Town Times

HAPPILY RETIRED

Making a difference

by BSA Troop 33:

BSA Troop 33 would like to congratulate Carter Fudge, of Middlefield, for complet ing his Eagle Scout project this summer and earning his Eagle Scout rank this fall.

Carter chose an Eagle Scout Service Project to benefit Camp Nerden, a local sum mer camp which offers spe cial needs programs for chil dren and adults. Having vol unteered over 150 service hours at the camp, he was familiar with its needs.

The project plan was to clear and extend the camp’s exist ing nature trail, cover the trail with wood chips, add trail markers and build park benches.

Repairing the overgrown trail would allow opportuni ties for nature hikes and pro vide campers a shady space during hot summer days. Building two benches to place along the trail would give campers a nice spot to rest as well.

Carter had to plan his pro ject, prepare a budget, raise funds, coordinate volunteers and execute the project as part of his requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

The project was a big under taking, and a big success. With a generous donation of

Cans, bottles sought by local non-profit

By Nicole Zappone Town Times

More than 720 million bot tles and cans go unreturned for a deposit refund each year.

In the greater Middletown area, Cans 4 A Cause is look ing to collect your unwanted cans and bottles to benefit local charities and other nonprofit agencies.

Jeff Myjak, who started Cans

4 A Cause in 2018, is looking to make a difference one can and bottle at a time. “We are encouraging people that if they don’t want to redeem them, we will take them,” he said, pointing out that the goal is to give the money back to the community.

Some organizations to bene fit include New Horizons, Warm the Children, and CT Diaper Bank.

See Can, bottle drive, A8

wood chips from Perma Treat Corp. in Durham, Carter was left to fundraise $200 for supplies and mate rials.

Thirty volunteers worked a total of 116 hours to clear out brush, weeds, stones

Retired electrician Lou Whoolery, of Wallingford, reels in a cast while fishing from the shore of Black Pond on the Meriden/Middlefield town line on Nov. 16. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

Submitted

Pictured next to the Troop 33 Eagle Scout plaque at the Middlefield Community Center are Brian Fudge (Carter’s father), Carter Fudge and Mary Pitruzzello, former Scoutmaster for Troop 33.

Dear Old Man Winter, I do not wish to be rude, but I am not ready for you. At all. Less so than usual. Oh, once I get into the swing of things, I am pretty much al right, but so far there has been no swinging. Perhaps it is because we have been graced, for longer than usual at this time of the year, with warm, balmy days.

I have gotten spoiled. So when you suddenly popped up and please do not take this personally I resented you. I am still a bit miffed. One day I was bask ing in my “barefootedness” and lounging for hours in my backyard, reading and drinking tea, and then, out of the blue (well, not really; we did all know it was com ing), there you are. Without warning, it seemed. Shoes on, winter jacket pulled out, scarf and hat, no sitting out side for any length of time whatsoever, having to defrost my car. A chill that has set tled into my bones and ap parently does not wish to leave. And I know that I must dig out the winter clothes, and that is always a sad occasion. It means we can no longer stave off your arrival.

If you will excuse me for a moment, I believe I can feel a session of whining coming on. I hate shoveling snow, and so I implore you to give us very little of it this year. I know a lot of folks are hop

ing for a white Christmas, but I think I could do nicely without one.

If you ever have taken a gan der at me driving on icy roads, you would have seen a very stressed-out woman, barely able to breathe, hunched over the steering wheel and gripping it tightly with white knuckles, offering up prayers for safe deliver ance to her destination. Not a pretty picture. Please bear that in mind and take pity on me. Let’s try to keep the scary driving down to a bare minimum this year.

Oh, and let’s address the is sue of it getting dark at a ridiculously early hour. It al ways takes me by surprise, as if that has not been hap pening for my entire life. I have not adjusted yet. Oh, in time I will. I will actually revel in the long, cozy nights in front of the TV with my dear kitties curled up beside me and all my sparkly lights plugged in. But right now I must adjust my schedule, and I don’t really have the hang of it yet. Night vision is not my strong suit, and I am pretty sure it is best if I actu ally stay on the road when driving after dark. So the things I used to do after work are curtailed now. I must be safe and sound at home well in advance of that sinking sun.

But don’t mind old curmud geon me. Lots of people love you. The kids especially,

what with the sledding and the snowball fights and the ice skating and snow days off from school. Believe it or not, I used to love you, too, when I was just a tadpole. You were my favorite season. I am sorry that we had to part ways.

But on these cold dark mornings I try to cheer my self up with the comfort of knowing that you are not here forever (again, please don’t take this personally), and in due time there will be birds singing and the shoes will take their rightful place in the back of the closet and flowers will be popping up everywhere. I know I can hang in there.

I hope, with all the time you’ve had off, that you have not stored up enough energy to give us a good walloping. I will give you some credit, though. Your brisk air does make Christmas more “Christmasy.” Long ago, in a galaxy far away, when I lived in Georgia, we ran the air conditioner on Christmas Day. That just seemed wrong. So Old Man Winter, please try to show some restraint and go easy on us. And I’ll try not to complain about you so much. Deal?

Not A Fan (I Wish I Was), Diana

Eagle Scout

From A1

and branches across the trail.

Mulch was transported in by tractor and spread across the path, the trail was blazed, and benches were assem bled and added to the walk way.

Carter was not allowed to

complete the work himself, but had to delegate tasks to demonstrate his leadership skills.

Carter is very proud to have completed his service pro ject and just recently earn his Eagle Scout rank, but is most proud that he was able to help make a difference for Camp Nerden.

Thanks to Carter Fudge and 30 volunteers, Camp Nerden in Middlefield has a new-look nature trail.

War of words extends beyond election

By Kate Ramunni Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD The bat tle between two candidates vying for the 90th District seat in the state legislature ended on Election Day, but a war of words between the two sides has lasted longer.

On Nov. 8, incumbent state

Rep. Craig Fishbein earned a fourth term, defeating Democratic challenger Re becca Hyland with 55% of the vote. The district covers part of Wallingford and Mid dlefield.

But comments made that night by Hyland and the next morning by her cam paign manager, Whitney

Mooney, and Fishbein’s re sponse, have extended the rivalry.

In her concession speech, Hyland didn’t hold back her disappointment with the election results.

“In all likelihood, we proba bly didn’t win, and Fishbein sucks,” Hyland told her sup porters to applause. “And clearly not enough people watched the debate because he sounded like a bumbling idiot.”

The next morning Mooney made a comment on Twitter that Fishbein took to be re ferring to him.

“I am so sick of (expletive) white Republican men win ning elections,” Mooney tweeted.

Fishbein responded by tweeting: “This is the cam paign manager for my oppo nent in the recent election, commenting the day after. #Shameful Thankfully, the

voters were not fooled.

#ThankYou #WallingfordCT #MiddlefieldCT for OVER WHELMINGLY supporting my re-election.”

In a statement to the Record-Journal, Fishbein said: “I denounce the racist

Democratic House candidate Rebecca Hyland at campaign headquarters in Wallingford on Election Night.

Record-Journal file photo See War of words, A5

War of words

and genderist comments made by the Hyland cam paign. In my opinion, there should be more empathy and less harmful rhetoric in this world. It is truly unfortu nate that neither the candi date nor the Wallingford Democrat Town Committee feel it appropriate to join in my disdain for these insensi tive comments.”

Mooney deleted the tweet but said it wasn’t aimed at Fishbein. “My tweet was commentary on the elec tions across the nation after the news that Greg Abbott won Texas by a landslide, Ron DeSantis won Florida, and JD Vance won Ohio us ing an endorsement from (former president Donald) Trump,” she said.

“Rep. Fishbein assumed the tweet was about him as I am Rebecca Hyland’s campaign manager, ” she said. “I am al so a 29-year-old female in a country that just overturned Roe v. Wade and that was the voice represented in my tweet. I hope we can use this conversation constructively as I am still scared at the growing extremism in our country. My worry is about our country at large.

“While Fishbein and I don’t share the same politics, I do not have animosity toward him for winning the elec tion,” she said.

Fishbein, also a member of the Wallingford Town Coun cil, said he believes the tweet referred to him, not other winning Republican white male candidates, and could also refer to newly elected Judge of Probate Patrick Birney, also a white male Republican. Mooney was also campaign chair for Birney’s Democratic oppo nent, Nicole Barillaro.

“It is laughable to try to be lieve that the campaign manager for the Hyland and Barillaro campaigns, both of which were lost to white male Republican candidates, the very morning after the losses, was somehow refer ring to other white male Re publican candidates, in oth er parts of the country,” Fishbein said. “I think the general public is a lot smarter than that.

“And even so, under what possible auspices is this an appropriate statement in any context? It is hateful and di

visive and should be reject ed,” he said. “And yet Hy land, Barillaro and the Wall ingford Democrat Town Committee (as Mooney is apparently one of its offi cers) apparently believe the statement to be reasonable and appropriate political discourse? Well, I for one do not.”

Hyland said she stands by her words on election night, which she said on the record in the presence of a RecordJournal reporter.

“It’s alarming that this man in power is focused on per sonal criticisms instead of helping the people he’s sup posed to represent,” Hyland said. “It’s behavior dis turbingly similar to Trump: if you are mean to me I will go out of my way to destroy

you. My personal opinions of him did not form the ba sis of my platform nor did they distract from the issues upon which I ran. And that’s why he’s attacking me the only way he knows how, with statements made post election about him person ally.”

Democratic Town Commit tee Chair Alida Cella said her party doesn’t have “ a very high opinion of Craig Fishbein, and he’s given us plenty of reasons to hold this opinion.”

“Fishbein’s voting record can speak to his character,” she said. “He has voted against banning conversion therapy, a truly horrid prac tice, has voted against legis lation to cap the price of in

Republican Rep. Craig C. Fishbein watches the vote tally at Republican headquarters on Nov. 8.

Record-Journal file photo

Connecticut’s Newest College Now Accepting Applications

On October 1, Connecticut State Community College began accepting applications for the Fall 2023 semes ter. CT State, as it is more commonly known, is the result of the pending consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. The merger will become official July 1, 2023.

Students can apply online and choose any CT State location. Classes will be held on campus, online or as hybrids for maximum flexibility when design ing a course schedule. Services for students will also be available both in person and virtually.

“We are excited to welcome the first CT State students, both those new to our campuses and the thousands returning in the fall. This new college – whose foundations are built on over 60 years of academic excellence and student success delivered by the best community college system in the nation – will help Connecticut’s resi dents achieve their educational goals, while meeting the state’s workforce needs,” said Middlesex Community College Interim CEO Kimberly A. Hogan.

Connecticut’s 12 community colleges serve approximately 60,000 students a year. As one institution, CT State will be the largest community college in New England and one of the largest in the nation, as well as the leading provider of higher education in Con necticut.

Students will have access to all the programs, services and support that

are available today but will benefit from access to classes on any campus without having to reapply or trans fer. Aligned statewide programs also means that prerequisites and courses required to earn certificates and asso ciate degrees are consistent.

Access to free community college through PACT will continue to be available to Connecticut high school graduates who have never attended college before. Accessing PACT and financial aid start with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov. (Students planning to start in Fall 2023 should use school code 007635.)

CT State will continue to offer a full array of non-credit programs and classes for personal and professional development at its many campuses. Additionally, students can enjoy lec tures, readings, concerts, intramurals and other student and community enrichment activities.

Each of the 12 CT State campuses have dedicated admissions, financial aid and advising staff that can help students navigate the enrollment pro cess. Assistance is available in person, online or on each location’s website. Click here for more information: CTState.edu.

Este 1 de octubre, Connecticut State Community College comenzó a aceptar aplicaciones para el semestre de otoño de 2023. CT State, como es frecuentemente conocido, es el resul tado de la consolidación pendiente de las 12 universidades comunitarias de Connecticut. La unión será oficial el 1 de julio de 2023.

Los estudiantes pueden inscribirse en línea y escoger cualquier localidad de CT State. Las clases se llevarán a cabo en el mismo campus, en línea, o en modo híbrido para mayor flexibilidad cuando esté planificando su calen dario de cursos. Los servicios para los estudiantes también estarán dis ponibles en persona o virtualmente. “Estamos emocionados de poder darle la bienvenida a los primeros estudiantes de CT State, los que son nuevos en nuestros campus, y los que están regresando este otoño. Esta nueva universidad - cuyos cimientos se construyeron sobre más de 60 años de excelencia académica y estudian til, por el mejor sistema de universi dades comunitarias en la nación - le ayudará a los residentes de Connecti cut a lograr sus metas educativas, y a la vez satisfaciendo las necesidades de la fuerza laboral,” dijo Kimberly A. Hogan, Directora Ejecutiva Interina de Middlesex Community College. Las 12 universidades comunitarias de Connecticut sirven a aproxima damente 60,000 estudiantes al año. Como una institución, CT State será la universidad comunitaria más grande en New England y una de las más grandes en la nación, así como el principal proveedor de educación superior en Connecticut.

Los estudiantes tendrán acceso a todos los programas, servicios y apoyos que ya están disponibles, pero se beneficiarán del acceso a las clases en cualquier campus sin tener que aplicar o transferirse. El alinear los programas a nivel estatal significa que los requisitos y los cursos necesarios para obtener las certificaciones y los títulos asociados serán consistentes.

El acceso a la universidad comunitar ia gratuita por medio de PACT seguirá estando disponible a los graduados de las escuelas preparatorias de Connecticut que no han asistido a la universidad anteriormente. El primer paso para acceder a PACT y a la asis tencia financiera es completar la Free Application for Federal Student Aid en FAFSA.gov. (Los estudiantes con planes de comenzar en el otoño de 2023 deben usar el código 007635.)

CT State continuará ofreciendo una gama completa de programas que no otorgan créditos y clases (non-cred it programs and classes) para el desarrollo personal y profesional en sus múltiples campus. Además, los estudiantes pueden disfrutar de lec ciones, lecturas, conciertos, deportes intramuros, y otras actividades de enriquecimiento para los estudiantes y la comunidad.

Cada uno de los 12 campus de CT State tiene personal dedicado a la admisión, asistencia financiera y consejería, que le puede ayudar a los estudiantes a recorrer el proceso de inscripción. Hay asistencia disponible en persona, en línea o en el sitio web de cada localidad. Haga clic aquí para más información: CTState.edu.

War of words

From A5

sulin, against protections for victims in domestic violence situations, is currently suing the state over gun legislation, and has sued the state over Covid restrictions. These are is sues that were widely bipartisanly supported, indicating how far out of step Fishbein is within his own party.”

In 2020, Fishbein apologized for retweeting a racist meme and later voted in support of his own censure by the Wall ingford Town Council.

Accidental Harmony

The Accidental Harmony community choir will pre sent its Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m., at United Churches of Durham, 228 Main St.

Holiday fest

St. Colman Church, 170 Hub bard St., Middlefield, will host a “Country Christmas Bazaar and Children’s Festi val” Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9

a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring crafts, jewelry, knitted items, baked goods, plants, and much more. Santa will make an appearance at 1 p.m.

Food bank

The Middlefield Food Bank is in need of the following: peanut butter, jelly, jam, sandwich/freezer bags, cof fee, tea, crackers, snacks, laundry detergent, dish soap, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, tooth brushes, pasta, pasta sauce, tuna, and grocery store gift cards.

TWICE AS NICE

Can, bottle drive

From A1

Holiday toy drives and veter ans programs also have been helped by Cans 4 A Cause, which began in Myjak’s driveway.

“It got to be too big, and we had to look for warehouse space, ” Myjak said. “We fi nally found this place earlier this year.”

The process took about a year, and this past August, Cans 4 A Cause moved into a warehouse space on Wal nut Street in Middletown.

Twice a week, a group of volunteers comes into the warehouse to sort through the bags and separate cans and bottles by brand.

This process makes it sim pler, Myjak says, to redeem them.

Liz Brantley balances the books for Cans 4 A Cause and helps determine where the money goes.

With Brantley’s experience

as an accountant and work ing with books, Myjak took advantage of her skills and made her a part of his Board of Directors.

“I retired a year and a half ago, and I was looking for something to do,” Brantley said. “I spotted this, and be ing half a mile around the corner from my house, I de cided to help. I became ad dicted to it.”

Drop-offs can be made at Cans-4-A-Cause, 124 West mont Drive, Middletown, and at the following locations: Penfield Farm, 51 Ames Hol low Road, Portland (Satur days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Portland Senior Center, Wa verly Avenue, Portland (back of the building); Rovers Lodge 227, Baileyville Road, Mid dlefield (across the street in auxiliary parking lot); Long Lane Farm, 243 Long Lane Road, Middletown; Fellow ship Church, 1002 Saybrook Road, Middletown (back of the building). To learn more, visit cans-4-a-cause.org

Recently, Durham Middlefield Falcons football teams claimed the Rose Bowl title in two divisions B and C. The Falcons compete in the Connecticut Youth Football & Cheerleading League.

Community Center

Adopt a Family. The Middlefield Senior & Social Services Department is sponsoring an Adopt a Family program. More than 30 children/families are requesting assistance with the holidays. To participate, call 860-349-7121.

Open enrollment. Medicare open enrollment began Oct. 15. To schedule a review of your Part D (Drug plan) options, call 860-349-7121.

Energy assistance. Call 860-349-7121 for details and to make an appointment.

Library

Durham Public Library

Visit with Santa. Saturday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. Then, at 4, head over to the Town Green for the tree lighting.

Storytime, playgroup. Tues days, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13, at 9:30 a.m. Registration is encouraged but not re quired.

Teen self care. Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. Join Miss Kristen in creating self care products to keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift. For teens in grade 6 and up. Register at durhamli brary.org.

Cocoa, crafts. Thursdays, Dec. 8, 15, and 22, at 6:30

p.m. Join Miss Alex for some cocoa and crafts. For young sters in grade 3 and up.

Tree lighting

Levi

E.

Coe Library

Gingerbread village contest. The Friends of the Levi E. Coe Library are seek ing entries for the 2nd annu al gingerbread village con test. Call or message the li brary to register. Bring your gingerbread cre ation to the library between Monday, Nov. 28 and Satur day, Dec. 3. The village will be on display and library vis itors can vote on their fa vorite structure from Mon day, Dec. 5 to Saturday, Dec. 17.

Middlefield’s annual tree lighting will take place Sunday, Dec. 4 on the Town Green.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with music led by the CRHS band. Santa will arrive at 6 to help light the tree and will be available for photos until 6:30. The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department will provide warm beverages and holiday refreshments.

In Brief Brilliant Basement

Heating costs, concerns on rise

By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff

As outdoor temperatures dip, energy suppliers and advocates have renewed concerns about whether the state’s most vulnerable resi dents will be able to afford to keep their homes heated this winter.

Those concerns come amid the simple fact that home heating costs are soaring. As of Nov. 14, home heating oil prices across Connecticut had averaged around $5.64 a gallon, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. A year earlier, the average cost of home heating oil was $3.28 per gallon, the agency reported. So within a oneyear span home heating oil costs have risen nearly 72%.

The amount of federal fund ing the state has received to date to administer the LowIncome Home Energy Assis tance Program, referred to as LIHEAP, this winter now stands at around $99 mil lion, following Gov. Ned La mont’s announcement on Thursday, Nov. 17 that the state’s federal delegation had secured an additional $19 million in funding to the state through that program.

Increased costs, declining benefits

The state’s Department of Social Services developed a tiered plan to distribute funds based on residents’ income and the previous fund ing level of $79 million. That plan would provide $550

In Brief

Gnome fundraiser

Share some holiday cheer by sending a festive display of gnomes and candy canes to friends and family this De cember as part of the Durham-Middlefield Girl Scouts’ Gnome for the Holi days fundraiser. Details can be found at gnome-for-theholidays-fundraiser.ched darup.com.

Holiday concert

The Middlesex Hospital Vo cal Chords will present its annual holiday concert, “Let’s Have a Music Celebra tion,” Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m., at Portland High School, 95 High St. Tickets are $20 and can be pur chased from members of the Vocal Chords or by calling Joyce at 860-342-3120 or Di ane at 860-347-2787.

GED classes

Classes are offered in Mid dletown and Old Saybrook, and registration is ongoing. Call 860-343-6044.

Heating

From

worth of heating oil to nonvulnerable residents and $600 to vulnerable residents whose incomes are at or below federal poverty levels. The plan factors in an antici

pated caseload of 96,600 res idents statewide. The plan includes crisis assistance de liveries, with the first benefit being $430.

The amounts of funding to be distributed through that

plan are far below the amounts the state had doled out to LIHEAP participants a year earlier when officials supplemented the state’s LI HEAP funds with federal coronavirus relief funds.

State Rep. Mary Mushinsky said she has been in contact with the state Office of Fiscal Analysis and reached out to

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s of fice. Mushinsky noted that with the influx of federal re lief funds, the state’s total LI HEAP funds in 2021 totaled around $120 million.

“So we’ve got $21 million less than during the pan demic year and there’sa price increase in fuel,” Mushinsky said, adding that

the number of applicants for the program is expected to increase by 5%.

Mushinsky said typically the state gets a supplemental LI HEAP payment from the federal government in Jan uary. She doesn’t anticipate that changing even with the Republicans taking control of the U.S. House of Repre sentatives in January.

“I don’t think either side is going to want to have the states run out of LIHEAP money, ” Mushinsky said.

“Doing the math, you can see that there’s more ex pense on the price of the fu el and then slightly less money in 2021 that means we won’t have enough. We’re going to be short on the funding,” Mushinsky said.

The funding is distributed to qualifying residents through community action agencies, like New Opportunities Inc., which serves 60 communi ties.

Joanne Balaschak, New Op portunities’ director of ener gy programs, noted that last year residents who qualified for benefits were able to re ceive up to $3,000 worth of home heating oil. This year, those same residents may only be eligible to receive $730 in benefits, factoring in their initial deliveries and crisis deliveries, Balashack noted.

“It’s going to be unbeliev able,” Balaschak said.

Bracing for increased need

Gannon Long is policy and public affairs director for an other program, Operation Fuel, which provides yearround energy and utility as sistance to state residents, including those who may not qualify for relief under LIHEAP.

Long said in 2021 the orga nization served more than 9,000 households. This year, Operation Fuel is on track to process even more assis

tance applications. During the summer alone, the agen cy served 4,500 residents an unprecedented number, Long said. The agency is bracing for a winter with po tentially greater numbers.

Long noted that even in years less impacted by infla tion and soaring heating costs, LIHEAP funding has been insufficient, not just in Connecticut, but nation wide.

“In a typical year, LIHEAP is enough to cover 25% of the people who actually qualify for it. That’s a really low per centage,” Long said. “Opera tion Fuel and other advo cates had pointed out for a long time that this is not suf ficient.

“At the end of the day, I’m hoping the governor and the legislature are able to do whatever helps the most vul nerable residents,” Long said. ” The most important thing is that people have heat this winter.”

Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Mar keters Association, a statewide oil and gas distrib utors trade group, shares that concern. Herb said the combination of increased costs and insufficient fund ing “is going to put more pressure on customers al ready under economic pres sure to afford those bills.”

Herb said his group has been advocating for Congress to authorize addi tional funding to keep up with the costs of inflation.

“It’s important for Congress to step up and fill this gap that’s going to occur,” Herb said.

The gap will impact the companies that distribute home heating oil. Herb said there are around 600 heating oil dealers across the state and the majority of them are small, family-owned busi nesses.

“This puts a lot of pressure on them,” Herb said. “We’re the ones who are ultimately responsible for making sure

the health and safety of resi dents is met.”

Herb said unlike other feder al assistance programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, where retailers are fully compen sated for the food products they provide, heating oil dis tributors that participate in those programs “are expect ed to take steep cuts.”

“We’re not paid the full rate, like food assistance,” Herb said.

Herb urged residents con cerned about their ability to afford to heat their homes to explore all assistance pro grams available. Operation Fuel is another assistance program for which they may qualify.

“Don’t give up,” Herb said.

Awaiting further action from Congress

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumen thal’s office, in response to a question from a reporter, is

sued a statement regarding LIHEAP funds.

“My office has heard from many constituents who are concerned about the costs of home heating oil and the winter ahead,” Blumenthal said. “While Connecticut has received $107.8 million for LIHEAP, the significantly in creased number of appli cants combined with high oil and natural gas prices means there might not be enough funds to help everyone in

SERVICE DIRECTORY

MEMBER CONNECTICUT Insured & Licensed

From Brownstone Psychological Associates, LLC Debra S. Nelson, Psy.D. & Stacia K. Bjarnason, Ph.D. Durham, CT 860-788-3231 www.BrownstonePsychological.com

need. I will keep fighting in Congress to bring more funding back to Connecticut because families should nev er have to choose between putting food on the table or heating their homes.”

Fine Work Home Improvement Dependable & Reasonable Dan Jacobs, Owner Phone: 203-265-4674 • Web: fineworkCT.com Email: fineworkhomeimprovement@gmail.com

Heating 199 Main Street, Durham, CT 860-788-3231 R256793 Emergency PumpOuts Are Available! Family-owned and operated Specializing in a range of septic care services

256639 whitfieldsanitationllc@gmail.com 6 Main St. Durham, CT | (203) 453-2576

35 Years in Business! Family Pest Control LLC “Our family serving Your family” Locally Owned and Operated Since 1977 Wallingford: (203) 265-7328 Toll Free: (800) 269-0948 1287233 Connecticut Business License # B-2045 Connecticut Business License # B-2045 ## 129826R

1289953 102794RR236330_V2 R239352v2

R252474

R255498 www.familypestct.com Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Licensed • Insured APEC ELECTRIC All Purpose Electrical Contractor "Electrical Construction Built on Quality" Joseph W. Fontanella 860-349-0303 “No Job Too Small” Lic.# E1-123497

WE’RE HIRING!

RJ Media Group seeks an energetic and experienced Media Advertising Sales Consultant to join our talented team of marketing experts. This position offers a competitive salary plus commission plan, 4+ weeks of paid time off per year, health and welfare benefits, 401(k), free newspaper subscription, and cell phone & mileage reimbursement.

RJ Media Group is an EOE.

For details visit rjmediagroup.com/careers or email Jim Mizener, VP of Advertising, at jmizener@record-journal.com

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT

The Town of Wallingford is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform a variety of confidential human resources support activities. Requires a H.S. diploma or equivalent and 3 years’ responsible office experience that includes performing human resources work. $23.68 to $28.36 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications may be obtained at the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page or emailed to: wlfdhr@ wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of December 9, 2022. Phone: (203) 2942080; Fax: (203) 2942084. EOE

MINUTES CLERKS

The Town of Cheshire seeks candidates to assist various Town volunteer boards, com missions & committees. Responsibilities include assisting with preparation of meeting agendas, attending meetings & typing, filing & distributing concise & accurate minutes within a designated time frame. Will work in conjunc tion with Town staff & committee Chairs. Competency with Mic rosoft Word & emailing attachments required. Most meetings are held in the evenings Mon day through Thursday. This position is parttime & pays $25 per hour with an increase to $30 per hour upon completion of a six month probationary period. Please see the Town’s web site at www.cheshirect.org for additional information.

SENIOR SANITARIAN

Seeking a responsible individual to oversee the inspection and enforcement of public and environmental health statutes, codes and regulations.

Must be 18 or older. Must have valid drivers license, reliable vehicle and be available early mornings. Make extra cash before you go to work making early morning newspaper deliveries using your own vehicle. NO experience necessary. Must able to deliver early mornings, 7 days a week. MUST be dependable, and be able to read a route list with specific delivery instructions. We will demonstrate the route to you. Routes average 1.5 to 3 hours daily. No collections required. Not Temp Work. Retirees, Stay at Home Mom’s, and Veterans are also welcome to apply. Make extra cash to pay rent, mortgage, bills, save money, or a great vacation. Text or call Peter at 860-846-0216 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and start as soon as tomorrow morning.

Application & cover let ter must be submitted to Human Resources Director Louis Zullo at lzullo@cheshirect.org by December 15, 2022. Current clerks should submit a letter stating their interest to contin ue. Town of Cheshire is an EEOE, M/F/D/V

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, biology, public health or closely related field plus 2 years’ experience in regulatory environmental public health. Must possess State of CT certifications in Food Service Inspection, Subsurface Sewage Phase I & II, and a valid CT Drivers’ license. Salary: $84,586 to $108,221 annually plus an excellent fringe benefits package. A complete job announcement and application may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@ wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of December 23, 2022. Phone: (203) 2942080; Fax: (203) 2942084. EOE

ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER

Town of Cheshire seeks qualified candidates to be involved in the construction, investi gation, development, review and design of Town’s Public Works projects. 35 hr/wk. Excellent benefits. Salary range: $65,894 to $98,006; DOQ. Refer to the Town’s web site @ www.cheshirect.org for details on applying & job description. Submissions must be received NLT close of business on 12-16-22.

Town of Cheshire is an EEOE, M/F/D/V

FOR SALE BY OWNERMercedes Station Wag on 2001, Silver. Only 66,700 miles, garaged. AWD. Asking $15,000 OBO. 860-919-7823.

TOP CASH PAID

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

MATERIALS

DISTRIBUTION

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

TIMELESS TREASURES

PREMIUM SCREENED

TOPSOIL

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

TREE LENGTH

FIREWOOD

CALL FOR DETAILS

203-238-2149

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

A B C - “A BETTER CHOICE” - Costume Jewelry Wanted Old, New, Napier, Etc. “I Pay Top Cash For Your Grandma’s Costume Jewelry Stash” I’ll come to you, 203-4439602 Julie.

AARON’S BUYING

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

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 ALWAYS BUYING CASH PAIDVintage Electronics, Musical Instru ments, Amps, Ham Equipment, HiFi, Radios, CB, Gui tars, Audio Equip ment, Antiques. 860-707-9350

ALWAYS PAYING TOP DOLLAR - For your unwanted gold, silver, coins, watches, vintage costume jewelry and more!!! 35+ years of experience Call Sandy, 203-768-2443.

GRASSY HILL AUC TIONS, Sale, Liquidation, Attic & Basement Cleanout Company is Always Buying and providing services all over Con necticut. These are just a FEW of the things we are looking for: An tiques, Collectibles, Old/ Vintage Toys, Mu sical Instruments (Sax ophones, Trumpets, Vi olins, Flutes, Clarinets, Trombone & SO MUCH MORE) Advertising Items, Wristwatches (Broken or Not), Pocket Watches, Tools (Ma chinist, Woodworking, & MORE) Doorstops, Clocks, Oil Paintings, Old Signs, Old Pho tographs, Old Post cards, Brewery Items, Hunting & Fishing, PEZ Dispensers, Costume Jewelry, Broken Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Jewel ry, Gold & Silver Coins, Military Items, Swords & Bayonets, Helmets & Patches, Medals & Uni forms, Pocket Knives, Lighters & Pipes, Foun tain Pens, Mechanical Pencils, Fraternal Or Items, Religious Items, Industrial Items, Win chester Items, Sikorsky Items, Pratt & Whitney Items, Colt Items, Na tive American Items, Vintage Electronics, Slot Cars, T Matchbox & Hot wheels, Barbie’s, Folk Art, Statues, Bronzes, Trains, Cameras, Mid Century Modern Fur niture, Straight Razors, Shaving Items, Political Items, Comic Books, Sports Cards & Auto graphs…& THE LIST GOES ON! So please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

Grassy Hill Auctions 203-868-1816 - Grassy HillAuctions.com

PREMIER ESTATE JEW ELRY - Is interested in buying your fine jewel ry, watches, coin col lections, silver flatware, and costume jewelry. Call Bill, (203) 4942496.

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

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

ANTIQUES - Always buying old; Toys, military, jewelry, art, watches, musical instruments, signs, arcade games, cameras, pre 1970 sports memorabil ia, plus more. One item or entire estate contents. Call 860718-5132. #1 GUTTER CLEANING 25 yrs exp. Best prices, Senior Disc. Res. & Condos. CALL TODAY! #0656136 Ins. 860.538.5520

GUTTERS DON’T WORK

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

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

JT’S LANDSCAPING

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

If

CLEAN & REMOVE Furniture, applianc es, entire contents of: homes, sheds, estates, attics, basements, garages & more.

*FALL YARD Clean-ups* FREE ESTIMATES. LIC & INS. DUMPSTER RENTALS 203-535-9817

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

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

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

ALEX MASONRY - 30 yrs. exp. Patios, Ret. Walls, Steps, Brick, Stone, Chimneys. #580443. 203-232-0257 or 203596-0652

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

A & A LAWN CARE

Free est. Fall clean-ups, tree, brush & debris removal. 203.237.6638 or 203.427.3039.

GUTTERS

HOME DOCTOR - 48 yrs exp. Odd jobs & remodeling, former US Navy, 15 yrs, #640689, 203.427.7828.

OVER 28 YEARS EXP

Stonewalls, patios, sidewalks, chimneys, pool areas, fireplaces, fire pit steps, all types of masonry work. Free est. (860) 274-4893.

Yalesville Construction Specializing in all phases of residential & commercial roofing. Senior citizen discount Insured Free est. 203-265-5200 HIC#0631937

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

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