Friday, November 4, 2022
www.towntimes.com
Volume 28, Number 44
New selectman hits the ground running By Nicole Zappone Town Times
Andrew Taylor is the newest member of Durham's Board of Selectmen. The Democrat, who was sworn in on Sept. 28, fills the spot vacated by George Eames, who now serves as Durham's first selectman. TriCircle founder Ana Gopoian stands in the doorway of the new location at the Women and Families Center in Meriden. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal
Where help is found TriCircle brings addiction recovery services to its new downtown Meriden location By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — The Middlefield-based addiction recovery and support group TriCircle Inc. is bringing its headquarters
and clinical support services to the second floor of the Women and Families Center on Colony Street. TriCircle’s founder and Executive Director Ana Gopoian signed the lease recently with Women and Families Center Executive Director Wayne Valaitis for training and meeting room space. The group will provide clinical services and life skills and See TriCircle, A12
Having previously served on the RSD13 Board of Education, Taylor, a married father of four, said he is familiar with standard meeting procedures and budgets and is comfortable working alongside people with opposing viewpoints. Currently, Republicans have control of the three-member Board of Selectmen. Taylor, who is seated alongside Eames and John Szewczyk, said progress is being made in the community.
Andrew Taylor took his seat on the Durham Board of Selectmen on Sept. 28. Nicole Zappone, Town Times
“There are not a lot of exciting projects, but they need to be addressed," the new selectman said. Taylor said he believes the role of local government is to provide an environment where families, businessSee Taylor, A5
Candidates in 13th Senate District offer contrasting viewpoints, styles By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — Partway through an Oct. 19 forum, candidates for the 13th state Senate District seat discussed juvenile crime. Republican Joseph Vollano blasted lawmakers for passing legislation he said makes it easier for juvenile offenders to commit more crimes and makes it more difficult for law enforcement to hold them responsible. “We have juveniles stealing
cars and taking police on wild police chases,” Vollano said. “But that’s not considered a serious offense when they’re running from police. So again, instead of being put through the system, they’re being released back to their parents. Which then gets me to thinking what the hell are these parents doing? And that’s a whole different conversation we can get into, because this is the culture we’ve allowed.” Democrat Jan Hochadel argued for a measured ap-
proach to juvenile justice, noting her current role involves working with probation officers and educators. The exchange also touched on police accountability. “We all want to be safe in our homes and our cars,” she said. “My grandfather was a police officer, a very good police officer, but I think he would have wanted some accountability, because everyone should be accountable for doing a good job. But when we’re
Jan Hochadel, the Democratic candidate for the 13th District seat in the Connecticut state Senate, and Joe Vollano, the Republican candidate for the same seat, speak on Oct. 19 during a candidate forum at the Record-Journal Photos by Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal See 13th Senate District, A2 office in Meriden.