to conclude the funding and have notified parents that they will be re turning to paid meals.

“We also encouraged par

ents to complete the free and reduced lunch applica tion which is on our web site,” Mellitt said.

Mellitt also said that at the Nov. 10, board of education meeting, the board members voted to increase the price of school meals by 25 cents due to the rising costs of food and supplies. This will be effective Dec. 1 and for both breakfast and lunch at all Southington schools.

“We did have some discus sion to see if the 25 cent in crease would actually be enough to support the cost of the program and Ms. Mel litt did state that with the federal reimbursement rates and the profit from the prior year, we should be able to operate at this price point,” said James Chrzanowski, board member, at the Nov. 10 meeting. “We will be monitoring those closely.”

With this change, prices for meals are as follows:

Elementary: lunch- $3.25/ breakfast- $2.25

Middle: lunch-$3.50/break fast- $2.25

High: lunch- $3.75/break fast- $2.50

Reduced: lunch- $.40/break fast-$.30

James Bondi, food services director for Wallingford Pub lic Schools, said that he and his team are in the midst of sharing pertinent informa tion to families regarding the switch to paid meals. Start ing Dec. 1, food prices for breakfast and lunch at Wall ingford schools are as fol lows:

Elementary: lunch- $3.25/ breakfast- $2

Middle: lunch- $3.35

High: lunch- $3.45/break fast- $2.15

Reduced: lunch- $.40/break fast- $.30

At the middle school level, breakfast is not currently of fered, but once it is, it will be $2.10

“Middle school breakfast is currently not offered but will be coming soon,” Bondi said.

For those eligible for free and reduced meals, Bondi said they are encouraging them to submit their appli cations.

Hearing Solutions

Hearing Solutions

John Diakun, M.S. Audiologist

John Diakun, M.S. Audiologist

Celebrating over 30 years

Celebrating over 20 years

Celebrating over 20 years

Kensington

Kensington Hearing Services 211 New Britain Rd. Kensington • (Next to McDonald's) 860-826-6450

Hearing evaluations. Hearing aid fittings, repairs and batteries. Medicare, HMOs, Medicaid Claims

Hearing evaluations. Hearing aid fittings, repairs and batteries. Medicare, HMOs, Medicaid Claims

TRADITION LIVES ON

Continuing a longstanding annual tradition, this fall, members of the Southington Genealogical Society cleaned up the historic Merriman Burying Ground on Marion Avenue. Gathering after raking leaves and removing sticks on Oct. 29 are Mike Baldwin, Sheila Lafferty, Richard Eppler and Laureen Galayda. Other volunteers included Pat Johnson and Robin Michel. Founded in 1984, the Southington Genealogical Society Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the accurate recording, research and preservation of family history. For more information, visit southingtongenealogicalsociety.org.

The Plainville High School Class of 1957 held its 65th reunion recently at La’s Bistro in Plainville. Fourteen classmates were in attendance. They are, front row: Barbara (Johnson) Alex, John Pompei, Dave Schmidt, Juliann (Dalke) Peckrul, Meda (Murphy) Moschini, Gale (Monsese) Litke, and Jane (Marcantonio) Teffs. Back row: Bobbie (Marquis) Gacek, John Laz, John Bednarz, Bill Biskupiak, May Ann (Stanko) Wovers, Bob Martino, and Bob Simone. The Class of 1957 was the first group to attend and graduate from the current PHS building.

doing our job to the best of our ability if we were only available part of the time. We have two full time pharmacists on duty. When you need a prescription filled or have a question, we're here for you. Always.

That legislation, for the first time, gave the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authori ty the power to develop a special set of electric rates for the lowest-income resi dents in the state, a step that nearly a dozen other states have already taken.

After months of hearings

and back-and-forth with the two utilities, the three mem bers of PURA voted earlier this year to create two new classes of power customers in Connecticut.

Any residential customer that is living at or below 160% of the federal poverty guidelines would see the normal cost of electricity re duced by 50%. That means an individual that takes home less than $21,744 or a family of four earning

$44,400 or less would be eli gible to cut their power bills in half.

At the same time, any resi dential power customer that takes home less than 60% of the state’s median income would get a 10% discount on their electric rates. That group would include indi viduals earning $39,761 or less per year or a family of four earning roughly $76,465 or less annually.

Those changes won’t lessen the power bills for anyone earning above those thresh olds.

But the state’s utility regula tors and other consumer ad vocacy groups argued the

new rate structure could help to reduce the number of uncollected bills and utili ty shutoffs in the state. And they hope it will help fami lies to cap their energy costs at less than 6% of their in come each month.

That could have a serious benefit for many people in the state.

Mary Sanders, a retiree who lives in Hartford, wrote to the state’s utility regulators earlier this year to voice her support for the new dis counted rates, and she ex plained the difficult choices she makes each month when her bills come due.

make ends meet I truly ap preciate this effort,” she wrote. “I was laid off a few years ago at the age of 63 af ter working 30 years in vari ous nonprofits. I had to take my Social Security early and a loss of $300 monthly.”

“It’s become increasingly difficult, and after rent pay ments, I’m deciding between food, medical expenses, transportation and utilities with the $600 that’s left,” she added. “I keep my energy costs as low as possible, but it’s still too high.”

Brilliant Basement Waterproofing, LLC

Basement Waterproofing Services

“As a senior struggling to

FREE Estimates R247210 BEFORELeafFilter

Many people in Connecticut spend a substantial amount of their income on electrici ty, even before the rate hikes that Eversource and United Illuminating announced last week.

Federal census data from 2020 estimates 17% of the state’s population live in a household that earns less than 160% of the federal poverty guidelines.

WE INSTALL YEAR-ROUND!

This story originally ap peared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ct mirror.org.

0653192 1-855-707-0321 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST

+ 20%% OFF OFF 10

SENIORS & MILITARY! YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE *

BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE LIFETIME WARRANTY

THE NA TION’ S GUTTER GUARD1 2 EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! Promo Code: 285 FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 1Subject to credit approval. Call for details. FREE GUTTER ALIGNMENT + FREE GUTTER CLEANING*

written* details available upon AFTERLeafFilter *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Offer valid at time of estimate o nly. 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. Registration# 0 366920922 CSLB# 1035795 Registration# HIC.0649905 License# CBC056678 License# RCE-51604 Registration# C127230 License# 559544 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2102212986 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 2106212946 License# MHIC111225 Registration# 176447 License# 423330 Registration# IR731804 License# 50145 License# 408693 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# H-19114 License# 218294 Registration# PA069383 License# 41354 License# 7656 DOPL #10783658-5501 Lice nse# 423330 License# 2705169445 License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912

R254987

VETERANS HONORED

Meals

From A13

In Cheshire, Solan said the district will be able to offer free meals through the end of December.

“We are constantly reviewing the funds and information to see if we have any possibilities to extend further,” Solan said.

Solan said the district will give families at least 30 days no tice before the funding runs out.

“We understand the benefit this has been to some families and the hardship it could put on families after the holidays and during the winter season,” Solan said.

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

In order to continue delivery to your home or business, we need to have each resident or business let us know that, by filling out our on-line requester form at myrecordjournal. com/southington-plainville-requester

Or, you can call us at 203-634-3933 and we can mail you a postage paid postcard to fill out and return. Without the necessary requester information, delivery of your Southington & Plainville Citizen to your home or business, will end. HELP

Plainville Community Schools honored veterans on Friday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day. More photos on Page 19 and 20.

More ways to

More Local Coverage

Connecticut’s Newest College Now Accepting Applications

On October 1, Connecticut State Community College began accepting applications for the Fall 2023 semes ter. CT State, as it is more commonly known, is the result of the pending consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. The merger will become official July 1, 2023.

Students can apply online and choose any CT State location. Classes will be held on campus, online or as hybrids for maximum flexibility when design ing a course schedule. Services for students will also be available both in person and virtually.

“We are excited to welcome the first CT State students, both those new to our campuses and the thousands returning in the fall. This new college – whose foundations are built on over 60 years of academic excellence and student success delivered by the best community college system in the nation – will help Connecticut’s resi dents achieve their educational goals, while meeting the state’s workforce needs,” said Middlesex Community College Interim CEO Kimberly A. Hogan.

Connecticut’s 12 community colleges serve approximately 60,000 students a year. As one institution, CT State will be the largest community college in New England and one of the largest in the nation, as well as the leading provider of higher education in Con necticut.

Students will have access to all the programs, services and support that

are available today but will benefit from access to classes on any campus without having to reapply or trans fer. Aligned statewide programs also means that prerequisites and courses required to earn certificates and asso ciate degrees are consistent.

Access to free community college through PACT will continue to be available to Connecticut high school graduates who have never attended college before. Accessing PACT and financial aid start with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov. (Students planning to start in Fall 2023 should use school code 007635.)

CT State will continue to offer a full array of non-credit programs and classes for personal and professional development at its many campuses. Additionally, students can enjoy lec tures, readings, concerts, intramurals and other student and community enrichment activities.

Each of the 12 CT State campuses have dedicated admissions, financial aid and advising staff that can help students navigate the enrollment pro cess. Assistance is available in person, online or on each location’s website. Click here for more information: CTState.edu.

La Universidad Más Nueva de Connecticut Ya Está Aceptando Aplicaciones

Este 1 de octubre, Connecticut State Community College comenzó a aceptar aplicaciones para el semestre de otoño de 2023. CT State, como es frecuentemente conocido, es el resul tado de la consolidación pendiente de las 12 universidades comunitarias de Connecticut. La unión será oficial el 1 de julio de 2023.

Los estudiantes pueden inscribirse en línea y escoger cualquier localidad de CT State. Las clases se llevarán a cabo en el mismo campus, en línea, o en modo híbrido para mayor flexibilidad cuando esté planificando su calen dario de cursos. Los servicios para los estudiantes también estarán dis ponibles en persona o virtualmente. “Estamos emocionados de poder darle la bienvenida a los primeros estudiantes de CT State, los que son nuevos en nuestros campus, y los que están regresando este otoño. Esta nueva universidad - cuyos cimientos se construyeron sobre más de 60 años de excelencia académica y estudian til, por el mejor sistema de universi dades comunitarias en la nación - le ayudará a los residentes de Connecti cut a lograr sus metas educativas, y a la vez satisfaciendo las necesidades de la fuerza laboral,” dijo Kimberly A. Hogan, Directora Ejecutiva Interina de Middlesex Community College. Las 12 universidades comunitarias de Connecticut sirven a aproxima damente 60,000 estudiantes al año. Como una institución, CT State será la universidad comunitaria más grande en New England y una de las más grandes en la nación, así como el principal proveedor de educación superior en Connecticut.

Los estudiantes tendrán acceso a todos los programas, servicios y apoyos que ya están disponibles, pero se beneficiarán del acceso a las clases en cualquier campus sin tener que aplicar o transferirse. El alinear los programas a nivel estatal significa que los requisitos y los cursos necesarios para obtener las certificaciones y los títulos asociados serán consistentes.

El acceso a la universidad comunitar ia gratuita por medio de PACT seguirá estando disponible a los graduados de las escuelas preparatorias de Connecticut que no han asistido a la universidad anteriormente. El primer paso para acceder a PACT y a la asis tencia financiera es completar la Free Application for Federal Student Aid en FAFSA.gov. (Los estudiantes con planes de comenzar en el otoño de 2023 deben usar el código 007635.)

CT State continuará ofreciendo una gama completa de programas que no otorgan créditos y clases (non-cred it programs and classes) para el desarrollo personal y profesional en sus múltiples campus. Además, los estudiantes pueden disfrutar de lec ciones, lecturas, conciertos, deportes intramuros, y otras actividades de enriquecimiento para los estudiantes y la comunidad.

Cada uno de los 12 campus de CT State tiene personal dedicado a la admisión, asistencia financiera y consejería, que le puede ayudar a los estudiantes a recorrer el proceso de inscripción. Hay asistencia disponible en persona, en línea o en el sitio web de cada localidad. Haga clic aquí para más información: CTState.edu.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PLAINVILLE LIQUOR PERMIT Notice of Application

This is to give notice that I,

JIGNESH PATEL, 858 OLD BUDDINGTON RD, GROTON, CT 06340-3258

Have filed an application placarded 11/15/2022 with the Department of Consumer Protection for a PACKAGE STORE LIQUOR PERMIT for the sale of alcoholic liquor on the premises at 62 W MAIN ST PLAINVILLE, CT 06062-1906

The business will be owned by: SHREE SIDDIDHATA LLC

Entertainment will consist of:

Objections must be filed by 12/27/2022

JIGNESH PATEL R256808

FOR SALE BY OWNERMercedes Station Wag on 2001, Silver. Only 66,700 miles, garaged. AWD. Asking $15,000 OBO. 860-919-7823.

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF PLAINVILLE REVENUE COLLECTOR’S NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the Town of Plainville. The 2023 Sewer Us age Bills are due November 1, 2022. The bills will be sent with two payment stubs. First installment is due November 1, 2022, and second installment will be due May 1, 2023. NO BILLS ARE MAILED FOR THE MAY INSTALLMENT.

If the first installment of the Sewer Usage Bill is not paid on or before Thursday, De cember 1, 2022. The sewer usage tax be comes delinquent and is subject to interest of 1.5 % per month (18% annually) and will be added from due date. The minimum in terest charge is $2.00 per installment. Sec. 12-146.

Payments will be received in the Reve nue Collector’s office, Town Hall, 1 Central Square Plainville, CT 06062 each business day as follows:

Monday through Wednesday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Thursday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Dated at Plainville, Connecticut this 6th day of October 2022. R256102

A B C - “A BETTER CHOICE” - Costume Jewelry Wanted Old, New, Napier, Etc. “I Pay Top Cash For Your Grandma’s Costume Jewelry Stash” I’ll come to you, 203-4439602 Julie.

AARON’S BUYING

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

GRASSY HILL AUC

TOP CASH PAID

For Junk or unwanted vehicles, Toyota’s etc.

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

ALWAYS

203-768-2443.

ANTIQUES - Always buying old; Toys, military, jewelry, art, watches, musical instruments, signs, arcade games, cameras, pre 1970 sports memorabil ia, plus more. One item or entire estate contents. Call 860718-5132.

TIONS, - an Estate Sale, Liquidation, Attic & Basement Cleanout Company is Always Buying and providing services all over Con necticut. These are just a FEW of the things we are looking for: An tiques, Collectibles, Old/ Vintage Toys, Mu sical Instruments (Sax ophones, Trumpets, Vi olins, Flutes, Clarinets, Trombone & SO MUCH MORE) Advertising Items, Wristwatches (Broken or Not), Pocket Watches, Tools (Ma chinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Pho tographs, Old Post cards, Brewery Items, Hunting & Fishing, PEZ Dispensers, Costume Jewelry, Broken Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uni forms, Pocket Knives, Lighters & Pipes, Foun tain Pens, Mechanical Pencils, Fraternal Order Items, Religious Items, Industrial Items, Win chester Items, Sikorsky Items, Pratt & Whitney Items, Colt Items, Na tive American Items, Vintage Electronics, Slot Cars, Toy Trucks, Matchbox & Hot wheels, Barbie’s, Folk Art, Statues, Bronzes, Trains, Cameras, Mid Century Modern Fur niture, Straight Razors, Shaving Items, Political Items, Comic Books, Sports Cards & Auto graphs…& THE LIST GOES ON! So please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

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

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

SENIOR SANITARIAN

MINUTES CLERKS

PREMIER

Seeking a responsible individual to oversee the inspection and enforcement of public and environmental health statutes, codes and regulations. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, public health or closely related field plus 2 years’ experience in regulatory environmental public health. Must possess State of CT certifications in Food Service Inspection, Subsurface Sewage Phase I & II, and a valid CT Drivers’ license. Salary: $84,586 to $108,221 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 December 23, 2022. Phone: (203) 2942080; Fax: (203) 2942084. EOE

The Town of Cheshire seeks candidates to assist various Town volunteer boards, com missions & committees. Responsibilities include assisting with preparation of meeting agendas, attending meetings & typing, filing & distributing concise & accurate minutes within a designated time frame. Will work in conjunc tion with Town staff & committee Chairs. Competency with Mic rosoft Word & emailing attachments required. Most meetings are held in the evenings Mon day through Thursday. This position is parttime & pays $25 per hour with an increase to $30 per hour upon completion of a six month probationary period. Please see the Town’s web site at www.cheshirect.org for additional information. Application & cover let ter must be submitted to Human Resources Director Louis Zullo at lzullo@cheshirect.org by December 15, 2022. Current clerks should submit a letter stating their interest to contin ue. Town of Cheshire is an EEOE, M/F/D/V

TIMELESS TREASURES

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

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

Needed for Southington/ Meriden/Berlin/Rocky Hill - Must be 21yrs or older and possess a driver’s license for at least 3yrs – Paid training to acquire CDL license and endorsements available –The opportunity to bring your children to work, No Childcare$$ - Contact Sheila at New Britain Transportation (860) 8280511 ext. 221 or visit us at, 257 Woodlawn Rd., Berlin, CT

Ana M. LeGassey C.C.M.C. Plainville Revenue Collector

HUMAN RESOURCES

ASSISTANT

The Town of Wallingford is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform a variety of confidential human resources support activities. Requires a H.S. diploma or equivalent and 3 years’ responsible office experience that includes performing human resources work. $23.68 to $28.36 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefits 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 or emailed to: wlfdhr@ wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of December 9, 2022.

Phone: (203) 2942080; Fax: (203) 2942084. EOE

ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER

Town of Cheshire seeks qualified candidates to be involved in the construction, investi gation, development, review and design of Town’s Public Works projects. 35 hr/wk. Excellent benefits. Salary range: $65,894 to $98,006; DOQ. Refer to the Town’s web site @ www.cheshirect.org for details on applying & job description.

Submissions must be received NLT close of business on 12-16-22.

Town of Cheshire is an EEOE, M/F/D/V

GARY WODATCH

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

WE’RE HIRING!

RJ Media Group seeks an energetic and experienced Media Advertising Sales Consultant to join our talented team of marketing experts. This position offers a competitive salary plus commission plan, 4+ weeks of paid time off per year, health and welfare benefits, 401(k), free newspaper subscription, and cell phone & mileage reimbursement.

RJ Media Group is an EOE. For details visit rjmediagroup.com/careers or email Jim Mizener, VP of Advertising, at jmizener@record-journal.com

TEC ELECTRICAL

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

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** Appl’s, Furniture, Junk, Debris, etc WE CAN REMOVE ANYTHING Entire house to 1 item removed!

PATIOS, WALKWAYS, Stonewalls, Steps, Concrete, Repairs, Etc.

Yalesville Construction Specializing in all phases of residential & commercial roofing. Senior citizen discount Insured Free est. 203-265-5200 HIC#0631937

CLEAN & REMOVE

Furniture, applianc es, entire contents of: homes, sheds, estates, attics, basements, garages & more.

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

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

Free est. Fall clean-ups, tree, brush & debris removal. 203.237.6638 or 203.427.3039.

GARY WODATCHHedge & tree trimming. Trim overgrown prop erties. Calls returned. #620397. 860.558.5430

FREE ESTIMATES Sr. Citizen Discount LIC & INS. DUMPSTER RENTALS 203-535-9817

JT’S LANDSCAPING

LLC - FALL CleanUps, Call today, for free quote. 203-2136528. Lic. #616311.

Free Ests. #0648556 203.808.6886 arnoldsmasonry.com

GARY WODATCH - Tree Removal. All calls re turned. CT#620397 Quick courteous ser vice. 860-558-5430. Let

com HIC.0664452