Volume 26, Number 32
www.towntimes.com
Friday, November 6, 2020
Middlefield enters COVID-19 red zone The state Public Health Department recently developed the “townlevel COVID response framework” to classify cities and towns based on population and how many residents have tested positive for COVID19 on a two-week rolling average, counted from Sunday to Saturday. The state will make the designations every Thursday after 5 p.m. Cities and towns that have increased positive COVID-19 cases are designated as yellow, orange or red. Yellow in-
dicates 5 to 9 new cases per 100,000 residents per day. Orange indicates 10 to 14 new cases and red indicates more than 15 cases.
cancel indoor or outdoor activities, limit capacity in restaurants or stores, or step up inspections and enforcement.
Middlefield was in the red zone. Durham was a step down, in the yellow range.
The rating system does not impact schools, which health officials have said are not contributing to the spread of the virus because social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing are enforced.
Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order allowing communities in red and orange categories to revert to Phase 2 reopening guidelines. The order also allows cities and towns to
— Town Times report
Republican Paul Cicarella, pictured, prevailed in the 34th District state senate race, and will replace longtime state senator Len Fasano. Speaking to supporters on Election Night, Cicarella said “I am super excited to start working.” Nadya Korytnikova, Town Times
Election ushers in new representatives By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
Republican Paul Cicarella defeated former East Haven Mayor April Capone to win the 34th District state senate race. Cicarella will replace longtime state senator Len Fasano, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election. The 34th District represents East Haven, Wallingford, Durham and North Haven.
The unofficial numbers as of 10 p.m. Tuesday had Cicarella leading Capone 28,444 to 22,571. Capone conceded the race at around 10:40 p.m., Cicarella said. Cicarella was at North Haven party headquarters watching election results come in. “I want to thank everybody for all of the help and support. This is our race,” Cicarella said Tuesday. “People who weren’t involved in politics came to help ... I am super excited to start working.”
State Sen. Mary Daugherty Abrams, a Democrat, won re-election in the 13th District, defeating Republican challenger Len Suzio in a race largely decided by absentee ballots. The district includes Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield and Middletown. “I think this is going to be a long process,” Abrams said, as she awaited results in the party’s headquarters in Meriden. See Election, A6
Learning center opens By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
When Bridget Fraser opened the doors of her business, she did not only fulfill her lifelong dream but also brought the town of Durham a new children’s learning center. Located at 16 Main St., unit 307, The Children’s Treehouse Learning Center offers a before- and after-school program for children age 5 to 10. The program offers an array of arts and crafts projects as well as outdoor activities. For 3- to 5-year-olds, it also offers occasional weekend parent-child workshops and yoga classes outside when weather permits. “Many other childcare services just let kids run around,” said Fraser. “Here we have more structure. We play, we talk with kids, and we incorporate different activities for different seasons and holidays.” Fraser filled shelves of her learning center with things like board games, books, markers, pencils, brushes and stencils. She sees creative projects not only as a chance to promote children’s visual, motor and social development, but also as a vehicle for expression. “Art lets kids express who they are and what they like to do. Through art, they show their feelings and thoughts. It’s amazing how much their pictures can say without words,” said Fraser. See Center, A10