Town Times July 10, 2020 by Record Journal

www.towntimes.com

Volume 26, Number 15

GIVING GARDEN RETURNS The Giving Garden of Durham-Middlefield, conceived years ago by Coginchaug Area Transition, broke ground in the fall of 2018, and its first crop resulted in some 800 pounds of produce being donated to the Durham and Middlefield food banks and senior services and to Middletown soup kitchens. The garden, located behind the community center on Main Street in Middlefield, is back for year No. 2 (see Page 5 for an update). Pictured: Chad and Atticus Reddick stand with Tina Gossner after planting a welcoming redbud tree at the Giving Garden donated by Country Flower Farms in Middlefield.

Door-knocking will begin in Aug. Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults and children.

In short, your response matters. Currently, the national rate of response is 61.9 percent, while 65.3 percent of Connecticut residents have responded.

Meanwhile, both Durham and Middlefield are well ahead of the national and The results will also inform state rate, as 74 percent of how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are Durham residents and 73.9 percent of Middlefield resiallocated to more than 100 dents have responded to the programs, including Medicensus. caid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP.

Your answers are so important that the Census Bureau will come knocking on your door to count people living

in your household. Because of the pandemic, the Census Bureau is adapting or delaying some operations to protect the health and safety of staff and the public while still making sure the population is counted. See Census, A16

Friday, July 10, 2020

Effectiveness of distance learning hard to measure By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff

True cohesive measures of how much learning was lost and the extent of student participation during remote learning will be difficult to ascertain.

The likely toll of distance learning on the well-being of students, through social isolation and loss of learnIn Southington, school ofing, was not lost on some ficials had leaned on members of the Cheshire classroom teachers to Board of Education. check in with students to The board, meeting remake sure they were logmotely during a virtual ging into remote learning meeting last week, disprograms and participatcussed state officials’ ing in their academic plans to fully reopen lessons throughout the schools this fall, and the spring, according to Steve impact of distance learnMadancy, the district’s asing over the last months sistant superintendent for of the school year that had curriculum and instrucjust ended. tion. Board member Tim White If teachers were unable to cited a report issued by reach families, then the American Academy of school administrators and Pediatrics that remote counselors would make learning was likely to reattempts to follow up with sult in students experienc- families. ing severe learning loss “In most cases you need and social isolation. to follow up through the Board colleague Anne Har- lens of support, not rigan, in response, suggest- through the lens of you’re ed board members and the truant,” Madancy said. public need to be mindful of what schools provide for By taking a supportive, rather than punitive aptheir community. proach, educators learned “It’s not just education, it’s that some students were health, it’s social emotional not logging on because of well-being, it’s safety, it’s a range of difficulties. many, many things that our Some were as simple as public schools do for our technology. While others children,” Harrigan said. were because families The conversation came as faced economic and other Cheshire and other school hardships that were more pressing than academics. districts in the Meriden area assess the effective“School wasn’t a priority, ness of the distance learn- because their families ing programs they rolled were enduring a hardout last spring and preship,” Madancy said. pare for the physical reopening of their school buildings in September. See Learning, A9

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Friday, July 10, 2020

Letters to the Editor Absentee ballots

The absentee ballot has directions which include for Editor : each voter separately putting the absentee ballot To vote an absentee ballot, you must first fill out the ab- in their inner envelope, sentee application and mail then sealing, signing and dating the inner envelope, it to your Town Clerk promptly, allowing for mail- before putting it into their outer envelope to mail or ing time. Mailing is preferdeposit. able because the Durham Town Hall is currently Carefully follow the includclosed (except by appointed directions. Absentee balment only). Voters who lots have been rejected and complete and return the ap- not counted due to voter plication will receive by mistakes. mail an absentee ballot Absentee ballots must be refrom the Secretary of the ceived by the Town Clerk by State. Fill out the absentee Tuesday, Aug. 11 to be ballot and mail it to the Town Clerk, or deposit it in- counted. to the drop box located in The registrars thank you front of the Town Hall next again for your cooperation to the picnic table. If a voter and participation. brings the received applicaKaren Cheyney, tion to the Town Clerk (apDemocratic Registrar pointment only), the Town Clerk will issue the absentee Lou Battipaglia, ballot. Please follow the Republican Registrar process and minimize personal interaction with town employees. See Letters, A15

CAT TALES

Coginchaug football player Alex Case is pictured with his parents Robert and Sharon and assistant coach Brett Sparaco.

A leader on and off the field Coginchaug’s Alex Case was among the 28 Connecticut high school football players honored for academic excellence, leadership and citizenship by the Casey-O'Brien New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “We are pleased to be honoring another group of outstanding young men for their accomplishments in

Uncle Bob’s

the classroom, their school and in their community,” said Bill O'Brien, president of the New Haven chapter. In addition to the 28 players honored, two longtime football coaches with ties to the area – George DeLeone and Chris Palmer – received Distinguished American awards. The duo has a combined 100 years of coaching experience in

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the college and professional ranks. The Award of Merit was presented to Abbott Burrell and Scott Burrell. Other 2020 award-winners included football official Judge Arthur Hadden and Cheshire High School’s Don Drust, the chapter’s Coach of the Year Award. — Press Release

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Brock is a friendly 4-year-old who was found in a feral colony. Since he lived on the streets for so long, it's best that he has a home to himself or shares one with another non-dominant cat. Come visit Brock and find out what a wonderful companion he’d be. For more information, check out cattalesct.org/cats/Brock, call 860-344-9043 or email info@CatTalesCT.org.

Call now to get a FREE QUOTE on your next project! • Clean-Ups • Mulching • Planting • Patios • Walkways • Retaining Walls

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Friday, July 10, 2020

YOGA AT WADSWORTH MANSION

Summer programs

part-time, positions for community-minded persons Durham Recreation has with administrative, organisummer programming and zational and basic computer will closely follow and moni- skills. For more details, call tor all CDC and State of 860-343-6719, or email Connecticut guidelines, Karen Cheyney, Democratic rules and policies as related registrar, kcheyney@ to youth and adult activities. townofdurhamct.org; or Lou Visit durhamct.recdesk.com/ Battipaglia, Republican regCommunity/Home. For istrar, lbattipaglia@townofmore information, contact durhamct.org. Sherry Hill at 860-343-6724; shill@townofdurhamct.org.

Voting update

The newly formed "Friends of the Durham-Middlefield Girl Scouts" community group is open to former Girl Scout volunteers, parents and alum who would like to continue supporting the mission of Girl Scouting in our community. Involvement can include anything from simply buying Girl Scout cookies to attending fundraising events or other activities to sharing stories and skills with the girls. Email Kristy King at DMFGirlScouts@gmail.com.

See Briefs, A10

William J. Lema, D.M.D. Serving Durham & Middlefield for 26 Years

William J. Lema, D.M.D. Accepting New General Family Dentistry Patients • Children & Adults

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Also, alum are invited to join the online group facebook.com/groups/friendsofdmfgirlscouts and to “like” facebook.com/dmfgirlscouts.

The April 28 presidential preference primary was postponed to Aug. 11 to coincide with the primaries for state and federal offices appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot. The Secretary of State will mail out absentee ballot application forms to all registered Democrats and Republicans for the Aug. 11 primaries. Voters need not contact the Town Clerk to request the form. Voters can switch parties by filling out a new voter registration form, either online at the Secretary of State’s website or by downloading a copy from the town website.

Saturdays in August, Starr Mill Yoga will be offering yoga classes at Wadsworth Mansion’s rose garden. Enjoy the healthy benefits of breath, movement and being outdoors. Classes begin at 10:30 a.m. All levels welcome. Capacity is limited to allow 6 feet spacing. Register at starrmillyoga.com. A $20 donation is requested. Profits benefit The Rockfall Foundation, a Middletownbased non-profit organization supporting environmental education and conservation in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. For more information, call 860-740-4939. Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth St., Middletown.

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Durham Democratic and Republican Registrars of Voters are sought. These are

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Friday, July 10, 2020

Library Durham Public Library

Youth services:

Durham Public Library, 7 Maple Ave. 860-3499544, durhamlibrary.org. Follow the library on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Update: The library is now open to the public Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., and from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Curbside pick up is available by request.

Nailed It! Tuesdays in July. All ages, with an adult. Baking or ice cream challenges will be posted on Facebook, Instagram and on the library website. Send a photo of what you make to Miss Lauren at lredfield@ durhamlibrary.org to be entered to win a gift card. Write Your Story. All ages. The library is creating a time capsule for the Local History Room. Document what quarantine has been like for you. Write a story or a few lines, draw a picture, or take a photo. Email your work to Miss Lauren at lredfield@ durhamlibrary.org. Adult program:

Civil War and SpanishAmerican War ancestors. Register online.

Levi E. Coe Library 414 Main St., Middlefield. 860-349-3857, levicoelibrary@gmail.com Summer Reading Program. The Adult and Teen Summer Reading Program is back, and it’s easy. Adults and teens (entering grades 6-12), fill out a form for every book you read through Aug. 22. Forms are available in the upper library lobby or can be printed from the library’s Facebook page. A prize drawing will take place on Aug. 24.

Park 'n Pick Up: Call or Imagine Your Story: Exemail the library to place ploring Military Records. holds, and pick up your Wednesday, July 29, 7 p.m. items in the upper library RECYCLE YOUR OLD Zoom program. Learn how lobby. to use Fold3 to access penNEWSPAPERS sion files, service srecords Basement Waterproofing Services ecivreS gnifoorpretFor aW tsafety, nemesaB wear a mask and other resources Please Over & Thank 36 Years you. combined experience. .ecneirtoepxlearn e denibmocwhen sraeY 6entering 3 revO the lobby. Revolutionary Fully Transferable Written Guarantee*,about Sump Pumps, ,spmuP pmuS ,*War, eetnarauG nettirW elbarefsnarT ylluF

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Local CPA to lead accountants’ society The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants has elected and installed its Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 activity year. Marie L. Benedetto, CPA of Middlefield, was named the group’s president. Benedetto is the owner of Innovative Business Solutions in Middlefield, a business advisory practice serving privately-held companies. She holds an M.S. in taxation from the University of Hartford and a B.S. in accounting from Central Connecticut State University. Benedetto has served CTCPA as treasurer, a Board of Directors member-at-large, an Advisory Council member-at-large, Golf Tournament Committee cochair and as an Educational Trust Fund Review Task Force member. She also served as a co-facilitator of the CPA society’s recent

comprehensive Strategic Planning Initiative. The CTCPA’s newly-elected Board of Directors alBenedetto so includes President-elect Brian P. Reilly, CPA of Cromwell; Treasurer Timothy Hedley, CPA, Ph.D. of Darien; Secretary Michael Maksymiw Jr., CPA, CGMA of Plainville; Advisory Council Chair Amber Moore, CPA of Bozrah; Member-at-Large Katherine M. Patnaude, CPA of Wethersfield; and Member-at-Large Katherine Donovan, CPA of Bloomfield.

The CTCPA has a membership of more than 6,000 in public practice, business and industry, government and education. — Press Release

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Friday, July 10, 2020

All the buzz at the Giving Garden

Native plant garden: Thanks to the help of Aubree Keurajian, who runs "Ungardening: Native Plants" in Durham, the Giving Garden is able to showcase a new flower bed, planted entirely with natives. Aubree is in the

Email letters to news@towntimes.com; mail to 500 South Broad St., Meriden, CT 06450. Letters are limited to 300 words. Town Times will print only one letter per person each month. We do not list names of people, organizations and businesses being thanked. Letters must be signed and names will appear in print. Include a phone number so Town Times can contact you for verification. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday to be considered for publication the following Friday.

Community Center building, and we should be good to go.

Herb bed: We now have a gorgeous, large herb bed that welcomes visitors upon entering. This bed was planned in the fall: cardboard and compost were laid down over the grass at that time, and covered with shredded leaves. In the spring, more compost was added, and voila! The herbs look wonderful and are growing nicely. All compost was donated to us by Harvest New England, which is located in Farmington. Thank you to Natureworks, Country Flower Farms and JC Farm for plant donations!

Estate Treasures

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See Garden, A17

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Due to COVID restrictions and social distancing, we will use this year to allow the bees to settle in to their new home, and we hope to begin inviting volunteers to delve in next season.

Irrigation system: Thanks to the help of Winterberry Irrigation in Southington and funds from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County to supplement, we now have an automatic irrigation system at the Giving Garden. Winterberry was amazingly generous in donating all of the materials, as well as the work crew to come trench and install this system for us. We are beyond thankful. Now we're just waiting for the Town of Middlefield to facilitate the connection of the electrical and the water lines to the

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Allan has set up two hives on the hill, under the shade of a large maple, overlooking the garden. Our dream is to make the hives accessible to volunteers who would like to assist Allan in tending to the bees. We hope that community members will learn about beekeeping this way, and may gain enough confidence to tend bees at home.

process of creating labels for the various plants, so that we can all learn which ones to encourage in our own flower beds and yards.

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Bee hives: Yes! The Giving Garden is now host to an extended family of honey bees. Thanks to a grant from Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation we were able to enlist the help of expert beekeeper Allan Poole.

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

Mind if I pop over for a swim? You have probably spent a goodly portion of your days and nights wondering how I am making out, poolwise, this summer. It is a cliff hanger. Well, wonder no more. Not very well. Things are looking a bit dismal.

enough, right? But then the yucky water (there is about a couple of inches of it, which I can’t seem to get rid of ) in the big pool rushed in. Okay, let’s table that idea.

So I dragged the darn thing out, in search of a place in My above-ground pool is a my yard where I could set “no-go” this summer. It up shop. It proved to be in stands silent and empty, a vain, however. My yard ofreminder of days gone by. fers very few flat spaces. So I figured that I could get But I thought I had found a a kiddie pool and plop it rather flat spot close to the down inside the big pool, house. It turned out, I had and I would be all set. not. I filled the pool up No, it is not the same thrill with that lovely clear water, of being whisked around in only to discover that I had the big pool, to be sure, but apparently set it up on the side of a cliff. One side had it would allow me to at about an inch of water in it, least sit in cool water and and the opposite side was read. And for a few days filled to the brim. But not that worked just fine. But for long. When I sat down, the honeymoon was over the full side saw fit to empwhen I had to empty my little pool and fill it back up ty itself out. You know, it’s the displacement of water with fresh water. The only thing. Apparently I am caway to empty it is to fold pable of a good deal of disdown the sides and let the placement. water rush out. Simple

If you need a tub or shower replaced,

Soooo, back to square one. Then I remembered, in a flash of inspiration, the plastic kiddie pool I had from last summer. I retrieved it from the side of the house, filled it up, and although there was still an uneven distribution of water, I figured it would do. It didn’t do for long, though. There is now – and I don’t know how it got there – a big hole in the bottom. Oh, what to do, what to do? I don’t like being inside, so I have been sitting outside reading, minus a pool, sweltering. It feels like 400 degrees in the shade. And I have very little shade. I have even considered (and this shows you how desperate I am) moving the

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Elections are right around the corner To participate in the general election, you must be a U.S. Citizen, resident of Connecticut and 18 by Nov. 3, 2020. The easiest way to register is online, using a CT driver’s license or another DMV-issued ID at voterregistration.ct.gov. If you do not have a DMV-issued ID, you may also register by mail using the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Download a registration form in English or Spanish at portal.ct.gov and mail it to your local registrar’s office. You may also register in person if they are open. For more information about special circumstances or to obtain an absentee ballot application, visit portal.ct.gov.

The registration deadline is Oct. 27 for the Nov. 3 election. For information about candidates visit vote411.org. Once you have completed the registration process, you will receive a letter in the mail confirming your registration and where you will go to vote. There are two primaries on Aug. 11 – one for the Republican Party and one for the Democratic Party— but See Elections, A17

Tax relief options available to residents Durham and Middlefield leaders voted to adopt both the deferred and lowered interest rate tax programs introduced in an executive order by Governor Ned Lamont. The order states that “each municipality … shall participate in one or both programs.” Both municipal boards voted unanimously to adopt the programs.

The tax deferment program allows eligible taxpayers to defer taxes on real estate or personal property for 90 days. This means that the deadline to pay property taxes would change from Aug. 3, 2020 to Oct. 1, 2020. This program is for anyone who has been “significantly impacted” by COVID-19. InSee Tax relief, A17

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Friday, July 10, 2020

Gov. Lamont delaying 3rd phase of reopening plan State residents will have to wait longer to enjoy a drink in a bar or attend larger indoor and outdoor gatherings. They’ll also have to wait longer for the capacity limits to be increased in places likes restaurants and gyms.

Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday he is postponing the state’s third phase of reopening “for the foreseeable future,” expressing concern about the number of positive COVID19 cases spiking in other states and those governors deciding to reverse their earlier reopening decisions. On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Ab-

bott, a Republican, shut down bars again and scaled back restaurant capacity to 50 percent because of large increases in infections.

and restrictions against serving customers who are standing. Meanwhile, the occupancy limit will remain at 25 percent for large outdoor facilities that have a fire code associated with them, such as racetracks.

“Look, I’d like a beer at the bar as much as the next person. I know how frustrating this can be,” Lamont said. “But right now, with this Also, indoor private gatherpandemic flaring up in a majority of other states, this ings will remain limited at is not the time to take a risk.” up to 25 people and outdoor private gatherings will still The Connecticut Restaurant be capped at 100 people. Association has stressed that Both were scheduled to inbar seating will still be alcrease in mid-July. lowed as part of a restaurant’s current 50 percent in- Additionally, the capacity limits will remain in place door capacity limit, so long for indoor dining, different as certain criteria are met, entertainment venues and such as physical barriers in gyms. place that separate customers from the bar space

Lamont’s decision comes as Connecticut still has one of the lowest infection rates in the country, less than 1 percent. There have been 259 more positive cases since Friday and three more deaths, for a total of 4,338. Meanwhile, the number of hospitalizations dropped over the weekend by 26, to a total of 69.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or lead to death. See Reopening, A10

Lawsuit filed to allow mail-in voting Associated Press

HARTFORD — A federal lawsuit was filed Thursday, July 2 to make mail-in voting for the November election available to all eligible Connecticut voters during the coronavirus pandemic. An executive order signed by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said any eligible Democratic or Republican voter will be allowed to use an absentee ballot to vote in the Aug. 11 primary. Applications are being sent this week to 2 million eligible voters. However, because the governor’s public health emergency order expires Sept. 9, he cannot mandate that the ballots be made available for the Nov. 3 general election.

Lamont and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, both Democrats, have urged the General Assembly to pass legislation in an upcoming special session to allow all voters to use absentee ballots in the general election. No date has been set. “No Connecticut voter should be forced to choose between protecting their health and casting their ballot,” Merrill said in a written statement. “As I have said for months, the legislature should come in to special session immediately to allow Connecticut voters to cast their votes by absentee ballot in November.”

voting in Connecticut. The first two were filed in state courts by critics of the concept including four Republican congressional candidates on the primary ballot who are part of a group called Fight Voter Fraud Inc. They filed a lawsuit Wednesday, July 1 with the Connecticut Supreme Court, asking the court to order Merrill to stop sending out the voter applications “that misinform the true legal requirements for voting by absentee ballot.” They argue that Merrill’s office is encouraging everyone to vote by absentee and therefore risking the integrity of the primary.

The July 2 lawsuit marks the third legal action filed in recent weeks regarding mail-in This new federal lawsuit was filed by The League of Women Voters of Connecticut, the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP, and an ...serving Durham, Middlefield & Rockfall individual resident who needs an alternative to voting Joy Boone, Advertising in-person because her age places her at higher health risks due to COVID-19.

Town Times

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Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

Learning

The department reported 170 of 201 districts responded to that survey. According From A1 to a CTMirror.org report on By reaching out to families on the survey results, some 137,000 students lost learna case-by-case basis, educaing, either through minimal tors were able to connect participation in remote with and engage with most learning, or because they families. didn’t participate at all. Meriden Public Schools reported generally high partici- The Mirror noted that the bar for students to be conpation numbers based on sidered fully learning “was students’ logins. Weekly atpretty low,” as students simtendance figures school offiply needed to complete ascials shared showed at most signments weekly to be conof the city’s schools more sidered fully participating. than 95 percent of students were logging into remote According to the survey relearning programs regularly. sults, 90 percent of students At several schools those perparticipated in online learncentages declined by a few ing, the other 10 percent repoints during the final weeks ceived home learning packof school. ets or other materials. The State Department of Ed- However, the 90 percent did ucation, through the Learn not necessarily mean those from Home Task Force, surstudents were fully particiveyed school districts pating. The survey results statewide to determine the found more than 74 perextent of student participacent had fully participated, tion in distance learning programs.

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A10

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

Reopening From A8

In other coronavirus news:

Contact tracing Lamont said 100 percent of the state’s local health departments are participating in the state’s contact tracing program, uploading data and making calls on a regular basis. He said 885 people have signed up to perform contact tracing, 120 of whom are volunteers. Nearly all of the positive cases reported to local health departments for contact tracing are followed up within 48 hours. Ultimately, about 47 percent of the cases have been successfully contacted.

While state officials would like to see more cases successfully contacted, Josh Geballe, Lamont’s chief operating officer, said having all of the local health departments involved in the system gives Connecticut “a huge advantage as a state to be able to pass contacts across jurisdictional lines.”

Briefs From A3

Deterra delivery Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition will deliver a free medication disposal bag to you. Using a medication disposal bag is the proper and safe way to dispose of unused and ex-

It also gives officials insight on a statewide level of where possible outbreaks might occur.

Poll workers

State Denise Merrill on Monday announced a statewide effort to recruit poll workers in Connecticut for the upcoming primary and general election.

The population of poll workers in Connecticut tends to be older and Merrill said many may not be able to volunteer this year. But she noted that polling places will feature social distancing and personal protective equipment.

After seeing other states struggle to find poll workers during the pandemic, Democratic Secretary of the

Voters interested in working at polling places can sign up online.

pired medications. Contact Dena Miccinello at dmiccinello@dmyfs.org.

Class reunion

GED testing

The Coginchaug Class of 2010 will celebrate its 10year reunion Friday, Nov. 27, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., at TapHouse 150 in Cromwell. RSVP at tiny.cc/Coginchaug2010. For updates, check out the "Coginchaug Class of 2010 Reunion" page on Facebook. Email Danielle Charette, charette.danielle@ gmail.com.

Adult Education has two locations to take the GED exam. Both Middletown and Old Saybrook are authorized testing centers. Free GED tutoring is available days and evenings at Adult Education in Middletown and Old Saybrook. There is no charge for Durham and Middlefield residents. Call 860-343-6044.

Tax deadline The income tax filing date has been pushed back from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.

Welcome to On The Menu. Let us help you find the perfect place to eat.

Whether it’s a celebration, date night, or just grabbing a bite to eat, this list of local restaurants is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Find great local eats - MenusCT.com 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.

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Town Times | towntimes.com

From A9

while another 14 percent of students partially participated. Another 8 percent of students minimally participated. In Cheshire, Board of Education Chairman Anthony Perugini praised the school district’s staff for being “able to maneuver so quickly and respond to online learning.” “Our teachers had to adapt to a new style on the fly. They performed very well,” Perugini said. In a commentary published in The Plainville Citizen in late-May, Plainville superintendent of schools Steven LePage made it known that he was proud of how his faculty was dealing with distance learning, as well.

Mail-in “COVID-19 remains a threat, and it is critical that our fall elections are carried out in a way that assures voters and election workers can partici-

the school district, and our school district volunteers are also able to continue to support students at this time as volunteer mentors connect with their student mentees making positive connections through virtual meetings."

"We have also developed several survey instruments to assess distance learning and gather feedback from students, families and staff members. Feedback from these surveys is helpful in gauging distance learning practices that are working well, and identifying gaps and areas that need to be addressed or refined including social and emotional, and other needed supports," LePage wrote.

School officials in Cheshire didn’t release specific data indicating how many students participated or how many were shown as having logged into online remote learning programs.

"We have a strong, highquality support staff team from each school that continues to provide outreach, resources and support to all students and families across

pate safely, which means Connecticut must have absentee vote-by-mail available for everyone in November,” said Carol Reimers, president of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut. Scot X. Esdaile, president of

Solan said despite the sudden disruption in midMarch of in-person instruction to a remote delivery, students continued to learn. “Did they learn our curriculum to the degree we would have engaged them in, if they were in school? No. Does that mean all of a sudden Cheshire students are behind? No. The entire planet is dealing with that.

the Connecticut NAACP State Conference, said the Black community has been hit the hardest in the state by COVID-19 and “will be hit the hardest politically in the state of Connecticut if there are not protections put in place for voting rights in November.”

“They learned. They maybe didn’t learn all of the stuff we had planned they would learn. But our kids will continue to grow,” Solan said.

classrooms this fall with the significant likelihood that educators may need to rapidly activate remote learning programs.

“Our student attendance we monitored through participation,” Solan said. “When teachers realized students weren’t participating, then they would contact school counselors to contact families.”

“There’s not a lot of time to nail that,” Solan said.

Last month Cheshire school officials held 38 virtual meetings with parents to gauge how engaged students were in online learning programs. Questions included what strategies worked best for students. Officials convened similar input sessions with teachers as well. Solan described it as an autopsy of the spring learning experience, as school officials prepare for a return to

Parents and educators provided similar feedback during the sessions: both prefer in-person, in-classroom teaching and learning. “It’s good to see there was a lot of alignment between what teachers said and what parents said,” Solan said. “Relationships really matter between our staff and our students,” Solan said. “One of the things I worry about with the fall return is if it’s not in person to start, how do we build those relationships?” mgagne@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ

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From A8

"Staff members at each school continue to focus on ways to build positive feelings and emotions through virtual meetings, spirit weeks, online chats, social media, dance videos and more.

A11

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Learning

Friday, July 10, 2020

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A13

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As we get deeper into campaign season, I look forward to meeting many more of you, to get to know you better and to learn your concerns. Thank you!

Editor :

Mike Skelps, Middlefield

I'm running for the 82nd District of the Connecticut House of Representatives, and I'm writing to introduce myself to those in Meriden, Middlefield and Rockfall who do not already know me. I am a Navy veteran, a small business owner in Middlefield, and an active community and civic leader.

Color blindness Editor : This is in response to Mr. Tuttle’s June 12 Letter to the Editor featured in the Town Times, specifically about his view of the phrase “Black Lives Matter.”

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I have served as a State Election Moderator and Assistant Registrar of Voters. I also serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Middlefield Board of Finance, where I, along with other members, delivered a 4.5 percent cost savings for the town and a reduced mill rate.

Every moment Mr. Tuttle spends complaining about being censored is a moment that he could have spent considering the lives of people who don’t enjoy the luxury of having a philosophical debate about semantics It seems to me if Mr. Tuttle is and political correctness. genuinely concerned about Erin DaCosta, Orwellian-like politics, he Brooklyn, NY would be writing in utter disgust over the Trump adKatie Liljedahl, ministration's tear-gassing of Middlefield

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I will support tax incentives for businesses that invest in our state and in our community to create good-paying jobs. In particular, I will endorse programs that advance green and alternative energy, like wind and solar, creating further economic growth. I will work to restore state funding to our veterans which has been slashed 40 percent over the past five years. We need programs and positions like these to get Connecticut onto a better track.

peaceful protestors (including CNN reporters) in what can only be considered a PR stunt to photograph him awkwardly fondling a bible.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

I love calling Connecticut my home. But times are tough here. Our state's budget has an ever-increasing deficit, our economy is anemic, and property values haven't recovered from their values a decade ago. I believe we must do better. As your state representative, I will fight for lower taxes and a smaller, more efficient state government.

He is baiting, of course. His is a textbook right wing argument about PC culture and the wording of a movement that threatens his status quo. That his defense of “All Lives Matter” is its

“blind[ness] to race” speaks volumes about his understanding of how damaging that trope has been. Our “color blind” institutions and systems – education, criminal justice, housing, banking – have failed people of color. Our color blindness has produced rampant structural racism and systemic inequality, not a utopia of equality.

A15

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From A2

I’m not sure what’s more alarming, that Mr. Tuttle felt compelled to write an LTE to complain about semantics or that he wants the editor and readers to know that he is offended by the left’s PC policing, but not by the unfair, often fatal, and overwhelmingly unpunished, policing of black and brown bodies.

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Letters

Friday, July 10, 2020

A16

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

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Census

Seniors Wednesday of each week to register.

Middlefield Senior & Social Services Department hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Zoom exercise classes. Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Call 860-3497121 to register. Senior Meal Program. Frozen meals are being delivered each Monday and are available for pick-up after 12 p.m. Call 860-349-7121 by

Food bank. Call 860-3497121 to make arrangements for pick-up or drop-off. Need a mask? Masks are available at the Senior & Social Services office. Call 860349-7121. Wellness checks. The Middlefield Senior Center staff conduct wellness check-in phone calls. Call 860-3497121 to register.

From A1

According to the original schedule, non-response follow-up, (a.k.a. door-knocking) was due to begin midMay. It will now be postponed until mid-August. If you would prefer to avoid that knock on the door, then fill out the Census for your household. Respond at 2020Census.gov or call 844330-2020 for English and 844-468-2020 for Spanish.

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From A6

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According to 2020census.gov, “The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. It's also in the Constitution: Article 1, Section 2, mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.”

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

Elections

From A5

From A6

Redbud tree: We now have a sweet little dwarf redbud tree, which will provide shade, beauty and a warm welcome to our visitors, not to mention edible flowers in the spring! Special thanks to Paul at Country Flower Farms for donating this beautiful tree to our garden.

Connecticut is a “closed” primary state so that only those registered in those two parties may participate. If you are already registered in a party (and this includes the Independent and Working Families parties) it is too late to switch parties. Voters registered as “Unaffiliated” for at least three months may affili-

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Friday, July 10, 2020

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Autos Wanted

MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION Screened Topsoil $25/ per yd; Sand-$15 per yd; Millings-$10 per yd; Screened Millings $30 per yd; Clean Fill $8 per yd: $100 minimum delivery. No pickup truck service. Minimum 16 yd pickup at our yard. Call Jim @ 860-982-4819 for delivery

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.

PREMIUM SCREENED TOPSOIL

$25/yard delivered, 3 yd, $100 min. delivery Call Jim 860-982-4819 Top Soil, Compost FOR SALE. Catering to small deliveries. Call Bob (203) 415-0723

Miscellaneous For Sale

STOCKPERSON

Wanted To Buy

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

KUHN 2014 TEDDER Kuhn Gyro Hay rake 2017; John Deere Tractor w/loader, 2016. Call for price, 203.235.7411.

Please & Thank you.

Wood Fuel Heating Performs a variety of Equipment stockroom/warehouse duties in the storage of Motorcyles and ATVs BUYING MACHINIST TREE LENGTH material and equipment TOOLBOXES - Tools FIREWOOD for an electric utility. & tooling, contents of Requires a H.S. diploma WILL PAY CASH - For old CALL FOR DETAILS machine shops, home motorcycles, mini bikes workshops and small or equivalent and 1 year 203-238-2149 & go carts. Gary, (860) lathes. Call anytime of employment in a 558-5430. 860-985-5760 stockroom, warehouse, Wanted To Buy office, maintenance Houses To Share or construction environment. Must have a 1,2,3 Items or an Estate - House to valid State of CT driver’s MERIDEN $$$ CASH $$$ share, private room, license. Pay rate: $23.09 Todd Shamock $150 wk. or $600 mo. to $28.18 hourly plus an Estate Sale Service utils. incl. Plenty of excellent fringe benefit Costume Jewelry, parking. Refs./Sec. package. Applications Antiques, Dolls, Toys, req’d. Reduced rent for can be printed from the light housekeeping and Paintings,Meriden Items chores. 347-641-1135, Town’s Webpage http:// 203-494-1695 347-488-4991. www.wallingford.ct.us/ Content/Personnel_DeAARON’S BUYING partment.asp Fax (203) Old Machinist Tools, Rooms For Rent 294-2084, Phone: (203) Lathes, BenchTools, 294-2080. The closing Hand Tools & more. WALLINGFORD - Beddate will be that date the (203) 525-0608. room w/ private bath, 30th application form/ all utilities, double bed, resume is received, or $170/wk plus 4 weeks ALWAYS BUYING security. 203-980-1441 July 15, 2020, whichever CASH PAID occurs first. EOE Vintage Electronics, Musical InstruFurniture Automobiles ments, Amps, Ham Equipment, HiFi, 17’ STARCRAFT CAMP- COLONIAL LOVESEAT Radios, CB, Gui- sofa, brownish plaid ER, 2012 - Queen tars, Audio Equipw/ wooden armrests. size bed & bunk beds, ment, Antiques. white, 2,600 lbs. $7,500 Good condition. $80 860-707-9350 obo. 203-980-1441. 203-269-9755

Wanted To Buy

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, WANTED Individual Old/ Vintage Toys, Mufirearms, collections & sical Instruments (Saxophones, Trumpets, Vi- estates including military olins, Flutes, Clarinets, & related items.Federally Trombone & SO MUCH licensed firearms dealer. MORE) Advertising Gunsmith, appraisals, Items, Wristwatches Richard Pleines, (860) (Broken or Not), Pocket 663-2214. Watches, Tools (Machinist, Woodworking, WANTED - Vintage cos& MORE) Doorstops, tume jewelry. Call for Clocks, Oil Paintings, appt. I pay top cash for Old Signs, Old Phoyour Grandma’s Costographs, Old Posttume Jewelry Stash. cards, Brewery Items, Julie 203.443.9602. 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! So please give us a call at your earliest convenience. Grassy Hill Auctions 203-868-1816 - Grassy HillAuctions.com

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NEWSLETTERS

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

Businesses & Services Attics and Basements Cleaned

Home Improvements

Landscaping

GARY WODATCH

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

Electrical Services TEC ELECTRICAL

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

Gutters

GUTTERS DON’T WORK

Handyperson

AHEARN BUILDERS Additions, Decks, Siding, Doors, Windows, Remodeling. 860.346.0409

Masonry

Power Washing

W. BOOBER MASONRY Over 35 Years Experience All Types of Masonry CT License #626708 (203) 235-4139

POWER WASHING

Tree Services

Is Spring Cleaning on THE OUTSIDE FREE Estimates #569127 Call Kevin 203-440-3279

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

Junk Removal

CLEAN & REMOVE Furniture, appliances, entire contents of: homes, sheds, estates, attics, basements, garages & more. *SPRING YARD Clean-ups* FREE ESTIMATES. LIC & INS. 203-535-9817 or 860-575-8218.

Accepting Comm. & IF YOU Mention Resid. lawn & grounds This Ad maintenance, hydroseedSPRING Yard ing, new lawn install., 25 Clean-Ups yrs. exp., Member BBB Brush, branches, leaves, 203-634-0211 storm damage **JUNK REMOVAL** COMM. & RES. - lawn mowing, hedge trim- Appl’s, Furniture, Junk, ming, mulching, retainDebris, etc ing walls, patios, walkWE CAN REMOVE ways, much more. Free ANYTHING Est. 203.687.0936 Entire house to 1 item removed! FREE ESTIMATES Sr. Citizen Discount LIC & INS. 203-535-9817 or 860-575-8218

GET 20% OFF! If you sign for the year w/ Affordable Lawncare. Reasonable. Reliable. 860.406.2771.

Covering Central Connecticut since 1867

HOME DOCTOR - 48 years exp. in all trades, we do small odd jobs to remodeling, former US Navy, 15 years, Senior discount. Ins. #640689, 203.427.7828.

Home Improvements

203-238-1953

Get Listed. Get Calls. Get Results.

Moving and Storage

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

GUTTERS PLUS 25+yrs. Exp. Call today for Free estimate. 203-440-3535 Ct. Reg. #578887

A19

JT’S LANDSCAPING LLC - Spring CleanUps, we specialize in weeding all types of beds, mulching, top soil work, pruning, hedges & trees, & all your landscape needs. Residential & commercial. Lic. #616311. Call today, 203 213-6528.

Specializing in tree removal, trimming, chipping & grinding. Call for free estimate. 203-945-1808. RT RELOCATION Your moving and storage specialists. Call for a free estimate. 833-668-3978.

Painting Wallpapering #1 PAINTER’S EDGE 15% off Houses.Decks. Sheetrock.Popcorn Repair. Wallpaper removal. 25 yrs exp. Free est. Sr. disc. #0656136. Ins. 860.538.5520

Plumbing

GEORGE J MACK & SONS - Servicing the Meriden area since 1922. Toilet, faucet, sink & drain repairs. Water heater replaceMasonry ments. 15% Sr citizen disc. Member of BBB. 203-238-2820. ALEX MASONRY - 30 yrs. exp. Patios, Ret. Walls, Steps, Brick, Stone, Power Washing Chimneys. #580443. 203-232-0257 or 203596-0652 #1 PAINTER’S EDGE

MOBILE WASH

HAVE DUMP TRUCK. Reg. Ins. Free on-site est. Attics, basements, garages, appliances & more. Any questions?

Roofing.Siding.Gutters. Skylights. Chimney Repair. Flashing. #0649808 203.510.3830. lmmasonryconstruction.com

ROOFING, SIDING, WINDOWS, DECKS & REMODELING. 203-639-0032 email: info@ gonzalezconstruction llc.com Fully Licensed & Insured Reg #577319

Chemicals safe for house & plants. House wash + roof cleaning. 25 yrs. exp. Sr Disc. #0656136 Ins. 860.538.5520

HEDGE TRIMMING Mowing, mulch, gutter cleaning, brush removal, dump runs, comm./ res. HIC0622783. JIMMY’S MASONRY Over 28 years of exp. Stonewalls, patios, sidewalks, chimneys, pool areas, fireplaces, fire pit steps, all types of masonry work. Free est. (860) 274-4893.

A-1 QUALITY POWERWASHING Low Rates Call Dennis 203.630.0008

Yalesville Construction Specializing in all phases of residential & commercial roofing. POWER WASH Senior citizen discount Painting Int. & Ext. Insured Free est. Free Ests. Ins. Refs. 203-265-5200 Rodrigo, (203) 565-7745. HIC#0631937

Looking for a friend? Find litters of critters in our Classifieds.

A20

Town Times | towntimes.com

Friday, July 10, 2020

THANK YOU

AMERICA for Another Great Year Aakhi, Officer Barrett and Tiernan.

OPEN LETTER TO AMERICA Every year around America’s birthday I take a moment to say thanks to a country that took me in with $80 in my pocket decades ago. In search of the American dream I fell in love with a warm, optimistic and loving country that offered hope to a young Irish immigrant. Over the years nothing has swayed my gratitude. Although not perfect, America is still that beacon of hope because of her people. Local people stepping up, going out of their comfort zone to help other Americans. These individuals go about their lives with a focus and a purpose that is truly inspirational. No matter the circumstance, they still follow their calling.

Tiernan (Hartford Bags of Love) and his family doing a project for the homeless at our office.

I have an understanding for people that find themselves homeless as I found myself years ago in that predicament. I also have a deep appreciation for people who lend a helping hand. Tiernan Cabot was nine years old when a chance meeting with a homeless man on Christmas Day, 2016 while volunteering at Bushnell Park changed the course of his young life. Tiernan heard the man’s story and became inspired to help by starting his own non-profit, Hartford Bags of Love. Now years later, the charity has grown and he has been invited down to Washington DC by Senator Blumenthal and recognized by State Senator Saud Anwar. Tiernan and his younger brother Aakhil visited Yankee Home to show our team how the bags of toiletries are put together along with handmade cards to personalize each bag. Tiernan works with another local inspiring individual, Hartford Police officer Jim Barrett, a true champion for the city’s homeless. A 21 year Army Veteran, Officer Jim has pictures of homeless people on his office walls and tells me he knows 850 of Hartford’s less fortunate by name. He takes a personal interest and forges relationships often on his own time and with his own money. Last year he successfully helped a suicidal man off a city bridge. His reward is seeing people better themselves. His selfless efforts of helping people get back on their feet are inspirational to watch and hear about.

Team Member Kara, her daughter Naraya and their neighbor Kaylee from the story.

Then in April, a covid-19 nurse returns home at midnight after a 12 hour shift to see her home in flames. A Yankee Home team member Kara Mainville steps up to take in the nurse’s daughter who lives on her street, who is now without a home. Could not be prouder to see a Yankee team member step up like this. The community then rallied and came together to help this family rebuild by generously contributing to their Gofundme page. Heartwarming to see Americans looking out for Americans. As an immigrant witnessing some of these selfless acts makes me appreciate this wonderful country even more. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This immigrant’s view of America remains unchanged. While not perfect she is still the optimistic, warm and loving country he set foot on decades ago. Thanks for reading. Thank You America. Happy July 4th and God bless her as She rebuilds.

Ger Ronan (President)

THANK YOU AMERICA SPECIAL

WINDOWS

BATH

DOORS

ROOFING

SIDING

* Offer expires 7/15/2020. Financing offer based on approved credit. Green Sky Plan #2531. Subject to credit approval. Applies to new installation of doors, windows, baths, roofing and siding. May not be combined with any other offers. Interest is deferred till 2022. Offer not to exceed 10% of total job. Offer must be activated by a Yankee Home design consultant, during the first visit only. Some restrictions apply. M A # 1 6 0 5 8 4 • C T # H I C . 0 6 7 3 9 2 4 • R I # 3 3 3 8 2

R232018

203-633-7577

$ INTEREST $ DOWN $ PAYMENTS UNTIL 2022