Volume 17, Issue 41
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Friday, Januar y 21, 2011
Snow removal ‘an art,’ ‘ice Snow and ice are nice is more dangerous’: how Some think wintery the recent storms impacted the conditions are a nuiour towns and schools sance, but By Cheri Kelley Town Times What a storm that was on Wednesday, Jan. 12, dropping 22-24 inches in Durham. First Selectman Laura Francis said that, due to the shear volume of snow and the heaviness of it, the town had to hire three loaders for snow removal. “The cost for the three loaders is less than the cost of a burnt-out transmission.” Francis continued, “Even after 21 hours straight, the road crews still had more to clear, and we were very happy when (RSD13 Superintendent) Susan Viccaro decided to close the schools for an additional day.” Francis also expressed her appreciation of everyone taking heed of the governor’s advise to stay off the roads because they could get the job done in a safer and faster manner.
Francis went on to say that she took a ride in the town’s new truck on Thursday, Jan. 13. After riding as a passenger she noted, “It really takes a lot more decision making, expertise and care than people might think. The road crew goes to great lengths and care to avoid damaging property. We have to remember that as we all tend to stay in and care for our families, they have to leave their families and go out in it.” Francis said that there were no accidents that she was aware of reported due to the storm. Middlefield First Selectman, Jon Brayshaw, stated, “The road crew have given their all; I would say the two storms have caused it to be a fairly severe week. People should know that snow reSee Winter Weather, page 7
these kids think it’s a blast! Lindsay Peach turned 10 on Jan. 10. She celebrated with an ice skating party on Durham’s Route 68 skating pond. The kids skated, drank hot chocolate and made s’mores by the fire. Kids who attended were Lindsay Peach, Skylar Rascati, Margaret Fiondello, Gabrielle Kozic, Gabrielle Prifitera, Jessi King, KateLyn Cummings, Sarah Gavin, Nicole Catania, Thomas Vallone and Trevor Scotto. All are from Durham and Middlefield. Photos submitted by Gina Peach
Middlefield P&Z approves Golf Center at Lyman Orchards Stephanie Wilcox Town Times The Middlefield Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) unanimously approved a Lyman golf center
In this issue ... A tree in Durham is glazed in icy crystals; a beautiful sight. Photo by Sue VanDerzee
Calendar............................4 Durham Briefs................15 Middlefield Briefs...........14 Sports ..........................20-23 Obituaries........................18
during their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Despite the ice storm that canceled several other meetings in Durham and Middlefield, the P&Z Commission still met, and only First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, attorney John Corona, who presented the application, and John Lyman III, executive vice president of Lyman Orchards, were in attendance. According to Lyman, the golf school will be officially named Golf Center at Lyman Orchards and will consist of
a driving range, practice area and a nine-hole short course. There will be an emphasis on instruction, which Lyman hopes will allow for entry into the game of golf for parts of the market that might not be getting into the game currently, like someone who doesn’t have time, young players, perhaps women who may be intimidated, older seniors who want a shorter course, those
See Golf School, page 6