Volume 28, Number 3
Friday, January 21, 2022
www.towntimes.com
Marijuana moratorium could be extended Town Times
Connecticut lawmakers voted in favor of wide-ranging cannabis legalization last summer, laying the groundwork for a new, legal cannabis industry in the state. Since then, cities and towns have discussed whether they wish to welcome marijuana businesses in their communities. Such enterprises may be up and running later this year.
The task of Durham-Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition executive director Betsy Dean and prevention coordinator Dena Miccinello is a mighty one — providing safe and engaging activities in the RSD13 community. The coalition’s latest family-friendly activity was a holiday tree hunt.
A safe way to connect Wellness coalition offers family-friendly activities
pack of Wrigley’s, but continues the find for a chance to win a swag in that sense of connection sought bag. The adorned trees were found by Boo Radley. at Peckham Park, Wadsworth Falls, Miller’s Pond, Lake Beseck and AlBy Bronwyn Commins Consider the treasure that was lyn Brook Park. Special to Town Times created for us by the DurhamMiddlefield Local Wellness Coali- The value of the activity was not What we perceive as a treasure only in the safe connection it protion as part of their latest familychanges over time. vided, and the facts that were friendly activity. shared along the way. In the depression of the 1930’s, a Throughout the month of Decempack of gum might fit the descrip- ber, the wellness coalition hosted The physical and psychological tion, which is why Jem Finch was a holiday tree hunt, encouragbenefits of immersing oneself in lucky to have had that luxury left ing residents to get outdoors and nature was another benefit. by his much-maligned neighbor, visit local parks, while learning According to the 2020 article “NurBoo Radley, in the book To Kill A some important things. tured by Nature,” published by the Mockingbird. What did participants track down? American Psychological AssociaBoo, as you may remember, placed Trees decorated in a festive mantion, “[E]xposure to nature has been those gifts in the hollow of a tree. ner, complete with a drug preven- linked to a host of benefits, includIt was a safe way to connect. tion fact, and a QR code with diing improved attention, lower rections for submitting a photo of Treasure today is found not in a See Wellness coalition, A10
Back in August, Durham's Planning and Zoning Commission instituted a six-month moratorium on marijuana establishments and is considering extending it. Minutes from the Aug. 18, 2021 P&Z meeting state that a moratorium "is not a decision to prohibit cannabis establishments, it will provide the commission the opportunity See Cannabis, A10
$7.5M in upgrades up for vote Town Times
Following years of declining enrollment in Regional School District 13 and projections for that trend to continue, in 2021, the Board of Education recommended closing Middlefield’s John Lyman Elementary School. Ultimately, however, what to do with Lyman school — a long-debated topic See School upgrades, A5