Southington Plainville Citizen - Dec. 16, 2022

Court ruling results in loss of tax revenue for Southington

By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON A contested land valuation court case decided against Southington will result in a loss of local tax revenue for upcoming fiscal years.

New Britain’s Board of Water Commissioners contested Southington’s valuation of more than 1,200 acres of land the New Britain Water Department owns in South-

ington and on which it pays taxes.

Southington has valued the land at about $2,500 per acre. In October 2020, that valuation jumped to more than $5,600 per acre. The New Britain Water Department appealed the valuation and the accompanying tax increase.

Following a judge’s decision in October, New Britain’s Southington holdings will

be valued at $2,100 per acre.

The loss for Southington is threefold, according to Board of Finance Chairman John Leary. The town won’t get the additional taxes from the higher valuation. Southington also had the value of the land reduced from previous years by about $400 per acre. It also must credit the New Britain Water Department for over-

See Taxes, A5

Plainville residents launch new cafe with Mexican flare

By Nicole Zappone Record-Journal staff

Plainville resident Jessy Agustin has worked in the food service industry since she was 16. This fall, at the age of 30, she made the leap to owning her own restaurant.

Agustin’s Expresso Cafe, located in the nook of Bristol on Maple Street, opened for business on Sept. 6. It was a proud day for the owner.

“This was my dad’s dream,” Agustin said. “He passed away three years ago, and it was something I knew he wanted. I am doing this in his honor.”

Expresso Cafe serves breakfast and lunch.

Agustin is a server at the eatery, and her husband, Miguel Angel Vasquez Cabrera, is the chef.

“My husband came from Mexico from a poor family,” Agustin said. “He had five brothers and sisters combined that he needed to help support. So he had to get a job and send money home.”

Agustin said once her husband’s siblings were old enough, Miguel could follow his own path. That’s when the couple began looking for a space to start up a restaurant.

The process of finding the right location took about three years and came

See Cafe, A6

Shuttle Meadow Reservoir is seen from above from Long Bottom Road in Southington on April 6, 2021. New Britain’s largest holdings in Southington are in the northeast corner of town. They include the Shuttle Meadow and Wassel reservoirs as well as surroundingland.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal file photo

Local seniors staying strong using SilverSneakers program

By Cris Villalonga-Vivoni Record-Journal staff

For many, basic daily movements are mindless. The muscle one uses to put on a seatbelt, carry groceries, or push a vacuum cleaner are often actions that don't require a lot of thought when you are young.

"It seems so basic, but there are a lot of muscles involved in something as simple as reaching up and grabbing a plate out of the cupboard or bending over and emptying the dishwasher … There's a lot involved, your core, your legs, all that," said Carrie Marquardt, health and wellness director of MeridenNew Britain-Berlin YMCA and Crossfit Meriden

However, as a person ages, they begin to lose those motor skills. So, local fitness and senior centers partnered with SilverSneakers, a fitness and wellness program for adults over 65 years that fo-

cuses on daily movement as a way to maintain the skills and prevent other health issues all while socializing and having fun.

Health care and fitness

SilverSneakers is one of the first national programs designed for active older adults that combines fitness and healthcare by providing full gym memberships and online resources at no additional cost. A brand of Tivity Health, the program is available through multiple insurances, including Anthem, Aetna, ConnectiCare and Medicare.

SilverSneakers has exponentially grown since its founding in 1992, according to their website

In its first four years, its founder, Mary Swanson, developed and taught a chairbased workout called Silver-

Sneakers Classic at 15 locations in Arizona. Now, SilverSneakers is available at 22,000 fitness centers in all 50 states. In addition, it has developed numerous spinoff curricula, such as SilverSneakers Yoga and SilverSneakers Circuit.

According to Tivity Health, in 2020, SilverSneakers had two million SilverSneakers.com accounts and more than 18 million adults 65 and older were eligible for the program through Medicare plans.

Connecticut has 32 certified fitness centers, communitybased centers, and parks offering SilverSneakers classes.

Starting in 2023, SilverSneakers will be the only senior fitness program offered through Apple Fitness+.

Marquardt explained that SilverSneakers is subsidized by the insurance company.

Steve Richards, of Meriden, works out in the Silver Sneakers fitness class at the MeridenNewBritain-BerlinYMCAonMonday,Dec.5.

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

Football Alliance continues to draw allies

By Bryant Carpenter Record-Journal staff

The inaugural 48-team CIAC football postseason came to a close last weekend, and the 2022 playoffs were validation for the Connecticut High School Football Alliance.

Formed five years ago, the Alliance matches opponents similar in size and success from different leagues during the regular season in hopes of fostering compelling games.

All but two of Connecticut’s high school football conferences participate and this year’s formula of 1-2 Alliance games for most teams seems to have achieved the right balance, allowing for good non-league matchups without interrupting conference schedules.

Game-planners had far more hits than misses. Ten Alliance games pitted teams that eventually went to the playoffs, such as the Southington-Greenwich drama on Sept. 24, when the Blue Knights rallied from three scores down to force OT and

win on a two-point conversion.

Six others weighed heavily in playoff races. Alliance losses kept a half dozen 6-4 teams Platt, Windsor, Fitch, Waterford, Bunnell and Darien

At left: Cheshire’s Adam Vernon returns a punt during the season opener against New Milford, a Connecticut High School Football Alliance game that was one of 10 this season in which both teams ultimately qualified for the state playoffs.

James Brandolini, Cheshire Herald

and were instrumental in getting their conquerors North Haven, Shelton, Berlin, Branford, Notre Dame-West Haven and Maloney, respectively into the show.

erick doesn’t dispute that. His team’s 21-9 victory in Darien on Sept. 23 in a game pitting 2021 state champions was a huge confidencebooster for a squad that had suffered heavy graduation losses and had a number of new starters.

Rising to the challenge of Darien, Frederick said, helped the Spartans down the road in their No. 1-2 showdown with Southington on Nov. 4 (a 31-28 OT victory for Maloney) as well as in the Class L playoff wins over New Milford and Shelton.

“It helped us as a program to travel to Darien and play in front of a hostile environment,” Frederick said. “How we dealt with that pre-game going up there and the atmosphere of that game, it’s something you want your

State program to expunge records faces delays

By Susan Haigh Associated Press

HARTFORD Most eligible Connecticut residents with certain cannabis possession convictions roughly 44,000 cases should have their records automatically erased within 60 days, or about a month longer than expected under a state law taking effect Jan. 1, Gov. Ned Lamont said last week.

The Democratic governor also acknowledged it should take about six to eight months longer to process

petitions to have other drugrelated crimes erased, noting how that part of the state’s “Clean Slate” law is more complicated and requires the creation of a new database.

Based on preliminary estimates, hundreds of thousands of convictions are expected to be erased once the law is fully implemented.

“The vast majority of folks can have their marijuana-related convictions which is the vast majority of the convictions cleaned over the

course of the next 60 days,” Lamont told reporters Wednesday, Dec. 7 following an unrelated state Capitol news conference. “This has been sort of something that’s been discussed for the last 20 years. We got it passed in the last year and we’re going to make sure that this is properly and appropriately and safely implemented.”

The Clean Slate provisions were included in a 2021 state law that legalized the recreational use of cannabis.

The goal was to help those communities and individuals disproportionately harmed by the nation’s war on drugs.

Retail sales of marijuana in Connecticut are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023.

Advocates, however, voiced concern last week about anticipated delays in criminal record expungements.

They predicted many people would be disappointed after waiting for years to rid their records of old criminal con-

victions that made it difficult for them to find housing and employment.

During a news conference in New Haven on Dec. 7, they urged the Lamont administration to redouble efforts to finish the promised expungements as soon as possible.

“Many people with records have a healthy distrust of state government already. But if they keep this up, then that’s only going to make it worse, ” warned Rodney Moore, a co-chair of the Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, or CONECT, criminal legal reform team. He estimated as many as 300,000 could be impacted.

Democratic state Sen. Gary Winfield of New Haven, and Rep. Steve Stafstrom of Bridgeport, co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, said they understood it is a complicated process to review so many records and believe the delay is legitimate.

However, they stressed the importance of helping people who made a mistake decades ago.

“We can’t hold them to who they were in a moment in their lives,” Winfield said. “We can look at who they are and move forward.”

Under the law, convictions for possession of under four ounces of marijuana imposed between Jan. 1, 2000 and Sept. 30, 2015 would automatically be erased on Jan. 1.

Those affected don’t need to take any action to have their conviction expunged, allowing them to tell employers, landlords and schools the conviction never occurred.

The law also allows people to file a petition in Superior Court to have certain violations erased.

The list includes convictions for possession of less than or

From A1

payment of taxes since the revaluation.

“It went backwards on us,” Leary said.

Town Attorney Alex Ricciardone said the town and New Britain were still finalizing what the total credit would be and the impact to Southington.

Valuations and taxes

The amount of real estate taxes owed is determined by the town’s tax rate and the value of the property. The tax rate, or mill rate, is the number of tax dollars on every $1,000 of assessed property value. Property value assessments are determined by taking 70 percent of a property’s fair market value.

The largest parcel of land New Britain owns, 375 N. Shuttle St., totals 410 acres and generated $45,000 in taxes for Southington last year.

While the mill rate has stayed just over 29 for bills due in 2021 and 2022, New Britain only owes about $17,500 on those 410 acres this year due to the adjusted land value. The city had

been paying about $22,000 per year before Southington’s revaluation.

Town records show the appraisal of 375 N. Shuttle St. as just over $1 million until the revaluation in 2020 when the appraisal jumped by nearly $1.2 million. Following October’s court case, the appraisal of $2.2 million dropped to $860,000.

New Britain’s largest holdings in Southington are in the northeast corner of town. They include the Shuttle Meadow and Wassel reservoirs as well as surrounding land.

Valuing water supply land

New Britain filed the case early last year, claiming Southington’s valuation of the undeveloped land was too high. New Britain enlist-

ed the testimony of Christopher Kerin, a real estate valuation expert, during the trial.

Kerin’s analysis of recent development rights purchases led him to the value of $2,100 per acre for farmland or similarly undeveloped land. State statute determines that water supply land is valued as improved farmland.

Southington’s valuation expert, George Malia, based his valuation of $7,500 per acre on land sales and what sellers and buyers determined the land, but not improvements to the land, were worth.

Statewide, farmland is valued between $850 and $1,880 per acre. Superior Court Judge John Cordani wrote that those valuations were the most applicable to

the properties held by New Britain in Southington and ruled in favor of Kerin’s estimates of land value on Oct. 11.

Budget implications

Leary and the finance board will soon begin working on a budget for the 2022/23 fiscal year. With the town losing some money through the decreased valuation on New Britain land, Leary said the Southington Water Depart-

ment might be able to find savings through a look at the valuation of land Southington has in other towns such as Wolcott. Leary didn’t believe the decline in tax revenue as a result of the court case is a cause for concern. The upcoming budget will be challenging, he said, but mostly as a result of pandemic money drying up and other factors.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com 203-317-2230 Twitter: @JBuchananRJ

Cafe

withsome challenges. Initially, the couple planned to open a traditional Mexican restaurant, but after one building owner objected to having alcohol served at the site, Agustin said she and her husband began leaning towards opening a cafe.

“We decided that breakfast would be much easier,” Agustin said, pointing and that “coffee is the main drink.”

unique dishes like strawberry-banana creme crepes with La Lechera drizzle, powdered sugar and whipped cream; or a Mexican chorizo sandwich made with two scrambled eggs, onions, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers and pepper jack cheese, and served on a Portuguese roll. There’s also the Santa Fe burger, which comes with mayo, pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese and avocado, on a bun.

Expresso Cafe, 97 Maple St., Bristol, is open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

Expresso Cafe offers guests

From A1

Plainville residents Jessy Agustin and her husband, Miguel Angel Vasquez Cabrera, recently opened Expresso Cafe at 97MapleSt.inBristol. Nicole Zappone, The Citizen

The NVL and the Pequot League are the two conferences that don’t participate in the Alliance.

kids to be a part of.

“It told us a lot about our team that week,” he added. “For us to go down there with a young team without a lot of experience and to beat a team like Darien that’s such a storied program, it injected us with a lot of confidence to know we could play with anyone, that last year wasn’t a one-time thing.”

Coaches like the variety and vigor Alliance games provide.

They flavor an otherwise same-old, same-old league slate and get a good team prepped for the postseason.

At the same time, coaches don’t want to lose the sovereignty of their conferences.

They want a full league schedule, in which all teams in a division or tier play one another, to be sacrosanct. Ditto for Thanksgiving rivalries.

“I think it’s better this year than a year ago,” remarked North Haven coach Anthony Sagnella. “One of the things our league wanted the (SCC) Tier 1 coaches wanted was a champion. When we were playing four Alliance games, that made it difficult to do that. Playing two was good; it spices up the schedule.

“But, again, that’s predicated on how many teams are in Tier 1,” Sagnella added.

“There might be eight teams in Tier 1 next year. That may impact your ability to play out of league, because we’re always pencilled in with Amity on Thanksgiving. If there are eight Tier 1 teams or nine Tier 1 teams, we only have wiggle room for one. But, yeah, it’s good to get out.”

Ansonia coach Tom Brockett would like to see the Naugatuck Valley League get out and about, too.

Both leagues feature 16 teams.

“When I was on the (CIAC) Football Committee,” he added. “I thought every team should have to play one out-of-league game in order to qualify (for the playoffs).”

to see Amity and Seymour play an old Thanksgiving rivalry, or Ansonia-Shelton. Things like that I’d like to see. ”

Both leagues play entirely within conference during the regular season.

In the NVL, Brockett is a minority voice when it comes to the Alliance.

“I voted in favor of it last year and I’ll vote in favor of it again this year,” he said.

Will the result be any different?

“I don’t know,” Brockett replied. “The league is really an old traditional league. We’ve got a couple guys who were in the Alliance in other leagues that are head coaches now that didn’t necessarily love it.

Brockett also puts forward this argument: As good a concept as the Alliance is, as compelling as the matchups are, the scheduling of games should be left to athletic directors and coaches.

“What if you’re getting on a bus going to Putnam or something, and that game doesn’t work for you?” Brockett reasoned. “I’d like to see it the way where you schedule a game that works for your community.

A3 Football R257193

It would seem the way forward lies in a sort of flexible balance between home rule and outside influence, between tradition and new wrinkles.

“I hope they continue it; I think it gets you battle-tested,” Frederick said. “They did a good job matching teams up with similar programs with similar success.

“As long as they don’t take away that Thanksgiving Day game, I’m OK with everything,” the Maloney coach

“I’d rather see Sheehan go play Platt than Sheehan get on a bus and play someone else two hours away. I’d like

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R247308

Better Business Bureau honors local company

Press Release

In recognition of its ongoing dedication to community service and philanthropy, Realized Solutions, Inc. of Southington was recently presented with the 2022 Community Care Award by the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut at its Annual Meeting, at the Inn at Middletown.

Highlighted during the presentation, was the compa-

ny’s support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut though its donation over the past seven years of 70 custom-built bikes and other contributions to the statewide youth mentoring organization.

As part of the Better Business Bureau’s award, a $1,000 gift was made to Big Brothers Big Sisters in honor of Realized Solution’s commitment to community service.

At the awards ceremony were Ryan Matthews, Vice President of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut; Laura Beyer, Director of Marketing at Realized Solutions; John Beyer, President and CEO at Realized Solutions; and Joe Gleason, Vice President of OperationsatRealizedSolutions. Contributed

Senior Health

Dental clinic

The Community Health Center Mobile Dental Clinic will offer preventative dental services at the Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St., by appointment on Dec. 28 and 29.

Services include x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and oral health education.

For patients with no dental insurance, a standard fee of $30 for cleaning, x-rays and fluoride applies.

To schedule an appointment, call Monica Caseley at 475-471-5011.

Caregiver support

Join this dementia caregiver group the second Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Facilitated by Patty O’Brian, CDP, dementia specialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.

Registration required. Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/ VirtualClasses.

Virtual meet-up

Chat with other dementia caregivers the third Monday of the month (Dec. 19) from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Facilitated by a Hartford

HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging Dementia Specialist.

Registration required.

Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/ VirtualClasses.

Arbor Rose

Arbor Rose at Jerome Home, an independent and assisted living community located at 975 Corbin Ave. in New Britain, will host an open house Monday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Registration is recommended. Call 860-2293707.

Online support

Do you care for someone diagnosed with dementia? Join this online support group the last Monday of the month (Dec. 26) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Topics include: communication techniques, benefits of activities, stages of the disease, family dynamics and safety issues.

Facilitated by Michelle Wyman, dementia specialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.

Registration required. Call 1-855-442-4373 or go to HartfordHealthCare.org/ VirtualClasses.

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equal to four ounces of a cannabis-type substance, imposed before Jan, 1, 2000, and between Oct. 1, 2015, and June 30, 2021.

It also includes convictions for possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia for cannabis, imposed before July 1, 2021; convictions imposed before July 1, 2021, for manufacturing, selling, possessing with intent to sell, or giving or administering to another person a cannabistype substance.

The amount must be less than four ounces or six plants grown inside a person’s home for personal use.

Republican Rep. Craig Fish-

bein of Wallingford, the top House Republican on the Judiciary Committee, called for public hearings in the new legislative session to hear the concerns of state agencies about the criminal expungement law. He characterize the law as “poorly crafted” and said it had no plan for implementation. The General Assembly convenes Jan. 4.

“These highly technical issues are too important to leave solely to interpretations between committee chairs and judicial branch staff and must be addressed by the full legislature,” Fishbein said in a statement.

“There should be no ambiguity when it comes to a person’s freedom and the state’s ability to restrict their rights.”

Alexandra Daum, who begins her new position as Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Economic & Community Development in the new year, will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Economic Forecast breakfast on January 17, 2023. The event will provide business owners and leaders with valuable information from industry experts to help prepare and strategize for today’s challenging and uncertain economic climate. Presentations will be followed by open discussion.

Daum has served as the deputy commissioner and chief investment officer of the DECD since March, 2020. In this role, she drives public investment in local economic development projects and initiatives across Connecticut, including greenfield and brownfield real es-

Growing YOUR business is OUR business

tate developments, public-private partnerships, urban revitalization efforts, offshore wind, and opportunity zones. She will replace David Lehman as Commissioner. In her new role as commissioner of DECD, Daum hopes to support small businesses, incentivize growth of major employers using performance-based incentives and stimulate community development. Daum told the News that main street and downtown areas are of particular focus for community development because of their population density, existing infrastructure, and transit. Daum also aims to cultivate tourism and arts in Connecticut.

David J. Rotatori is President & CEO of Ion Bank and its parent company Ion Financial, MHC. He will provide information from a lending and investment perspective relative to Connecticut’s economic outlook compared to other areas in the region and nationally.

David is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Global Management Accountant with

more than 30 years experience in financial services organizations. David is a former Senior Auditor at KPMG; Vice President, Assistant Comptroller at Webster Financial Corporation; and Vice President, Finance Officer at People’s United Bank. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. He also served on the Board of Directors and was Treasurer of the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation and the Naugatuck Valley Regional Development Corporation. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ion Bank Foundation.

Additional speakers include representatives from the Town of Southington Department of Economic Development to address local incentives, programs, and development projects.

The Economic Forecast Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 8-10 a.m., at the Manor Inn Restaurant, 1636 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Milldale, CT. Tickets are $25 person and may be purchased at southingtonchamber. com or by scanning the QR Code. Seating is on a first-come basis. Full tables may also be reserved. The menu includes a full breakfast. For more information call the Chamber office, 860.628.8036.

Submit Your Nominations for the 2023 Southington Chamber Business & Community Achievement Awards

The Annual Southington Business & Community Achievement Awards Program recognizes the dedication, leadership, and valued contributions of greater Southington’s most engaged business professionals and businesses. Nominations for the 2023 award recipients are now open and are being accepted through February 1, 2023.

Winners will be recognized at the Awards Gala on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at a formal dinner at the Aqua Turf. All information requested on the nomination forms must be complete to be considered by the nominating committee. Nominations may be submitted via email or by completing the online fomrs at www.southing-

tonchamber.com All criteria as stated for each award must also be met.

Nominations are being sought for the following awards:

Business Person of the Year

“ Riccio Brothers Award”

Presented in honor of Raph and Vito Riccio to an outstanding business owner who has demonstrated a sound commitment to Southington as a business leader and community advocate.

Employee of the Year

“Ann Hauver Award”

Presented in honor of Ann Hauver, who served the Chamber for 27 years as an office manager, to a member business employee who exemplifies the spirit and ethics of their business.

Community Spirit

“Gail DePaolo Award”

Presented in honor of Gail DePaolo to a member individual, group of persons, organization or business that succeeded in bringing together a diversity of people for the good of a common cause.

Mat Florian Renaissance Award

Presented to a property owner or developer who has demonstrated creativity in design and attention to detail in all aspects of a newly constructed or remodeled project. The project must demonstrate the passion for quality in all aspects from inception, through design/build and to completion.

New Chamber Member of the Year

Presented to a business that became a new Chamber member in 2022 and remains a member in good standing. They have also demonstrated commitment to the Chamber by participating on committees; helping to increase membership; assisting with creating a new event; bringing the organization to a new level; assisting to develop new and better membership services.

Veteran-Owned Business of the Year

Recognizes a veteran-owned, small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies

significant contributions made by veteranowned businesses in the country.

The business must be at least 51 percent owned or controlled by one or more U.S. veterans, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101 (2). The business must also have management and daily operations controlled by at least one (1) U.S. veteran.

Industry Leader Award

Presented to a business that exemplifies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and individual initiative in their industry (manufacturing, finance, health, retail, hospitality, etc.). Nominees should show how the business has made a difference in the Southington community in a positive way.

To submit a nomination and review additional criteria for each award visit southingtonchamber.com and select the Business & Community Achievement Awards Program from the menu, email info@ southingtonchamber.com, or call 860.628.8036 for assistance.

Do You Support Public Transit in Southington?

We want to know!

The need for public transit in Southington has been debated for decades. A group of community leaders are interested in hearing from residents and businesses as part of a needs assessment. We invite you to take the survey by scanning the QR code or copying and pasting this url: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M77RN5Y. The survey takes approximately three minutes to complete. For questions on the survey or if you do not have access to a computer and would like to take the survey by phone, please contact Jolene Micelli at the Southington Y, 860.426.9589. The results of the survey will be shared with the community once it is complete. Thank you for your participation.

Chamber News is a publication by

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PRESIDENT & CEO: Barbara Coleman-Hekeler

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DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE: Michael Hartman / Chick-fil-A

LEGAL ADVISOR : Matthew O’Keefe / Jackson & O’Keefe

DIRECTORS:

Courtney Appell / Atlas Preservation

Taylor Deegan / Worldwide Wine & Spirits

Johanna Furgalack / CPA

David Girouard / Hospital of Central Connecticut

Kaylah Milligan / Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Kevin Moriarty / Rogers Orchards, Inc.

Gilbert Wade / Southington Security Services

CHAMBER NEWS is a monthly publication of the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Businesses interested in advertising or contributing editorial content should email social@southingtonchamber.com or call the office at 860.628.8036.

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Chamber’s Fourth Annual Valentine Toy Express Generous Citizens Provide Toy Drive with

The Southington Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all those who donated to their Fourth Annual Valentine’s Toy Express toy drive. Participating member businesses collectively received almost 2,000 donations to help bring joy to local families on Christmas morning.

On December 8, Valentine and her 15 elves transformed a coach bus – generously donated by the New Britain Bus Transportation Company – into a magical holiday ride through Southington making 24 stops along the way to collect toys to be distributed to families through Southington Community Services.

The event is part of the Chamber’s Community Care Initiatives designed to support insecurities here in our community. “Everyone who participates volunteers their time and resources to help make the event a success,” stated Barbara Coleman-Hekeler, Chamber President & CEO. “The event is a

fun and spirited way to kick off the holiday season and spread cheer to all and support our local community.”

At the end of the day all toys are dropped off at the National Guard Armory on Woodruff Street where their volunteers take over to sort the donations into categories and ages.

“We are thrilled with the outpouring of support the program received this year,” stated Janet Mellon, Executive Director of Southington Community Services. “This year especially there is an overwhelming request for assistance. Valentine the Clown is the one who keeps the positivity and high energy going throughout the day. This event is what she is all about, spreading joy!”

The Chamber would like to thank all the volunteers and businesses who helped make this year a huge success: CompuMail Corp; Southington Security Services; Atlas Preservation; Connecticut

Appliance and Fireplace Distributors (CAFD); Don Stevens Tires; UFC Gym; Realty 3 CT; Century 21 AllPoints Realty; Best Real Estate Brokerage, LLC; Berkshire Hathaway New England Properties; Liberty Bank; Apple Valley Pharmacy and Gifts; Flourish

Nutrition; Leaps & Bones Too; Perkatory Coffee Roasters; M&T Bank; Southington Town Hall; Calcagni Real Estate; Southington Care Center; F&F Concrete; Domenic’s & Vinnie’s Pizza; and Beacon Electric

Nearly 2,000 Donations!

Employees at F&F Concrete gave generously to Southington Chamber’s Annual Valentine Toy Express to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Employees at CAFD gave generously to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Employees at Flourish gave generously to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Employees at M&T Bank gave generously to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Employees at Leaps & Bones Too gave generously to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Employees at Apple Valley Pharmacy and Gifts gave generously to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Employees at Beacon gave generously to benefit families through Southington Community Services.

Chamber Holiday Sip & Shop Promotes Support for Small Businesses

The Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Network hosted another successful Annual Holiday Sip & Shop on Giving Tuesday at The Aqua Turf to promote support of local organizations, sole proprietors, and small businesses. “Vendor space sold out very quickly this year,” stated event Co-Chair Karen Bobik, agent for Century 21 AllPoints Realty. “We even had a waiting list of businesses wanting to share in the opportunity

to sell their products and services to an attentive audience of hundreds of guests.”

The Chamber Women’s Leadership Network was founded as a supportive forum for personal and professional development. The number of women owned businesses grows each year. MaryAnn Stanley who serves as chair of the Women’s Leadership Network said, “Networking and relationship

building is key to the success of any business. As a Chamber member we can connect with business leaders from all industries. The Holiday Sip & Shop is a great example of how our community comes together to support small businesses.”

As the event’s Evergreen Sponsor, the team at Realty 3 CT were among several vendors providing complimentary gifts to

all guests. Additional sponsors included the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain; The Record Journal; Atlas Preservation; Connecticut Appliance & Fireplace Distributors; Century 21 AllPoints Realty; Costco Wholesale; Ion Bank; Johanna Furgalack, CPA; Liberty Bank; Perfect Type, LLC; The Aqua Turf Club; Tops Marketplace; and Worldwide Wine & Spirits.

Merry Southington _ Shop & Dine Local!

MERRY SOUTHINGTON!

Shop & Dine with us! Everything you need to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season is right here in Southington! We’ve got it all – shopping, dining, breweries, bakeries, coffee shops, sweet shops, home and personal services, recreation, special holiday events, and lots of fun! When in doubt gift cards make great gifts! Visit the Southington business directory for more highly recommended shops, services, and dining: www.southingtonchamber.com/business-directory, call 860-628-8036 or scan the QR code below.

COFFEE, BAKERY & SWEETS

n Cookie Ranger, cookieranger.com

n Fable, 96 Center St., ctfable.com

n Fascia’s Chocolates, 44 Chase River Rd., faschoc.com

n Flourish Nutrition, 88 Center St., @flourishnutrition88

n Mix Fine Cakes & Pastries, 98 South Main St., mixsouthington. com

n Nonnie’s Pies & Creations, 190 Main St., nonniespies.com

n Perkatory Coffee Roasters, 168 Center St., perkatoryroasters.com

n Southington Coffee House, 51 North Main St., southingtoncoffeehouse.com

n Sweet Mia’s Bakery, 859 Marion Ave., sweetmias.com

RESTAURANTS, BARS, BREWERIES, BANQUET AND CATERING

n 75 Center, 75 Center St., 75center.com

n Anthony Jacks Wood Fired Grill, 30 Center St., anthonyjacksrestaurant.com

n Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry St., aquaturfclub.com

n Back Nine Tavern, 150 Savage St., backnine-tavern.com

n Bella Vista @ Hawk’s Landing, 201 Pattonwood Dr., hawkslandingcc.com

n Buffalo Wild Wings, 716 Queen St., buffalowildwings.com

n Bunkers Bar & Grill, 201 Pattonwood Dr., hawkslandingcc.com

n Cadillac Ranch, 45 Jude Lane, caddyranch.com

n Chick-fil-A, 801 Queen St., chickfil-a.com

n Clark Hall @ Kinsmen, 409 Canal St., kinsmenbrewing.com

n Close Harbour Seafood, 959 Meriden Waterbury Tpk., closeharbourseafood.com

n Domenic’s and Vinnie’s Pizza, 868 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., domenicsandvinniespizza.com

n Flair Restaurant & Bar, 98 Main St. Suite 101, facebook.com/FlairRestaurantSouthington.

n Game Craft, 168 Center Street Suite 106, gamecraft-arcade.com

n Groggy Frogg, 129 Center St., thegroggyfrogg.com

n Hop Häus, 28 West Main St., hophauscraftbeer.com

n Kinsmen Brewing, 409 Canal St., kinsmenbrewing.com

n La Catrina, 1169 Meriden Waterbury Tpk.,facebook.com/LaCatrina1169.

n Manor Inn Restaurant, 1636 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., manorinnrestaurant.com

n Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe, 405 Queen St., nardellis.com

n Odannyboys Wings & Things, facebook.com/Odannyboyswingsandthings.

n Plan B Southington, 20 Spring St., burgersbeerbourbon.com/ order-online.

n Polish Plate, 1095 West St., facebook.com/PolishPlateCT.

n Puerto Vallarta Restaurant, 826 Queen St., puertovallartausa.com

n Que Whiskey Kitchen, 461 Queen St., qwhiskeykitchen.com

n The Salty Dog Tavern, 1783 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., thesaltydogtavern.com

n Sauced at Kinsmen, 409 Canal St., saucedatkinsmen.com

n Smokin’ With Chris, 59 West Center St., smokinwithchris.com

n The Fire Place, 44 Center St., thefireplacect.com

n The Manhattan, 16 Eden Ave., manhattansouthington.com

n The New Mill Restaurant, 493 South End Rd., newmillrestaurant. net.

n Titanium Theatre, 447 North Main St., facebook.com/Titaniumroom.

n Top’s Marketplace, 887 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., topsmarketplace.com

n Witchdoctor Brewing Co., 168 Center St., witchdoctorbrewing. com

n Zingarella’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, 83 West Main St., zingarellas. com

FAMILY FUN

n Apple Valley Bowl, 1304 Main St., applevalleybowl.com

n Barnes Museum, 85 North Main St., southingtonlibrary.org.

n Chris Cote’s Golf Shop, 125 Jude Lane, chriscotegolf.com

n Happy’s Indoor Golf, 22 Center St., happysindoorgolf.com

n Hidden Valley Miniature Golf, 2060 West St., hiddenvalleyminigolf.com

n Lake Compounce Theme Park, 822 Lake Ave., lakecompounce.com

n Mel’s Bike Rentals, 991 S. Main St., melsbikerentals.com

n Mount Southington Ski Area, 396 Mount Vernon Road, mountsouthington.com

n Shooters Billiards & Arcade, 50 Spring St., originalshooters.com

n USA Ninja Challenge, 24A Robert Porter Rd., ninjasouthington.com/

PERSONAL CARE SERVICES

n AnyTime Fitness, 825 Queen St., anytimefitness.com

n Aria Medical Aesthetics, 941 Queen St., ariamedicalaesthetics. com

n Commence Fitness Personal Training, 1783 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., commencefitness.com

n FitLife 24/7, 991 South Main St., fitlife24-7.com

n Harmony Massage & Wellness, 550 N. Main St., harmonymassageandwellnessct.com

n Infinity Health & Beauty, 98 Main St., Ste. 203, infinityhealthandbeauty.com

n JP Holistic Health Coach, judithalvarado23.wixsite.com

n Light Heart Wellness, 35 N. Main St., lightheartwellness.com

n McNicholas Family Chiropractic, 56 Center St., mcnicholasfamilychiropractic.com

n Raya Clinic, 200 Queen St., rayaclinic.com

n Six Sigma Beauty, 72 Center St., sixsigmabeauty.com

n Something For Everyone, fb@ carolladd

n The Network, 409 Canal St., thenetworkyoga.com

n UFC Gym, 235 Queen St., ufcgym. con

n Your CBD Store, 1049 Queen St. #9, cbdrx4u.com

FARMS

n Bradley Mountain Farm, 537 Shuttle Meadow Rd., bradleymountainfarm.com

n Florian Fungi, amy@florianfungi. com, florianfungi.com

n Karabin Farms, 894 Andrews St., karabinfarms.com

n Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm (LEAF), 65 Blueberry Lane, leafct.com

n Rogers Orchards, Inc., 336 Long Bottom Road, rogersorchards.com

RETAIL

n Ali’s Nursery, 421 Buckland Avenue, alisnursery.com

n Apple Valley Pharmacy & Gifts, 1 North Main St., applevalleyrx.com

n Atlas Preservation, 122 Spring St., atlaspreservation.com

n B&V Jewelers, 76 North Main St., bnvjewelers.com

n Barker Specialty Company, 27 Realty Drive, barkerspecialty.com

n Connecticut Appliance and Fireplace Distributors (CAFD), 50 Graham Place, cafd.com

n Connecticut Lighting Centers, 50 Graham Place, ctlighting.com

n Costco, 3600 E. Main St., costco. com

n Leaps & Bones Too, 168 Center St., leapsandbones.com

n Patrick Baker & Sons, Inc., churchgoods.com

n Russell Cellular, 750 Queen Street, russellcellular.com

n Southington The Athletic Shop, 1156 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., southingtontheathleticshop.com

n Staples, 672 Queen St., staples. com

n Superior Network of Companies,1403 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk., superiornetwork.com

n Victor Advertising Services, 1 Hartford Sq., victoradvertising. com

n Walmart, 235 Queen St., walmart. com

n Worldwide Wine and Spirits, 480 Queen St., worldwidebev.com

View all Southington Chamber of Commerce Business Directory listings by scanning the QR code below!

Press Release

The Southington Public Library is proud to announce December’s Artist of the Month, Tom Horanzy.

Horanzy worked as an art teacher in the Southington school system and his career spanned over 37 years. His library exhibit will show his talent in a variety of mediums.

“I describe my art as an everyday journey, a visual diary of simple pleasures,” Horanzy stated. “As an art teacher for over 37 years, my teaching objective was to instill upon my students that art does not have right or wrong answers. I encouraged them to pursue all avenues of their own creativity – think outside the box!”

“The works on display cover

a variety of my interests, including family, sports, travel, and everyday moments,” Horanzy continued. “In addition, I have included requested works. Two of my favorites are the cartoons I created for Fancy Bagel here in Southington, ‘Big Papi’ and ‘Egg Bagel.’ Others can be found at the eatery. I have also included some commissioned works, pen & ink home renderings, blues musician Southside Johnny, and Batman.”

Horanzy’s exhibit can be viewed in the library gallery Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, his exhibit can be seen on the library website, southingtonlibrary.org.

Horanzy’s website is tomhoranzy.myportfolio.com.

The story of Chanukah is still so important

By Rabbi Alana Wasserman

On the evening of Dec. 18, corresponding to the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev 5783, Jewish people around the world will celebrate the first night of Chanukah.

We will light the first candle of our Chanukiah (a ninebranched candelabra, also known as a Chanukah menorah), play dreidel, and eat latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil).

Most importantly, we will retell the story of Chanukah.

While the holiday of Chanukah is a fun, lighthearted celebration, the story of Chanukah is much more serious.

It is about fighting for reli-

gious freedom in the face of persecution. It is a story whose message rings true for us today.

In the second century BCE, Israel was ruled by King Antiochus, leader of the Seleucids.

It was their mission to force all the Jewish people to Hellenize, thereby renouncing their own faith. If they did not convert, they faced death.

The Seleucid army was large, with massive weaponry.

Yet, that did not stop a small band of Jews from forming their own army.

Led by Judah the Maccabee (which means “hammer”),

the tiny Maccabee army, with its limited amount of weapons and manpower, miraculously defeated the Seleucid army.

After they won the Maccabean Revolt, the Jewish people returned to the Temple, only to find that it had been defiled by the Seleucid army.

While cleaning the Temple, they discovered that there was not enough oil to light the menorah. There was only enough oil to last for one day, but another miracle happened – the oil lasted for eight days.

That is why, at Chanukah, we light a nine-branched menorah (one helper candle, called a “shamash,” and eight candles to represent

the eight days).

While the Maccabees were able to defeat the Seleucids, they were not able to eradicate anti-Semitism. Hate and prejudice have continued to pervade our world. That is why the story of Chanukah is still so important.

It is a reminder for all of us to keep fighting against hate, no matter the odds. Whenever we witness prejudice, we must stand up and speak out, even if no one else does.

One of the best ways to fight anti-Semitism is not with heated words and weapons, but with things like latkes, dreidels, candles and prayers.

Celebrating our holidays is the best way to combat hate.

By participating in Jewish life, we are not allowing fear and hate to dictate our future.

Teaching others about our holidays and traditions will help as well.

Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation, located at 35 N. Main St in Southington, invites you to join us as we celebrate the first night of Chanukah Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. at the home of one of our members.

For more information, contact me at rabbi@gsjc.org.

This year may the light of the Chanukiah extinguish the darkness of hate.

Happy Chanukah!

In Brief

Gallery reading

A gallery reading by medium Karen Hollis will take place Friday, Dec. 16 at the Southington Elks Lodge, 114 Main St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event starts at 7. Tickets are $45. Call 860-628-6682.

Little League

Registration for the 2023 Plainville Little League baseball and softball spring season is now open. Visit plainvillelittleleague.com.

Historic center

The Plainville Historic Center, 29 Pierce St., is decorated for the holidays.

Regular hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Other times can be scheduled by appointment. The center will be closed Dec. 26 to Jan. 2.

For more information, email plvhistorical@gmail.com or call 860-747-6577.

Health Obituaries

From A2

PLAINVILLE- Janice Whiteley, 84, of Plainville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 23, 2022 at LiveWell in Plantsville.

Born in Providence, R.I., on January 9, 1938, she was one of two children to the late Arnold and Abina (Boyd) Whiteley. Raised and educated in Pawtucket, R.I., she was an active and involved member of the Pawtucket West High School, Class of 1955, having been class secretary, a majorette (head twirler) and on several planning committees for many class reunions including their 50th.

A woman of strong will and determination, she put herself through nursing school while raising her two small children. She had a successful and enjoyable career caring for others at the former Farmington Convalescent Home where her coworkers became a second family to her. Three dear friends, Pat Gannon, Linda Demma and Darlene Wielechowski, were with her on her last day.

Jan loved to travel and was able to fulfill her adventurous spirit with many world travels in her retirement. She also never met a pair of shoes that she could pass up.

A loving mother and “Gran” to many, she is now at peace and will be missed dearly by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her

daughter Lorri Goldsmith, her husband Ed and their daughters, Jill (Andrew) and Abby (Ryan); her son, John “Chip” Orzechowski and his daughters, Rachel and Nicole. She was predeceased by her only brother, Russell Whiteley, with whom she shared a special bond, and leaves her sister-in-law, Carole Whiteley, their son Todd and his family.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of LiveWell for their kindness and compassion during her final years.

In lieu of flowers, Janice may be remembered with contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd, #4b, Southington, CT 06489.

A memorial service will be held and announced at a later date. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www. PlainvilleFuneralHome. com

A member then has access to all certified fitness locations and the online resources such as live and ondemand workout videos, workshops and the SilverSneakers GO mobile app.

A SilverSneakers membership is equivalent to a gym membership, she added. At the Meriden-New BritainBerlin YMCA, program members have access to all its facilities, services and classes such as yoga, aquatic classes and aerobics.

"Just because you're a SilverSneakers member doesn't mean you have to go to a SilverSneakers class," Marquardt said. "It just means you can be part of a facility that was part of SilverSneakers."

Daily movement classes

Program coordinator at Wallingford Senior Center and liason for SilverSneakers, Erin Ambler, explained that in-person classes focus on balance and strengthening the muscles needed for daily living.

Actions such as getting out of a chair and putting on a seat belt require more movement than people realize and focusing on those muscle groups acts as preventative care. For example, Ambler said some classes teach the best way to recover from a fall to avoid what she called the "long lie."

"We always focus on those [movements] so that people can enhance their act of daily living– Picking up the laundry basket, getting into the car, getting out of the car, putting on your seatbelt," she said. "These motor skills need to be practiced over and over and over again, so the body keeps it in check."

The fitness classes vary in difficulty and intensity to accommodate all ranges of motions. In addition, instructors can easily modify all of the movements and

workouts, said Ambler. She added that by providing a variety of classes with modifications, seniors feel more comfortable working out to keep essential muscles healthy.

All instructors are certified by SilverSneakers through their educational program, explained national trainer Dina Sexton. They are taught on the foundations of working with older, active adults then trained in a specialized course and recertified every two years.

Sexton said recertification ensures all instructors are updated on the latest studies on senior physical activities and are an opportunity to brainstorm new choreography or workout circuits.

"Whether you're a senior or not, sometimes starting a new fitness program, if fitness is new to you, it might feel a little intimidating. It's something new," she said. "SilverSneakers instructors are aware of that and understand that. So, if you go to an in-person class, you're going to be welcomed Maybe it'll take away some of that hesitancy that they might have."

The majority of fitness locations provide one or more SilverSneakers classes. For example, the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA offers five courses while the Southington-Cheshire YMCA offers three, according to the SilverSneakers center database.

Similarly, the Wallingford Senior Center offers the classic course, SilverSneakers Enerchi and online courses, said Ambler.

However, with the outbreak of COVID-19, Sexton explained that SilverSneakers underwent some of the most significant changes she had seen in her 10 years with the program. Due to social distancing and quarantine, all classes were moved online. Instructors relied on numerous streaming services to teach their courses.

According to its website, SilverSneakers offers over 100 online classes and hosts nu-

merous workshops and workouts.

Sexton said that although inperson classes are now available, SilverSneakers will continue to provide virtual courses.

Since Aug. 2022, SilverSneakers has held the Guinness World Record for most viewers of a dance fitness lesson on Facebook Live with over 3,000 viewers in a 30-minute workout session, beating the previous 1,500 record.

"It was pretty amazing to see seniors using technology in a way that maybe they hadn't before and really embracing it, so SilverSneakers Live is still going strong today," Sexton said.

Benefits

Physical activity is a proactive tactic to avoid health complications down the road, Marquardt said.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults ages 65 and older exercise at least 150 minutes a week with at least two days of muscle-strengthening and balance activities.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, physical activity can help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, numerous cancers, blood lipid profile, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

In Loving Memory of Christopher D. Wantek

December 21, 1974 – July 10, 2019

Happy Birthday to my beloved Son  Chris

We all miss you and love you.

Happy Birthday

Love, Mom, Dad, Danielle, Wally, and Christine

Janice Whiteley

COMMENTARY

Uniting for Ukraine seeks support for refugees

By Alexandra Gizhitsa-Anderson

This holiday season many Ukrainian families are looking for a vision of a future that is different from what Russian Federation’s Vladimir Putin has in store for them. My name is Alexandra. My husband Mark, myself and many other Ukrainian, Russian, Georgian, and Belarusian-American families in the Southington area have been hosting and supporting professional families from a war-torn area in Ukraine, to help them temporarily relocate to our wonderful county and choose life since Feb. 24.

Over the last month the Rus-

sian military has been brutal in targeting civilian energy infrastructure, which in turn left families without power, heat and often water as the winter takes hold. We are looking for local families’ assistance with short term housing for more families to join our existing group of 316 refugees (mostly women, seniors and kids). Most of our arrivals have already been working or volunteering at local organizations, and if you attended SoCCA Ukrainian art exhibit, you probably already have met many of our families.

In April, a bi-partisan congressional committee advocated for opening the Unit-

ing for Ukraine official federal humanitarian channel for legal entry to the US, and it’s been highly successful. This program is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. It is free to participate in for all parties. Unlike any regular immigration sponsorship application which requires a financial affidavit enforceable in court, this program is supporter-based, rather than sponsor-based - which means there are no major obligations to help a family –everything is voluntary for as long as you both agree. There are no paid fees, and the families will not ask much of you except for tem-

porary stay (2-4 months depending on your mutual commitment). Once here the families will need your help with driving them to DMV appointments, Social Security administration, to the cchool district to register their kids (including district programs for war-trauma counseling), and perhaps some paperwork to enroll in community or faith-based support programs.

The state of Connecticut is providing families with health insurance for vulnerable groups until they get on their feet. All adults can work as soon as they arrive, and the ability to work immediately is one of the requirements our team has set for those arriving. We tirelessly match families until we get a perfect fit, we translate anything that’s needed, and have all up to date doc-

umentation. Background checks are also required for both parties (hosts and beneficiaries). We have a lot of references from hosts and beneficiaries if you would like to chat and scope this possibility out before you commit.

If you have an extra space in your home, please consider writing to us at: AlexandraGizhitsaAnderson@gmail.com or call 860-331-3855.

Similarly, if you are short staffed and looking for skilled labor for your business, and are interested in providing a combination of both (home plus job), please reach out to us, too. Please consider giving a hardworking family a peaceful sky over their heads this holiday season, and a future for the next generation.

In Briefs

Art exhibit

Southington Community Cultural Arts’ All Access art program holiday exhibit, “Aim For The Stars,” is on display through Jan. 31, 2023. For more information, call 860-276-1581.

Wall of Honor

Southington High School's Wall of honor Committee announced a new application deadline for nomina-

tions.

The date is March 1, 2023.

The public is invited to nominate anyone who graduated from SHS and qualifies under at least one of the following criteria – outstanding community service, significant awards received, lifetime achievements or humanitarian work.

Applications are available on the Southington Public Schools website.

Board puts Winchester Estates in school zone

By Christian Metzger Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON The Board of Education officially placed a new housing development on Churchill Street into the Kelley School district Thursday, Dec. 8.

Winchester Estates, a 34house development around 243 Churchill St. headed by Lovley Development, was officially designated to Kelley Elementary School after concerns were raised about potentially overcrowding other schools.

The capacity of the elementary schools has been a pressing issue for the Southington district for some time.

The board has had to make pocket districts for children who would have otherwise gone to a closer school since some schools are already at student capacity.

Most families on Churchill Street attend Thalberg Elementary, but the school currently has no more room to accept students. School superintendent Steven Madancy made the recommendation to transfer Winchester Estates over to Kelley due to its proximity and ease of access for buses over Thalberg.

“The challenge we have is that Thalberg Elementary School is at capacity and has been to the point where the last major development in Southington, which was off of Loper Street, we did a pocket designation to Flanders,” Madancy said during the meeting. “There’s all the reason in the world to believe this development would land in the Kelley school district anyways.”

Although the board approved the motion, several members expressed their reservations about doing so without greater consideration of the layout of the district overall.

There is discussion of a major redistricting of the Southington schools in the next couple years, coinciding with the board’s intention to

reassess the elementary schools to see what the needs of the district are whether that be building a new school and shutting down others to consolidate.

There are no firm plans in place for what the board intends to do, but it’s expected that there will be more serious consideration given to redistricting next year to solve the pocketing that’s occurred to navigate around capacity concerns.

The longer they hold off on the discussion of redistricting, board members say, the more drawn-out the process will become in the long term.

“We’ve got pockets, we’ve been trying to patch it, and it’s getting to the point now

At left: Homes on Churchill Street in Southington in 2021.

Record-Journal, file photo

board member Sean Carson said. “Bigger picture, we need to realign everything.”

Other overarching district projects will also be carried into the next year as well, such as an itemized cost assessment of the sports facilities improvements for Southington High School –which administrators are

seeking to complete despite being unable to secure full funding in the November referendum.

The board also approved items for the curriculum going into the next year, and were given a report from the school resource officers on the number of reported incidents across the district.

where it’s going to be very cumbersome,” board member David Derynoski said.

Madancy was in agreement. “What’s happened with a lot of the pocket districting that occurred over the years is the extra transportation costs that go with it,” he said, “because the routes don’t necessarily align with the feeder schools the students are attending.”

The board wants to engage the community in the conversations on redistricting, though there remains no firm timeline when they’ll occur.

“We need to engage the community and have an overall thought process and planning into how we’re going to redistrict overall,”

Record-Journal named New England Newspaper of the Year again

Record-Journal staff

For the second year in a row, the Record-Journal has been named New England Newspaper of the Year among its peers by the New England Newspaper & Press Association.

The Record-Journal also received distinguished Sunday newspaper honors in this year’s contest.

Each year, the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) recognizes the region’s best daily, weekly, and specialty newspapers by circulation size, along with the accomplishments of individual journalists. Awards are judged by a panel of New England newspaper readers.

The Record-Journal received Newspaper of the Year honors among daily newspapers in the 10,000 to 20,000 circulation category both this year and in 2021. The RecordJournal also received distinguished Sunday newspaper honors for publications with a circulation of less than 25,000 this year.

Awards in all categories for 2022 were announced during an online video presentation this past week hosted by John Voket, editor of the Newtown Bee.

Voket explained that the NENPA competition is the only distinction of its kind in the newspaper industry that is judged by audience members.

“New England newspaper readers are appointed to evaluate the entries from a news consumer point of view and decide which deserves the honor of being named Newspaper of the Year,” Voket said.

Entrants receive a comprehensive review, he added.

“Readers evaluate every paper’s relative strengths and weaknesses including the quality of reporting and writing, the use of photos, design and presentation, digital offerings, overall utility and val-

ue, and general impressions like ‘Does the newspaper inform, educate and entertain, inspire, motivate or lead? Does it reflect and care about the community it serves? Does it put the interests of the readers first. Is it unique or special in some way?’”

Also recognized as distinguished newspapers in the same daily category were the Berkshire Eagle of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Daily Hampshire Gazette of

Northampton, Massachusetts and The Day of New London. Sunday Newspaper of the Year with a circulation under 25,000 was the Berkshire Eagle.

The Waterbury RepublicanAmerican won daily Newspaper of the Year honors in the over 20,000 circulation category, while the Springfield Republican won Sunday Newspaper of the Year honors in the over 25,000 category.

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.

Adelphia Café

476 Washington Avenue North Haven, CT 06473 203-535-0149

Family owned/operated. Former proprietors of the Neptune Diner in Wallingford. Extensive menu for all tastes. Breakfasts, luncheons and special dinners. All baking on premises.

Colony Diner

611 N Colony Road Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 269-9507 colonydiner.com

Wallingford’s place to go for oldfashioned breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Proudly serving up delicious and hearty meals daily. Voted Best Diner 4 years running by Record Journal. Open seven days. Breakfast served all day.

Let

available.

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF PLAINVILLE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Plainville Zoning Board of Appeals conducted Public Hearing(s) and other action(s) on Monday December 12, 2022, and rendered the following decision(s):

1. Application #22-12-01, A & D Pizz, LLC of Southington approved a variance to Article 2 Business Zones, Section 2.03 Dimensional Standards, Sub-section B Minimum Yard Requirements Side Yard Requirements to permit the reduction of the required minimum rear yard of proposed Lot A from twenty (20’) feet to eleven (11’) feet, the required minimum northerly rear yard of proposed Lot B from twenty (20’) feet to six (6’) feet and the required minimum westerly side yard of proposed Lot B from twenty (20’) feet to eleven (11’) feet for the proposed subdivision of a property known as 344 South Washington Street.

Dated at Plainville, Connecticut this 13th day of December Peter Autunno, Chairperson Plainville Zoning Board of Appeals R257629

WASTE TREATMENT

TORO SNOW BLOWER

- Power shift 824, well maintained, $400, call for details, after 4:30 p.m., (860) 302-0265

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (Attendant III): Operates and maintains equipment and processes in a municipal sewage treatment plant. Requires a H.S. diploma or GED. A State of CT Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Class III Operators License or higher certification plus three (3) yrs. of experience in the operation of a class II or higher wastewater treatment facility, with one (1) yr. in a supervisory capacity of foreperson level or higher. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. $ 30.76 to $ 35.10 hourly / $ 28.53 to $ 35.10 based on certifications & experience plus an excellent fringe benefit package.

MATERIALS

DISTRIBUTION

Screened Topsoil $25/ per yd; Sand-$18 per yd; Millings-$22 per yd; Screened Millings $30 per yd; $100 minimum delivery. No pickup truck service. Minimum 16 yd pickup at our yard. Call Jim @ 860-982-4819 for delivery

PREMIUM SCREENED TOPSOIL

ALWAYS BUYING CASH PAIDVintage 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.

ANTIQUES WANTEDComic books, toys, adv. signs, military items, motorcyles, mini bikes, etc. All items considered, appraisal & estate sale services, incl. clean-outs. 40 years exp. Call or text, Gary at 203-237-4124.

PREMIER ESTATE JEWELRY - Is interested in buying your fine jewelry, watches, coin collections, silver flatware, and costume jewelry. Call Bill, (203) 4942496.

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

Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.

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

TORO 11 HP - 32” cut, riding mower, very good condition, $350 o.b.o. (203) 213-5204 for details.

BUYING ALL - Costume Jewelry, Old Watches, Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Gold & Silver Coins, Sterling Flatware, In Any Condition. Please Call Jude M. Dichele @ (203) 8681816.

TOP CASH PAID

For Junk or unwanted vehicles, Toyota’s etc. Please call Mike @ 203284-8562 8am-5pm.

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

WALLINGFORD - 1st fl., 2 BR, KIT, lrg. pantry, DR, LR, full BA, nice porch, GAR in back.1 mo. rent & 1 mo. sec. (203) 6790032, (203)952-5243.

Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page.

The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/ resume is received, or January 10, 2023 whichever occurs first.

EOE

TOP CASH PAID For any Toyota any condition, running or not, crashed okay. Will take other makes and models. (203) 600-4431. FOR

OFFICE CLEANINGEvenings. Must have own car. Southington: 755 Queen St: MonSat. Flexible start time from 7p, Sat start from 5p. 2.5 hrs/day, 15hrs/wk. Pay is $840 per month. Newington: 123 Costello Rd. Mon, Wed, Fri. Flexible start time from 6p 2.5 hrs/day, 15hrs/ wk. Pay is $420 per month. Call Cheryl at 860-937-8310.

FOR SALE - Affordable home in Wallingford. Detached two-story condominium, 1244 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, & 1 car garage, available to those whose income is less than or equal to $60,840. The maximum sales price of unit 10 Sycamore Way, Wallingford, CT, is $175,921. For more information, contact Kristin Murphy at Calcagni Real Estate, 203-2651821 x1227.

1,2,3 CASH FOR ANTIQUES - Call Todd Shamock, 203-4941695.

AARON’S BUYING

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

BUYING MACHINIST TOOLBOXES - Tools & tooling, contents of machine shops, home workshops and small lathes. Call anytime 860-985-5760

COSTUME & FINE ESTATE JEWELRY WANTED - New, Old, Napier, QVC, Gold, Silver, etc. “I Pay Top Cash For Your Grandma’s Costume Jewelry Stash”. I’ll come to you. 36 yrs exp. Julie Rees-Gorneault, 203-443-9602.

SUDOKU ANSWER

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!

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

FOR SALE - 7 Foot Slim Line Christmas Tree with lights. Excellent Condition. $50.00. Please call 860-3840190

CROSSWORD ANSWER

GARY WODATCH

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

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

Let Us BEAR Your Junk! Junk Removal in CT

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

Insurance claim.storm damage.roofing.siding. gutter.chimney flashing. Office:203.754.3071 Cell:203.510.3830 Stormshieldct@gmail. com HIC.0664452

GUTTERS DON’T

WORK

If they’re dirty! For gutter cleaning, Call Kevin (203) 440-3279 Fully ins. CT# 569127

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!

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

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.

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

RT RELOCATION

Your moving and storage specialists. Call for a free estimate. 833-668-3978.

Roof Repair or Replacement, Chimney Repair, Skylight Replacement. Free est. CT #0651199 (860) 877-3006

GARY WODATCH - Tree Removal. All calls returned. CT#620397 Quick courteous service. 860-558-5430.

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

BRADLEY’S PAINTING203.715.0771. 30 years in the business. Watch our video at bradleyshousepainting.com

Specializing in tree removal, trimming, chipping & grinding. Call for free estimate. 203-945-1808.

CT State Graduates to Benefit from Charter Oak State College Tuition Match

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) and Charter Oak State College have re-established a tuition match partnership that offers the state’s most affordable bachelor’s degree.

CT State graduates can attend Charter Oak and complete a bachelor’s degree at the same cost per credit as their associate degree. Separate agreements between Charter Oak and Connecticut’s 12 community colleges have been in place since 2018 and benefitted over 600 students. Leadership from both colleges signed a statewide agreement at a ceremony earlier this month.

The match provides a potential savings of $145 per credit, or $8,700 over the credit hours typically needed to complete a bachelor’s degree. In order to qualify, students need a GPA of 2.0 or higher and to register for six credits at Charter Oak within 12 months of completing their associate degree.

“We know how challenging balancing work, family and school can be... we want to be sure that our students have access to every tool they may need to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree,“ stated John Maduko, M.D., President of CT State Community College.

Ed Klonoski, President of Charter Oak State College added, “Increasingly, students are looking for

online educational opportunities. By partnering with CT State, we can offer students the greatest flexibility to pursue a bachelor’s degree, at a more affordable price.”

Charter Oak is Connecticut’s public online college, offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in many high-demand fields. Since 2018, the most popular majors have been nursing, business administration and psychology; twelve other bachelor’s degree offerings complete the program.

The Charter Oak tuition scholarship is good for five years. In order to maintain the scholarship, students must be enrolled in at least six credits in the fall and spring semesters. This would allow them to graduate in five years if attending part-time or sooner if taking more credits. Students who complete a Transfer Ticket program with CT State will be able to attain a bachelor’s degree at Charter Oak without incurring extra expense or requiring extra credits.

Connecticut’s 12 community colleges are merging on July 1, 2023 to become CT State Community College. Students will benefit from one college transcript and catalog, standardized financial aid including free college for first time students and the ability to take courses at any campus.

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) y Charter Oak State College nuevamente han establecido una colaboración de pagos correspondientes de matrícula, la cual ofrece el título universitario más económico en el estado.

Los graduandos de CT State pueden asistir a Charter Oak y completar su título universitario por el mismo costo por crédito que un título de asociado. Otros contratos entre Charter Oak y las 12 universidades comunitarias de Connecticut han existido desde 2018 y han beneficiado a más de 600 estudiantes. Los líderes de ambas universidades firmaron un contrato estatal durante una ceremonia a principios de este mes.

Los pagos correspondientes proveen un posible ahorro de $145 por crédito, o $8,700 por las horas de créditos normalmente necesarias para completar su título universitario. Para poder ser elegibles, los estudiantes tienen que tener un ACP de 2.0 o mayor, y registrarse para tomar seis créditos en Charter Oak dentro de 12 meses después de completar su título de asociado.

“Sabemos lo difícil que es balancear el trabajo, la familia, y la escuela... queremos asegurarnos que los estudiantes tengan acceso a todas las herramientas necesarias para completar su título universitario,” comentó John Maduko, M.D., Presidente de CT State Community College.

Ed Klonoski, Presidente de Charter Oak State College añadió, “Cada vez,

más estudiantes buscan oportunidades educativas en línea. Al colaborar con CT State, podemos ofrecerle a los estudiantes la mayor flexibilidad para alcanzar su título universitario, a un precio más económico.”

Charter Oak es la universidad virtual pública de Connecticut, la cual ofrece el título de asociado, título universitario y de maestría, en ámbitos escolares de alta demanda. Desde 2018, las especialidades más populares han sido enfermería, administración comercial y psicología; doce ofertas adicionales de titulación universitaria completan el programa.

La beca del total de la matrícula en Charter Oak es válida por cinco años. Para mantener la beca, el/la estudiante tiene que estar matriculado para, por lo menos, seis créditos en los semestres de otoño y primavera. Esto permitirá que se gradúen en cinco años si asisten a tiempo parcial, o antes, si toman más créditos. Los estudiantes que completan un programa de Transfer Ticket con CT State podrán alcanzar su título universitario en Charter Oak sin incurrir en gastos adicionales y sin necesitar créditos adicionales.

Las 12 universidades se unirán el 1 de julio de 2023, cuando se volverán en CT State Community College. Los estudiantes disfrutarán de los beneficios de registros y catálogos unificados, paquetes de ayuda financiera, incluyendo universidad gratuita para los estudiantes primerizos, y la habilidad de tomar cursos en cualquier universidad.

Graduados de CT State se Beneficiaran de Pagos Correspondientes de Matricula en Charter Oak State College