Friday, November 26, 2021
www.towntimes.com
Volume 27, Number 48
Health district has new director
EDUCATOR COMMENTARY
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
SOUTHINGTON — Susan Bencivenga-Lonczak is the new director of the PlainvilleSouthington Regional Health District. Previously, she worked for the Chespro- BencivengaLonczak cott Health District , which serves Cheshire, Prospect and Wolcott.
An inspiring day at Memorial School By Amy MacKay
Leading up to Veterans Day, Middlefield’s Memorial School participated in several events to educate students about the veterans within their families, community, and nationwide. Activities took place throughout the week and culminated on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. The day began with our local Cub Scouts raising the flag. As students entered the building they were greet-
ed with a display case containing artifacts from our military and flags representing each branch of the military.
Southington leaders were impressed with her experience, familiarity with the area and ideas for advancing the health district. “I think she’s going to bring a really positive vision to the district,” said John Barry, a regional health district board member. “Susan’s experience will be able to move
Prior to Veterans Day, Memorial School families were asked to contribute photos and information about the veterans from their own families. This information was put into a slideshow shown in the front foyer and in each classroom See Veterans Day, A2
See Director, A3
Durham, Middlefield to join larger transit district By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
Two local transit districts might merge for the purpose of improving transit service. Estuary Transit District, better known by the moniker “9 Town Transit,” is poised to absorb the Middletown
Transit District in what officials say will be a larger and more cost-effective operation. Estuary Transit District currently serves Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.
The consolidation would add Middletown, Middlefield and Durham, the district said, with the possible addition of six other Connecticut River Valley towns in the future. Joseph Comerford, who serves as executive director of both the Middletown and
Estuary transit districts, indicated the move was put in motion by a 2020 report from the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. The regional planning organization recommended merging the two quasi-public agencies into one inte-
grated district to achieve a more efficient and sustainable approach to delivering transit services in the region, Comerford said. Merging would provide multiple benefits, Comerford said during a recent Durham See Transit, A10